Topic: Inactivity Plugin (Read 45565 times)

kensn · « **on:** August 20, 2011, 05:50:38 pm »

Inactivity Plugin
Plugin for MC21 (attached zip file at bottom of this post)

3 functions that be be used individually, or in any combination

The plugin can be enable or disabled at any time. It is disable by default when MC starts. There is an option to have the plugin enabled at startup

Jump To View

Ability to automatically jump to Display View or Theater View Playing Now after a selectable period of time of user inactivity
(keyboard, mouse or remote) after playback starts.
Ability to automatically jump to Display View or Theater View Playing Now depending on file type,Audio – Playing Now or Video – Display View,
after a selectable period of time after playback starts.
Restore previous view when any user activity (keyboard, mouse or remote) is detected, or if playback stops.
When the view is restored option to have the choice to jump back additional levels in the view.

Info Popup:

Info popup on track change. Can be configured as large or small and displayed on any corner of your display. Supports dual monitors.
Contains Artist and Track on small view, Artist, Album,Track and Next to play on large view.

Auto PC Shutdown

Can enable a Shutdown type (Sleep, Hibernate or Shutdown) based on two different modes.

Jump To View Setup:

Select the seconds to wait. This is the amount of time the plugin waits after any user inactivity is detected until it jumps to the selected view
during playback.
Select Starting View (Standard, Theater or Cover). This is the view you are doing your music selection from.
Select View To Show (Display View, Theater View Playing Now or Automatic). This is the view the plugin will jump to.

Options:

Additional View Levels To Go Back. This allows the plugin to go back added levels when the view is restored. For instance if you have a four level drill down to get to a song list, you can select a song, walk away and when the view is restored you will be back at the top level of your view, ready to drill down again. This is disabled if View To Go is set to Automatic

Usage:
One use for me is when I have friends over. I will start some music and have visualizations on. Now if one of my friends wants to add a song, they just go over and move the mouse. This will present them a grouped artist view that they can drill down to an artist, album and then select a song and walk away. The visualizations will automatically start up again, and the next user will be presented the same top level of view to drill down into. No telling them how to get back to the top of the view or how to start the visualization.

I also run visualizations a lot of the time on my HTPC when listening to music, so this just makes it that much easier.

JimH · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2011, 06:13:21 pm »

Thanks!

kensn · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2011, 11:17:11 pm »

No... Thank you for such a wonderful product....

jkrzok · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2011, 07:36:40 am »

This is a really sweet plugin. This is something I always wanted MC to do. Many thanks!

kensn · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2011, 12:10:55 pm »

Thanks... new version in a day or two with other shutdown options. Let me know if there is something else you can think of it to do... I will see if i can do it...

Ken

wig · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2011, 12:16:05 pm »

Very nice. It took me a few moments to figure out I need to check the box to activate the plugin, but it works great. Thanks for your effort.

kensn · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2011, 12:30:04 pm »

With version 0.0.5 returning additional levels should work in all cases.

One problem I have found, and will ask in the forum, If an Artist only has 1 album it jumps straight to the track list skipping the album cover level and messes up the additional views back....

Ken

rick.ca · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2011, 04:11:55 pm »

Quote

With version 0.0.5 returning additional levels should work in all cases.

Well done!

One solution to your problem would be to use an expression-category (instead of [Artist]) to group single albums as "Other artists." That, of course, would make them harder to find. You might prefer to just buy more albums.

kensn · « **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2011, 05:28:43 pm »

Ya.. at least 2 albums per artist!!

I wish there was a good way around this....

And as far as the returning additional levels.. If you can't do it after .. do it before.. That solved that...!!

Ken

rick.ca · « **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2011, 07:38:23 pm »

Quote

And as far as the returning additional levels.. If you can't do it after .. do it before.. That solved that...!! Cool

Isn't it annoying when a problem can't be solved because it's simpler than you thought it was?

marko · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2011, 02:06:59 am »

This sounded kind of interesting, so I installed it on my htpc, which is running a clean W7 x64 installation, with all available updates installed, MSE installed, and MC installed.

