STV: SageMC 16x9 Version 6.x (latest dev build)

[JDizzy]

Great job!

Now, I guess it's time to try and get the dynamic menus going so I can see the compression status menu...

Last time I tried I kept getting some sort of parsing error upon booting Sage and spent a the better part of a day getting things 'back to normal'.

Can't wait to see EP's DVD burn upgrade also... been trying to be patient.

EDIT** Just realized that EP's compression and burning STVi is online and ready to sample...ummmm... all in one day.... I can't take it...

It just keeps getting better.
-JD

[popechild]

Yeah, I think I'm pretty lost when it comes to trying to build the sagemc menu interface from scratch, which is what I seem to be stuck with right now. So until I can figure out a way to get the sagemc dynamic menu "template" to work properly, it looks like I'm back to non-dynamic menus...

[White94Cobra]

Thank you for your hard work!! Unfortunately I too am unable to parse the default dynamic menu.

[toricred]

I'm having the same problem, but I can't get menu.xml to load either.

[dflachbart]

All of you having problems with the dynamic menus: can you doublecheck that

1) you *dont* have a folder net/sf/sageplugins/sagemenu in your SageTV folder

2) you have the correct version of nielm_sagemenureader.jar in the JARs directory (10/24/06, 32,094 bytes)


Does the sage_menu.xml work for anybody ? For those having problems, can you post a debug log ?


Dirk

[dflachbart]

Many thanks for this :clap:

Really like the music screen :goodjob:

One thing though. Launching Sage after starting service mode.. it just goes to a blank screen. Launching without service mode is OK :thumb:


Weird, I'm running service mode without problem.
Can you post a debug log ?

Dirk

[kricker]

-Dirk
WOW. Have you been busy. What a major list of changes. I can't wait to figure it all out!
I just got the new version loaded up. I first made sure I cleaned out all traces of the old versions including everything from the base 5_10. Re-launching Sage and choosing the sagemc.xml file worked perfectly. I assume I am using the old Sage menu by default. I will try out the dynamic menus now. But I have already seen my first issue. I still get the icon half off-screen as posted earlier in the thread. Any idea what is causing this?

EDIT
Dynamic menu popped right up. No problems here. Now it's time to learn how to configure it. I'll go play with it a bit now. FYI the graphic on the right side of the dynamic menu 'options' screen is stretched horizontally quite a bit. (you know how I am about stretched graphics).

[dflachbart]

I still get the icon half off-screen as posted earlier in the thread. Any idea what is causing this?
Hi Karl,

no, unfortunately no idea yet. I can't reproduce it here, and haven't got any reports from others either. Do you have animation enabled ? If so, does it make a difference when you disable it ?



EDIT
Dynamic menu popped right up. No problems here. Now it's time to learn how to configure it. I'll go play with it a bit now.

That's at least some good news :)



FYI the graphic on the right side of the dynamic menu 'options' screen is stretched horizontally quite a bit. (you know how I am about stretched graphics).

Darn and I hoped you wouldn't notice it that quickly ... ;) Will be taken care of in the next fix release ...

Dirk

[kricker]

Hi Karl,

no, unfortunately no idea yet. I can't reproduce it here, and haven't got any reports from others either. Do you have animation enabled ? If so, does it make a difference when you disable it ?


DirkI have animations disabled. Always have. There is someone else with the same issue. They posted right before or after my post with the image showing the issue.

Dynamic menu question:
Why does 'edit submenu/change title of menu' change the title of what I would call the main menu and not the submenu? I guess the wording is just confusing to me.

[dflachbart]

I have animations disabled. Always have.

Did you ever test if the problem persists if you enable them ?



Dynamic menu question:
Why does 'edit submenu/change title of menu' change the title of what I would call the main menu and not the submenu? I guess the wording is just confusing to me.

I might have just carried over the wording from Niel's default import, but you are right, in case of the main menu it is a little confusing ...

Dirk

[ke6guj]

Did you ever test if the problem persists if you enable them ?


I saw the same issue, go to the Main Menu, and the My TV icon would either be missing, or stuck half off the screen. I have the animation disabled. I enabled them and it works ok. There is some sluggishness in the animation, but it does work.

[dflachbart]

Does the sage_menu.xml work for anybody ? For those having problems, can you post a debug log ?


I might have found one possible reason for this: there might still be an old menu DTD file laying around, I forgot to include it in the STV-only download.

Unzip the attached file into your SageTV folder, and let me know if it makes a ny difference ...

Dirk

[Kirby]

Dirk,

Excellent upgrade! Thanks for all the added features, especially a few of those you forgot! ;) Not using the dynamic menus for now, have too much on my plate. A quick run through of much of it and not seeing anything of real issue here!

[kricker]

Just tested it and as ke6guj says, enabling the animation fixes it.

Another strange thing with the main menu is that when I press the 'home' button or use left as back to return to the main menu, sometimes I return to the item I chose to leave the main menu. Other times (mostly) I return to some other selection on the main menu. When animations are disabled I can actually see a flash of the icon half off screen for the original item I chose to leave the menu before the icon for the item the selection is on appears.

EDIT
FYI, this strange menu behavior I just described only seems to pertain to the dynamic menu.

[dflachbart]

The included sagemc_menu.xml main menu replacement does not contain *all* screens which are accesible in the standard SageMC main menu. In case you want to add them, here are internal screen names:

My Music Files: MyFileBrowser

My Simple Weather: Weather Menu

My Weather Suite: Weather Report Suite -- salsbst

My Weather: Weather

Other Programs: Other Programs

My Plugins: Plugins



Dirk

[dflachbart]

EDIT
FYI, this strange menu behavior I just described only seems to pertain to the dynamic menu.
Where does the above happen, on the main menu, or on the submenu ? And do you mean this happens when using dynamic menus as a main menu replacement, or when using the default main menu with dynamic sub-menus ? Further, do you also use icons on the submenu screen ?


Dirk

[kricker]

Where does the above happen, on the main menu, or on the submenu ? And do you mean this happens when using dynamic menus as a main menu replacement, or when using the default main menu with dynamic sub-menus ? Further, do you also use icons on the submenu screen ?


Dirk
It happens on the 'main' menu when using dynamic menu as a replacement for the 'main' menu. Default main menu with dynamic submenus??? You mean like custom1? If so, then no it only happens when replacing the main menu with dynamic menu. Icons on the submenus screen?? Again that confuses me. Sorry.

Also how does one edit the menu that pop out to the side of a main menu option? (I would call those submenus) Or is this what you are referrring to above? So many menus and names...things are a bit confusing.

[ikarus79m]

How does SageMC handle "padding" ? I know that in the standard STV my shows would start at 0:00 and if I had padding set I could reverse into -0:01 etc...

This doesn't seem to be the way with SageMC anymore. Even if I have padding set on a show I can never reverse beyond 0:00.

Could someone explain this to me?

Thank you.

[JDizzy]

All of you having problems with the dynamic menus: can you doublecheck that

1) you *dont* have a folder net/sf/sageplugins/sagemenu in your SageTV folder

2) you have the correct version of nielm_sagemenureader.jar in the JARs directory (10/24/06, 32,094 bytes)


Does the sage_menu.xml work for anybody ? For those having problems, can you post a debug log ?


Dirk

I don't have the folder BUT, my nielm_sagemenureader.jar is dated 10/06/06
and is not the correct size....

Ah-ha!
Where might one find the correct file?
-JD

[kricker]

Video library
When I browse to an item in the imported video library and view the details: using the skip buttons to browse the next or previous item results in the title not changing. The filename below it changes and pressing play will play the right file, it is just the title that does not update. Also after playig the file returing to that screen the name of the file has become teeny tiny. This method of navigation works fine in the recorded tv section. I noticed this in the last release of SageMC as well, but I stayed mum thinking it would already be fixed.

[kricker]

How does SageMC handle "padding" ? I know that in the standard STV my shows would start at 0:00 and if I had padding set I could reverse into -0:01 etc...

This doesn't seem to be the way with SageMC anymore. Even if I have padding set on a show I can never reverse beyond 0:00.

Could someone explain this to me?

Thank you.In SageMC I believe start padding of 1 is what you had in the Standard STV of -1. SageMC just uses positive numbers that relate to the padding type either start or end.

[popechild]

All of you having problems with the dynamic menus: can you doublecheck that

2) you have the correct version of nielm_sagemenureader.jar in the JARs directory (10/24/06, 32,094 bytes)

Dirk
That was it. The size on mine was different, so I found the new one in the new "full" install zip you put together and it works now!

If a bunch of people end up having this problem, it might be worth sticking that .jar into the download...

Thanks again!!

[ikarus79m]

In SageMC I believe start padding of 1 is what you had in the Standard STV of -1. SageMC just uses positive numbers that relate to the padding type either start or end.

I actually meant when playing back files, not while scheduling the recording.
Before i could rewind back into the padding, now the file just starts playing back at the very beginning.

Philipp

[JDizzy]

On the prior release of MC, while watching Live TV, you could press the stop button, exit and no video would be playing...there was actually a screen in the little video window (bottom left) that said 'Stopped'.

Now, if you stop, it immediately loads up the station that is playing on the tuner and begins playing. Is there a way to stop it?

The reason behind it is that Showanalyzer (through Dirmon), which will scan anything playing on the TV (which takes a bit of CPU)....and, I am running EP's compression through Dirmon also and the queue gets stacked up waiting for the TV to end before starting the next task (compressing my recorded show)

Also, no use having things running if not needed....

-JD

[popechild]

Okay, so now that I've got dynamic menus working, I'm noticing something that seems odd. If I add a new menu item to the main page, and then save, it takes me back to the main menu but my new item is not there. I have to go back into DM and re-load the current .xml in order to see it. Alternately, if I do some other action, like delete a menu item, I see whatever previous changes have been made as well.

Is there any way to "refresh" the menu as soon as you make a change? Or at least as soon as you re-save the .xml? Because currently I'm having to re-load the same file over and over to see each change. I feel like I must be missing something really simple...

[dflachbart]

On the prior release of MC, while watching Live TV, you could press the stop button, exit and no video would be playing...there was actually a screen in the little video window (bottom left) that said 'Stopped'.

Now, if you stop, it immediately loads up the station that is playing on the tuner and begins playing. Is there a way to stop it?

The reason behind it is that Showanalyzer (through Dirmon), which will scan anything playing on the TV (which takes a bit of CPU)....and, I am running EP's compression through Dirmon also and the queue gets stacked up waiting for the TV to end before starting the next task (compressing my recorded show)

Also, no use having things running if not needed....

-JD
Hi JD,

this is actually not a SageMC specific setting ... Go to Detailed Setup / Multimedia / Video Menu Options and change "Always" to "If Active". Since you say that this didnt happen in the previous SageMC version - did yoy import any other STVis after upgrading ?

Dirk

[dflachbart]

Okay, so now that I've got dynamic menus working, I'm noticing something that seems odd. If I add a new menu item to the main page, and then save, it takes me back to the main menu but my new item is not there. I have to go back into DM and re-load the current .xml in order to see it. Alternately, if I do some other action, like delete a menu item, I see whatever previous changes have been made as well.

Is there any way to "refresh" the menu as soon as you make a change? Or at least as soon as you re-save the .xml? Because currently I'm having to re-load the same file over and over to see each change. I feel like I must be missing something really simple...

It is supposed to show any changes right away, without needing to reload, and works perfectly fine for me. Anyone else seeing this ?

Dirk

[dflachbart]

I actually meant when playing back files, not while scheduling the recording.
Before i could rewind back into the padding, now the file just starts playing back at the very beginning.

Philipp

Hi Phillip,

I think what Karl is saying is that if you recorded a show with a -1 setting (like you used to in the default STV), the show does actually record one minute later, and that's why you wouldn't be able to rewind ...

If this is not the case, than this is strange, becasue it's supposed to work, and it does for me ...

Dirk

[dflachbart]

That was it. The size on mine was different, so I found the new one in the new "full" install zip you put together and it works now!

If a bunch of people end up having this problem, it might be worth sticking that .jar into the download...

Thanks again!!

Yeah, you are right. This JAR file was included in prior SageMC versions, so I figured anyone not using the full package should already have it, but people may upgrade from an earlier version, or simply might have missed to extract it previously.

I now added it to the dev STV download as well, thanks for the heads-up !


Dirk

[dflachbart]

Video library
When I browse to an item in the imported video library and view the details: using the skip buttons to browse the next or previous item results in the title not changing. The filename below it changes and pressing play will play the right file, it is just the title that does not update.


Thinks I found the issue. Do you use .my files ? If so, can you confirm that if you start with viewing the detail of a video *without* a .my file this does not happen ?


Dirk

[dflachbart]

Default main menu with dynamic submenus???

If you use the standard SageMC main menu, the 'My Menu' item will allow you define submenus (which are dynamic menus again)

Icons on the submenus screen?? Again that confuses me. Sorry.

Indeed, all these menus are really confusing ... ;)

I meant that for any dynamic menu item (not only on the main menu, but also on submenus) you can assign an icon file (the one which pops up on the right side). Prior to SageMC 6.3.0 you needed to edit the menu.xml file and set the "icon" property manually (although it was not used by SageMC), now you can do this within the options dialog (and now it gets used by SageMC). My question was simply if you are using icons in any (non-main) submenus



Also how does one edit the menu that pop out to the side of a main menu option? (I would call those submenus) Or is this what you are referrring to above? So many menus and names...things are a bit confusing.

You can't ...
These are all hardcoded, and there is no esay way to make this generic.

Dirk

[JUC]

First off--great stuff in the new build! THanks,
now for the questions.

To date--i haven't been using the dynamic menus so they are a little confusing for me now. Is there a way to add the compression screen to the My TV menu? Or can you only customize the main menu screen? Nothing happens when I try to bring up the dynamic menus when in MY TV...

Alternatively, i would prefer to just keep using the regular menus and use studio to add the compression screen to My TV. I've been following these instructions posted by Morgan111 but since they are not exactly for this i'm having some issues (this was for adding movie theaters to My Videos:

1. With SageTv running, open Stuidio (Cntrl-Shift-F12)
2. Scroll down to the menu page definition of "Video Library Folder View"
3. Expand it, find "Menu Container" (first widget), and expand it too.
4. Riight click on "Menu Container" and select New Child -> Item
5. The new button is now at the bottom of the list as "UNTITLED", change
it to "Movie Theaters" or "Theater Times" or whatever you want the
button to say.
6. Scroll up, find "MovieTimes Main", click on it and do a copy (Cntrl-C)
7. Go back down to "Video Library Folder View" and click on the item you
created in steps 4 and 5
8. Do a Paste Reference, under the Edit menu (Cntrl-Shift-V does not
always work right for me). "MovieTimes Main" should appear in italics there
now.
9. Save your changes (in current file or new)
10. Close Studio


What would i change to add the Compression screen to My TV?

Finally!--yes, i'm almost done--anyone care to post some good dynamic menu files?? Might give me some good ideas.
Thanks,
Juc

[dflachbart]

To date--i haven't been using the dynamic menus so they are a little confusing for me now. Is there a way to add the compression screen to the My TV menu? Or can you only customize the main menu screen? Nothing happens when I try to bring up the dynamic menus when in MY TV...

Yes, the dynamic menus are only meant to customize the main menu structure by linking menu buttons to menu screens. By defining submenus, you can create an arbitrarily deep custom menu structure. Menu screens like "My TV" can only be customized with Studio.


