INTERACT FORUM
Windows => Third Party Plug-ins, Programs, and Skins => Topic started by: 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.
(http://www.pix01.com/gallery/FDD1A3A6-26F8-4D79-887E-7B1C6A626A7F/Inactivity/929179818_orig0.jpg)
(http://www.pix01.com/gallery/FDD1A3A6-26F8-4D79-887E-7B1C6A626A7F/Inactivity/929179818_orig2.jpg)
(http://www.pix01.com/gallery/FDD1A3A6-26F8-4D79-887E-7B1C6A626A7F/Inactivity/929179818_orig1.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~kensn/Info_Popup_New.jpg)
(http://www.pix01.com/gallery/FDD1A3A6-26F8-4D79-887E-7B1C6A626A7F/Inactivity/929179818_orig3.jpg)
-
Thanks!
-
No... Thank you for such a wonderful product....
-
This is a really sweet plugin. This is something I always wanted MC to do. Many thanks!
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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. ;)
-
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...!! 8)
Ken
-
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? ;)
-
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
-
"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
-
Marko PM sent...
-
I rolled the download back to Ver 0.0.4
Problem in 0.0.5 in a fresh install.
Ken
-
Back to 0.0.5
Please report if fixed, or if experiencing any problems.
Sorry for any inconvenience...
Ken
-
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. ;)
-
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
-
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
-
C'mon Marko...you're killin' me....
-
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.
-
:)
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?
-
You're a good man Mr C....
-
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
-
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
-
New version 0.0.6 released... Please leave feedback.
Thanks for looking...
Ken
-
Well something happen to my site, I will post files after repair... Sorrry...
Ken
-
Link should work now....
Ken
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
Fixed Info Popup from showing if plugin was disabled.....
Ken
-
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.
-
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.
Suggestion: info popup transparent (look cdart display skin Tahiry 2.0)
I'll look into this...
Thanks for the feedback Fabrico ;D
-
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.
;D
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.
-
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...
(http://home.comcast.net/~kensn/Popupsmallexample.jpg)
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.
-
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...
(http://home.comcast.net/~kensn/Popupsmallexample.jpg)
Ok. Possible add album name after (future), hehehehe
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 ...
-
Hello, any update?
Regards ...
-
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? ?
-
"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.
-
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).
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. ;)
-
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 (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.
-
I will look at that.. That would really be nice..
Ken
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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?
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?
-
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
-
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 ?
-
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
-
Hi Ken,
Any progress on this? :)
-
Been busy with work last few days.. Will get a chance to look at it this weekend..
Ken
-
Mars... Please try 0.0.9.. I hope you are on 17, if not install the trial and see if the plugin works for ya.
Ken
-
Mars... Please try 0.0.9.. I hope you are on 17, if not install the trial and see if the plugin works for ya.
Ken
Very good. Excellent.
Thanks ...
Fabricio, from Brazil.
-
Thank You Ken! I will try as soon as I get home ;D.
-
Ken, it does exactly what I want. Great job!! ;)
Again, Thanks for your time!!
-
Good to hear Mars... I know I will use this function also....
Ken
-
Hi Ken,
Thanks for making this plugin.
JRiver is the most awesome media organisation software out there and you've just made it more awesome by adding features which were part of my "Now, why wouldn't the JRiver guys add something like this?"
Thanks again.
-
Glad you liked it... Thanks for the feedback..
Ken
-
Ken,
I’ve been playing with the Plug-In all along the weekend and works perfectly for me.
However, there are a couple of things that I'd like to know if they could be introduced:
1) Avoid Restore when using the Vol.Up/Down controls on the remote.
2) Activation of the “Automatic Jump to Display” feature separately from the “Restore View” feature. I would keep Automatic Jump activated most of the time, and Restore View only when having guests at home.
Thank You!
-
Ken,
I’ve been playing with the Plug-In all along the weekend and works perfectly for me.
Great to hear...
1) Avoid Restore when using the Vol.Up/Down controls on the remote.
This is activity.. I can not seperate this from other input.. Sorry..
2) Activation of the “Automatic Jump to Display” feature separately from the “Restore View” feature. I would keep Automatic Jump activated most of the time, and Restore View only when having guests at home.
Maybe.. I'll look into that..
Ken
-
This is activity.. I can not seperate this from other input.. Sorry..
No problem ;).
Maybe.. I'll look into that..
It would be great. I really appreciate it.
