LinuxMCE - User contributions [en]

Windows MCE Remote

2008-02-20T16:43:40Z

Venom986:

[[Category:Input]]
[[Category:Infrared]]

USB Remote intended for Media Center PCs
*Vendors Website: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=065
*Supported by LinuxMCE when used with one of the supported [[:Category:Infrared |Infrared Receivers]].
== Media Center Remotes ==

{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2
|
| [[Image:MCEremote.jpg]]
| [[Image:MCE-Remote-2.jpg | Media Centre Remote 2]]
| [[Image:MCE-Remote-2-alt.jpg | Media Centre Remote 2 ALT]]
| [[Image:Mce-hauppauge.jpg | MCE Remote Hauppauge version]]
| [[Image:MCE-Remote-2-v1069.jpg | MCE Remote Hauppauge Windows Vista version]]
|-
| Version
| <center>1</center>
| <center>2</center>
| <center>2</center>
| <center>2</center>
| <center>2</center>
|-
| Model
| <center></center>
| <center>1039</center>
| <center>1039</center>
| <center>Hauppauge PVR- kit</center>
| <center>1069</center>
|-
| Features
| <center>Backlight</center>
| <center>Backlight</center>
| <center>Backlight</center>
| <center>"My" Buttons</center>
| <center>Uses mceusb2 lircd.conf</center>
|}

===Description===
There are two main versions of the MCE remote, typically referred to as the 'older' (Version 1) and 'newer' (Version 2) models. Both of these are now supported in the latest lirc, currently 0.8.1.

The newer remote comes in various alternatives, including different shapes and features. The new model is manufactured by Philips and half a dozen other manufacturers and is available by (among many other ways) purchase on it's own, shipped with MCE 2005 and contained in Hauppauge TV card MCE-Kits.

===Support===
====Version 2 ====
* [[Windows MCE Receiver|IR Receiver]] is supported
**The easiest method of installation is via the [[LinuxMCE Admin Website]]
***Click on [[Media Directors]]
***Scroll to the bottom of the list of configurable items for Infrared remote controls you will use and select "Windows XP MC Remote" from the drop down list which matches the [[:Category:Infrared |Infrared Receivers]] you have installed, this will automatically update the lircd.conf file.
***Reload the Router and you should be good to go.
* IR Transmitter is supported with driver module lirc_mceusb2 version >= 0.24 (lirc-0.8.2).
**Although not currently Officially supported in LinuxMCE, you can follow the instructions in the following post to get it working:
***http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Windows_MCE_Receiver
* Version 1069 (black remote) comes with a new SMK IR receiver which requires new lirc_mceusb2 (Version 1.30)
** The new SMK IR receiver requires a newer version of LIRC than currently ships with LinuxMCE 704.
** Refer to the following forum posts for more information and possible fix:
*** http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=2678.0
*** http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=2517.0

==== Version 1 ====
* IR Receiver is supported
* IR Transmitter is not supported

==Troubleshooting==
# Currently the lircd.conf file is located in the /etc/lirc/ directory which is not where the scripts are trying to update the lircd.conf file. You need to go to the /etc/lirc directory and vi hardware.conf and add /ect/lircd.conf as the location of the lircd.conf file. Then cd into /etc directory and vi lircd.conf and save a blank file, now the scripts will be able to update the lircd.conf file with the appropriate remote control data.
# I have newer version of Windows MCE Remote, and I can not get it to work. Please refer to the following posts for possible solutions: http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=2678.0 and http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=2517.0

==See Also==
* [[Windows MCE Receiver]]
* http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/MCE_Remote

Talk:Windows MCE Receiver

2008-02-20T16:38:09Z

Venom986:

This page should probably be renamed to fit the "Vendor_Model" naming convention. --[[User:Zaerc|Zaerc]] 06:12, 5 October 2007 (MST)

Not sure if you'll see this, but to whomever added the SET_TRANSMITTER, is that to have the irtransmitter send out only through one of the two outputs on the back?

Sony STR-K750P

2008-02-16T15:30:25Z

Venom986: New page: Category:Hardware Category:Audio

[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:Audio]]

Windows MCE Receiver

2008-02-15T13:41:53Z

Venom986: /* Support */

[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:Input]]
[[Category:Infrared]]

*Vendors Website: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=065
*Supported by LinuxMCE

