I just wanted to thank Baddabing for sharing his new skin and for all his hard work. Also for all of his past skins and support on the forum.
Here is the link:
http://www.xlobby.com/files/baddabing/skins/ModernMetal.zip
Forum thread:
http://xlobby.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=48469#48469
Wes Black\Calrad
New build available in Mantis or your My xLobby area.
Build: 3.0.9059.21
+enable or disable ir device, allows IR devices to be enabled or disabled in the skin editor under (IR)
+windows message trigger upgraded, wm_input,wm_user,wm_appcommand,wm_command
+speech recognition trigger added, more details to follow on setting this up
+built in remote control codes converted to windows message triggers
+alt+f2 closes setup if open fix
+enable/disable speech recognition in setup under options
+adding a new screen the backgrounds is not set correctly fix
+copy/paste ordering fixed
+paste more than once added
+options page (Menu) now has xlobby remote trigger configurations
This news post will be updated several times over the next few days.
Wes Black
The next beta release of V3 will include some menus to show how speech can offer some cool possibilities, select different voices, control speech volume, TTS speed, etc.. Your system must have SAPI installed on yor machine. Here is a few links to posts I made about speech in xLobby. This NEWS post will be updated from time to time to include new features or videos.
Link 1:
http://www.xlobby.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=6552
Link2:
Demo Video 2-23-09:
Wes Black
Well I was messing around with some ideas to have panels slide in and out and found a few tricks we can use with the current xLobby tools until we officially build-in these types of screen effects. On the next build there will be several examples on how to do this. You can build panels that come from left, right, up or down. Add sound effects, load buttons at once or in a segmented fashion 1 at a time. Here are a few videos.
Wes Black
Update on the next xLobby V3 release:
Fixes:
-mediatypes.xml, music.xml templates are not overwritten on partial/full install
-“clear playlist all zones” add to clear the playlist on all audio zones
-“up down move” category bug fixed
-when you select a new unselected item, sometimes image doesnt switch
to selected
-thumbnail creation area on splash screen moved over to the right with thumbnail total displayed
-create thumbs button added for thumbnail cache setting
-selecting a display setting for a category
(unselected,seletected..etc) is now visible
-installer exe keyboard tab order fixed, Full Install, Partial Install, Etc.
-fix bug for element properties, URL
Features:
-search screens textbox added to skin editor
-right click context menu “properties” shortcut added
-right click context menu “event editor” shortcut added
-timer “countdown clock” added, a new command to create a countdown
clock that runs independent of the thread
-trigger “enable” “disable” “enable disable toggle” functions added
-“xlobby””simulate keyboard activity” command added
-timer wait format added hh:mm:ss
-inactivity format added hh:mm:ss
-client now receives server import status when refreshing from a client
-slider “scrollbar” made more responsive
-(Skin Editor) refresh button for screen properties menu, refresh
-ability to add a local event to individual buttons without creating a group and event, for example add a new button, right mouse click and select edit event this will allow you to create a local event.
-text color resources has a new tab called colors by name to directly select a color.
-fix web based spiders, add google image search spider based on image type and size.
-under setup, options tab delete and recreate thumbnails button.
-auto discovery of any services running on a network thats available to any xLobby system
-new shoutcast ip radio interface that has 24 genres with 24 presets per genre.
Video of new Timer countdown command:
Screenshot:
xLobby can now show status of timer events.`There will be several varations of the variable (%timer>clock>countdown%) with additional features.
Wes Black
Preview video of the next integration of Shoutcast internet radio menus, 24 genres with 24 preset stations.
6.2Mb SWF file, be patient.
Wes Black
Thanks to Andy Grooby for the new xLobby Hal 9000 Skin.
See this forum post:
http://xlobby.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=48098#48098
Videos of the Skin:
4.7Mb SWF file, be patient.
5.5Mb SWF file, be patient.
Wes Black
This news post explains the basic menu options under Alt + F2, xlobbys setup menu. This news post will be updated when necessary to reflect any changes in these menus. Also I will be posting more in depth details on how each feature or setting works so users get a better idea of how to setup and use all the xLobby items in these menus. Click on any of the menu images to enlarge. Any questions or comments should be directed to the xLobby forum under support.
Link to forum support:
http://www.xlobby.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=44&sid=af250a25f369f363ae90a19583b10719
About Screen Tab:
The About Screen Tab provides information on 1. License Information, 2. Misc Information like memory usage and Hardware rendering details, 3. The current build of xLobby that your using. The xLobby Unique ID license number is generated from the hardware in your xLobby system and is unique. The Activate button is used to activate a valid license from the xLobby servers and will only validate a registered license. Copy ID to clipboard is used to copy the unique ID number for personal reference or for use by Calrad technical staff to register a machine when logged in thru Log-MeIn.
Audio Screen Tab:
The Audio Screen Tab is used to configure xLobbys sound settings for audio playback, this includes multizone audio. In this menu you can create internal audio zones and assign them to a audio output devices.
