TV Server status icon plugin (now as a standalone app too) (4 Viewers)

[jestermgee]

That sounds awesome. Since my HTPC is pretty new it does not have a parallel port. I don't think there is an RS232 port but I can install a USB style parallel port. Would this still work? Would their be a way to change this to use the com port? I'm not a good programmer either but i'd like to give it a go.

What about simply running a file instead of directly controlling ports? This way you could have a command for when recording starts and stops which could run a small batch file to do what you want.

I'm just throwing ideas out there. Look forward to see what we can do with your mod.

 

[Gixxer]

here is my modded version which includes parallel port led control.

right now works as follows

recording - red - pin 2
timeshifting - green - pin 3
grabbing epg - yellow - pin 4
idle - blue - pin 2 to 5
error - red cross - none

i want to expand the setup form to allow the user to change which pins activate depending on the status, give it a go so i know it works in other computers

you will need all the current files that come with the program + inpout32.dll + new modded .exe file

here you can download the inpout32.dll

DLL-files.com - inpout32.dll, free download

place this file in c:\windows\system32 or c:\windows\system32 (i think it will work in any of those)

i doubt it works in vista, i cant even say if it will cause damage to the OS.

it definately works in XP

 

[jestermgee]

Cool. I'll see what this can do when I get home (well on Friday coz I have a day off).

The problem I have is that I don't have a parallel port on my PC. I run XP so that will be ok. If this works I would be tempted to install a parallel card in my PC.

You don't mind sharing your source do you? I cant really program but i'd like to see if there is any way I can mod it to utilize a com port or run a file instead. I'll see how I go with this first.

Also, how do you connect the LEDs to the parallel port? What pin is the common and do you use a resistor in series (1K)? A simple diagram would be great.

Cheers for the mod.

 

[Gixxer]

Cool. I'll see what this can do when I get home (well on Friday coz I have a day off).

The problem I have is that I don't have a parallel port on my PC. I run XP so that will be ok. If this works I would be tempted to install a parallel card in my PC.

You don't mind sharing your source do you? I cant really program but i'd like to see if there is any way I can mod it to utilize a com port or run a file instead. I'll see how I go with this first.

Also, how do you connect the LEDs to the parallel port? What pin is the common and do you use a resistor in series (1K)? A simple diagram would be great.

Cheers for the mod.

use any of the greens as ground and then use pin 2, 3 , 4 , 5 as positive, one for each led.

right now im not using any resistance but u may want to use one just in case. i guess 470 Ohms would be enough.

ill upload the source this afternoon. the mod is very very simple so u will have no trouble understanding it.

please remember that usb - to - parallel adapters dont normally work as a native parallel port, so this program will not work, i know there are some adapters models that do emulate a lpt exactly as they should but others just offer printer interface. if u happen to find one that works, please report back as i also need one for the laptop.

as i said i will try to improve the setup so that it is possible to change the settings depending on the tv server status.

 

[jestermgee]

That's awesome. Thanks for your help on this. I want to see how you manage to "see" what state the cards are in. Because I don't have a parallel port I will have to install a card (no biggie) but if I can create a mod that displays an icon on the screen so I can place it on my touchscreen then that will be even better for me.

Anyway, thanks again. If I make any development on this I will keep you posted.

 

[P.Niem]

Gixxer and AND-81
I was looking for a plug-in / program for months and decided to create one myself some weeks ago. What I want is to control a multicolor led on the front panel of my HTPC using the parallel port. I modified a c# program to control the parallel port and to interface with several other programs such as MP or the remote IR server I use window messaging (WM_APP)

The LEDs do working, but now I have to set there state according to the TV-server status. And then I stuck, because I don't know how to get information of the TV-server. I wonder if the source of the TV server monitor is available and if so, where I can find it. I looked in the SVN of MP, but I couldn't find it.

 

[and-81]

It's in Plugin SVN. (Do a forum search if you can't find the plugin svn details).

It's pretty simple stuff, I'm sure you won't have any trouble.

Just remember to post us a copy of your changes so others can benefit in the same way you did.

Cheers,

 

[P.Niem]

I found the MP plug-in SVN yesterday and have been trying to add some windows messages to the code and configuration. As soon as i get it working Ill let you know.
thanks

use any of the greens as ground and then use pin 2, 3 , 4 , 5 as positive, one for each led.

right now im not using any resistance but u may want to use one just in case. i guess 470 Ohms would be enough.

I have build multiple instances of this circuit to connect several LEDs, because the max output current is restricted to about 12 mA. So if you connect only one LED to your parallel port, I think its fine. Be careful to connect to many LEDs or power LEDs directly to your parallel port, otherwise you can blow up your parallel output buffer.

 

[jestermgee]

I tried your mod Gixxer but it doen't seem to work. When I run the TVServiceMonitor it takes about 4 minutes before it keeps comming back with connection fail and I have to open the setup window. When I do and enter in my HTPC address it comes up with a blue bubble but then crashes. I have had to install a parelell card to try this. where do you get the ports address to enter in your mod?

 

[Gixxer]

I tried your mod Gixxer but it doen't seem to work. When I run the TVServiceMonitor it takes about 4 minutes before it keeps comming back with connection fail and I have to open the setup window. When I do and enter in my HTPC address it comes up with a blue bubble but then crashes. I have had to install a parelell card to try this. where do you get the ports address to enter in your mod?

it normal to get an initial "no connection" as your ip is not the same as mine. once u change it, you get connection as the blue icon appears.

to get the address for the parallel port, go to panel control, system, hardware, or something like that (cant check it now) and look for the parallel port in the list, go to properties and in one of the tabs it should say ADDRESS or something like that.

confirm if u make it to work please.