Returning to Windows Desktop (1 Viewer)

[caveman38]

I am running MovingPictures (Fullscreen) in XP and what a great job it does. What I have not been able to fathom out is how I can pause a film and return to windows desktop to say check emails and return to the film.
I can only see how to return to MP home page and quit (X top right). What am I missing. Thanks for the help.

 

[fforde]

I personally have MediaPortal set to minimize to the tray when "closed". That way when I reopen it I am at the same location in the GUI. I think there is a bug in MediaPortal that causes audio to drop out when you do this while a movie is paused though. Could just be my codecs or something though.

 

[caveman38]

I can see that may RE-OPEN it from the desktop taskbar. But how do you escape from MP to desktop initially?

 

[fforde]

I use ALT-F4, either on the keyboard or bound to a button on my remote. There are probably more elegant ways to do this, but when you have close to tray enabled ALT-F4 just drops you to the desktop without shutting down MediaPortal.

 

[caveman38]

Thanks for that. Seems a bit crude for such an elegant program.
I am new to this and am running XP therefor WMC is not an option. Out of curiosity is there an escape to windows key / shortcut on that program. If so why do the developers not introduce one to MP. Surely it is an essential command for a windows based program.

 

[fforde]

I would be surprised if there was not another way, I was just telling you how I deal with it. Maybe try asking in the main forums where your post will get more attention.

 

[RoChess]

Depending on your settings you can try the following:

WinKey + 'D' = minimizes everything to desktop, which even minimizes fullscreen programs such as MediaPortal. But this method can be disabled by programs, so I'm not sure if that works, as I can't test it right now.

ALT + Enter = switches from fullscreen to windowed mode. However same as with WinKey+D this can be disabled by the software, and there are MediaPortal settings for this in config. Since my HTPC is still boxed up, I can't verify, but worth a try.

These are both keyboard combinations, but you should be able to map these to an unused remote control button if it works for you.