Topic: Hairstyle Interface Instructions (Read 23415 times)

JimH · « **on:** October 31, 2002, 07:45:33 am »

Hairstyle is a new full screen mode for Media Jukebox. It is intended for use on a TV and can be controlled with a remote.

Here's a picture:

Larger image here:
http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/misc/freeworld.jpg

To get this screen, run MJ 9. Go to Playing Now. Then to Full screen. Then press the menu key (to the left of the ctrl key on the right side of the keyboard).

Escape or menu key (to right of the spacebar) returns.

F11 toggles between mega-me, full screen, and Hairstyle.

Ctrl-W also toggles windows.

The screen above (J River skin) is based on this file:

C:\Program Files\J River\Media Jukebox\FullSkins\J River\main.xml. Edit it with Notepad and change this section to use these numbers:

<LOCATION
TextColor="000000" Rect="20,2,80,15"
/>

The four numbers represent percentages from the left and top of the screen (I think).

Navigation is with cursor keys until you get what you want, then enter should work. It isn't entirely finished, I agree.

To create new fullscreen skins, just copy this directory to a new name of your choice:

C:\Program Files\J River\Media Jukebox\FullSkins\Hairstyle

Then edit the main.xml file and make change to images if you wish. The xml file has helpful comments.

Change to any new Hairstyle skin from setup on the Hairstyle screen.

Cephlen · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2002, 02:26:38 pm »

Jim,

This is looking really nice!

A few of suggestions:

Create a way to automatically launch MJ into the hairstyle mode when MJ is executed

Create menu state properties in your TLB so that I can output those using the LCD plugin

Create menu navigation via your TLB so that I can hook external inputs (lcd or serial port) to control the navigation

I will come up with more as I play around with it if your interested

JimH · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2002, 05:49:23 am »

Cephlen,
Sorry I didn't answer this sooner.

Launch into Hairstyle is planned.

The others are possible. It wouldn't hurt to post them on the developers page. Please include a progress report on your LCD work.

511PF · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2002, 01:01:40 pm »

I'm very interested in using Hairstyle as a TV interface for an MP3 jukebox. I already have a DVD player and TiVo, so I probably wouldn't be interested in using it for those purposes. I'm guessing the Hairstyle interface is more a mockup than anything else right now, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in anyway. I'd like to see the following user interface changes:

* A 'Music Only' Hairstyle mode that doesn't include the DVD, TV, and Image controls.
* Bigger (tv-readable) fonts
* A visual indication of where you are in the tree. If you're in 'Now Playing,' the title of the screen should say so.
* In 'Now Playing,' display album art of the song that's playing and small album art of the next song, along with a list of songes that are queued.
* Play controls always available via buttons (and/or their remote control equivalents).
* If we're navigating the MJ tree structure, some visible indication of where in the tree you're currently located. (If you're three levels deep, there should be an easy way to get back to the top, and/or other parts of the interface).
* As much as possible, flatten the deep tree structure in Hairstyle.
* Put arrows in the interface to indicate where the cursor will go (e.g. on the top level, there would be a right arrow icon to go deeper in the tree, but no left arrow.)
* 'Now Playing' always available via a single button (one-click access).
* Basic song search and filtering functionality with a virtual keyboard. (Ape Jukebox has a good start on this interface.)
* Skins (change through Hairstyle, add through MJ)
* Expose music down to the song (not just album) level throughout Hairstyle.
* Avoid drop down menus and (especially) right-clicks. These tend not to work on a TV screen.
* Browse music interface using album art or text. Hide unnecessary fields (all but album, artist and title).
* An 'Exit' button.

I'm not sure what else offhand. I don't mean to come off as insulting, but the current Hairstyle interface just doesn't work for me. It isn't intuitive, I get lost in the tree and seems more like a placeholder than anything. The MJ interface is outstanding when used with a keyboard and mouse, but is less than desirable on a TV with a remote.

I'd like to see an interface that is controllable by remote, on a TV (no keyboard or mouse) and is usable by the whole family. Please take a look at TiVo and Apejukebox. While not perfect, they both have some good examples of effective TV interfaces. I hadn't really seen any commentary, good or bad, on Hairstyle, so I thought I'd add some.

Edit - if there's a dev plan on Hairstyle that I haven't seen, then please let me know. I have to believe that a lot of this stuff is already planned.

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2002, 01:28:29 pm »

Here is a picture of mine its only a fast test....

http://mouseman.dnip.net/mc.gif

JimH · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2002, 01:45:05 pm »

Go, Mr. Mouse! _Where_ have you been? I hope you haven't been studying.