-
Hi Ken,
firstly, fantastic plugin - thanks very much!! I can't beleive this is not standard functionality of MC.
Secondly, I read earlier in the thread that you were considering adding the option of saving the "shutdown" options. Is this something you are still considering as for me it really is essential as MC starts up auto with Windows
Once again thanks
Lee
-
Thanks for the feedback Lee..
Ya I will do that shortly... I'll just add a checkbox to save the option...
Ken
-
Hello, I was wondering if your plug-in was working with Media Jukebox 14?
-
Fist, thanks for inquiry....
And to answer your question.. I have no idea.. I started using MC on V16. I would think it would not work properly on 14...
Ken
-
Does not work with Media Center 18, :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Hugs,
Fabricio, from Brazil.
-
Thanks for a great plugin. I've only played with the Info Popup so far, and it looks great, but on my multiple monitor setup, it displays the popup in the monitor to the right of the monitor where MC actually is.
-
Hey, thanks a lot..
Have you tried to select which monitor it shows on. There is a setting for for that with multiple monitors...
-
Oh I gotcha. Yes I changed "Show on Screen" to a different number. You know, on my screen, the dim grey writing of the plugin is only barely legible. Would you consider making it black?
-
Cool, gald it worked..
It looks like I need to give it some TLC to be functional in V18, so I may look at altering the appearance a bit..
No promisies though... 8)
Ken
-
FYI I'm using MC 17. I use F.lux to take some of the blue out of my display so it makes the whites look a little bit dusty colored. But that grey you are using for the font looks to me like an extremely light grey, even when I disable F.lux. Thanks for writing the plugin.
Off topic: I really recommend F.lux (it's free) to all my friends here at JRiver by the way for those of you who stare long hours into a monitor. I can't imagine how I ever survived without it. I put it on "night" settings 24 hours a day and my eyes have thanked me.
-
I realize this is a little different, but I wonder if it's possible to easily modify the plug-in to automatically play a different file when other playback stops. The usage case I'm thinking about is Loopback. I'd like to be able to have loopback on whenever i'm not playing something else. That way when I stop playing a movie within J River and go to an online service (say HBO Go), it will play through loopback without me having to actually select loopback.
Hopefully that made sense. Also, if there is an easy way to do this with current functionality which I've missed, please let me know. I'm using v18.
-
I have not used the loopback function of MC as of yet. I would have to do a bit of experimentation to see how the process works..
I will have to wrap my head around my code again as it has been a while since I have looked at it.
Ken
-
It worked fine when I first installed it, but now I'm getting this error:
"DisplayInfo Failed System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at Inactivity_pugin_17.MainInterface.DrawReflection(Image img, Color toBG)
at Inactivity_Pugin_17.MainInterface.DisplayInfo()"
-
Is that realted to a certain file or anything you play? Could you try a few other files from a different album to see if it always fails? Could it be there is no cover art for the file?
Sounds like another one for the todo list now.. Need to error trap that one so I would like to know what made the error come up.
Thanks,
Ken
-
It does it when a song has a blank album or artist or genre, etc.
-
I'll fix that... Thanks for investagating.
Ken
-
Fist, thanks for inquiry....
And to answer your question.. I have no idea.. I started using MC on V16. I would think it would not work properly on 14...
Ken
Thanks for your reply. Any chance you could make it work for Media Jukebox 14? Would it be a lot of work?
-
Any chance you could make it work for Media Jukebox 14?
What features were you looking for?
-
What features were you looking for?
Mostly the pop-up feature that announces the song titles, song playing and next to come (Info Popup).
I paid to get the Playing Now plug-in, but so far I got no reply...
-
Mostly the pop-up feature that announces the song titles, song playing and next to come (Info Popup).
I'll see what I can do .. give me some time..
;D Should of spent the money on MC 17 ..sorry ..couldn't resist..
-
I'll see what I can do .. give me some time..
;D Should of spent the money on MC 17 ..sorry ..couldn't resist..
Well, it's not the same money ($5 vs $50) and I only need the audio features... ;D
Thanks for trying to make it work for me...
-
It worked fine when I first installed it, but now I'm getting this error:
"DisplayInfo Failed System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at Inactivity_pugin_17.MainInterface.DrawReflection(Image img, Color toBG)
at Inactivity_Pugin_17.MainInterface.DisplayInfo()"
This is currently fixed... Will Post an updated version in a few days.
