Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Tuicemen]

****New version Released****

2.0.1.3
New features:

• Added ability to limit only one instance to run
• Added new play, stop, Pause, next, previous, eject buttons
• Add ability to play CDs from Companion and from batch file. Batch file included!
• Added some additional checks to hopefuly prevent close failures with a batch file trigger
• Added Explanation text for buttons (displays in file list box)
• Added Black screen save initializer button
• Added Web button (starts Internet explorer)
• Added more remote control options
• Fixed playing of sound from windows media compatible mpg and avi files
• Fixed load error if only one voice loaded
• Fixed Companion no longer closes after playing a MP3 if not started from a batch file

you can use the check for update button in the program to Auto update
or get it here
 

[Bill H]

Great! Tnx, Tuicemen. Will give it a go and report back to you!

[Tuicemen]

Another new release   
2.0.1.4
Finally have this setup to allow any X10 PC compatible remote (I Hope)! You can still choose just the JR20A if you have that ( gives a bit more security)
I'll add code for other specific remotes as users supply the codes for them. ( My wife would kill me if I bought another)
Also added the ability to view your active Camera in the Animated face screen provided another program that can view it isn't open (including AHP)
for a list of other fixes/adds and the update use the auto update button!
If you don't already have it (shame on you  ) you can use the link in my previous post!

[Tuicemen]

As I slowly add X10 PC remote functions I'm wondering what other PC remote options users would like to see? 
In the current release (2.0.1.6) I've added the ability for one to add sound to almost all RF receives!
If you find one I missed that the CM15A with see let me know and I'll add it.
I'd love to add support for more specific remotes but funds are not there for me to go out and get others to test!
Subtile Donation Hint
Think I'd have to hide new remotes as my wife thinks I have to many now! 
While I'm on the quest for User Input:
I also would love to hear suggestions for other adds (fixes) to the program as well as hear how your using it!
Many times the end users come up with cool ways to use software that others never think of!

[Tuicemen]

******New version 2.0,1.7******I spent A few days playing with the Lola software (figured I'd get some new ideas)!
PC Companion already would do far more, even mouse events (sorry getting ahead of myself  )!
But I did get some ideas for the next release

Tested on Vista with out X10 and that part works fine.
Received a CM19A and tested it with Companion and all X10 worked fine on my end!
Tested a Lola remote and it works fine as well!

The new version has  minor appearance change many won't even notice!
New features:

Fixed so cam view doesn't ask for input device if you only have one connected
Added message if program can't detect camera
Added catch if one presses weather forcast button before configuring
Fixed CD play now stops when exiting program
Added new code for CD play and controls thus eliminating a dll file
Added ability to increase/decrease music volume
Added status display for CD play to show playing track

Added hidden options for those that Donated including the following:

Ability to play DVDs
Auto detect of CD or DVD, DVD opens & plays in Windows MediaPlayer
Ability to Customize events for Any current or Future X10 Compatible remotes (even Palm pads)
Ability to turn any X10 remote into a remote mouse (even Palm pads)

Ability to do the folowing by remote for the button of your choice:
Play CD or DVD In Specified Drive
Stop CD In Specified Drive
Pause CD Playing
Play next Title
Play Previous Title
Open CD/DVD ROM
Increase Music volume
Decrease Music volume
Speak current time
Retrieve and  speaks Current forcast
Open Internet Explore
Read Phones calls logged
Speak Toady's reminders
Move mouse up
Move mouse down
Move mouse left
Move mouse right
Mouse left click
Mouse right click
Hide Program
Show Program
Exit Program
Shut Down PC
Restart PC
Start Blank Screen Saver[/b]

The link to the program is the same!

[Tuicemen]

****New Update 3.0.0.0****Some of you have been waiting for this one!
It has XCL (floorplan display) embeded in it!
There are many other added features
DVDs now play in their own window and are play able with remote control!
Media style graphics display in the face graphic window when playing mp3s,CDs or playlists
yes you may now play a Mediaplayer play list
For those already using XCL you can save your configuration file as FPSettings.xml and place it in the PC Companion folder.
That will save you from rebulding it!
 
