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CHBMB

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Posts posted by CHBMB

  1. I know there's a deb and rpm available, but have you considered changing to one of the newer universal packaging formats like AppImage or Snap?  All the dependencies can be included, so it would mean you could have just one build process and cover all the Linux desktop distros in one format.

    I use Solus, so there's no way for me to install a .deb or .rpm file, other than via virtualisation or booting from a LiveUSB.

  2. Well, thats a good outcome, I tried to help a fellow Flirc'er and now I've managed to get my XBMC box to suspend, (Alt-S) Reboot (Alt-R) and Power Down (Alt-P) and Resume (Wake) with my remote.  Have to take my hat off to Jason, the software has come on leaps and bounds since I first started using Flirc.  Must be good as I've updated my Flirc and even my technological philistine of a fiance has commented that the remote seems more responsive, must be good if she's noticed as I can't yet convince her that 1080p looks better than DVD, mind you I suppose if she's half blind might explain why she agreed to marry me.... :P

    • Like 1
  3. I can't remember, but I think I added it with the manual setting and then renamed it to watch XBMC afterwards.  The Harmony software lets you rename all the activities and the devices, eg.  although I added a Samsung TV to use with Flirc it's now called XBMC.  You've piqued my interest in getting my setup sorted, now I'm playing around with buttons to get the machine to suspend, hibernate, reboot and power off with the remote.  It involves adding a keyboard.xml file to the userdata folder though.  Found a good prgoram for creating the file though.

     

    http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmcmce/files/KeyMapEdit.exe/

  4. Totally agree! The two step device then activity setup whilst making a lot of sense seems to confuse me nearly every time. Not to mention the seemingly endless wizards for nearly every step or alteration you need to make!


     


    That would be very handy. What I'm lacking at the moment is either how to just map keys / key combinations or something that tells that when the Harmony setup says 'Zoom+' what that actually means in XBMC!  That's why I made the table, before I actually put it down on paper it was just a logistical nightmare trying to remember and figure it all out.  When you assign Zoom+ on the Harmony you can use that to record any letter you want to send via the flirc, but when going through the setup it helps to have it on paper in front of you.

     

  5. When you get a chance, can you elaborate a bit further on the 'adding a remote/Samsung TV profile' - this is in the Harmony Remote

    software under 'Adding a Device'? Should I be adding as a Device in the software?  Yep, you got it.

     

    - It looks like I may have to add a as my actual TV is a Samsung one

    - So this means as I am setting up a sequence on my Harmony remote, I naturally choose Samsung TV as the device I watch the display on, but now I should the Panasonic TV profile as the one I choose to play media (as opposed to choosing Media Center PC > Flirc, which comes with the limited XBMC profile) Just add the Panasonic TV profile as if it were another telly!

     

    And can you explain a little more on 'Record onto the Flirc' - I need to select Controllers > Full Keyboard and then manually assign each keystroke I want mapped Yep

     

    Then I need to save this config to the Flirc sofware? After I have set and saved the config, do I need to leave the Flirc software open and 'Connected' on my PC? No, you use the flirc software on your pc to record the commands, once recorded they are saved onto the flirc itself, no need to open the flirc software at all unless you want to record more keys or change things around.  I personally use my desktop PC to do all the recording then plug my Flirc into my HTPC downstairs once it's done.

     

     

    Seems like to get full Harmorny/Flirc/XBMC control, the far superior away is to avoid the Flirc XBMC profile I think so at the moment, my understanding is the flirc profile has a set number of commands it is programmed for, however this way you can program any you like, for instance I use the arrow keys inbetween the guide and menu and info buttons to flick between a fullscreen interface and menu overlay, I also use the E & + keys at the bottom of my Harmony to access the context menu in xbmc and toggle the watched status.  It's useful to get to know xbmc using a keyboard and then you can work out what exactly you need your remote to do and what you don't.

     

    The only thing I haven't really messed around with is commands like Alt-F4 for windows systems, because with my Openelec setup I don't need it and it has no use but I know from experience if you're using windows that may be useful.  Perhaps others on the forum may be able to help on this point. 

     

    Edit:  Just had a play with the flirc software, just click Alt then F4 then record, it's that easy..

  6. I've attached the table I used to map my Flirc, it's easily customisable to fit anybody's needs. So I've added a blank table if you want to use it to make your own record of what to do. Things to remember.

    1. The actual remote and the keys you use are not important, although Jason has recommended elsewhere that there is a Panasonic TV profile and a Samsung TV profile that works well with the Harmony, I've used the Samsung TV Profile because I have a Panasonic Television connected to my HTPC.

    2. Create the TV profile in the Harmony setup but don't add it to any activities initially, just map all the keys and get the flirc commands recorded. Make sure it all works then start experimenting with activities etc.

    3. It is a frustrating experience, I know, I've been there, but trust me, the frustration isn't because of the Flirc, it IS because of the Harmony program, it is not at all intuitive.