FYI I'm using MC 17. I use F.lux to take some of the blue out of my display so it makes the whites look a little bit dusty colored. But that grey you are using for the font looks to me like an extremely light grey, even when I disable F.lux. Thanks for writing the plugin.
The font is Black.. Not sure what you are seeing..Or it may have to do with your skin.. Can you post a pic?
Thanks,
Ken
-
This is currently fixed... Will Post an updated version in a few days.
The font is Black.. Not sure what you are seeing..Or it may have to do with your skin.. Can you post a pic?
Thanks,
Ken
Never mind.. I got it fixed. It had to do with the Skin...
-
Does not work with Media Center 18, :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Hugs,
Fabricio, from Brazil.
Fabricio my friend!!!
Have one for v18.. will post in a day or two. Waiting to see if I want to add or modify anything while I am at it...
Ken
-
Fabricio my friend!!!
Have one for v18.. will post in a day or two. Waiting to see if I want to add or modify anything while I am at it...
Ken
Thank you for your attention. I'm happy with the next update.
Hugs,
Fabricio, from Brazil.
-
New build v1.0 for MC18 added.
Works with v18
Will display JRiver logo if no coverart is found.
New build v1.0 for MC17 added.
Will display JRiver logo if no coverart is found.
:)Ken
-
Hello,
MC 18: Perfect.
Thanks,
Fabricio, from Brazil.
-
New build v1.0 for MC18 added.
Works with v18
Will display JRiver logo if no coverart is found.
New build v1.0 for MC17 added.
Will display JRiver logo if no coverart is found.
:)Ken
Would these new builds work with Media Jukebox 14?
-
New build v1.0 for MC18 added.
Works with v18
Will display JRiver logo if no coverart is found.
Cool :) Thanks for this update!
-
Would these new builds work with Media Jukebox 14?
Not yet... I may strip it down to an Info and Shutdown only plugin for MJ14... Not sure yet.... probably..
Ken
-
metaleloi666 Pm Sent...
-
metaleloi666 Pm Sent...
PM sent your way as well...
-
Got it .. Thanks..
-
Hello, I was wondering if your plug-in was working with Media Jukebox 14?
Will you try MJ14InfoPopup_v1.0.exe from the list of files from first post please.... ;D
Ken
-
Bad form to post to such an old thread but does anyone have this working with MC20 or know if it's definitely broken for MC20? Installed with no errors and I get the popup but it doesn't activate selected Display Mode after specified period of inactivity.
-
I need to check with 20.. On my short list to do.. I will post when done. If it installed and is running not sure why it would not work though..
Ken
-
Found your plugin yesterday, which is exactly with the functionality I would like to have!
Running MC 20.27 on Win 8.1. 64
I get an error message "Jump Failed".
I may also have to mention I have installed MetroX Theater View and the MetroX skin, if this makes any relevance?
EDIT: changed back the skin and theater view to default, still error persists.
-
Will look int0 the error. I do not have an 8.1 to test on, but I do have a Virtual Win 10 installed. Will look for similair error on there.
Ken
-
Will look int0 the error. I do not have an 8.1 to test on, but I do have a Virtual Win 10 installed. Will look for similair error on there.
Ken
Just some further info on the error message:
another small popup window appears ("Microsoft .NET Framework" as title)
In German, it says: "Unbehandelte Ausnahme in einer Komponente der Anwendung. Wenn Sie auf "Weiter" klicken, ignoriert die Anwendung den Fehler und setzt den Vorgang fort. Die Datei wurde nicht gefunden."
English translation: "Unhandled exception in one of the componentes of the application. If you ckick on "next", the application ignores the error and continues. File was not found"
Maybe the last - "File was not found" is a good hint, i.e., something in the directory system of MC20 for the skins & views was simply changed?
-
Ok... so I am a bit late on this but I am looking into the Jump error on the new new versions...
I can type the command in and it works so it should not be difficult to remedy.
Ken
-
Feel free to try. Revamped for MC21 (Windows). Unable to test on other versions, but may just work. ;D
Attachment at bottom of original post.
Ken
-
While I was at it I separated the 3 functions of the plugin to their own tab and updated instructions a bit. ;)
New download added at bottom of first post.
Ken
-
May be stupid question. But how to use it? Setup planted Inactivity.dll file into Program Files (x86)\J River\Media Center 20\Plugins\Inactivity\ , now what?
-
Should be able to see it under "Services & Plug-Ins" near the bottom of the left hand tree.