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[MrHaugen]

Got one more for you. Badly need help to figure this one out.

The problem appears when I want to read a custom tag. In this case I tested with the tag "Keywords" that also have a list-style I want to use in my tag. I get the error under, in red. The problem appears that the tags I want to use is not included as a member of ComObject. Posted all of my code, so you can get a better understanding. The code I got a problem with is marked in blue.

System.MissingMemberException: Public member 'Keywords' on type '_ComObject' not found.
   at Microsoft.VisualBasic.CompilerServices.LateBinding.LateGet(Object o, Type objType, String name, Object[] args, String[] paramnames, Boolean[] CopyBack)
   at Microsoft.VisualBasic.CompilerServices.NewLateBinding.LateGet(Object Instance, Type Type, String MemberName, Object[] Arguments, String[] ArgumentNames, Type[] TypeArguments, Boolean[] CopyBack)
   at MC_VBNETPlugin_Template.MainInterface.Button4_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in D:\mc_vbnetplugintemplate\VB_NetPluginSoloution\VB_NetPluginProject\MainInterface.vb:line 120


    'Variable for Artist which is shown in textbox
    Public changeText As String
    'Index number of track in listbox
    Public indexNumber As Integer
    Public playlist As MediaJukebox.IMJCurPlaylistAutomation
    'Get the file from the current position in the playlist
    Public track As MediaJukebox.MJFileAutomation

    Private Sub bt_getPlayList_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles bt_getPlayList.Click
        'Clearing Listbox before filling with tracks from "playing now"
        lb_playlist.Items.Clear()
        'Making a counter variable

        Dim counter As Integer
        'Get the current playing now playlist
        playlist = mediaCenterRef.GetCurPlaylist()
        'Making a list which is set to nothing
        Dim listOfTrackNames As String = ""
        'Making a variable for complete trackinfo for each song
        Dim listData As String
        'Variable for tags
        Dim trackName As String
        'Variable for tags
        Dim trackArtist As String

        'Iterate through all the files in the playlist
        For counter = 0 To (playlist.GetNumberFiles() - 1)
            'Get file from counters position
            track = playlist.GetFile(counter)
            'Putting tag from Name in trackName variable
            trackName = track.Name
            'Putting tag from Artist in trackName variable
            trackArtist = track.Artist
            'Making the complete string from the tags
            listData = trackArtist + " / " + trackName
            'Writing the strings one by one, with each "For" pass
            lb_playlist.Items.Add(listData)
        Next
    End Sub
    Private Sub lb_playlist_SelectedIndexChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles lb_playlist.SelectedIndexChanged
        'Getting track from selected line in listbox
        track = playlist.GetFile(lb_playlist.SelectedIndex + 1)
        'Putting Artist tag in changeText variable
        changeText = track.Artist
        'Putting changeText in the textbox
        TextBox1.Text = changeText
    End Sub
    Private Sub bt_updateArtist_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles bt_updateArtist.Click
        'Putting text in textbox to the variable
        changeText = TextBox1.Text
        'Choosing which field to update
        Dim tagField As String = "Artist"
        'Updating tag in library (field, value)
        track.Set(tagField, changeText)
    End Sub

    Private Sub bt_getTestTag_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles bt_getTestTag.Click
        'Getting track from selected line in listbox
        track = playlist.GetFile(lb_playlist.SelectedIndex + 1)
        'Trying to list the contents of the tag "Keywords"
        'but failing miserably!!!!!!!!!!!!
        MessageBox.Show(track.Keywords)
    End Sub
End Class

[Mr ChriZ]

try
track.Get("Keywords",false)

I don't think the file automation has a straight method of getting keywords out,
so you have to tell it using strings.

[MrHaugen]

Ah. Fantastic! That did it. You saved my day again...

Couple of more things:

Is there a way you can create custom fields with a plugin? If they have none before.
I would like to implement this at the end, so users don't have to create it them self, and possibly entering something wrong.

And are there a better way of displaying playlist than the listbox methode I use in my above example? If I use more fields
it will probably look messy, with all the different lengths of the strings. Cosmetic, I know, but any other good options would be welcome.

[KingSparta]

This Is From The MC Automation File, I Have Never Tried It But I May Someday Soon...

IMJFieldAutomation * CreateFieldSimple(string strFieldName, string strDisplayName, number bAllowEdit, long bSaveInTag)

Description: Creates a new field
Parameters:
strFieldName: the internal name of the new field
strDisplayName: the name displayed to the user
bAllowEdit: can field be changed by user
bSaveInTag: save the field in the tag in the content file
Return Value: the FieldAutomation interface for the new field

[MrHaugen]

Thanks. I'll test it later after I got the rest settled.

