Topic: How to start minimized? (Read 8403 times)

miketl · « **on:** February 27, 2015, 09:12:48 pm »

Hello,

Would it be possible to add the command mc20.exe /StartMin to start the program minimized. To complement the new command /StartMax. It is very useful to have this command especially when it is running in a headless computer and is used only to serve music files without the need for showing the program on the desktop.

Thank you

Hendrik · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2015, 06:50:03 am »

That already exists as "MC20.exe /MediaServer"

miketl · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2015, 07:16:41 am »

If i start MC in MediaServer mode if I start playback it brings MC screen to the desktop. What I would like to have is to start MC minimized, once it starts playback it will remain minimized. So playback will be in the background. There is no need to have MC in the desktop if I use it in a headless PC.

JimH · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2015, 07:18:33 am »

If you're starting Media Server only at Windows startup, it shouldn't show the UI.

Tools > Options > Startup > Windows Startup.

miketl · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2015, 07:26:25 am »

This is the command that is executed if I use it on startup "C:\Program Files (x86)\J River\Media Center 20\Media Center 20.exe" /Boot
Using this command brings the UI to the desktop.

miketl · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2015, 07:37:34 am »

Please look at this post http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=95009.msg654428#msg654428
He also said that the UI is brought to the desktop once play back has started.

Hendrik · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2015, 07:38:56 am »

If its headless, how do you know it starts the UI? Furthermore, why do you care?

glynor · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2015, 09:18:51 am »

Quote from: Hendrik on February 28, 2015, 07:38:56 am

If its headless, how do you know it starts the UI? Furthermore, why do you care?

Right. And if you just do what Jim suggested, it does not start the UI and works great. That option is exactly for cases like this.

glynor · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2015, 09:39:06 am »

Quote from: miketl on February 28, 2015, 07:26:25 am

This is the command that is executed if I use it on startup "C:\Program Files (x86)\J River\Media Center 20\Media Center 20.exe" /Boot
Using this command brings the UI to the desktop.

That isn't the right command line. Media Center's main executable (Media Center 20.exe) does not take any command line options. If you run that, it will always launch the full UI and ignore any parameters given. Media Center uses a separate command line launcher applet for all command line options, which is in your Windows System32 directory (and so is always in your default search path).

The proper command line to do what you were trying to do above is:

mc20.exe /MediaServer

This is explained here:
http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/The_Command_Line

However, as I said above, if you're just trying to use MC in "Media Server" mode, then you don't need to do any of that, and it will work better if you don't. Just set the option Jim explained:

Tools > Options > Startup > Windows Startup > Run on Windows Startup: Media Server

And it does it for you. That also has the benefit that if you later do open the main UI, it will automatically go back into Media Server mode whenever you close the main UI. I'm not sure if using /MediaServer works that way (though it probably does, I'd have to test). In any case, while you can script it yourself, that's probably silly, since you could just enable the supported option which does the same thing.

Hendrik · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2015, 09:51:45 am »

Quote from: glynor on February 28, 2015, 09:39:06 am

That isn't the right command line. Media Center's main executable (Media Center 20.exe) does not take any command line options. If you run that, it will always launch the full UI and ignore any parameters given.

Actually, thats the command line MC installs into Autorun to launch media server on windows start. It does take some options. But what it does when called like this depends on what you configured MC to do at windows launch.

glynor · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2015, 06:43:50 pm »

Quote from: Hendrik on February 28, 2015, 09:51:45 am

Actually, thats the command line MC installs into Autorun to launch media server on windows start. It does take some options. But what it does when called like this depends on what you configured MC to do at windows launch.

Ahhh! Didn't know that. Thanks, Hendrik. Any documentation for other switches?

In any case, it wouldn't accomplish what he wanted it to accomplish.

DoubtingThomas · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2015, 10:38:57 am »

I use MC20.exe /Start to start MediaCenter, and then I call another MC20.exe command to minimize MediaCenter.

But... is there a way to start MediaCenter minimized? Not the media server but MediaCenter itself.

Matt · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2015, 10:59:16 am »

Quote from: DoubtingThomas on June 16, 2015, 10:38:57 am

But... is there a way to start MediaCenter minimized? Not the media server but MediaCenter itself.

Right-click the shortcut and pick "Properties."

You can pick Run as either "Normal window", "Minimized" or "Maximized."

DoubtingThomas · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2015, 11:02:00 am »

Quote from: Matt on June 16, 2015, 10:59:16 am

Right-click the shortcut and pick "Properties."

You can pick Run as either "Normal window", "Minimized" or "Maximized."

I'm trying to start MediaCenter from a batch file, and I guess I could call a link instead of the pgm, but a MC20.exe command to start minimized would be very helpful.

Matt · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2015, 11:14:07 am »

Alright, we'll try it next build.

NEW: The Launcher takes the command /StartMin to start the program minimized.

We reserve the right to back track if there are problems

DoubtingThomas · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2015, 11:22:45 am »

Quote from: Matt on June 16, 2015, 11:14:07 am

Alright, we'll try it next build.

NEW: The Launcher takes the command /StartMin to start the program minimized.

We reserve the right to back track if there are problems

THANKS AGAIN Matt.

Hendrik · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2015, 02:35:17 pm »

Quote from: DoubtingThomas on June 16, 2015, 10:38:57 am

But... is there a way to start MediaCenter minimized? Not the media server but MediaCenter itself.

What would a minimized media center really do differently than Media Server?
I can't really think of anything useful.

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2015, 02:37:32 pm »

Quote from: Hendrik on June 16, 2015, 02:35:17 pm

What would a minimized media center really do differently than Media Server?
I can't really think of anything useful.

Probably to start the taskbar instance without showing the main window vs showing Media Server's system tray icon. I can see the appeal.

DoubtingThomas · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2015, 03:04:05 pm »

Quote from: Hendrik on June 16, 2015, 02:35:17 pm

What would a minimized media center really do differently than Media Server?
I can't really think of anything useful.

I use MediaCenter for audio most of the day and keep it minimized most of the day. When I click the button to start my audio system and MediaCenter, it would be nice to have it all happen in the background with MediaCenter starting minimized to eliminate the interruption when MC starts and then gets minimized from my script. I do want the gui/app available in my taskbar.

csimon · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2015, 03:09:06 pm »

Quote from: Hendrik on June 16, 2015, 02:35:17 pm

What would a minimized media center really do differently than Media Server?
I can't really think of anything useful.

I think Media Server on its own won't play video, you need the UI up and running. Also, running minimised allows for a cleaner HTPC look, although there will still be e problem that it doesn't stay minimised after playing something and it restores.

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Author Topic: How to start minimized? (Read 8403 times)

miketl

miketl

miketl

miketl