Every time MC starts, it crashes.
After three, it disabled the plugin and let me in.
I went to the plugin and manager and set the plugin to "Show" and immediately received a "Media Center has encountered an error and needs to close" type error.
According to the event logs, the "Faulting Module" goes by the name of "KERNELBASE.dll"

-marko

kensn · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2011, 01:20:36 pm »

"Faulting Module" goes by the name of "KERNELBASE.dll"

Don't know where this is from or how it is tied to my plugin. I will investagate..

Ken

kensn · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2011, 05:52:42 pm »

Marko PM sent...

kensn · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2011, 07:08:00 pm »

I rolled the download back to Ver 0.0.4

Problem in 0.0.5 in a fresh install.

Ken

kensn · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2011, 08:11:40 pm »

Back to 0.0.5

Please report if fixed, or if experiencing any problems.

Sorry for any inconvenience...

Ken

rick.ca · « **Reply #15 on:** August 25, 2011, 09:23:19 pm »

Quote

Please report if fixed, or if experiencing any problems.

Seems okay so far, but I'm not sure what triggered the crash before.

BTW, not my place to tell you how to assign version numbers, but... Given the nature of crash, the plugin had to be uninstalled. Seeing marko had already reported exactly what I experienced, I was waiting for a version .6, not a repaired version .5. Had I not read this carefully and taken a leap of faith, I'd still be waiting.

kensn · « **Reply #16 on:** August 25, 2011, 09:58:51 pm »

Thanks Rick. The crash was omitting the Media Center Dll. If the plugin was already installed it was ok, but a fresh install could not find it. My bad....

Yea the version should of been updated... I'm new to this stuff.

Thanks again for the valuable feedback...

Ken

marko · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2011, 01:41:56 am »

Morning kensn,

I've got the new download, but sadly it will be Saturday before I can give it a spin. I'll let you know as soon as I've got it running.
Thanks for the quick fix.

-marko

kensn · « **Reply #18 on:** August 29, 2011, 12:36:10 am »

C'mon Marko...you're killin' me....

MrC · « **Reply #19 on:** August 29, 2011, 01:56:15 am »

I'll confess to consuming some of marko's time this weekend. Hang in there. Not that I'm committing for him, just takin' the heat.

Sorry kensn.

marko · « **Reply #20 on:** August 29, 2011, 02:09:01 am »

Sorry kensn, didn't get near it this weekend. Did the job just now, all appears to be good. Installed over the top of the other, no more crashing. Thank you.

Is there a switch we can apply in order that it be activated when MC launches?

kensn · « **Reply #21 on:** August 29, 2011, 02:10:31 am »

You're a good man Mr C....

kensn · « **Reply #22 on:** August 29, 2011, 02:16:43 am »

Ok... well that is just freaky... posting while you post.

No, I wanted the plugin to have to be activated to avoid any trouble.... I could implement a control to do this if desired....

Thank you for your Interest

Ken

kensn · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2011, 12:09:31 am »

Quote from: marko on August 29, 2011, 02:09:01 am

Is there a switch we can apply in order that it be activated when MC launches?

I would like your opinion, or others, if i was to let the user enable the plugin on opening of MC should I automaticaly disable the shutdown modes, or let them remeber their settings also?

Ken

kensn · « **Reply #24 on:** September 08, 2011, 08:10:39 pm »

New version 0.0.6 released... Please leave feedback.

Thanks for looking...

Ken

kensn · « **Reply #25 on:** September 09, 2011, 01:52:43 am »

Well something happen to my site, I will post files after repair... Sorrry...

Ken

kensn · « **Reply #26 on:** September 09, 2011, 11:33:00 am »

Link should work now....

Ken

kensn · « **Reply #27 on:** September 12, 2011, 01:18:10 am »

Coming soon:

Large or small Info Popup
Placement of Info Popup : upper left, upper right. lower left, lower right and center.

This will be the last update since there does not seem to be much interest.

Enjoy...

Ken

marko · « **Reply #28 on:** September 12, 2011, 01:47:06 am »

Sorry Ken, the pop up is a nice addition, for sure, but so long as PlayingNow is working with MC, I use that, and it lives up along the top of my screen affording me much functionality and information... http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=56663.msg385098#msg385098

It looks as though it can now be active at startup so I'll give it another whirl... Being enabled when MC launches is important because it will be used on a pc that loads MC into theater view on startup. I'll let you know how it goes.