===Description===
There are two common version of the USB IR Receiver/Transmitter
#Phillips eHome Infrared Transceiver
#SMK eHome Infrared Transceiver
Both are supported in the latest version of LIRC
===Support===
* IR Receiver is supported
**The easiest method of installation is via the [[LinuxMCE Admin Website]]
***Click on [[Media Directors]]
***Scroll to the bottom of the list of configurable items for [[:Category:Infrared |Infrared Receivers]] and select mce_usb2 from the drop down list, this will automatically install the lirc modules and update the lircd.conf file.
***Reload the Router and you should be good to go.
* IR Transmitter is supported with driver module lirc_mceusb2 version >= 0.24 (lirc-0.8.2).
**However, the transmitter is not currently supported in LinuxMCE
***Workaround for channel changing: You can set this up manually through the admin site, without too much hassle.
****You will need an appropriate Device Template for the REMOTE of the device you want to control. These templates should be of the "LIRC Remote Controls < Remote Controls < Peripherals" category. If a suitable template doesn't exist, you will have to create one. Look to http://lirc.sourceforge.net/remotes/ for lircd.conf files appropriate for your device. You will copy and paste this into the parameter on the device template.
****Once you have your template, go to the media director that your receiver is attached to in the web admin. Click Add Remote, and select the device template from the first step. You will need to Reload the DCERouter at this point.
****Create a channel changing script similar to, but replacing dish6 with the remote name from your lircd.conf
****Set this script as the channel changing script in mythsetup

#!/bin/sh
REMOTE_NAME=dish6
for digit in $(echo $1 | sed -e 's/./& /g'); do
irsend --device=/dev/lircd SEND_ONCE $REMOTE_NAME $digit
sleep 0.5
done
irsend --device=/dev/lircd SEND_ONCE $REMOTE_NAME select

===Troubleshooting===
1. Currently you need to run the following command in order to get the LIRC modules available for use
depmod -ae
modprobe lirc_mceusb2

Alternatively do the following at the Core to fix non-functioning IR on an MD;

Use Web Admin -> Wizard -> Devices -> Media Directors to get the id number of each MD (the number preceded by a #). The open a console session at the KDE desktop and type the following;

ssh moon<id number of MD> **this opens a console session on the MD**
depmod
reboot

This should allow the modules to be available and you should be able to use the remote control with the USB dongle included with the remote.

TuneToChannel.sh

2008-02-15T13:24:45Z

Venom986:

[[Category:LinuxMCEBashScripts]]
===Location===
* located in /usr/pluto/bin
===Used by===
* used in MythTV as external channel changing script
===Format===
/usr/pluto/bin/TuneToChannel.sh [device id] [video source id]

===MessageSend===
/usr/pluto/bin/MessageSend dcerouter 0 254 1 187 68 121 39 18544

Explanation:
dcerouter - server
0 - DeviceFrom
254 - DeviceTo (DCT2200 Cable Box)
1 - MsgType: Command
187 - Command "Tune To Channel"
The rest are MsgID blocks which require [parmid paramvalue]
parmid 68 (Channel Number): paramvalue 121
parmid 39(XMLTV ID): paramvalue 18544

For more explanation of MessageSend see this article : [[MessageSend]]

===Known Issues===
* In [[Version 0710 | LinuxMCE 0710b3]] this file has DOS carriage return characters at the end of its lines. Before the script can be successfully run, those characters need to be edited out using a text editor such as vi
* In [[Version 0710 | LinuxMCE 0710b3]] running this script results in each digit of the requested channel number being blasted 4 times in sequence; thus not actually transmitting the correct channel request.

TuneToChannel.sh

2008-02-15T13:21:35Z

Venom986: /* Format */

Sony Wega KV-32FS10

2008-02-14T02:38:30Z

Venom986:

[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:Video]]
[[Category:Displays]]

I will be setting up my MD on this TV and will flesh this page out with my experience.

Sony Wega KV-32FS10

2008-02-14T02:38:00Z

Venom986: New page: Category:Hardware Category:Displays I will be setting up my MD on this TV and will flesh this page out with my experience.

[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:Displays]]

I will be setting up my MD on this TV and will flesh this page out with my experience.

Gigabyte GeForce 7200GS 256MB

2008-02-14T02:31:52Z

Venom986:

[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:Video]]
[[Category:Graphic_Cards]]

I've ordered this to replace my on-board X1250 video in my MD. I'll flesh this page out once it arrives and I get it set up.

Gigabyte GeForce 7200GS 256MB

2008-02-14T02:31:03Z

Venom986: New page: Category:Graphic_Cards I've ordered this to replace my on-board X1250 video in my MD. I'll flesh this page out once it arrives and I get it set up.

[[Category:Graphic_Cards]]

I've ordered this to replace my on-board X1250 video in my MD. I'll flesh this page out once it arrives and I get it set up.

MythTV

2008-02-13T06:56:03Z

Venom986: /* Setting up MythTV in LinuxMCE */

'''MythTV''' is a Linux application which turns a computer with the necessary hardware into a [[personal video recorder]], a digital multimedia home entertainment system, or Home Theater Personal Computer. It is used by LinuxMCE to handle viewing and recording of television.