Alternatively, i would prefer to just keep using the regular menus and use studio to add the compression screen to My TV. I've been following these instructions posted by Morgan111 but since they are not exactly for this i'm having some issues (this was for adding movie theaters to My Videos:

What would i change to add the Compression screen to My TV?

I'll look at this later on ...


Finally!--yes, i'm almost done--anyone care to post some good dynamic menu files?? Might give me some good ideas.

Did you try out the default "sagemc_menu.xml" included in the download ? It contains the most common SageMC main menu items, and a submenu 'My Menu" with some additional screens (Google Video, Video Conversions, etc). This would be a good starting point ...

Dirk

[JUC]

Thanks dirk,

yes-i've fooled around a little with the defaul menu....not bad. i guess i need to take some time and just do it. If you have time to look at those studio instructions it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Juc

[mdnttoker]

I proudly present: SageMC 6.3.0 :dance:

-enhanced file browser dialog to first show directories and then files



THANK YOU!!! Love this simple change!

[JDizzy]

Hi JD,

this is actually not a SageMC specific setting ... Go to Detailed Setup / Multimedia / Video Menu Options and change "Always" to "If Active". Since you say that this didnt happen in the previous SageMC version - did yoy import any other STVis after upgrading ?

Dirk

The other 2 STVi that I am running is Movietimes and Web Radio. (oh, and now the DVD burning STVi)
Funny because I think prior to MC 6.3 I had this set to Always and it behaved differently (which wasn't correct).

Thanks for your time, changing the above setting fixed this issue.
-JD

[dflachbart]

Funny because I think prior to MC 6.3 I had this set to Always and it behaved differently (which wasn't correct).


Ahh, you are right, I *did* make a change in 6.3.0 to accomodate those who want to use the "always" feature ... :)


Dirk

[Hyperbaric]

Weird, I'm running service mode without problem.
Can you post a debug log ?

Dirk

Sure.

Also, I've attached my current properties files in case that sheds some light on the issue (renamed to txt files to allow uploading, of course.)

In addition, one ther thing I've noticed is that under MC the guide only shows movies colour highlighted. Default STV shows everything OK, so I think the guide data is fine. Any ideas?

Many thanks.


Edit: Hmm, also can't import the "sagemc_menu.xml" - "yes / no" dialogue just hangs there. I've followed the instructions in this thread.. so perhaps it is a symptom of the problem above?

[clmolnar]

Great update Dirk. No problems so far, and I am finally trying to make the switch to the dynamic main menus! The iTV theme import seems to still work, so that makes me happy too!

However, I have one question on the encoding properties in SageMC. I might just be missing the setting somewhere, but I did not notice how to set what happens to the mpeg2 files after the encoding is complete. Is there a setting to auto-delete the old mpeg2 files? I thought this had been mentioned when the 6.0 beta was initially released, but like I said, I'm probably just not seeing the option.

This is probably the wrong place, but someone with more experience with the SageTV transcoding might know the answer. Is an encoded show treated just like the original recording in the "Recorded Shows" menu? In other words, if I transcode all of my shows to mpeg4 deinterlaced high quality and then delete all of the original mpeg2 files, will SageTV recogize the transcoded files as being the original mpeg2 files for cataloging purposes in the wiz.bin file? And will these shows retain the same show information properties as the originals? Or do the transcoded files now show up as imported videos?

Thanks,

Carl

[JDizzy]

First off, love the change to layout of music section and various enhancements.

Prior to v6.3 update I was using Winamp as default player for music files. I had access to the Milkdrop visualzations.

I can see that I am still running music through Winamp but visuals have defaulted to albumart floating around screen (which I also like very much :thumb: )...
I looked through the Sage config file for this area and noticed a few changes have been made.

Is the Milkdrop still available (it would be cool to have access to several visualizations themes) or do I need to check through Winamp and see if my default vizualization has been changed? (I can live w/o it though)...
-JD

[dflachbart]

However, I have one question on the encoding properties in SageMC. I might just be missing the setting somewhere, but I did not notice how to set what happens to the mpeg2 files after the encoding is complete. Is there a setting to auto-delete the old mpeg2 files? I thought this had been mentioned when the 6.0 beta was initially released, but like I said, I'm probably just not seeing the option.

Hi Carl,

if you manually compress video files, the wizard will ask you whether to compress "in-place" (which will automatically delete the mpeg2 file after transcoding is finished), or if you want to keep the old file, in which case it'll ask you for a directory and new filename. The auto-compression for favorites will always compress the shows in-place ...


This is probably the wrong place, but someone with more experience with the SageTV transcoding might know the answer. Is an encoded show treated just like the original recording in the "Recorded Shows" menu? In other words, if I transcode all of my shows to mpeg4 deinterlaced high quality and then delete all of the original mpeg2 files, will SageTV recogize the transcoded files as being the original mpeg2 files for cataloging purposes in the wiz.bin file? And will these shows retain the same show information properties as the originals? Or do the transcoded files now show up as imported videos?

No worries, the compressed shows will stay in "Recorded Shows", and will retain all show info they had before. You won't notice any difference to non-compressed recordings :)

Dirk

[dflachbart]

First off, love the change to layout of music section and various enhancements.

Prior to v6.3 update I was using Winamp as default player for music files. I had access to the Milkdrop visualzations.

I can see that I am still running music through Winamp but visuals have defaulted to albumart floating around screen (which I also like very much :thumb: )...
I looked through the Sage config file for this area and noticed a few changes have been made.

Is the Milkdrop still available (it would be cool to have access to several visualizations themes) or do I need to check through Winamp and see if my default vizualization has been changed? (I can live w/o it though)...
-JD
Hi JD,

I am using Winamp with Milkdrop myself (addicted ;)), otherwise I would have never made the switch from Meedio ... When the 'Visualization" button is focused, bring up the options menu, and it will let you choose between 'Standard' (old Sage OSD visualization), 'Alternative' (what you are currently seeing), and 'Winamp' which will use whatever plugin you set up in Winamp. I don't know any way to change the Winamp plugin from within SageMC though, you'd need to do this in Winamp itself ...

Dirk

[deria]

Hi JD,

I am using Winamp with Milkdrop myself (addicted ;)), otherwise I would have never made the switch from Meedio ... When the 'Visualization" button is focused, bring up the options menu, and it will let you choose between 'Standard' (old Sage OSD visualization), 'Alternative' (what you are currently seeing), and 'Winamp' which will use whatever plugin you set up in Winamp. I don't know any way to change the Winamp plugin from within SageMC though, you'd need to do this in Winamp itself ...

Dirk

The Winamp API does not let you change visualization from outside Winamp (which would be a problem, I guess, if there was a visualization that even came close to Milkdrop).

[JDizzy]

Hi JD,

I am using Winamp with Milkdrop myself (addicted ;)), otherwise I would have never made the switch from Meedio ... When the 'Visualization" button is focused, bring up the options menu, and it will let you choose between 'Standard' (old Sage OSD visualization), 'Alternative' (what you are currently seeing), and 'Winamp' which will use whatever plugin you set up in Winamp. I don't know any way to change the Winamp plugin from within SageMC though, you'd need to do this in Winamp itself ...

Dirk

SWEET!!!!
I had no idea that was there.....

[dflachbart]

The Winamp API does not let you change visualization from outside Winamp

I think that the Winamp plugin in Meedio let you switch the Winamp visualization theme, so they must have used some dirty tricks to achieve this...


(which would be a problem, I guess, if there was a visualization that even came close to Milkdrop).
Absolutley true, I never felt the urge to try something else. Although, I always wanted to ask if there were some newer visualizations available which would get close to Milkdrop, but I guess not ... :)


Dirk

[deria]

Is there a list of changes in 6.3.0 available anywhere?

I checked the first post, but it stops at 6.2.0. I didn't even notice there was a 6.3.0 at all until a minute ago.

[dflachbart]

Is there a list of changes in 6.3.0 available anywhere?

I checked the first post, but it stops at 6.2.0. I didn't even notice there was a 6.3.0 at all until a minute ago.

Yeah sorry, didn't update the change history yet. See this (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=189469&postcount=2548) post for a list of all changes ...


Dirk

[dflachbart]

Sure.

Also, I've attached my current properties files in case that sheds some light on the issue (renamed to txt files to allow uploading, of course.)

I assume that those are the files when running is service mode, when it comes up with an empty screen, right ? Can you also post the logs in the non-service mode, for the case when it's fine, so that I can compare and look for any differences ?


In addition, one ther thing I've noticed is that under MC the guide only shows movies colour highlighted. Default STV shows everything OK, so I think the guide data is fine. Any ideas?

The guide genre coloring has to be configured manually. The default SageMC distribution only contains color image bars for movies, that's right. You can easily generate your own by editing them in an image editor (the configuration is described here (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=84)), or even better, use Mike's great Color Coded Guide Bars (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=90)



Edit: Hmm, also can't import the "sagemc_menu.xml" - "yes / no" dialogue just hangs there. I've followed the instructions in this thread.. so perhaps it is a symptom of the problem above?
So you made sure that:

1) no net/sf/.. folder is there
2) you have the correct nielm_sagemenureader.jar
3) you have the correct 'SageMenu.dtd' (which was not included in the update-only download, only in the full package)

If so, please post another debug log for this issue too ...


Dirk

[dflachbart]

Thanks dirk,

yes-i've fooled around a little with the defaul menu....not bad. i guess i need to take some time and just do it. If you have time to look at those studio instructions it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Juc
1. With SageTv running, open Studio (Cntrl-Shift-F12)
2. Scroll down to the menu page definition of "My TV"
3. Expand it, find "MainMenuContainer" (third widget), and expand it too.
4. Right click on "MainMenuContainer" and select New Child -> Item
5. The new button is now at the bottom of the list as "UNTITLED", change
it to "Compression" or whatever you want the
button to say.
6. Scroll down, find "Video Conversion", click on it and do a copy (Cntrl-C)
7. Go back up to "My TV" and click on the item you
created in steps 4 and 5
8. Do a Paste Reference, under the Edit menu (Cntrl-Shift-V does not
always work right for me). "Video Conversion" should appear in italics there
now.
9. Save your changes (in current file or new)
10. Close Studio


Hope this helps,

Dirk

[dflachbart]

I created a new 'SageMC 16x9 New Version Notification Thread' in which I will post an announcement whenever a new version / fix becomes available. You can subscribe to this thread to get automatically notified in the future. Just please do not post any responses in the thread itself.

Dirk

[Hyperbaric]

I assume that those are the files when running is service mode, when it comes up with an empty screen, right ? Can you also post the logs in the non-service mode, for the case when it's fine, so that I can compare and look for any differences ?

Yep. Attached are the log file generated after loading Sage in non-service mode.

The guide genre coloring has to be configured manually. The default SageMC distribution only contains color image bars for movies, that's right. You can easily generate your own by editing them in an image editor (the configuration is described here (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=84)), or even better, use Mike's great Color Coded Guide Bars (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=90)

Ahh, I see :thumb:

So you made sure that:

1) no net/sf/.. folder is there
2) you have the correct nielm_sagemenureader.jar
3) you have the correct 'SageMenu.dtd' (which was not included in the update-only download, only in the full package)

If so, please post another debug log for this issue too ...


Dirk

No net folder, nielm_sagemenureader.jar is 24/10/06 and 32,094bytes (32,768 on disk), tried with full install package - SageMenu.dtd is correct in the base directory, but there is an old version in the STV directory - I will delete this and try again after posting these results (not expecting it to make a difference though).

Attached is a log after trying to load the "sagemc_menu.xml" via the "import stvi" option in settings. Same thing happens if I try to import it via Advanced settings option. I noticed that one of the drives seemed quite active for a couple of minutes during this, SageTV seemed to be the only process active at the time. To quit Sage, even though it seemed to be working apart from the 'stuck' dialogue, I had to end the application from the task manager - this in turn waited for a timeout message which I could clsoe using 'end now'.

Hope this makes sense! Cheers.

[dflachbart]

Attached is a log after trying to load the "sagemc_menu.xml" via the "import stvi" option in settings. Same thing happens if I try to import it via Advanced settings option.

Ahhh, now I know what is going on ... ;)

"sagemc_menu.xml" is not a STVi, so you can't "import" it. It is a menu definition file only used by Niel's Dynamic Menus, and you have to "load" it via 'File.../Load Other File" in the dynamic menus options menu ...

But I can see that it's quite easily assumed that a "*.xml" file is a STVi, sorry if I wasn't clear about it


Dirk

[JUC]

dirk-thanks for the studio help. I think i figured it out now based on those instructions. I will give it a shot later tonight. I also have been playing around with the dynamic menus and like them too--so now its a toss-up...
thanks,
juc

[kricker]

Thinks I found the issue. Do you use .my files ? If so, can you confirm that if you start with viewing the detail of a video *without* a .my file this does not happen ?


DirkI am using .my files. I guess I really do not need to 'use' them in Sage, I just need them made to import into Meedio. I will try what you asked for and let you know.

[dflachbart]

dirk-thanks for the studio help. I think i figured it out now based on those instructions. I will give it a shot later tonight. I also have been playing around with the dynamic menus and like them too--so now its a toss-up...
thanks,
juc

Well you can still add the button to 'My TV' and use the dynamic menus for other stuff ... ;)

Dirk

[kricker]

If you use the standard SageMC main menu, the 'My Menu' item will allow you define submenus (which are dynamic menus again)


Indeed, all these menus are really confusing ... ;)

I meant that for any dynamic menu item (not only on the main menu, but also on submenus) you can assign an icon file (the one which pops up on the right side). Prior to SageMC 6.3.0 you needed to edit the menu.xml file and set the "icon" property manually (although it was not used by SageMC), now you can do this within the options dialog (and now it gets used by SageMC). My question was simply if you are using icons in any (non-main) submenus




You can't ...
These are all hardcoded, and there is no esay way to make this generic.

DirkWhen I use the standard SageMC menu I am not using the 'my menu' item just custom1 and custom2. I did create a hover_custom# icon for each of those. When I tried the dynamic menu 'main menu' replacement I changed all the icons associated with each entry. So to recap:

standard menu, using custom1 and custom2, Sage style, animations disabled - icon half off screen when returning to the menu from another screen ,either using the home command or left as back. Returning to this menu places you on the item you selected to leave this screen.

standard menu, using custom1 and custom2, Sage style, animations enabled - icons animate properly without issue. Returning to this menu places you on the item you selected to leave this screen.

dynamic menu 'main menu' replacement, animations disabled - Returning to this menu doesn't always place you on the item you selected to leave this screen. Icon for the item you DID select to leave the screen flashes on for just a second before the icon for the item that is selected shows up. The item it selectes when returning to this menu seems a bit random. It is not always the same thing.

OK, clear as mud? Anything else you need to know?

I love those side menus, I wish I could make them for all the main menu entries.

[Hyperbaric]

Ahhh, now I know what is going on ... ;)

"sagemc_menu.xml" is not a STVi, so you can't "import" it. It is a menu definition file only used by Niel's Dynamic Menus, and you have to "load" it via 'File.../Load Other File" in the dynamic menus options menu ...

But I can see that it's quite easily assumed that a "*.xml" file is a STVi, sorry if I wasn't clear about it


Dirk

No need to apologise for my stupidity :blush: :blush: :blush: My brain gave out after HTML :rolleyes:

Any ideas on where I went astray with the MC 6.3.0 in service mode?

Cheers.

[dflachbart]

No need to apologise for my stupidity :blush: :blush: :blush: My brain gave out after HTML :rolleyes:


:)


Any ideas on where I went astray with the MC 6.3.0 in service mode?