-marko

Fabricio · « **Reply #29 on:** September 12, 2011, 05:22:05 am »

Quote from: kensn on September 12, 2011, 01:18:10 am

Coming soon:

Large or small Info Popup
Placement of Info Popup : upper left, upper right. lower left, lower right and center.

This will be the last update since there does not seem to be much interest.

Enjoy...

Ken

For me add: Large and small Info Popup > upper left, upper right. lower left, lower right and center. Possible?

Good work.

Waiting ..

Fabricio, from Brazil.

kensn · « **Reply #30 on:** September 12, 2011, 10:17:19 pm »

Version 0.0.7 up

Hey Marko, no problems... I want to try my hand at skinning. I just meant there was'nt much feedback for other options. The plugin does what I set out to do, which was jump to view after a set time of inactivity, and then restore the view on mouse movement. The Info Popup was just to see what I could do, I was a bit rusty with my programming.

Fabricio, see if this version works for you...

Thanks all...

Ken

kensn · « **Reply #31 on:** September 13, 2011, 12:26:24 pm »

Fixed Info Popup from showing if plugin was disabled.....

Ken

Fabricio · « **Reply #32 on:** September 13, 2011, 02:45:51 pm »

Quote from: kensn on September 13, 2011, 12:26:24 pm

Fixed Info Popup from showing if plugin was disabled.....
Ken

Very good: Large and small Info Popup

Info Popup : upper left, upper right. lower left, lower right and center, is working for me.

But, small Info Popup dont show album name. Why?

I like info popup > enabled when start j. river media center. And now?

Suggestion: info popup transparent (look cdart display skin Tahiry 2.0)

Fabricio, from Brazil.

kensn · « **Reply #33 on:** September 13, 2011, 03:20:39 pm »

Quote from: Fabricio on September 13, 2011, 02:45:51 pm

But, small Info Popup dont show album name. Why?

There is only so much room, there is 2 lines for artist and 2 lines for Track name. Pick a track with a long name and you will see.

Quote

Suggestion: info popup transparent (look cdart display skin Tahiry 2.0)

I'll look into this...

Thanks for the feedback Fabrico

Fabricio · « **Reply #34 on:** September 13, 2011, 05:56:23 pm »

Quote from: kensn on September 13, 2011, 03:20:39 pm

There is only so much room, there is 2 lines for artist and 2 lines for Track name. Pick a track with a long name and you will see.

I do not understand. For me small Info Popup show only Track and artist. Dont show album.

When startup MC, your plugin not is enabled. Why? I like when enabled.

I enable your plugin, but when click play button in MC dont show info popup. Info popup show when click in next or previous (buttons). Why?

Fabricio.

kensn · « **Reply #35 on:** September 13, 2011, 06:50:42 pm »

Quote

I do not understand. For me small Info Popup show only Track and artist. Dont show album.

Yes small popup shows only Artist and Track. There is room for 2 lines for each to handle long names. No room for Album. See...

Quote

When startup MC, your plugin not is enabled. Why? I like when enabled.

I enable your plugin, but when click play button in MC dont show info popup. Info popup show when click in next or previous (buttons). Why?

It starts working in about 8 - 10 seconds for me after MC loads. It takes a few seconds for MC to initialize the plugin, I don't know why. If you go and click on the plugin it starts then.

Fabricio · « **Reply #36 on:** September 13, 2011, 07:41:46 pm »

Quote from: kensn on September 13, 2011, 06:50:42 pm

Yes small popup shows only Artist and Track. There is room for 2 lines for each to handle long names. No room for Album. See...

Ok. Possible add album name after (future), hehehehe

Quote

It starts working in about 8 - 10 seconds for me after MC loads. It takes a few seconds for MC to initialize the plugin, I don't know why. If you go and click on the plugin it starts then.

Ok: 8-10 seconds.

Ok: If you go and click on the plugin it starts then.

Thanks ...

Fabricio · « **Reply #37 on:** September 17, 2011, 05:59:08 am »

Hello, any update?

Regards ...