*[http://www.mythtv.org MythTV Main Website]

==Setting up MythTV in LinuxMCE==
If you purchased a Media Director with LinuxMCE pre-installed, you can skip steps 2, 3 and 6 below--they will have been preconfigured. To get MythTV going you should:

# First plugin and bootup all your media directors.
# If you have a PVR capture card, such as the PVR250/350 supported by IVTV, or the newer Blackbird cards (cx88), you will need to install the firmware before proceeding. You can get this from the card manufacturer. Or, you can do an internet search on 'linuxmce.com' 'firmware' to find users that may have posted the firmware for your card. Install the firmware before proceeding with Myth setup.
# Be sure you specified the type of capture card on the LinuxMCE Admin site on the "Wizard/Devices/Media Directors" page.
# For each Media Director, select the 'Computing' button on either the Orbiter that appears on the media director's screen (the on-screen orbiter), or using any other Orbiter which is controlling the same room as the Media Director. Choose "MythTV Setup". Myth's setup utility will appear on the Media Director. If you launched this from an Orbiter other than the media director's own on-screen Orbiter, that Orbiter will display a keyboard & mouse you can use in addition to the media director's own. Basically you can use web pad and pda orbiters as wireless keyboards/mice.
# If you do not use NTSC, choose the "General" option, and then "Next" until you get to the "Global Backend Setup" page. Choose your video standard (NTSC, PAL, etc.). All other general settings should be fine with their default values. Press ESC to return to the Main Myth Setup Menu.
# Choose "Capture Cards", "New Capture Card". If you have an ivtv or blackbird/cx88 card, choose "MPEG-2 Encoder card (PVR-250/350)". If you're using the cx88/blackbird driver, change the 'video0' to 'video1'. If your card was properly identified, the video device field should be filled in for you. If not, you may want to try rebooting the media director and repeating. Press ESC to return to the Main Myth Setup Menu.
# Choose "Video Sources" and select your video source. Refer to the Myth user's Manual for details. Press ESC to return to the Main Myth Setup Menu.
# Choose "Input connections" to indicate which video source is connected to which input on the capture card.
# Press ESC to exit Myth Setup and return to the LinuxMCE Orbiter screen.
# At this point you will be prompted to run mythfilldatabse. Select "Yes".
# Sadly, as of 0710b3, this command silently fails to run. To fix this problem:
## Open /etc/mythtv/mysql.txt
## Copy the value for DBpasswd from that file.
## Open /home/linuxmce/.mythtv/mysql.txt (this file was created when you tried to run mythfilldatabse earlier)
## Paste the value you copied earlier into the DBpasswd field
## Save the file and run mythfilldatabase again.
## Go get a coffee
# You will need to do a full reboot of the whole LinuxMCE system, core and all media directors, before you can watch TV with Myth TV. Therefore, you may want to setup all media directors at once and then do a complete reboot.

NOTE: Do not reboot until the media director(s) has had a chance to retrieve the channel data. You can confirm this by choosing the 'TV' button on the Orbiter main menu. This launches MythTV. Then choose "Manage Recordings", "Schedule Recordings", "Program Guide". You should see some program guide data. If you do not, wait a bit so Myth has a chance to pull the guide data.

If you have difficulty with Myth, you can refer to the official Myth site, or use LinuxMCE's support site. If the problem relates to Myth's integration with LinuxMCE, be sure to contact LinuxMCE for support.

==Programmer's Guide==
We have created a DCE Device that wraps the MythTV libraries and can receive commands from other DCE devices and use them to control the TV functionality of the mythtv. Supported functionality at this moment comprises the following: Start TV, Stop TV, Tune to channel, Channel Up, Channel Down. The player uses the same mechanisms that the current (as of 0.16 version) MythTv frontend program uses. So for every mythtv installation that currently works the player should work the same way as the current frontend.

In order to be able to do this we had to change the signature of some methods in a class used by the mythfrontend application. The classes in question is the TV class defined in the libs/libmythtv/tv_play.{h,cpp} files from the mythtv repository. The changes consist in some method and field access changes (made some previously private methods to be public). This was done in order to be able to control the player programatically and avoid putting synthetic events into the playback windows event queue. The changes only affect the headers and are used to compile the player. The binary should run on any machine with a working 0.16 MythTV installation.

Since we needed to have a resizable playback window we had to make some changes in the way the mythtv playback window is created and displayed. The change is a derived class from the MainMythWindow class which knows about resize events and uses them to resize all child objects inside it. The class is available in the plutohome.com svn repository also (in the MythTV Player module).

This module does not work currently with a mythfrontend application running. The module will present itself to the server as another mythfrontend client and it will use one tuner on playback (the same way as a mythtfronted will do).

[[Category: Programmer's Guide]]
[[Category:Software components]]