MainLobby plugin

[beelzerob]

Ya, I haven't touched the studio docs yet either. I'm just working towards managing the data coming from CQC into a workable java form. I'm just assuming that there will be a way for me to render X number of objects on a screen, such as boolean fields, string fields, etc.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by beelzerob

Ya, I haven't touched the studio docs yet either. I'm just working towards managing the data coming from CQC into a workable java form. I'm just assuming that there will be a way for me to render X number of objects on a screen, such as boolean fields, string fields, etc.

I'm by no means an expert, but I'd be willing to bet the renderable objects are even simpler than that... like draw this JPG here, and draw this Text here. Everything else would have to be done in the STV coding I think (as far as determinging WHAT the text should read, etc).

[beelzerob]

Excellent (if true!). I'm going to come away from CQC with some java classes that represent devices, and within that all of the fields available to that device...so I'd like to try and render a screen per device maybe. Some kind of toggle/button for boolean fields, enumerated choices for String fields, maybe a slider for Card fields. Of course, that's all hope at this point....initially, just displaying CQC data in Sage will be a good start.

[Fuzzy]

Either way, I think the best method would be to do all the actual logic for this in a seperate piece of software. There should be some way to pass a text steam to and from the Sage software (through a custom DLL for instance) The text stream could perhaps be an XML data stream with the items to be drawn. So, all the STV has to do is read the XML and draw what it contains. Then recieve the appropriate input from the user, and pass it back to the back-end HA interface via an XML stream.

Why XML? Because it would provide a consolidated method of displaying HA interfaces, that could be integrated into a number of different systems. It is easy to develop for, easy to debug, and easy to port to other platforms.

EDIT: Of course, this would take some brainstorming about what kind of objects and switches/inputs would be required for a complete HA interface, and an XML schema (HAXML?) developed to define the protocol.

[iolaus]

Originally Posted by Fonceur

Actually, Beelzerob and me did collaborate on an open source SageTCPServer, which is a more generic version of his SageCQC.jar. The official release 1.0 (with official post and documentation) will probably be in the next few weeks, though you can get access to the full source through CVS. The build 0.9.1 should be up tonight.

A lot more of the API could be exposed, but so far neither of us needed anything else... Should you decide to test it, make sure to terminate your TCP queries with "\n".

I could post pictures of the MainLobby plugin, to give you an idea of what's available through the TCP server... Though I never got a confirmation from Cinemar if they ever contacted/got authorized by SageTV to use their icons/images, like they did with SnapStream for Beyond TV icons/images...

That's awesome news! Should make SageTV much more interoperable with a variety of control mechanisms.

Originally Posted by Fonceur

In the context of Girder and NetRemote, I would say that SageCQC and SageTCPSErver are 2-ways... You receive a shortened list of upcoming recordings, send a query to get detailed information about one and receive that information... I don't think that he meant to take over Girder/NetRemote from SageTV, as is planned in a next phase for CQC and MainLobby, though who knows what he had in mind...

That is exactly what I was lookin for... a way that NetRemote/Girder could be used to control SageTV and to retrieve some SageTV info for display on a remote.

[Fonceur]

The SageTV information/control inside a MainLobby client is pretty much done, and screenshots are available at the bottom of the page of the MLSageTV plugin wiki. This also gives an idea of the functionality available through SageTCPServer.

The harder problem of MainLobby inside a SageTV client/extender is still being looked at...

[Fonceur]

The official wiki page has moved here.

[Brent]

I'm looking for anyone using this Mainlobby Plugin with SageTV and their MainLobby setup. If possible, I'd like to get a mini-review or overview of their setup with some photos, screen-shots and description of how they use it.

Ultimately this will be used in an article on GeekTonic to highlight the Mainlobby plugin for SageTV. If interested send me a PM. Thanks!

[iolaus]

Originally Posted by Fonceur

The official wiki page has moved here.

Fonceur,

Your signature seems to indicate there is a 1.0 version of Sage TCP Server but the only version I see listed on SourceForge is 0.95. Is there a 1.0 version available? Also, do you know what the status of the plug-in is? Is it feature complete and/or ready for use in other integration projects?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by iolaus

Your signature seems to indicate there is a 1.0 version of Sage TCP Server but the only version I see listed on SourceForge is 0.95.

