View Full Version : [WINDOWS] Launcher plugin for XBMC
Hello there,
I've created a small plugin that allow launch windows programs inside XBMC "Programs" section.
Unlike the "emuLauncher (http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21352)" script, mine is a plugin, not a script, so it integrates with the XBMC GUI seamlessly.
I'll be thankful if you would install and test my plugin, so I will fix bugs before I continue improving it.
Download Link:
http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/downloads/list
SVN Access:
svn checkout http://xbmc-launcher.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ xbmc-launcher-read-only
Wiki:
http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/wiki/Main
Plugin Features:
- Run an application with arguments.
- Run a file from directory using given application.
- Search & Download images for applications and files using Yahoo search engine.
- Full work with the GUI with. (add application, remove, add files, etc..)
Installation:
1. unzip the file into Plugins/Program directory.
2. (linux users only): create a symlink for /usr/lib/libcurl.so.4 named /usr/lib/libcurl.so (run: "sudo ln -sf /usr/lib/libcurl.so.4 /usr/lib/libcurl.so" in terminal)
3. Run XBMC:
3.1. Switch to MC360 Skin (or some other skin that has "Programs" Section)
3.2. Go to Games -> Applications -> Add Source -> Browse -> Program Plugins
3.3. Select Launcher and Click "OK"
3.4. Click OK Again.
3.5. Right Click on "Launcher" Icon
3.6. Choose "Add to Favorites"
3.7. Switch back to PMIII Skin.
3.8. Click on the Arrow in the bottom right corner
3.9. Choose "Launcher"
leo
Rand Al Thor
2008-07-14, 04:22
Sweet! I will check it out tonight. Thanks.
ninebr34ker
2008-07-14, 06:43
there will be grand testing tonight!
Gamester17
2008-07-14, 13:50
is it possible to make it work for Linux and Mac OS X as well (and Xbox as well for that matter?)?
???
marlboroman1
2008-07-14, 14:07
i'm realy not wining with this do i need to install any thing elss i left mame alown and edited the pc section like so tryed a few difernt combination but this semed logical but it was no go
<launcher>
<name>PC</name>
<application>C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe</application>
<rompath>C:\Program Files</rompath>
<romext></romext>
<thumb>http://www.allgame.com/img/systems/ibmpc.gif</thumb>
<roms>
<rom>
<name>Firefox</name>
<filename>C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe</filename>
<thumb>http://image.allmusic.com/00/agg/cov200/drg200/g232/g23272wu1hc.jpg</thumb>
</rom>
</roms>
</launcher>
</launchers>
if any one can see were I've gone wrong please let me know
log in case its needed
http://pastebin.com/m38591ff8
rausch101
2008-07-15, 00:54
Wow, I've been waiting for this for so long. I'm sure a lot of people agree with me when I say thanks so much for all of your work leo.
Will test it out later tonight
rausch101
2008-07-15, 03:32
No go for me. Followed the instructions, put the "launchers.xml" in both UserData directories (in documents in settings as well as in Program Files). Modified the launchers.xml to have no conflicts with my directories and still no go. Using vista x32. Still thanks very much for the first beta, it's nice to know it at least works on leo's machine
ninebr34ker
2008-07-15, 09:46
all right I did some short testing on it. I think the way this is happening is definetly the right idea. Seperating the pc games and emulation, and allowing xbmc to act as a frontend is honestly exactly what I hoping the xbmc devs would get to.
Now I edited the launchers.xml file so it would point to a version of everyday shooter on my pc. No go. I can enter the plugin but from there nothing shows up. Heres my config am I doing something wrong? (I left the emulators in there and I'll be trying some other methods later.
<launcher>
<name>PC</name>
<application></application>
<rompath></rompath>
<romext></romext>
<thumb>http://www.allgame.com/img/systems/ibmpc.gif</thumb>
<roms>
<rom>
<name>Everyday Shooter</name>
<filename>C:\Program Files\Everyday Shooter\EverydayShooter.exe</filename>
<thumb>http://image.allmusic.com/00/agg/cov200/drg200/g232/g23272wu1hc.jpg</thumb>
</rom>
</roms>
</launcher>
</launchers>
@marlboroman
Try this:
<launcher>
<name>Browsers</name>
<application></application>
<rompath></rompath>
<romext></romext>
<thumb></thumb>
<roms>
<rom>
<name>Firefox</name>
<filename>"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"</filename>
<thumb></thumb>
</rom>
</roms>
</launcher>
</launchers>
all right I did some short testing on it. I think the way this is happening is definetly the right idea. Seperating the pc games and emulation, and allowing xbmc to act as a frontend is honestly exactly what I hoping the xbmc devs would get to.
Now I edited the launchers.xml file so it would point to a version of everyday shooter on my pc. No go. I can enter the plugin but from there nothing shows up. Heres my config am I doing something wrong? (I left the emulators in there and I'll be trying some other methods later.
<launcher>
<name>PC</name>
<application></application>
<rompath></rompath>
<romext></romext>
<thumb>http://www.allgame.com/img/systems/ibmpc.gif</thumb>
<roms>
<rom>
<name>Everyday Shooter</name>
<filename>C:\Program Files\Everyday Shooter\EverydayShooter.exe</filename>
<thumb>http://image.allmusic.com/00/agg/cov200/drg200/g232/g23272wu1hc.jpg</thumb>
</rom>
</roms>
</launcher>
</launchers>
change <filename> to:
<filename>"C:\Program Files\Everyday Shooter\EverydayShooter.exe"</filename> and try it.
@leo2
It is working ok for me. I noticed a command prompt opening up. For some programs it closes when the application launches, for others it stays up until the application closes. Can you have this command prompt hidden, and possibly not hang around until some applications close?
marlboroman1
2008-07-15, 19:46
that's the first thing I tried have you had this working?
I just get a little command line box pop up and vanish before I can read what its trying to tell me
that's the first thing I tried have you had this working?
I just get a little command line box pop up and vanish before I can read what its trying to tell meYes it is working for me. I saw the same thing you did. So then I thought he is using the command prompt to launch things, which means any path with a space in the name needs "" around it. Are you sure you had double quotes around your path name like I posted?
Hi, I'm glad to know that this plugin is usefull for someone.
I'll be happy to help solve problems in it, sorry for the delay in my answer.
1. The command prompt cannot be hidden - it's an XBMC system call that is out of my control.
2. the command prompt disappears immediately if the application was started on as a different process, it's depends on the application itself.
3. in order to launch standalone programs like firefox, etc there is need to create an empty launcher, and put the program as a rom for the launcher.
like this:
<launcher>
<name>PC</name>
<application></application>
<rompath></rompath>
<romext></romext>
<thumb></thumb>
<roms>
<rom>
<name>Firefox</name>
<filename>"c:\Program Files\Internet\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"</filename>
<thumb></thumb>
</rom>
</roms>
</launcher>
if the program is in "program files" or any other directory that has a space in the its name, a double quotes is needed.
4. the rompath is unused right now, so ignore it.
5. the thumb isn't working either. so ignore it.
6. this plugin can be easily support linux, about mac i'm not sure.
when I'll change it to support linux - I'll be happy if some linux guy will test it.
7. it's far away to be a beta, it's hardly an alpha version.
I'm planing to add an ability to configure everything from the XBMC and auto download images from the web.
I'll be happy to get more ideas.
leo
marlboroman1
2008-07-15, 21:35
sorry about that I didn't see the quotation marks, It's all working now thanks!!! I don't know why I didn't think of that must be having a blonde day or two :laugh:
maybe the next version could have a more relevant example in the launcher.xml thanks for the plugin leo2 its much appreciated.
Hi, I'm glad to know that this plugin is usefull for someone.
I'll be happy to help solve problems in it, sorry for the delay in my answer.
1. The command prompt cannot be hidden - it's an XBMC system call that is out of my control.
2. the command prompt disappears immediately if the application was started on as a different process, it's depends on the application itself.
...
leoSo then is this an request that needs to be brought to the XBMC devs?
Download here: http://leo212.googlepages.com/Launcher0.11alpha.zip
Major changes:
- There is an ability to add & remove launchers within the XBMC gui.
(from the context menu)
- Support a single program launch.
- It is now required to put launchers.xml the "userdata\plugin_data\programs\Launcher", the plugin automatically create it when adding/removing launchers.
note: The roms for an emulator still should be added manually by editing the file.
please test it and let me know about problems.
linux is not yet supported. sorry. i'll try to do it until the end of this week.
leo
So then is this an request that needs to be brought to the XBMC devs?
I think so, the exact request is :
"support os.execv and os.spawnv in python plugins"
Is there an ability to pass switches to the .exe being launched? For example:
"hard drive\path\Zoom Player\zplayer.exe" /F /Q /LOCKFS /MOUSEOFF
Is there an ability to pass switches to the .exe being launched? For example:
"hard drive\path\Zoom Player\zplayer.exe" /F /Q /LOCKFS /MOUSEOFF
not yet.
you can create a .bat file that does it and launch the .bat file instead.
not yet.
you can create a .bat file that does it and launch the .bat file instead.ahh yeah...that's true. I hope that doesn't make 2 command prompt boxes ;)
OK. I did some testing using XBMC in fullscreen mode. Using your example to launch firefox, I set the path to my firefox install. If XBMC is in fullscreen mode, it looks as if nothing ever happens. Pressing alt+tab to switch tasks reveals firefox and the command prompt. Switching tasks however doesn't work, XBMC stays in front with the task switch window stuck ontop of it. You have to use the task manager to kill the command prompt, then you can switch to firefox (hopefully something will happen with the "support os.execv and os.spawnv in python plugins" request). When switched to firefox, XBMC does not sit behind firefox, but instead minimizes to the taskbar.
Maybe it is how XBMC uses the screen, I don't know, but what would be nice is something that appears a bit more seamless. I'm guessing it needs some help from the devs. What would be nice is if the app like firefox can run fullscreen ontop of XBMC, so when you close it out XBMC is right there waiting on you. I could probably achieve something similar to this using Eventghost. When I close an app it can find the XBMC window and bring it back to focus.
...a little more testing...
WOW! I just tested launching SageTV from within XBMC. Worked perfectly. There is no command prompt issue with the SageTV.exe. It pops right up perfectly. Upon closing SageTV though you see the windows desktop. So I set Evenghost to bring XBMC to the front when Sage closes, and it works seamless. Very nice. This was one of the last parts I needed to run XBMC fulltime as the HTPC front end. To get fancy I could probably have seperate launchers that take me to specific SageTV screens (such as the guide, recorded TV, settings) and never see the SageTV home screen.
Thank you for this plugin which makes this possible.
rausch101
2008-07-16, 23:43
XBMC still crashes on me when I try to load up the plugin. I'm using the newest build of XBMC and Vista 32. Anyone else with vista have this working?
ghostrecon37
2008-07-17, 09:45
this plugin is beautiful, now Xbmc is fully working and i can play games from it, not all my games seem to work but that is for copyprotecion i quess, bioshock is not loading from XBMC, now is it possible to at thumbnails to the programms ? and if so how?
ghostrecon37
2008-07-17, 09:46
and this plugin doesn;t work with vista
now is it possible to at thumbnails to the programs ? and if so how?
soon, very soon.
