LED status monitor

[jimh]

I've been doing the flowcharting for an enhanced substitute for GBPVRTray that would address many of the issues raised in this and other threads. Features include:

1. User-configurable parallel-port LED controls (i.e., an LED status monitor);
2. Execution of a specified batch file upon wake-up from hibernation/standby (like GBPVRwake);
3. Optional audible alert (via PC speaker) that a recording is underway (intended for the numerous people who won't/can't build their own LED contraption);
4. Verification that recording is being saved to target .mpg file by monitoring that the size of the target .mpg file is continually growing;
5. Execution of a specified batch file 30 seconds *prior* to commencement of next recording (sort of like a PreProcessing.bat feature);
6. Quick access via tray icon to full info on any recordings currently underway or pending (including program name, description, channel, start/end times, etc.);
7. Anything else that anyone suggests...

This application will rely heavily on subroutines that report details about pending, currently underway, and just completed recordings from my two prior utilities: RecInfo (found here) and RecStatus (found here ).

I'm hoping to have the first beta release of this tray app available in the next few weeks, time permitting.

I welcome suggestions for additional features, etc.

- Jim

[smeghead]

Go for it, sounds excellent. I'll beta test when you get something together.

Does it rely on the additional stuff that sub needs to do (to check when live tv is recording for example)? He's going to try to get something in for the next release if possible.

[jimh]

Go for it, sounds excellent. I'll beta test when you get something together.

Does it rely on the additional stuff that sub needs to do (to check when live tv is recording for example)? He's going to try to get something in for the next release if possible.

I'm not quite clear on the distinction between live tv *playing* and live tv *recording*. Even when live tv is being watched in real time within GBPVR, the stream is being recorded so that pause/time-shifting can still be utilized.

[smeghead]

You're right - bad wording on my part

[alex060670]

Hi there,

4. Verification that recording is being saved to target .mpg file by monitoring that the size of the target .mpg file is continually growing;

...

7. Anything else that anyone suggests...

I'd like to suggest another LED output that is set if the amount of free disk space is below a configurable limit (in my case, 10 gigs would make sense).

Greetings, Alex

[smeghead]

Quote from the maintenance release:
"- If a batch file called RecordingStatus.bat exists, this is called by the GB-PVR tray app each time the recording status changes."

It works. There are 2 parameters, the first essentially gives a "Y" or "N" as to whether its starting to record something or not and the second parameter gives detailes on what source and the programme name.

[jimh]

Hi there,



I'd like to suggest another LED output that is set if the amount of free disk space is below a configurable limit (in my case, 10 gigs would make sense).

Greetings, Alex

Alex:

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll add it to the feature list. With up to 8 LED's to work with, I can't imagine how to use them all!

Keep 'em coming - it's much easier to code for most features if I have them in mind at the design stage - retrofitting the program to add features later can often be klunky.

- Jim

[betlit]

i changed paraLEDsrv for the new 'RecordingStaus.bat'-feature... you can use this until jimh finishes his utility...

it is no longer a service. since it gets called by the recordingstatus batch file it does not have to be one anymore.

because it does not have to check all the recordings every X seconds, it consumes almost no cpu and causes no disk activity which could interfere with hibernation.

if you have paraLEDsrv installed on your machine, you have to remove it by calling:
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\InstallUtil.exe ParaLEDSrv.exe /U

for installation and configuration see readme.txt

[edit]Attachment removed. ParaLED can now be found in the wiki[/edit]

have fun

betlit

[jimh]

i changed paraLEDsrv for the new 'RecordingStaus.bat'-feature... you can use this until jimh finishes his utility...

My replacement PVR tray application is coming along very nicely...sure it has taken me twice as many hours as I anticipated, but, hey, what doesn't?

I hope to release a beta in a couple of weeks...

- Jim

[A_Brass]

Ok, I hope people are still checking this thread. I just made my PPMonitor according to the 1st and 2nd page of this thread. I used 220 resistors as suggested.

Now when I plug in my PPMonitor, the LEDs stay lit. What did I do wrong?

The only software I was going to use to test the LED's was PVRPowerTray. Any ideas on what I did wrong?

More info - When I check my PP I have 3.3v between pin 2 and 25(gnd). As well as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Should I have voltage on these pins with no software loaded?