By the way. Is there a quick way of removing a character from a string in VB 2003 or 2005?
I want to remove the last seperator like test1;test2;test3;

[Mr ChriZ]

        'Display a messagebox which shows "My name is frederi"
        Dim testString As String = "My name is frederic"
        testString = testString.TrimEnd("c")
        MessageBox.Show(testString)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       'Display a messagebox which shows "My name is frederic"
        Dim testString As String = "My name is frederic"
        testString = testString.TrimEnd("i")
        MessageBox.Show(testString)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       'Display a messagebox which shows "My name is frederi"
        Dim testString As String = "My name is frederic"
        testString = testString.Substring(0, testString.Length - 1)
        MessageBox.Show(testString)

[MrHaugen]

That's it! Oh, man I was close. But not close enough...
Thanks

[KingSparta]

MrHaugen

I played with it today this seems to work in VB6

Code: [Select]

Private Sub Command1_Click()
    CreateFieldSub "MyTestFieldName", "MyTestFieldDisplayName", True, True
End Sub

Private Sub CreateFieldSub(MyStrFieldName As String, MyStrDisplayName, MyBAllowEdit As Boolean, MyBSaveInTag As Boolean)
    Dim MCCreateField As IMJFieldsAutomation
    Set MCCreateField = g_MC.GetFields
    MCCreateField.CreateFieldSimple MyStrFieldName, MyStrDisplayName, MyBAllowEdit, MyBSaveInTag
End Sub

[MrHaugen]

Thanks for your effort KingSparta.
There are obviously differences between VB6 and VB.Net... This example is the closest one yet though.

I just added "As String" after MyStrDisplayName in your example. I get no errors until I click the button.
Unhandled exeption: "Object reference not set to an instance of an object".
The line it complains about is the one in red.

I even tried to change the MyBAllowEdit and MyBSaveInTag to Integer. With the same result.
Anyone see why this don't work?


Public g_MC As MediaCenter.MCAutomation

    Private Sub Button2_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button2.Click
        CreateFieldSub("MyTestFieldName", "MyTestFieldDisplayName", True, True)
    End Sub

    Private Sub CreateFieldSub(ByVal MyStrFieldName As String, ByVal MyStrDisplayName As String, ByVal MyBAllowEdit As Boolean, ByVal MyBSaveInTag As Boolean)
        Dim MCCreateField As IMJFieldsAutomation
        MCCreateField = g_MC.GetFields
        MCCreateField.CreateFieldSimple(MyStrFieldName, MyStrDisplayName, MyBAllowEdit, MyBSaveInTag)
End Sub

[Mr ChriZ]

I don't think this is to do with .NET/VB 6 Differences.
I don't think G_MC is set to anything.

Same as the whole TV remote example again,
you've gotta get the reference set correctly.

If  I get a chance I'll give you an example later, but
you may work it out before hand.

[Mr ChriZ]

Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms
' //css_reference System.dll;
' //css_reference System.Windows.Forms.dll;
' //css_reference MediaCenter.dll;
Module Script       
   
    Sub Init( mediaCenterInterface as MediaJukebox.MJAutomation, outputTextBox as Textbox)
                 
        CreateFieldSub(mediaCenterInterface, "Test Field", "TestDisplayName", true, true)
       
    End Sub     
   
    Private Sub CreateFieldSub(ByVal mediaCenterInterface as MediaJukebox.MJAutomation, ByVal MyStrFieldName As String, ByVal MyStrDisplayName As String, ByVal MyBAllowEdit As Boolean, ByVal MyBSaveInTag As Boolean)
        Dim MCCreateField As MediaJukebox.IMJFieldsAutomation
        MCCreateField = mediaCenterInterface.getfields
        MCCreateField.CreateFieldSimple(MyStrFieldName, MyStrDisplayName, MyBAllowEdit, MyBSaveInTag)
    End Sub

   
End Module


Tested in the .NET Script Plugin

[MrHaugen]

Thanks again ChriZ.
Could you be so kind as to tell me what to do with this? I have never used a module before...
I made a new module and pasted the whole thing there. No compilation errors, but no custom field either. I feel there are something here I did not learn in my VB class.
The init sub are supposed to start when I start the plugin, or do I have to trigger it somehow?

[Mr ChriZ]

Sorry to confuse you.
Using the script plugin, init is the first method which
is called by the plugin. It's just a starting point.
The Module stuff I admit I don't know so well,
It's equivilent to something we call a namespace in C#
it just gives a nice name to the area of code we're working in (I think...)

If you create  a new script in the plugin you'll see that a template is setup
which looks pretty similar.

Have a play in it, you may find it useful.