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2002, 01:59:03 pm »

HEHE i just dont have anywork to do.... BUT!!! NOW... i have made a new totaly cool hairstyle... not that one i just postet but a new one in about 30 min i will post a animated gif of it

its very cool you have added hair style thingi

phelt · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2002, 02:08:45 pm »

Mouseman:
Sweet. Any chance you could post your code in a reply? Don't need the images, just want to check out the structure.

511PF has some good point about interface, specifically state-indication and level navigation. The thing is, if the options are available to Hairstyle skin makers it will fall to them to implement well. Or to others to mod and trick out styles

JimH:
Will Hairstyles be installable as mini/mega-me skins are? Perhaps this has been answered and I should RTFM, but I'm lazy

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2002, 02:10:10 pm »

Phelt take a look here
C:\Program Files\J River\Media Jukebox\FullSkins\

open main.xml in nopepad and you have the code...

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2002, 02:44:24 pm »

Or better than a movie here is it:

http://mouseman.dnip.net/MouseHair01.zip

the files shall be

C:\Program Files\J River\Media Jukebox\FullSkins\MouseHair01\main.xml
C:\Program Files\J River\Media Jukebox\FullSkins\MouseHair01\b.bmp
C:\Program Files\J River\Media Jukebox\FullSkins\MouseHair01\bs.bmp

Here is a screenshot
http://mouseman.dnip.net/622509761.jpg

Uwe · « **Reply #10 on:** November 28, 2002, 10:29:19 am »

Jim,

Hairstyle is also a great stuff for Touch-Screens. Please remember when adding new things in the User-Interface.

Thank you !
Uwe

bennyd · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2002, 10:36:08 am »

Here is my Hairstyle, look what you can do with it

Soundman · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2002, 06:08:46 am »

Bennyd,

Is there any chance you can post your hairstyle's .xml file? I would like to see how to put the spectrum analyzers and the track time on the page.

Thanks!!!

bennyd · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2002, 07:20:40 am »

Hi Soundman,

The TrackInfo page and visualisation is not done in the Hairstyle XML. In the settings of Hairstyle you can specify to show TrackInfo, so I did. In the HTML file of the TrackInfo template I included a visualisation.

The TrackInfo and Visualisation have to be selected first before going into hairstyle.

If you want, give me your e-mail and send you the Trackinfo template, visualisation and hairstyle.

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2002, 02:52:14 pm »

Very nice work im also working on a new very cool one

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2002, 03:14:48 pm »

here is my new one...
http://mouseman.dnip.net/mj2.jpg

http://mouseman.dnip.net/mousehair02.zip

Xstatic · « **Reply #16 on:** December 22, 2002, 12:37:16 am »

Quote

It is intended for use on a TV and can be controlled with a remote.

stupid question coming up:

what kind of remote? The tv-remote, some kind of computer remote?

I am getting a plasma tv for my wall tomorrow, so all of a sudden I am getting interested in this hairstyle thing
:-))

JimH · « **Reply #17 on:** December 22, 2002, 03:35:20 am »

Cool! Invite us over.

You might take a look on the "third party plugins" board here at the links to NetRemote and Glissando. They are the ultimate remotes. They both use our webremote plugin to control MJ.

You can also teach an ordinary TV remote to run MJ, but you'll need an IR receiver like IRMan and you may need Girder if you get very complex at all.

There is a long thread about NetRemote on AVSForum here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=183015

Xstatic · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2002, 10:59:36 pm »

Thx, I'll check the links out.

btw,
J River people are always welcome in my home in copenhagen, if you happen to stop by!

Jesper.

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2003, 01:52:28 am »

Booom up to the top...

I have just started to make a very cool looking new hairstyle... i will update it every time there is a hairstyle update...

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2003, 05:20:47 am »

Go Mouseman!!!

Adam

DanB · « **Reply #21 on:** February 07, 2003, 06:32:01 am »

Mouseman, can you update the links to the screenshots and files please? I'm very very interested in using this interface with my Pronto soon and would like to find something good. THanks.

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #22 on:** February 09, 2003, 03:11:14 pm »

Hi Danial
Sorry im a little slow to answer but it all takes time
you know Girlfriend, School, Friends hehe

my old hairstyles is not working anymore but im making a new very cool one but as i sayed i dont have so mutch time right now... but when its done i will post it

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2003, 06:54:18 am »

What chance is there (probably none) of running a HairStyle client to communicate with a MJ version on a network... Kind of an XML customisable Glissando...

