KeyMappings.xml

[smajor]

Is the KeyMappings.xml fairly modifiable at this point? I've had a MCE/Keyboard/Mouse combo remote just kicking around for ages now, and I wanted to see if I could get it working. What's "special" about this remote is that it works with MCE, but it's acting as a keyboard and, from what I read, is sending the keyboard shortcuts that MCE is using and isn't acting as a traditional MCE remote. Windows sees it as a generic HID compliant mouse/keyboard.

I'd like to create a custom KeyMappings file for NPVR for use with one of these devices and maybe stick it up in the wiki for others. I can't seem to get {ALT} or {SHIFT} to work, but maybe those aren't implemented or I'm using the wrong tags.

FWIW, I started a topic in the wish-list for an interface in NPVR to configure remote/keyboard/mouse commands.

[Reddwarf]

Is the KeyMappings.xml fairly modifiable at this point? I've had a MCE/Keyboard/Mouse combo remote just kicking around for ages now, and I wanted to see if I could get it working. What's "special" about this remote is that it works with MCE, but it's acting as a keyboard and, from what I read, is sending the keyboard shortcuts that MCE is using and isn't acting as a traditional MCE remote. Windows sees it as a generic HID compliant mouse/keyboard.

I'd like to create a custom KeyMappings file for NPVR for use with one of these devices and maybe stick it up in the wiki for others. I can't seem to get {ALT} or {SHIFT} to work, but maybe those aren't implemented or I'm using the wrong tags.

FWIW, I started a topic in the wish-list for an interface in NPVR to configure remote/keyboard/mouse commands.

If you'r able to use HIP you can map any key to any command (that is available, that is).

[smajor]

If you'r able to use HIP you can map any key to any command (that is available, that is).

True, but my goal with any of my remotes is to not have another layer of "something" in-between. HIP, EventGhost, and the like, in my opinion, are way overkill for this task. My GB-PVR (and soon to be NPVR) machines are dedicated to TV viewing - I couldn't care less about using my remote to control anything else.

From what I understand about this remote, and several others that have built-in mouse-control, is that since they are emulating keyboard strokes that MCE uses, every-single button on it SHOULD be able to be reassigned - including the red/blue/green/yellow buttons. Those, if/when sub adds their equivalent to the KeyMappings file could take you directly to Video/TV/Pictures, etc.

If I get it working, I'll happily donate my work up on the wiki. It'd be great to be able to tell new users to "get one of these remotes and use this keymap file and everything will work with no other software." That's why I choose GB-PVR back in the day - it had full support for my (then) Hauppage Remote and I got things rolling in a couple of hours.

[Reddwarf]

It'd be great to be able to tell new users to "get one of these remotes and use this keymap file and everything will work with no other software."

Are you a sales agent for those remotes

Most capturecards comes with some kind of remote, and most people have a drawer full of old remotes, with an appropiate IR-sensor and HIP one can get ANY remote to work with NPVR (or GBPVR).

[johnsonx42]

The only problem I have with the way NPVR handles MCE remotes is that it has an internal table of MCE remote events that NPVR reads directly. If a button on an MCE remote does something in NPVR that I don't want, there's nothing I can do about it. In GB-PVR, I could (and did) just set the remote type to "Hauppauge" which also turned off the MCE remote detection. Then I was free to program all the buttons as I desired. It would be nice if NPR's MCE remote detection could be turned off as well.

I agree with smajor though, it would be nice if NPVR could monitor and respond to all sorts of remote events through a configurable keymapping file (ie, MCE remote codes and HID events too). Then as he says, no external program would be required, just a properly configured keymapping file.

[johnsonx42]

That all said though, I think the majority of users will eventually need something like EventGhost or HIP for *something*. For example, even if NPVR could handle every button on my remote internally, I'd still need EventGhost for NetFlix.

[smajor]

No, not a remote salesman :-)

See my wish-list entry on this subject.

But, in this case, having the ability to recommend a few "hassle free" solutions to get people started, so much the better. Not much different than the hardware requirements for tuners recommended here.

[Reddwarf]

Not much different than the hardware requirements for tuners recommended here.

But tuners can be of almost any brand and still work with NPVR.

I'm not against easy and "ready to go" solutions, I'm just saying that spending an hour or two configuring what has proven to work can save you some money. Yes it would be nice to have a fully configurable kaymapping file, but again, there's a lot of thigs that would be nice to have :p

[smajor]

But tuners can be of almost any brand and still work with NPVR.

