Request: Extend ZoomPlayer->DVDSpy relations.

[SouthyPar]

Hmm, look what I found on the ZoomPlayer 2.60 What's New list:


* New LCD Communication Interface.
While not directly controlling LCD devices, this interface
allows external programs to use certain Zoom Player playback
information for LCD display.


So now we can directly recieve ZPlayer's information, no spying required! There are quite a few advantages for using this method, over using the MediaSpy.dll DirectX spying technique. Many previously unavailable strings of information can now be retrieved:

1. Accurate state change (Play, Pause, etc) information, doesn't rely on the OSD display.

2. Playlist Position information.

3. DVD Audio Format.

4. DVD Subtitle Language.

5. ZoomPlayer Mode (Media\DVD).

Another cool thing is that once you initiate contant with the new ZPlayer interface, it automatically sends you the information-changed events as they happen, all you have to do is translate them into Girder DVDSpy events.

The ZoomPlayer LCD Programming API v1.20:
http://inmatrix.vextron.com/zplcd120.zip
or
http://zp.rio.ee/zplcd120.zip

So... if anyone (MMcM) wants to give a try :) I'm sure many of us would appreciate it.

[MMcM]

I noticed this as well. I should have support for it working shortly.

I am exposing both MediaSpy and ZPLCD120 events, even though they overlap. There are some potential advantages to the internal ones as well. For instance, the new timeline event tends to be formatted like 05:24 / 30:00 - - [T1:C2], just as it appears in the ZP UI, which doesn't fit in 20 characters. That's great if that's what you want. But it would need to be picked apart when one was pressed for space. You can just ignore the duplicate events in the GML. Or disable one or the other of the sources by (a) not registering MediaSpy.dll or (b) not enabling LCD output in ZoomPlayer's options.

If history is any gauge, this API may be a bit of a moving target. Which is fine, since it will probably be improving.

[SouthyPar]

Thanks MMcM!

I agree, that API will probably expand and improve - I just asked Blight for a Playlist Length string.

[MMcM]

DVDSpy 1.25 is on its way. It's ready for initial testing of this new ZP LCD support.

I made DVD2LCD.GML tend to prefer the new events. I think this is better for the OSD / State (which it multiplexes on the second line). But I'm not so sure for the fourth time line, which as I said overflows twenty characters.

[SouthyPar]

OK, I'm totally stuck. I can't seem to recieve the new ZPlayer LCD system events. I enabled the LCD server in the ZoomPlayer Options, registered the updated DVDSpy.reg file, and double-check that I'm using DVDSpy 1.25. What else can I do?

[MMcM]

Are Girder "input devices" enabled before Zoom Player starts?

Another quick check: if LCD is not enabled in Zoom Player and it receives the initiating message, it asks whether you want to enable it there. So, if you turn it off, exit ZP, and restart it, all while Girder is still enabled, you should at least see that dialog.

[SouthyPar]

Fixed by upgrading to ZoomPlayer 2.60 final.

[DocSavage]

There was a very sureal thread going on about DVDSpy and the LCD that I could not grok at all. So I was wondering if someone could enlighten me in a more sucinct manner.

The way that the DVDSpy GML is set up is for a 20X4 lcd correct? If you have a 16X2 display how do you format the output and/or do you have any examples....

In addition the CrystalFontz display has a marqee mode - how do you get DVDSpy to use it... I was reading the source code of the LCD plugin and can see that it references it....

Thanks in advance....