playitvmcPlayIt

vmcPlayIt is an add-in for Microsoft Windows Vista Media Center which provides a front-end interface to the PlayOn digital media server software for Vista Media Center PCs and Extenders.  The PlayOn server software (see http://www.themediamall.com/playon)  currently supports Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, CBS,  CNN, ESPN, and more.


Latest Downloads:
BETA vmcPlayIt v2.0.2 32-bit MSI
BETA vmcPlayIt v2.0.2 64-bit MSI

BETA vmcPlayIt v2.0.1 32-bit MSI
BETA vmcPlayIt v2.0.1 64-bit MSI

 Note: Use IE when downloading from the above links.


Requirements:
 Optional PlayOn Components:
 List of known issues:
  • Cannot play a video from an VMC extender and the VMC media center PC at the same time.
  • In order to get the correct local IP address, your network adapter needs to be the first in the list.  In order to ensure your primary Network Adapter is the top of the list, go to Control panel->Network and Sharing Center->Manage Network Connections->Advanced Settings.  Under Connections, make sure the Local Area Connection (or whatever primary network adapter you use) is the first connection. Then reboot and try again.
  • With the new gallery UI, there seems to be some vertical scrolling issues around some certain sized images.

Log File Info (used to debug issues):

  • Typically found in C:\ProgramData\vmcPlayIt_Data 
  • Files of interest are PlayItVideoService.log and vmcPlayIt.log
  • Send log files to vmcPlayIt@gmail.com 

Installation:

  1. Ensure you have installed and setup the PlayOn digital media server software on a PC inside your home network.  For questions about PlayOn, see http://www.themediamall.com/faq.
  2. Run the installer for the latest version of vmcPlayIt.
  3. Start Vista Media Center and you should find a 'PlayIt' entry in the Program Library under the Online Media strip.

Complete UnInstall:

  1. Uninstall from Control Panel->Programs and Features->PlayIt for Vista Media Center.
  2. Remove the following, if they exist:
    • C:\Program Files\Luttmann\vmcPlayIt
    • C:\ProgramData\vmcPlayIt_Data
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Luttmann\vmcPlayIt
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Luttmann\vmcPlayIt

Release Notes BETA 2.0.2 (6/12/2010):
  • Fixed issue which could prevent the Playback service from starting.
  • Playback filenames are now read-able.

Release Notes BETA 2.0.1 (4/25/2010):
  • While in Playback mode, playing a stream is now possible if the playback queue is idle.
  • Updated the playback controller.
  • Changed selection of buffer percent to buffer bytes (50KB to 100MB buffers).
  • Modification to prevent downloading of thumbnail images from holding up item scrolling.
  • Fixed a couple issues causing hangs and (hopefully) added a fix for those having playback issues.

Release Notes BETA 2.0 (3/26/2010):
  • Added new Playback feature, when this feature is enabled all videos get added to a playback queue for immediate processing.  Once processing is complete, videos can be played anytime later.  When playing from the playback queue, videos will have full support for forward, rewind, and skip.

Release Notes 1.5.0 (2/13/2010):
  • Added new "Change Settings" category - this is now the location for changing all settings.
  • Added support for a List view on the content page, this was added as an option to the existing thumbnail views (small, medium and large).
  • Added support for sorting items on the content page.  Now allows sorting by Title, Date, and MPAA rating - as well as selecting assending/descending order.
  • Added support to disable Thumbnails.
  • Made modification to navigation - the "Back" key now returns you to the root listing (PlayOn selection) instead of prompting to quit the application.  If at the root listing, the "Back" key will still prompt to quit the application.

Release Notes 1.4.1 (2/3/2010):
  • Added ability to toggle buffering size.
  • Minor modifications to backend video processing to address issues some were seeing while streaming video.
Release Notes 1.4.0 (1/23/2010):
  • Modifications to backend video streaming to help improve extender playback.
  • Misc changes to address compatiblity with 3rd party Playon Plugins.
  • Modifications so that PlayOn can be run with the "Always processes entire video" unchecked, to help with PC processing time.
  • Modifications so that you can play from multiple VMC extenders at the same time.

