Topic: Hairstyle Interface Instructions (Read 23539 times)

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #50 on:** March 03, 2003, 04:18:06 pm »

Looking very good Mouse!! Best Hairstyle so far...however by default it is not showing all the buttons...playing now is off screen by default...confused me at first so would defo confuse a newbie user...

Otherwise fantastic!!

Adam

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #51 on:** March 03, 2003, 10:28:46 pm »

Great this thread has got busy again !!

Quote

I've seen some people do some amazing things with flash, and I think that PVR/HTPC interfaces, built in flash, could be just gorgeous. Again, dunno how to do it, but it'd be rad, fo sho.

I am guessing that you may not know about MainLobby from Cinemar this tool uses flash to allow you to make GUI's and front ends really easily... In the last 3 months development via AVS has made some games (casino lobby) an EPG (TVLobby) and very soon a music player that will be using MJ and the web remote plug in (MusicLobby) there is a DVD launcher as well and as it can launch any external programs it can launch TV apps / DVD apps etc... It can support animations and all kinds of eye candy...

It really is hot competition to the windows MCE system that I am not such a fan of given it locked and closed architechture... With MainLobby my HTPC is all menu driven... I would love to make a glissando like Hairstyle and launch MJ or MC as my audio app in an attractive unified way.

I also was hopeful that flash could be used in the hairstyle side as animations and eye candy are much more intuative in flash...

Mouseman. Those are looking really good...

Can anyone give me a clue as to how I embed Cover art of the paying now track into a Hairstyle theme... From the XML I can only see button image and placement and background... In a perfect world I would be looking to build something like Glissando or the 4AM Music console http://www.overnighttech.com/products/4amMusic_overview.html

I suspect Music Lobby will give me the abilities I am after by using flash and the web remote plug in... I hope I can start beta testing it soon.

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #52 on:** March 04, 2003, 11:57:38 am »

Sorry guys my web server will be offline today and tomorrow...

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #53 on:** March 07, 2003, 06:30:02 am »

Hi
First i want to say... my web server is running again...
and is there any word on when hairstyle will be updated to 1.5 or higher???

and last... what resolution is best to make hairstyls to?? right now im running hairstyle on 1600x1200

Doof · « **Reply #54 on:** March 07, 2003, 11:02:51 am »

Well considering that most TV's out there run at 640x480...

I can't wait to get HDTV.

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #55 on:** March 07, 2003, 12:28:06 pm »

hmmm

so... it will be best to make hairstyles in 640x480 or 800x600?

By The Way... Doof... That pictures you have.. thats invader zim right?

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #56 on:** March 07, 2003, 07:02:35 pm »

Well SVideo users can usually see 800x600 OK and XGA but blurry for PC text... I would think that HairStyle text may be clearer...

1280x720p is a common HD rez and suits all thenew breed of HD2 projectors... For HD CRT TV's 1080i translates to 540p so a common rez is 960x540 and now with Sony announcing the 1920x1080p SXRD chip for front projectors we will probably have this within this year for consumer use...

Me I use PC monitors and a 1365x1024 projector...

Soundman · « **Reply #57 on:** March 09, 2003, 05:31:19 pm »

JimH Wrote:

Quote

We could probably support an ActiveX control embedded in the xml code without too much trouble, if that would help.

What do you need?

Yes! An ActiveX control in the XML would be terrific. Here is what I want to be able to do:

1. Programmatically move to a given node in the tree by giving it the tree path name.

2. When a node is selected, my script gets control via a method call. The value I return from my method determines whether Hairstyle will process the selection event or not. Thus, I can either intercept the event and do something different, or do some pre-action and let the event go ahead.

3. Add arbitrary choices to the current node. When the user selects one of these, I simply get notified and can do whatever. This allows non-tree-related features to be added by the script author. Example: Reshuffle using My Super-sophisticated Shuffling Algorithm (TM)

or Toggle display of the current weather on the screen.

4. Modify text labels on a button, preferably via DHTML.

5. Ability to totally rearrange the screen via DHTML.

In summary, I think what I am asking for is an SDK that offers similar flexibility as Metamorphasis does for mini-mi skins.

