MediaPortal - Setup guide for Silverstone LC16M Case | iMon Remote Setup, iMon VFD Setup, iMon Front Button Hack

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › MediaPortal - Setup guide for Silverstone LC16M Case | iMon Remote Setup, iMon VFD Setup, iMon Front Button Hack

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

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#26234 16-Sep-2008 10:57

This setup guide is written for Windows XP / MediaPortal 1 RC2 / iMon 7.2
I use the iPad remote that comes with the Silverstone LC16M HTPC Case

1. Install iMon Software

Download iMON/iMEDIAN HD Ver. 7.20.0502 release (Setup)

Available from http://www.soundgraph.com

Note - The program will try and update to version 7.4, don't let it update
       - I had problems with version 7.4 not sending the commands to MediaPortal
       - Select custom install, and only install iMon
       - Don't install iMedian

2. Select remote = iPad

3. Disable automatic updating

Under options -> Version / Update -> Don't check update information

4. Window settings

This step turns off the annoying icon in the corner
Window Settings -> IR signal indicator on desktop -> Select "Don't show"

5. Settings -> Remote Commander

This step turns off the annoying sounds and also makes the remote start in keyboard mode

Under Settings -> Remote Controller
Remote Controller = iMON PAD
Initial Keyboard/Mouse Mode = Keyboard
Turn off sound effect for detected IR signal

6. Settings -> Windows Commands

This step will free up the Quick Launch button and Windows button so we can use them later to control MediaPortal

Under Settings -> Windows Command
Choose "Run Quick Launch Selector" -> Click Modify -> Choose Do not define
Choose "Windows Button" -> Click Modify -> Choose Do not define
Choose "Menu Button" -> Click Modify -> Choose Do not define

7. Download my mediaportal.imo setup file

Download MediaPortal.imo
Revision 1.0 @ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CEKWRSFQ
Revision 1.1 @ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NB2IJ058
Save the file onto your desktop for use in the next step

8. Settings -> Program Commander

Click Add Program
Click Search by File Name
Browse to C:\Program Files\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal
Select Mediaportal

9. Import the downloaded mediaportal.imo settings file

Click Import
Open the mediaportal.imo file you saved to the desktop
Select Import Values including "RC Button Name" and "RC Setup"
Click Import

10. Download Shortcut'er Plugin

http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/plugins-47/shortcuter-plugin-shortcuts-mp-sections-32747/

This allows us to make keyboard short cuts to jump to different functions in Mediaportal
Put the shortcuter.dll in the plugin / process folder of mediaportal
C:\Program Files\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Plugins\Process\shortcuter.dll

11. Enable and configure the Shortcut'er Plugin in Mediaportal

Load Mediaportal Configuration
Select Plugins
Scroll down to Process Plugins
Find the shortcut'er icon

Click enable

Then click Configure

Click Reset Configuration - This automatically loads up the default shortcut IDs etc
Modify the Keyboard Modifies to enable CTRL and SHIFT
[X] CTRL
[X] SHIFT

Click Update and close

12. Additional steps to ensure mediaportal does not loose focus (optional)

Load Mediaportal configuration
Click on general settings
Click [X] Keep mediaportal always on top

13. Summary of mapped iMon buttons image file

Here is an image of the remote with an explanation of what all the keys do.
I mostly use MP for TV so i havnt fine tuned the setup for watching DVDs/listening to music yet.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

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#164754 16-Sep-2008 10:58

This is for setting up iMon VFD that omes with Silverstone LC16 Home Theatre Case
This guide uses XP PRO / MEDIAPORTAL RC2
This guide assumes you already have the VFD working with iMON
(Which it should do immediately after installing iMon as above)

Load iMON Manager (Double click the iMON icon in the task bar)

Select iMON Utilities -> Front View
Under the "Common" Tab
Change Run Front View when iMON Starts = Always