I'll be happy to hear more feature request before I'm finishing developing this plugin.
still alpha, but has a lot of imporvments:
1. scan roms path automatically and add it to the launcher.
2. ability to manually add rom to a launcher within the XBMC gui.
3. ability to manually remove rom to a launcher with the XBMC gui.
4. ability to manually import roms for the roms path.
5. ability to add arguments to a launcher's command.
6. linux support. (not tested - I'll be glad if someone will test it)
http://leo212.googlepages.com/Launcher0.2alpha.zip
planned improvements for the next version (beta):
1. add thumbnails to the launchers.
2. add thumbnails to the roms.
3. automatically scan for thumbnails & data from the internet.
I'll be happy to get an ideas: which sites provides this data?
leo
Rand Al Thor
2008-07-18, 17:39
Nice work leo2. I can test linux support for you later today and let you know how it goes. Just out of curiosity, has anyone gotten this to work on Vista yet?
zeuss-axis
2008-07-18, 17:54
This may be outside the scope of this launcher, but is there any plan (or current functionality) for auto-launch of apps when XBMC boots? This would be great for the whole 'booting to XBMC as shell" effort
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34325&page=6
How do i add images to the programs?
I cant see the plugin settings but thats propably because i dont have the latest revision.
How do i add images to the programs?
I cant see the plugin settings but thats propably because i dont have the latest revision.
You can't. not yet.
There are no settings for this plugin.
This may be outside the scope of this launcher, but is there any plan (or current functionality) for auto-launch of apps when XBMC boots? This would be great for the whole 'booting to XBMC as shell" effort
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34325&page=6
this is out of the plugin's scope. it can't run by itself when XBMC starts.
this is out of the plugin's scope. it can't run by itself when XBMC starts.XBMC can run a script when it starts up. Look at autoexec.py in the wiki. I would think then, someone could probably be modify this script to launch a specific set of items when this happens.
...
5. ability to add arguments to a launcher's command...What is the syntax for this? There is no example given.
http://leo212.googlepages.com/Launcher0.21alpha.zip
now you can define a folder that holds thumbnails of the launchers and roms.
default is : Q:\userdata\plugin_data\programs\Launcher\thumbs
you can put a files named like the launcher's or rom's name or filename with an extension of "png", "jpg" or "gif" and it will be the thumbnail of this launcher/rom.
for example: if your launcher called "MAME" and it launches "d:\games\Mame\ZetaMAME32\ZetaMAME32en.exe" you can put an image named:
"MAME.jpg" or "ZetaMAME32en.jpg" in Q:\userdata\plugin_data\programs\Launcher\thumbs, and it will be the thumbnail of the launcher.
have fun!
leo
Rand Al Thor
2008-07-18, 20:30
Stilll does not seem to be working on my Vista 32bit machine. It crashes xbmc every time I try to add a program. I will let you know how linux goes later today. Cheers and thanks for all the hard work.
What is the syntax for this? There is no example given.Okay so I tested this out and it seems to work just fine. I'll do mnore extensive testing of it tonight.
I noticed when I tried setting a launcher when there in no \XBMC\userdata\plugin_data\programs\launcher\launc hers.xml already existing, it fails.
goku31640
2008-07-19, 09:49
Stilll does not seem to be working on my Vista 32bit machine. It crashes xbmc every time I try to add a program. I will let you know how linux goes later today. Cheers and thanks for all the hard work.
I have it running perfect in Vista 64 bit
Rand Al Thor
2008-07-19, 18:38
I finally got it working on Vista 32bit. I seems that you must manually add a launchers.xml to /documents and /settings/user/appdata/xbmc/userdata/plugin_data/programs/launcher/ I had already tried adding one to /xbmc/userdata/plugin_data/programs/launcher/
I tried it on my gentoo box briefly but when I went add a program it limited me to the xbmc folder and my media folder so I could not actually add the executable. I'm sure I can add it manually though, so I will try that later today and see what happens. Cheers.
danmedhurst
2008-07-19, 22:09
I'm looking at using this to do the following.. hoping it will....
I've built an HTPC and have been using Media Portal which i've added options to to launch Powerd DVD (for HD / bluray) and DVBViewer (For cable TV).. in there, mediaportal dissapears (does not close) and the app launches.. then when i close the app, mediaportal appears again.. is this possible with this plug in yet?
danmedhurst
2008-07-19, 22:12
By the way, i've played with xbmc on windows and with the install of IR Server Suite have my MCE remote working perfectly. it's playing everything i'm throwing at it including HD content.. well done guys!
danmedhurst
2008-07-20, 12:11
OK, i've got this working.. kind of.. added 2 apps which appear to launch however XBMC stays in front and i cant see anything.
But when i switch back to PM3 skin, and try to click on launchers.. XBMC crashes.
drowhunter
2008-07-22, 07:41
Hi, I'm glad to know that this plugin is usefull for someone.
I'll be happy to help solve problems in it, sorry for the delay in my answer.
1. The command prompt cannot be hidden - it's an XBMC system call that is out of my control.
2. the command prompt disappears immediately if the application was started on as a different process, it's depends on the application itself.
3. in order to launch standalone programs like firefox, etc there is need to create an empty launcher, and put the program as a rom for the launcher.
like this:
<launcher>
<name>PC</name>
<application></application>
<rompath></rompath>
<romext></romext>
<thumb></thumb>
<roms>
<rom>
<name>Firefox</name>
<filename>"c:\Program Files\Internet\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"</filename>
<thumb></thumb>
</rom>
</roms>
</launcher>
if the program is in "program files" or any other directory that has a space in the its name, a double quotes is needed.
4. the rompath is unused right now, so ignore it.
5. the thumb isn't working either. so ignore it.
6. this plugin can be easily support linux, about mac i'm not sure.
when I'll change it to support linux - I'll be happy if some linux guy will test it.
7. it's far away to be a beta, it's hardly an alpha version.
I'm planing to add an ability to configure everything from the XBMC and auto download images from the web.
I'll be happy to get more ideas.
leo
i got this off another thread
If you'd like to do away with the ugly black command prompt window you'll get from the batch file, you could try creating an AutoIt script. (Which you could even compile to an executable.)
http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/
Great scripting language, very powerful, and yet very easy to learn. =)
so apparently it is now under your control :)
I found a way to start an external process without the command prompt. The question is now should XBMC wait and do nothing until the process returns or shall it still run further.
I dunno about the side effects though but one can test both methods.
Gamester17
2008-07-22, 17:55
I found a way to start an external process without the command prompt. The question is now should XBMC wait and do nothing until the process returns or shall it still run further.If you can't make it optional then I think XBMC should just pause/freeze everything and wait until the process returns, ...and if you can make optional then the default should still be to pause/freeze everything and wait until the process returns. Preferably it should be a setting per application that is added; I mean if I started an game from XBMC then I would want XBMC to pause/freeze everything and wait until the process returns but if I started a webbrowser then I would still want XBMC to keep running in the background.
:nod:
By the way, how will that affect the other XBMC platforms (Linux, Mac, and Xbox)? ???
...is it possible to somehow implement parts of it as unified/playform-independent code?
If you can't make it optional then I think XBMC should just pause/freeze everything and wait until the process returns, ...and if you can make optional then the default should still be to pause/freeze everything and wait until the process returns. Preferably it should be a setting per application that is added; I mean if I started an game from XBMC then I would want XBMC to pause/freeze everything and wait until the process returns but if I started a webbrowser then I would still want XBMC to keep running in the background.
:nod:
By the way, how will that affect the other XBMC platforms (Linux, Mac, and Xbox)? ???
...is it possible to somehow implement parts of it as unified/playform-independent code?I agree 100%. I use Meedio as my main frontend at the moment. I launch many different apps from it. One such thing is like Gamester17 said, launching a browser. Maybe I am listening to music or watching a tvshow in XBMC, then I think I need to go online really quick. Well, I don't want the music or tvshow to stop, they could keep playing. For dual monitor people, the browser opens on the second monitor not interfering with what XBMC is doing. Then there might be times where XBMC freezes like playing a game. Optional per item would be the best way to go if possible. Meedio has that as an option and it is quite nice to have.
Gamester17
2008-07-22, 19:03
Meedio has that as an option and it is quite nice to have.Good point, GUI-wise we should maybe first check how MeediOS (http://www.meedios.com) (not Meedio) and MediaPortal (http://www.team-mediaportal.com) does to get some ideas.
I found a way to start an external process without the command prompt. The question is now should XBMC wait and do nothing until the process returns or shall it still run further.
I dunno about the side effects though but one can test both methods.I'd be happy to test the heck out of it, both ways.
Let's see. I would just implement it as python system command or as additional python command so the default behavior of XBMC won't change. What does XBMC does today if this plugin/script is started? Does it still play music? If yes not freezing it would play further (but of course needs to be tested).
@Gamester: the implementation would be similar to the already existing CUtil::Command for Linux (dunno if it's in use anywhere).
My implementation would be purely win32 unfortunately.
Would there be a way to have this tied to a menu item? So for example I can have a menu item called "SageTV" and when I select that item it opens SageTV?
Rand Al Thor
2008-07-22, 19:41
Would there be a way to have this tied to a menu item? So for example I can have a menu item called "SageTV" and when I select that item it opens SageTV?
You can quite easily write a python script to launch each app once they have all the bugs worked out. Then you can set a home button to execute for example firefox.py onclick. That is the way I currently have my linux XBMC box set up.
I'm not deep into python so I can't say how and if something might be possible but I can maybe offer two system commands (exec builtin) one waits for the script to exit and one just opening a shell (without the dos box).
Not sure if this will work but worth a try.
Gamester17
2008-07-22, 20:12
I would prefer the basic adding and launching of executables from XBMC's program section to be a native code function just like it is on the Xbox version of XBMC.
Rand Al Thor
2008-07-22, 21:29
I would prefer the basic adding and launching of executables from XBMC's program section to be a native code function just like it is on the Xbox version of XBMC.
I definitely agree with you there ;) I think it is inevitable but there are probably other things that are higher priority for the moment. It would be nice if xbmc could open an application inside xbmc as a sort of window manager. Similar to the way that linksbox worked on the original xbox. That way esc or back or whatever could always back out of the app to reveal xbmc's home screen. Not really sure about the inner workings of a project like this, my coding skills are very rusty. Anyway, just a few thoughts. Cheers.
I would prefer the basic adding and launching of executables from XBMC's program section to be a native code function just like it is on the Xbox version of XBMC.
Agreed but I dunno what the actual plannings are according to it. In the meanwhile I can help out with functions which are easy to implement.
...That way esc or back or whatever could always back out of the app to reveal xbmc's home screen...That is what I am doing now with the help of EventGhost. It would be nice if it was like you mentioned though. Right now I am doing this:
XBMC:
home screen
-> apps
->-> plugins
->->-> launcher
->->->-> myTV
->->->-> recordings
->->->-> guide
->->->-> schedule
Each one of those launchers goes to a specific SageTV screen. Then in SageTV if I hit back or power in that screen, it sends a command to Eventghost to find the XBMC window and restore it and Sage minimizes.
