Orijnal:

[Update 10/27/09]:  Based on an issue that kevm14 was running into with my utility, I made a few changes to make it a little more robust. Now the window management is handled with states, as opposed to timers. Also, pushing the Green Button while in Hulu (which was causing confusion in the program) is handled appropriately. The latest version can now be found here: http://drop.io/Orijnal

Hello. I really like the work you have done here, although, I'm still having the problem kevm14 has mentioned, despite using your latest version. Namely, when Hulu Desktop starts, 7MC is closed, but then focus is taken off of Hulu Desktop and I have to use my keyboard to refocus it. FWIW I'm running 7 x64.

Orijnal:

[Update 10/27/09]:  Based on an issue that kevm14 was running into with my utility, I made a few changes to make it a little more robust. Now the window management is handled with states, as opposed to timers. Also, pushing the Green Button while in Hulu (which was causing confusion in the program) is handled appropriately. The latest version can now be found here: http://drop.io/Orijnal

Skylark:

Hello. I really like the work you have done here, although, I'm still having the problem kevm14 has mentioned, despite using your latest version. Namely, when Hulu Desktop starts, 7MC is closed, but then focus is taken off of Hulu Desktop and I have to use my keyboard to refocus it. FWIW I'm running 7 x64.

OK.   I finally took 10 minutes to implement the AutoHotKey solution.   It really is as simple as it sounds, though when using Squiggly's solution, Media center came back behind the task bar and not in focus.   It also took too long after the Hulu exit to restore Media Center.   As Uncle Ben always said: Use the Source Luke:

Here's a version which fixes the focus issue on W7, and returns back to WMC a bit faster:

WinClose, Windows Media Center
WinWaitClose, Windows Media Center
ChangeDisplaySettings( (ClrDep:=32) , (Wid:=1280) , (Hei:=720) , (Hz:=60) )
Run, C:\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe
WinWaitActive, Hulu Desktop

#persistent
settimer, HULU, 100
return

HULU:
IfWinNotExist, Hulu Desktop
{
    ChangeDisplaySettings( (ClrDep:=32) , (Wid:=1920) , (Hei:=1080) , (Hz:=60) )
    Send, #!{Enter}
    WinWaitActive, Windows Media Center
    WinActivate
    ExitApp
}
return

ChangeDisplaySettings( cD, sW, sH, rR ) {
  VarSetCapacity(dM,156,0), NumPut(156,2,&dM,36)
  DllCall( "EnumDisplaySettings", UInt,0, UInt,-1, UInt,&dM ), NumPut(0x5c0000,dM,40)
  NumPut(cD,dM,104),  NumPut(sW,dM,108),  NumPut(sH,dM,112),  NumPut(rR,dM,120)
  Return DllCall( "ChangeDisplaySettings", UInt,&dM, UInt,0 )
}

It truely is this simple:

1. Install AutoHotKey 
2. Cut an paste the above into a file called HuluLaunch.ahk (check the path to HuluDesktop.exe)
   
3. Right click on the file and select "Compile Script"
4. Use MediaCenterStudio to edit the existing Hulu Desktop launch program (or add a new one)
   

I thought Uncle Ben said, "With great power comes great responsibility". Not important. Who made this Hulu app? Could this person just go in and fix the problem?

myangeldust:

I thought Uncle Ben said, "With great power comes great responsibility".

Sigh, generation gap, though I guess Obi-Wan wasn't an uncle.

myangeldust:

Who made this Hulu app? Could this person just go in and fix the problem?

Hulu wrote the app.   The fix is to send a higher quality stream (or I suppose they could add an option to muck with your resolution).   Perhaps the paid Hulu will include a 1080p option.    If youtube can do it, they should be able to as well.

Not much of a generation gap. Spidey's Uncle Ben initially said that line in 1966. Obi-Wan first appeared in 1977 and sooner in Lucas' screenplay(s). It falls somewhere between post-Boomers and Gen X'ers.