Now Right click on iMON icon in the task bar
Choose iMon Utilities -> Frontview
It will load up the Frontview selector
Select Plug-In

Load Mediaportal Configuration
Select Plugins
Scroll down to Process Plugins
Select External Display
Click Enable
Click Configure

Enter the following settings for External Display Setup

Type = Soundgraph iMON Integrated USB VFD/LCD Driver 1.0
Port = USB
#Char to Scroll = 2

Leave all other settings as default

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

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ID Verified

#164963 16-Sep-2008 22:53

This stand alone .exe i compiled will remap the front keys of the Silverstone LC16-M case for use in mediaportal

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2CN2D692

The new functions on the case in order from left to right are now

Prev Track / Channel (-)
Next Track / Channel (+)
Stop
Play/Pause
Enter
Menu Up / Up Arrow
Menu Down / Down Arrow

The volume button remains the same (Scroll for volume, press for mute)

To make this program run on startup
Save imonfront.exe to a folder on your computer
Now right click on start button
Click "Explore all users"
Navigate to the folder \Program Files\Start Up\
Right Click Add Short cut
Click Browse, Now find the imonfront.exe file you saved earlier

This is the code contained in my script

;previous track
SC110::F7

;next
SC119::F8

;stop
SC124::b

;play/pause
SC122::p

;mute
SC120::Enter

;vol up
;routed to arrow up
SC130::Up

;vol down
;routed to arrow up
SC12E::Down

If you want to compile a script yourself for use with other cases or if you want to remap the keys on your multimedia keyboard or alter what i have done

http://www.autohotkey.com/
Create a script using the keyboard hook command to listen for the code of your special key
http://www.autohotkey.com/docs/commands/_InstallKeybdHook.htm
Then you can remap the special key to a keystroke that can be read by mediaportal

Thank you to knutinh on Mediaportal forum for the above information
http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/htpc-projects-42/silverstone-lascala-lc16-m-complete-guide-8043/

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Edwood

218 posts

Master Geek

#165019 17-Sep-2008 09:23

This is a sweet guide kiwijunglist...

I'm now running MediaPortal with an LC-16M also (brand new). I can control the 'case' / iMon with the my harmony remote, but can't figure out how to make it work with mediaPortal...

I don't suppose you know how achieve the same result with the Logitech Harmony 525 remote do you?

HTPCnewbie

57 posts

Master Geek

#165021 17-Sep-2008 09:42

Any reason why you chose not to use IR Server Suite - seems to be highly recommended...
http://htpc.pandagor.com/archives/25-IR-Server-Suite-to-resolve-Remote-Control-Problems.html
http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/mce-replacement-plugin-165/ir-server-suite-version-1-0-4-1-a-33512/

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

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ID Verified

#165024 17-Sep-2008 09:54

Edwood: This is a sweet guide kiwijunglist...

I'm now running MediaPortal with an LC-16M also (brand new). I can control the 'case' / iMon with the my harmony remote, but can't figure out how to make it work with mediaPortal...

I don't suppose you know how achieve the same result with the Logitech Harmony 525 remote do you?

I have a harmony 525 but no batteries so i havn't tried it yet.

I would suggest

1. Follow the above guide and get mediaportal working with the iPAD remote that is included with the case

2. If it is working with the iPAD remote, then presumably since the harmony is a learning remote it should be able to learn the iPAD codes directly from the iPAD controller.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

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ID Verified

#165026 17-Sep-2008 10:00

HTPCnewbie:
Any reason why you chose not to use IR Server Suite - seems to be highly recommended...
http://htpc.pandagor.com/archives/25-IR-Server-Suite-to-resolve-Remote-Control-Problems.html
http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/mce-replacement-plugin-165/ir-server-suite-version-1-0-4-1-a-33512/

I had a look at that thread yesterday. When i originally was playing around with remote i didn't have a harmony so i am more familiar with imon ipad. as far as i am aware to get the VFD working you have to install imon. if you have to install imon for the VFD display you might as well use imon for the remote control as well.

