New HDMI-CEC plugin

[hotbuddha]

Appears to be some issue with the EG volume plugin, see this post here (unfortunately there is no response / solution to it:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1953&p=11006&hilit= ... ion#p11006

I have a version of the plugin which only calls that EG sound code if you actually selected a volume sync option in the config panel. Please send me an email at [email protected] with your private email address and I will send you that version to test (it has other changes which are not released yet, don't want to post here). For now that will "solve" the problem for you, I will try to dig up the source code for that DLL and see if I can find a solution for all, so thanks for the heads up in general.

[hotbuddha]

FYI - The sound problem reported above seems to be extremely rare, this was reported by one other user before who also was using Windows Server 2008, believe he was also using some remote desktop solution too which can obviously cause issues if a real soundcard is not available like in a remote connection).

PS - I was considering doing a re-write of the vista volume DLL anyway, to take advantage of real event based methods available in Vista/7/etc. I will be sure to do it in a way that is backwards compatible with current EG system volume/sound modules.

[ukw]

Hi hotbuddha.

I purchased the RCAware's PC-CEC Universal Remote and connected it to my LG 37LV4500 via HDMI. I simple want to put the TV to standby and power it on again.
While the wake function works just fine, which tell's me that the connection seems to work I still have difficulties to put the device to standby. I tried to use the "Standby device" Macro.
Am I missing something?

Cheers.

[hotbuddha]

I don't think you are missing anything, sounds like your model of TV either does not support power off over HDMI-CEC or there is a setting somewhere in your TVs menus to enable it.

[hotbuddha]

As I suggested last week I have been wanting to re-written the Vista Volume to include real events. So here it is. It needs some testing though for stability CPU usage etc so would appreciate if as many people try it out as possible. It uses C++ to hook into volume control events (including when the default source switches) and calling the results back into EG via the native python lib. I might consider adding stuff like events when the default source is changed and/or stuff for the microphone device if enough people show interest in those features.

Put the files in the attached zip file into eventghost\plugins\system folder and restart EG. You will be rocking real volume events then. Once it is certified stable I will submit the plugin and source code to baseline for the next build.

Here is the link to the zip file in another thread:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3665#p20969

[hotbuddha]

Updated the files in the above post...

[ukw]

I don't think you are missing anything, sounds like your model of TV either does not support power off over HDMI-CEC or there is a setting somewhere in your TVs menus to enable it.

Oh my.
I thought I read something about this device having been tested "personally" with LG TVs. That's the sole reason I bought a LG in the first place.
Since it doesn't seem to work as stated in the end I kindly ask you to tell me which LG model you tested your HDMI-CEC device with so I can buy exactly the same type for full working capabilities of the plug-in.

Cheers.

[hotbuddha]

Yes it has been tested, my own home theater. What is the problem you are having? Is it just that the message to turn off the TV is not working or is there something else?

I will have some time this weekend hopefully to put together some kind of wiki to catalog the CEC capabilities of different brands of TV which should help customers better understand what to expect.

If you truly are able to put youreslf into the market for buying a new/different TV that will expose more CEC commands such as standy of the TV, I highly recommend Sony and Panasonic. Next is Samsung which also exposes a lot of buttons on the remote but I have seen some older models that do not support powering off the TV via CEC (just powering on), hopefully all the newer models do allow.

[ukw]

Hi Patrick.

Thank's again for the reply.
As I stated before I only wish to power on/ standby my TV. That's why I purchased the HDMI-CEC, though I'm sure it can do a lot more.
The wake-up functions works pretty well, not very stable, meaning four in five trys, but I can live with that. The problem I'm having is that the stand-by message doesn't seem to work. I couldn't find any option beside turing off Simplink concerning CEC within the LG TV's own option menu. On the other hand I found an interesting statement in the manual of the TV (you can download the English manual from here http://www.lg.com/de/common/product/sup ... V4500.jsp#). On page 110 and following specific RS232 signal messages are listed.
Can these be used in conjunction with your device?

Cheers.

[hotbuddha]

No CEC and RS232 don't jive, but eventghost does support RS232 via the Serial plugin. You'd need to see what kind of connection it is and get the proper cable, if your lucky it supports USB directly and you can just hook the PC up directly to the TV.

[hotbuddha]

PS - Did you test to see if your TV has an auto power off feature? Could be that if the TV sits powered on for longer than 5 or 15 minutes without any signals on the source it will shut itself down anyway.

[ukw]

PS - Did you test to see if your TV has an auto power off feature? Could be that if the TV sits powered on for longer than 5 or 15 minutes without any signals on the source it will shut itself down anyway.

Thank's for the advice, but the idea was that the TV turns to stand-by EVEN if there is something still on screen, eg. when selecting Play Radio in a media center software. I will try the serial plug-in; though I would end up wondering what I spend 100 bucks for...

If the serial workaround doesn't work I will have to buy a Sony TV instead. What about the Bravia KDL-37EX720BAEP - will this model work with your device?

Cheers.

[hotbuddha]

Yes Sony is great with the PC-CEC, including support for powering off the TV from the models I tested.

[ukw]

Alright. Thank's for the info, Patrick.
If you say so, I'll buy a Sony. I've really had enough of this try-and-error game...

Cheers.

[ukw]

Yep, that was it!
Sony Bravia Sync works like a charm - at least to the extend I need it: Turn off - Turn on.

Just to let everyone know. Thanks again for the input Patrick.

Cheers.