Mars · « **Reply #38 on:** September 18, 2011, 01:30:01 pm »

Hi,

I get an error when trying to install the plugin:

"Unable to execute file:
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\regasm

CreateProcess failed; code 3.

Thes system could not find the specified path"

My OS is Win XP SP3, MC v.15.0.174

Any idea? ?

kensn · « **Reply #39 on:** September 18, 2011, 01:49:24 pm »

Quote from: Mars on September 18, 2011, 01:30:01 pm

"Unable to execute file:
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\regasm

Does this directory exist on your PC?

If not then it may be installed in a different directory, if it is let me know.

If the "Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727" is not located anywhere on your PC you will have to Install it.

Mars · « **Reply #40 on:** September 22, 2011, 03:45:22 pm »

Quote

My OS is Win XP SP3, MC v.15.0.174

... I didn't realize that it only worked with MC16 (not in previous releases).

Quote

If the "Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727" is not located anywhere on your PC you will have to Install it.

Correct, the install of MS.Net Framework v2.0 solved the issue.

Mars · « **Reply #41 on:** September 22, 2011, 04:24:33 pm »

Very nice plug-in!

Kensn,

I wonder if with its same engine, a feature I requested in several threads (http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=59851.msg404253#msg404253) could be implemented: Automatic switch of views depending on the media type playing.

In my scenario, I would like MC to display Theater View Playing Now for audio tracks and Display View for Music Videos.

kensn · « **Reply #42 on:** September 22, 2011, 04:27:12 pm »

I will look at that.. That would really be nice..

Ken

kensn · « **Reply #43 on:** September 22, 2011, 04:45:20 pm »

So Mars,

How about a "View To Show Setting" of Automatic, then the view could be based on if Video is playing or not? Display View for Video or Theater View Playing Now for audio.

Ken

Mars · « **Reply #44 on:** September 23, 2011, 09:42:29 am »

But Ken, would it work even during an inactivity period, or just when entering to inactivity?

I will try to explain:

In a sequence of audio and video tracks with no mouse or keyboard activity, I would like the view to jump to Theater View Playing Now when the playback of an audio track starts and if the next track is a video I would like the view to automatically jump to Display View. So the plug-in should be working in the background "listening" to what type of media is playing to display a view or another.

kensn · « **Reply #45 on:** September 23, 2011, 01:20:51 pm »

yes during inactivity, on track change look to see if video or not , then change view to suit. The only problem I see is keeping track what view it is in to return back to the correct view. I have been looking at it though. I seem to have a delay in going from an audio track to a video track though. if I hit next it pops right up, but if I wait until the audio track stops and then wait for the next item to play, if it is a video there is considerable lag. Do you see this as well?

Ken

Mars · « **Reply #46 on:** September 23, 2011, 03:51:08 pm »

Quote

The only problem I see is keeping track what view it is in to return back to the correct view

So wouldn't it be enough just setting the view concerning the media type, whatever is the view currently displayed?

Quote

if I hit next it pops right up, but if I wait until the audio track stops and then wait for the next item to play, if it is a video there is considerable lag. Do you see this as well?

Well, I normally play mixes of audio and video clips and it never takes more than 4 seconds to open the video file. Is that what you mean?

kensn · « **Reply #47 on:** September 23, 2011, 10:46:15 pm »

Yea.. My PC that I work on the coding with is taking a lot of time to go from audio to video . Like I said if I push Next it comes right up. I need to fix this before I code any further...

Ken

Mars · « **Reply #48 on:** September 24, 2011, 12:59:21 pm »

Strange... I've been testing in my system and it takes the same time in both cases. However, I've noticed that the time counter stops ten or nine seconds before the expected total time for an audio file when the next is a video, even though the sound keeps running until the end of the track. Maybe because of that reason, if the end of the track contains a few seconds of silence or a long fading interval, it feels like there is a bigger delay ?

kensn · « **Reply #49 on:** September 24, 2011, 07:09:10 pm »

yes my progress bar stops early too, but the delay is more than just silence in the track. I will get the windows working curser for a a few moments also.... It is strange... The delay is more longer than hitting next...

Ken

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Author Topic: Inactivity Plugin (Read 45565 times)