As I am sure you know many of the TV viewing type of people are also the touchscreen use kind of people but having a touchscreen play the sound is not the plan...

I love the fact that I can have multiple glissando clients all simultainiuosly sync'ed to MJ and updated together...

I have mentioned this in other threads also but you could really do with a user submission area for these like the skins...

Lastly are there any developer docs to go with this... I have an XML for dummies around somewhere I may have to start some headscratching

...

JimH · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2003, 07:04:43 am »

A Hairstyle client is an interesting idea.

No docs yet on it, but address a message to Mouseman. He's around 19, lives in Denmark, goes to bed at 4:00AM and knows a lot about it. He's posted a few already here. He might be a lot of help, but I hear he has a girlfriend now.

Cmagic · « **Reply #25 on:** February 11, 2003, 07:11:27 am »

Hi Jim,

Comment vas tu ?

Quote

but I hear he has a girlfriend now.

Does it mean that's the end of nice Track info skins and visu ?

Mouse ?

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #26 on:** February 11, 2003, 08:16:58 am »

Maybee not but my guess is, if he is 19, and just got a GF, then he will be going to bed a lot earlier than 4AM now :p !!

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #27 on:** February 11, 2003, 11:51:55 am »

Hehe i have not forgot you guys. Right now im working on a MC/MJ fan site...

and there will be alot more stuff from me in the future...

and jimh is right i go to sleep very late

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #28 on:** February 11, 2003, 11:53:17 am »

and by the way.. im only 18

still young

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #29 on:** February 11, 2003, 05:19:59 pm »

Mouseman,

Depending on how private you feel about any work in progress could you email me any XML skins you have made (posted above) so I can get a glimpse at your XML and start to learn myself.. Anything currently under progress for my education would be really cool too...

I have just realized something... This is providing a pseudo XML socket server to the MC datatabase is it not ?? A whole new tanget of though has popped in my head if this is true as I know someone working on an XML idea currently... This could slot right in... hmmm

ErnRenner · « **Reply #30 on:** February 27, 2003, 05:34:18 pm »

So what is the direction of the Hairstyle interface?? Is anyone working on new views/schemes? I am interested in making this customized, but I'm very limited in programming knowledge? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Anyone allready working on this... the topic seems to have died out... or did it move?

Soundman · « **Reply #31 on:** March 01, 2003, 10:13:07 am »

Quote

So what is the direction of the Hairstyle interface?? Is anyone working on new views/schemes? I am interested in making this customized, but I'm very limited in programming knowledge? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Anyone allready working on this... the topic seems to have died out... or did it move?

Hi, ErnRenner. I want to make a highly customized Hairstyle interface by embedding scripts and using the Automation SDK. However, no one has posted instructions or an example of a hairstyle .xml file that contains scripts, so I do not know how to embed my script. All I know is that it is supposed to be possible. Has anyone done this yet, or is the ability to script hairstyle a not-yet-implemented feature of MC9?

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #32 on:** March 03, 2003, 03:03:43 am »

Lots of people both here and on AVS that would like to have some clues on how to tackle this interface... the dearth of info is starting to look like a bit of a bald spot in hairstyle

!!

JimH · « **Reply #33 on:** March 03, 2003, 04:54:51 am »

There isn't much I can tell you about it. By reading the main.xml file, you can see what MC currently can support.

We could probably support an ActiveX control embedded in the xml code without too much trouble, if that would help.

What do you need?

JimH · « **Reply #34 on:** March 03, 2003, 04:58:08 am »

Quote

However, no one has posted instructions or an example of a hairstyle .xml file that contains scripts, so I do not know how to embed my script.

The main.xml files in any of the directories in this directory might help
C:\Program Files\J River\Media Jukebox\FullSkins

But what kind of scripting support do you mean?

Kurt Young · « **Reply #35 on:** March 03, 2003, 07:04:34 am »

Not knowing too much about this whole area, but if folks could use Macromedia Flash somehow to create interfaces/skins for hairstyle, it would have the potential to be VERY sweet.

I've seen some people do some amazing things with flash, and I think that PVR/HTPC interfaces, built in flash, could be just gorgeous. Again, dunno how to do it, but it'd be rad, fo sho.

That being said, I would like to put in an aside, addressed to our stalwart developers:

My life is changing in some respects, and I'll soon be without a very good TV interface. So, I will be shifting my whole home entertainment paradigm from my current setup to an HTPC. I want[/i] to use Windows XP Media Center Edition, but I can't afford to buy a whole new computer. Besides, I like MC better than WMP anyhow.

