INTERACT FORUM
Windows => Plug-in Development => Topic started by: brossmac on April 14, 2010, 11:04:30 pm
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While I've been a devoted user of RhinoBanga's "Playing Now" plugin for a long time, I'm interested in adding some more pizazz to how MC interacts with my desktop. (There was talk of Playing Now being folded into MC, but I'm not sure what happened with those plans.)
Since I use MC on my laptop and desktop computer, I often have it working in the background while I work or surf the web. And I love being able to call up a little notifier when I'm not sure what the current track is or to rate the current track so I can finesse my library. And while Theater View has some great full-screen eye-candy, sometimes it's too animated for my taste.
So I recently discovered a great little program called CD Art Display (http://www.cdartdisplay.com). It does so much of what I'd like a plugin for MC to do. (And it stinks that it works with iTunes, MediaMonkey, Winamp and not my beloved MC!)
(http://r--m.com/images/cad1.jpg)
I put together a quick screencast (though it wouldn't record sound for some reason) that shows some of what it can do. Take a look here:
http://www.screentoaster.com/watch/stUEtVQUJKRFtYQV5cWltYV1VW
Several folks over at the CAD site have requested MC support (http://www.cdartdisplay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466&page=3) but Carlos, the developer, has had other priorities with the development.
Now, he has an SDK over there, but to be honest I'm not a programmer. I can do some basic web coding, but Visual Basic and C++ etc. are beyond me at this point.
So, I'm asking if there's anybody out here who might be interested in developing MC support for CD Art Display. I think there are quite a few users here who would love to have it. I would be willing to help in any way that I could.
Thanks,
Brad
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I may decide to learn to program just to do this. I'm not entirely sure where to start. Not sure if I need to have something on the MC end as a plugin or what. I'm gonna do some reading to figure it out.
Here's the link to the CAD SDK: http://www.cdartdisplay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1200
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I could help you.
The "MC API" required knowledge seems very limited (play pause, rate, get cover)
and I used CAD with win.a.m.p in the past and loved it.
Will have a look at their sdk.
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BTW where is the latest "non premium" version of CAD?
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BTW where is the latest "non premium" version of CAD?
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/CD-Art-Display/1109367710/1
I recommend the Premium User version (which only costs $10). If you're considering doing some of this programming, I'd be willing to reimburse you for it. CAD + MC would just be the best.
Thanks for taking some interest. And let me know if there's anything I can do (though I don't imagine much). I could put together some special skins for MC perhaps....
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A sample code would definitely help. Can't remind my password on their board :( and the password reset feature does not work.
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OMG I didn't know about CAD its so cool! It works like a charm with anoteher player I use but not with MC.... I will try to look at those SDKs to make it work with MC...
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It 'll be good to have CAD for MC but with my desktop full of icons XD ....
Do you now a soft like the new desktop applet for kde for grouping the icon in a hidable window? for to have a clean desktop?
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It looks like somebody is working on it: http://www.cdartdisplay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1394
Is nefast one of you folks?
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It looks like somebody is working on it: http://www.cdartdisplay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1394
Is nefast one of you folks?
just discovered CD Art Display via other source, Very cool program but when i checked the player support I was sad because no J river on it :( , then imagine my surprise when the first topic on the forum i see is about J River !!
Im sure if the other folks here on interact see the CAD quality will provide helps as well
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Have a look at my nickname.
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Have a look at my nickname.
Okay, I need to pay more attention....
I'm so psyched that you're working on this!
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I'm waiting for help from Carlos.
I can share my C# code if someone want to look at it. It's really basic right now but the required "registering" step does not work.
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Nobody to help me?
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I would help but I don't know squat.
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I would too love to see CDart display being supported in MC as a plugin, but i'm afraid i don't know a thing about programming, so i don't know how i could be of any help to you neFAST. However, i would love to help you beta-test the plugin!, if you haven't given up to that project yet.
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I hate to ask about progress since I'm not contributing anything, but just wondering if anybody is getting anywhere with this...
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I want this plug-in badly too, i hope someone with knowledge help us !
