2012-01-07, 23:10
What do you guys use to control the Win7 Desktop and XBMC interface from your main desktop computers?
I like to do general Win7 and XBMC maintenance from my desktop instead of going into the other room and connecting a keyboard. This is not for playing media from the XBMC server ... for that I just connect to the Shares.
While Windows Remote Desktop and UltraVNC both work fine while XBMC is NOT loaded ... neither can control XBMC running Full-Screen (I think because it's a Full-Screen-DirectX app.)
If I turn on the "Use a FullScreen Window rather than True FullScreen", both work. HOWEVER, this causes screen tearing while watching videos on the main plasma ... so I can't just leave that option on.
Another thing that kind of works is to:
Connect with UltraVNC
Start XMBC
- Screen goes black
Press the "\ Key" and switch to Windowed mode.
- XBMC appears in a smaller window.
Do what I need to do in XBMC interface (maybe load a new Add-on).
Press the "\ Key" and switch to Full-Screen mode.
- Screen goes black.
Disconnect the UltraVNC connection.
But if I also wanted to do something on the Win7 desktop (maybe Windows Updates or whatever) it would be like this ...
- XBMC appears in a smaller window.
Do what I need to do in XBMC interface (maybe load a new Add-on).
Exit XBMC to Windows Desktop
The problem is that XBMC remembers the Windowed/Full-Screen settings. So, the next time it's started (might be from Living Room) it's in Windowed mode and looks un-professional and freaks-out the wife.
So, then (after working in Win7) I need to remember to always:
Start XMBC again
- XBMC appears in a smaller window (last setting).
Press the "\ Key" and switch to Windowed mode.
- Screen goes black
Disconnect the UltraVNC connection.
The remote has a "Menu" button that loads XBMC quickly from the Win7 desktop, so it's not a problem leaving the machine without XBMC running (wife just presses one button and XBMC appears).
Anyway, there must be an easier way. Before I "re-invent the wheel" I thought I should ask what you are going because surely I'm not the first one that needs this functionality.
I like to do general Win7 and XBMC maintenance from my desktop instead of going into the other room and connecting a keyboard. This is not for playing media from the XBMC server ... for that I just connect to the Shares.
While Windows Remote Desktop and UltraVNC both work fine while XBMC is NOT loaded ... neither can control XBMC running Full-Screen (I think because it's a Full-Screen-DirectX app.)
If I turn on the "Use a FullScreen Window rather than True FullScreen", both work. HOWEVER, this causes screen tearing while watching videos on the main plasma ... so I can't just leave that option on.
Another thing that kind of works is to:
Connect with UltraVNC
Start XMBC
- Screen goes black
Press the "\ Key" and switch to Windowed mode.
- XBMC appears in a smaller window.
Do what I need to do in XBMC interface (maybe load a new Add-on).
Press the "\ Key" and switch to Full-Screen mode.
- Screen goes black.
Disconnect the UltraVNC connection.
But if I also wanted to do something on the Win7 desktop (maybe Windows Updates or whatever) it would be like this ...
- XBMC appears in a smaller window.
Do what I need to do in XBMC interface (maybe load a new Add-on).
Exit XBMC to Windows Desktop
The problem is that XBMC remembers the Windowed/Full-Screen settings. So, the next time it's started (might be from Living Room) it's in Windowed mode and looks un-professional and freaks-out the wife.
So, then (after working in Win7) I need to remember to always:
Start XMBC again
- XBMC appears in a smaller window (last setting).
Press the "\ Key" and switch to Windowed mode.
- Screen goes black
Disconnect the UltraVNC connection.
The remote has a "Menu" button that loads XBMC quickly from the Win7 desktop, so it's not a problem leaving the machine without XBMC running (wife just presses one button and XBMC appears).
Anyway, there must be an easier way. Before I "re-invent the wheel" I thought I should ask what you are going because surely I'm not the first one that needs this functionality.