Thanks for the review Andy and especially for LcdWriter. I initially had buyer's regret with the 320B due to the poor LCD software but LcdWriter made up for it and justified the price difference between the 312B and 320B.
The fan mounts on the 320B are a welcome addition as well.
Look forward to it, the only minor addition for me would be to utilize the icons. Stupid but still a nice touch.
Custom icons probably aren't going to happen. The OOTB writer just used the little icons on the top of the display so I have no idea how (or if it's even possible) to write custom characters.
Andy,
Great work on the LCDWriter software. I too was very disappointed at the M. Play software that came with the case. I do have a problem. I have installed the LCDWriter and configured as you have shown in the review/on your blog. The display works(it shows date/time) however I can't get it to show any play state information while I'm in Windows Media Center. Is there something i've missed?
System:
Windows 7 x64 Media Center
Thanks,
When you start up 7MC does ehmsas.exe startup too (and take 10+ MB of memory)? Also check the application source in the event log for a message that the sink started.
I've had registration problems with the sink on x64 before so you may need to run:
"C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v2.0.50727\RegAsm.exe" "lcdwriter.dll" /codebase
from an elevated command prompt after cd'ing to the installation directory.
Forgot to mention that you'll want to reboot or kill ehmsas.exe and restart ehrecvr.exe (don't restart the service while recording) to see if it worked.
Updated LcdWriter to work better with X64, added mouse clicks, and COM port detection.
I see the display on the MonCase 320 has icons at the top of the LCD display eg DVD, Movie, Play, Pause, Stop, REC etc
Is LcdWriter able to control these icons or can it only output text on the LCD display?
Great review, thanks very much for all your work on this
LcdWriter will use the transport (pause/play/stop) and REC icons as appropriate, but I did not implement support for the experience (DVD, Movie, etc) because 1) it would have been very difficult to given the way LcdWriter separates displays from the core and 2) the icons are too small to be visible from a reasonable distance*.
If it weren't for 2, I'd probably figure out a way to fix 1.
* I can't see the transport icons either, but it was easy to figure out when to turn those on/off 
I can't get LCDWriter to display any useful information when using Windows 7 Media Center (x64). I have installed the latest version that is available for download. I have checked that emhsas.exe is running, but the only information I get is elapsed and remaining time. I was kind of hoping that I could display things like the current channel and EPG program name when watching TV. Is it not possible?
That is somewhat dependent on how you define "useful". I like to see the current position and duration, so that is what is displayed during playback. When recording the channel and show title are displayed.
I see. And this is not configurable?
Has anyone had any luck with the bundled M.Play software? I can install it, and it works, but when I try to open the configuration program, nothing happens, so I can't configure anything.
I see. And this is not configurable?
Not currently. IMO, the VFD should contain information that is useful and non-obvious. I already know what show I'm watching, don't always know how much time is left.
Then something is not as it should be. On my display it always starts on 00.00/00.00 when starting to watch TV, and both counters count up, with the second one being ahead a second or two.
Yeah, it shouldn't do that. It should be current/duration or something similar.
Ok. I just installed it and have not changed any settings besides choosing the correct DLL and writer. What could cause this behaviour?
It's possible that it's a bug in LcdWriter, but odd that no one has mentioned it. Baring that, I'd say it's probably an MSAS issue.
A couple of observations: It appears that LcdWriterService is not running, and will not start. I tried uninstalling and re-installing it, and as long as the Writer is the "NullWriter", the service runs. But when I changed it to the COM-dll and selected the 320B writer, the service gets deactivated, and will not start. Also, after the first restart after installing the program, I get an error message on startup complaining about not being able to create an "IPC port", whatever that means... (The error message is localized, so I don't know what the english equvivalent is...)
Also, when pressing "detect configuration", I get an error about not having access to COM3, which appears to be the correct COM-port.
The service won't work with this display because it requires user interaction.
Also, when pressing "detect configuration", I get an error about not having access to COM3, which appears to be the correct COM-port.
Make sure the driver is up to date and reboot.
There are no updates to the driver. Do I have to install the M.Play software or other drivers from the Moneual CD? I also notice that the display actually always start at 00.00/50.00, but once it starts counting, both are reset to 00.00/00.00
BTW, it's a completely fresh install of Win7 64bit.
There are no updates to the driver. Do I have to install the M.Play software or other drivers from the Moneual CD? I also notice that the display actually always start at 00.00/50.00, but once it starts counting, both are reset to 00.00/00.00
No, you shouldn't install M.Play.