As you can see above I have to go into 3 menus to the launch programs. Since I can't set launcher plugin as a 'default' I have to do that every time I run XBMC. It will be nice to simplify that menu structure.
I prepared a small testbuild: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/xbmc/XBMC_win32_system_exec_wait.zip?use_mirror=osdn
system.exec: starts a shell without a dos box, XBMC runs further.
Problem: xbmc may not maximize after shell is closed. A way around has some tricky parts.
system.execwait: freezes XBMC until the shell returns. Since I can wait here for the shell to return I'm able to maximize XBMC again (at least it should work)
It's still not finalized because you can't pass arguments yet and you shouldn't use "" around the application path.
The shellexecuteex function allows it also to start a certain webpage with the default browser or do some other nice things which might be interesting (starting a process on another monitor :nod:).
Sorry for the dumb "not a coder" question. But how do I test with this .exe? Do we need to write a python script to use the new functions?
Just use the launcher script from this thread. leo might want to change it to execwait. depends on what fits better.
@Wiso
I used the launcher script unmodified to test your "test" .exe. I used it to launch Firefox which before caused the command prompt issue. It worked perfectly (after I removed the quotes around the launch item that the launcher puts there by default). Firefox opened and XBMC minimized to the taskbar. As you mentioned there is no way to get back to XBMC though. When I closed FireFox, XBMC stayed in the taskbar. I can get around this with EventGhost myself, but I don't know how others will do it. I know when I do this with Meedio, it does not minimize, the app that is called just comes in front and when it is closed Meedio is already there waiting. I'm guessing this isn't an option for XBMC though.
What else should I test with this?
XBMC with launcher plugin and SageTV in action:
http://www.vimeo.com/1392610
Don't have the plugin in front of me but you can search for system.exec inside the *.py files and replace it by system.execwait. This will freeze XBMC (doesn't matter if you don't need it) but allows XBMC to maximize again.
marlboroman1
2008-07-23, 12:23
I tried this out but after overwriting the XBMC .exe I get this error "Wlanapi.dll not found" did I get the wrong end of the stick???
grr, I've forgot to disable it in this build. The wlanapi is used to display information about the wlan hw. If you don't have wlan this dll isn't there (stupid MS). You can just copy it from somewhere I guess or insert a USB wlan stick and afterwards it should be there.
Next build will be of course without it ... hopefully :laugh:
marlboroman1
2008-07-23, 20:45
thanks downloaded the dll and got the plugin working seems to work well for firebox. I all so tried vuze which seem hit and miss it loaded once but took ages but if it was already running in the system tray it switch to it no problem. I all so tried IMG burn that work well.
Don't have the plugin in front of me but you can search for system.exec inside the *.py files and replace it by system.execwait. This will freeze XBMC (doesn't matter if you don't need it) but allows XBMC to maximize again.Okay, I did that. It does work well for Firefox. For SageTV, not so well. SageTV is already running in the system tray. When I "launch" it from within XBMC the screen flashes as if it launched the program, then goes back to XBMC, then switches to Sage. If I sleep Sage back to the system tray, XBMC does not restore itself. This makes sense as SageTV never actually quits. For me system.exec works better in this instance (with EvenGhost maximizing XBMC after Sage sleeps).
I'm not sure what you are monitoring for the launched app to close, but can you monitor if it is minimized and not closed?
I'm not sure what you are monitoring for the launched app to close, but can you monitor if it is minimized and not closed?
When I launch the application I got a process handle back. Without launching an app I won't get it so with the current implementation I can't monitor an app not launched via XBMC.
When I launch the application I got a process handle back. Without launching an app I won't get it so with the current implementation I can't monitor an app not launched via XBMC.If it was launched by XBMC can you monitor if it was minimized or not?
marlboroman1
2008-07-24, 02:42
I all so tried system.execwait which work much better Vuze, IMGburn and firefox all launched and exited quickly and with out problems bring back up xbmc.
Like kriker if in open my torrent client dont want have to close to get back to xbmc but rather minimize to the tray return to xbmc. I may want to check in on it to wile its running as well.
I hope a third way can be found which can incorporate minimising and sill allow return full screen to xbmc. I'd also like able to play my tunes will browsing the web or playing games or whatever the best of both options.
some this may be outside of the scope of this plugin and I just to say appreciate the work being put in on this and if above to seem demanding it isn't meant to be
If it was launched by XBMC can you monitor if it was minimized or not?
Honestly I can't say. There may be also options to find a minimized windows which isn't launched by XBMC but I have to dig deeper into MSDN to find something.
For now I would like to commit the exec and execwait to svn since it seems to work like assumed. I'll keep the minimized thing in mind since whenever XBMC will get a program section back those functions will be needed anyway.
Do I get it right if i belive that what you want is something like this:
1. rember/store XBMC:s windows state
2. launch some executable
3. When it terminates Xbmc should return to the previus state and get focus.
Then I have done parts 2 and 3 in vb code so there are API functions for it :). The trick would be to translate it to C++. Maybee the wmi class win32_process could be of some use
Thanks for the help but I found already some functions which could do the trick (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms632595(VS.85).aspx).
I don't like the WMI thingy but have already some wrapper prepared to us this also.
The big question is on how to implement it in XBMC with the least efforts.
What you've described is partly working already or could be implemented when saving the process handle somewhere. Bigger question would be the switching to already open programs and how to switch back.
Now that this plugin exists, would it be possible to extend its functionality for playing movies with an external player?
In general, would much work be required to add the external video player functionality?
In general, would much work be required to add the external video player functionality?
in XBMC yes but one could try to start a movieplayer with the launcher and execwait. Though I would recommend to strip all the unneeded stuff. using parameters is in svn (thanks Charly) and you have to wait for the next build.
Thanks Wiso. I look forward to what you come up with. I'd be happy to test anything before it goes to SVN, if you need it.
marlboroman1
2008-07-25, 01:17
has this been comited I just tried with rev 14420 and it doesn't seem to be implemented should it be?
http://pastebin.com/m7ed1ac77
I hope one of the ways of implementing this can include xbmc playing music wile using other apps. I also happy to do any testing needed to get this programs plugin working seamlessly or for a native implementation for that mater
The method itself is committed but exec builtin still uses the old system command.
With exec XBMC will run further and you can hear music but still I have to find a way to switch back to it.
marlboroman1
2008-07-25, 11:47
when I tested It was using command prompt still
when I tested It was using command prompt still
That's what I said. The method is in Win32Utils.cpp already but Utils.cpp makes no use of it now. The last commit would be the one for Utils.cpp and this isn't done yet, right.
marlboroman1
2008-07-25, 12:36
sorry, I get you now, cheers for all the work your putting in on this :grin:
Hello there,
1.
I've been busy lately and there was no progress with the plugin.
I read that there is an "system.execwait" functionality and I would change "Launcher" to use it as soon as it will be in the svn build of xbmc.
- does it work also under linux?
2.
I have some difficult to add thumbnails auto download from net, and that because there is no way to show images from urls.
I'm trying to add "thumbnailImage="http://blabla/bla.jpg" to the ListItem and it ignore it. and show no thumb.
when I moved this plugin to run under pictures plugins, it worked.
I'll be happy if XBMC guys will make it work under "Programs" as well.
3.
I think it should be very easy to use external movie player.
just add new "File Launcher", set it's application to be the external player,
set the file path to the movies folder, set the rom extension to "avi" and it will work.
I'll be happy to hear some ideas and feature requests about my plugin.
1. I dont know.
2. Image sources from http don't work. (Actually, they never have.)
3. Assuming the remote launching works, this would be possible via a plugin.
1.
Not yet in svn but there's build in the wild. execwait isn't yet there for Linux but I saw some code which might do that but you have to ask the Linux developer.
2.
No clue. Maybe other devs can answer if it's a bug or feature?
3.
The new exec function needs internally the command line separated by application and parameters. Charly wrote some stuff but we didn't test it yet how and if this works with the plugin.
2. Image sources from http don't work. (Actually, they never have.)
in the Apple Movie Trailers Plugin image sources work fine.
If you'll ask me - it's a bug.
yes, its always worked from a script because they get cached by the script before being converted into a texture. that's different than converting them into an image texture for display in a gui xml file, or in the slideshow. admittedly this should work if the image is first downloaded onto one of the cache drives and then converted into an image texture, but its never been coded to do that. its not something that's broken, hence its not a bug. feel free to provide a patch.
I don't think so. I still think it's a bug.
my plugin show url images correctly when it's in pictures plugins folder but doesn't show url images at all when it's in programs plugins folder.
never mind, i changed my code to download thumbs to a folder and then to show it.
download link:
http://leo212.googlepages.com/Launcher0.22beta.zip
The major change is the ability to search & download thumbnail images for any launcher or a rom.
The search engine used is YAHOO Images, but the plugin built that search engines can be added easily.
This is beta version, that means that no more features planned to be added to the plugin.
I'll be thankful to know if there are any bugs or some other requests.
I'll also be thankful if this plugin will be available in the XBMC official plugins.
Screenshots:
http://leo212.googlepages.com/screenshot1.PNG
http://leo212.googlepages.com/screenshot2.PNG
http://leo212.googlepages.com/screenshot3.PNG
TODO to final version:
- move all strings to language.xml file
- fix bugs.
- remove unnecessary dialog boxes.
- use system.execnowait when it will be available in XBMC.
leo
jmarshall
2008-07-26, 03:15
In pictures the thumbs can be generated from the http:// urls of the items because the thumbloader loads the pictures from the url - it does not use the thumbnailimage for this.
In programs obviously this doesn't happen.
The texture manager can only load local images - they have to be cached first. What we'd need is a "thumbnail source" specified so the thumb loaders know where to get them from for caching.
Cheers
Jonathan
JackieBrown
2008-07-26, 05:38
When I try to run it, it looks like it starts to loads but quits before anything happens.
Turning on debugging info shows this error
self._handle = (int(sys.argv[ 1 ])
AttributeError:'module' object has no attribute 'arvg
This is using the ubuntu hardy ppa svn repos.
SVN # 14418
ninebr34ker
2008-07-26, 05:51
if you wanted to incorperate it into the plugin I have some database files used in gameex have have a ridiculous amount of organized game info. They are in microsoft access format.
When I try to run it, it looks like it starts to loads but quits before anything happens.
Turning on debugging info shows this error
self._handle = (int(sys.argv[ 1 ])
AttributeError:'module' object has no attribute 'arvg
This is using the ubuntu hardy ppa svn repos.
SVN # 14418
can u send the full log please. (use pastebin or something like that)
if you wanted to incorperate it into the plugin I have some database files used in gameex have have a ridiculous amount of organized game info. They are in microsoft access format.