Only Beelzerob can upload binary files to SourceForge and he's been sitting on version 1.0 for like 3 months... Last week he mentioned uploading 1.0 to SourceForge, posting the doc, starting a new thread and converting his CQC driver to use SageTCPServer before Christmas... Technically he still has 2-3 days to do all that, but I am attaching the file anyway...

Also, do you know what the status of the plug-in is? Is it feature complete and/or ready for use in other integration projects?

The MainLobby plugin has been released months ago, even though you wouldn't know it from Cinemar's web site...

[iolaus]

Originally Posted by Fonceur

Only Beelzerob can upload binary files to SourceForge and he's been sitting on version 1.0 for like 3 months... Last week he mentioned uploading 1.0 to SourceForge, posting the doc, starting a new thread and converting his CQC driver to use SageTCPServer before Christmas... Technically he still has 2-3 days to do all that, but I am attaching the file anyway...

Thanks for the files. I'm trying to work up the motivation to tackle a NetRemote SageTV Plugin. I think the SageTCPServer should get me a long way.

[sportera]

I'm still trying to get up the nerve to install and test this. I'm a little confused though as how to apply this to my installation.

I'm running SageTV Windows Home Server software on a MS Windows Home Server PC with 3 Directv HD receivers connected via Nvidia Dual TV tuners installed in server PC. My HTPC in the living room is running SageTV Client software to access the tuners, music, recorded DVD movies, etc. I also have an extender installed at son's room TV to allow him same access via Windows Home Server. I will soon install a HD Extender in my bedroom to a 42" wall mounted LCD to allow SageTV HD access through server.

I'm running Homeseer, MLServer3, and Mainlobby on a kitchen PC with access through a 15" Elo Touchscreen that is running animated weather radar, Outlook for calendar/Contacts/email, callerID, automation, and other typical Mainlobby screens.

Questions???:

1. How would I incorporate SageTV and Mainlobby into all clients using the same menus and screens to get the best of both worlds at each PC/TV Extender?

2. Do I have to move my kitchen Homeseer & MLServer to my Windows Home Server, setup MLSageTV on server, and setup Mainlobby clients at all PC's and TV Extenders?

3. I use MS Windows Media Center remotes to access SageTV Clients and extenders. I use touchscreen to access Mainlobby. How would I access and control Mainlobby screens on HTPC's and TV extenders?

I'm sorry. I've been a PC addict before DOS and before Windows. I've built and installed all my systems. I'm not totally PC illiterate, but I just cannot figure my way through this to begin modifying my existing installations.

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by sportera

I'm a little confused though as how to apply this to my installation.

The basic idea is (see my signature for the wiki):

- The plugin (MLSageTV) gets installed on the MainLobby Server (does not have to be the SageTV Server).

- The MLSageTV User Interface gets installed on each ML Client.

- The SageTCPServer.jar gets installed on the SageTV Server and each SageTV Client (becomes a "monitored device" controlled by the plugin).

Once MLSageTV has been configured, any ML Client can act as a limited SageTV Client and start playback on any SageTV Client or Extender (i.e. "monitored devices")...

How would I access and control Mainlobby screens on HTPC's and TV extenders?

Controlling MainLobby through SageTV is still in the plans, but that is a totally different issue, so you will need a ML Client on the HTPC's and for now are out of luck on the Extenders...

[sportera]

Fonceur,

I think I understand the installation now but you misunderstood some of my "how to control screens" questions.

I know I can use a touchscreen or a mouse to "press buttons" in a Mainlobby environment, but in a HTPC application I am using an MCE Remote Control. Is there a plugin or setup I cannot not find that allows control of Mainlobby "screen buttons" from a standard remote? Do I have to use a USBIRT and map each button?

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by sportera

Is there a plugin or setup I cannot not find that allows control of Mainlobby "screen buttons" from a standard remote?

Oh I see, if you check the Navigation section of the wiki, you'll see that if your remote is already mapped for the arrows, page up/down, escape, numbers and enter, then it should work right away. I don't think that the transport controls (play/pause/etc.) will work though, I would need to check Sage's default for that...