xLobby V3 – 3.0.10232.14
========================
– 0000879: [setup] show database save progress after editing (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000858: [animation] Can “goto” animated transitions be tweaked a bit so that they appear more “fluid”? (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000886: [generic] f2 client option, mimic mode default to media player (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000762: [skin editor] CategoryDisplay/Image/”Remove” button does not work + other problem with category image (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000883: [generic] slideshow can now use “playlist” as the category, for playlist slideshows (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000881: [skin editor] sort variables list box (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000885: [generic] using randomcover can cause a crash when importing from f2 sometimes (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000875: [setup] screen saver minute timer added to “display” in setup (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000874: [animation] category text scrolls if too large (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000880: [skin editor] select current screen in screens list when opening skin editor (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000873: [client/server] Disable GUI causes Xlobby crash at start up (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000878: [generic] “latest” view added to music area, requires delete and reimport (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000876: [generic] resize event editor by dragging bottom right corner (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000882: [generic] “slideshow shuffle” command added, randomized slideshows (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000877: [skin editor] groups now have a border around them to show their position (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000891: [skin editor] only nav items can be selected when overriding navigation (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000889: [generic] auto back up system, can be disabled in f2 (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000888: [generic] Spider not working (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000887: [skin editor] “spider save cover”, saves just the cover, not touching meta information (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000890: [setup] network disconnects now posted to log (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000892: [setup] “Options”, “Music ignore The”, ie “the beatles”, will become “beatles” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

Screenshot xLobby Setup Menu, Options tab with new Music Ignore ” The” check box.

Screenshot xLobby Setup Menu, Display tab with new Screensaver feature that will cause the xLobby screen to go Black after a specified time of inactivity.

Wes Black

1. Mantis (0000878) “Latest” view added to music area, requires delete and reimport. Shows the latest content added to the music library.

2. Mantis (0000877) Groups now have a border around them to show their position.

3. Mantis (0000876) Resize event editor by dragging bottom right corner.

4. Mantis (0000874) Category text scrolls if text description is to large.

Video Demo Link: http://www.youtube.com/xlobbytv#p/a/u/0/NgIPIc0C-Bk

5. Mantis (0000762) CategoryDisplay/Image/”Remove” button does not work + other problem with category image

6. Mantis (0000875) Screen saver minute timer added to “display” in setup.

Screeshot: xLobby Setup menu, Display tab with Screensaver option. This feature will cause the xLobby screen to go black after a specified time of no activity. When activity is present the screensaver will stop and the xLobby menu will appear again.

Wes Black

See this early bleeding edge release for more details.

Link: http://xlobby.com/news/2010/06/18/xlobby-bleeding-edge-release-new-features/

xLobby V3 – 3.0.10197.10
========================
– 0000678: [skin editor] Unable to Use images in folders for category images (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000832: [generic] clone mode breaks mouse clicking (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000856: [generic] can not update xlobby (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000867: [generic] cd import bug when importing to wma (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000868: [generic] category pulsating animation bug on pages other than 1 (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000869: [generic] slideshow start up is slow on large collections (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000870: [skin editor] toolbox now shows skin name at the bottom (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000871: [generic] music no longer stops when exiting slideshow (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000872: [generic] dvd import status & percentage missing fix (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

– 0000070: [generic] volume popup ? then fades after x seconds? (stevenhanna6) – closed.
– 0000859: [skin editor] “O” button added next to event path under event editor (stevenhanna6) – closed.
– 0000860: [skin editor] kill services on exit, checkbox added under “services” (stevenhanna6) – closed.
– 0000861: [skin editor] command “xlobby->services kill” added, clients will pass command to server (stevenhanna6) – closed.
– 0000862: [skin editor] show entire path in event editor, will show “skin” if a skin event (stevenhanna6) – closed.
– 0000863: [generic] startup progress text on one line now (stevenhanna6) – closed.
– 0000864: [generic] storage stats duplicate entries on some nas systems (stevenhanna6) – closed.
– 0000865: [generic] internet connection variable added %xlobby>connectionInternet% (stevenhanna6) – closed.
– 0000866: [generic] lan speed variable added %xlobby>connectionLANSpeed% (stevenhanna6) – closed

Wes Black

Comimg soon to the xLobby platform, integration of the bitwise product line with 2 way communication of the BC4X1 Pro Automation Controller.