How do I access this DB?
drowhunter
2008-07-29, 09:45
I must say I love your plugin. But I have a few questions/thoughts
1. Is there any way to use google images as a search engine instead.
2. When doing a search for images for my roms it doesnt pull up any results, but if i search for the thumbs for the actual games it works ( it seems to work at the highest level but not for roms)
3. Has anyone gotten the launcher to run under Aeon , or PM3?
I add the launcher to the favorites, in mc360 then switch back to PM3 and when i click on the little arrow favourites pops up with launcher in it but when i select it it crashes(possibly for the same reasons that 4 crashes below)
4. I wondered if it were possible to have a shortcut on the skin for example the games button on mc360 directly launch the launcher plugin
I opened the xml file for that view
C:\XBMC\skin\MC360\PAL16x9\custom1112_GamesHome.xm l
and noticed that the games page was launched with an ActivateWindow(1,Games) so I looked through the xbmc.log file and noticed that when I launched the launcher this command was invoked
ActivateWindow(10001,plugin://programs/Launcher/)
so I replaced the default gamelauncher code "ActivateWindow(1,Games)" with "ActivateWindow(10001,plugin://programs/Launcher/)"
theoretically i thought it would work but xbmc actually crashes, any ideas?
Just FYI I've committed the recent code to the svn. Also exec.system will now minimize and afterwards maximize XBMC. Still you can't switch to a iconized app or minimize it to go back to XBMC.
Also execwait doesn't freeze XBMC (I forgot all the other threads beside the main thread :cool:) so I still have to implement that XBMC pauses if this is used.
So sorry for the lack of news :rolleyes:
marlboroman1
2008-07-29, 14:06
using the launcher unmodified (system.exec) I tested this last night on rev14546 it work fine the first time but launching a second time the returning did not. work.
I had my tunes manually maximizing XBMC if it doesn't return works well enough this seem very stable and usable now.
I hope its going to be optional whether to use system.exec or system.execwait from the GUI ether in plugin options or perhaps a way set condition for each app.
ps off topic
has any on notice extremely long loading times rev14546 30 seconds plus???
4. I wondered if it were possible to have a shortcut on the skin for example the games button on mc360 directly launch the launcher plugin...Yes you can, there is a thread I started about that already (http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35128). Jmarshall gave me the code for it. It isActivateWindow(Programs,plugin://programs/Launcher)
I hope its going to be optional whether to use system.exec or system.execwait from the GUI ether in plugin options or perhaps a way set condition for each app.I also hope it can be set per application that is launched. Some things will make sense to pause XBMC, other will not.
mmh, multiple calls worked fine for me, have to check that.
According to the settings of exec or execwait, this needs to be in the plugin settings. I can just offer the possible functions.
...
According to the settings of exec or execwait, this needs to be in the plugin settings. I can just offer the possible functions.Exactly, and thank you for doing so.
1. Is there any way to use google images as a search engine instead.
sure, but it's need some coding.
1. you'll need to replicate YAHOO folder (under search_engines) and named it "Google".
2. then edit search_engine.py, replace the url with the google rss images search string. (I don't know what is it, you'll have to check)
3. finally, replace the Result, Title and Url tags according to the XML given by google.
every beginning programmer should be able to do that.
2. When doing a search for images for my roms it doesnt pull up any results, but if i search for the thumbs for the actual games it works ( it seems to work at the highest level but not for roms)
the search for the roms composed of the launcher name and the rom name.
that means - if you named your launcher "MAME" and your rom "bobble" the search string will be "booble MAME".
3. Has anyone gotten the launcher to run under Aeon , or PM3?
I add the launcher to the favorites, in mc360 then switch back to PM3 and when i click on the little arrow favourites pops up with launcher in it but when i select it it crashes(possibly for the same reasons that 4 crashes below)
I had the same problem, i removed the plugin from programs section, removed it also from favorites, added the plugin again, and added to favorites within the MC360 gui, and then switched back to the PM3, it worked.
4. I wondered if it were possible to have a shortcut on the skin for example the games button on mc360 directly launch the launcher plugin
I don't sure about the syntax but i think you should do something like:
<onclick>XBMC.RunPlugin(plugin://programs/Launcher/?LAUNCHERNAME/ROMNAME)</onclick>
replace LAUNCHERNAME and ROMNAME with the values that you need.
WiSo,
1. I'm not sure I understood, can I use system.exec and execwait from the last svn build of XBMC?
2. How can I upload my plugin into the main repo of XBMC plugins? so it would be available for everyone easily
thanks,
leo
Gamester17
2008-07-29, 23:42
@leo2, PM Nuka1195 and/or Blittan to get write access, just make sure it does not break the Xbox version if meant as a replacement, (if it does then release it under a different name such as for example "emuLauncher Win32 Mod")
@leo2, PM Nuka1195 and/or Blittan to get write access, just make sure it does not break the Xbox version if meant as a replacement, (if it does then release it under a different name such as for example "emuLauncher Win32 Mod")
I have no way to check it on Xbox, but I'm sure it won't work there - because it doesn't use XBMC.Runxbe.
Should I change it to support Xbox ? I'll need someone to test it for that.
meanwhile, I think it's the best to call it Launcher-Win32. (emuLauncher is already used in some other script)
landj9697
2008-07-30, 00:55
I must say I love your plugin. But I have a few questions/thoughts
1. Is there any way to use google images as a search engine instead.
2. When doing a search for images for my roms it doesnt pull up any results, but if i search for the thumbs for the actual games it works ( it seems to work at the highest level but not for roms)
3. Has anyone gotten the launcher to run under Aeon , or PM3?
I add the launcher to the favorites, in mc360 then switch back to PM3 and when i click on the little arrow favourites pops up with launcher in it but when i select it it crashes(possibly for the same reasons that 4 crashes below)
4. I wondered if it were possible to have a shortcut on the skin for example the games button on mc360 directly launch the launcher plugin
I opened the xml file for that view
C:\XBMC\skin\MC360\PAL16x9\custom1112_GamesHome.xm l
and noticed that the games page was launched with an ActivateWindow(1,Games) so I looked through the xbmc.log file and noticed that when I launched the launcher this command was invoked
ActivateWindow(10001,plugin://programs/Launcher/)
so I replaced the default gamelauncher code "ActivateWindow(1,Games)" with "ActivateWindow(10001,plugin://programs/Launcher/)"
theoretically i thought it would work but xbmc actually crashes, any ideas?
In regards to questions 3, I have gotten this work on Aeon by going into the Games" section, but I am experiencing the same issues as you when trying to launch it from the "Favorites" menu in PM3.
WiSo,
1. I'm not sure I understood, can I use system.exec and execwait from the last svn build of XBMC?
Nope. It's committed to svn but there isn't a new build yet. Charly and I tried to compile a new one but we experienced problems with other components not related to the change ofc (AMT not working in release but in debug).
At the moment it's like fixing one thing but getting three new bugs. :sad:
drowhunter
2008-07-31, 03:59
If i could make one suggestion. Is it possible when you do a thumb search for the results to be shown as thumbnails?
drowhunter
2008-07-31, 04:25
Crap I have a problem. I just built XBMCSetup-Rev14605.exe
and i decided to do a clean reinstall
i went to mc360 to add the plugin to my favorites and there is not plugins option anymore .
Kricker, AWESOME setup there with the SageTV. Just what I would like as well. Almost worth going to windows for my FireDTV box to work :p
In any case, you used EventGhost right. Does that launch SageTV if it isn't launched already and if it is, it just maximizes it and go to the correct section?
Would you mind sharing your EventGhost configuration? (if that is a doable as a file, was a while since I used it) :)
Cheers.
I just remembered I have a DVDViewer license, which suits me better since I want DVB and teletext subtitle support.
Ahhh excellent, now I have something to fiddle with during the weekend :D
I would not mind that configuration though, if possible :)
If i could make one suggestion. Is it possible when you do a thumb search for the results to be shown as thumbnails?
It's very difficult, there isn't builtin display of thumbs in XBMC, so the thumb select will have to be a separate plugin or a script.
even if I'll create thumbs preview plugin there isn't an easy way to pass it the list of the thumbs and to retrieve the selected thumb back to the Launcher plugin.
I'll try to think more about this. but I don't think I'll find something easier.
Crap I have a problem. I just built XBMCSetup-Rev14605.exe
and i decided to do a clean reinstall
i went to mc360 to add the plugin to my favorites and there is not plugins option anymore .
I think you ment Rev14125, there isn't Rev14605 in the releases download.
I have Rev14125 and it works fine with the plugin.
It's very difficult, there isn't builtin display of thumbs in XBMC, so the thumb select will have to be a separate plugin or a script.
even if I'll create thumbs preview plugin there isn't an easy way to pass it the list of the thumbs and to retrieve the selected thumb back to the Launcher plugin.
I'll try to think more about this. but I don't think I'll find something easier.
I might be able to show thumbs preview, but I have difficults with showing thumbs from url's, if there is any programmer who can help me, I'll be glad:
Here is my code that creates that thumb list:
listitem = xbmcgui.ListItem( "%s (%s) " % (result["title"], result["url"]), iconImage="DefaultProgram.png", thumbnailImage=result["thumb"])
xbmcplugin.addDirectoryItem( handle=int( self._handle ), url="%s?%s/%s" % (self._path, launcherName, romname), listitem=listitem, isFolder=False, totalItems=total)
the result["thumb"] contains the url of the thumbnail image.
but the list appears with default icons instead of the thumbnail image.
I tried to cache them with "urllib.urlretrieve( result["thumb"] )" but it didn't work either.
marlboroman1
2008-08-01, 00:51
Crap I have a problem. I just built XBMCSetup-Rev14605.exe
and i decided to do a clean reinstall
i went to mc360 to add the plugin to my favorites and there is not plugins option anymore .
I wish I had read your post more carefully I did a clean install to check on what the problem might be on rev14610 now I to have no add plugin option progames ether :blush: and there is no "progames" folder in C:\Program Files\XBMC\plugins\
Guys!
Explain stupid one how install it and make it works/
drowhunter
2008-08-01, 01:25
Upon closer investigation. When I install 14125 it creates sources.xml in the Userdata dir
which apparently isnt the userdata dir in the xbmc folder. rather its located here
C:\Users\{UserName}\AppData\Roaming\XBMC\UserData
anyway that sources had options for the plugins they look like
<programs>
<default></default>
<source>
<name>Program Plugins</name>
<path>plugin://programs/</path>
</source>
</programs>
as soon as I installed the one I built myself rev14605. It doesnt have the plugin option during install like 14125 does. And after installing it i lost the plugins options.
I looked at the sources.xml file and it now looked like
<programs>
<default></default>
</programs>
i replaced the plugin options and now i see the option again
ninebr34ker
2008-08-01, 03:32
How do I access this DB?
Okay well I use microsoft access to access it though you might be able to acess it through an opensource alternative. To edit it. Now as far as incorperating it into the program, I have no clue, but if we can figure out how, then as a cross platform solution it'd be an unrivalled emulator solution if it gets put into xbmc
Also, even converting it manually to a usable solution might be a good idea. I can atleast help with that. Do you know anything about having a script like this reference a database file?
ninebr34ker
2008-08-01, 03:36
http://www.box.net/shared/mj8kaijkkw Thats the gameboy advance database, they are very easy to setup
http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/
there isn't any changes from the last version.
but it's easier to download updates and you can checkout svn version anytime.