So I guess, without digressing too much, what I'm trying to say is this: please please please please please please please please make Hairstyle comparable to, if not better than, WinXP MCE in the user interface/GUI/user experience area. I've used MCE, and it has, without a doubt, the BEST interface I've ever seen for HTPC purposes. If I could build one, I'd build it just like they have.

It's a given that the "back end" of MC is more powerful than MCE and WMP, but if the "front end" isn't up to par, using it on a daily basis, as I will be, will be a bad experience.

Thanks, and cheers,

Kurt

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #36 on:** March 03, 2003, 08:43:25 am »

Hi guys

Finally I have some time to install the newest version of Media Center... right now I have a old version..

YEAH the download is now 48% done...
I just can't make to make some new stuff..

By the way.. When can I submit hairstyles to the plug-in section??

And guys I have not forgot you hehe

JimH · « **Reply #37 on:** March 03, 2003, 11:04:07 am »

Quote

I want to use Windows XP Media Center Edition, but I can't afford to buy a whole new computer. Besides, I like MC better than WMP anyhow.

So I guess, without digressing too much, what I'm trying to say is this: please make Hairstyle comparable to, if not better than, WinXP MCE in the user interface/GUI/user experience area.

OK, Kurt. How about this one:

A larger image is here: http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/misc/freeworld.jpg

JimH · « **Reply #38 on:** March 03, 2003, 11:12:51 am »

Quote

When can I submit hairstyles to the plug-in section??

Hi Mouseman,
If you want to post a link to a small thumbnail of each Hairstyle skin, and then e-mail jimh @ jriver.com the zipped file, I will put them on our ftp server until we have something more organized.

Thanks for your work on this.

Jim

Kurt Young · « **Reply #39 on:** March 03, 2003, 11:47:37 am »

Quote

OK, Kurt. How about this one:

A larger image is here: http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/misc/freeworld.jpg

Haha! Cool! I know you always have my back, Jim!

It's not just the look, though, that I'm worrying (probably for nothing) about... it's how MCE works. It's hard for a guy like me to quantify exactly what's in my head on this, and I know that Hairstyle's still in progress. That's likely why I've more or less kept my noodle shut about the whole thing.

I know y'all will pull it off better than I'm hoping for, and I can't wait till it's done! I just wanted to give up my input on the subject.

I've got more, but I think there's another Hairstyle thread around here that would suit it better. Woot!

JimH · « **Reply #40 on:** March 03, 2003, 11:54:07 am »

Quote

It's not just the look, though, that I'm worrying (probably for nothing) about... it's how MCE works.

If you can give us more info, we'll take a look. Animations would be nice, but that is a ton of work and it won't happen soon.

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #41 on:** March 03, 2003, 11:59:59 am »

BTW how many MHz does hairstyle need to run?

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #42 on:** March 03, 2003, 01:22:44 pm »

Take a look at this
please come with some feedback good and bad..

Download here:
http://ftp://ftp.jriver.com/pub/downloads/music/hairstyle/mouse_sunrise.zip

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #43 on:** March 03, 2003, 01:29:45 pm »

Taking a look now Mr Mouse...how are things going??? Haven't seen you around here lately...

Adam

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #44 on:** March 03, 2003, 01:31:33 pm »

Hehe its going fine...
but im busy finding a job and my girl takes a lot of time..

dragyn · « **Reply #45 on:** March 03, 2003, 01:36:12 pm »

looks great!

Not dissin' you're hairstyle but the overall usage needs improving yet...hairsyle in general.

Ingo · « **Reply #46 on:** March 03, 2003, 02:43:32 pm »

any chance (or at least votes ;-)) to get the 'My Computer' view in Hairstyle?

Ingo

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #47 on:** March 03, 2003, 03:47:09 pm »

WOW i must say alot of new info in MJFS version="1.4" you say An XML viewer is recommended... what viewer is you useing? im sitting here and useing Notepad hehe

.right now im updating Mouse - Sunrise to 1.4

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #48 on:** March 03, 2003, 03:49:30 pm »

Nice One Mouse Man...I tried to use it after I upgraded and no joy!!! I will try once you have upgraded

Adam

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #49 on:** March 03, 2003, 04:08:46 pm »

Here is the new version

http://mouseman.dnip.net/Sunrise%201.4.zip

Enjoy

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Author Topic: Hairstyle Interface Instructions (Read 23415 times)

phelt

dragyn