Is this in line with what JRiver is thinking, or am I way off base? Thank, JimH, for asking!

Doof · « **Reply #58 on:** March 10, 2003, 04:35:06 am »

Well, I'm not sure if it's Invader Zim or not. It's from a Quake 2 skin I was using called Invader (so it could be). Actually, the player model is called Invader, and this particular skin is called Haywire.

But to me, and my gaming friends, that is Doof. I started using that skin and the name Doof at the same time.

formix · « **Reply #59 on:** March 11, 2003, 04:51:10 am »

Okay, a little intro, then (hopefully) a quick question. I've been using MJ for about a year, and now I'm trying to get my brain around MC9. Whenever I play a media file, or show a picture, at the end of the file, I pop back into hairstyle and have to esc out. Now when I have my HTPC up and running, this will be great, but for now I can't seem to disable the hairstyle. HELP!

Matt · « **Reply #60 on:** March 11, 2003, 05:03:50 am »

Quote

Okay, a little intro, then (hopefully) a quick question. I've been using MJ for about a year, and now I'm trying to get my brain around MC9. Whenever I play a media file, or show a picture, at the end of the file, I pop back into hairstyle and have to esc out. Now when I have my HTPC up and running, this will be great, but for now I can't seem to disable the hairstyle. HELP!

This is how full-screen works now. Instead of an emtpy black screen, you'll see Hairstyle if nothing is playing.

A few thoughts:

Would turning on on "Continuous" so stuff doesn't stop playing unless you tell it to help?

You can always hit [Esc] or double-click to get back to MEGA-ME.

Is there any reason you'd rather see a black screen instead of Hairstyle if nothing is playing?

Thanks Formix.

formix · « **Reply #61 on:** March 11, 2003, 05:12:33 am »

Actually, to be more specific, I guess I was asking if there was a way to choose whether it popped up in Hairstyle when the file was done, or the "regular" file tree view? It used to, and with the new version, I can't seem to be able to get Hairstyle to go away....

SBrandsborg aka Mouseman · « **Reply #62 on:** March 11, 2003, 05:15:25 am »

Matt:
What is the plan with hairstyle now??
when will it be updated again??
i know you have a lot of work to do with the menus and bug fixing...

LisaRCT · « **Reply #63 on:** March 14, 2003, 11:22:37 am »

I have tried modifying a copy of the hairstyle folder, renaming it, and adding it as an additional Hairstyle as well as adding the ones from Mouseman (thanks).
So far only one will load, another two are shown as menu choices but do not respond.

Also the menu buttons or bars in Hairstyle do not react properly regardless of which Hairstyle I am using
. . . I must 'click and hold' or click repeatedly . . and then not all will work. Is this a bug or something unfinished?

Have Hairstyles become available for download yet with the plugins, skins, and visualizations or is that yet to happen?

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #64 on:** March 14, 2003, 04:25:07 pm »

Also perhaps its just me not working this out but once you step down a tree... Should there not be a back button ?? How do I go back to the root or a point in the tree ?

Mastiff · « **Reply #65 on:** March 16, 2003, 05:30:53 am »

Hi!
I'm totally new to hairstyle, since I have had no use for it before now. But my multi-zone system became multi-computer as well, with one computer that will only serve the living room visually, instead of doing double duty as HTPC and playback to the living room. So now I can have MC running in full screen all the time. But: Is there some way to jump to playing now in hairstyle when something starts? Also can I see track time and such as well? I would prefer if all this was possible with few remote buttons as this will be used by my wife and kids as well.

JimH · « **Reply #66 on:** March 17, 2003, 02:12:10 pm »

PP,
There will be a back button soon.

Mastiff,
Each version has behaved a little differently recently. We're still trying to get it right. Try F11, Ctrl-W, esc.

Quote

Is there some way to jump to playing now in hairstyle when something starts?

Sorry, but I don't know. I think you know where all the buttons and options are by now. Maybe if you describe exactly what you want, it would help. Are you starting from Hairstyle and you want to go to the Playing Now window on startup, or do you want to go to fullscreen?

