I tried out MediaPortal 0.2.2.0 release and i was really very impressed by the progress over the 0.2.1.0 release and the couple SVN builds I'd tried. The 0.2.2.0 is SO MUCH MORE STABLE. Congrats.
MP is now at a point where i can almost consider it to replace MCE2005. However, there is one nagging outstanding issue which prevents myself, and I assume many others, from making the switch.
The first issue is the difficulty, and I mean difficulty in the might as well be impossible sense, of setting up external channel changing on my STB via IR Blasters. I am using the Microsoft MCE remote and ir blaster setup. This is a VERY popular configuration. However, judging by other posts on the forums, I'm not the only one with this problem. STBs are pretty much a fact of life, and in my opinion, BUILT-IN support for Microsoft's IR remote should be the included in MP. Yes, before you ask, I did try the My Blaster plugin as well as the MCE Replacement Plugin 1.0. I had no luck with either.
All I'm asking for is out of the (virtual) box functionality for Microsoft's remote and IR Blasting as I'd wager that it is the most popular remote/ir blaster setups in HTPC use today. If this was the case, the adoption rate of MP would skyrocket, IMHO.
Please don't take this as criticism of the state of MP. I'm aware that it is open source and that it is largely a volunteer project. The team is doing great work which can be seen by the amazing progress of the 0.2.2.0 release (stability, animation effects, etc). I look forward to using MP as my main HTPC software.
Oh yeah, Seasons Greetings. It's that time of year.
Anton
EDIT Dec 29 06: I'm such an idiot. Uninstalled MP, deleted all related folders, reinstalled MP, tried MCE Replacement Plugin again. WORKED! And it works on IR Blaster port 1 as well. Perhaps not having the My Blaster plugin in the folder (disabled or otherwise) helped.
Again, great work to the team, and really great work to and-81. Time, patience and RingTFM will set you right every time.
MP is now at a point where i can almost consider it to replace MCE2005. However, there is one nagging outstanding issue which prevents myself, and I assume many others, from making the switch.
The first issue is the difficulty, and I mean difficulty in the might as well be impossible sense, of setting up external channel changing on my STB via IR Blasters. I am using the Microsoft MCE remote and ir blaster setup. This is a VERY popular configuration. However, judging by other posts on the forums, I'm not the only one with this problem. STBs are pretty much a fact of life, and in my opinion, BUILT-IN support for Microsoft's IR remote should be the included in MP. Yes, before you ask, I did try the My Blaster plugin as well as the MCE Replacement Plugin 1.0. I had no luck with either.
All I'm asking for is out of the (virtual) box functionality for Microsoft's remote and IR Blasting as I'd wager that it is the most popular remote/ir blaster setups in HTPC use today. If this was the case, the adoption rate of MP would skyrocket, IMHO.
Please don't take this as criticism of the state of MP. I'm aware that it is open source and that it is largely a volunteer project. The team is doing great work which can be seen by the amazing progress of the 0.2.2.0 release (stability, animation effects, etc). I look forward to using MP as my main HTPC software.
Oh yeah, Seasons Greetings. It's that time of year.
Anton
EDIT Dec 29 06: I'm such an idiot. Uninstalled MP, deleted all related folders, reinstalled MP, tried MCE Replacement Plugin again. WORKED! And it works on IR Blaster port 1 as well. Perhaps not having the My Blaster plugin in the folder (disabled or otherwise) helped.
Again, great work to the team, and really great work to and-81. Time, patience and RingTFM will set you right every time.