Loss of focus on second NextPVR launch

[wwhenderson]

Issue: Lack of focus on subsequent Windows NextPVR launch (new user-old problem ?). Currently using NextPVR V4_2_5_191014, Intel-DH55TC mobo, Win10Pro X64, RC6 IR MCE remote (from an old Sony VAIO PC), and a Logitech Harmony 650 IR remote. The front end is a Cetron InfiniTV4 card with M-SIM card to Frontier FiOS. First time launching NVPR via the Harmony IR remote or VAIO IR remote MCE 'Green Button' results with NPVR having focus on the Windows desktop. If NPVR is exited and re-launched, NVPR shows on the Windows desktop, but does not have focus. The remediation is to logoff the existing user session and log back on or to use an attached keyboard to give NPVR focus. Since this is an 'Appliance' PC with no normally attached keyboard, the lack of focus and need for a keyboard is a nuisance. The solution was to re-define the Logitech MyHarmony 'Watch NextPVR' activity on the Media Center PC with a trailing 'Alt-Tab' key sequence. This grants the NVPR Windows session focus when launched with the 'Green Button' and the IR remotes then function as desired. An image of the Logitech MyHarmony 'Watch NextPVR' is attached.

[mvallevand]

Just looking at the command sequence why should alt-tab give focus to NextPVR?

Martin

[wwhenderson]

Alt-tab is a Windows Hot-Key to switch between active windows. For some reason on subsequent launches, NextPVR is displayed and appears to be active in the display, but if NextPVR is not launched full screen, you can see the IR remote 'directions' buttons working on the Windows desktop icons instead what should be the active Windows display (NextPVR). Alt-Tab forces Windows to make NextPVR active in the foreground where the IR remote direction buttons are then working on the NextPVR display instead of the Windows desktop. NextPVR is the only active app running, so Alt-Tab forces Windows to make that window active. I just noticed it worked after trying many different solutions. My NextPVR situation is relatively simple. I launch NextPVR via an IR remote on a Windows 'Appliance' PC and exit every time I'm done. I like to see any background messages from my AntiVirus or Windows notifications before I use it again. If I leave NextPVR up full screen all the time, I miss Windows notifications. I have not used the IR remote to minimize NextPVR and make it full screen. I use the Logitech Harmony IR remote to 'Power-on' all the devices used to watch TV only when I want to watch. This allows the PC to be 'always on' to record, with all other devices powered off when not used. Therefore, when I want to watch TV, the Harmony IR remote powers on the needed devices and hits the MCE 'Green Button' on the PC via a USB IR receiver. Since this is a relaunch of NextPVR, NextPVR was missing the focus needed for the remotes to work. Hope this answers your question. I will next be seeing how to use sleep with NextPVR, since this PC has been online for years and I would like to see if I can conserve a little power, by allowing it to sleep periodically.

[mvallevand]

I know what alt-tab is but why do you expect that will give focus to NextPVR. Sounds like there is another active windows taking focus.

Martin

[wwhenderson]

There are no other active windows at the time. This is an old issue with NextPVR from what I can tell according to other posts. I did not find a solution in the posts without using a keyboard or some mod to kodi or keyboard mapping in the registry. My TV audience is not just me but others in the house, so keeping it simple without a keyboard is better. You bring up an interesting question though. If I have any other active apps running with a display window, my work-around only gives focus to that other app. I have work to do, unless I keep all other apps quiesced. Since this is an Appliance PC, I normally have no other apps running, but it gives me thought to find a better solution, just in case. I prefer to make a change to the Harmony settings in the way NextPVR is started via the Green Button, unless I have missed something in the NextPVR settings that would cause this. I presume this is normal behavior for NextPVR, since I can find no settings in NextPVR or the NextPVR 'config.xml' that changes this.

[wwhenderson]

The solution to the 'MCE Green Button' IR remote launch of NextPVR not having active Windows preference may be as simple as NextPVR mapping the 'MCE Green Button' to launch 'NextPVR.exe -ontop'. I do not have visibiity to how NextPVR reacts to the 'MCE Green Button' for a RC6 IR remote, but I can confirm that after using the Alt-Tab via a re-mapped 'Red Button' on a Logitech Harmony RC6 IR remote using AdvancedMCERemoteMapper, the NextPVR window now has preference and will then accept button keys from a RC6 IR remote. I verified this with an older Sony VAIO RC6 IR remote also. I appreciate all the efforts of the support team for NextPVR. As an MCE refugee, I have become more comfortable using it with an IR remote, but there are still GUI hickups with adding/changing/searching recordings that have to be performed with a keyboard and make it less attractive for exclusive IR remote use as a PVR appliance. I am always looking for ways to make 'simple' happen, considering my audience was barely comfortable with MCE.