Refresh Changer - Win7 beta

[dgaust]

Following on from the original Refresh Changer application, I've built a new one specifically for Windows 7.

This new build has the following new features

1. UI is more like the usual Win7
2. add/remove resolutions/refresh rates (via settings.xml file)
3. hide/show the Refresh Rate & Aspect pivots (true/false via settings file). Handy if you don't use the aspects option. Default is hidden.
3. Ability to specify a delay between the rate changing and 7MC restarting (via settings file). This is in milliseconds.
4. Ability to specify a startup page (again via the settings.xml file). The default is to open back at Refresh Changer, but you can pretty much add any application (such as Mediabrowser or myTV) or start page.

Note: While I built this as 32bit, it appears that it works fine with 64bit.

Things to do:

Finish the settings page. Eventually this should allow you to turn the pivots on/off, add/remove resolutions and choose the start page from a list.

You can get it here.

[astroboydivx]

That's great, works on 64 bit

Thanks dgaust!

[philzgr8]

I'll give it a go. I don't have anything anymore since changing to Win7 so hopefully this will do the trick.

[philzgr8]

Unfortunately it tells me that it can only be installed on Vista or Windows 7. Given that I'm installing on Windows 7 RTM I can't imagine what's wrong. Even the compatibility troubleshooter doesn't seem to fix it. Any ideas?

[dgaust]

I also intsalled on Win7 RTM, so not sure why.

Just drop the custom action Wrong OS row using Orca. Remember Orca is a little flakey and you need to have the installer on a local drive before you edit it.

[philzgr8]

I also intsalled on Win7 RTM, so not sure why.

Just drop the custom action Wrong OS row using Orca. Remember Orca is a little flakey and you need to have the installer on a local drive before you edit it.

OK, Not sure why this worked but I copied it locally and now it installs. I had previously run it from a network share.

P.S. It works great. Excellent job dgaust!

[dgaust]

Thanks Phil,

Not sure why it wouldn't run from the network drive, I'm just using the standard SDK installer properties.

I'll take a look, but it might be something to do with the way Windows Installer checks the OS/Mediacentre version number.

[philzgr8]

Thanks Phil,

Not sure why it wouldn't run from the network drive, I'm just using the standard SDK installer properties.

I'll take a look, but it might be something to do with the way Windows Installer checks the OS/Mediacentre version number.

Certainly looks that way and from memory it's not the first app that I have had this problem with. I seem to recall another app that I installed under W7 that had to be copied locally so don't feel lonely on this one.

[logifuse]

Finally got around to installing it.

A couple of thoughts/questions:

- is it possible to change the display names for the different refresh rate buttons (instead of the actual setting)? i.e. instead of 1920x1080@50Hz, could the button just say 50Hz? It's just that I use a resized desktop res that looks a bit weird when you see it written.

- I see the command box do its business between ehome closing & re-opening - is that meant to happen? I don't recall it with the old version (but it may have been less obvious).

- My old shortcut (done via a reg entry) on my Media Browser strip is gone - I assume the GUID has changed between versions? I think I just need to plug the new GUID in to my registry entry (too tired to work it out right at the moment).

In regards to the dialogue boxes not popping up, they did in the old version on W7 (if that helps).

Thanks,

Justin

[CHECKstar]

Just installed it and must say that I am impressed. Much smoother, I also like that it doesnt reboot 7MC when you change refresh rates.

I do however miss the boxes. Maybe an improvement might be icons for the different refresh rates (ie 24hz would have a film strip, 50 hz would have an Au or UK flag and a TV, etc).

All in all an improvement on a function clearly lacking in 7MC and I for one greatly appreciate the efforts dgaust, keep up the fantastic work!

[astroboydivx]

ie 24hz would have a film strip, 50 hz would have an Au or UK flag and a TV, etc

Yeah that would be great. It would definitely increase the WAF.

[dgaust]

Ok, I hear what you want and am working towards it.

The first two screenshot are of the existing screens (note the confirmation popup for the aspect ratio change).

The third screenshot is a 'proof of concept' page for the requests of images to make it more 'WAF' friendly.

The idea is that when you select the appropriate refresh rate, the image will change to reflect what that refresh rate will be suitable for. It's a little ugly at the moment, but depending on feedback that's what I'll be looking at putting in as an option. And if anyone wants to contribute images that would be great, I'm using ones that are available from the Mediabrowser website as a place holder and I don't have permissions to distribute them.

[philzgr8]

Looking good. Personally I have no problem with the way it is but it would be nice to have something a little less techy looking.

[dgaust]

I like my apps (well, at least these type), to be relatively plain and simple. Trying to keep it as close as possible to the main Win7 areas.

Anyway, I've uploaded an interim build to the downloads section. It doesn't do much new, but it adds the confirmation popup for the aspect ratio page, hides the cmd window, and cleans up the pivots.

If you download you'll need to re-add your resolutions to the settings file, as it overwrites. You should be able to take a copy of the existing and then copy it back in though.

[pipeme]

Nice app, It sure does help!

I am a Media Portal user and a big fan of the auto refresh rate changer in that app. It automatically detects the rate in the file about to be played and changes the res on the fly.

Are you able to do this with your app in MCE? I know it would be easier in MP since it is open source etc, but it would be great if your app could do that in MCE.

Anyway, thanks again for the app!