[APP][05/08/10][WM 6.x] Windows Media Center - Remote Control - 0.8 BETA

[oishiiunko]

Hey guys,

Because there seems to be no simple, functional and easy to use remote control for windows media center on windows mobile devices out there, I've decided to build my own. At the moment it is an interim release, mainly to see how well the new WMC plugin and connection process are working. The current release only allows basic control of Windows Media Center, as i am still working on the media information code.

*I should have files up for you to download in the next few days.

As this is still in the beta stage, there will be bugs, so i need testers to test it and provide any feedback possible.

CHANGELOG:
0.8 Beta - 05/08/10

-now using WMCRC Server - Media Center plugin instead of VMC Controller
-no media information feedback - only controls work
-faster searching and connection process​

0.7 Beta - 29/04/10

-added automatic searching of networked media centers (easier connection)
-better QVGA support!
-minor performance improvements
-improved stability (hopefully!)​

0.6 Beta - 16/04/10

-fixed d-pad landscape bug. can only be used in portrait mode
-minor performance improvements
-minor UI adjustments
-volume button now more responsive
-added hardware keyboard input, which needs to be enabled in the settings screen (keys work fine for x1, other models need testing, works with SIP)
-removed menu from start screen, left softkey now brings up settings. the ok button will exit the program. pressing ok while connected will minimise (exit can be accessed using the menu) as normal.
-now says "<device name> connected" message when connected to media center instead of IP addressort​

0.5 Beta - 12/04/10

-fixed bug where settings were not applied until application restart
-improved interface
-added support for handsets without a d-pad; touch d-pad can be enabled in the settings menu.
-fixed landscape startup bug
-fixed volume bug
-will ONLY connect using the ip address of your PC in the settings window, do not use hostname.
-changed font to match WMC standard.
-increased auto-connect timeout - now 20 seconds
-now installed using cab file​

0.4 Beta - 31/03/10

-fixed problem where addresses were resolved to ipv6
-only works with ipv4 addresses, hostname not working correctly yet
-minor performance fixes​

0.3.2 Alpha - 08/03/10

-fixed loading error
-minor fixes​

0.3.1 Alpha - 07/03/10

-fixed config file bug​

0.3 Alpha - 07/03/10

-added haptic feedback with touchscreen
-added d-pad mode switch using camera focus button
-added automatic connection on launching the program
-more stable when connection dropped
-controller window now minimizes properly​

0.2 Alpha - 18/01/10

-added track length and track number to display
-optimized code, runs slightly quicker
-removed 'now playing' option in menu​

0.1 Alpha - 14/01/10

-initial release​

TO DO IN FUTURE RELEASES:

-improve interface (especially QVGA scaling)
-improve searching performance
-add media extender support
-add wake on lan functionality
-add option to stop handset from entering standby mode while connected​

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

-Windows Vista or 7 - editions with Windows Media Center
-Wifi, Bluetooth/USB activesync connection
-Windows Mobile 6.x Pro, (may work on older versions)
-480x800 (WVGA), 240x320 (QVGA) screen resolution
-.NETCFv3.5 installed on handset​

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. - Download and install WMCRC Server 0.1b on your PC
2. - Download and install WMCRC Client 0.8b on your handset
3. - Connect phone to PC using Wifi or activesync (USB/Bluetooth) connection
4. - Run Windows Media Center on your PC
5. - Launch the "Windows Media Center" from your start menu on your Windows Mobile Device
6. - Wait for a list of computers to appear
7. - Select computer from list then hit "connect"
8. - Start controlling!​

REVIEWS:
Check out what people in other forums think about this app...

xda-developers
htcpedia
thegreenbutton
smartphonegurus
freewarepocketpc​

FILES:

WMCRC Server (PC):

WMCRC Client (Phone):

​

Please try it out and make any suggestions or comments below. Thanks!

Software developed by Mike Debney
Graphics designed by Jordan Debney
Thank you to Sean Kelly for his technical advice + and everyone who has downloaded / tested the app and provided feedback!​

 

[oishiiunko]

WMCRC 0.7b - How to...

CONNECTING TO WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER:

There are two ways to connect to media center: automatically and manually.
-The app will automatically search for computers on your network when it is launched, if the 'automatically connect' option is disabled in the settings menu. it is disabled by default, but if youve set it in a previous release, you'll need to change it to enable searching.

-If the 'automatically connect' option is ticked, then the app will not search for computers. Instead it will try to automatically connect you to the address you entered on the settings menu after 15 seconds. Use this option if you are having problems with the search.​

CONTROLLING WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER:

Press the green button at the top right to go to the start menu.

Left softkey provides a menu with several useful shortcuts, such as volume presets and shortcuts to music, tv and videos. To disconnect or exit the application, select disconnect>disconnect/exit from this menu.

Dragging and releasing the progress slider seeks the media to the desired position, useful for podcasts or long mp3s.