I've committed to the plugin's svn a support for xbox.
checkout using:
svn checkout http://xbmc-launcher.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ xbmc-launcher-read-only
I would be happy if someone with an xbox would test it.
thanks.
thanks to Nuka1195, now you can browse thumbnail search results and see the thumbnail image before downloading.
download url:
http://xbmc-launcher.googlecode.com/files/Launcher0.3beta.zip
or directly from svn.
the version also contains an untested support in xbox.
Thanks for the SVN links leo2.
I am a bit new to making the XBMC win32 builds, and I have a question:
I have the SVN checkout of this plugin on a folder called "launcher" inside a plugins\programs folder. This plugins folder is the root folder for the build process so all the plugins contained within get added to the build. When I get the SVN for launcher it makes another folder called "Launcher" within itself, so the path becomes:
plugins\programs\launcher\LauncherIs there a way around this so the path is only:plugins\programs\Launcher
I am using the current SVN, which it said was at revision 4.
I am starting with a clean install, no launchers.xml file. I enter launcher then use the pop-up to try to add a .bat file. No .bat files will show up under either program or file launcher. If you cancel out without adding anything XBMC will just sit there as if it is locked up. I have to use the task manager to kill XBMC.
davidw89
2008-08-04, 10:48
1. copy Launcher directory into "Plugins/programs folder"
2. run XBMC and launch the plugin from "Programs" section.
(if programs section isn't available, switch to MC360 skin, go to Games->Applications, mark Launcher as Favorite and switch back to your default skin)
1. Done that
2. I can't find the plugins anywhere..
3. How do i switch to MC360 skin?
thank you
I am a bit new to making the XBMC win32 builds, and I have a question:
I have the SVN checkout of this plugin on a folder called "launcher" inside a plugins\programs folder. This plugins folder is the root folder for the build process so all the plugins contained within get added to the build. When I get the SVN for launcher it makes another folder called "Launcher" within itself, so the path becomes:
plugins\programs\launcher\LauncherIs there a way around this so the path is only:plugins\programs\LauncherGot it figured out. I just needed to think about it for a minute.
1. Done that
2. I can't find the plugins anywhere..
3. How do i switch to MC360 skin?
thank you
3. you need to download & install it first. try google, i don't remember where is it.
then you should go to settings->appearance->skin and choose MC360
I am using the current SVN, which it said was at revision 4.
I am starting with a clean install, no launchers.xml file. I enter launcher then use the pop-up to try to add a .bat file. No .bat files will show up under either program or file launcher. If you cancel out without adding anything XBMC will just sit there as if it is locked up. I have to use the task manager to kill XBMC.
I've just try to recreate the bug... it popup to try to add a .bat or .exe file, I added an exe and it appears correctly.
When I canceled it got stuck, It's a bug. but it happens only when there is no launchers at all. once you add a launcher, it should stuck anymore.
I've just try to recreate the bug... it popup to try to add a .bat or .exe file, I added an exe and it appears correctly.
When I canceled it got stuck, It's a bug. but it happens only when there is no launchers at all. once you add a launcher, it should stuck anymore.Can you see .bat files when you try to add a new launcher?
Can you see .bat files when you try to add a new launcher?
oh, sorry, only exe. but it's a simple fix, here... done.
now you can add .bat in svn.
I am not sure what's going on, but over the last week launcher is not working with any svn or even the new build 14676. Whenever I try to "launch" an app, it just opens the XBMC install folder. Is launcher still working for others using newer svns or the current build?
Figured it out. The new code Wiso has no longer needs the application surrounded by quotes (I believe he mentioned this in an earlier post in this thread for his test code). The script adds the quotes by default.
@Wiso
Any idea when arguments will be supported for the applications launched?
@Wiso
Any idea when arguments will be supported for the applications launched?
Charly added some code which should already work. I assume it's a windows syntax like:
"c:\program\bla\foo.exe" /switch
Unfortunately I dunno if the script can send this string with the quotes. Maybe we still have to alter it somewhat to work.
I tried it with the current build as:<application>C:\Program Files\EventGhost\EventGhost.exe</application>
<args>-e myTV</args>
And I got an error saying it could not find 'C:\Program Files\EventGhost\EventGhost.exe -e myTV'.
Try now again with quotes. It interprets the whole string as application which isn't the case. The quotes help matching the args ... hopefully.
I tried it with the quotes around the application as well. When I did that, it doesn't work at all. I get what I posted about above. The XBMC install folder just opens.
Or are you saying you just changed something in SVN, and I should try it with quotes with that version and not build 14676.
build 14676 contains all changes. The question is if the plugin forwards the right string to XBMC.
As said it has to be in the format: "c:\program\foo\bla.exe" /parameters.
The quotes are needed to separate program from parameters which is unfortunately needed for ShellExecute.
I'm a bit confused. The old execute code allowed for launcher to have "" in the <application> tag. So then it would pass the application and arguments properly. The new code no longer allows for "" in the <application> tag which I assume is because you add the quotes.
So which needs to happen, launcher code change or execute code change?
futaihikage
2008-08-08, 01:26
I got this working on the previous SVN, but the one that's currently posted, I think its SVN 14676, I did a clean install of the program, but I can't get the plugin to work anymore. Was wondering if I'm doing something wrong, below are steps I did
1) Did a new clean SVN 14676 install
2) Run XMBC once and exited so that it would create the necessary folders
3) downloaded the latest launcher beta
4) copied launcher folder to :C:\Program Files\XBMC\plugins\programs
This is the point where I get hung up. the plugin doesnt show up in the PM III skin. I downloaded the MC360 skin, installed it and went to the Games blade and went to application section, but what do I do there? Can anyone show me how they made a favourite of the plugin? Or am I just doing it wrong all together?
I don't use the 360 skin but in other skins once you enter the program section you need to choose add source. Look for plugins, then launcher. After you have launcher as a source, you can then use launcher to make the shortcuts you want. After that you will need to open the launchers.xml file and remove the quotes from all the <application> tags, due to the script and execute code not being in sync with one another at the moment.
I've fixed the plugin to support rev14676.
now - no longer quotes is added to the application file or arguments.
it also has an option whether to use "Exec" or "ExecWait".
but unfortunately the XBMC is now minimized when using either exec or execwait and never returning back until switch manually with ALT-TAB.
is it a bug, or should I use System.Exec other way?
The fix is committed to the svn.
it also has some minor bug fixes.
I've fixed the plugin to support rev14676.
now - no longer quotes is added to the application file or arguments.
it also has an option whether to use "Exec" or "ExecWait".
but unfortunately the XBMC is now minimized when using either exec or execwait and never returning back until switch manually with ALT-TAB.
is it a bug, or should I use System.Exec other way?
The fix is committed to the svn.
it also has some minor bug fixes.
Will this work with arguments as Wiso posted above?
Will this work with arguments as Wiso posted above?
yes
yes
Great. I just tested and indeed it did work. Thanks!
but unfortunately the XBMC is now minimized when using either exec or execwait and never returning back until switch manually with ALT-TAB.
is it a bug, or should I use System.Exec other way?
XBMC should maximize when the started application is closed. Minimizing the app is currently not enough. It's a bug if you exit the application and XBMC isn't maximizing.
I downloaded XBMC for windows + the MC360 skin got those working, but there just does not seem to be a way to see the .py file from inside xbmc (as I understand this is the executable it should be looking for)
I tried XBMC build 14676 on two different computers one with windows XP and one with Vista 32 bit.
on both machines it's I copied the launcher folder inside "C:\Program Files\XBMC\plugins\programs files"
Also, I tried tree different versions of the Launcher plugin, now I'm at beta 0.3
Then when I'm inside XBMC I navigate to the Games tab, then Applications and I go to Add Source.. add the launcher folder as a source, then I see an icon called launcher but when I go in there all I see are a few more directories (no actual files of any sort) I added it to the Favorites as the install.txt mention, but there seems to be no place to access the favorites anyway. Isn't there a simple way to start a plugin in xbmc? or one that work?
Thanks.
I downloaded XBMC for windows + the MC360 skin got those working, but there just does not seem to be a way to see the .py file from inside xbmc (as I understand this is the executable it should be looking for)
I tried XBMC build 14676 on two different computers one with windows XP and one with Vista 32 bit.
on both machines it's I copied the launcher folder inside "C:\Program Files\XBMC\plugins\programs files"
Also, I tried tree different versions of the Launcher plugin, now I'm at beta 0.3
Then when I'm inside XBMC I navigate to the Games tab, then Applications and I go to Add Source.. add the launcher folder as a source, then I see an icon called launcher but when I go in there all I see are a few more directories (no actual files of any sort) I added it to the Favorites as the install.txt mention, but there seems to be no place to access the favorites anyway. Isn't there a simple way to start a plugin in xbmc? or one that work?
Thanks.
You can access favorites using the Arrow icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Or you can use an other skin that has "Programs" section and access "Launcher" directly.
I am really sorry, but this thing does not seem to see launcher as a program on my computer, the closest I've been to running it was when I went to the filemanager, which seems to be the only place I can see anything else than the directories in xbmc, and then I browsed to the launcher folder and doubleclicked default.py... then I saw a pop dialog called launcher... but it just vanish after a few seconds :sniffle:
When I go to the favorites I get two launcher entries but neiter of them seems to do anything (I get to a screen called Programs, but the list is empty and there is no apparent controls).
1. Switch to MC360 Skin
2. Go to Games -> Applications -> Add Source -> Browse -> Program Plugins
3. Select Launcher and Click "OK"
4. Click OK Again.
5. Right Click on "Launcher" Icon
6. Choose "Add to Favorites"
7. Switch back to PMIII Skin.
8. Click on the Arrow in the bottom right corner
9. Choose "Launcher"
If something fails - please tell me what step number is it?
Great news for linux users.
Launcher is now working (even working great) under linux.
Tested with Ubuntu Hardy.
the version available now only via the svn:
svn checkout http://xbmc-launcher.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ xbmc-launcher-read-only
I'll create a downloaded version later.
One important thing - you should run this command in order that the plugin will work.
sudo ln -sf /usr/lib/libcurl.so.4 /usr/lib/libcurl.so
enjoy.
marlboroman1
2008-08-10, 13:39
2. Go to Games -> Applications -> Add Source -> Browse -> Program Plugins
the above is the problem as in recent XBMC for windows builds it doesn't exist Any one who's done a fresh install or installed XBMC or installed it for the first time recently can't use program plugins.
In the XBMC plugins directory their is no programs sub directory maybe this may a fault with the "build setup bat" and it has not been noticed because the devs don't build XBMC using it.
Just to reiterate their is no add plugin source in add source dialog any more and it wont work if you add the files. I think this has been posted in the xbox and linux forum as well so it may be a problem there as well.
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35599&highlight=plugins
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35199&highlight=plugins
ok, I found how to load the Programs plugins, they need to be in the folder called "programs" which was not created automatically by the build I installed... and when I went to add a source in the xb360 skin the "Add Programs plugin" was hidden... so now I see the launcher and it seems to run, but it does something different depending where I place it (I first ran it from the plugins\video" folder as a test) anway, when I run it from the Video folder I get a stack option on the left side and some kind of darker rectangle at the bottom... but nothing to interact with... when it's in the programs folder I just get a blank screen ...
