SageTV Window Focus With USB-UIRT

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

I've now got macros for controlling the functions (up, down, play, etc.) in Sage and PowerDVD, as well as some macros that should open PowerDVD, close it, or return to Sage, all in a single EG file called LaunchPowerDVD.xml. How do I create a dynamic menu option (SageMC) to call these macros or EG's .xml files? I tried creating a menu option to an external program, linked to "eventghost.exe -e LaunchPowerDVD.xml", but clicking the menu item did nothing.

What do I have wrong?

You've gone beyond my knowledge.

[CollinR]

No the xml file is the configuration as a whole, as long as EventGhost starts using your config file be defaukt you need to call it specifically.

Try this

EventGhost.exe -n 127.0.0.1:1024 1234 LaunchPowerDVD

This assumes you have the network reciever plugin installed an configured for port 1024 and a password 1234. Adjust accordingly.

This will generate an event in the log that looks like:
TCP.LaunchPowerDVD



You are tring the generic command line that looks like:
EventGhost.exe -e LaunchPowerDVD

However this usually doesn't work if you are in service mode, using the network method bypasses all the user permissions issues.

[Skirge01]

Thanks guys. I'm feeling pretty good because I managed to figure it out after just a few hours. I am in service mode, so I may've had a problem the way you suggested. Anyhow, for anyone else who wants to do this, here are the steps. I'm doing this from memory, so if you get stuck, let me know and I'll try to figure out what I missed!

Purpose: Use a remote to launch PowerDVD in fullscreen from a menu item in Sage, continue using the remote to control playback of a DVD in PDVD, then close out PDVD when I want and return to Sage in fullscreen mode, once more using the remote to control Sage.

** Note: This assumes you are running SageMC **

1. Install the latest EventGhost (EG) beta

2. From within EG, add the following plugins: USB-UIRT, Cyberlink PowerDVD, SageTV, and Task Create/Switch Events

3. Save the attached .xml file into EG's directory and open it inside EG.

4. REPLACE all of the codes in the .xml file with YOUR remote codes by aiming at the USB-UIRT and pushing buttons and then dragging what comes up to the corresponding plugin's macro. For example, if you push up on your remote, an IR code will show up in EG's log on the left. Drag that to the SageTV plugin's UP macro AND to the Cyberlink plugin's UP macro. Now, DELETE mine from each of those plugin's UP macro. Repeat for every button on your remote which you use (or want to use) within SageTV or PowerDVD.

** Note #1: If your remote sends two different IR signals for each button, you'll need to do this for BOTH IR signals. My Harmony 880 is like this, which is why you'll always see two USB-UIRT events in my .xml file.

** Note #2: You may notice that many of the remote commands in my .xml file are not populated with any codes. This is because *I* don't use those. If *you* do, make sure you drag and drop those to their proper places.

5. Under the "Close PowerDVD" macro are two USB-UIRT commands. I have those mapped to the EXIT button on my 880, which I mapped to the RED MCE button. So, I'm hitting "EXIT" or "RED" on my remote to shut down PDVD. You'll need to map a key on your remote for this.

6. Create a new dynamic menu item in SageMC, linking to a "New External Program", browse to your PowerDVD.exe file, add "/fullscreen" (without the quotes) as an argument to start PDVD in fullscreen mode, and select "Sleep Sage while running; restore after exit", and finally enter a name for your menu item, such as "Play DVD".

7. Configure SageTV's Remote Control Configuration for "None Selected or External Setup".

I think that's it. Also note that there may be "extra" things in my .xml file. If someone can figure out what's unnecessary, let me know. To be fair, I created my original .xml file following a screenshot of EG that someone else posted here on the forums, which I can't seem to find at the moment.

Finally, should any messages pop up in PDVD, you'll need to use a mouse for them. For example, if you don't have a DVD in the drive, but hit PLAY anyway, you'll get a box telling you there's no DVD. I haven't looked into a way to respond to something like that with the remote using EG.

[saltlyck2]

I set my remote to use the forward or back button to do the FW or RW function in Eventghost to control Powerdvd 8 once SAGE is closed. I see above that this was mentioned. Anyone have a fix for it. I'd like to be able to just hold the button for FF or RW and not have to continuously repeat pushing it.

[CollinR]

Add an autorepeat action to the end of your FF/RW macros.

Yea EG really is that simple and that powerful.