Nmarconi

[Nmarconi]

Hi Michael,

I am working an a project for WMC that grabs schedule data for premium channels, goes out to rotten tomatoes (via api), and selects movies to record based on filter criteria, sets up the recording, moves the file to a server.  Then there are 3 UI screens (Library, Scheduled to Record, Scheduled to Skip).  Obviously, it’s more complicated that that, but that is the basic idea.

Everything seems to be all set, but i am getting the guide data in a way that violates the content provider TOS, so i cant distribute the program.  Do you know a decent way to get guide data?  You are doing it somehow for companion services, right?  I looked into using the provider for Myth, but it costs money now.

[Nmarconi]

found it.  Its part of the Input element.  MakeTopmostOnFocus

[Nmarconi]

Excellent, i am using 1-3 currently (exactly as you outline).  I will look into NTFS Journaling.  Thanks for the help, let me know if i get annoying.

[Nmarconi]

Michael,

How would you recommend scanning directories for file changes?  Use the FileWatcher object in system.IO?  Or is that too expensive?  Im not sure what the buffer limitations translate to in real life with that object (i havent used it much).  Create my own scanner on a timer?

[Nmarconi]

Yeah, i figured as much.  I’m wondering how important it is anyway.  Im not going to be able to mark shows that are watched live either – so it’s probably just more important to make the manual process of “marking watched” as simple as possible.  Also, once i have a version closer to complete, i am probably going to put the project on google code – which should make getting help easier.

[Nmarconi]

Also make sure you have the latest firmware (you can use the diagnostic tool ceton provides), the 1.1.2.4 was terrible for me.  1.1.7.2 seems to have fixed a lot of issues.

[Nmarconi]

[quote=mikinho]

I can help. If you want to send me what you are using now I can fix it up.

[/quote]

Thanks for the help.  I still will probably need some help, so ill post back here when that happens.  PS – i think i use a service you wrote to scrape themoviedb.org for xbmc nfo files.

[Nmarconi]

Ah, nice, got it working.  My problem was with the grid layout i was using in my repeater.  I was missing the Major and Minor Alignment settings.

 

        <Layout>
            <GridLayout Orientation=”Vertical”
                        Columns=”1″
                        AllowWrap=”true”
                        Spacing=”0,5″
                        MajorAlignment=”Fill”
                        MinorAlignment=”Fill”/>

        </Layout>

[Nmarconi]

 

Yup, that’s a scaled down fanart.  That layout is correct (but the details under will be the episode details – not show details – thats just a mockup – but i acutally have the MCML working other than the silly selection bar)  But it is very close to how i want it to look.

All the data is retrieved from thetvdb.com including the fanart.  The data is stored in a MS SQL CE database (though i am using a provider model so i could easily add a different storage backend).  I already wrote a companion app that can be used to manage the metadata.  It can scan for wtv files or any other file type (as long as i write a class to do it).  It’s also a centralized database – so you can use multiple devices to provide content if you want.

As far as testers – i am still a ways off.  But i will post back here when i am ready for that.

 

[Nmarconi]

Here’s a screenshot of the idea …

[Nmarconi]

I have decided to make the switch from xbmc to w7 wmc so i can dvr cable tv.  Previously, i asked if i should upgrade my amount of ram from 2gb.  I lucked out and had 8 gb of ddr2 800 become available from another pc upgrade.  So now i have an E8400 and 8 gb of ram.  The question now is the GPU.  Currently i am running a 9600 (with audio over hdmi via spdif hookup to mobo), but i am thinking of making the switch to ATI, which should allow bitstream audio.  Will there be a significant performance difference in the mce ui between the 5000 series?  I am planning on getting a 5670, but should i be looking at the lower levels?  Also, will 1 gb ddr5 make a difference vs 512 mb ddr5.  I do not game at all, so that should not be a consideration.  I just want the best ui experience possible, without wasting a ton of cash.

[Nmarconi]

I have decided to make the switch from xbmc to w7 wmc so i can dvr cable tv.  Previously, i asked if i should upgrade my amount of ram from 2gb.  I lucked out and had 8 gb of ddr2 800 become available from another pc upgrade.  So now i have an E8400 and 8 gb of ram.  The question now is the GPU.  Currently i am running a 9600 (with audio over hdmi via spdif hookup to mobo), but i am thinking of making the switch to ATI, which should allow bitstream audio.  Will there be a significant performance difference in the mce ui between the 5000 series?  I am planning on getting a 5670, but should i be looking at the lower levels?  Also, will 1 gb ddr5 make a difference vs 512 mb ddr5.  I do not game at all, so that should not be a consideration.  I just want the best ui experience possible, without wasting a ton of cash.

[Nmarconi]

xbmc is a program – but it is available built into a linux distro (called xbmc live) and acts very much like a stand alone device (the os is all in the background).  And its free!  A 2400+ will run it fine, especially if you throw in a 9000 series nvidia that can be used for hardware decoding (you will be able to play hd h264 files).

[Nmarconi]

xbmc is a program – but it is available built into a linux distro (called xbmc live) and acts very much like a stand alone device (the os is all in the background).  And its free!  A 2400+ will run it fine, especially if you throw in a 9000 series nvidia that can be used for hardware decoding (you will be able to play hd h264 files).

[Nmarconi]

Thanks, I was planning on using the HTPC at one tv, and an extender at another (and occasionally an extender on a 3rd tv (but never all 3 at once).  Sounds like i should go ahead and throw in another 2gb at the very least to be safe.

[Author]

Posts