Looks like it get's stuck before initializing DirectX. Just a guess, but can you try disabling the weather bar in the main menu ?

Dirk

[Morgan111]

With all the posts here I missed the new release. Lots of good stuff in there. Can't wait to try it!

[Hyperbaric]

:)
Looks like it get's stuck before initializing DirectX. Just a guess, but can you try disabling the weather bar in the main menu ?

Dirk

Disabled weather bar.. ah.. as I was typing 'no change there' while I left Sage with the blank screen, the menu appeared.

However, it is verrrrrrry slowww. Task manager shows SageTV process running at 97-99% CPU. Any input via remote takes e.g. 2-3secs to move from one menu item to another, then 30 secs for the animation to move from right to left. :confused:

Edit: Just attached the latest log files during the slow menu.

[dflachbart]

Disabled weather bar.. ah.. as I was typing 'no change there' while I left Sage with the blank screen, the menu appeared.

However, it is verrrrrrry slowww. Task manager shows SageTV process running at 97-99% CPU. Any input via remote takes e.g. 2-3secs to move from one menu item to another, then 30 secs for the animation to move from right to left. :confused:

Edit: Just attached the latest log files during the slow menu.

Really looks to me like a DirectX9 issue, it takes the Sage image loader around 12 seconds to load an icon file and generate the DirectX9 texture. This stuff is way over my head, so I'm not sure how to proceed. Maybe support would be able to diagnose this ? Doesn't hurt to try ...

Edit: try to change the ui/use_native_image_loader setting in the property files and see if this makes a difference

Dirk

[dflachbart]

OK, clear as mud? Anything else you need to know?


I think I found the problem, at least for the 'icon half off screen' issue. Can you try the attached STV ?

Dirk

[Muchacho]

Thanks for the update!

All is working great for me so far.

Sweet!

[ke6guj]

I think I found the problem, at least for the 'icon half off screen' issue. Can you try the attached STV ?

Dirk

thats looks like it fixed it. Lately, I just had the missing icon instead of the half-off icon, but it looks like it took care of it.

[Hyperbaric]

Really looks to me like a DirectX9 issue, it takes the Sage image loader around 12 seconds to load an icon file and generate the DirectX9 texture. This stuff is way over my head, so I'm not sure how to proceed. Maybe support would be able to diagnose this ? Doesn't hurt to try ...

Edit: try to change the ui/use_native_image_loader setting in the property files and see if this makes a difference

Dirk

Tried changing "ui/use_native_image_loader" to 'true' with no change.

I'll submit a bug report soon, but I'm happy to use it without service mode for now.

[popechild]

The auto-compression for favorites will always compress the shows in-place ...
Dirk
I guess I understand why most people would prefer this without even needing an option for an alternative, but any way you could point me to an easy way (in Studio, perhaps?) to change this for myself? Even if I no longer had an option and it was hardcoded to keep the original?

Logic for me is I record in HD only, which is great for the main tv, but I don't have a powerful enough machine to watch HD on my client (a laptop) and the wireless won't stream fast enough to make it consistent either, so I'd love a way to always have the HD option available for the server but a compressed option available when I want to watch something on the client.

[Morgan111]

Dirk,

I don't know if anybody mentioned it but I noticed that the volume display does not show up on the Music - Now Playing screen. Also when I hit the prev/next track button it jumps by 2:30 in either direction.

I really like the look in the now playing screen and the movie and music folder views. I'm looking forward to trying out the file compression too!

Oh, the video and music sub-menus on the main menu are great too!

Morgan

[dflachbart]

Dirk,

I don't know if anybody mentioned it but I noticed that the volume display does not show up on the Music - Now Playing screen. Also when I hit the prev/next track button it jumps by 2:30 in either direction.

Thanks for the info, I'll fix the volume display. Regarding the control buttons, they are actually mapped to skip fwd/back and skip fwd2/back2, but if there is consensus that it should rather be prev/next track then I will change that too. I do agree that it'd make more sense ...


I really like the look in the now playing screen and the movie and music folder views. I'm looking forward to trying out the file compression too!

Oh, the video and music sub-menus on the main menu are great too!

Morgan
Glad you like it :)

Dirk

[dflachbart]

I guess I understand why most people would prefer this without even needing an option for an alternative, but any way you could point me to an easy way (in Studio, perhaps?) to change this for myself? Even if I no longer had an option and it was hardcoded to keep the original?

Logic for me is I record in HD only, which is great for the main tv, but I don't have a powerful enough machine to watch HD on my client (a laptop) and the wireless won't stream fast enough to make it consistent either, so I'd love a way to always have the HD option available for the server but a compressed option available when I want to watch something on the client.

You could do the following: Search for [...]

Edit: forget my idea, it's not that easy.
Sage would be compressing the same shows over and over again. There are more changes needed... Dirk

[White94Cobra]

I must be dense... I still can't get dynamic menus to work. I keep getting an "Invalid top level node version 1.4 when parsing..." error on the default sagemc_menu.xml. I have tried copying the full version of SageMC 6.3 into the Sage directory but still get the same error.

[JDizzy]

Thanks for the info, I'll fix the volume display. Regarding the control buttons, they are actually mapped to skip fwd/back and skip fwd2/back2, but if there is consensus that it should rather be prev/next track then I will change that too. I do agree that it'd make more sense ...

Dirk

My Vote:
YES... next track in Music area, Skip in video... (if not possible to have it do both, then next track)...
-JD

[popechild]

I must be dense... I still can't get dynamic menus to work. I keep getting an "Invalid top level node version 1.4 when parsing..." error on the default sagemc_menu.xml. I have tried copying the full version of SageMC 6.3 into the Sage directory but still get the same error.
What do you get when you try to load menu.xml instead of sagemc_menu.xml?

[dflachbart]

I must be dense... I still can't get dynamic menus to work. I keep getting an "Invalid top level node version 1.4 when parsing..." error on the default sagemc_menu.xml. I have tried copying the full version of SageMC 6.3 into the Sage directory but still get the same error.

Please check:

- SageMenu.dtd is from 10/23/06
- nielm_sagemenureader.jar is from 10/24/06
- there is no net/sf/sageplugins/sagemenu directory in your Sage folder

Dirk

[White94Cobra]

Please check:

- SageMenu.dtd is from 10/23/06
- nielm_sagemenureader.jar is from 10/24/06
- there is no net/sf/sageplugins/sagemenu directory in your Sage folder

Dirk

SageMenu.dtd and nielm_sagemenureader.jar are both the correct versions. I do have the sagemenu directory. I'll try renaming it to see what happens. Thanks.

Update: Renaming the net/sf/sageplugins/sagemenu directory fixed it. I am now using dynamic menus. Thank you.

[ldavis]

I am not using V6 of Sage so I am still on the older verions of MC. The problem that I am suddenly having is that there is nothing in the MC upcoming recordings. Plently of shows are being recorded and the default STV shows a schedule. Just not MC

Second question (more of a generic question): I accidentally selected a .stv file within Sage. Now I cannot get back to the original MC .xml as they (.xml fils) no longer show up as a selection although they are still there. I have tried a complete reinstall of Sage with no success. I have also changed the properties file directly with no success.

[JDizzy]

Originally Posted by flachbar
Please check:

- SageMenu.dtd is from 10/23/06
- nielm_sagemenureader.jar is from 10/24/06
- there is no net/sf/sageplugins/sagemenu directory in your Sage folder

Dirk

SageMenu.dtd and nielm_sagemenureader.jar are both the correct versions. I do have the sagemenu directory. I'll try renaming it to see what happens. Thanks.

Update: Renaming the net/sf/sageplugins/sagemenu directory fixed it. I am now using dynamic menus. Thank you.

Let me just add this for the record.
I deleted the directory and pulled the 2 files out of the newest MC full install and now my Dynamic Menus also work!

At the moment I am not using the Dynamic Menus as I don't really need them (but it's nice to have them working)

One thing though... when I enabled the Dynamic Menus there were already some options laid out on the menu.
one of them WAS NOT SETUP!!
How is one to get back to the Setup menu to disable Dynamic Menus if they can't figure out (or don't have the time) to add a Setup button to the menu?
(I know I probably missed something but yes, believe it... I ended up in this dilema), I was lucky (I'm learning) I backed up my Sage config before messing with this and just swapped out config files.... but possibly Setup might/should be added to the default Dynamic Menu....
-JD

[belleboyd]

Greetings to all ... I'm relatively new to the Sage community and totally new to the SageMC import. I installed the newest development last night and I am very impressed. The acceptance factor for a home grown DVR has risen quite considerably at my house in the last couple days.

I am having some issues with this import that I need some help with. Please keep in mind I have NEVER seen this thing before 2 days ago.

The "back" key does not always get me where I expect to go. Is there a key navigation list somewhere? I have yet to decide on a remote and so I am still using a keyboard. If I am watching LIVE tv and hit the left arrow key.... nothing happens. I discovered yesterday that if I hit ALT-Leftarrow I will get back to the menu I was at before. So to get to the main menu I may have to hit Alt-Left 3 or 4 times depending on how I navigated to the LIVE tv display. How would you jump directly to main menu from Live TV? And I am sure there are other key combos that I need and don't know about.

I may have done something wrong in the installation as I do not see any difference in anything when I enable dynamic menus. I was hoping this would do something about the issue above. Of course I don't know what's supposed to happen either. I checked for the file date and folder issues mentioned in previous posts -- all seems to be ok. The filedates are correct and I don't have the folder mentioned. Although I did notice that the sagemc_menu.xml is OUTSIDE the STV folder. And if I try to load it thru the "advanced" menu -- the program hangs. I also put a copy into the STV folder... but that didn't help.

Sorry for the long post. I am sure it's me doing it wrong .... but I am at my wits end with this. I like the Sage MC import well enough -- but I don't know how to use it and can't figure out where the instructions ARE!

Thanks for "listening" ... and thanks in advance for advice and post id#s to read. :-)



System Info:
Celeron 1.7Mhz
Biostar U8568 mobo (VIA P4X266E chipset)
AGP Radeon 9100
768K memory
40 Gig IDE
400 gig SATA
SageTv beta 6.011
PVR 150

[Enormous]

Please check:

- SageMenu.dtd is from 10/23/06
- nielm_sagemenureader.jar is from 10/24/06
- there is no net/sf/sageplugins/sagemenu directory in your Sage folder

DirkThis worked for me as well. Thank you very much Dirk for an awesome update!

[evilpenguin]

@belleboyd

Welcome to the community!

- I highly recommend the MCE remote, as its a great bargain and it works natively with SageTV.

http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.php/pName/microsoft-mce-remote-control-for-windows-xp-mce/cName/remote-controls

- As a newcomer, you probably shouldn't even mess with the dynamic menu's for a while. You should be more than happy with the default menu system for quite a while, and by the time you do want to upgrade, you'll have a much better working knowledge of Sage

- The SageTV Manual pdf that comes with SageTV has a complete list of all the keyboards shortcuts and commands.

[Enormous]

With Dynamic Menus enabled, when I try to go into My Menu->Google Videos or My Menu->Parental Controls, I get the following error:
Error: this Internal Screen is not accessible via dynamic menus
"Google Video Menu"/"Parental Controls"
Any ideas?

EDIT: Never mind. I had to shut down the client and start it up again. That'll teach me to post before following all directions!

[dflachbart]

Greetings to all ... I'm relatively new to the Sage community and totally new to the SageMC import.

Welcome belleboyd !


The "back" key does not always get me where I expect to go. Is there a key navigation list somewhere? I have yet to decide on a remote and so I am still using a keyboard. If I am watching LIVE tv and hit the left arrow key.... nothing happens. I discovered yesterday that if I hit ALT-Leftarrow I will get back to the menu I was at before. So to get to the main menu I may have to hit Alt-Left 3 or 4 times depending on how I navigated to the LIVE tv display. How would you jump directly to main menu from Live TV? And I am sure there are other key combos that I need and don't know about.


Yes, the Back button (mapped to Alt-Left on the keyboard) will bring you one step back in your navigation history. A lot of people also like the "Left as back" option which allows to go back also with the left cursor key.

To go to the main menu, you can use the "Home" command (mapped to the 'Home' key by default. You can see all Commands (and their mappings) in Detailed Setup / Commands, most of them work in SageMC.


I may have done something wrong in the installation as I do not see any difference in anything when I enable dynamic menus. I was hoping this would do something about the issue above. Of course I don't know what's supposed to happen either. I checked for the file date and folder issues mentioned in previous posts -- all seems to be ok. The filedates are correct and I don't have the folder mentioned. Although I did notice that the sagemc_menu.xml is OUTSIDE the STV folder. And if I try to load it thru the "advanced" menu -- the program hangs. I also put a copy into the STV folder... but that didn't help.


With dynamic menus you can configure the SageMC menu system to your liking - add new menu items or submenus to the main menu, rename / move menu items, and a *lot* more... If you installed the full package then you should already be using the dynamic menus, it's the default. The "sagemc_menu.xml" is *not* an STVi (so you cant and shouldn't "load" it with the options in the Advanced menu, it is a configuration file in which your dynamic menu structure is saved. Loading/saving of menu configuration files is done through the Dynamic Menu options which can be displayed by using the 'Options' command (bound to ESC) while in the main or in a submenu. The options will show you everything you can do with the dynamic menus. Btw, the Sage 'Options' command (ESC) is almost used everywhere in SageMC to bring up context specific configuration or action menus, so it's a good idea to remember it ... ;)


Dirk

[dflachbart]

EDIT: Never mind. I had to shut down the client and start it up again. That'll teach me to post before following all directions!

Yeah, this error is the exact reason why the second restart is necessary ... :)

Dirk

[evilpenguin]

I guess I understand why most people would prefer this without even needing an option for an alternative, but any way you could point me to an easy way (in Studio, perhaps?) to change this for myself? Even if I no longer had an option and it was hardcoded to keep the original?

Logic for me is I record in HD only, which is great for the main tv, but I don't have a powerful enough machine to watch HD on my client (a laptop) and the wireless won't stream fast enough to make it consistent either, so I'd love a way to always have the HD option available for the server but a compressed option available when I want to watch something on the client.
If that's what you want to happen 100% of the time, then if you open studio, search for "AddTranscodeJob", find the one under the "ApplicationStarted" hook, and change the last parameter from true to false.

That will drop a compressed file right next to the original one, but I'm not sure how Sage would pick that up. You probably should do a manual test using the "Send to" button to see what happens.

If that doesn't pick it up and put it in the video library, then you could also hardcode a path in the 3rd parameter (currently null) of the AddTranscodeJob() to point to a video import folder and that should work also.

I hope that made sense :)

[Hyperbaric]

Tried changing "ui/use_native_image_loader" to 'true' with no change.

I'll submit a bug report soon, but I'm happy to use it without service mode for now.

Ah, got it working.. just changed the property file manually to use the default STV, then loaded the MC STV from the settings menu :jump:

[JDizzy]

I have yet to decide on a remote and so I am still using a keyboard. If I am watching LIVE tv and hit the left arrow key.... nothing happens.

System Info:
Celeron 1.7Mhz
Biostar U8568 mobo (VIA P4X266E chipset)
AGP Radeon 9100
768K memory
40 Gig IDE
400 gig SATA
SageTv beta 6.011
PVR 150

I see on your System Info you are using a PVR150 if that is the Hauppauge and you have the remote and IR Blaster that came with it, you can install it and the remote works quite well!
I used that setup but eventually opted to purchase a Firefly because I can use it with other applications as well as Sage.
There is probably a lot of info on remotes in the Hardware Forum...
-JD

[kricker]

-Dirk
did my last post about the menu issues I am having clear things up for you?