Where is that .xml file you guys were talking about earlier supposed to be? (don't see anything new is userdata)
I think I'm close to getting the programs list this launcher is all about!
Where is that .xml file you guys were talking about earlier supposed to be? (don't see anything new is userdata)
c:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\Application Data\XBMC\UserData\plugin_data\programs\Launcher\s ettings.xml
frostwork
2008-08-10, 19:08
hi leo2!
thank you very very much for making your launcher-plugin working under linux!
it works really great! :)
i have some questions/"reports" anyway:
- is there a possibility to create sub-directories or even sub-directories of sub-directories within the launcher? (f.e. games/aracade, games/jump&run, apps/browser and so on)
- is there a way to open other python apps via Launcher/xbmc?
- when the thumb-search plugin doesn't find a valid picture on yahoo, xbmc waits forever.
- some apps/games launched from xbmc (both with Launcher and via python-start script) are not able to scale up to fullscreen and open in window mode instead. i wonder if it could help/is possible to iconify xbmc before the app is started
- some apps/games can't open audiodevice
Thanks for your testing & reports.
- is there a possibility to create sub-directories or even sub-directories of sub-directories within the launcher? (f.e. games/aracade, games/jump&run, apps/browser and so on)
No, sorry. I wanted, but it makes the implemention very difficult so I gave up.
Maybe I'll add this feature in the future.
- is there a way to open other python apps via Launcher/xbmc?
sure, just add /usr/bin/python and enter the python filename in the "Arguments" section.
(you'll have to create a symlink to /usr/bin/python in your home directory, I think XBMC won't allow browsing into / directory)
You may also add Python as File Launcher add python files to it manually.
- when the thumb-search plugin doesn't find a valid picture on yahoo, xbmc waits forever.
I guess it's a bug. I'll hope to fix it soon.
- some apps/games launched from xbmc (both with Launcher and via python-start script) are not able to scale up to fullscreen and open in window mode instead. i wonder if it could help/is possible to iconify xbmc before the app is started
Currently I have no way to minimize XBMC window. I'm running XBMC without GNOME (Just On X) and it works great without minimizing.
If XBMC guys will develop a Minimize Builtin Function, I'll be able to use it.
some apps/games can't open audiodevice
Sorry, I Don't know what is wrong, I didn't notice in my apps.
It's probably an Conflict with XBMC. I have no clue how to fix it. please send me the name of the app or games so I can try recreate this bug in my machine.
1.0 Beta Released:
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?p=208057#post208057
frostwork
2008-08-10, 20:29
Hi leo2!
Thanks a lot for your replies! (you're damn fast btw :) )
No, sorry. I wanted, but it makes the implemention very difficult so I gave up.
Maybe I'll add this feature in the future.
Ah, ok! I just was curious :)
sure, just add /usr/bin/python and enter the python filename in the "Arguments" section.
(you'll have to create a symlink to /usr/bin/python in your home directory, I think XBMC won't allow browsing into / directory)
You may also add Python as File Launcher add python files to it manually.
Sorry, I didn't express very well. I just noticed that if i launch a terminal (or
worker and from there a terminal) from Launcher/xbmc f.e.
emerge ("gentoo package management system" - using python alot) doesn't work as it should.
Currently I have no way to minimize XBMC window. I'm running XBMC without GNOME (Just On X) and it works great without minimizing.>If XBMC guys will develop a Minimize Builtin Function, I'll be able to use it.
when not using awesome or xfce which i use here atm, but only launching
xbmc into X i have the problem, that the apps i launch from xbmc don't
get the mouse/keyboard as xbmc still occupies them.
very likely that i should make a better startscript though :)
Sorry, I Don't know what is wrong, I didn't notice in my apps.
It's probably an Conflict with XBMC. I have no clue how to fix it. please send me the name of the app or games so I can try recreate this bug in my machine.
some days back several apps launched with a pythonscript from xbmc
didn't have sound. today only "chromium bsu" doesn't have sound, which
probably comes from an occupied oss (alsa-emu) driver.
maybe this is already fixed and i reported too fast ???
marlboroman1
2008-08-10, 21:03
ok, I found how to load the Programs plugins, they need to be in the folder called "programs" which was not created automatically by the build I installed !
I tried that must of spelt "Programs" wrong or put a space in front of it or something.....oopps But I don't mind being wrong as long as I get working in the end :grin:
it would be nice if xbmc could ship with a programs plugin folder and menu entry in home in PM3 as it now has the same functionality as the xbox with this plugin
frostwork
2008-08-10, 21:21
Sorry, I didn't express very well. I just noticed that if i launch a terminal (or
worker and from there a terminal) from Launcher/xbmc f.e.
emerge ("gentoo package management system" - using python alot) doesn't work as it should.
another good example is "kiki the nanobot"
Its a very nice python-using game, which doesn't launch correctly from xbmc.
some days back several apps launched with a pythonscript from xbmc
didn't have sound. today only "chromium bsu" doesn't have sound, which
probably comes from an occupied oss (alsa-emu) driver.
maybe this is already fixed and i reported too fast ???
found an other one: marbleblastgold-demo starts here w/o sound
(and windowed)
The 1.0 beta is the first one that works for me! It's great! it ads a feature that should be in XBMC by default...
amerrykan
2008-08-24, 02:18
I've been trying for some time, but I still can't get this to work. I'm in the MC360 skin, I got to Games, choose Add Source, but Plugins isn't an option. I've double- and triple-checked my previous steps and cannot figure out what's wrong, the plugin appears to be unzipped to the right place.
Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? I'm dying to get games launching from XBMC!
marlboroman1
2008-08-24, 02:32
you need to make the folder "C:\Program Files\XBMC\plugins\Programs" and put the launcher inside it. Then you well have a plugin option in add source
are you using the latest one?
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35739
I'm currently using the MediaStream skin, which as a Programs section and Games, Emulators and Apps subsections.
As I understood from reading the forums, the Programs section is still not in use for windows, but we can use the plugin Launcher to load external applications.
This may do the basic trick, but i would like to have some organization on the programs that I use, and the separation in Apps, Games and Emulators would be enough for me now. This leads me to my question...
Is it possible to duplicate the Launcher plugin so that i can change the skin to call XBMC.ActivateWindow(Programs,plugin://programs/AppsLauncher), XBMC.ActivateWindow(Programs,plugin://programs/EmusLauncher) or XBMC.ActivateWindow(Programs,plugin://programs/GamesLauncher)
or
Is it possible to create something like a folder structure inside the launcher plugin and call XBMC.ActivateWindow(Programs,plugin://programs/Launcher/Apps), ...
Thank you!
Cláudio Silva
Ok... I should have searched a lit more before posting the question...
I was "afraid" at first to look into the plugin code because i do not know how to program in Python but as I dug into the code saw a little variable called BASE_CURRENT_SOURCE_PATH. Changing this allowed me to duplicate the plugin and have different programs in apps, games and emulators.
Thank you anyway!
PS: I'm just starting to use the XBMC but starting to be very convinced that this is the best media center software!
logopolis
2008-10-22, 20:55
Cláudio,
I just recently installed XBMC for the first time, and I've been wondering about the same thing. Can you describe what you did in a bit more detail?
feerlessleadr
2008-10-22, 22:14
I don't want to start a new thread for this so I will ask it in here so I hope the OP doesn't mind.
When I finally build my HTPC, will this program allow me to launch CyberDVD or PowerDVD to play BluRay movies from within XBMC?
thanks
First I duplicated the Launcher folder within the plugins folder (C:\Program Files\XBMC\plugins\programs).
Then I changed the __plugin__ constant that you can find in the default.py file, just to be sure that it wouldn't cause any confusion to what plugin I was using in XBMC (maybe some developer or the plugin creator can clarify if this is realy necessary).
Finally, in the resources\lib\launcher_plugin.py file modified the line
BASE_CURRENT_SOURCE_PATH = xbmc.translatePath( os.path.join( "P:\\plugin_data", "programs", sys.modules[ "__main__" ].__plugin__, "Launcher.xml" ) )
to
BASE_CURRENT_SOURCE_PATH = xbmc.translatePath( os.path.join( "P:\\plugin_data", "programs", sys.modules[ "__main__" ].__plugin__, "AppsLauncher.xml" ) )
This should be right on the beginning of the file in line 27. This will change the file where all launcher definitions are stored.
This worked for me and seems to be stable, but as i am not the creator of the plugin, there may be more that needs to be changed to ensure that everything works perfectly.
Hope this helps!
Hi!
Thanks for the plugin, it works pretty good for me (Linux)! One problem though...
I can search for thumbs and save them for the launchers - they get shown, but it doesn't work for roms. I can search them and I can select a thumb, but it doesn't get saved to the thumbnail dir. The thumb filename for the roms show up in launchers.xml, but are not present in the thumbnail dir.
Any hints?
Thanks!
Hi!
Thanks for the plugin, it works pretty good for me (Linux)! One problem though...
I can search for thumbs and save them for the launchers - they get shown, but it doesn't work for roms. I can search them and I can select a thumb, but it doesn't get saved to the thumbnail dir. The thumb filename for the roms show up in launchers.xml, but are not present in the thumbnail dir.
Any hints?
Thanks!
try to setup different thumbnail folder using "Plugin Settings"
Hey there,
at first, sorry for my bad english :(
I use the Launcher plugin, at the moment i navigate like these:
APPS -> Program Plugins -> Launcher -> MYPROGRAM
I really want the MYPROGRAM on the mainsite of XBMC like:
MOVIES TVSERIES APPS GAMES MUSIC MYPROGRAM SETTINGS
Im using the skin AEON.
Thanks a lot !!!
B.R
Matthias
Hey there,
at first, sorry for my bad english :(
I use the Launcher plugin, at the moment i navigate like these:
APPS -> Program Plugins -> Launcher -> MYPROGRAM
I really want the MYPROGRAM on the mainsite of XBMC like:
MOVIES TVSERIES APPS GAMES MUSIC MYPROGRAM SETTINGS
Im using the skin AEON.
Thanks a lot !!!
B.R
Matthias
You'll have to manually change your Home.xml file
Is there any documentation on how to do this? Also, that file is located in C:\Program Files\XBMC and not in user data, which means it will be overwritten when a re-install or upgrade-install of XBMC is done. Am I right?
Is there any documentation on how to do this? Also, that file is located in C:\Program Files\XBMC and not in user data, which means it will be overwritten when a re-install or upgrade-install of XBMC is done. Am I right?
You right. you should update Home.xml each time you install new version.
zachmorris
2009-01-18, 01:23
I'm using this plugin with XBMC in windows XP
It works great for windowed applications, but I've got an issue where I'm trying to start games (like World of Goo or Crayon Physics Delux) that run in full screen mode.
After I add them to the launcher and try to run the game, XBMC minimizes, but the application never starts. I've tried it with and without the 'Wait' function, but get the same result. Is there something that should be added in the arg to make this work more smoothly?