Typing on the keyboard or SIP when the 'enable hardware keyboard' option is used will send characters you type to Windows Media Center for use when searching through your media collection.

If your handset has a hardware d-pad, you are able to use this to control media center. Otherwise, tick the "enable touch d-pad" option in the settings menu to use the software d-pad.
​

HARDWARE D-PAD:

Pressing the 'directional' button on the top-right switches the d-pad to media control mode, where:
-enter is play/pause
-left/right is prev/next
-up/down is channel up/down

Pressing it again reverts back to normal directional navigation mode.

The right softkey acts as a back button for menu navigation.

Pressing the volume button will switch to volume control mode (hardware d-pad only) and using the up/down d-pad changes volume, and the left/right buttons change it by a larger amount. Press volume button again or enter on d-pad to switch back to normal mode.
​

SOFTWARE D-PAD:

Pressing the 'directional' button on the top-right switches the d-pad to media control mode, where:
-enter is play/pause
-left/right is channel up/down
-up/down is volume up/down
Pressing it again reverts back to normal directional navigation mode.

The right softkey will toggle the d-pad on and off, so you are still able to see information about what's currently playing.

Onscreen d-pad will not work in landscape mode.​

 

[oishiiunko]

Bugs + errors + faults

KNOWN BUGS:

-text flickers (and background sometimes disappears) when updating on start screen (this might not be fixable as there is no double-buffering support for WM)
-when searching for computers, sometimes causes application to freeze or run slowly. (if this happens try the manual connection method)
-has trouble connecting to some PCs
-sometimes doesn't update now playing info
​

 

[DMAND]

Found this whilst searching for a remote, too bad the HD2 doesnt have any Dpad

 

[oishiiunko]

have you tried using the onscreen keyboard? should work...

 

[garcianacho]

Alpha expired

The program says that the alpha version has expired, and don't runs.
Do you think upload future versions?
Thanks.

 

[oishiiunko]

yup... new version uploaded

 

[ehjyen]

Hi it isn't working for me... error message says "Could not find file '\config.txt'.

 

[oishiiunko]

thanks. config file error fixed. download version 0.3.1a... let me know if you find any more problems!

 

[ehjyen]

Unfortunately it still won't start for me... now I get this error:

WMCMR.exe
NullReferenceException

at WindowsMediaCentreMobileRemote.Start.loadSettings()
at WindowsMediaCentreMobileRemote.Start.Form1_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form._SetVisibleNotify(Boolean fVis)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.set_Visible(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(Form fm)
at WindowsMediaCentreMobileRemote.Program.Main()

 

[oishiiunko]

fixed. app should start without problems. let me know if it throws any more errors.

 

[garcianacho]

I have no luck with this desired application.
when I start the program, I see the main screen, and when configure the host IP, and press connect, I can see one second the control screen (track, album, volume...) but inmediatelly the program shows "disconnected from" and go inactive.
Any suggestion?
Thanks.

Nacho.

 

[oishiiunko]

I have no luck with this desired application.
when I start the program, I see the main screen, and when configure the host IP, and press connect, I can see one second the control screen (track, album, volume...) but inmediatelly the program shows "disconnected from" and go inactive.
Any suggestion?
Thanks.

Nacho.

Are you using an ipv4 address for your pc? make sure your router is set to use ipv4 not ipv6 if possible.

 

[oishiiunko]

New Version 0.4 Beta

new release is uploaded, fixed problems with ipv6 being used instead of ipv4 with some dhcp configs.

let me know if you find any bugs!

 

[gavriel18]

Any possibility it will work with my xbox360? I will try anyways tonight but that would be super cool for movies

 

[cemetry]

That's one of the best apps I've installed on my phone!

By the way, is it possible to get keyboard support? It would be cool for Music-Tab...

cemetry

 

[joe_coolish]

Downloaded it for my HD2. If you are looking for some help coding, I would definitely be interested. Well, that's assuming you are programming in C#

Great app so far! Can't wait to see how it turns out. I hope it comes out better than the TouchRC... so sad that it stopped being supported...

 

[danar64]

Hi, great job!!!

It's possible to develop the funtionalities in order to make become this software a "control point" of a upnp a/v chain ?

I have a PC or a NAS (with, for example, Twonky media server) with my mp3 (or others media formats) and I have a media renderer like a Soundbridge or a Noxon to play the music. With my phone I can control the chain and I can play on a media renderer an mp3 contained on a media server. All in a wi-fi environment.
This application exist for iPhone but there aren't for win mobile (or better... there are a couple of programs but don't work.... Rudeo, KinskyPDA).
Thanks

 

[vladimir2989]

cool, this will b handy ... any way this can wotk with iTunes as well in future ? or anyone know a goos iTunes control from WM ?

 

[F4N4]

Great App!
Works fine at my htc touch pro!
Now i can handle my TV Program rly easy

thanks!