To use the script just paste it into a new script within the plugin,
and hit the run button, and it will run the script..

[MrHaugen]

Woot? Allright, the module part is understood.
But the script part. I know what a script is. You say I should past your code into a new script within the plugin?
How do I make a new script within my current project? I can add alot of different items, components and snippets, but I have a hard time creating a new script template. Are you mixing module and script by any chance? Probably not.

[Mr ChriZ]

Ooops I've totally confused you.
I thought you'd followed a thread previously on this.
Back in December I made a plugin called the .NET script plugin.
You can find it by looking at the links under my posts.

The .NET script plugin allows you to test bits of code
in real time.  (Which is convienient)

This is abit like VBA which you get with Word, Excel etc.

You can create new scripts which are based on either
C# or VB.NET.

[MrHaugen]

Totally confused. That's a normal day for me.
I know I've seen the plugin before. I'll try it out when I get home.
But if it works in the script plugin, and it obviously does since you got it to work there, I still have a problem making it work in the plugin template I think. Let's hope my brain turns on when I test it later.

[Mr ChriZ]

The script plugin uses exactly the same SDK, and is
also exactly the same VB.NET that you're using,
so if it works in the script plugin, it should work
in your plugin.

[MrHaugen]

Chriz. That's a really sweet plugin! I'm stunned.
Tested the code you gave me. In the plugin script. And ofcourse, it worked like a dream.

Could you then tell me why it don't work in my current VB project? I don't want this to be a stand alone app just for the field creation.
I tried to make a module and paste the code into it. But nothing is created. I've also tried to implement it into the MainInterface.
Nothing works. I get NO error codes what so ever. And no custom field in my dear MC.

I feel sooo close to just giving up, and telling the users to create it them self.

[Mr ChriZ]

Sounds like something isn't hooked up quite right,
you'll have to let me know what you're doing.

In Visual Studio.NET you can attach the debugger up to
Media Center and debug a plugin as you're running it in Media Center.

I don't know if it's possible to do the same thing in VB Express however

[MrHaugen]

As I thought. It's not working. I know the code should be ok. Abandon ship?

Can there be something elsewhere in my project that mess up things?
This is the module I created. Anything wrong in plain sight?
http://kirkegata.com/div/plugin.jpg

In Visual Studio.NET you can attach the debugger up to
Media Center and debug a plugin as you're running it in Media Center.

It's a shame I don't have any idea how to do this.

[Mr ChriZ]

Howdie again.

You're still getting confused by this module stuff.
If you create a script in the script plugin you'll see it comes up with the following:
____________________________________
Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms
' //css_reference System.dll;
' //css_reference System.Windows.Forms.dll;
' //css_reference MediaCenter.dll;
Module Script   
    Sub Init( mediaCenterInterface as MediaJukebox.MJAutomation, outputTextBox as Textbox)
       
        MessageBox.Show("Hello World! I am a VB Script!")
       
        Dim MCMixer as MediaJukebox.MJMixerAutomation
        MCMixer = mediaCenterInterface.GetMJMixer()
        MCMixer.Volume = 100
    End Sub       
End Module
____________________________

Init is the entry point for the script, and all scripts used by my plugin.

The script plugin needs this so that it can work out where to start within the script.
The init procedure also allows the MediaCenterReference to be passed the scripts, without
which there would be no control of Media Center.
 I've told the Script Plugin there will be a  Sub Procedure called Init in every script.
 The script plugin also needs to know where to find
this init procedure.  I've told the script plugin to look in the module 'script'.

All this has little to do with plugins however.  The only bit of code you're really interested in
is what's happened once the script has started.

The place where you want to create a field will need something like the following code:
CreateFieldSub(mediaCenterInterface, "Fred", "TestDisplayName", true, true)

Then somewhere accesible the following code is needed:
___________________________________________________
    Private Sub CreateFieldSub(ByVal mediaCenterInterface as MediaJukebox.MJAutomation, ByVal MyStrFieldName As String, ByVal MyStrDisplayName As String, ByVal MyBAllowEdit As Boolean, ByVal MyBSaveInTag As Boolean)
        Dim MCCreateField As MediaJukebox.IMJFieldsAutomation
        MCCreateField = mediaCenterInterface.getfields
        MCCreateField.CreateFieldSimple(MyStrFieldName, MyStrDisplayName, MyBAllowEdit, MyBSaveInTag)
    End Sub
____________________________________________________
Which will create the field for you.

In your plugin, (as in the original .NET template) you have a method also
called Init I believe, it's in a region called
"Media Center Initialisation"

This is the entry point to your plugin.  Now you might not want to create the field
in your initialisation.  Maybe you want it behind a button or something?

