MediaPortal plugins

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aucklander

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#23734 8-Jul-2008 11:43

Hi all!

I know this might look like "easier to ask than search for the answer" situation, but I could not find the answer inside MediaPortal Manual or on that forum.

I want to install new plugins, I downloaded some .zip or .rar files, they create a bunch of other files when un-zipped, it is not a proper installation process, where the files go where they are supposed to be. What do I do with them? Where should I put them in order to get that plug-in activated?

To be more specific, there is a game "Mastermind", and a plug-in allowing you to control pins on the parralel port (I want to use this and a solid state relay to turn things on/off from inside MP Home menu). After several days I still could not find a way to install the plugins... Please help me with a guide, or at least some basic instructions, where to start from...

mobo Intel DH55PJ, RAM: 4GB RAM, Nova-T 500 HD + Avermedia Trinity tuner card, Geforce 520 video, 120GB SSD Sandisk + 640 WD + 1000SG, Win7 Home Prem 64-bit, Media Portal 1.15.0; BTC 9019URF Cordless Keyboard, Panasonic 55" (HDMI cable), HTPC Case Silverstone Grandia GD05B.

CYaBro

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#144573 8-Jul-2008 13:21

As far as I know you put the plugin in its own folder under the plugins folder which is in the MediaPortal folder.
Then run the MP Config and go to the plugins page and it should be listed there.

Or you could try going to the Plugins in MP Configuration and go to the MPInstaller tab.

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Disrespective

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#144587 8-Jul-2008 13:37

CYaBro is right. Be aware that some plugins just have the dll files or whatnot without their file structure so you might have to experiment with which plugins folder you put them into. Sometimes they go in different folders but they should have notes on the plugin download page where they are to go.

And yeah, to check that they are in the right place you have to go into the plugins page of the configuration and see if they are selectable from there.

aucklander

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#144607 8-Jul-2008 13:56

Thsnks a lot!
I did not imagine it is as easy as put them in their own directory. I will try this and let you know how it works.

kiwijunglist

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#145481 9-Jul-2008 15:34

Please tell me more about this parallel port plugin
How does it work, and what are you going to be able to control within mediaportal?

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

mcraenz

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#145726 9-Jul-2008 20:58

Hey guys, I wrote the MyPowerControl Plug-in so I can provide support if needed. I didn't know anyone actually used it! Anyhow I'm gonna update it soon with new code that allows you to use a parallel print server instead of a onaboard parallel port.
This is a much better option and you can get jet direct print servers off trademe pretty cheap. For for details see my blog

The latest version of MyPowerControl comes as an msi so it will just install it self.

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aucklander

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#146217 10-Jul-2008 16:54

My understanding is that you can basically control anything from the menu options of MediaPortal. The idea is to switch pins on the parallel on and off and use this to activate relays to turn other equipment on/off. Solid state relays are recommended (not cheap), not mechanical ones ($3-$5).

I was planning to have a lamp on/off behind the tv screen, as it is well known that it is not good for your eyes to watch the tv in a completely dark room. But the relay can activate anything you want, lets say the garage door or maybe the fishtank or the front gate or a fan in the room or maybe the oil heater!. Anything which has an on/off button. You can have up to 8 relays. I got one from TradeMe for $10 (240V/25A). I also found this: http://www.opto22.com/site/pr_cat_ssc.aspx?qs=1006101610531098,1,18,,&,,,&, (3A/240V gives you enough power for most of the devices you might want to play with... not the oil heater, though). I did not give them a call yet as I need only one and I already got it. Careful with bigger ones, they will require heatsink: http://www.power-io.com/library/appnotes/heatsink-info.htm (and many other sources for sizing)

You need the control signal to be as low as possible (most of them are 3-32C DC for control signal and this I understand should be OK, but some of them require 5v or even 12V DC for control, your parallel port will not have this capability and more circuitry will be required to control the solid state relay... )

I got lots of info from here: http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/parallel_output.html. Read the solid state relay section.
The plugin is here: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/files/Download/Plugins/Utilities/MyPowerControl/ and is the one made by MCRAENZ. By the way, I downloaded it and uncompressed the archive, what do I do with all the files, where do they go? there is no exe...

Unfortunately I noticed my mobo does not have a parallel port at the back, has only a header and the ribbon cable with a bracket is not to be found (I was told parallel technology is obsolete and nobody has them anymore). I am still looking for one. Any work around? I have no PCI slots available either so a PCI/parallel card cannot be used (if you have the chance to use such card, go for it as it will protect the mobo if anything goes wrong!).

It is not really easy if you look at all the implications, but will be fun to get it done!!

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mcraenz

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#146239 10-Jul-2008 17:16

aucklander:
The plugin is here: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/files/Download/Plugins/Utilities/MyPowerControl/ and is the one made by MCRAENZ. By the way, I downloaded it and uncompressed the archive, what do I do with all the files, where do they go? there is no exe...

Unfortunately I noticed my mobo does not have a parallel port at the back, has only a header and the ribbon cable with a bracket is not to be found (I was told parallel technology is obsolete and nobody has them anymore). I am still looking for one. Any work around? I have no PCI slots available either so a PCI/parallel card cannot be used (if you have the chance to use such card, go for it as it will protect the mobo if anything goes wrong!).

It is not really easy if you look at all the implications, but will be fun to get it done!!

Dude! Did you read my reply?

Also best to get support in the Plug-in thread at the Mp forums.
http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/plugins-47/my-power-control-plug-33797/index2.html

and look here:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Networking-modems/Other/auction-164908686.htm
Just Imagine you could have 24 Devices!

Also impout32.dll won't work with most PCI parallel cards, And don't even think about a USB<->Parallel adaptor. Wow that was a waste of $16! A print server is the best way to go, also the pins don't get reset everytime you reboot the PC!

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aucklander

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#146568 11-Jul-2008 08:10

I never recommended USB/parallel adaptor, I agree it will not work. The use of PCI/parallel card idea I got after reading several sites. Some recommended this as a protection for the mobo, others stated some cards might not work properly for this application. I am sure anyone would do some research before going ahead with any idea and not rely on one advice source only...

The link to the $16 item I posted is for a solid state relay (the lowest price for a brand new item I could find). The use of the parallel server from tradeMe looks to be a nice alternative indeed, provided you need so many outputs.

mcraenz

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#146606 11-Jul-2008 09:48

Yeah of you can get a single parallel port server too, think about having it networked is that can easily exten it anywhere in the house.

Anyhow if you do end up using a standard parallel port rather than a print server can I get you beta test the next version before I release it? I don't have a PC with a parallel port anymore and I don't know if I've broken any of the parallel port code when adding support for print servers!

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