xlobby news » 2010

Archive for May, 2010

May25

New xLobby V3 Build 3.0.10141.77

by Wes Black

xLobby V3 – 3.0.10141.77
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The numeric reference numbers in blue are the mantis bug-issue tracking numbers

– 0000833: [generic] escape and back do not produce navigation sounds (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000839: [skin editor] new category scroll “left right move snake” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000838: [generic] Bleeding edge May 11 has “dead spot”. (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000846: [client/server] slideshow occurs on server if client is in mimic mode (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000847: [generic] alt+~ (alt plus tilde) show overall cpu usage, top left corner (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000848: [generic] new random cover option “db>random>randomcoveranimated” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000849: [animation] show overlay, new animations “slide left, slide right, slide up, slide down” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000037: [generic] output to list….give diffrent sort ability, output all movies organized by genre…by rating (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000850: [animation] goto screen, new animations “slide left, slide right, slide up, slide down” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000852: [generic] category “animated” checkbox added (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000854: [setup] show trigger name in log (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000845: [generic] new client commands, category->slideshow “next, previous,stop, pause” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000844: [generic] picture search crash (related to new aspect ratio code) (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000843: [generic] music->repeat track, command added (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000842: [generic] category>position variable fix, now based on filtered actual root (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000841: [skin editor] remove cover and remove info, commands added for category (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000840: [skin editor] speed tweak for load delay “zero” fix on thumbnails (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000772: [client/server] Client / Server wont replicate thumbs or database (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000357: [generic] cannot stop slideshow from client (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

– 0000762: [skin editor] CategoryDisplay/Image/”Remove” button does not work + other problem with category image (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

– 0000855: [setup] new external browser option (real internet explorer) (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

Screenshot Setup Menu, Skin options with Options Check Boxs for 1. External Webbrowser, 2. Use Internet Explorer. If you select the External Webbrowser option then xLobby sends commands to a completely separate browser applicaion that is totally independent of xLobby but looks and behaves like it’s integrated into xLobby, this option helps prevent xLobby program hangs and crashes since it is a completely separate application. If you use the Internet Explorer option then xLobby loads and uses Internet explorer in place of xLobbys own integrated browser, this option provides a 100% Internet Explorer compatible solution.

This news post is subject to changes or updates.

Wes Black

May19

xLobby New Features

by Wes Black

The current Bleeding Edge release contains a few new features and fixes.

1. xLobby Volume Overlay

New Volume control fixed overlay that pops up in the left corner on all menus when the volume changes or is muted. The new feature can be enable\disabled in setup under options, (Volume Overlay). Later versions will be integrated into the skin so the overlay can be modified in the skin editor.

2. Triggers now appear in the xLobby log system.

3. New category scroll “left right move snake.

4. Goto screen, new animations slide left, slide right, slide up, slide down

5. Show overlay, new animations “slide left, slide right, slide up, slide down

6. New random cover option “db>random>randomcoveranimated

7. New DVD commands right = next chapter, left = prev chapter, return = pause, when dvd is fullscreen.

8. Remove cover and remove info, commands added for category.

This news post is subject to changes and updates.

Wes Black

May07

xLobby Dolby Digital, DTS Audio Decoders (Preview)

by Wes Black

We are currently testing new audio decoders for xLobby that can downmix digital audio to 2 channel stereo or 5.1 discrete analog audio from SPDIF or Toslink inputs. xLobby and all media management systems are unable to decode digital 5.1, DTS and analog audio at the same time. The new series of decoders provide a low cost solution that provides installers the ability to separately decode analog audio when needed.

Specification:
1. Transfer the DTS/AC-3 digital signal data into 5.1 sound track output.
2. Transfer the stereo(R/L) audio signal data into 5.1 sound track out put.
3. Two SPDIF input, one coaxial input, one sterero input,Perfect solution for your HDTV player, xbox 360 , ps3, ps2, dm500s,dm800HD etc.
4. One button to switch mode, simple to operate.
5. Auto detect AC3、DTS、PCM digital audio siganl, decode format：Dolby Digital EX、DTS-ES、Dolby Pro Logic II、DTS、AC3,Dolby Digital.
6. S/N：120db
7. Stereo separate degree：80db（1KHZ）
8. Noise output frequency：200uV
9. Simulate output frequency：2.2V
10. Size:105x75x25mm

Interface:
1.Inputs:SPDIF1, coaxial, stereo
2.Outputs:CEN, SW,FL ,FR ,SL ,SR

Auto detection of AC-3, DTS, PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Prologic II, AC-3, HDCD.

Front View, 9VdcPower Jack, Source Selection Button, 2.1 or 5.1 Decoding Button, Toslink, SPDIF, AUX input for Surround Sound Simulation decoding.

Rear View with Analog RCA Audio Jacks

Basic hookup example where Digital Decoding still feeds the main home theater surround sound receiver and also provides a stereo source to the the whole house audio system.

This unit will be available in Mid June 2010.

This news post is subject to changes and updates.

Wes Black

May05

xLobby CPU Monitoring System, New Features

by Wes Black

We are adding some new features to xLobby that will help designers and users provide a more reliable xLobby hardware system implementation and to create skin designs with low resource overhead. The CPU usage is also available as a xLobby variable that can be used in various ways to provide feedback to users and system integrators on the health of their xLobby systems, CPU Variable %xlobby>cpuusage%. To open and close the CPU overlay window, use the Alt + ~ keys, the tilda key (~) is located at the upper left corner of your keyboard.

Some practical use’s

1. E-Mail your company employees or users a message if the CPU goes above a certain level for extended periods of time, use xLobbys Boolean logic commands. In future xLobby releases, we plan to have the CPU logic configured with options so that the value can be applied to the system to temporarilly fix or correct any problems until the real bug or specific issue is located.

2. Restart or temporarily close xLobby services that may be causing high CPU loads or intermittant xLobby GUI, menu design issues that need to be tracked down and resolved.

Screenshot of xLobbys Main Menu showing the CPU overlay window in the upper left corner.

When enabled the System CPU Load overlay shows up in the upper left corner of all xLobby menus providing users feedback on overall system CPU usage during the use of windows, xLobby software and services.

Screenshot of the CPU variable in use. The variable is under Variables in the skin editor and users can easily select it from the drop down list and drag the item on to any menu in xLobby.

Other useful additions, Fixes:

1. Under Alt + F2, Main Munu, a new button to sort the menu items alphabetically was added.

2. Import Audio CD Variables added to Variables menu in the skin editor

3. Menu Entry and Menu Exit Sound Events. If you use the remote or keyboard ESC keys and not a touchscreen the sound function or sound file that would normally play from a touch screen would not work (Fixed).

4. Skin name added in the xLobby Skin editor.