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I too would really like to see this happen! =) I've been following the other form over at http://www.cdartdisplay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1394&page=2 but nothing seems to be happening lately. I'm just curious if there are things going on behind the scenes or if you have reached a snag and this can't be accomplished or just what is happening with this in general. =) Thanks a lot!
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Nothing going on.
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any news about this?? ?
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Carlos (the CDArtDisplay developer) posted a new SDK a few days ago:
http://www.cdartdisplay.com/forum/showpost.php?p=11525&postcount=17
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Carlos (the CDArtDisplay developer) posted a new SDK a few days ago:
http://www.cdartdisplay.com/forum/showpost.php?p=11525&postcount=17
Please nefast, check it out! pretty please with a cherry on top!!
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Alright, I know that development of this has stalled. And I feel guilty that I really can't contribute anything meaningful to the process.
So I'll do this.
I will pledge $20 (US) to the developer who first makes a plugin that allows CD Art Display to work with JR Media Center. I know it's not a lot, but it's something to encourage/show appreciation for this project.
Maybe if a few others do the same it would spur this development to completion.
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ok brossmac I support you, I offer $10 usd (via paypal) too! :)
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ok brossmac I support you, I offer $10 usd (via paypal) too! :)
And i'll offer another $10 usd via paypal as well in support to this plugin creation!
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See, here we go. Spontaneous crowdsourcing.
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So, $40 usd and counting! :)
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Bump for greater justice!
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hey guys check this out: http://www.xwidget.com/xdeskcover/
Its very similar to CAD and has lots of skins too. Its also free and ads-free. Dont support MC at the moment, but maybe we get more lucky in the request than with CAD.
I ask the contact emails for support: xwidgetsoft at g m a il and support at xwidget.
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I'm gonna bump this one up again.
I think that there are a lot of JRM fans who would love to see CDArtDisplay work with their favorite media player.
Brad
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i would like to see CAD support too ::)
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any hope ?
i was going to post a question about it tell i saw this thread
i would love to see CAD support too
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Are you guys still willing to use CDArt with MC?
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Absolutely!!
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Abso-freakin-lutely!
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Abso-freakin-lutely!
?
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Are you guys still willing to use CDArt with MC?
yes!!!!
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yes!!!!
+2
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I have a little beta for you guys: http://www.mediafire.com/file/d178c6m6q82341g/CAD-MC-Test.zip
I had to find some dirty tricks to get it working.
Everything is not implemented (ie. lyrics and covers are one way only) and Carlos from CAD will help me validate it next week.
Currently is it distributed as an independent executable and not a plugin.
PS: if you want to help me buy a few neurons back, my paypal is here (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=4NCBE66XFPS4A&lc=US&item_name=PM¤cy_code=EUR&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donate_SM%2egif%3aNonHosted) ;D
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LOOK:
Download ticket expired. Please try again later.
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Right now I'm testing this and works very good indeed.
The only two problems that I have is that the Play/Pause button in CAD doesn't work properly, and the disappeared buttons of MC in the Aero Peek. The last one is intentional?
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Please to change server.
Thanks,
Fabricio, from Brazil.
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Please to change server.
Try here: http://www.mediafire.com/file/d178c6m6q82341g/CAD-MC-Test.zip
The only two problems that I have is that the Play/Pause button in CAD doesn't work properly
Hum it acts as a pause button currently. I fixed that in the above link.
, and the disappeared buttons of MC in the Aero Peek. The last one is intentional?
It should happen only if Bridge is started before MC, right? I don't know why buttons are hidden, I have added this question to a list of question for Matt that I will post here.
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I have a problem with play. When you click the play button on CAD, it send a message 2 or 3 times instead of one.
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Try here: http://www.mediafire.com/file/d178c6m6q82341g/CAD-MC-Test.zip
Thanks,
Fabricio, from Brazil.
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It should happen only if Bridge is started before MC, right? I don't know why buttons are hidden, I have added this question to a list of question for Matt that I will post here.
Yeah,you right.
About the cover art, is working perfectly!!!.
Thanks for developing this
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Excellent! I'm very excited about this.
However, I see that the images don't render quite as well when CAD is running with MC as with Winamp. It's most noticeable with some of the larger skins.