[dflachbart]

-Dirk
did my last post about the menu issues I am having clear things up for you?
Hi Karl,

oh I already answered, did you miss this (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=189717&postcount=2614) ? It seemed to have fixed the problem for ke6guj ...

Dirk

[kricker]

Hi Karl,

oh I already answered, did you miss this (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=189717&postcount=2614) ? It seemed to have fixed the problem for ke6guj ...

Dirk
I did miss that....I even looked thru before I posted...oh well. I'll try it and let you know. As well as let you know about the .my file in the imported videos issue.

[darc87]

I am fairly new to SageTv and have performed the following enhancements:
1. Upgraded to latest Beta version.
2. Installed SageMC.
3. Enabled Dynamic Menus.

All is working but I have the following questions.

1. Does anyone recommend any particular Theme?

2. After installing the latest SageMC build I no longer have the Marker Icons showing. I also cannot seem to find the option to toggle them on/off in SageMC.

3. I noticed that the dynamic menu package had some nice custom menus prepackaged. Will these work in SageMC?

Thanks in advance.

[scm]

Second question (more of a generic question): I accidentally selected a .stv file within Sage. Now I cannot get back to the original MC .xml as they (.xml fils) no longer show up as a selection although they are still there. I have tried a complete reinstall of Sage with no success. I have also changed the properties file directly with no success.


Try opening Studio. You can then change the STV from there.

[Vlar]

With the 6.0 upgrade and the auto thumbnails for My Videos, the way I used to specify a dvd cover by using folder.jpg in the folder the avi resides in i no longer is the default. Rather, the imdb cached is the default which is speedier, but the quality and user selection is not there. Is there a way to have the folder.jpg override the auto thumbnail creation?

[dflachbart]

With the 6.0 upgrade and the auto thumbnails for My Videos, the way I used to specify a dvd cover by using folder.jpg in the folder the avi resides in i no longer is the default. Rather, the imdb cached is the default which is speedier, but the quality and user selection is not there. Is there a way to have the folder.jpg override the auto thumbnail creation?

An existing folder.jpg should override an autogenerated thumbnail (SageMC is just using Sage core functionality)... Did you try to rescan the import library folders ?


Dirk

[dflachbart]

1. Does anyone recommend any particular Theme?


Entirely up to your taste ... ;) I prefer the simple MC theme, but definitely check out the iTV theme, which is very popular


2. After installing the latest SageMC build I no longer have the Marker Icons showing. I also cannot seem to find the option to toggle them on/off in SageMC.


What 'Marker' icons do you mean ?



3. I noticed that the dynamic menu package had some nice custom menus prepackaged. Will these work in SageMC?


Most likely not, the code is simply too different.

Which ones were you thinking of ?


Dirk

[dflachbart]

One thing though... when I enabled the Dynamic Menus there were already some options laid out on the menu.
one of them WAS NOT SETUP!!

This is strange, since the include sagemc_menu.xml does include the Setup menu option. Unless you used the dynamic menus already before upgrading to 6.3.0, in which case the old menu definition file would still be stored in the property file ...


How is one to get back to the Setup menu to disable Dynamic Menus if they can't figure out (or don't have the time) to add a Setup button to the menu?

The easiest way would be to change the property mlbdude/dynamic_main_menu in Sage.properties to false. But anyway, I will add an option to the dynamic menus options menu to get back top the default SageMC main menu, so that there is always an easy way out


Dirk

[dflachbart]

I am not using V6 of Sage so I am still on the older verions of MC. The problem that I am suddenly having is that there is nothing in the MC upcoming recordings. Plently of shows are being recorded and the default STV shows a schedule. Just not MC



If this problem still persists, please enable debug logging and post the log file.


Dirk

[Opus4]

I am not using V6 of Sage so I am still on the older verions of MC. The problem that I am suddenly having is that there is nothing in the MC upcoming recordings. Plently of shows are being recorded and the default STV shows a schedule. Just not MC


If this problem still persists, please enable debug logging and post the log file.Not sure if this is what happened, but just in case it is... ldavis: If this happens again, check to see if the default STV shows any scheduled recordings that have no info at all. It is possible for there to be a null Airing in the schedule for a short period of time when an EPG data update replaces the data for a show in the schedule. When this happens, the old Airing could be null until the schedule updates again. This caused a different custom menu to go blank on me. flachbar: _if_ this is what is happening, the schedule menu just has to check for a null Airing & handle that case as you build the list of info for your table or however the list is displayed.

- Andy

[dflachbart]

flachbar: _if_ this is what is happening, the schedule menu just has to check for a null Airing & handle that case as you build the list of info for your table or however the list is displayed.


Thanks for the info Andy, I'll check that ...

Dirk

[kricker]

-Dirk
That .xml you posted does fix my icon issue perfectly.

Disable 'use .my files' fixes the name not changing when 'skipping' thru imported videos in the detail view. Although I discovered something else. When I chose the first item on my list I could skip backwards but not forwards. Starting with any other item on the list and I can skip forwards and backwards, until I reach the 1st item again, then I can no longer skip forward.

[kricker]

OK now more info on the dynamic menu 'main menu' replacement issue:
Selecting an item in the dynamic menu to exit the screen, then returning back to the main menu will ONLY highlight the item you chose to leave the screen if you selected a main item in the list. This does not work if you use the side pop out items (ie. my videos/file system). When returning back to the main screen the last item you chose on the dynamic menu will be highlighted. You will see the main item for which you chose a side pop out item highlight for a split second before it switches. For example do this:
1. on the main screen select 'my music'
2. return to the main screen either with the home command or left as back it doesn't matter.
3. now select my TV/recorded TV
4. return to the main screen
5. music will be highlighted after my TV flashes for a split second

[pvr599]

I have read a few short posts about this and was wondering if there is a resolution.

I had Sage v6 with SageMC 6.2 running. I downloaded SageMC 6.3 update (not full) and extracted it to the sagetv directory. Before this though, I loaded the default .xml.

When I start Sagetv in service mode, I get a serious hang on loading. Then once it does load, after about 3-4 minutes, navigating through menu's is impossible. Nearly :30 to switch from one menu item to the next.

Without service mode it runs fine.

I saw a post about "ui/use_native_image_loader" to 'true'. I checked the properties file and do not have this line to change. I wasn't even sure if that answer was for this question.
Any tips would be great.
Thanks!!

[darc87]

Kricker,

Forgive the OT but are you still using Meedio with Sage. If so could you possibly PM me some info on how you run Sage within Meedio.

Thanks.

[jvl711]

I was wondering if in one of the future version if watched functionality could be added to the video library. Plus it would be nice if the watched bar could be added. I have made these changes to an earlier version of SageMC, but it is hard to keep making the changes in each version.

Thanks,
Josh

[scm]

Wow--this theme just gets better and better. The improvements to the music section are incredible. Dirk, you've taken this another level!!

A couple of minor issues.
1. When I'm in the album view with cover art, the cover art fills the entire selection bar, so I can barely see which album I've selected. I am using a green background with the green glassy selection icons, so this problem may be unique to my set-up. I've toggled between small and large pics, but nothing is helping.
2. With the new alternate visualization, is there a way to change the amount of time the cover art image stays on screen?
3. Milkdrop visualizations are opening in the background. (I think this is a Sage version 6 issue, not unique to this MC update.) I can bring it to the foreground by toggling the taskbar icon, but was wondering if there is a fix to make it open in the foreground.

Future suggestion:
If you look to update the look of the weather screen, consider a screen similar to this:
http://www.meedio.com/maid/screenshots.php?plugin_id={669DA236-C83D-4BDB-B849-9068FD178F31}&start=6
I find it easier to read--but that may just be me!!

[Kirby]

Future suggestion:
If you look to update the look of the weather screen, consider a screen similar to this:
http://www.meedio.com/maid/screenshots.php?plugin_id={669DA236-C83D-4BDB-B849-9068FD178F31}&start=6
I find it easier to read--but that may just be me!!

Very nice! Gets my vote too!

[Kirby]

Dirk,

Are you doing anything with placeshifter on SageMC, or does it work just by luck? If you arent actively working on anything for placeshifter clients, then disregard this part.

When I was poking around on my placeshifter connection today, I noticed these screens pulling in the wrong icons, and not stretching Mike's genre icons also:

http://www.midwestplastic.com/kirby/placeshifter1.PNG
http://www.midwestplastic.com/kirby/placeshifter2.PNG

Also, on the group view, is there any way to change the folder icons (or list icons) to something snazzy like Mike made for everything else?

[JonTom]

Question: when a show ends, I delete it from the menu that pops up, which now gives other options. Can I set it to just delete it (set as watched) by default?

Request: re: Music. Can we add a Play option from the first music screen, that will (random) play all music?

[scm]

Request: re: Music. Can we add a Play option from the first music screen, that will (random) play all music?

Second this request!!

[geogecko]

Wow, You choose the weekend that I decide to go out of town to do this to me, so I have 5 pages of thread to read, huh?

Well, thanks, I really like the updates, espcially in the music and videos sections. I have my columns and rows set pretty low, due to some of the weird overlapping that was going on before, now I think I can safely open those up a bit, to get more on the display.

Dynamic main menus will have to wait a bit for me. Maybe this coming weekend I might be able to toy around with them.

There is one JAR file I noticed in the "latest" download, that is OLDER than one of the ones I have, so I didn't overwrite it. The newer one is from one of two things, either the movietimes import, or the web server. Those are the only two I'm using right now.

Thanks again, Dirk. Looks really good, I'm sure mlbdude would be impressed (or maybe, IS impressed).

Thanks to all the others that also had a part in it all.

I'd like the option of selecting "in place of" or "keep" the original file in the favorites section for compression. I think it may have been mentioned before, but some might want to keep the full version for their HDTV, and a compressed version for say, a PSP, iPod or something else...not sure if it's possible, without a lot of changes, because then the compression seeker has to realize when it's processed a file, and to NOT process, the already processed file... Maybe it could rename the new file similar to a saved STV, with the -1, -2, etc, extension...

[dflachbart]

For example do this:
1. on the main screen select 'my music'
2. return to the main screen either with the home command or left as back it doesn't matter.
3. now select my TV/recorded TV
4. return to the main screen
5. music will be highlighted after my TV flashes for a split second

Thanks a lot Karl, these detailed steps allowed me to reproduce it here, which makes it a lot easier to find a fix !

Dirk

[dflachbart]

I have read a few short posts about this and was wondering if there is a resolution.

I had Sage v6 with SageMC 6.2 running. I downloaded SageMC 6.3 update (not full) and extracted it to the sagetv directory. Before this though, I loaded the default .xml.

When I start Sagetv in service mode, I get a serious hang on loading. Then once it does load, after about 3-4 minutes, navigating through menu's is impossible. Nearly :30 to switch from one menu item to the next.

Without service mode it runs fine.

I saw a post about "ui/use_native_image_loader" to 'true'. I checked the properties file and do not have this line to change. I wasn't even sure if that answer was for this question.
Any tips would be great.
Thanks!!

Hi pvr599,

did you try the solution which fixed the exact same problem for Hyperbaric ?


Ah, got it working.. just changed the property file manually to use the default STV, then loaded the MC STV from the settings menu



Dirk

[dflachbart]

Wow--this theme just gets better and better. The improvements to the music section are incredible. Dirk, you've taken this another level!!

Thank you :)


1. When I'm in the album view with cover art, the cover art fills the entire selection bar, so I can barely see which album I've selected. I am using a green background with the green glassy selection icons, so this problem may be unique to my set-up. I've toggled between small and large pics, but nothing is helping.

Can you post a screenshot, I am having trouble to visualize this ...


2. With the new alternate visualization, is there a way to change the amount of time the cover art image stays on screen?

You mean after the cover is full size after the animation, before the next cycle starts ? Not right now, but I'll see if I can add a setting for this


3. Milkdrop visualizations are opening in the background. (I think this is a Sage version 6 issue, not unique to this MC update.) I can bring it to the foreground by toggling the taskbar icon, but was wondering if there is a fix to make it open in the foreground.

Milkdrop starts nicely in the foreground on my system. Do you have by any chance the 'UI tweaks' for XP installed ? There is a setting that disables by default applications from stealing the focus, if this is set then changing it would solve the problem


Future suggestion:
If you look to update the look of the weather screen, consider a screen similar to this:
http://www.meedio.com/maid/screenshots.php?plugin_id={669DA236-C83D-4BDB-B849-9068FD178F31}&start=6 (http://www.meedio.com/maid/screenshots.php?plugin_id=%7B669DA236-C83D-4BDB-B849-9068FD178F31%7D&start=6)
I find it easier to read--but that may just be me!!
Looks good, but not really high on my priority list (which of course changes from time to time ;) )

Dirk

[geogecko]

Can the weatherbar be safely brought up to a 1.0 scale, instead of the 0.7 that was required to stop the BSOD? Just wondering...

[dflachbart]

Dirk,

Are you doing anything with placeshifter on SageMC, or does it work just by luck? If you arent actively working on anything for placeshifter clients, then disregard this part.


Placeshifter is, from the UI perspective, just another 'client', so there is no special code for it to work. Did you set the 'Use fullsize icon' option ? Also, a restart of the server sometimes can clean up issues with MVP or Placeshifter clients


Also, on the group view, is there any way to change the folder icons (or list icons) to something snazzy like Mike made for everything else?

Custom groups are just another form of custom genres, so if you have *_list and *_folder icons with the name of the group in your 'GenreIcons' folder it should display those for the group

Dirk

[dflachbart]

Question: when a show ends, I delete it from the menu that pops up, which now gives other options. Can I set it to just delete it (set as watched) by default?


You can disable the multi-options delete dialog in the SageMC options, but the 'simple' delete will only delete the file, and not set it watched (it's supposed to be a simple action without 'side-effects')



Request: re: Music. Can we add a Play option from the first music screen, that will (random) play all music?

I'll see what I can do ...

Dirk

[Kirby]

Placeshifter is, from the UI perspective, just another 'client', so there is no special code for it to work. Did you set the 'Use fullsize icon' option ? Also, a restart of the server sometimes can clean up issues with MVP or Placeshifter clients

Ahh, I never changed that on the placeshifter. I forgot about it actually. I will change it when I get a chance and see if it fixes it.

Custom groups are just another form of custom genres, so if you have *_list and *_folder icons with the name of the group in your 'GenreIcons' folder it should display those for the group

Dirk

Excellent! I will make up some not-quite-as-nice-as-Mike's Group icons for my groups and name them appropriately.

[geogecko]

Can the weatherbar be safely brought up to a 1.0 scale, instead of the 0.7 that was required to stop the BSOD? Just wondering...

My posts must be invisible or something...

Anyway, it can be set back to 1.0 without issue. Looks good! :thumb:

[dflachbart]

Can the weatherbar be safely brought up to a 1.0 scale, instead of the 0.7 that was required to stop the BSOD? Just wondering...

Yes it should, I reduced the font size to a value Mike determined to be 'safe' ...

Dirk

[dflachbart]

Wow, You choose the weekend that I decide to go out of town to do this to me, so I have 5 pages of thread to read, huh?


:D


There is one JAR file I noticed in the "latest" download, that is OLDER than one of the ones I have, so I didn't overwrite it. The newer one is from one of two things, either the movietimes import, or the web server. Those are the only two I'm using right now.