Thanks!
I'm using this plugin with XBMC in windows XP
It works great for windowed applications, but I've got an issue where I'm trying to start games (like World of Goo or Crayon Physics Delux) that run in full screen mode.
After I add them to the launcher and try to run the game, XBMC minimizes, but the application never starts. I've tried it with and without the 'Wait' function, but get the same result. Is there something that should be added in the arg to make this work more smoothly?
Thanks!
It has been discussed before. the plugin barely can be used with games that need hardware acceleration, because XBMC use and lock it.
blorgfreth
2009-01-18, 17:47
Is there a way to add one of the launchers to the list of video sources in the library mode root?
I'd like to be able to launch the blu-ray player from the video library without having to take the extra steps.
drowhunter
2009-01-24, 18:03
I'm using this plugin with XBMC in windows XP
It works great for windowed applications, but I've got an issue where I'm trying to start games (like World of Goo or Crayon Physics Delux) that run in full screen mode.
After I add them to the launcher and try to run the game, XBMC minimizes, but the application never starts. I've tried it with and without the 'Wait' function, but get the same result. Is there something that should be added in the arg to make this work more smoothly?
Thanks!
I have found the perfect work around to this problem, i use autohotkey (www.autohotkey.com (http://www.autohotkey.com))
its a scripting language.
For every game i want to launch i wrote a launcher script that kills kbmc, runs the game and waits for it to close,
when the game closes it re launches xbmc.
I compile the script into an exe and point the launcher to it
heres the script
dash = D:\Apps\XBMC\XBMC.exe -p ;this is the path to xbmc
gamepath = "D:\Games\Bcommando\bcr.exe" ;this is the path to your game
gamedir = "D:\Games\Bcommando\" ;this is the path to your games folder
IfWinActive, XBMC Media
{
WinClose
RunWait, %gamepath%,%gamedir%,HIDE,appPID
Run, %dash%
}
best part about autohotkey is you can launch apps from launcher plugin seamlessly, i hid my task bar and have a black desktop, with no shortcuts on it so you dont see windows.
if you've ever owned a modded xbox this achieves the same effect. xbox would kill xbmc before launching a game too.
For extra xbox like behaviour, i also set up the following code in the ahk script to watch for the press of the back button and both triggers.(im using an xbox 360 controller of cource) but with some minor changes this would work with any gamepad what this does is quit the active application. causing the the game to exit, and xbmc magically relaunches.
add the following line to the script above
;For 360 Joystick must push LB , BACK & Start within a second of each other in that order
$Joy7::
KeyWait, Joy5, D T1
If Errorlevel
Return
KeyWait, Joy6, D T1
If Errorlevel
Return
if not GetKeyState("Joy5", "P") or not GetKeyState("Joy6", "P")
Return
else
GoSub,killit
return
killit:
WinGetTitle, myTitle, A ;Gets the Title of the active window
if(myTitle and myTitle != "Program Manager")
{
WinGet, active_pid, PID, A
Process, Close, %active_pid%
WinWaitClose, ahk_pid %active_pid% ;closes active window and waits till its closed
} else
Run, %dash%
return
hope that wasnt too complicated. you can copy and paste the script into a text document and call it whateveryouwant.ahk then right click it and choose compile to make an exe change the paths to match your setup of course. i quickly copied and pasted this code so there may be an error but...i hope not
Can those of you with Windows XBMC switching issues try this build?
http://www.mediafire.com/file/jtzly2normz/XBMCSetup-Rev17152-no-intel.exe
timdog82001
2009-02-04, 05:59
Is anybody else having issues with the newest svn getting the launcher to work? It won't even enter the launcher plugin, it just pops up a dialog for a split second and spits me back into the main plugin directory.
ryansebiz
2009-03-03, 08:55
Feature request: please retain capitalization.
For example, the file name "Super Mario All Stars" imports as "Super mario all stars".
Could it maintain the uppercase first letters of the file name, instead of subsequent letters being converted to lowercase?
im lovin this. it rocks !!!
leo thanks for all the effort !!!
im running xbmc on 2 kubuntu 8.10 boxes both w/ SVN 18324
one is my desktop & one is a dedicate XBMC box in the living room
there is still 1 issue i can not sort out ...
the launcher works great with ROMs named "game" or "this-game"
but it will not load ROMs named "this game"
i hope escaping special chars isn't too tough ?
if i wasn't a total n00b, id dig into the python myself
unfortunately my skilz max out at find & replace :rolleyes:
let me know if you want a bug in the google code
or if anything else would help getting this fixed
BTW ... i had to change all the paths in launcher_plugin.py to get it working
& i removed the extra " on line 168 mentioned in one of these 18 pages
here's a diff (http://pastebin.com/f7786c1ab)
PS. im not sure step 2 in the install is required or if differs by distro ?
for me libcurl.so libcurl.so.3 & libcurl.so.4 are all sim linked to libcurl.so.4.1.0
thank you all for the patches and workarounds.
I'll try to fix Launcher as soon as I can to work with the special tags.
meanwhile you can open bugs and feature requests in :
http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/issues/list
leo
some path issues were fixed.
it still using the old P:\ syntax.
will be updated to use "special://" paths after XBMC 9.04 will be released.
Download:
http://xbmc-launcher.googlecode.com/files/Launcher1.03.zip
Tested and working stable under Windows with XBMC 8.10
Hey Leo thanks for throwing up a new version so quick
launcher hangs XBMC when opened in linux
log >> [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/usr/share/xbmc/UserData'
i figured out how to get it working w/ this "patch" (http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/issues/detail?id=9)@issue9 on your goggle page...
but i have no idea how to help implement a fix, sorry
ROMs w/ spaces in the filename (http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/issues/detail?id=10) still dont work too
Launcher is awesome
sadly it only loads 12% of my roms right now :shocked:
this active thread speaks to your efforts and how far it has come
thanks again for this primo awesome
plugin w/ search & thumbs and switches
:cool:B+ .... for now
Nazgulled
2009-03-28, 03:20
some path issues were fixed.
it still using the old P:\ syntax.
will be updated to use "special://" paths after XBMC 9.04 will be released.
I need to ask if you don't mind, why are you waiting for 9.04 to be released? This plugin could really benefit from the special paths... Special paths have been added some long time ago, I think they work as it should, why not update the script to use them right now, it shouldn't be so hard to update a few paths, I think...
Just wondering, you must have your reasons... Haven't tested this yet but will do when I got the chance...
I need to ask if you don't mind, why are you waiting for 9.04 to be released? This plugin could really benefit from the special paths... Special paths have been added some long time ago, I think they work as it should, why not update the script to use them right now, it shouldn't be so hard to update a few paths, I think...
Just wondering, you must have your reasons... Haven't tested this yet but will do when I got the chance...
I think you wrong.
special paths doesn't work with 8.10 version.
only "P:\\" "Q:\\", etc.
Nazgulled
2009-03-28, 23:47
I'm not talking about 8.10. I'm talking about development versions, the builds you get from the SVN that people compile themselves or get from the this topic:
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35452
8.10 is very old and as someone in the development team told me some time ago, "8.10 is obsolete".
pseudoheld
2009-03-30, 12:19
ok the new launcher version works fine. now all i want to know is what mame versions you use together with Launcher.
i want to have a version wich has the ability to launch games directly via launcher not just to open up m mame programm and then start a game from its menu.
so basically i need a version of mame that would be able to directly open the .zip romfile.
ive tried mameui32 and mameuifx and both give me error messages if i try to open the .zip files directly.
i hope you understood what i want ;)
I'm not talking about 8.10. I'm talking about development versions, the builds you get from the SVN that people compile themselves or get from the this topic:
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35452
8.10 is very old and as someone in the development team told me some time ago, "8.10 is obsolete".
8.10 cannot be obsolete as long as it's the latest stable version of XBMC.
This is absolutely wrong to break plugin from working with the latest stable version.
anyway, translatePath should handle P:\\ even in the svn versions.
maybe XBMC guys should release stable versions more often.
Nazgulled
2009-03-30, 18:47
Hey, I'm not the one who said it, it was in fact one of the XBMC developers.
It's not wrong when probably almost no one uses the "latest stable version", but you could easily adapt your plugin to handle both paths depending if speical:// is available in the version the user is using or not. I've seen this in other plugins and it takes about 2 lines of code or so... It's shouldn't be that hard and I see no reason to support them since most people probably use an updated SVN version.
But it's your plugin, I just made a suggestion, do whatever you want with it...
What about loading something like MameWah? I'm going to try to have it launch MameWah and then use MameWah frontend to organize MAME, NES, SNES, games and launchers. Quitting should leave you back at XBMC. If not, I'll use eventghost to automate that action on exit.
Does my plugin work with the P:\\ in the svn version? translatePath function should translate it to actual path without the need of special://profile.
If it doesn't, I'll update my plugin and release it as separated version.
Nazgulled
2009-03-31, 21:35
Seriously, there's no need to do it as separated version, you can easily adapt it... I don't remember in which plugin I saw this and I'm not at my HTPC at the moment, so can't look if I have it there, but you just need to create some variable your self and check if special exists, if it does, use it, if not, don't. Then use your variable across the script instead of P:// or special://. There, the script will work for anyone, no matter which build they are using.
I can't test the plugin right now for the obvious reasons but I'm not sure the plugin will work because special:// points to the correct user folder, where the user is saving their settings and stuff, P:// does not (as far as I know). If someone, like me, prefers to have everything in the user folder (where it belongs) it probably won't work. But I don't know exactly how you are using paths in your script, so I may be wrong...
Maybe someone else can test this.
lestat1977uk
2009-04-09, 19:51
What emus have people got working, am having no luck
Hi !
Here's my problem:
Is there any way to move the Launcher Apps programs you have "installed"
So you dont have to go: Programs>Plugins>Launcher>Program.exe
So you can take a shortcut like this: Programs>Program.exe ???
Thanks in advance !
Well not like that. You can Programs>Launcher>Program.exe by editing the screen file (http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35128&highlight=plugin+home+menu). Or you can hardcode it in the screenfile (http://xbmc.org/forum/showpost.php?p=295324&postcount=284) the same thing launcher is doing.
Byron172
2009-04-29, 05:14
Hi I am new here and have just started using XBMC. Launcher is the first app that I have installed so that I can launch a web browser from within XBMC to check my local TV guide.
The problem I am having is that Firefox launches but XBMC remains in the foreground so Firefox is hidden behind it. Is there a quick n easy solution to stop this happening?
Hi I am new here and have just started using XBMC. Launcher is the first app that I have installed so that I can launch a web browser from within XBMC to check my local TV guide.
The problem I am having is that Firefox launches but XBMC remains in the foreground so Firefox is hidden behind it. Is there a quick n easy solution to stop this happening?You probably need a new build of XBMC, and toggle the launcher wait state.
ccMatrix
2009-04-29, 23:14
A while ago I wanted to request a way to select thumbnails from hard disk (instead of the yahoo image query) but it seems that the launcher plugin is no longer developed. Is that still true? Are there any alternatives which are actively developed?
