Author Topic: How to remote control MB  (Read 13079 times)

butty

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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!
Last Edit: April 06, 2013, 01:19:28 AM by butty

redwing

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

butty

  • Sr. Member
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  • Posts: 435
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

redwing

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

Pako

  • Full Member
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  • Posts: 132
Now you can use EventGhost plugin.
It uses windows messages to communicate, so you do not have to use keystroke emulation.

Pako

butty

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  • Posts: 435

Pako

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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 topic.

Pako