HouseBot

It's finally time to let everyone kick the kat. For Christmas i am finally releasing MediaPro. It is a very large media toolkit that is still far from finished in terms of functionality. There are two parts - one is the actual plugin for HouseBot and the other is the application that maintains the database that the plugin uses. This separation was made for both ease of use and performance. Since it is the holidays, it will not be available for download until after Christmas. The download will be large - about 7 - 8 MB zipped. It contains the plugin and code and associates libraies as well as a skin and a import load to HouseBot complete with a sample theme. This sample is the easiest way to understand the functionality as the plugin has over 230 properties. There are three functional areas within the plugin -- generic media handling, songfinder and queueplayer. The next series of posts should contain images files starting with this one of the sample main panel

Here is main panel for Single Filter processing

The main panel for multifilter is the same as for single filter processing but replaces the filter selection list box at the lower left with these two buttons

The change filter types brings up the following panel to allow the selection of up to 5 parallel filters

Once filter types are chosen then you can select filter values for each type

For those who want a more visual presentation - either filter method can be set up to be used with the more graphic thumbnail presentation. This sample panel is also an example of set a property value on entering and existing a panel as well as the use of transparent buttons over dynamic bitmaps

For a more compact presentation here is a simple alpha based select panel

All of the above main media panels share the following subpanels accessible from buttons - First media details

and media overview

and media locations

and depending on the media type data in the following media playlist form

Somewhat independent from the media components is a separate facility for songs embodied in songfinder

Finally aalthough there are serveral other subpanels, you may have noticed buttons labeled copy song to queue or copy playlist to queue. these load selelcted song or playlist to the queueplayer

Right now there are a couple HB users who are helping me to ensure that the delivery next week is a bug free as possible. Although the plugin is major, the app that maintains the database is about 10 times as much code. Although the sample only shows DVD and CD under media, there is support in the app and the plugin for playlists, virtual playlists, PC video, LP, LD, SACD, DVD-A although for many of these getting data into the system is a manual process. the underlying structure could also support jpg/png images and slide show if there is a reasonable interest for this.