An example:
Winamp
(http://r--m.com/cadwa.jpg)
MC
(http://r--m.com/cadjrmc.jpg)
Not sure why that is.
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@Brossmac: you have this issue with the mediafire link or the previous one?
Also can you tell me what images you have in the song folder and if the song has embedded art.
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I cannot use.
How to do?
Please. Help-me!!!
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@Brossmac: you have this issue with the mediafire link or the previous one?
Also can you tell me what images you have in the song folder and if the song has embedded art.
Upon further investigation, it looked something had messed with my cover art. I think another program renamed the files in the folders. When I went back and fixed them, it looked better (though I still find it strange that CD Art Display with Winamp still looked good).
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I don't get any cover art when connecting over the network.
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What do mean "over the network"? Connected to what?
(BTW: CAD developer should test the plugin this week but I still have no news from him)
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What do mean "over the network"? Connected to what?
(BTW: CAD developer should test the plugin this week but I still have no news from him)
I have Media Center running on my Windows XP machine in the basement and I connect to the library on my laptop over WiFi. The cover art does not show up in CD Art Display on my laptop. It will show the cover artwork on my laptop when I am playing files that are on the laptop's hard drive.
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@brossmac: I PM'd you with an update
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AWESOME! i can't wait for it get finished :D that's a dream coming true.
I was in vacation so i only saw the update today.
@neFAST: i sent you a PM :)
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PS: if you want to help me buy a few neurons back, my paypal is here (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=4NCBE66XFPS4A&lc=US&item_name=PM¤cy_code=EUR&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donate_SM%2egif%3aNonHosted) ;D
I just donated to support this project.
It's moving along quite nicely. Thanks!
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Thanks guys, I PM'd both of you.
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Thanks guys, I PM'd both of you.
I want to donate (I dont speak english), but not working for me.
Help-me ...
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Thought I'd throw up a screenshot of CAD on my desktop:
(http://ross-macleod.com/JRMCAD1.jpg)
A larger version: http://ross-macleod.com/JRMCAD.jpg
Just one of hundreds of skins. The JRiver ( ;) ) plugin is still in testing but there's great progress. Much thanks to nefast!
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I was replying to Fabricio and I noticed that I forgot to mention where to get the latest CD Art Display:
If you have an old 2.0 version uninstall it and install 3.0 Beta:
http://www.cdartdisplay.com/download/cad3b717.zip
Then overwrite CAD.exe with this one:
http://www.cdartdisplay.com/beta/cad1500.zip
Brossmac: can you tell me if Fast Forward works better with this one?
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I was replying to Fabricio and I noticed that I forgot to mention where to get the latest CD Art Display:
If you have an old 2.0 version uninstall it and install 3.0 Beta:
http://www.cdartdisplay.com/download/cad3b717.zip
Then overwrite CAD.exe with this one:
http://www.cdartdisplay.com/beta/cad1500.zip
Brossmac: can you tell me if Fast Forward works better with this one?
Hello, now is working, but someone albuns not show cover art. Why?
For example: Phil Collins, albuns not show cover art.
Help-me
Fabricio, from Brazil.
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Just Donated to support the project as well.
neFAST thank you for your effort, keep it up mate:D
Now back on topic, i'm using the version neFAST posted for Fabricio and i experience the same problem as he does, i can't get the album artwork to show up. Most of the artwork is embedded inside the mp3s and some into predefined folders.
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Just Donated to support the project as well.
neFAST thank you for your effort, keep it up mate:D
Now back on topic, i'm using the version neFAST posted for Fabricio and i experience the same problem as he does, i can't get the album artwork to show up. Most of the artwork is embedded inside the mp3s and some into predefined folders.
Everything works now, i can't wait for it to get released!
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Can you guys try more skins and tell me if some of them have issues?
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Can you guys try more skins and tell me if some of them have issues?
I can't get any skins to work with cd-art 3.0 beta. I download skins through deviantart, i extract them into /skins, but cdart doesn't see them. I guess it's a bug with the beta? otherwise i can't figure out why they dont get recognised.
I have noticed a bug though, but i don't know if it's related to your plugin, or to cdart's betaness. If i select the "hide cdart when player stops/closes) there is no effect, or the text is blurred. It's pretty random.