Auto Play Tab:
The Auto Play Screen Tab is used to trigger a specific event based off the file extensions found on newly found media, such as a pop up box when a DVD is inserted.
Databases Screen Tab:
The Database Screen Tab is where xLobby manages all of the media content that is shown and displayed in the interface GUI.
Display Screen Tab:
The Display Screen Tab is used to confiure xLobby between primary and secondary displays.
Downloads Screen Tab:
The Display Screen Tab will be used to download updates, plugins, skins. This feature for xLobby V3 will be available soon.
File Types Screen Tab:
The File Types Screen Tab menu is used for launching external media players for different file types like winamp, zoom player, etc.
Info Set Screen Tab:
The Info Set Screen Tab menu is used for creating static information that can be used within the skin as a variable. Example: %variable>static>telephone%.
Local Screen Tab:
The Local Screen Tab is used to setup the location information that is used by xLobbys calendar based trigger system for home automation control. Selection of a RS232 port to control xLobby from external devices.
Lockout Screen Tab:
The Lockout Screen Tab Enables users to lockout acsess to the Setup+Skin editor menus. A user created password is required to gain access.
Main Menu Screen Tab:
The Main Menu Screen Tab provides users the ability to show or hide main menu items in the default skin or any new menu that is created and follows the database rules under the database editor.
Media Player Screen Tab:
The Media Player Screen Tab is for setting up all the options for the playback of Movies.
Options Screen Tab:
The Options Screen Tab provides users access to several settings that can be enabled or disabled.
Notes Screen Tab:
The Notes Screen Tab is a text field where you can store information that is related to the current installation of xLobby.
Plugins Screen Tab:
The Plugins Screen Tab shows what plugins are installed and provides access to the settings for them.
Services Screen Tab:
The Services Screen Tab is used to setup and view any service that is connected to xLobby, for example Russound, UPB, Insteon, Lutron, Aprilaire HVAC, GE, ELK, WACI.
Skin Screen Tab:
The Skin Screen Tab provides users access to preview or use different xLoby skins and sound schemes.
Web Server Screen Tab:
The Web Server Tab allows users to enable or disable the built in xLobby web server, this will allow you to control the current instance of xLobby through any device that has a web browser.
xNET Screen Tab:
XNET Screen Tab allows users to setup a communications system that is used by xLobby clients to communicate with other xLobby hardware running in server mode. Clients will get their databases from the server and can control the local audio zones on the server machine.
This news post may be updated on a regular bassis to reflect any changes in these menus.
Wes Black
The xLobby online Music and Movie Databases have rescently been updated. The Movie database is updated every Wednesday with the most popular titles. Major imports to the Music and Movie libraries happen about every 1-2 months depending on the content demand. When possible we will post the details here in the news area about any information regarding significant updates or imports to the online database. If there are any titles missing and you want to have us add them, please send a E-Mail request to calradelectronics@calrad.com with the subject line “xLobby Online Database” and we will update the database as soon as possibe. The registered users who have access to there My xLobby accounts can manually add titles to the database anytime, the initial use of this service requires apporval for the first 10 titles to insure proper submissions after that you can continue to add as many tiltles as you want.
Wes Black \ Calrad
A new release was posted Friday, Ver 3.0.9024.5 in My xLobby + Mantis. Here is some basic information.
1. The generic RS232 full 2 way Service is included in the build, Steven will be posting the details on setting the new service up as well as details on all the features early this week along with the release of the other services, Insteon, Lutron, Russound, UPB. The new folder in xLobby for the service is called Services, xcontroller. The current driver database is RS232 write commands only and will be updated on a regular bassis and will include RS232 drivers with full 2 way communication. The service can perform both read and write functions. This Rs232 service uses xLobbys new service discovery system making it easy for other xLobby machines to easily connect to the service or any service thats available. The basic RS232 Command Group and events are still available for simple access to internal com ports. Here are some screenshots of the GUI.
2. Addition of a new feature called Variables located in the skin tab. This function allows users the ability to drag predefined and reusable variables directly into a menu. The variables are currently fixed and will be expanded further. Future abilities will include creating and deleting your own variables. Click on a variable from the list then drag and drop it on the menu.
Variables Screenshot:
3. The ability to add WMV videos into the background folder to use as animated backgrounds. Your system should have a video card installed that performs hardware rendering to minamize heavy cpu load. Make sure you have Windows Media Player 11 or above installed or the background will not render.
4. Several minor bug fixes.
Websites to download free WMV files for xLobby animated backgrounds:
http://www.dreamscene.org/gallery.php?page=2#downloadgallery
Additional website, requires conversion to WMV:
http://stockfootageforfree.com/
Website to download paid WMV files for xLobby animated backgrounds, requires conversion to WMV:
http://www.pond5.com/stock-video-footage/motion-backgrounds.html?gclid=CPmC-Z3Pq5gCFQE_gwodLyD7hg
Free online file conversion:
Previous News post on the other xLobby services.
http://xlobby.com/news/2008/11/17/xlobby-v3-services/
Wes Black
