(original thread) MCE Replacement Plugin v1.0.0 (8 Viewers)

[and-81]

New Version RC 4 for MediaPortal 0.2.1.0

Hey all,

RC 4 is available on the first post. ONLY use this if you have stepped up to MediaPortal 0.2.1.0.

Let me know how you get on. If no-one has any problems I'll put it on the main download page in a day or so.

Some notes:

I've tested the 2 transceiver thing. It didn't work I'm afraid. I'll add that to the list of improvements to make to the driver. I haven't started work on improving the driver yet, I'll look into it once the I'm happy with the plugin. I've opened the driver in VC++ Express but I need the windows platform sdk to compile it, so I'll give more news once I've done that.

I've tested the Pause/Info issue people have had in the past and I can't reproduce it on my 0.2.1.0 install... Maybe it's been fixed? Let me know if you experience this issue with 0.2.1.0 and I'll get back on it.

EDIT: There was a delay between posting this message and updating the first post, everything just bogged down, don't know why... I hope no-one re-downloaded RC3 for SVN!

Cheers,

 

[arjay]

Aaron - excellent work. I upgraded to 2.1.0 with a fresh install and then installed your plugin. Works just fine with a sky stb. BTW mine is Pace 2600C1 which is not in your drop-down list, but i used the one that is just labelled "sky" (generic??). That one seems to work just fine.

Just FYI, the problem we have all been having with the info button not working (flashing on and off) is still happening. Have to hit the info button twice very quickly to get the menu to stick. Unfortunately, i didn't think to test it before installing your plugin so not sure if it is that or MP itself. If it is MP alone, we should see some posts come up pretty quick elsewhere my guess is.

Anyway - many thanks for an excellent job. Now how about an stb plugin? You don't know the half of the problem with your measeley 7 or 8 channels. I have 120 and each one has to be manually edited for external then stb, then cvbs, then name and channel number. It takes me around an hour. Of course, before I even get to that stage, I have to find a copy of xmltv.exe somewhere, download it, run xmltv config in a command window to select which channel I want (have to type "no" to everyone of the 500 that I don't want and default select the 120 I do want). Then I have to run a command to download the the channels and their inf. Then configure MP to find the resultant tvguide.xml and only then can I get to watch a program!!

Sounds like just the sort of thing a genius could automate. (and I'm only half joking...)

Regards

RJ

 

[FLY]

RJ,

I saw a plugin somewhere to organize and setup the channels. I will try to search for it again.

I have upgraded to 2.1 but have not installed this plugin yet so I will try out the info button.

 

[zombiepig]

and-81 - i can confirm that 2.1 without the replacement plugin doesn't suffer from any info button bug!

 

[and-81]

thanks zombiepig, I'll get right on it.

Arjay, I'm limiting myself to one plugin at a time right now. If Fly doesn't find that plugin you're after I'll see what I can do for you. But only after I sort out the info button bug.

Thanks,

 

[and-81]

arjay

I forgot to mention in my last post, the "Sky" entry should work on a whole series of different set top boxes that are used for Sky, not all, but certainly not just one. That's why I just called it Sky.

Now, I can't reproduce the problem with info/pause here. Either with or without the replacement driver. Can you tell me, are you using General HID or any other input plugins? Also, can you turn on extended logging and give me a log file showing the buttons being mapped, etc... ?

Thanks mate,

 

[arjay]

FLY - should you find the plugin I'll be very grateful. I'll search too, now that I know there is one...

@Arjay

Now, I can't reproduce the problem with info/pause here. Either with or without the replacement driver. Can you tell me, are you using General HID or any other input plugins? Also, can you turn on extended logging and give me a log file showing the buttons being mapped, etc... ?

Aaron - sorry, I'm out all day today but will get on to it as soon as I can. In the meantime, should you see this post, help me out with the name of the log file you want and its location? (I have extended logging on)

RJ

 

[and-81]

Just your mediaportal log file, from a time when you've run mediaportal and experienced the problem. You'll find it in your MediaPortal\log\ folder, it's called MediaPortal.log. If you zip it up and attach it to a reply to this thread I'll check it out.

When you get a chance, check to see if you have any other input plugins or configuration options set. For example, in mediaportal configuration is General HID enabled? Or the original MCE remote support?

These are the worst bugs I'm afraid, the ones where you have the problem and I can't duplicate it

I'll do my best to get to the bottom of it though.

Cheers,

 

[arjay]

Just your mediaportal log file, from a time when you've run mediaportal and experienced the problem. You'll find it in your MediaPortal\log\ folder, it's called MediaPortal.log. If you zip it up and attach it to a reply to this thread I'll check it out.

When you get a chance, check to see if you have any other input plugins or configuration options set. For example, in mediaportal configuration is General HID enabled? Or the original MCE remote support?

OK - MP log file a bit later. As to plugins - no, I am not using anything other than the standard default plugins (settings, weather, etc). However, I AM using the original MCE driver beacuse I need to use my MCE keyboard. Perhaps that is the problem? I'll check about General HID - never saw this option, but didn't deliberately enable it??

BTW - I am using another (Linux) machine to post to forums - that's why the media centre PC is not easily available for log files etc. I use linux for everything except HTPC. Also - don't worry about the stb plugin - as I said it was half in jest. If we get you to keep extending your plugin we could end up with a new media centre software program!

 

[and-81]

I've tried both the replacement and original drivers and haven't reproduced the problem yet. That just means I haven't got my setup the same as yours and I need to keep trying.

Yeah, the plugin is becoming a bit bloated I often consider breaking it down into a bunch of smaller plugins, but that wouldn't work right now because there would need to be a way to request an IR blast between plugins.

I might have a chat to the big boys about including a "Blast" or "Special" command/message that mediaportal or any plugin could request and then a another plugin could identify itself as a "Blaster" plugin and do the actual work. That way my plugin could be broken down into smaller ones like ...

- MCE Replacement (just for input)
- Message Mode by itself (already exists, but could be better)
- Multi-Mapping, by itself could add extra button maps to any input method.
- MCE Blaster, just for blasting ir codes from the MCE IR box.
- ChannelBlaster, which just takes the External Channel event and issues the right "Blast" command, which MCE Blaster could then use ...

This is a bit of a day dream at the moment though. I'll stay inside the box for now and look at those things later. I've got other things to do in the meantime. Like get this plugin 100% and then make a TVServer version of it, just for the STB control. And of course, I've gotta look at improving the driver ... Hmm, bit of work ahead of me

Any info anyone thinks will help in tracking down this bug would be very much appreciated.

Cheers,