Web based MCE Remote Control

[CapnOver]

I'm sure there is a little interest in this. I've been able to rig up a
web-based solution to remote controlling your MCE application. Maybe
starting a discussion will get things rolling.
You can check out a screenshot here.
http://asciiexpress.com/mce.jpg

What is working:

The MCE generates a screenshot every second or 2 (adjustable). It
doesn't seem to take more than 2-3% CPU to do this, so it shouldn't impact
performance.

You can view this screenshot via the web (assuming you have your machine
exposed to the web, and internet services installed).

You can click the various buttons on the remote to send commands to MCE.

The website updates every 1-2 seconds to show you what is on the MCE.

Here are a few issues I'm still trying to workout, hence the post.

Does anyone have a full hires pic of the remote? The version I found on
Microsoft's site has some unreadable buttons, so I don't know what they do.
(the two buttons under the directional pad and the 4 colored buttons).

Does anyone know how to send the correct keyboard message to MCE to
emulate the "green button"? I'm using "keybd_event", and I've tried sending
"ALT-WIN-ENTER", but it doesn't seem to respond. maybe there is another
message that will do it.

It is still a bit slow. It takes a couple seconds between the time you
click the web-based remote to the time you see the new image on screen
(that's the web for you, though).

Since you are sending commands to MCE, if someone is watching the MCE TV
at the time, they will be seeing those same commands.

Wow...this would be SO much easier if Microsoft posted some API's...I'm sure
they exist...Then we could code an interface that could add/delete recording
tasks without disrupting the machine.

Ideas?

[Alex Feinman]

If by emulating the "Green button" you mean launching MCE UI when it's not
running, then it's rather simple. There is a service running that registers
to receive Raw Input messages (WM_INPUT). The messages are generated by HID
driver that handles the remote. When it gets the one from green button it
just launches eHome executable - it's as simple as that.

I don't believe there are APIs to control MCE app directly.

Alex Feinman

"CapnOver" <d...@shore.net> wrote in message
news:ecuc300kCHA.348@tkmsftngp10...

[Mr-Crabs]

Purdy cool man!
Ipaq with 802.11b = Remote control if WEB page is scaled correctly. Keep us
informed as you make progress!

"CapnOver" <d...@shore.net> wrote in message
news:ecuc300kCHA.348@tkmsftngp10...

[CapnOver]

Yep, I actually built a website that fit in the iPaq browser and could turn
on and off all the lights in our office (via X10). So it wouldn't be tough.
Pretty fun stuff.

"Mr-Crabs" <mrcrabs.crabbypatty.net> wrote in message
news:uu7h6pg...@corp.supernews.com...

[John Elsbree [MS]]

Please note that the picture posted by Andrew is not an exact representation
of the final product. (The final product looks a lot better.)

In addition to a number of cosmetic differences, it should be noted that the
button to the lower-left of the directional pad is named "LIVE TV", not
"LIVE TV/JUMP".

--
John Elsbree [MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions. Please use these
newsgroups.

"Andrew Clark [MVP]" <aclark*remove*@my-giftshop.com> wrote in message
news:#lUv7rblCHA.1488@tkmsftngp02...
> Hi, attached is a scan of a remote.