NEW - Remote control your CLIENT machines

[ccarlin]

UPDATED: Added skip and previous button mappings (update required to server dll only).

So if you have ever been interested in using a device like your iPod or laptop or some other network connected device to control snapstream (other than the main server) I have created a way.

Right now I would call it the early beta stage but it is working. One other thing that is open if there are any iPhone developers out there that are interested in creating an application to do this instead of using the browser let me know.

I will attach a zip file with all the pieces necessary. The zip also includes the below instructions for installation and use.

BTV Client Controller Instructions

On the server machine:
NOTE: Please backup the files before replacing them.
The files should be located within the following path: C:\Program Files\SnapStream Media\Beyond TV\wwwroot

Copy the SnapStream.BeyondTV.WebAdministration.dll file to wwwroot/bin directory.
Copy the SendInput.aspx to the wwwroot/remote directory.

On the client machine(s):
Run the install in the zip directly on the client machine.
You can either reboot the machine or just find and start the application should be in the start menu on your windows menu.
After starting the application the first time it will most likely prompt you to unblock access on your firewall this is required so it can listen for a connection from the server.

That's it. As long as beyondtv is running it should work.


Usage Instructions:
Navigate to the remote page using the standard web admin.
http://[MYSERVER]:8129/remote

After you select the graphical version append the following to the end of the string "?Client=[IPADDRESS]" where [IPADDRESS] is the address of the machine you are trying to manage. In the future I might replace this with a selection list or name resolution.

So for example from my home setup: http://basement:8129/remote/SendInpu...=192.168.1.154

Then just use the remote to control the client.


Known issues:
Not all keys are mapped!!!
Some keys are kluged, play for instance will only restart playback (or pause) but not initiate a playback. Also any special functions like launch, shutdown etc.. will not work.




Good luck and let me know what you think or if you have any issues.

[Zogg]

Great work ccarlin!

The app works well for me except for Mute, Skip Backward and Skip Forward. Those pop up the Go To time window with 22:22 in it LOL. I can live w/o Mute but the Skip buttons get used a lot here, so it would be great if you could fix them.

Cheers!

[ccarlin]

Originally Posted by Zogg

Great work ccarlin!

The app works well for me except for Mute, Skip Backward and Skip Forward. Those pop up the Go To time window with 22:22 in it LOL. I can live w/o Mute but the Skip buttons get used a lot here, so it would be great if you could fix them.

Cheers!

Added the skip buttons and updated the original post you just need to reapply the dll on the server the client side was not updated.

[ZetaVu]

Ok, I had in he past played with the remote (firefly) functions through wifi, what I am interested in is the ability to 1. use keyboard shortcuts rather than commands, and 2. get interactive info, aka, I get a list of possible recordings or recordings to choose of for playback. Sort of a behind the scenes master. Sadly I fell off my project, but it looks like you may be headed in the right direction. Of course the ideal situation is to be able to use this to control music, video, pictures, etc but we won't bring that up here (ok, I guess I did, but we can just ignore that).

[Zogg]

The changes work like a champ, ccarlin. Terrific addition to BTV, thanks!

[ccarlin]

Doesn't seem like there is too much interest. I still think if I had a sexy iPhone app it could attract the masses.

Seriously any iPhone developers out there. I am just too swamped lately to learn another development platform.

[Zogg]

I can't believe with all the Link users here that there is so little interest.

[cfaslave]

Any screenshots available?

[ccarlin]

Originally Posted by cfaslave

Any screenshots available?

Nothing really new to see, it just uses the existing remote control interface via the web browser just allows you to redirect to a client machine (the existing remote web only goes to the server).

Basically a listening piece that I wrote lives on each client (link machine) and you can then access the remote page via a parameter appended to the url to redirect to that client.

[Nick Burns]

It sounds interesting, but I'm using Harmony remotes on both the Server and Link machines. Each has the ability to wake the machine when needed. The Link has a script to wake the Server when the Link is the only one in use.

[ccarlin]

Originally Posted by Nick Burns

It sounds interesting, but I'm using Harmony remotes on both the Server and Link machines. Each has the ability to wake the machine when needed. The Link has a script to wake the Server when the Link is the only one in use.

Not following your comment there. The point of these pieces is to allow you to use a web enabled device like an iPhone to control multiple clients just by changing the URL.

So conceivably you would just create a shortcut for each client machine and then just launch the browser to the shortcut and control your client.

[Zogg]

Yes, it doesn't replace your remote control, it's just another way to control BTV Link by PDA or web enabled device.

For example, I'm frequently using the laptop while watching TV, so I can just click to the RC tab and press the button to skip commercials.

[TomXP411]

Is this substantially different or better than the http remote that comes with EventGhost?

[ccarlin]

Originally Posted by TomXP411

Is this substantially different or better than the http remote that comes with EventGhost?

It doesn't require any client side hardware. You can use any networked device to control any client. So something like an iPhone or any hand held device that can browse to your server can control any client (that has the software installed).

[tmar89]

I want to like this idea but I just can't see the benefit on my Link machine when I have a remote that does this all. I see the benefit without a remote and with a laptop or wireless device while on a couch.