It's not uncommon for MSAS to be broken by default, especially if you've installed a sink and then it uninstalls improperly.
I can take a look to see if I can reproduce the issue, but I think it's unlikely that the problem is with the writer.
If it is MSAS that is the problem, how do I find out, and how can I solve it?
If it is MSAS that is the problem, how do I find out, and how can I solve it?
Use the nodisplay.filewriter to see what you're getting from MC.
Where does the output go to? I just get an error on startup when the NoDisplay.FilBased writer is selected.
Do I need to install any drivers besides LCDWriter? As mentioned, it's a clean Win7 x64 install, and I have not installed any drivers besides chipset drivers for the motherboard.
Playing DVDs show progress and duration, as expected. So, assuming it is MSAS that is the culprit, how can I fix it?
I am curious to hear your comments on HTPC case displays such as this one.
On my first HTPC I was convinced i wanted a big display so I bought the OrigenAE S21t. After a few years I realize I never use it. On my second build I opted for a VFD similar to the one in this thread. Since I could not read it at any distance it was still sort of useless.
Would you mind giving me your thoughts on where they can be helpful to you?
Where does the output go to? I just get an error on startup when the NoDisplay.FilBased writer is selected.
Do I need to install any drivers besides LCDWriter? As mentioned, it's a clean Win7 x64 install, and I have not installed any drivers besides chipset drivers for the motherboard.
Good point. It will output where ever the exe is located, so you'd probably have to add your user account to the install folder w/ modify rights. The display uses FTDI drivers to emulate a serial port, they should get pulled down from Windows Update but you may find more recent one on FTDI's website.
Playing DVDs show progress and duration, as expected. So, assuming it is MSAS that is the culprit, how can I fix it?
The only way I've been able to "fix" it is to reinstall.
I tested it here w/ TV last night and it does push the right values so I'm not sure there's anything else I can do.
I am curious to hear your comments on HTPC case displays such as this one.
On my first HTPC I was convinced i wanted a big display so I bought the OrigenAE S21t. After a few years I realize I never use it. On my second build I opted for a VFD similar to the one in this thread. Since I could not read it at any distance it was still sort of useless.
Would you mind giving me your thoughts on where they can be helpful to you?
There are a couple places where I think a VFD adds significant value, and a few where it just a nice to have.
1) Recording status - this is my favorite one, I know at-a-glance why it's not in standby.
2) CE polish - makes the HTPC look more like a CE device (BD, STB, etc). Very few CE devices have now status information available.
3) Adds a clock
4) I know w/o showing the scrub bar where my kids are at in a show so I know whether to postpone dinner for 2 min while they finish up or make them pickup where they left off later.
There are more use cases, but the gist is the same. A VFD adds polish and provides non-obvious information w/o having to interact with the PC.
Ok, I have re-installed Win7 several times, always with the same result, so I assume that there must be something wrong in my end... A long shot, but maybe I should try installing the English version of Win7 instead of the Norwegian...
Ok, I have re-installed Win7 several times, always with the same result, so I assume that there must be something wrong in my end... A long shot, but maybe I should try installing the English version of Win7 instead of the Norwegian...
Hmm Norwegian... Why don't you try the filebased writer first. It's possible that there is a localization issue on my end.
I've been trying, but just get an error message at startup when using the filebased writer. Don't remember exactly, but something like "the target could not initiate....something....".
I'll try to re-install the English version tonight to see if that helps.
A VFD adds polish and provides non-obvious information w/o having to interact with the PC.
I agree. A blank box really does nothing for me either.
I've been trying, but just get an error message at startup when using the filebased writer. Don't remember exactly, but something like "the target could not initiate....something....".
I'll try to re-install the English version tonight to see if that helps.
Even after giving your user account modify (or full) permission to the install folder?