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I have noticed a bug though, but i don't know if it's related to your plugin, or to cdart's betaness. If i select the "hide cdart when player stops/closes) there is no effect, or the text is blurred. It's pretty random.
Are you running Windows 7? I'm testing this on an XP machine and a Win7 machine and I'm having that problem on the Win7 machine.
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Are you running Windows 7? I'm testing this on an XP machine and a Win7 machine and I'm having that problem on the Win7 machine.
Yeap, windows 7 x64.
Brossmac, are skins working for you ?
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Brossmac, are skins working for you ?
They are on XP. And skins that were already installed on the Win7-64 machine also work as well as ones that I install from the CAD Skin Browser. But skins I've downloaded from DeviantArt and manually installed (as opposed to ones with built-in installers) don't seem to show up.
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They are on XP. And skins that were already installed on the Win7-64 machine also work as well as ones that I install from the CAD Skin Browser. But skins I've downloaded from DeviantArt and manually installed (as opposed to ones with built-in installers) don't seem to show up.
Cad skin browser then! thanks :)
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Can you guys try more skins and tell me if some of them have issues?
Tried some skins (Clarity, cados, mr vinyl) they work like a charm :) They shouldn't behave abnormally anyway, unless there is a bug inside cdart. The data, the mc plugin sends is the same and interpreted the same my cad right ?
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Fabricio reported that when changing skins, the messages are sent twice. ie. if you skip it will skip 2 tracks and if you push pause, it will pause then unpause. I have reproduced this with my debug version but I can't explain why and Carlos did not answered me.
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Fabricio reported that when changing skins, the messages are sent twice. ie. if you skip it will skip 2 tracks and if you push pause, it will pause then unpause. I have reproduced this with my debug version but I can't explain why and Carlos did not answered me.
Yes i can reproduce it, sort of. I installed "spkrs" theme and i get a next-song-loop, i pressed the next key once, it will switch songs till the end of times:P But i can't reproduce it on "clarity" skin (the other skins i tested didn't had any controls). I guess it's a cdart bug or something.
edit: it does it on every skin, you were right :(
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Ok.
1) start mc, fire up the bridge executable and CAD.
2) Select a different skin. The controls are getting messed up
3) Restart CAD
4) Controls work as intended.
That's what i'm getting with any skin i threw at it. First the controls are getting messed up and everything returns to normal as soon as i restart cd art display. So it HAS to be a bug within the application and not neFAST's plugin itself.
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Ok.
1) start mc, fire up the bridge executable and CAD.
2) Select a different skin. The controls are getting messed up
3) Restart CAD
4) Controls work as intended.
That's what i'm getting with any skin i threw at it. First the controls are getting messed up and everything returns to normal as soon as i restart cd art display. So it HAS to be a bug within the application and not neFAST's plugin itself.
Sequence for me: start MC > CDArt Display > bridge executable.
Change skin: bug=cdart display.
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So it HAS to be a bug within the application and not neFAST's plugin itself.
Could still be an issue on my side (ie. the way I register my plugin or something else)
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Could still be an issue on my side (ie. the way I register my plugin or something else)
When will his program be added in plugin-in manager (MC)?
Regards,
Fabricio.
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When will his program be added in plugin-in manager (MC)?
Regards,
Fabricio.
I think it's quite early for that. I'm guessing that nefast wants to make sure that everything works between CAD and MC first.
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I think it's quite early for that. I'm guessing that nefast wants to make sure that everything works between CAD and MC first.
Ok, is right.
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When will his program be added in plugin-in manager (MC)?
Regards,
Fabricio.
Until it gets converted into a plugin, just use this small and plain batch file (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/119213/Cad-MCBridge.rar) i made to start the bridge executable minimized and cd art display in one click :P (lame but it does the trick :P) Just extract it inside cd art display folder and use.
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Until it gets converted into a plugin, just use this small and plain batch file (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/119213/Cad-MCBridge.rar) i made to start the bridge executable minimized and cd art display in one click :P (lame but it does the trick :P) Just extract it inside cd art display folder and use.