I'm not against easy and "ready to go" solutions, I'm just saying that spending an hour or two configuring what has proven to work can save you some money. Yes it would be nice to have a fully configurable kaymapping file, but again, there's a lot of thigs that would be nice to have :p

I agree, it'd be nice to have a lot of things... including a couple of spare hours to configure a remote control with 3rd party software. I can modify an xml file a whole lot faster than that, were it configurable (and no one has really answered my original question if it is or will be... they've only suggested I use something else which I know I already CAN.)

NPVR is new, and in beta. To me, I'm not concerned with the way it was done with GB-PVR, I'm interested in, suggesting, and hoping that NPVR can do more internally than it's previous incarnation.

[pBS]

hmmm, you might wanna try looking at the customization of appcommands from registry..
i have a list...most keyboard keys use these to do stuff in mce, when blank they do default value, but you can add your own action to override..
almost every keyboard with media keys works with these...there are exceptions tho..and i don't know every possible code..

very handy to map keys for other things too tho...like a hibernate key..

let us know if it helps any...

seems to work fine for my real MCE keyboard [even has green win button]
i just remapped my ff [not skip>] key to execute a program..
i'll have to see if a plain cmd can be used to simulate keystrokes, but a helper app can work just fine..
[like a rundll cmd or something so no extra software needed to 'send' keys]

i'll have to setup a reg file to test for unknown keys...
[basically setting up registry for every key from 1-255 and echo-ing a number when that key is pressed to discover any keyboard key]

Code:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AppKey

setting in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AppKey\1
string value-    ShellExecute = "application.exe"
would make browser back button on keyboard execute "application.exe" instead..
have a look at the existing keys under AppKey to get an idea of what else can be done with them..


APPCOMMAND_BROWSER_BACKWARD       1
APPCOMMAND_BROWSER_FORWARD        2
APPCOMMAND_BROWSER_REFRESH        3
APPCOMMAND_BROWSER_STOP           4
APPCOMMAND_BROWSER_SEARCH         5
APPCOMMAND_BROWSER_FAVORITES      6
APPCOMMAND_BROWSER_HOME           7
APPCOMMAND_VOLUME_MUTE            8
APPCOMMAND_VOLUME_DOWN            9
APPCOMMAND_VOLUME_UP              10
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_NEXTTRACK        11
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_PREVIOUSTRACK    12
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_STOP             13
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE       14
APPCOMMAND_LAUNCH_MAIL            15
APPCOMMAND_LAUNCH_MEDIA_SELECT    16
APPCOMMAND_LAUNCH_APP1            17
APPCOMMAND_LAUNCH_APP2            18
APPCOMMAND_BASS_DOWN              19
APPCOMMAND_BASS_BOOST             20
APPCOMMAND_BASS_UP                21
APPCOMMAND_TREBLE_DOWN            22
APPCOMMAND_TREBLE_UP              23
APPCOMMAND_MICROPHONE_VOLUME_MUTE 24
APPCOMMAND_MICROPHONE_VOLUME_DOWN 25
APPCOMMAND_MICROPHONE_VOLUME_UP   26
APPCOMMAND_HELP                   27
APPCOMMAND_FIND                   28
APPCOMMAND_NEW                    29
APPCOMMAND_OPEN                   30
APPCOMMAND_CLOSE                  31
APPCOMMAND_SAVE                   32
APPCOMMAND_PRINT                  33
APPCOMMAND_UNDO                   34
APPCOMMAND_REDO                   35
APPCOMMAND_COPY                   36
APPCOMMAND_CUT                    37
APPCOMMAND_PASTE                  38
APPCOMMAND_REPLY_TO_MAIL          39
APPCOMMAND_FORWARD_MAIL           40
APPCOMMAND_SEND_MAIL              41
APPCOMMAND_SPELL_CHECK            42
APPCOMMAND_DICTATE_OR_COMMAND_CONTROL_TOGGLE    43
APPCOMMAND_MIC_ON_OFF_TOGGLE      44
APPCOMMAND_CORRECTION_LIST        45
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_PLAY             46
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_PAUSE            47
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_RECORD           48
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_FAST_FORWARD     49
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_REWIND           50
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_CHANNEL_UP       51
APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_CHANNEL_DOWN     52