Could you also tell me which one ? ;)


Dirk

[dflachbart]

My posts must be invisible or something...

Anyway, it can be set back to 1.0 without issue. Looks good! :thumb:

Hey, have some patience, I am not that fast at typing ... :D

Dirk

[kricker]

Can we just get rid of the big F or C (I guess there is a C for those Celsius users) in the weather bar? It's Ugly. Surely everyone knows weather (...whether...weather....sorry..anyhow) they are looking at Fahrenheit or Celsius temperatures.

[geogecko]

:D



Could you also tell me which one ? ;)


Dirk

LOL, sorry, I'm impatient, sometimes...

nielm_sageutls.jar

In your download, it's dated 2/5/2006, in Webserver, it's 3/24/2006!

:)

[technazz]

Can we just get rid of the big F or C (I guess there is a C for those Celsius users) in the weather bar? It's Ugly. Surely everyone knows weather (...whether...weather....sorry..anyhow) they are looking at Fahrenheit or Celsius temperatures.


Or at least lower the font size on it and have it centered vertically on the temp would be good.

Technazz

[dflachbart]

LOL, sorry, I'm impatient, sometimes...


:)


nielm_sageutls.jar

In your download, it's dated 2/5/2006, in Webserver, it's 3/24/2006!

:)

Thanks, will update the package ...

Dirk

[technazz]

Anybody have an issue with changing themes?

I was using the Green Selection Bars and Glassy Icon set in MCE theme then switched to Blue Two then back to MCE then I lost my selction bars and icons (they went to default). Also I seem to be missing the recording Icon as well..

Also Ive noticed and I havent check the default STV but when im watching an 1 hours show and around 3/4 they way through the OSD will pop up and not clear unlese I toggle the TV or Options button. My Mouse/remote are completly stationary at the time.


Good work DirK!

Technazz

[JDizzy]

Seems as though I've lost Milkdrop...
It pops up when using visualizations in Music area but goes behind Sage...
To the best of my knowledge I'm not using any of the 'tweaks' package and have only installed EP's DVD Burn STVi since... errrr
-What am I missing?
-JD

[dflachbart]

Anybody have an issue with changing themes?

I was using the Green Selection Bars and Glassy Icon set in MCE theme then switched to Blue Two then back to MCE then I lost my selction bars and icons (they went to default). Also I seem to be missing the recording Icon as well..


This is caused by the new theme switching method in SageMC 6.3.0, which doesn't copy the theme files any more, but which renames the theme folders instead. When you installed the selection bars you probably only extracted them to the 'Images' directory, but not to the base 'Images_mc" directory. Now, when you switch themes, the Images directory will be renamed to your old theme (except the very first time because SageMC doesn't know the previous theme name, so it renames it to 'Images.previous'), and the 'Images_bt' (Blue Two) will be renamed to 'Images'. After switching back to MCE the original 'Images_mc' will be the active 'Images' directory again, and it's now missing the new selection bars.

This issue did not pop up in the old copying scheme because the selection bars you copied into the Images directory simply stayed there. But you would have had a similar problem with the old style if you e.g. wanted to use a different bars in the BlueTwo theme.

Just reinstall the selection bars into the current 'Images' directory (and any other theme directory for which you also want to have the selection bars), and you won't have any problems in the future.


Also Ive noticed and I havent check the default STV but when im watching an 1 hours show and around 3/4 they way through the OSD will pop up and not clear unlese I toggle the TV or Options button. My Mouse/remote are completly stationary at the time.


Weird, never seen this before ...

Dirk

[scm]

Thank you :)

Oh, no--thank you!!;)

Can you post a screenshot, I am having trouble to visualize this ...

But it made so much sense in my head....
I was afraid I wasn't clear.

In the pic below, Faith Hill's CD is selected, but you can hardley see the selection bar. Not a big deal, but it is harder to navigate.


You mean after the cover is full size after the animation, before the next cycle starts? Not right now, but I'll see if I can add a setting for this
Yes, this is what I meant. Another thought would be customizing how long it takes to become full size. I've no clue what is involved with making this change, though.


Milkdrop starts nicely in the foreground on my system. Do you have by any chance the 'UI tweaks' for XP installed ? There is a setting that disables by default applications from stealing the focus, if this is set then changing it would solve the problem
I am running this, but this setting is not active. Now that I know this isn't normal for everyone in V6, I'll trouble shoot more on my own.


Looks good, but not really high on my priority list (which of course changes from time to time ;) )
That's cool. The weather is not a top priority feature of a media center for most--but it may the feature my wife uses more than any other!! :blush: Thanks for looking at it.

Steve

[dflachbart]

In the pic below, Faith Hill's CD is selected, but you can hardley see the selection bar. Not a big deal, but it is harder to navigate.


Could you zip up your 'Images' directory and send it to me (check your PM) ?

Dirk

[Morgan111]

Now, when you switch themes, the Images directory will be renamed to your old theme (except the very first time because SageMC doesn't know the previous theme name, so it renames it to 'Images.previous'), and the 'Images_bt' (Blue Two) will be renamed to 'Images'. After switching back to MCE the original 'Images_mc' will be the active 'Images' directory again, and it's now missing the new selection bars.

Oh-Oh. I better update the iTV theme import. When you run the iTV import, it copies the Images_iTV dir to Images so that you don't also have to add the propertis lines and go to the theme config page. I'll modify it to see if the SageMC version is 6.3 or later and do the renaming like you in that case.

[JonTom]

You can disable the multi-options delete dialog in the SageMC options, but the 'simple' delete will only delete the file, and not set it watched (it's supposed to be a simple action without 'side-effects')If the file IS watched (ie the delete dialog comes up at the EOF) will 'simple delete' reset the watched flag to unwatched?

re Music Request: I just started playing around in My Music Files for the first time in a while. This functionality already exists here. Plus, the files are organized the way I want them to be. The display, however, is inferior to the new 'normal' Music display. Is it possible to
1) in My Music Files - can we skip the top level of organization? It starts showing "C:/music cds"; can we go straight to into that directory?
2) adopt the display of My Music to My Music Files (larger, fewer boxes/artists per screen)?

[MeInMaui]

In the pic below, Faith Hill's CD is selected, but you can hardley see the selection bar. Not a big deal, but it is harder to navigate.

Dirk,

I had actually seen this same thing but I totally forgot about it. :o

What is happening is the cover art is overlayed on top of the selection icon. When the cover art graphics is small, it isn't a problem because you can see the selection icon around it. But when the cover art is enlarged to take up almost the entire icon area, there is very little area around the perimeter to see the selection icon.

I had a similar issue when I set up the full size genre icons. The solution was to change the order of the widgets in studio so that the selection icon is overlayed on top of the graphics (in this case it was the genre icon). I think the same solution could be applied here so that the selection icon would be overlayed on top of the cover art.

Aloha,
Mike

[dflachbart]

What is happening is the cover art is overlayed on top of the selection icon. When the cover art graphics is small, it isn't a problem because you can see the selection icon around it. But when the cover art is enlarged to take up almost the entire icon area, there is very little area around the perimeter to see the selection icon.


Mike, so you are saying that is has to do with the physical size of the cover art images ? Most of mine are about 300x300, and I never had that problem ...


I had a similar issue when I set up the full size genre icons. The solution was to change the order of the widgets in studio so that the selection icon is overlayed on top of the graphics (in this case it was the genre icon). I think the same solution could be applied here so that the selection icon would be overlayed on top of the cover art.


Hmm, maybe I'm already too tired for today, but if I changed the stacking order to display the selection icon on top of the cover art, wouldn't it hide the cover art completely ?

Dirk

[dflachbart]

If the file IS watched (ie the delete dialog comes up at the EOF) will 'simple delete' reset the watched flag to unwatched?


No, it does not touch the status at all, it's simply deleting the file


re Music Request: I just started playing around in My Music Files for the first time in a while. This functionality already exists here. Plus, the files are organized the way I want them to be. The display, however, is inferior to the new 'normal' Music display. Is it possible to
1) in My Music Files - can we skip the top level of organization? It starts showing "C:/music cds"; can we go straight to into that directory?
2) adopt the display of My Music to My Music Files (larger, fewer boxes/artists per screen)?

Sorry, but I doubt I will spend any time on the 'My Music Files' screen in the near future. It's an 'older' module which doesn't have any code to handle metadata, and I don't want to replicate this all over again. On the other hand, the 'Play All' functionality should be possible for the 'My Music' section


Dirk

[pvr599]

Quote:
Originally Posted by pvr599
I have read a few short posts about this and was wondering if there is a resolution.

I had Sage v6 with SageMC 6.2 running. I downloaded SageMC 6.3 update (not full) and extracted it to the sagetv directory. Before this though, I loaded the default .xml.

When I start Sagetv in service mode, I get a serious hang on loading. Then once it does load, after about 3-4 minutes, navigating through menu's is impossible. Nearly :30 to switch from one menu item to the next.

Without service mode it runs fine.

I saw a post about "ui/use_native_image_loader" to 'true'. I checked the properties file and do not have this line to change. I wasn't even sure if that answer was for this question.
Any tips would be great.
Thanks!!

Hi pvr599,

did you try the solution which fixed the exact same problem for Hyperbaric ?

Quote:
[QUOTE]Ah, got it working.. just changed the property file manually to use the default STV, then loaded the MC STV from the settings menu


Hi Dirk,
I did load the default STV before I shut down Sagetv and Service. Then I extracted SageMC 6.3.0. Then I restarted Service and Sagetv. Just loading the default hangs.
I'll try what Hyperbaric did, but it does seem like I did basically the same thing.
Nobody else is having this problem?
Thanks,
Dana

[JDizzy]

Mike, so you are saying that is has to do with the physical size of the cover art images ? Most of mine are about 300x300, and I never had that problem ...



Hmm, maybe I'm already too tired for today, but if I changed the stacking order to display the selection icon on top of the cover art, wouldn't it hide the cover art completely ?

Dirk
Yeah, please don't cover up the coverart with the selection icon...tacky.
Unless the selection icon was 30% opacity or very much so see through.

Would it be possible to define the import size of the cover art to 300 x 300 pixels or something like that so it would resize, or is that too cpu intensive?

[dflachbart]

Would it be possible to define the import size of the cover art to 300 x 300 pixels or something like that so it would resize, or is that too cpu intensive?

I think I can add a setting which will allow to make the cover art smaller so that the selection border width will increase

Dirk

[darc87]

Entirely up to your taste ... ;) I prefer the simple MC theme, but definitely check out the iTV theme, which is very popular



What 'Marker' icons do you mean ?



Most likely not, the code is simply too different.

Which ones were you thinking of ?


Dirk

The HD and Tuner No. Icons do not appear. However when I switch back to the generic STV they are back.

[geogecko]

I'm still getting that weird error message (when starting the visualization) that says something about low video memory, and wanting it scaling down the video resolution, then it locks up Milkdrop. Not sure what is going on, because it never used to do this in the past. I haven't upgraded any hardware, or changed any video settings, like FSE or anything. I'm just using VMR9 with 3D enabled.

[Alwayslearnin]

[QUOTE]




Hi Dirk,
I did load the default STV before I shut down Sagetv and Service. Then I extracted SageMC 6.3.0. Then I restarted Service and Sagetv. Just loading the default hangs.
I'll try what Hyperbaric did, but it does seem like I did basically the same thing.
Nobody else is having this problem?
Thanks,
Dana

I am having the same issue, except I don't wait 3 or 4 minutes. It hits 99% cpu and hangs, I figure it is not going any further. I have in the past loaded the default STV and it has worked fine, but this time, that is not working. I'm still hanging.

I have reverted back to 6.2 and I'm having no issues, it is only in 6.3 in service mode. If I'm running out of service mode, it runs fine. From my log, something I'm not used to seeing:

Mon 11/20 22:49:02.406 Error communicating with server:java.net.SocketException: Connection reset
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.406 Cleaning up c/s connection
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.412 NetworkManager CommunicationFailure : /127.0.0.1:4430 type=1
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.413 MsgRecv thread is terminating for /127.0.0.1:4430
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.414 Saving properties file to C:\Program Files\SageTV\SageTV\Sage.properties
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.414 VF processing job null nPlayin=false
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.414 VF thread is now waiting for 0:00:00.000
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.448 Checking video directories for new files
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.482 Diskspace checking is running
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.483 Verifying existence of all TV media files in database fixDurs=false avoidArchive=true
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.537 Enforcing keep at most limits for the files...
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.541 Seeker clearing unwanted and partial files...
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.592 Seeker waiting for 965 mins.
Mon 11/20 22:49:02.948 Seeker is starting the library import scan...
Mon 11/20 22:49:06.136 Error communicating with server:java.lang.NullPointerException
Mon 11/20 22:49:06.137 Cleaning up c/s connection
Mon 11/20 22:49:06.137 NetworkManager CommunicationFailure : /127.0.0.1:4430 type=1
Mon 11/20 22:49:06.138 MsgSend thread terminating for /127.0.0.1:4430

Not sure if this tells you anything.

Thanks

[pvr599]

I have reverted back to 6.2 and I'm having no issues, it is only in 6.3 in service mode. If I'm running out of service mode, it runs fine.

Same thing here.

[gplasky]

I noticed now in Sage 6 if you play part of a DVD and then go back later to watch it, it presents a dialog box asking you you want to resume or restart. I used to use your plugin for that. Can you incorporate that dialog in the next version? I believe 6.30 by default is resuming where it left off.

Gerry

[Hyperbaric]

Hi pvr599,

did you try the solution which fixed the exact same problem for Hyperbaric ?

Dirk

Just a note... this only works for me during that current client session. I.e, if I close the client and restart (using the MC STV already selected) it hangs.

In case it is of some use, I have attached 2 new sets of log files, when launched successfully using the default STV, and then unsuccessfully when trying to relaunch with the MC STV.

[JDizzy]

I noticed now in Sage 6 if you play part of a DVD and then go back later to watch it, it presents a dialog box asking you you want to resume or restart. I used to use your plugin for that. Can you incorporate that dialog in the next version? I believe 6.30 by default is resuming where it left off.

Gerry

Same here... would like it not to continue where it left off by default.

[dflachbart]

Same here... would like it not to continue where it left off by default.
Since this functionality is now built into the core, I would need to add code to explicitly seek to the beginning of the file after starting playback... Never expected that having this finally natively supported by Sage would create even more work for me ... :D

Dirk

[JUC]

I think i asked this in the beta thread but there is something that is bothering me with the auto generated screencaps for tv shows. When i record a movie in sage--then transfer it to my imported videos screen--a screencap is auto generated and shows up as the seudo coverart. I can go into IMDB lookup and get all the information and see the correct coverart, but when i go to save it, it always reverts back to sages auto gerated screencap. Is there anyway to have sagemc override this setting somehow?
Thanks,
Juc

[banmj]

I think i asked this in the beta thread but there is something that is bothering me with the auto generated screencaps for tv shows. When i record a movie in sage--then transfer it to my imported videos screen--a screencap is auto generated and shows up as the seudo coverart. I can go into IMDB lookup and get all the information and see the correct coverart, but when i go to save it, it always reverts back to sages auto gerated screencap. Is there anyway to have sagemc override this setting somehow?
Thanks,
Juc

If you rescan the import folder after you save it, it should keep the IMDB coverart.

[Muchacho]

After playing around with the new version for a while I am happy to report that it is working fantastic for me. Both the dynamic menus and the regular ones work fine. Thanks for all your hard work!