Release Notes Beta 1.3.1 (10/23/2009):
  • Fixed crash on some system due to including a TV2008 shortcut.
Release Notes Beta 1.3.0 (10/22/2009):
  • Added all new Gallery UI (see updated screenshots).
  • Addressed some clipping issues when using lower resolutions
  • Minor modifications to backend video processing to address issues some were seeing while streaming video.
Release Notes Beta 1.2.2 (9/23/2009):
  • Providing a work-around for the screensaver issue by including a "fullscreen" button  on the video overlay context displayed when the video starts.  Clicking the fullscreen button enables "true" fullscreen, thus preventing the screensaver (or any video overlay) from being displayed.  Once in "true" fullscreen, you will need to use the Back button on the remote to return to the application.  To bring the video overlay context back up while playing a video, press the "OK" button on the remote (this won't work if you already entered fullscreen).
  • Changed the way the local IP address is obtained.  This should work better with those that have other network adapters (like bluetooth) that were causing problems.
  • Modification which prevents the removal of another PlayOn server from interfering with the browing of the current PlayOn server.
  • Tweaked the buffering between the PlayOn server and Video service.
  • Some minor UI tweaks.
Release Notes Beta 1.2.1 (9/7/2009):
  • Fixed issue with screensaver being displayed while playing video.
  • Removed filtering of Wireless Adapters when looking for local IP address.
  • Minor UI tweaks.
Release Notes Beta 1.2.0 (9/2/2009):
  • First release with new front-end UI.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.14(8/13/2009):
  • Fixed more issues related to TV Pack 2008.
  • Fixed issue with XBOX360 extender.
  • Fixed so that the PlayOn restart option works.
  • Modifications to prevent some exceptions errors from occurring.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.12 (7/31/2009):
  • Fixed several issues/crashes related to having TV Pack 2008 installed.  This might help Win7 users as well.
  • Fixed video repeat issue.
  • Tweaked the network address selection, also now logs details of network selection to help debug.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.11 (7/25/2009):
  • Modifications to reduce the wait time before the video plays on Extenders ... It now typically starts playing the video less than 10 seconds after selecting Play.
  • Modified the Player handler to reduce the time between the video starting to play and switching to full screen.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.10 (7/23/2009):
  • Modified network card selection code to use the primarly LAN adapter.
  • Minor UI change, now displays Play MPG on extenders instead of Play.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.9 (7/18/2009):
  • Fixed some UI hang/crash issues.
  • Addressed some UI performance issues.
  • Updated the Video Play handler to be more responsive.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.8 (5/28/2009):
  • Rewrote major portions of the Video Player handler.
  • Now prompts to leave application when backing out.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.7 (5/22/2009):
  • Addressed issue where the video buffer was not getting flushed before closing the socket, causing the very end of the video to not be played.
  • Made some modifications in the Video Player handler.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.6 (5/19/2009):
  • Fixed an issue that was preventing longer or higher quality videos from playing.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.5 (5/13/2009):
  • Fixed hang (loop) during identification DLNA devices, this should fix CPU performance issue and PlayOn search hangs.  This would typically be encounted if another DLNA server was installed.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.4 (5/10/2009):
  • Enabled detail page, which also allows multiple play options for extenders.
  • Rejects any non MPG or WMV stream request (like JPG).
  • Gallery images now maintain their aspect ratio (i.e. Netflix video images).
  • Implemented a new Video Player handler for more control and monitoring of video playback.
  • Misc changes to address player issues.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.3 (5/7/2009):
  • Minor UI change to process video items quicker.
  • Misc changes to address player issues.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.2 (4/28/2009):
  • Extended response timeouts.
  • Added initial support for chunked transfers and gzip encoding.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.1 (4/24/2009):
  • Minor UI tweaks.
  • Added logging to files in C:\ProgramData\vmcPlayIt_Data
  • Fixed some minor issues with the Video Manager service.
Release Notes Beta 1.1.0 (4/11/2009):
  • Fixed issue with menu fading.
  • Added Video Manager service which prevents the double transcoding when using extenders and improved the extender play issues.
Release Notes Beta 1.0.1 (4/3/2009):
  • Now cache video images to solve problem with some images not showing up.
  • Added code to attempt retries if video does not play the first time.
  • Updated logos - used PlayOn approved logo
Release Notes Beta 1.0.0 (3/24/2009):
  • Initial release

Donations

This software is free of charge.  However, if you wish to express your appreciation for the time and resources that I have spent for the development of this product, I will glady accept and appreciate any donations.


Just click on the above Donate button and follow the instructions.


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Screen Shots