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #67 on:** March 17, 2003, 04:35:20 pm »

So is there any way we can work with cover art more in Hairstyle ?

I am thinking browse by cover art... Have a large one in the playing now... Etc etc etc...

MJ is the perfect back end tool but I am trying to get a look similar to this... http://www.overnighttech.com/products/images/4amMusic-ss43-01b.jpg for my playing solution...

If A) that is in any way possible and B) you allowed a remote XML viewer that could connect to MC over the network, I will bow down and worship at your almighty feet !!!

Mastiff · « **Reply #68 on:** March 17, 2003, 09:51:45 pm »

Jim, I meant the Playing now part of Hairstyle. But I'll just wait and see what it all ends up with.

loraan · « **Reply #69 on:** April 17, 2003, 10:43:06 pm »

IMHO, Hairstyle has a lot of potential that hasn't been fully realized yet. One suggestion:

All navigation should be possible with the mouse (or, equivalently, via touchscreen, which just emulates a mouse usually). Currently, for example, I can't go back in the menus without pressing left-arrow. What if I'm working on a touchscreen or have my wireless mouse in my hand but my keyboard's all the way across the room? Granted, this is a nit-pick, but given Hairstyle's intended purpose, it seems important.

JimH · « **Reply #70 on:** April 18, 2003, 04:33:28 am »

Though the art will change there is now a row of arrows above the PIP. Try those. Build 154 is what you need.

GregY · « **Reply #71 on:** May 06, 2003, 01:01:23 pm »

Quote

* A 'Music Only' Hairstyle mode that doesn't include the DVD, TV, and Image controls.
* Bigger (tv-readable) fonts
* A visual indication of where you are in the tree. If you're in 'Now Playing,' the title of the screen should say so.
* In 'Now Playing,' display album art of the song that's playing and small album art of the next song, along with a list of songes that are queued.
* Play controls always available via buttons (and/or their remote control equivalents).
* If we're navigating the MJ tree structure, some visible indication of where in the tree you're currently located. (If you're three levels deep, there should be an easy way to get back to the top, and/or other parts of the interface).
* As much as possible, flatten the deep tree structure in Hairstyle.
* Put arrows in the interface to indicate where the cursor will go (e.g. on the top level, there would be a right arrow icon to go deeper in the tree, but no left arrow.)
* 'Now Playing' always available via a single button (one-click access).
* Basic song search and filtering functionality with a virtual keyboard. (Ape Jukebox has a good start on this interface.)
* Skins (change through Hairstyle, add through MJ)
* Expose music down to the song (not just album) level throughout Hairstyle.
* Avoid drop down menus and (especially) right-clicks. These tend not to work on a TV screen.
* Browse music interface using album art or text. Hide unnecessary fields (all but album, artist and title).
* An 'Exit' button.

Was this ever answered? I'd like to have Media Center just act as a music server. Where the TV and remote would act as an interface to the PC. I would ideally disconnect the keyboard and mouse to get them out of the way. Only a remote would do!

That way when i want to listen to music I just switch over my stereo to the appropiate function and I get picture and sound from the PC all driven by the remote.

I don't want the other options (DVD, TV, etc...) just audio files. Will Hairstyle let me remove these options?

JimH · « **Reply #72 on:** May 06, 2003, 01:54:13 pm »

There isn't any way to remove TV, DVD, etc. They are the same items that show in the tree in the mega view.

When we do a Media Jukebox update, it may come closer to what you want.

We expect to focus on remotes in the next version of MC and provide more polish and a simpler interface.

The release version works better with mouse-only now.

dkan24 · « **Reply #73 on:** May 06, 2003, 01:54:52 pm »

Is there any way to shut off the sounds hairstyle makes when navigating through it?

I get terrible buzzing noises instead of sounds on my ASIO PC.