One small issue that I have noticed is that after sending a show to compression, when I select to continue using SageTV it will take me back to the send to menu. I think it would be cleaner if it just returned to the show info.

Thanks for all the work. SageMC dramatically improves the SageTV experience!

[JUC]

If you rescan the import folder after you save it, it should keep the IMDB coverart.

So i hit save--it brings me back to the imported videos screen but still shows the auto generated screencap. But--you are saying that after that if i rescan the directory the coverart will show up?? I will try it-
Thanks,
Juc

[scm]

I think I can add a setting which will allow to make the cover art smaller so that the selection border width will increase

Dirk

In WindowsMCE (I think), when you select an album, the pic enlarges. It is a nice effect, but probably requires something in the core. Any chance of adding this type of animation?

[Opus4]

Since this functionality is now built into the core, I would need to add code to explicitly seek to the beginning of the file after starting playback... All you have to do to restart a DVD from the beginning, instead of resuming, is reset its watched status.

- Andy

[JonTom]

No, it does not touch the status at all, it's simply deleting the fileVery good, thanks.


Sorry, but I doubt I will spend any time on the 'My Music Files' screen in the near future. It's an 'older' module which doesn't have any code to handle metadata, and I don't want to replicate this all over again. On the other hand, the 'Play All' functionality should be possible for the 'My Music' sectionOh well, I guess I'm going to have to edit a bijillion ID3 tags then.

Anybody have a good tutorial for using The Godfather? Or an alternate tagging app they recommend?

[Kirby]

Or an alternate tagging app they recommend?

I think this is the one I am using at home:

http://www.mp3tag.de/en/

[popechild]

I proudly present: SageMC 6.3.0 :dance:

Video and Photo Library

The layout has been cleaned up and made consistent with the new Music library look. The focused/unfocused selection icons in all three views are now using the new scaling insets, which give much more crisp image boundaries than before. Due to a bug in the Sage core this might not work correctly if you have 3D acceleration disabled, or if you use a MVP. If you experience 'ghost' lines you can disable the new scaling insets in the SageMC options. The video library contains two new display options: "cover art only", and an option to disable the direct group view. What's direct group view ? Well, this feature has been in SageMC for a long time, but was kind'a hidden: if you are in the custom goup view, and select a group, you will usually see all videos that are part of this group. Disabling this "direct view" will show you the genres of the videos first, so basically it will allow you to group your videos 'on top' of the normal genre grouping. Another new feature is that you can enable/disable the offline icons with the press of the 'Info' button, and the saving of separate Folder/List settings for all views. In the picture libary, 'Info' will toggle the display of picture file name / date when viewing the picture fullscreen, and a 'Pause' icon will get shown when pausing a picture slide show

I noticed something which may or may not be a bug. I was feeling like I preferred the look of the pre-6.3 imported video cover art, so I was looking around in the settings to see if there was an option to revert back to it (I don't believe there is, right?). When playing around with the new settings options, when I tried setting "View Scaling Inserts" to Disabled, I no longer got any cover art in the "View by Folder" video menu. Instead, every dvd just showed a little box that said "VideoItem." This is on the server with 3D accel on. Don't know exactly what should be different with this set to Disabled, so just an FYI.

[popechild]

If that's what you want to happen 100% of the time, then if you open studio, search for "AddTranscodeJob", find the one under the "ApplicationStarted" hook, and change the last parameter from true to false.

That will drop a compressed file right next to the original one, but I'm not sure how Sage would pick that up. You probably should do a manual test using the "Send to" button to see what happens.

If that doesn't pick it up and put it in the video library, then you could also hardcode a path in the 3rd parameter (currently null) of the AddTranscodeJob() to point to a video import folder and that should work also.

I hope that made sense :)
Wow, thanks for the help! I'll check this out today and let you know what happens...

[popechild]

One additional imported video thumbnail question:

Sometime not too long ago (I *think* when I first upgraded to v6 along with the related v6 MC, but it could have been on a subsequent upgrade), I started noticing that as I scroll through the imported videos screen in thumbnail view, a majority of the thumbnails take a split-second to load. The faster I scroll, the bigger an issue it is, but it happens even going slowly one row at a time sometimes.

Basically, I'll scroll down a row and the three new dvds on that row will take about a half second to pop up their thumbnails. It *feels* like an issue where they're being cached and having to take a sec to pull up for the first time or something. But this is not the first time any of these thumbs have been displayed - they've probably been looked at dozens of times each at least.

Was there a change somewhere along the way, either in core or MC, that affected the way that these thumbnails are being loaded? I had never had a problem with this before - they would just "be there" as I scrolled through.

Thanks!!

[farfromuman]

I am new to the SageMC and I am impressed. The only thing that I miss from the regular STV is Malore's Recordings menu. What I miss is the ability to group by Category and sort by ShowID. Is there a way to set this in a property file? I installed the Malore menus import for now but it does not integrate in to the SageMC recordings menu.

Thanks,

Mariusz

[dflachbart]

Oh-Oh. I better update the iTV theme import. When you run the iTV import, it copies the Images_iTV dir to Images so that you don't also have to add the propertis lines and go to the theme config page. I'll modify it to see if the SageMC version is 6.3 or later and do the renaming like you in that case.

Yeah sorry, should have sent a separate note to our "Theme developers" regarding this change :)

Dirk

[dflachbart]

The HD and Tuner No. Icons do not appear. However when I switch back to the generic STV they are back.
On which screen do you expect them to appear ?

Dirk

[dflachbart]

One small issue that I have noticed is that after sending a show to compression, when I select to continue using SageTV it will take me back to the send to menu. I think it would be cleaner if it just returned to the show info.


Darn, I noticed this during testing, but forgot to fix it in the final release ;)


Dirk

[dflachbart]

All you have to do to restart a DVD from the beginning, instead of resuming, is reset its watched status.

- Andy
Andy, not sure if I understand this correctly ...

You mean with 'SetWatched()' ? The watched flag is a boolean value, so does Sage set a DVD to watched once you started watching it ?

Dirk

[dflachbart]

I noticed something which may or may not be a bug. I was feeling like I preferred the look of the pre-6.3 imported video cover art, so I was looking around in the settings to see if there was an option to revert back to it (I don't believe there is, right?). When playing around with the new settings options, when I tried setting "View Scaling Inserts" to Disabled, I no longer got any cover art in the "View by Folder" video menu. Instead, every dvd just showed a little box that said "VideoItem." This is on the server with 3D accel on. Don't know exactly what should be different with this set to Disabled, so just an FYI.
Ahh yes, you discovered a bug, it should still show the cover art, but use different widgets that do not use the 'scaling insets' properties (which will display the selection icons more 'blurred' around the edges).

And no, there is no setting for the 'old' layout. Just out of curiosity: what don't you like of the new look ?

Dirk

[dflachbart]

Was there a change somewhere along the way, either in core or MC, that affected the way that these thumbnails are being loaded? I had never had a problem with this before - they would just "be there" as I scrolled through.

Thanks!!
No, noting changed in the SageMC code in this regard. I dont see the problem you are experiencing, once all the thumbnails are displayed (and thus in the Sage internal image cache), scrolling up and down is almost instantenously for me.

I did notice though that since 6.0.14 the delay when loading and displaying the cover art for the very first time (e.g. after restarting the UI) is quite a bit longer than it used to before ...


Dirk

[dflachbart]

I am new to the SageMC and I am impressed. The only thing that I miss from the regular STV is Malore's Recordings menu. What I miss is the ability to group by Category and sort by ShowID. Is there a way to set this in a property file? I installed the Malore menus import for now but it does not integrate in to the SageMC recordings menu.

Thanks,

Mariusz

You could add it via dynamic menus to the main menu (or a submenu), and bind it to a custom command, and then you have it available at a press of a remote button...


Dirk

[Opus4]

Andy, not sure if I understand this correctly ...

You mean with 'SetWatched()' ? The watched flag is a boolean value, so does Sage set a DVD to watched once you started watching it ?The Watched status is not truly a boolean value, since a video can be partially watched. Look for the "Ask whether to Resume DVD or Restart" options menu in the default STV & check the code above & below that point - it uses several Watched type API calls to determine whether the DVD is partially watched and whether to ask the user if the DVD should be resumed or restarted.

- Andy

[nox71]

I can't get this stv to work with version 5.0.4 of SageTV, i tried with version 6 beta and it work but with my old version nothing. When i go to the Advanced option and select SageMC_169.xml Sage ask me if i want to load it and i choose yes after that i go back to the defautl SageTV strv.

Any Idea ?:bang:

[popechild]

Ahh yes, you discovered a bug, it should still show the cover art, but use different widgets that do not use the 'scaling insets' properties (which will display the selection icons more 'blurred' around the edges).

And no, there is no setting for the 'old' layout. Just out of curiosity: what don't you like of the new look ?

Dirk
It is admittedly a purely personal preference (that's alot of alliteration!). I think the fact that the "bubbles" incorporate the thumbnail as well as the title, because 1) it makes each item more "square" and less elongated, and 2) it seems to make the titles a little larger. Mainly I think I noticed right away the oblong shape instead of the more square shape I was used to. Oh, and 3) it puts the top and bottom edge of the thumbnails squarely against the edge of the bubble, instead of giving them a tiny little bit of breathing room.

Here are two comparison shots to show what the difference looks like on my machine. Some people may like the new better - I guess I just preferred the other, but I'm sure I can get used to it. Unless, of course, there's a simple STV change I can make! (I'm already making a few of them that I'll have to migrate myself on each upgrade anyway...)

Before:
http://www.summersetproductions.net/images/6-13.JPG
After:
http://www.summersetproductions.net/images/6-3.JPG

[MeInMaui]

I can't get this stv to work with version 5.0.4 of SageTV, i tried with version 6 beta and it work but with my old version nothing. When i go to the Advanced option and select SageMC_169.xml Sage ask me if i want to load it and i choose yes after that i go back to the defautl SageTV strv.

Any Idea ?:bang:

The version under active development is only compatible with the v6 betas. Flachbar has left the last SageMC version (6.13a (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=84)) that was compatible with SageTV v5 in the downloads section.

Aloha,
Mike

[pvr599]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this whole issue? I'm stuck at 6.2.0a and would love to move up to 6.3.0. :(
Here are the links to the previous posts:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=190216&postcount=2686
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=190248&postcount=2691

Thanks again,
Dana

[dflachbart]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this whole issue? I'm stuck at 6.2.0a and would love to move up to 6.3.0. :(
Here are the links to the previous posts:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=190216&postcount=2686
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=190248&postcount=2691

Thanks again,
Dana
Hi Dana,

this is very difficult for me to debug since I can't reproduce the problem, and the logs posted don't really help much either. So you are saying that 6.2.0a works for you in service mode ? Well, that's at least something to begin with. Don't know if I already suggested this, but do you have 'use scanling insets' enabled, and if so did you try it with disabling it ?

Dirk

[darc87]

On which screen do you expect them to appear ?

Dirk

I got them back via copying them from another theme. Not sure why they disappeared..:confused:

[bobrap]

I know this has probably been asked a thousand times, but, I can't seem to find an answer (I'm only half blind:) ) Is there any way to so that a movie has been watched in My Movies? BTW, thanks for the great work on this!:thumb:

[pvr599]

Quote:
Originally Posted by pvr599
Does anyone have any thoughts on this whole issue? I'm stuck at 6.2.0a and would love to move up to 6.3.0.
Here are the links to the previous posts:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...postcount=2686
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...postcount=2691

Thanks again,
Dana


Hi Dana,

this is very difficult for me to debug since I can't reproduce the problem, and the logs posted don't really help much either. So you are saying that 6.2.0a works for you in service mode ? Well, that's at least something to begin with. Don't know if I already suggested this, but do you have 'use scanling insets' enabled, and if so did you try it with disabling it ?

Dirk


Thanks Dirk,
6.2.0a works perfect. 6.3.0 is the one I'm having problems with. It works, but when I have service mode enabled and I load SageTV v6 it will hang on loading for 3-4 minutes. Once loaded it takes at least :30 seconds switching between menu's items. If I load SageTV without service mode, it loads fairly quick and works good.
I'm sorry, I don't know what "scanling insets" is. Is that something I disable in SageTV settings or in the properties file.
You said the log file doesn't tell you much. I havn't posted my log file, but others have.
I just wish I had some idea on where to start looking for this problem. I just flat out don't know.
Thanks again for your help, I can't wait to get 6.3.0 working......if I can.
Dana

[dflachbart]

Thanks Dirk,
6.2.0a works perfect. 6.3.0 is the one I'm having problems with. It works, but when I have service mode enabled and I load SageTV v6 it will hang on loading for 3-4 minutes. Once loaded it takes at least :30 seconds switching between menu's items. If I load SageTV without service mode, it loads fairly quick and works good.
I'm sorry, I don't know what "scanling insets" is. Is that something I disable in SageTV settings or in the properties file.
You said the log file doesn't tell you much. I havn't posted my log file, but others have.
I just wish I had some idea on where to start looking for this problem. I just flat out don't know.
Thanks again for your help, I can't wait to get 6.3.0 working......if I can.
Dana
Hi Dana,

"Use scaling insets" is a setting in the "Icons & Images" SageMC settings. It's enabled by default, so disable it and try again to start the service. And you are right, it wouldn't hurt to get your log files too, so please post your sagetv_0.txt and sagetvclient_0.txt for an unsuccessful service start, and the sagetv_0.txt for a successful non-service start.

Dirk

[pvr599]

Dirk,
ok, well I guess I can't attach files to this post. I''ll attach to the next one.
Dana

[pvr599]

Hi Dirk,
Thanks for checking these out. I had to zip them together, because I saved logs from all the possible combinations. I didn't know exactly what you needed. Anything you could point out to me would be appreciated.
Dana

[dflachbart]

Hi Dirk,
Thanks for checking these out. I had to zip them together, because I saved logs from all the possible combinations. I didn't know exactly what you needed. Anything you could point out to me would be appreciated.
Dana
Perfect... Could you also add your Sage.properties and SageClient.properties file to your post ? Btw, you can add attachments to an existing post by clicking on "Go Advanced" ... :)

Did you try to disable the scaling insets ? Also, I would like you to try the following: shut down Sage, make a copy of your SageClient.properties, and copy you Sage.properties to SageClient.properties (copy and rename). Then try again to start in service mode. Later you can copy your original SageClient.properties back.

Dirk

[pvr599]

LOL, I tried to "go advanced", but for some reason it wouldn't let me attach. Oh well, next time.

I am attaching my properties files and will try your other suggestion when I get back home tonight.

Thanks again!!!

[bbig119]

Is there an way to get to the transcoding menu through the SageMC interface?

I'll admit that I haven't looked around for this completely, but its not obvious so I thought I'd ask.

I got into the transcoding menu to compress a series of shows. I set it up to begin immediately, but after it started hogging all the resources I wanted to cancel until later but was unable to find an easy way to get back to the menu.

[dflachbart]

Is there an way to get to the transcoding menu through the SageMC interface?

I'll admit that I haven't looked around for this completely, but its not obvious so I thought I'd ask.

I got into the transcoding menu to compress a series of shows. I set it up to begin immediately, but after it started hogging all the resources I wanted to cancel until later but was unable to find an easy way to get back to the menu.
If you are using the dynamic menus, load the default "sagemc_menu.xml" definition file via the dynamic menus options menu, there is already a menu button for the transcoding status screen defined in the "My Menu" submenu.