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/oirbs07pxrj9xek/Harmony%20One%20Button%20%28Blank%29.docx?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/oirbs07pxrj9xek/Harmony%20One%20Button%20%28Blank%29.docx?dl=0

    If there are any blank spots in the table it is because there is no key asssigned, eg mute because I use my AV Receiver.

    Good Luck guys, hope that helps

  7. I'm at work at the moment so can't offer a detailed reply and I've got the same setup as yourself. I also have a Harmony One and a Flirc.

    I don't use the preconfigured profile. But even so using a Flirc can greatly simplify setting things up, in my experience the Harmony setup is the most convoluted complicated program I've ever had to use.

    My strategy is this:

    Firstly print off a list of the keyboard commands that can be used to control xbmc.

    Secondly decide which key you want mapped to each button on the Harmony, eg x for stop, e for guide, whatever suits your needs.

    Then in the Harmony setup, add a remote, doesn't really matter which one, I used the Samsung TV profile that is recommended in the forums somewhere. Rename it XBMC or something. Assign the keys to all the Harmony keys, add and rename keys for any touch screen commands you want to send.

    Then record onto the Flirc.

    I've found this method essentially goes you the most flexibility as it's like having a keyboard to control your HTPC, but in a remote control package.

    At home I have a table with all my key assignments on it, I'll try and post it over the weekend.

    Hope that helps show a slightly different way of accomplishing things, which I feel gives a greater degree of flexibility, I think Jason and Chris do great work but I do think a very simple solution would be to create a Harmony Profile that just has all the keyboard keys recorded for people to then assign as they see fit to whatever application they choose.

    • Like 2
  8. I didn't use the GUI Mappings went straight to the keyboard and mapped it according to the 2nd link for my Harmony. I also mapped the C key to the + to get access to the context menu and the W key to the E key on the Harmony. I know you may not have one but the 2nd lik I found gives some pretty good ideas about how best to get the remote to a usable config.

    http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Keyboard

    http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=95063&pid=732922#pid732922

    Good Luck

  9. Samuk read my post in this thread!

    You NEED a flirc.

    Just reread your two posts on this topic....

    You don't have a Flirc do you?

    The Harmony is the remote that sends an IR signal,

    The Flirc is the device that receives an IR signal on your PC and converts it to a keyboard command.

    Without actually buying a Flirc the Flirc software is useless to you.

    Without an IR receiver of some type the Harmony is useless at controlling your PC.

  10. Remember, Flirc emulates a keyboard so no matter what controller you pick it will still be sending keyboard signals. The presets just make it easier by finding out the keyboard shortcuts for you. In the case of xbmc preset there are a few errors (back and exit are both erroniously mapped to backspace) also you may find not all buttons are on there. The basics are certainly covered though :)

    As xbmc sends keyboard commands I find a more appropreiate way to match things is the keyboard shortcut wiki page:

    http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Keyboard

    Each to their own though :)

    Yeah I see your point but the forum page I linked to was quite good at mapping out a reasonable starting point for which commands to which button on the Harmony, excellent for lazy people like me! ;)

    Don't forget Chris! You're talking to the man who stuck his Flirc in a Devonshire Clotted Cream Fudge tin and has since wrapped it in Aluminium foil whilst awaiting a replacement. Don't expect any logic!

  11. Just reread your two posts on this topic....

    You don't have a Flirc do you?

    The Harmony is the remote that sends an IR signal,

    The Flirc is the device that receives an IR signal on your PC and converts it to a keyboard command.

    Without actually buying a Flirc the Flirc software is useless to you.

    Without an IR receiver of some type the Harmony is useless at controlling your PC.

  12. okay, I'm convinced your flirc isn't good. your hashes don't look good. Have I sent you a replacement yet?

    No you haven't sent a replacement. I've had my Flirc for a good while with the intent of migrating my HTPC to a Linux based system which I've only just done. Hence haven't been using it, I posted on the forums here:

    http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-entertainment-pcs/1575420-anyone-tried-flirc-tv.html

    And here:

    http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/threads/anyone-tried-flirc-tv.104730/

    To try and spread the word.

    Ended up sticking with MCE under my windows system but needed a better way under Linux. Hence my rejuvenated interest in the Flirc.

    Thanks for all the help.

  13. Just thinking guys, do you think it would be a good idea to create two Flirc profiles on the Harmony software, one Samsung & one Panasonic, could set all the delays and timings and just leave the end user to program the flirc and rename their buttons as they see fit. Would cut down a lot on the questions for Harmony remotes and from a support point of view you'd know they would've using the correct settings from the outset. Just an idea, would be a bit of work initially but I'm sure it would cut down on support time before too long.

  14. Yep, here's what I''ve tried thus far and my settings.

    Out of interest Chris, what are your Harmony settings. At the moment mine are all 200ms and the responding too much to commands one is set at 0.

    And could the interkey delay be of any use? Currently set at 6 but have tried it at 2, can't quite remember the difference if any.

    Can upload my fcfg files if that helps at all. I'm using the Samsung TV profile recommended, tried the Panasonic one but as I have a Panasonic TV that didn't work so well, also tried the Sky HD PVR one that someone else recommended but it was very sluggish indeed.

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