But that's not the point. I said Uncle Ben's line to point out that the original creator of the HuluDesktopWMC app has an obligation to carry on the development of that app. He gave us this useful thing and needs to make it work for all of the people who now rely on it. I know "rely" is a strong word to use. But Uncle Ben would've said something just as intense to Peter. If Peter was an MCE programmer for the masses.

A couple of issues with remote controls and screen resolutions seem to be affecting a lot of people, possibly everyone. I'm afraid to install it. Can you fix the problems to your application? Wives and girlfriends aren't simpathetic to TVs that make them drop the remote and grab a keyboard. Thanks.

Can you create the same thing for YouTube and PornHub? Just asking.

myangeldust:

 He gave us this useful thing and needs to make it work for all of the people who now rely on it.

Yeah! Let's hire a lawyer and form a class-action suit!!!   or you can code your own solution as I did or copy mine.    There's really no difference between the AutoHotKey program and the HuluDesktopWMC...

myangeldust:

Can you create the same thing for YouTube and PornHub? Just asking.

I don't have much interest in that right now, but funny enough, the guy who wrote HuluDesktopWMC actually did that as well.    It's called SecondRun.tv.  I know it handles YouTube.   Dunno about PornHub, but I don't see why it couldn't.

myangeldust:

...the original creator of the HuluDesktopWMC app has an obligation to carry on the development of that app. He gave us this useful thing and needs to make it work for all of the people who now rely on it.

Why would Uncle Ben call Peter by the name Luke? Why would he reference the Force or the Source? Very odd....

Anyway, I have to disagree with your assertion that HuluDesktopWMC's developer has an obligation to continue to support and enhance his offering. This is a hobbyist development that was freely given to the community. It provides some great functionality in those cases where it works well (and I have had some issues now and then as well); however, if it doesn't work for you then don't use it.

This thread exists so you can record your issues, perhaps have a member of the community offer assistance, and as a source of possible improvements that the development may make -- in between working to support his family -- to help you out.

Sorry for the rant, but I would hate for anyone to become discouraged in providing us with great new add-ons in the future.

Obi-Wan Kenobi's nickname was "Old Ben". It's mentioned about two or three times in the movie. I don't think he was ever referred to as "Uncle Ben".

Anyway, as you say, I use humour to bring levity to such droll topics as application development. I could demand he fix HuluDesktopWMC or I could curse about it not working properly - as many have already done so. I did not. I did the opposite and I doubt that would discourage anyone from developing anything. People don't create apps and hacks for the anonymous pat on the back they believe they might get. In fact, Mr. HuluDesktopWMC creator guy can probably build a business from this and expand into other things. Media Center enthusiasts are suckers for punishment and nothing can discourage them (us?) from trying to improve Windows Media Center itself or share that improvement with the community.

Don't apologize for ranting. But I do implore you to get yourself a sense of humour. (Sadly, I think you're just going to take all of this very hard and lash out at me. For that I apologize in advance.) :(

:) NOTE: If we can get Hulu, YouTube, and PornHub (not necessarily in that order) integrated into Windows Media Center the whole community would benefit. We probably would never leave the glow of our home theatre PCs ever again.

I profusely apologize for the misuse of the name "Uncle" with respect the the Alec Guinness character.   No offense to Ewan McGregor, but I like to pretend those movies haven't made yet and are still waiting for a real movie director...

So yeah, I’m having the same problem with the main Widows 7 Media Center menu being unresponsive to input from the remote and keyboard. I can click OK and go to the extras submenu then start a chess game then hit the green button and it will work fine after that.

This is on an HP P6150 system that started off with Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit. HuluDesktop and HuluDesktopWMC worked fine under Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit. However, when I received my free upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit (it should have been Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit but they sent Ultimate instead,….no complaints here mind you) the Media Center, HuluDesktop and HuluDesktopWMC setup developed the problem.

I guess I can live with it for now but it would have been great if there was a simple and easy fix for this.

There is nothing very complicated about the Hulu Desktop WMC plugin.  It truly is very simple to replace it with a trivial autokey app.  You can even customize it to your liking.    I walk through it in detail here.  Happy to help if you run into trouble.

Or use Media Center Studio to add it.