Note: the Auto updater isn't working at the moment server is too slow I think!
So you can  get it here
 

[Tuicemen]

  Seems  I've finaly nailed down the problem with Companion not closing when a sound file was played from a batch file (at least in all my tests here )
Also removed graphic from displaying when a sound file is played from a batch file.
If there is a need for this let me know and I'll add the option to display!
3.0.0.4 should now be on the server!
  Happy New Year!

[birdzeye]

Hey Tuicemen, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Just downloaded the new version....neat program!

Can't get it to select another video source besides the va11a, though. Is it only supposed to work with the va11a?

[BaBaLou.]

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Tuecemen and also to all X10'rs and their families.
So far very very nice and no crashes too boot

• Can I select anything else than the Pic of the Lamp as a module? I do see them lighting up, just wondering if there is other icons I can use or a way to add ones myself.
• Doesn't make a difference which AHP versionr is companion meant to work with?

Look forward to having this work for me, you can be assured that you have my support towards your project.

[Tuicemen]

birdzeye
It will work with any video capture device!
But I think it loads the first one it finds! That was done intentionally to speed up display
I did rework it when I added the floorplan view so I'll have another look at it!
I the mean time disconnect the VA11A from the PC and fire up the cam screen it should pick up the other capture device on your PC! (mine does using a cheep USB web cam)
 
BaBaLou.
At the moment only the light is available the way the devices are created at runtime somewhat limits the graphics.
I've played with the idea of having a user configureable on/off graphic but decided on this approach if enough people wish it as user configurable, I'll add the option
PC Companion will work with any version of AHP or even with out AHP! With out AHP installed you will however need the SDK Redistributable components installed.
 

[birdzeye]

birdzeye disconnect the VA11A from the PC and fire up the cam screen it should pick up the other capture device on your PC! (mine does using a cheep USB web cam)
 

I disconnected the va11a, and it still won't apply my other video source, which is a usb2 tv tuner. When a window pops open for you to choose the video source, I select my tv tuner, press Apply, and OK, but still no go. And in the Camera Preview window it always shows Microsoft WDM Image Capture (Win32) as the video source.

[Tuicemen]

birdzeye
I'll look into this
When you have the option to select the video source what else is showing?
Is there a feed coming into the TVtuner? Power on?
I know if I don't have my cam reciever turned on I get the option to pick a video source!

[birdzeye]

birdzeye
I'll look into this
When you have the option to select the video source what else is showing?
Is there a feed coming into the TVtuner? Power on?
I know if I don't have my cam reciever turned on I get the option to pick a video source!

Tuicemen,
First off, in order to get the option to select the video source to pop up, I first have to start my usb2 tv tuner application, then while it's running I try to start the PC Companion Cams, and a window pops up and says to only run one application at a time, and then after I close that, the window pops up to select video source. I then close my usb2 tv tuner application, and select usb2 tv tuner from the 2 choices on the select video source drop down options. If I have the va11a plugged in, it will show as the other option. So the only 2 options I ever have are my usb2 tv tuner or the va11a depending on whether or not they are plugged in.

There is always a feed to both the TVtuner and the va11a, and yes, the power is on and the receiver is on.

What I'd like to know is why MS WDM Image Capture (Win32) shows in the VideoSource of the Camera Preview. Shouldn't it be either the va11a or the TVtuner?

[Tuicemen]

birdzeye
The MS WDM Image Capture (Win32) shows in the VideoSource  because Windows is using video input you select as the capture device!
This is most likely because both are USB devices.
That is most likely why your getting the window pop up and saying to only run one application at a time!
AHP and Companion can't use the same capture device at the same time! You'll find this with other apps even windows movie maker can't!
Seems this may be your issue.
Make sure only PC Companion is running before you try to access the capture card!
Once Companion Camera display is running start AHP, this is a limitation of the app and unfortunately both Companion and AHP have that limitation!
I've been looking for a way for the two to use the same device to no avail so far!

[birdzeye]

birdzeye AHP and Companion can't use the same capture device at the same time! You'll find this with other apps even windows movie maker can't!
Seems this may be your issue.

Tuicemen, I know that already. The only reason I run both at the same time is that I found it is the only way to get the Select Video Source window to pop up so I can change my video source. Is there another way to get the Select Video Source window to display when you want to change your video source?