Byron172
2009-04-30, 03:41
You probably need a new build of XBMC, and toggle the launcher wait state.
Can I update my current build or do I need to uninstall/reinstall? I am currently using XBMC 9.04beta1 c19639.
I have looked in the plugin settings for "Launcher" also and can't seem to find an option that allows me to alter the wait state.
Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?
Can I update my current build or do I need to uninstall/reinstall? I am currently using XBMC 9.04beta1 c19639.
I have looked in the plugin settings for "Launcher" also and can't seem to find an option that allows me to alter the wait state.
Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?To toggle the wait state, open the context menu when the item is highlighted in the list. There you should see the options. XBMC should minimize when launching an application with launcher. Your build sounds new enough. Are you running using the -fs switch or the advanced setting of fullscreen set to true?
Byron172
2009-05-01, 13:10
There was no option in the context menu when I right clicked on "Launcher", however I have set up my MCE remote using event ghost and set the open command to -fs. I had to do this because otherwise when I opened XBMC with my MCE remote it would only open in a small window that was not able to be maximised. Maybe this has something to do with it. I will try it out when I get home and see.
There was no option in the context menu when I right clicked on "Launcher", however I have set up my MCE remote using event ghost and set the open command to -fs. I had to do this because otherwise when I opened XBMC with my MCE remote it would only open in a small window that was not able to be maximised. Maybe this has something to do with it. I will try it out when I get home and see.You don't bring up the context menu on launcher, you do it on the application shortcut you made with launcher.
Byron172
2009-05-03, 07:54
Toggling the wait state doesn't solve the problem unfortunately. XBMC will only allow the apps to open in front of it if i am in windowed mode. I can't see that anyone else has had this problem but surely I am not the first.
I might try a different skin perhaps. Will report back if it works.
brandoncordell
2009-05-07, 03:19
I cannot get Launcher to work in Atlantis, or Babylon. I've tried all the different launcher versions. All other plugins (music, programs, and video) work great.
Couldn't find anything on the forums or in the manual to help me.
ijourneaux
2009-05-07, 05:38
Maybe you are making the same mistake I was. I copied the files into the wrong plugin folder. One plugin folder is in the XBMC program folder. The other is in the application data folder under the user profile.
Try to use the latest Launcher from svn. it should work with the latest xbmc.
TrentLane
2009-05-19, 00:30
Good Day All,
I recently built an HTPC with the hopes of running XBMC for windows on it.
Main reason was for HD content and some emulation. As I've been using XBMC on server xboxs for years I thought it best to use it on my new HTPC.
Well here's my problem, I found this nice popular plugin:
Launcher (http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35739&highlight=launcher)
I thought this would be perfect for my emulation needs. So off I went a-downloading... Got the files, extracted to plugins/programs. Now my problem is I cant find it. Anytime I try to add it I can only bring up the directory.
Be it through Aeon, MC360, Media Stream. It always comes up with the directory. I think it might be my xbmc as when I click on the SVN Repo Installer, it just opens its directory in XBMC..
I'm using 9.04, anyone got some sugestions?
Edit: Please tell me its something simple and I am just being stupid....
nicoli_k
2009-05-19, 00:54
how did you install XBMC? Are your plugins located in C:Program Files\XBMC or under C:\Documents and Settings\your-name-here\Application Data\XBMC
If you're trying to add it under the plugins/programs under one of those directories, try the other one. I made this mistake a while back. I think it's best to install it and choose the 2nd option so that the XBMC files go under Program Files. Hopefully that's all it is.
Yes, you probaly need to install the plugin launcher under :
C:\Documents and Settings\USER_NAME\Application Data\XBMC\plugins\programs instead of C:Program Files\XBMC\plugins\programs
TrentLane
2009-05-19, 09:18
Thanks guys, I knew it would be something simple I'd missed.
Worked on this comp, will try it when i get back on the HTPC, but chances are its the same thing. Once again thanks.
Toggling the wait state doesn't solve the problem unfortunately. XBMC will only allow the apps to open in front of it if i am in windowed mode. I can't see that anyone else has had this problem but surely I am not the first
i run XBMC on a ubuntu HTPC and had this problem a while back.
when XBMC is in full-screen apps launch behind it.
to fix this i now run all my launchers through a simple script
... my launcher for leo's launcher :eek:
using the HTTP-API we toggle XBMC's FS ... launch ... & toggle back
curl "http://localhost:8080/xbmcCmds/xbmcHttp?command=Action(199)"
$@
curl "http://localhost:8080/xbmcCmds/xbmcHttp?command=Action(199)"
i point all my launchers through this script by making it the application for every <launcher> & making moving <exec> to the 1st [arg] ...
~/.xbmc/userdata/plugin_data/programs/Launcher/Launcher.XML
[CODE]...
<application>/path/to/xbmc.FS.toggle.sh</application>
<args>[app exec] [arg] [arg] ...</args>
the http web sever needs to be on (running on 8080)...
the same methodology may hold true in windows with a bat file ???
Leo can you add a toggle (like wait) for FullScreen ?
hi, i'm new here (sorry for my english)
i'm a user of mamewah frontend for emulators, and runs great, and I recently discover XBMC for windows, and it interface is great, but i feel kind of dissaponted when i realize that don't have a native emulators support; reading the forum, i found "LAUNCHER " aplication, and i had no problem to configurate ZNES, NES, PROJECT64, EPSXE, runs great on my stone age pc (duron 1.3, 512ddr, fx5200).
Now, the question is.... HOW CAN I ADD LAUNCHER APLICATION (script, plugin, i dont know) IN MAIN MENU (below of video, music, weather etc...?
the other question is.... is there any way to install native xbox emulators on xbmc for windows? and navigate besides pc emulators???
thanks a lot
Byron172
2009-06-05, 04:22
OK - due to my limited knowledge of scripts and writing code, this has gone a little over my head.
I understand the concept that this script will tell launcher to goto windowed mode then launch the app (and I figure the same will happen in reverse when I close the app), but where do I need to copy the code to?
Thanks for your help - I had almost given up on this as it was all proving too hard.
slacker666
2009-06-05, 23:06
check out http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/wiki/Main
problem solved, thankyou very much :laugh:
i have all my emulators (znes, virtuanes, project64, kega fusion, epsxe) perfectly configurated with launcher 1.03 in PMIII; but if i want to have thumbnails for my diferents roms, or even pc games, they all have to be in the same folder. is there any way to have my snapshots in diferents folders for each emulator or pc games???
ijourneaux
2009-06-09, 17:50
I have launcher working correctly on my XBMC setup. I am using XBMC as a media front end to BeyondTV. Having to navigate from the main menu to Programs, selecting Launcher then selecting the application I have setup is bit obvious to the uninitiated user. I would like to have BeyondTV should up as an item on the main menu page. I have read through most of the thread and there is mention that this can be accomplished by editing home.xml
I am unsure how to accomplish that. In addition, my understanding is that Home.xml gets overwritten whenever you install an update. If I do edit home.xml, I guess I would have to edit home.xml every time I install an update?
ccMatrix
2009-06-17, 21:43
I recently added all my games into the Aeon games section using the launcher plugin but ran into some issues:
The thumb search returned mostly useless pictures
When thumbnails had the same filename e.g. cover.jpg they would overwrite the thumb for another game
The thumbnails are not stored in the special:// path and therefore are not easily portable between installations
To fix these issues I made some changes to my Launcher installation:
I've added a Google search engine which uses Google Image search to find covers. It adds the text "pc cover" to the query to improve result quality. I was able to find great covers for all my games using the new search engine.
I added some hashing to the filename creation. The filenames can now no longer match even if two games both have a file called cover.jpg.
The thumbs are now all stored in special:// bath. No need for the input field in settings. I am thinking about adding a edit field that allows setting of the additional search parameters if there is some demand for that.
The modified version can be downloaded off the following mediafire share (http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=6b3cac95600ff168391d7d881749d3a77c7972f4 08b9b8cd5be6ba49b5870170).
Here is how the result looks in Aeon skin:
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9175/screenshot000zkx.th.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/screenshot000zkx.jpg/)
mkerner129
2009-09-30, 22:50
Thanks for any help. I keep getting this error whenever I try to use Launcher in an SVN build. "Windows cannot find 'C:\Program '. Make sure you typed the name correctly , and then try again." It works fine in the official release but not in any SVN build I have tries. I've tried many builds but whenever I try to launch a program I've added I get this error.
I am running Windows 7, 64bit Professional RTM from MSDN. I have my installation in C:\Program Files (x86)\XBMC and the user profile contains the rest-C:\%userdata%\AppData\Roaming\XBMC.
Thanks all.
get the same error as mkerner. this didnt happen before updating to the latest svn today.
ijourneaux
2009-10-11, 19:31
I noticed the same problem. For some reason with the later builds, Launcher can not dela with spaces in the pathname. If you edit the launcher.xml and give it the pathname without spaces
For example
<application>C:\Progra~1\SnapSt~1\Beyond~2\BTVD3D~1.exe</application>
Atleast that workd for me as a temporary fix
Thanks for any help. I keep getting this error whenever I try to use Launcher in an SVN build. "Windows cannot find 'C:\Program '. Make sure you typed the name correctly , and then try again." It works fine in the official release but not in any SVN build I have tries. I've tried many builds but whenever I try to launch a program I've added I get this error.
I am running Windows 7, 64bit Professional RTM from MSDN. I have my installation in C:\Program Files (x86)\XBMC and the user profile contains the rest-C:\%userdata%\AppData\Roaming\XBMC.
Thanks all.
this problem due to the Changeset 22829(http://xbmc.org/trac/changeset/22829). I'll check for this.
ijourneaux
2009-10-13, 02:30
One other happening with Launcher. Prior to the latest SVNs, if XBMC was full screen, to start with it would come back to full screen after. FOr some reason, now it comes back in windowed mode.
Thanks for any help. I keep getting this error whenever I try to use Launcher in an SVN build. "Windows cannot find 'C:\Program '. Make sure you typed the name correctly , and then try again." It works fine in the official release but not in any SVN build I have tries. I've tried many builds but whenever I try to launch a program I've added I get this error.
I am running Windows 7, 64bit Professional RTM from MSDN. I have my installation in C:\Program Files (x86)\XBMC and the user profile contains the rest-C:\%userdata%\AppData\Roaming\XBMC.
Thanks all.
This problem fixed at r23678
ijourneaux
2009-10-28, 01:39
TaxiGPS
I tried making the edits you recommended. I was able to find the strings to change but when I execue Launcher with the changes, it doesn't start up the application I have configured. The only error in the log file is a -1 when trying to execute the script.
I examined the code I edited and couldn't see anything significantly different.
Take Care
TaxiGPS
I tried making the edits you recommended. I was able to find the strings to change but when I execue Launcher with the changes, it doesn't start up the application I have configured. The only error in the log file is a -1 when trying to execute the script.
I examined the code I edited and couldn't see anything significantly different.
Take Care
I'm sorry. I have made a mistake. just update to the new svn. modify is not needed.
ijourneaux
2009-10-31, 15:22
Not a problem. Apprecaite the effort!