Otherwise enable one of the Custom1-Custom5 main menu items in the main menu options menu, and assign the internal screen "Video Conversions" to that custom menu in the "Menus" options of the SageMC options screen.

Dirk

[dflachbart]

I know this has probably been asked a thousand times, but, I can't seem to find an answer (I'm only half blind:) ) Is there any way to so that a movie has been watched in My Movies? BTW, thanks for the great work on this!:thumb:

You mean any way to set a movie "watched" ? Sure, bring up the options menu when you have selected the movie (ESC or 'Options' button) ...

Dirk

[dflachbart]

I
Here are two comparison shots to show what the difference looks like on my machine. Some people may like the new better - I guess I just preferred the other, but I'm sure I can get used to it. Unless, of course, there's a simple STV change I can make! (I'm already making a few of them that I'll have to migrate myself on each upgrade anyway...)

Hi popechild,

I personally prefer the 4x2 view on my 16:9 display (thus the selection bars are not that elongated), but even with your 3x3 grid I find the new view much cleaner than the old one (and it doesnt put the edges of the thumbnails squarely against the edges either) :

Before:
http://s91885874.onlinehome.us/html/images/sagetv/video_old.jpg

After:
http://s91885874.onlinehome.us/html/images/sagetv/video_new.jpg

What I could do is to add an option for the title font size (but keep in mind that the chance of scaling longer titles increases). You could also send me your 'Images' directory, and I'll check why your icons are displayed so close to the edges.

Dirk

[pvr599]

Did you try to disable the scaling insets ?

Hi Dirk,
Well I looked all through the SageMC 16x9 Options and couldn't find "scaling insets"

Also, I would like you to try the following: shut down Sage, make a copy of your SageClient.properties, and copy you Sage.properties to SageClient.properties (copy and rename). Then try again to start in service mode. Later you can copy your original SageClient.properties back.

Did you want me to do this after I extracted SageMC 6.3.0 to the SageTV directory? Probably a dumb question, but had to check.

[pvr599]

well ok, I was jumpy and didn't wait for ya.
I copied SageClient.properties to another folder. I shut down Sage & service. I copied and renamed the Sage.properties to SageClient.properties in the SageTV folder. I extracted SageMC 6.3.0 to the SageTV directory. I restarted service & Sage. Stuck on blank screen (as usual) for about 5min.
That didn't seem to work unless I didn't do something right?
I appreciate the effort Dirk, thanks!

[dflachbart]

well ok, I was jumpy and didn't wait for ya.
I copied SageClient.properties to another folder. I shut down Sage & service. I copied and renamed the Sage.properties to SageClient.properties in the SageTV folder. I extracted SageMC 6.3.0 to the SageTV directory. I restarted service & Sage. Stuck on blank screen (as usual) for about 5min.
That didn't seem to work unless I didn't do something right?
I appreciate the effort Dirk, thanks!
Darn, and I was hoping that this would fix it ...

Could you post server and client log files again for this hang scenario ? After that, you can copy your original property file back. Next thing (I am running out of ideas...) would be to try Java 1.4 instead of 1.5

Dirk

[dflachbart]

Hi Dirk,
Well I looked all through the SageMC 16x9 Options and couldn't find "scaling insets"


It's the last option of the "Icons&Images" panel in the SageMC options


Dirk

[pvr599]

Very strange. My last option is IMDB pics in Guide.

Ok, here are both log files after doing what you asked. God I hope it helps :confused: & :(

[dflachbart]

Very strange. My last option is IMDB pics in Guide.

Dana, are you sure you are running 6.3.0 ? This option has to be there ... Please check the SageMC version number displayed on the Settings page


Ok, here are both log files after doing what you asked. God I hope it helps :confused: & :(
I also noticed that you are still running the first beta (6.0.11.108), would you be able to update to 6.0.14 (or 6.0.15 which has just been released) ? It might not have anything to do with it, but I'd like to rule out as much as I can ...

Dirk

[pvr599]

oh no, It would take me an hour to get to the settings in 6.3.0, sorry I should have specified. That explains alot.

:blush: I can't keep up with the upgrades. This is going to be the worst question of all. Where can one find the latest SageTV version? I will upgrade right away.

[dflachbart]

oh no, It would take me an hour to get to the settings in 6.3.0, sorry I should have specified. That explains alot.

:blush: I can't keep up with the upgrades. This is going to be the worst question of all. Where can one find the latest SageTV version? I will upgrade right away.
:)

You can get latest beta (just a few minutes old) here (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=190725&postcount=1) . You can get the update toSageMC 6.3.0 here (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=139), or if you are doing a fresh reinstall, download the full SageMC distribution here (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=141).

I'll be away til Friday night, but will continue to get to the bottom of it (if the update doesnt fix it) after I'm back.


Dirk

[popechild]

Dirk,
Sent you a PM with a link to my Images directory. Maybe that'll help. In the meantime, I'm going to play around some with changing themes and see if there's something (like the one you're using) that I like better anyway. I really like the dark look of the one I'm currently using, but a few times you've posted screenshots that have made me reconsider... (oh, and I'll see what I think about 4x2 as well...)

Thanks again!

btw, as long as I'm checking out your theme:
1) How'd you get the grey background? The standard in that theme seems to be green, and I don't see anything like that in Maui's icons...
2) Suppose I wanted to keep the theme I'm using, but switch the font to the one from the MCE theme. Any way I can accomplish this?

Happy Thanksgiving...

[pvr599]

Dirk, thank you. You've given me something to do for the next day or so. Have a good Turkey-day and maybe I'll have this figured out by the time you get back!!

[mdnttoker]

Flachbar-

Any chance of getting JREkiwi's new comskip stvi features incorporated into the next version of SageMC??

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21515

Thanks,
Dan

[pvr599]

DIRK!!!!
I did a clean install of SageTV 6.0.15 and SageMC 6.3.0....IT WORKS. :thumb:
I didn't expect to have to do this, but looking the main menu it looks like it's worth it so far.
Thank you for all your help. I appreciate it SO much.
Dana

[Alwayslearnin]

:)

You can get latest beta (just a few minutes old) here (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=190725&postcount=1) . You can get the update toSageMC 6.3.0 here (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=139), or if you are doing a fresh reinstall, download the full SageMC distribution here (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=141).

I'll be away til Friday night, but will continue to get to the bottom of it (if the update doesnt fix it) after I'm back.


Dirk

Hi Dirk,

As I am having a similar issue, I'm going to jump in as well. I followed all the steps you provided to PVR599, but to no avail. I am uploading my log files as well.

But one thing I noticed (and I never run the default stv anymore), after I upgraded to 6.0.15, I could not run in service mode using the default stv either. Ran fine when I was was running out of service mode (both the default STV and SageMC).

I have had this issue since upgrading to 6.0.13. I am currently running Sage 6.0.12 and SageMC 6.2.0a. If I migrate to a higher version of Sage, I seem to have the same issue. If I migrate to a higher version of SageMC I seem to have the issue.

EDIT: I did not try a clean install. I suppose I will have to try that next. :)

Happy Turkey Day

[chadman]

I am not able to get visualization to work with the winamp plugin. My music is playing via winamp, but I can not see the visualization. When I click on the visualization button it just goes to a black screen. I setup a key on my remote to turn on the visualization via Girder, but it will not overlay on top of the Sage screen. Am I missing something? I do not have Sage in FSE mode either. Chad

[chadman]

I fixed it. I had the "Fake full screen" checked. When I unchecked this it worked. Chad

[popechild]

A few minor UI tweak suggestions to take advantage of some of the cool new features, mainly having to do with consistency and useability:

1) There's an option in My Videos and My Music to view by album/movie cover only, with no title. There's no option for this in My Pictures though, where it seems like the title of each image is much less important than in either of the other two sections.

2) In My Pictures, maybe don't display the entire folder path above the pictures when in a folder - maybe just the current folder name? And while I'm on it, I wonder if it wouldn't look better having the folder name/path not sitting so close to the top edge of the top row of photos?

3) Back to the "Album/Movie Cover Only" setting: In My Videos, when you highlight an image, it shows the name of the movie at the top of the screen. In My Music though, it doesn't ever show the name of the artist or album, which could be really helpful if you can't remember what album a particular cover goes with.

4) Is there a way to get a "default" image to show for albums that do not have embedded art? I have a handful of albums that I can't find cover art for online and if I have the option set to "cover only" it's just an empty box. I guess in addition to the "default" image, or instead of it, what's really needed is for the name of the album to be written in that box if there's no embedded cover art to display.

5) Bug maybe? At least for me, My Pictures keeps resetting itself to 2x2, regardless of what I set it to, any time I leave that section and then come back to it.

All minor things, just trying to make it that much more flawless!!

[pvr599]

EDIT: I did not try a clean install. I suppose I will have to try that next.

Alwayslearnin,
I wish I didn't have to do that, I didn't want to have to re-set everything back up, but I guess this is a good time. A new version of SageTV & full installer of SageMC. A good place to start for future upgrades. A clean start. Besides, it seemed like a mystery type problem. Good luck.
Dana

[pvr599]

Has anyone mapped the Smooth FF & RW to any buttons on the Hauppauge remote? I can't seem to figure out where to map those buttons.

Also, does anyone know how to get a thumbnail in My Videos for an .AVI? MPEGs work fine, but .AVI's only show the first frame of the movie.

Thanks in advance,
Dana

EDIT: I take that back MPEG's, using the IMDB, doesn't save the thumbnail either. Any thoughts?

[bobrap]

You mean any way to set a movie "watched" ? Sure, bring up the options menu when you have selected the movie (ESC or 'Options' button) ...

Dirk
Thanks, I see that now. But I don't see any visual indicator, like a "W".:confused:

[AndyS]

Since loading the latest Beta and latest SageMC we now get a "Compress" button on the left when looking at program details. This is fine, but the "Delete" button has scrolled off the bottom of the button list and you have to page down to see it.

a) Can the number of displayable buttons be changed?
b) Can the "Compress" and/or the "Compress All" buttons be removed easily if so required?

Andy.

[dflachbart]

I just received a notice from my web hosting provider that I reached my monthly traffic limit (I didn't expect that the full package would be downloaded that often ;)). So unfortunately I had to take the link down for now.

At some point I will upgrade to a different hosting plan with higher transfer volume, but is anyone able to host the file in the meantime ? Or as an alternative, does anybody know a (free) website which will host files of this (35MB) size ?

Dirk

[Kirby]

I had to do major recovery on my sage server the past few days, and upon starting everything up again, I seem to be missing some folder.jpg files from various DVD rip directories. I have tried to IMDB lookup, gets the data and image, saved, but it doesnt save the image? I tried rescanning imports, but that didnt help, especially since the folder.jpg is just not there! So how can I get it to write the image out? I dont want to manually go through what looks to be about 100 directories and save an image manually.

[geogecko]

I had to do major recovery on my sage server the past few days, and upon starting everything up again, I seem to be missing some folder.jpg files from various DVD rip directories. I have tried to IMDB lookup, gets the data and image, saved, but it doesnt save the image? I tried rescanning imports, but that didnt help, especially since the folder.jpg is just not there! So how can I get it to write the image out? I dont want to manually go through what looks to be about 100 directories and save an image manually.

I noticed this recently too. I originally did a DVD Profiler import, then went into one movie, and did an IMDB, saved it, and then went back out, and the image was the original DVD Profiler image...

[geogecko]

I just received a notice from my web hosting provider that I reached my monthly traffic limit (I didn't expect that the full package would be downloaded that often ;)). So unfortunately I had to take the link down for now.

At some point I will upgrade to a different hosting plan with higher transfer volume, but is anyone able to host the file in the meantime ? Or as an alternative, does anybody know a (free) website which will host files of this (35MB) size ?

Dirk

I can host it for a while, and see how it goes. I have 750GB/month transfer. I can monitor it for a while, and see how it goes. That's a little over 21,000 downloads/month!!!

Just to make sure I got the right one, the size (not on disk, just size) is 34,327,379 bytes?

I'll post a link, once you confirm.

[dflachbart]

I can host it for a while, and see how it goes. I have 750GB/month transfer. I can monitor it for a while, and see how it goes. That's a little over 21,000 downloads/month!!!

Just to make sure I got the right one, the size (not on disk, just size) is 34,327,379 bytes?

I'll post a link, once you confirm.
Hi Jason,

awesome thanks, that would be great. I only have 5GB / month, it's a 3-year free preview package form 1&1. The package expires end of December, so I'll probably have a new plan by then. If it causes you troubles at any point just let me know.

And yes, you got the correct file.

Thanks again,
Dirk

[dflachbart]

I noticed this recently too. I originally did a DVD Profiler import, then went into one movie, and did an IMDB, saved it, and then went back out, and the image was the original DVD Profiler image...
Did you do a library scan after you saved the image ? The Sage core only recognizes new folder.jpg after a rescan. I think kirby's problem is different since it didn't even generate a folder.jpg for him ...

Dirk

[dflachbart]

I had to do major recovery on my sage server the past few days, and upon starting everything up again, I seem to be missing some folder.jpg files from various DVD rip directories. I have tried to IMDB lookup, gets the data and image, saved, but it doesnt save the image? I tried rescanning imports, but that didnt help, especially since the folder.jpg is just not there! So how can I get it to write the image out? I dont want to manually go through what looks to be about 100 directories and save an image manually.
I'll check this out asap ...

Dirk

[Kirby]

Thanks Dirk. The image that shows in the show info after 'saving' the IMDB data is a white box with blue shading around the edges. I dont know if that helps diagnose it better.

I've attached the log file, I know you will want it eventually! :) Thought it was my imdb cache size setting of 1000, so I set to -1 and restarted, same result.

[dflachbart]

Thanks Dirk. The image that shows in the show info after 'saving' the IMDB data is a white box with blue shading around the edges. I dont know if that helps diagnose it better.

I've attached the log file, I know you will want it eventually! :) Thought it was my imdb cache size setting of 1000, so I set to -1 and restarted, same result.
Hi Kirby,

just checked it here, works fine for me. I had a look at your logfile, and the saving of the image fails because it's looking for a folder G:\Broken Arrow\VIDEO_TS ... Didn't you say that it's an offline DVD imported with DVD profiler ? This is weird, because then it should store the image in your "offline" folder, together with the dummy mpg file. Do you have a 'Broken Arrow.jpg' in your offline folder ? And is your offline directory setting still valid ?

Dirk

[geogecko]

Did you do a library scan after you saved the image ? The Sage core only recognizes new folder.jpg after a rescan. I think kirby's problem is different since it didn't even generate a folder.jpg for him ...

Dirk

Oh, maybe so. I can't recall if I did that, but I thought I had.

It was strange. I added a new DVD over the weekend, added it to my DVD Profiler collection, exported it, and then did a DVD Pro. refresh in SageMC, and it pulled the information in, except for the coverart. Even after a library scan, still didn't get it. However, I went into the actual DVD, and then did a DVD Pro. refresh, and that worked...

[geogecko]

Hi Jason,

awesome thanks, that would be great. I only have 5GB / month, it's a 3-year free preview package form 1&1. The package expires end of December, so I'll probably have a new plan by then. If it causes you troubles at any point just let me know.

And yes, you got the correct file.

Thanks again,
Dirk

I'm using Netfirms. They have varying plans, I'm on the $10 a month plan, but they also have a $5 plan that is pretty good.

sagemc_6_3_full.zip (http://www.thebentzhome.com/sagetv/sagemc_6_3_full.zip)

Feel free to add that to your download section.

