how to start: many devices/softwares

[V_J]

Hello,

I've been playing with EG some months ago, and finally have time to pick it up again. I have a good plan of what I intend to do. I would like to control the following software: xbmc, winamp (multiple instances), Marantz receiver (serial port), MediaPlayer Classic HC, Home automation (via tcp/web commands) and also some functionality to start programs (e.g. games) or change display layout.
I would like to be able to control them using: a web interface (tornado), an IR remote (imon / mce, I have both options but don't know which one would be best), Android/ios and a gamepad (not sure about this one)

How best to get started?
At the moment, I have a number of small test cases that work in different configs. But how do I start on the final thing?
Do I just load all the plugins in one big config, and start working with that one? Or is it better to make first some separate configs and merge them later? Is there a way of disconnecting actions and events somewhat?
E.g. if a button press on the remote and something in the web interface should yield the same action, is there a way of having the events trigger something which in turns triggers the action? It feels to me that it is perhaps better to disconnect things, but is it?

Thanks!


J├Ârg

[WharfRat]

Do I just load all the plugins in one big config, and start working with that one? Or is it better to make first some separate configs and merge them later? Is there a way of disconnecting actions and events somewhat?

That is up to you.
It might be easier to do separate configs until you are satisified with the way you control your software, and then copy them into your final config.
You can disable macros by right-clicking them and selecting the Disable menu item.
Perhaps you should see the Techniques: controlling multiple programs topic.

I would like to be able to control them using: a web interface (tornado), an IR remote (imon / mce, I have both options but don't know which one would be best), Android/ios and a gamepad (not sure about this one)

Try using the 'Remote Event Mapper' plugin, it simplifies the configuration tree events effectively.
I think that the iMon is actually a MCE device as well, but I am not 100% sure about that fact.

[V_J]

That is up to you.
It might be easier to do separate configs until you are satisified with the way you control your software, and then copy them into your final config.

My fear was/is that combining it all gets very complicated, so I want to make sure to start properly. I thought of some way of disconnecting the actions from the events (I don't have EventGhost installed at the moment yet, so I just write it in text); something like
-
event --> sends signal x (not sure how)
signal x --> triggers action
-
Then, multiple inputs for the same fuction would just add event--> signal x, but the macro with the action stays the same. Of course, otherwise it would just be a macro with as many events as input possibilitis and one action... so maybe this is not necessary. Isn't it a problem when combining configs that the same action occurs multiple times in the configuration tree (what if it needs to be changed,e.g. because you change from XBMC to MediaPortal)? But maybe I'm overthinking it.
I just want to be sure to start properly, so that combining configs would not yield too many confilcts or side effects.

So perhaps the easiest would be to start with one input device (e.g. remote, set of events) and one output device (set of actions). Then copying the config and making a second one for a second input device (new set of events) but same set of actions. And then move to the next output devie (different set of actions and repeat it all again).

Perhaps you should see the Techniques: controlling multiple programs topic.

It is actually a problem I underestimated. I thought I would be able to manage without this, but it would indeed be better if the play button adjusts to the context (winamp or xbmc). My initial plan was to solve it with a programmable remote, but doing it in Eventghost would allow for a more elegant remote to be used. My idea to change context would be to set some variable, and based on the value of the variable chose which action will be performed. So for sure I need to read up on the post you linked. I now just quickly glanced at the post, but it looks to supply a lot of information and for sure I will go over it in detail. Thanks! (the post should be a sticky!)

I would like to be able to control them using: a web interface (tornado), an IR remote (imon / mce, I have both options but don't know which one would be best), Android/ios and a gamepad (not sure about this one)

Try using the 'Remote Event Mapper' plugin, it simplifies the configuration tree events effectively.
I think that the iMon is actually a MCE device as well, but I am not 100% sure about that fact.

I just installed Windows on the system at this point, and need to check further. For sure it can function as both, but I don't know if that is simultaneously or if it has to be chosen.

J├Ârg

[krambriw]

The configuration of EG is stored in a xml-file. I have myself edited several different xml-files directly with an ordinary editor (like Notepad++) copying & pasting various parts into a new or existing xml. That is fully possible as long as you are careful and know what you are doing. Once you fire it up you can continue to modify directly inside EG or go back to 'the lab' and continue from there.

BR

[WharfRat]

Then, multiple inputs for the same fuction would just add event--> signal x, but the macro with the action stays the same. Of course, otherwise it would just be a macro with as many events as input possibilitis and one action... so maybe this is not necessary.

The Remote Event Mapper plugin will solve that problem.

[V_J]

krambriw: yes, it is very convenient!

The Remote Event Mapper plugin will solve that problem.

Nice! Does it only work for remotes, or will it also map events from e.g. a web interface?

Thanks for all the hints so far. I knew I had to ask before venturing in into the big project!
(I'll only be able to start things this weekend though)

[WharfRat]

I have got the Remote Event Mapper to work with the Web Server, Desktop Remote and Network Event Sender/Network Event Receiver plugins as well, although you will have to edit some XML files in a text editor for those. You would also do that for the Android/iOS and gamepad devices.
Edit: sorry, I don't think you will have to edit XML files manually for the Android/iOS and gamepad devices, they should behave like normal remote controls.

[V_J]

Ok, thanks! I know what to do this weekend (though I am already behind with ironing... )

A few months back, I advance quite a bit with a webinterface on Tornado to control the receiver via serial port (even showing status), but my web coding skills are not too good, so it slowed me down more than I wanted.

As I would like to have something runnig faster, the best course of action probably is:

• Start with a config to us an MCE remote to control one thing (e.g. receiver), using RemoteMapper and EventGhost
• Copy config, and change it for a different control method (e.g. web)
• Copy first config, and change it for different thing (e.g. XBMC)
• Copy config, and change it for different control method (e.g. web)

If I then manage to merge these nicely, I think I would have a great starting point.