I did not understand. I need to open CAD-MC, also ?! or not?
Help-me!
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I did not understand. I need to open CAD-MC, also ?! or not?
Help-me!
Just extract the rar inside your cd art display directory and double click it, it will start cad-mc and cdart.exe at the same time :P Nothing much really^_^
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Just extract the rar inside your cd art display directory and double click it, it will start cad-mc and cdart.exe at the same time :P Nothing much really^_^
Ok, but error:
ie. if you skip it will skip 2 tracks and if you push pause, it will pause then unpause.
because: sequence for me: start MC > CDArt Display > bridge executable.
Do you understand?
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Ok, but error:
because: sequence for me: start MC > CDArt Display > bridge executable.
Do you understand?
You can create your own batch file, right click on your desktop -> create new text document file -> open it and enter:
@Echo off
start cad.exe
start /min cad-jrmc.exe
So that way, it starts cad first and then the cad mc file :) When you're done save it to something.bat and run it!
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The first you start my program, it register itself. So if you start CAD, CAD will start my plugin and my plugin will start JR MC.
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The first you start my program, it register itself. So if you start CAD, CAD will start my plugin and my plugin will start JR MC.
Ah, good to know, no need for batch starting then :)
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The first you start my program, it register itself. So if you start CAD, CAD will start my plugin and my plugin will start JR MC.
Dont work for me (play/pause error). Sequence for me: start JR MC > CDArt Display > bridge executable. Why?
Question:
In CDA > options > player > registered player and player localization C:\Program Files\J River\Media Center 16\Media Center 16.exe
Yes or not?
Regards,
Fabricio.
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Dont work for me (play/pause error). Sequence for me: start JR MC > CDArt Display > bridge executable. Why?
Question:
In CDA > options > player > registered player and player localization C:\Program Files\J River\Media Center 16\Media Center 16.exe
Yes or not?
Regards,
Fabricio.
Wrong, you should have something like "C:/Program Files/CD Art Display/CAD-MC.exe". You need to call the bridge executable and not jrmc itself.
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Wrong, you should have something like "C:/Program Files/CD Art Display/CAD-MC.exe". You need to call the bridge executable and not MC itself.
Ok, I changed.
Thanks ...
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BUMP! any news ? :D
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I'm back from holidays (plus one week abroad on a show for my work).
First thing I need to do is convert this standalone executable into a plugin.
I will keep you informed when a new beta is available.
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I can't use this anymore!!!!
(http://i.imgur.com/gaG1P.png)
HELP!!!!
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I can't use this anymore!!!!
(http://i.imgur.com/gaG1P.png)
HELP!!!!
I get that error if I start nefast's plugin before I start CD Art Display or MC. It also happens when I start the plugin if MC and CDA are both running but MC isn't playing.
Try starting MC and CD Art Display first. Start playing music on MC. THEN start the plugin. This works for me on Win7 64bit.
Brad
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Try starting MC and CD Art Display first. Start playing music on MC. THEN start the plugin. This works for me on Win7 64bit.
Brad
+2 (but on win7 32 bits)
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Not sure what's happening on making this an official plugin, but I made a few Christmas themed skins for CAD. You can see/download them at deviantart.
Click the pic to see/download at Deviant Art
(http://falalalala.com/famedia/CADfalalalala.jpg) (http://fav.me/d4gnq8e)
(http://falalalala.com/famedia/CADfalalalala2.jpg) (http://fav.me/d4go5eq)
The second one is FULLSCREEN and comes in a number of screen resolutions.
Enjoy!
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Fun! Thanks for sharing!
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Nice skins! thanks!
Any news on the plugin though ?:)
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How could I make it work in Theater View or
Display View? It shows, but "trembling". Does it depend on the Skin or the Display settings?
Thank You
Edited: It seems to work fine on Display View, but not on Theater View.
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You guys might want to check this thread: CD Art Display/Rainmeter interface plugin (http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=68130.msg458376) :)
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Just created a new CAD skin:
(http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/076/b/f/times_square___cd_art_display_skin_by_brossmac-d4t2c19.png)
http://brossmac.deviantart.com/art/Times-Square-CD-Art-Display-Skin-290682477