That helped. Here's a snippet from the output:
Init
SetIcon: LcdWriter.SDK.LcdIcon
SetIcon: LcdWriter.SDK.LcdIcon
SetIcon: LcdWriter.SDK.LcdIcon
SetIcon: LcdWriter.SDK.LcdIcon
SetIcon: LcdWriter.SDK.LcdIcon
SetIcon: LcdWriter.SDK.LcdIcon
SetIcon: LcdWriter.SDK.LcdIcon
SetIcon: LcdWriter.SDK.LcdIcon
Clear
Then a lot of these, until I start watching TV:
SetRow: 0
Media Center
SetRow: 1
23:15 13.10.11
Then I start watching TV:
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Guide
SetRow: 1
23:17 13.10.11
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 0
illionær i forkledni
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Stop
00:00/50:00
SetRow: 0
llionær i forklednin
SetRow: 0
lionær i forkledning
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Stop
00:00/50:00
SetRow: 0
ionær i forkledning
SetRow: 0
onær i forkledning (
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:00/50:00
SetRow: 0
nær i forkledning (R
SetRow: 0
ær i forkledning (R)
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:00/00:01
SetRow: 0
r i forkledning (R)
SetRow: 0
i forkledning (R) C
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:00/00:01
SetRow: 0
i forkledning (R) Ch
SetRow: 0
forkledning (R) Ch:
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:00/00:02
SetRow: 0
forkledning (R) Ch:6
SetRow: 0
orkledning (R) Ch:69
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:01/00:03
SetRow: 0
rkledning (R) Ch:69
SetRow: 0
kledning (R) Ch:69 *
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:01/00:03
SetRow: 0
ledning (R) Ch:69 *
SetRow: 0
edning (R) Ch:69 * M
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:02/00:04
SetRow: 0
dning (R) Ch:69 * Mi
SetRow: 0
ning (R) Ch:69 * Mil
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:02/00:05
SetRow: 0
ing (R) Ch:69 * Mill
SetRow: 0
ng (R) Ch:69 * Milli
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:03/00:05
SetRow: 0
g (R) Ch:69 * Millio
SetRow: 0
(R) Ch:69 * Million
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:03/00:06
SetRow: 0
(R) Ch:69 * Millionæ
SetRow: 0
R) Ch:69 * Millionær
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:04/00:06
SetRow: 0
) Ch:69 * Millionær
SetRow: 0
Ch:69 * Millionær i
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:04/00:07
SetRow: 0
Ch:69 * Millionær i
SetRow: 0
h:69 * Millionær i f
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:05/00:07
SetRow: 0
:69 * Millionær i fo
SetRow: 0
69 * Millionær i for
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:05/00:08
SetRow: 0
9 * Millionær i fork
SetRow: 0
* Millionær i forkl
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:06/00:08
SetRow: 0
* Millionær i forkle
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkled
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:06/00:09
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:07/00:09
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:07/00:10
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:08/00:10
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:08/00:11
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 0
Millionær i forkledn
SetRow: 1
WriteCustomChar: Play
00:09/00:11
Etc, etc.
I never see any text besides numbers, so there's nothing display regarding channel info or program name.
Looks like it's not getting good metadata. I don't think I've ever seen this problem before.
So LCDWriter is reporting the data it gets. And MSAS seems to be working, but reporting erroneous metadata. I guess that only leaves the tuner drivers. Is it possible that the tuner drivers (I'm using a product called DVBLink TVSource, which creates virtual tuners for the actual DVB-S2 tuners I'm using) can disturb this metadata somehow? The EPG is correct, and I was assuming that MSAS used the data from the EPG, but who knows...
I'm pretty sure that MSAS indirectly pulls the metadata from the file. Can you check what it has in MC?
Check what and where?
The metadata displayed for items in the MC UI.
I can't see any metadata in MC, except in the EPG and when pausing/rewind/forwarding. In the EPG and when pausing, everything looks correct - There's a timeline with the start and end of the program, and a marker for the current position.
Yet another re-install of OS (didn't have English Win7) and software/drivers, and yet again the same result... As soon as I start to watch TV I can see for a brief second that the display shows 00:00 / Correct duration, but as soon as the time starts to count, both counters start from 00:00.
This appears to be the exact sane problem: http://experts.windows.com/frms/windows_entertainment_and_connected_home...
Check the post from 27. Oct 2009. It's strange that it aparently only happens to someone... And that it has been acknowledged as a bug, but will not be fixed...
To all of you who have this working for Live TV in Windows 7 Media Center: What exact version of Win7 are you using?
Is the source code for LCDWriter available for download? The only option seems to display something else than mediatime and tracktime for Live TV.
Is the source code for LCDWriter available for download? The only option seems to display something else than mediatime and tracktime for Live TV.
no
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Let me know if you have any feature/change requests.
LcdWriter was designed around two line displays, so there were some trade-offs going to one that I hope to add more end-user flexibility around in the next rev. Also planning to add COM port auto-detection too (already know how to do it, just ran out of time).
Senior Editor | @babgvant