However on the script there is no way to have buttons(Unless you're feeling really clever ;-).
So it has to go straight in the Init area else nothing will happen.

However no matter whether you're using the above code in the script
or in the plugin, there's two important things.
1.  The user can some how activate it, either behind some other event. (A button click is an event)
The event in the case of the script plugin is the init method being triggered when the script is run.
2.  The MediaCenterInterface is correctly hooked up to the same reference as the
one that comes in with the Init method.
This is the same whether you're using the script or the plugin.

If you're still having problems then poke me later today and I'll throw a sample
plugin together which will do exactly the same thing as the script does,
and send it over to you.

[Mr ChriZ]

Also just try playing with the script plugin.  Try and create a few simple
scripts of your own, just to get an idea of what it's doing.
Try the following
* Create a script with out Init, or rename the module, you'll see it doesn't work, because the plugin can't find what it's looking for.

Extra information
In real .NET you can add extra assembly DLL's in the references part of the project.
System.dll is there as standard.  However the scripts can't do this, they're only
 a single file.  The following lines get rounds this:
' //css_reference System.dll;

Be warned there is a small bug that renaming VB scripts breaks it at the moment,
so don't rename them within the plugin at the moment.
I'll upload a new version that solves this tonight.

[MrHaugen]

Holy macaroni! It works!!

Thank's for the explaining ChriZ. Understand a bit more now.
You are right, another Init is present. That might be the reason it never got to my module and run the Init.
I skipped the whole module and made it activate with a button. I know that way better
A was close to this solution before. The problem I had then was that the "mediaCenterInterface" was not declared. Changing that to mediaCenterRef did the trick. So, here's the result.

Code: [Select]

Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms

    Private Sub CreateFieldSub(ByVal mediaCenterRef As MediaJukebox.MJAutomation, ByVal MyStrFieldName As String, ByVal MyStrDisplayName As String, ByVal MyBAllowEdit As Boolean, ByVal MyBSaveInTag As Boolean)
        Dim MCCreateField As MediaJukebox.IMJFieldsAutomation
        MCCreateField = mediaCenterRef.GetFields
        MCCreateField.CreateFieldSimple(MyStrFieldName, MyStrDisplayName, MyBAllowEdit, MyBSaveInTag)
    End Sub

    Private Sub Button2_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button2.Click
        CreateFieldSub(mediaCenterRef, "Test Field", "TestDisplayName", False, True)
End Sub
The only problem I still have now, is to set the other properties in the tag data. What I need is to only check Audio, enter a search key word. And the most important: to get that "List" data type.
I found nothing describing this options in the field and fields automation desctription in the development zone. Anyone of you know how to enter this?

[Mr ChriZ]

Sorry I've flicked between variable names for the MediaCenterInterface/Reference.
I'll probably change this in the new version of the plugin as well, just for
simplicity's sake.  Obviously it makes no difference what it is called,
as long as you're consistant in the project.

Make sure you're using Option Explicit, and Option Strict,
these make the compiler far more strict on what is allowed,
which in the long term makes things far easier to debug in your plugin.

[Mr ChriZ]

http://wiki.jrmediacenter.com/index.php/MJFileAutomation

string Get(string strField, boolean bFormatted)
Description: generic function to get value for the specified field.
Parameters:

strField: name of the field (e.g. Artist, Album...)
bFormatted: determines whether the return value should beformated.
Return Value: value of the field

boolean Set(string strField, string strValue)
Description: generic function to set value for the specified field.
Parameters:

strField: name of the field (e.g. Artist, Album...)
strValue: new value of the field
Return Value: 0 - failed, 1 - success.

[MrHaugen]

I think you got me wrong. I want to set the data type in the custom field to "List (semicolon delimited)" when the field are created.
I use strings like "sad;downbeat;heavyBass". If I  because I wanave the field set to the data type "List" those seperated.


The examples you gave me are under Fileautomation. This is object to handel single files right?
I don't see how I can use this to change the actual data field option.

[Mr ChriZ]

I think you got me wrong. I want to set the data type in the custom field to "List (semicolon delimited)" when the field are created.
I use strings like "sad;downbeat;heavyBass". If I  because I wanave the field set to the data type "List" those seperated.


The examples you gave me are under Fileautomation. This is object to handel single files right?
I don't see how I can use this to change the actual data field option.

Ah right, nope sorry dunno.

[John Gateley]

I don't think you can do this. I'll add something to the SDK, but it will be a while, I'm feeling rather swamped at the moment...

j

[MrHaugen]

Nothing eh? I was afraid of that.
Well, thanks John. I would really appreciate it if you got around to it some day. Take your time....