INTERACT FORUM

More => Old Versions => Media Center 11 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: AustinBike on November 20, 2004, 08:53:21 am

Title: Low-res skin?
Post by: AustinBike on November 20, 2004, 08:53:21 am

I use media center 10 on my server to serve up music to Tivo.  I use VNC to connect to the server over the home LAN in order to manage music (server is down in the basement).

Over VNC all programs work fine, but Media Center is too graphics-intense.  I need to constantly force a screen refresh to see a dialog box, etc.

Any suggestions on a lightweight skin that will help this situation?

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: zxsix on November 20, 2004, 04:21:58 pm

Couldn't you use Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop to downgrade the image files to 256 color?

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: KingSparta on November 20, 2004, 07:05:15 pm

smaller screen?
more memory?
a better video board?
a faster computer?

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: Dragyn on November 20, 2004, 08:07:00 pm

it's not the skin...it's MC.

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: AustinBike on November 21, 2004, 02:05:54 pm

Ugh, that is what I was afraid of.  Might have to go back to the Windows Media Player plug in - it works fine over a remote console.

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: JimH on November 21, 2004, 04:22:33 pm

Dragyn,
I'm having a hard time understanding how MC could create a problem here.  Can you explain?

If there is a bug, it's not clear whose it is.

Jim

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: Matt on November 21, 2004, 09:46:46 pm

Could you try MC's Media Server instead of VNC?

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: JaredH on November 22, 2004, 12:06:51 am

If you think its the skin, search the skin forum and try the classic skin I posted a few weeks ago. Its extremely lightweight. the whole package is less than 90k. If that doesnt do it for you, then the skin definitely isnt your problem. The size may be off a bit, however, check it anyhow, the loading time shouldnt be affected. If it still loads slow, then start looking for other problems.

-edit
I figured I would save you the time and just put the link here:

http://www.bgracetfaith.net/misc/classicblue.zip (http://www.bgracetfaith.net/misc/classicblue.zip)

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: AustinBike on November 22, 2004, 09:24:39 am

That is better, but still need to force a screen refresh.  I think it is the MC SW - hard to believe that MSFT's media player works better remotely  :-[

As for the question about using media server, I do use media server.  VNC is a remote console software that lets me control the server remotely. I get a console with full KB/mouse/video control.  I can input into the server as if I was sitting at the console, regardless of where I am on the network.  Like XP's remote desktop.

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: JimH on November 22, 2004, 09:47:52 am

Have you reported this problem to VNC?

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: DougHamm on November 22, 2004, 04:32:00 pm

Quote from: AustinBike on November 22, 2004, 09:24:39 am

That is better, but still need to force a screen refresh.  I think it is the MC SW - hard to believe that MSFT's media player works better remotely  :-[

As for the question about using media server, I do use media server.  VNC is a remote console software that lets me control the server remotely. I get a console with full KB/mouse/video control.  I can input into the server as if I was sitting at the console, regardless of where I am on the network.  Like XP's remote desktop.

I use UltraVNC regularly to control my HTPC running MC11, with no issues around screen updating.  Give it a try?

-Doug

Title: Re:Low-res skin?
Post by: AustinBike on November 22, 2004, 08:33:23 pm

Ultra VNC is pretty nice, better than Tight VNC and Real VNC, but MC still does not refresh.  I get half a screen and have to continually force a screen refresh.

Trying JavaHMO, might switch to that instead of MC