If there was a way to install a driver for the VFD without installing imon then i would go that route for the VFD and then probably learn to use IR server suite for the remote.

I think my guide is easier than that guide. That guide also is written for vista and i use xp, so some of the directories will be different. My guide should only take 10 minutes max to setup i think that would take a long time to setup.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

cranz

675 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#165883 20-Sep-2008 22:52

Thanks for the guide on how to do this! However i've run into a small hitch

Just installed iMon 7.2 from your link on my Vista machine and can't access the plugin option for FrontView

Any ideas on why this isn't showing up? :\

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#165912 21-Sep-2008 07:59

cranz: Thanks for the guide on how to do this! However i've run into a small hitch

Just installed iMon 7.2 from your link on my Vista machine and can't access the plugin option for FrontView

Any ideas on why this isn't showing up? :\

Some people seem to think it might be that newer LC16-M cases have a different VFD firmware or some such which doesn't allow the plugin. How old is your case?

I personally haven't tried the guide but it looks great and i'll be taking a copy of it for when i do the next full rebuild of the HTPC. Thanks kiwijunglist, i've now got an almost completed guide for setting my gear back up that will only take a few hours as opposed to the days of tweaks and scouring the internet for clues on things it took me to get it going the first time around.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

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ID Verified

#166040 21-Sep-2008 15:03

cranz: Thanks for the guide on how to do this! However i've run into a small hitch
Just installed iMon 7.2 from your link on my Vista machine and can't access the plugin option for FrontView
Any ideas on why this isn't showing up? :\

Thank you for your guide too.

Sorry I don't know why it wont show up.
I can only suggest you message one of the moderators on the soundgraph forum.

NB: I have revised the .imo file to fix a couple of incorrectly mapped buttons
you can download revision 1.1 here
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NB2IJ058

.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Edwood

218 posts

Master Geek

#166092 21-Sep-2008 20:10

I've done it!!!

I now have a brand new (ie. latest firmware) LC16-M VFD running with MediaPortal!!! :).

I've been struggling trying to get my Silverstone LC16-M VFD to work with MediaPortal for a while now...
The good news, is that I now have the VFD display working!

The bad news, is that this stops my remote from working

How I got the the good news:
I got the VFD to work by using a new plugin called CybrDisplay - download and instructions here:

I had to do something a bit weird to get it to go though:
- Go to the configuration options for the new plugin (MP - Plugins - WindowPlugins - CybrDisplay - Configure)
- Change port to USB (this isn't the weird bit)
- Select Advanced
- Select "Use V3 SG_VFD.dll (for older...)
- Select all the OK's etc..
- Run MP
- Close MP, and turn off the "Use V3 SG_VFD..." option
- Click OK's
- Go back to CybrDisplay config, and click "Test Display"
- You should have "iMONLCDg Display" come up briefly on your VFD
- Run MediaPortal, and discover what you've been missing out on!

Note1: Some of these steps may well be superfluous, and you should try just changing the DisplayType to VFD.

Note2: You can now change the DisplayType back to AutoDetect if you wish. (CybrDisplay - Configure - Advanced - DisplayType drop down ).

Note3: I have a brand new LC-16M, so i'm pretty sure this will work for cranz, and anyon else with the latest VF firmware.

A littlle about my bad news:

I'm really a noob, and i don't really understand this stuff... but it seems that CybrDisplay and iMON Frontview are not able to run at the same time.
It also seems that iMON Frontview manages the comms with my remote (a Harmony 525 pretending to be an iMON PAD).

Sadly, this means, currently, I have to choose between having either a remote, or a VFD

.

Hopefully, one of the brain boxes out there will solve this little issue for me, and I will be a very happy boy!

Keywords for searchers:
Silverstone LC16-M display working in MediaPortal
LC16-M VFD not working in media porta

Edwood.

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