JimH · « **Reply #74 on:** May 06, 2003, 01:57:12 pm »

Find the skin in the MC fullskins directory and rename the sound files. I think they are wav files.

dkan24 · « **Reply #75 on:** May 06, 2003, 02:28:51 pm »

I do not want any sound at all, so I deleted all the sound files. Now there is just a generic beep for all actions.

I need to eliminate sound because my ASIO sound card (Delta 410) makes a terrible buzzing sound when anything other than music is played. It also buzzes when there is buffering.

Any other suggestions? Thanks!

Chris Shaw · « **Reply #76 on:** May 06, 2003, 02:53:29 pm »

Just turn off Sounds under Setup. Or delete the SOUNDS section in main.xml

dkan24 · « **Reply #77 on:** May 06, 2003, 03:41:00 pm »

I could not find where the setup was, so I just edited out the sounds section in the xml file. It works very well now- thank you!

Another question- after I choose a song, it goes to full screen mode where it shows my track info (dirt simple). I do not see a way to easily get back to hairstyle mode. I have to use my mouse to get back to mega-me, where I then could go back to hairstyle. Is there any way to use a remote to back to hairstyle from the full screen track info page?

JimH · « **Reply #78 on:** May 06, 2003, 03:49:28 pm »

F11 or CTRL-W go there.

dkan24 · « **Reply #79 on:** May 06, 2003, 04:39:01 pm »

okay, CTRL-W worked, although F11 did not.

Is there an official skin area now for Hairstyle? I downloaded Mouse's Sunrise skin, but could not get it to work.

sraymond · « **Reply #80 on:** May 06, 2003, 05:49:23 pm »

Quote

F11 or CTRL-W go there.

I'd think the MENU key is a better choice...

Quote

Is there any way to use a remote to back to hairstyle from the full screen track info page?

Although I haven't been able to get Girder to talk to MC (sending keystrokes vice lparam) when it's in Hairstyle.

JimH: I've asked about this a few times... is it a lot of work to add an MCC_COMMAND or fix MC's Girder Plugin? I (and others, I'm sure) would like to get the most out of the remote control.

Scott-

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #81 on:** May 07, 2003, 12:12:47 am »

If F11 doesn't work trying holding down the winkey and pressing F11. I had this bug for ages and for some reason I needed to press Win F11. Couldn't work out why for the life of me but worth a try...

Adam

Soundman · « **Reply #82 on:** May 13, 2003, 08:47:03 am »

Hello. Were any of the below included in Hairstyle for MC9, specifically the ability to embed scripts that react to button presses? Or, will we need to wait for MC10.

Thanks,
Soundman

Quote

Yes! An ActiveX control in the XML for Hairstyle would be terrific. Here is what I want to be able to do:

1. Programmatically move to a given node in the tree by giving it the tree path name.

2. When a node is selected, my script gets control via a method call. The value I return from my method determines whether Hairstyle will process the selection event or not. Thus, I can either intercept the event and do something different, or do some pre-action and let the event go ahead.

3. Add arbitrary choices to the current node. When the user selects one of these, I simply get notified and can do whatever. This allows non-tree-related features to be added by the script author. Example: Reshuffle using My Super-sophisticated Shuffling Algorithm (TM) or Toggle display of the current weather on the screen.

4. Modify text labels on a button, preferably via DHTML.

5. Ability to totally rearrange the screen via DHTML.

In summary, I think what I am asking for is an SDK that offers similar flexibility as Metamorphasis does for mini-mi skins.

Is this in line with what JRiver is thinking, or am I way off base? Thank, JimH, for asking!

sraymond · « **Reply #83 on:** May 13, 2003, 09:17:28 am »

Quote

JimH: I've asked about this a few times... is it a lot of work to add an MCC_COMMAND or fix MC's Girder Plugin? I (and others, I'm sure) would like to get the most out of the remote control.

JimH?

Scott-

Soundman · « **Reply #84 on:** May 14, 2003, 03:45:00 am »

Hello. Several have asked here for an MCC_COMMAND. Pardon my ignorance, but what is an MCC_COMMAND? It sounds useful.

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: Hairstyle Interface Instructions (Read 23539 times)

LisaRCT

sraymond

sraymond