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Support => Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: butty on April 06, 2013, 12:53:09 AM

Title: How to remote control MB
Post by: butty on April 06, 2013, 12:53:09 AM

Hi,
I would like to share my tips on remote controlling MusicBee using a remote controller.

1. Required device/software
- Driver app: EventGhost (http://www.eventghost.org/)
- Remote controller: any one supported by EventGhost and Windows
- MusicBee

FYI: My environment
- EventGhost 0.4.1.r1572
- Infrared remote controller: I/O Data Remote Controller 2 (with USB dongle USB-IRUNIT2)
- MusicBee 2.1.4841
- Windows 7 Pro 64bit

2. Install and check
  1. Connect the remote controller's receiver(dongle) to PC.
    Check: Is the receiver detected by Windows?
      If NO, the controller cannot be used.
  2. Install EventGhost.
  3. Start EventGhost.
  4. Add EventGhost's plugin for the remote controller.
    Usually, it might be "Generic HID".
  5. Push the remote controller's some button.
    Check: Are some event detected and logged by EventGhost?
      If NO, the controller cannot be used.

3. Setup
2.1 EventGhost
  A little bit hard to describe. In short, program EventGhost to send keystrokes to MB when events from the remote controller are detected.
  For example, when the remote controller's "Play" button is pressed, find the MB's window and send a keystroke Ctrl-P to MB's window.
    Here are the screenshots of EventGhost's setting:
      http://piulento.ddo.jp/MB/EventGhost-sample-2.png : Initialization part
      http://piulento.ddo.jp/MB/EventGhost-sample-1.png : Setting for MB
  For details, please refer to EventGhost's Help or web pages.

2.2 MusicBee
  Assign hot keys. For example, assign Ctrl+P to Play/Pause.

4. Enjoy!

Title: Re: How to remote control MB
Post by: redwing on April 06, 2013, 01:01:26 AM

Thanks for sharing this great tip, butty!
One question, what hotkeys are you using with your remote other than play/pause?

Title: Re: How to remote control MB
Post by: butty on April 06, 2013, 01:17:33 AM

It's my pleasure!
Okay, the following is the list of my most used hot keys.

Play/Pause: Ctrl+P
Play Next Track: Ctrl+N
Previous Track: Ctrl+B
Skip Back 5 seconds: Ctrl+Left
Skip Forward 5 seconds: Ctrl+Right
Stop: Ctrl+S
Stop After Current: Ctrl+Alt+Break
Volume Down: Ctrl+Alt+Down
Volume Mute: Ctrl+Alt+V
Volume Up: Ctrl+Alt+Up

Title: Re: How to remote control MB
Post by: redwing on April 06, 2013, 01:34:47 AM

Thanks! Your guide looks pretty straightforward and easy to follow. Good to know it!

Title: Re: How to remote control MB
Post by: Pako on May 05, 2013, 12:32:46 PM

Now you can use EventGhost plugin (http://getmusicbee.com/forum/index.php?topic=9620.0).
It uses windows messages to communicate, so you do not have to use keystroke emulation.

Pako

Title: Re: How to remote control MB
Post by: butty on May 05, 2013, 10:15:41 PM

Pako, thanks for the plugin.

Title: Re: How to remote control MB
Post by: Pako on May 06, 2013, 08:34:33 AM

Quote from: butty on May 05, 2013, 10:15:41 PM

Pako, thanks for the plugin.

I will be pleased, if you will use it.
Please write your experience or wishes to improve.
However, I think that the correct topic for this is EventGhost plugin (http://getmusicbee.com/forum/index.php?topic=9620.0) topic.

Pako