With products designed and backed by over 20 years of mission-critical control, monitoring, and AV systems integration experience, Bitwise Controls is uniquely equipped to provide powerful and flexible products for the expanding commercial, industrial, educational, and residential control-systems markets. Bitwise Controls LLC was founded by veteran industry leadership in 2008 with the goal of offering innovative and reliable new products, designed, tested and manufactured in the USA.

Designing from Experience

 BC4X1 Pro Automation Controller

 Front view with DC power jack, status L.E.D. and RJ45 network connector.

Rear view with 4 Discrete IR Ports, IR Learning receiver, 2 dry relay contacts. 1 x RS232 port, 2 x Analog-Digital I/O ports.

For more information visit the bitwise website

Bitwise website: http://www.bitwisecontrols.com/

Videos: http://www.bitwisecontrols.com/videos.php

This news post is subject to change 

Wes Black

The current bleeding edge release has a few new items.

1. Kill services on exit, checkbox added under “services”. This feature when enabled will uload all running services when xLobby is restarted or closed and restart them again when xLobby is relaunched. This new feature is useful for users in correcting any communication issues between xLobby and all xLobby services in the event a service becomes unstable or unresponsive. This new intuitive feature provides a simple way for users to resolve a service related issue for xLobby controlled hardware and minimizes service calls to customers until the real bug\software-hardware problem is tracked down, fixed or resolved.

2. Command “xlobby->services kill” added, clients will pass command to server. Create an event within a xLobby server or client to perform a Services restart.

3. The xLobby splash screen has a new startup progress text on a single line.

4. “O” button added next to the event path in the event editor to show the location of  the event and group location.

5. Show entire path in event editor, will show “skin” if a skin event.

6. New Variable connection Lan Speed: LAN Speed: %xlobby>connectionLANSpeed%

7. New Variable connection Internet: Internet: %xlobby>connectionInternet%

 xLobby Screenshot, Kill Services Check Box in Setup

xLobby Screenshot, Event Editor showing entire path for an event, selecting the [O] button will show the event location in the Event Manager, Event Groups list box and the Events list box.

xLobby Screenshot showing Internet Connected and Lan Speed information

xLobby Screenshot showing the skin editor, variables menu with Variable connection Lan Speed, Variable connection Internet in the varaible list box. Simply drag any variable show on to a xLobby menu and it will populate a text box with the value.

Wes Black

xLobby V3 – 3.0.10141.77
========================

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

  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

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

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.

Screenshot of the Skin Editor with the floating Toolbox open. The current Skin Name that is being edited is now shown at the bottom of the menu.

This news post is subject to changes and updates.

Wes Black

Check out Andy’s latest IPAD skin release for xLobby. Thanks for sharing another masterpiece, we will add it to the ongoing collection of skins.

Ipad Skin Download  here: http://www.cyberdyne-sys.com/xl/upload/ipad%20skin.rar

Ipad Skin Forum thread:  http://www.xlobby.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=7283

Andy’s Previous skins

Iphone Skin:  http://www.xlobby.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=6841 

xLobby Simplicity Skin: http://xlobby.com/news/2008/08/05/xlobby-simplicity-v2-v3-skin/

Hal 9000: http://xlobby.com/news/2009/02/07/new-xlobby-skin-hal-9000/

Technolobby Manga Skin: http://xlobby.com/news/2008/02/29/technoloby-manga-skin/

Black & Silver Skin: http://xlobby.com/news/2008/01/21/black-silver-skin/

Wes Black