[dflachbart]

Since loading the latest Beta and latest SageMC we now get a "Compress" button on the left when looking at program details. This is fine, but the "Delete" button has scrolled off the bottom of the button list and you have to page down to see it.

a) Can the number of displayable buttons be changed?
b) Can the "Compress" and/or the "Compress All" buttons be removed easily if so required?

Andy.
Hi Andy,

a) no, 7 buttons is the maximum for the SageMC screen layout
b) strange, there shouldn't be a "Compress" button at all, this option should only be displayed in the "Sent to.." menu. For the "Compress All", can you post a screenshot so that I can see under which circumstances the 7 button limit is reached ?

Dirk

[Kirby]

Hi Kirby,

just checked it here, works fine for me. I had a look at your logfile, and the saving of the image fails because it's looking for a folder G:\Broken Arrow\VIDEO_TS ... Didn't you say that it's an offline DVD imported with DVD profiler ? This is weird, because then it should store the image in your "offline" folder, together with the dummy mpg file. Do you have a 'Broken Arrow.jpg' in your offline folder ? And is your offline directory setting still valid ?

Dirk

Nope, not offline, no DVD Profiler. These are just DVD rips of my DVD's onto a hard drive. G:\ is a local drive in my sage server, setup as an import directory. Maybe I should re-do it as a UNC path? The IMDB search/save was done from a client PC.

[dflachbart]

Maybe I should re-do it as a UNC path? The IMDB search/save was done from a client PC.
Yep, that'll be it ... ;)
The client will access the folders in the same way as the server does (same thing as getting comskip to work on a client)

Dirk

[Kirby]

Kind of figured that was the issue once I mentioned it. Of course now I have an issue where the server's GUI is just a black screen window. Cant kill it because I am recording a show. Have to wait til 11 to shut down.

[dflachbart]

I'm using Netfirms. They have varying plans, I'm on the $10 a month plan, but they also have a $5 plan that is pretty good.

sagemc_6_3_full.zip (http://www.thebentzhome.com/sagetv/sagemc_6_3_full.zip)

Feel free to add that to your download section.

Thanks again Jason,
I updated the download link.

Dirk

[geogecko]

Hi Andy,

a) no, 7 buttons is the maximum for the SageMC screen layout
b) strange, there shouldn't be a "Compress" button at all, this option should only be displayed in the "Sent to.." menu. For the "Compress All", can you post a screenshot so that I can see under which circumstances the 7 button limit is reached ?

Dirk

My Delete isn't being removed, but I see the Compress All on certain shows, in detailed information...

http://www.thebentzhome.com/pics/sageforum/compressall.jpg

On another note, anyone have their transcoding stuck like mine? I never get one to process...

http://www.thebentzhome.com/pics/sageforum/compressstuck.jpg

[Kirby]

My few transcodes I tried worked fine and completed. Not sure what yours are 'waiting' for...

On another note, your first screenshot reminds me to get comskip setup!

[kricker]

I too see the compress all option. I have also passed the 7 button limit with an archived recording seen here:

[AndyS]

I too see the compress all option. I have also passed the 7 button limit with an archived recording seen here:That's what it looks like for me too. I'm not sure how to do a screen-shot - I'm using an MVP ;)

Andy.

[geogecko]

I too see the compress all option. I have also passed the 7 button limit with an archived recording seen here:

Strange that it's not on every show, isn't it? Does it only show up on shows you've tried to compress before?

[geogecko]

My few transcodes I tried worked fine and completed. Not sure what yours are 'waiting' for...

On another note, your first screenshot reminds me to get comskip setup!

Yeah, you need to get that setup, pronto. It's one of the bragging rights of any HTPC user, and helps in the heated TiVo discussions...

Man, some people will never understand what the point is...got into a very detailed and frustrating conversation with some family members this week...:nono: :bang:

[AndyS]

Strange that it's not on every show, isn't it? Does it only show up on shows you've tried to compress before?Not for me, but perhaps it only shows up on favorites?

Andy.

[kricker]

compress all seems to be listed in the details screen for ALL my shows. The only time delete is off the bottom that I have found so far is when a show is archived. An archived show adds another button on screen which forces delete off the bottom.

[dflachbart]

I too see the compress all option. I have also passed the 7 button limit with an archived recording seen here:

Thanks Karl, this describes the scenario very well. It's for favorite shows that have been archived, the 'Unarchive' button messes things up. I think about moving the 'Unarchive' button to the Options menu, unless a majority prefers to have the 'Compress All' moved to the 'Send to.." instead

Edit: oops, didn't notice you figured the same in your last post ... :)

Dirk

[darc87]

My Delete isn't being removed, but I see the Compress All on certain shows, in detailed information...

http://www.thebentzhome.com/pics/sageforum/compressall.jpg

On another note, anyone have their transcoding stuck like mine? I never get one to process...

http://www.thebentzhome.com/pics/sageforum/compressstuck.jpg

What options do you have enabled to get the time bar and encoding information shown at the bottom?

[dflachbart]

What options do you have enabled to get the time bar and encoding information shown at the bottom?

Just press the 'Info' button :)

Dirk

[dflachbart]

On another note, anyone have their transcoding stuck like mine? I never get one to process...

Did you try to delete those jobs from the property file and start over again ?

Btw, I noticed that ugly blue options menu in your screenshot. Did you know that you can adjust the background color to match your theme (Colors & Fonts/Options Menu color) ? ;)

Dirk

[dflachbart]

Thanks, I see that now. But I don't see any visual indicator, like a "W".:confused:
You set it watched, but the icon doesn't show up ? Weird ... What are your display settings for this menu (On Now / Filter / Order) ?

Dirk

[dflachbart]

A few minor UI tweak suggestions to take advantage of some of the cool new features, mainly having to do with consistency and useability:

1) - 4)
Thanks popechild, all suggestions make very much sense


5) Bug maybe? At least for me, My Pictures keeps resetting itself to 2x2, regardless of what I set it to, any time I leave that section and then come back to it.

Yeah, noticed that too. As a workaround, quit SageMC after you changed the setting, and it will stick.


Dirk

[dflachbart]

Dirk,

btw, as long as I'm checking out your theme:
1) How'd you get the grey background? The standard in that theme seems to be green, and I don't see anything like that in Maui's icons...

I changed the selection bars from green to grey myself with Photoshop :). If you want to use them, I attached the images to this post


2) Suppose I wanted to keep the theme I'm using, but switch the font to the one from the MCE theme. Any way I can accomplish this?

A SageMC theme does not set any fonts, it's just a collection of images and icons. If you want to change fonts, you'll have to edit the numerous font settings in the property file (some of them are accesible in the SageMC options). Btw, the font you see in my screenshots is not the default Arial, but 'MS Trebuchet' (I think that's the font the original MCE is using).

Dirk

[pvr599]

Hi Dirk,
Sorry to bother you again, but I'm having problems again.

After my clean re-install of both Sage 6.0.15 & SageMC 6.3.0 it worked good. I was playing with some settings or something, I can't remember exactly, but I messed something up. I ended up un-installing and re-installing just SageTV. I worked with that for a while getting it all setup in both regular and service mode. After everything was working fine I extracted SageMC to the Sagetv directory, started service then started Sagtv. It's back to hanging again and I didn't even load the XML file yet.

I think I'm going to be stuck using the defaut Sagetv. I can't understand why this is back to not working again.

[dflachbart]

It's back to hanging again and I didn't even load the XML file yet.

Which tells me that it can't be anything SageMC specific...

When you reinstalled the default SageTV, did you install any other imports before installing SageMC ?

Dirk

[geogecko]

Btw, I noticed that ugly blue options menu in your screenshot. Did you know that you can adjust the background color to match your theme (Colors & Fonts/Options Menu color) ? ;)

Dirk

Hmm...guess I had never seen that before. Got any suggestions? Would be cool to see a color swatch (?) while changing the number, so you can see it instantly... :D (Wouldn't you know that suggestion would turn into a feature request?)

[geogecko]

Did you try to delete those jobs from the property file and start over again ?

Dirk

Do I just delete all the transcoder/jobs/ lines?

Edit. Thanks, that took care of the problem. Not sure why it was hung up, except that it had job 5 in the queue, and said the next job ID was 8...

[dflachbart]

Do I just delete all the transcoder/jobs/ lines?

Yep, shut down Sage (UI and service) and delete them ...

Dirk

[dflachbart]

Hmm...guess I had never seen that before. Got any suggestions? Would be cool to see a color swatch (?) while changing the number, so you can see it instantly... :D (Wouldn't you know that suggestion would turn into a feature request?)

If the Sage core would offer a color swatch I would use it, but coding this from scratch, nah thanks ... ;) Start with something like 437C8D ...

Dirk

[geogecko]

If the Sage core would offer a color swatch I would use it, but coding this from scratch, nah thanks ... ;) Start with something like 437C8D ...

Dirk

Thanks, I'll try that (actually, that color turned out perfect, thanks!). Also, I found these links handy...

http://www.johncfish.com/bggallery/otherchart/index.htm
http://www.tbi.univie.ac.at/TBI/hex_color_chart.html
http://www.ematti.com/images/RGB_colour_chart.gif

:D

[kricker]

Thanks Karl, this describes the scenario very well. It's for favorite shows that have been archived, the 'Unarchive' button messes things up. I think about moving the 'Unarchive' button to the Options menu, unless a majority prefers to have the 'Compress All' moved to the 'Send to.." instead

Edit: oops, didn't notice you figured the same in your last post ... :)

Dirk
I would prefer 'compress all' in the send to... or options dialog.

For the background color changes and such, would it be possible to include an option to choose your own background like in the deafult STV with the extra options enabled?

[Opus4]

If the Sage core would offer a color swatch I would use it, but coding this from scratch, nah thanks ... ;) Start with something like 437C8D ...Check out javax_swing_JColorChooser_showDialog(). You can't use it from an MVP, but it works from a windowed instance. That's how the default STV handles color selection in a couple places.

- Andy

[pvr599]

Quote:
Originally Posted by pvr599
It's back to hanging again and I didn't even load the XML file yet.

Which tells me that it can't be anything SageMC specific...

When you reinstalled the default SageTV, did you install any other imports before installing SageMC ?

Dirk
[/QUOTE]

Dirk,
This is SO odd and I'm sorry for the early alarm. I un-installed everything again and cleaned out any registry entries related to Sage or Frey. I also created new folders for my music, pictures, video & recordings directory. I moved the stuff inside those aside for now. I re-installed Sagetv, set that all up and watched for a while to make sure everything was running good. Then I extracted the SageMC 6.3.0 full. I haven't set that up yet (I'm a little nervous), but so far with MC just in the SageTV directory it's still working good.
To answer your question, no I didn't install any imports before SageTV. I cleaned everything out real good. Same as I did this last time, but now everything seems to be going ok.
For now everything is going well and I'll be importing SageTV here shortly.
Thanks again, I appreciate it.
Dana

[geogecko]

Check out javax_swing_JColorChooser_showDialog(). You can't use it from an MVP, but it works from a windowed instance. That's how the default STV handles color selection in a couple places.

- Andy

I just have to wonder if Andy uses this STV. I've always wondered that... You poke your head in here pretty often, but I'm not sure I've ever noticed a comment about you using it!

Just wondering...:D

[pvr599]

Dirk,
Me again. ok, now I might have found something and it's probably something I'm not doing correctly.
As I said before everything was working fine and decided to jump into getting SageMC 6.3.0 going. I did that and everything went well.

This is where things went wrong. If you remember from my last post, I moved all my current media files (they are separated into Music, Video, Pictures & Recordings directories) to a temporary directory & re-created new music, video, pictures & recordings folders before the re-install .

Well after getting SageMC working good I wanted to move all my media files back to the directories I setup in Sage. I shut down Sage and using Windows Explorer, I moved all my movies back to the Videos folder, re-started Sage, re-scanned the import directory and everything was fine.

I shut down Sage again and moved my music (again using Windows Explorer) to the newly created music folder, re-started Sage, re-scanned import folder and all my music was there. But now my video for normal TV is VERY choppy. It studders fairly bad. I shut down SageTV again and moved my music back out of the new music folder. I re-started SageTV and then HANG and navigating through menu's is very slow again.

Now I feel like I might possibly be narrowing this down. I absolutly feel I'm doing some steps wrong. Are there steps involved with bringing media files back into Sage that I missed somewhere. I've been trying to find posts for what meta-data does and what .my files are and have wondered if that has anything to do with it.

Does this help you at all with what is going terribly wrong over here?

[dflachbart]

I just have to wonder if Andy uses this STV. I've always wondered that... You poke your head in here pretty often, but I'm not sure I've ever noticed a comment about you using it!

Just wondering...:D
Although I certainly would be very happy about such a 'prominent' user, I doubt that this is the case ... ;)

Dirk

[geogecko]

pvr599. How long did you wait before moving files around, after you got the slow response from Sage menus and video? The only thing I can think of, is that Sage is trying to index your files or something in the background, and that is why everything is acting slow. If you haven't given it very much time, I'd let it sit for at least a few hours, to see if it clears up.

I would think it would take that long, but then again, I've never tried to move things around like that.

[geogecko]

Although I certainly would be very happy about such a 'prominent' user, I doubt that this is the case ... ;)

Dirk

What, like maybe he has his own personal STV or something? Or just using Sage out of the box :nono: ?

[dflachbart]

Dirk,

I shut down Sage again and moved my music (again using Windows Explorer) to the newly created music folder, re-started Sage, re-scanned import folder and all my music was there. But now my video for normal TV is VERY choppy. It studders fairly bad. I shut down SageTV again and moved my music back out of the new music folder. I re-started SageTV and then HANG and navigating through menu's is very slow again.

Clueless ...
This is so weird. I don't think you did anything wrong, those steps are perfectly fine to add video and music files back into the Sage database. I can't really understand how adding new info to the wiz.bin (that's basically what the import does) could affect video playback, or worse... And no, you don't need to mess around with .my files in your case.

So it's definitely the music import which is screwing things up ? What kind of music (format) are you importing ? And after you moved the files back out of the folder, did you do a rescan to get rid off the info, and did this restore the situation to normal ? Again, I'm pretty clueless ...

Dirk

[heffe2001]

Clueless ...
This is so weird. I don't think you did anything wrong, those steps are perfectly fine to add video and music files back into the Sage database. I can't really understand how adding new info to the wiz.bin (that's basically what the import does) could affect video playback, or worse... And no, you don't need to mess around with .my files in your case.

So it's definitely the music import which is screwing things up ? What kind of music (format) are you importing ? And after you moved the files back out of the folder, did you do a rescan to get rid off the info, and did this restore the situation to normal ? Again, I'm pretty clueless ...

Dirk

Maybe it's the import routine checking the files (it checks each one for tags, and to see if they are valid files I believe). Takes a good deal of your CPU to do it.

[Opus4]

I just have to wonder if Andy uses this STV. I've always wondered that... You poke your head in here pretty often, but I'm not sure I've ever noticed a comment about you using it!As a forum admin, I check out all parts of the forum. As the current developer for the default STV, its features + the hidden extras have everything I need to use. To me, the question of which STV someone should use isn't really a contest of which one is better for everyone... I see it as a good thing that people have the choice, or they can make their own modifications. That was the whole point when I wrote the Studio manual and its tutorials: help others get more out of Studio and SageTV. With that in mind, I'll also post or PM comments/suggestions that might help a developer make their STV better. In return, some people have offered suggestions & code to me too. I figure it all works out pretty well.

- Andy