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Hacking Media Center...Kind-of
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db
Jan 20, 2003, 5:55:05 PM1/20/03
to
Anyone else poked around the "ehres.dll" file? It's just a straight
resource DLL.
Pretty interesting. It looks like you can prety much completely redesign
the Media Center interface if you are so inclined.
It has all the images used throughout the app (stored in PNG's), all the
interface descriptions (in XML files) and styles (colors, fonts, etc).
So far I've tested replacing the default background image (the blue gradient
one), added an extra menu to the My TV interface (for no particular reason)
and changed some of the app strings.
Just drag the DLL into Visual Studio .NET and it will recognize it as a
resource file. From there you can extract, edit and re-insert the various
items. If you are unable to save, just make sure that you are out of the
Media Center app and kill the "ehtray.exe" process.
The one trick is that "windows file protection" will try to restore the DLL
from it's "DLL Cache" as soon as it sees it as edited. The easy workaround
was just to go to the DLL Cache folder and remporarily rename the ehres.dll
file to something else, like "ehres.old". Then it will prompt you to insert
the CD for restoring. You can just hit cancel and the "new" dll will stay.
resource DLL.
Pretty interesting. It looks like you can prety much completely redesign
the Media Center interface if you are so inclined.
It has all the images used throughout the app (stored in PNG's), all the
interface descriptions (in XML files) and styles (colors, fonts, etc).
So far I've tested replacing the default background image (the blue gradient
one), added an extra menu to the My TV interface (for no particular reason)
and changed some of the app strings.
Just drag the DLL into Visual Studio .NET and it will recognize it as a
resource file. From there you can extract, edit and re-insert the various
items. If you are unable to save, just make sure that you are out of the
Media Center app and kill the "ehtray.exe" process.
The one trick is that "windows file protection" will try to restore the DLL
from it's "DLL Cache" as soon as it sees it as edited. The easy workaround
was just to go to the DLL Cache folder and remporarily rename the ehres.dll
file to something else, like "ehres.old". Then it will prompt you to insert
the CD for restoring. You can just hit cancel and the "new" dll will stay.
Note: ALWAYS make a backup of this file before editing.
I'm still poking around looking for any way to code to the Media Center
API's. Such as the ability to get the "status" of media center to put on a
small front panel LCD or something. Or perhaps interact with media center
by way of a tiny USB touch-screen. Some cool possibilities.
Post anything you find.
Good luck.
db
KJ
Jan 20, 2003, 7:10:48 PM1/20/03
to
WOW that is amazing!!!! Keep us posted. I'd love to hack
it!!!
KJ
>.
>
Nix Neon
Jan 21, 2003, 9:41:50 AM1/21/03
to
DB, you may be the guy I'm looking for. I have the ability
to connect external gear and have ideas for home control
through MC. Unfortunatly my programming skills lack a
little bit. I have some great ideas and if we work
together we could do some cool stuff for everyone. Send me
an email if you would like to discuss it further and we
can post our findings here.>.
>
to connect external gear and have ideas for home control
through MC. Unfortunatly my programming skills lack a
little bit. I have some great ideas and if we work
together we could do some cool stuff for everyone. Send me
an email if you would like to discuss it further and we
can post our findings here.
>
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