2005-08-03, 05:17 PM
PVRPowerTray for GBPVR (version .09 - release date: August 3, 2005)
BACKGROUND:
I (and many others) face the constant challenge of building a PVR system that maximizes WAF (wife acceptance factor).
As a result, add-on's, like "betlit"'s Parallel Port LED monitor and my prior releases (RecInfo and RecStatus) were
very useful for me because they provided instant, real-time assurance that what was supposed to be recorded actually
was being recorded.
I then set out to create an supercharged version of the GBPVRTray application that "sub" provides with GBPVR that would
incorporate some of these WAF-enhancing features, as well as several others that I thought of general use.
Two months later, here is the first release version of PVRPowerTray for GBPVR.
FEATURES:
PVRPowerTray offers all of the features of GBPVRTray.exe plus:
1. Fully customizable support for betlit's terrific Parallel Port LED monitor. Associate each LED with
a unique parameter, such as "Recording from TV Tuner", "Comskip is running", low harddrive space, etc;
2. Ability to generate periodic PC Speaker alert beep while GBPVR is recording;
3. Easy access via system tray icon to GBPVR recording status;
4. Left click on system tray icon to popup info screen on current and pending recordings;
5. Right click on system tray icon and select from menu one of three info screens on pending recordings;
6. Ability to launch "PreProcessing.bat" file (must be in your GBPVR program directory) whenever
a new recording begins. For example, create a file called "PreProcessing.bat" in your GBPVR program directory
and include the line "comskip.exe %1" to have comskip process your recording as it is recorded;
7. Ability to verify recording is actually taking place by periodically checking to make sure that
resulting .mpg file is continually growing is size;
8. Several other optional features to make your GBPVR experience even more pleasant.
INSTALLATION:
The PVRPowerTray.zip archive contains the following files:
1. PVRPowerTray.exe - the main application, place this in your GBPVR program directory;
2. inpout32.dll - a .dll that handles input/output for the Parallel Port.
This .dll *MUST* be placed in your windows directory (eg, C:\Windows, C:\Winnt, whatever).
NOTE: even if you do not intend to use a Parallel Port monitor, you still MUST place
this .dll in the required directory;
3.PVRPowerTray.txt - this informational text file.
In order for PVRPowerTray to load and run each time your PC is powered on, you should add a shortcut
to the executable in your Startup folder.
Because PVRPowerTray is an enhanced substitute for the GBPVRTray.exe application that is included with the GBPVR release,
you can remove GBPVRTray.exe from your Startup folder when you are comfortable with PVRPowerTray.
PROGRAM NOTES:
This is the first release of this application, so please do not expect it to be bug-free. Because I only have
a single recording source, I could not fully test this application with multiple, simultaneous recordings but I
do not anticipate significant issues.
It is my pleasure to reciprocate for all the great work from others in the GBPVR community, of which
"sub" is of course first and foremost.
Enjoy and please post your comments, bug reports, suggestions, etc.
Download link: PVR PowerTray for GBPVR - version 0.9 beta, release August 3, 2005
BACKGROUND:
I (and many others) face the constant challenge of building a PVR system that maximizes WAF (wife acceptance factor).
As a result, add-on's, like "betlit"'s Parallel Port LED monitor and my prior releases (RecInfo and RecStatus) were
very useful for me because they provided instant, real-time assurance that what was supposed to be recorded actually
was being recorded.
I then set out to create an supercharged version of the GBPVRTray application that "sub" provides with GBPVR that would
incorporate some of these WAF-enhancing features, as well as several others that I thought of general use.
Two months later, here is the first release version of PVRPowerTray for GBPVR.
FEATURES:
PVRPowerTray offers all of the features of GBPVRTray.exe plus:
1. Fully customizable support for betlit's terrific Parallel Port LED monitor. Associate each LED with
a unique parameter, such as "Recording from TV Tuner", "Comskip is running", low harddrive space, etc;
2. Ability to generate periodic PC Speaker alert beep while GBPVR is recording;
3. Easy access via system tray icon to GBPVR recording status;
4. Left click on system tray icon to popup info screen on current and pending recordings;
5. Right click on system tray icon and select from menu one of three info screens on pending recordings;
6. Ability to launch "PreProcessing.bat" file (must be in your GBPVR program directory) whenever
a new recording begins. For example, create a file called "PreProcessing.bat" in your GBPVR program directory
and include the line "comskip.exe %1" to have comskip process your recording as it is recorded;
7. Ability to verify recording is actually taking place by periodically checking to make sure that
resulting .mpg file is continually growing is size;
8. Several other optional features to make your GBPVR experience even more pleasant.
INSTALLATION:
The PVRPowerTray.zip archive contains the following files:
1. PVRPowerTray.exe - the main application, place this in your GBPVR program directory;
2. inpout32.dll - a .dll that handles input/output for the Parallel Port.
This .dll *MUST* be placed in your windows directory (eg, C:\Windows, C:\Winnt, whatever).
NOTE: even if you do not intend to use a Parallel Port monitor, you still MUST place
this .dll in the required directory;
3.PVRPowerTray.txt - this informational text file.
In order for PVRPowerTray to load and run each time your PC is powered on, you should add a shortcut
to the executable in your Startup folder.
Because PVRPowerTray is an enhanced substitute for the GBPVRTray.exe application that is included with the GBPVR release,
you can remove GBPVRTray.exe from your Startup folder when you are comfortable with PVRPowerTray.
PROGRAM NOTES:
This is the first release of this application, so please do not expect it to be bug-free. Because I only have
a single recording source, I could not fully test this application with multiple, simultaneous recordings but I
do not anticipate significant issues.
It is my pleasure to reciprocate for all the great work from others in the GBPVR community, of which
"sub" is of course first and foremost.
Enjoy and please post your comments, bug reports, suggestions, etc.
Download link: PVR PowerTray for GBPVR - version 0.9 beta, release August 3, 2005
