Hmm, so it's failing when you are using the on-screen keyboard ... What if you use a regular keyboard to login instead (as a possible work-around).  I'll look and see if there might be an issue with using the on-screen keyboard.

Most likely, the error is due to an exception of some sort.  I'll look into adding a log and some exception reporting in the next release that might help pin-point errors when they occur.

- EricL

There does indeed seem to be a problem with the on-screen keyboard.  I'll try to fix it and post an update tonight.

- EricL

Okay, I suspect the issue occurred after you logged out (which clears the username/password).  This was causing a null exception to occur, which I fixed.  Typically, instead of logging out I just back out and quit the application - this way I don't have to log in each time.

Anyhow, I uploaded Beta version 1.0.1.1 which fixes the on-screen keyboard issue.  I also made a change to reduce the number of gallery pictures on the main menu when not in a widescreen resolution.

 

- EricL

Ok,  I uninstalled the previous version.  Check Registry to make sure the entries were gone.  Installed the beta.  Now when I click on the ICON in VMC Programs;  I get the error:  Invalid application.  Unable to launch vmcnetflix.  So now I don't even get to the logon screen.  Also in the old version I could type in the logon screen using a keyboard (Not screen keyboard), but as soon as I hit LOGON button.  I would get the same error.  When I checked registry;  the logon user id and password were in registry.

Don't know why I am having the problems.  Thanks for trying to ID the problem.  My install is very plane. 

Anything else I can tell you?  Ideas?

That was my fault in trying to get it out too late last night.  The registration file wasn't matching the new release.  I install this differently on my dev machine, where I tested it.  It was late, so skipped a couple steps (burns you every time).  Typically, I test this on my machine in the living room ... but I don't do that right now (long story, but lets just say I'll need to be heading to Costco to look at new lcd tvs today).

I've uploaded an R2 release of the Beta with the updated registry file in the install.

- EricL

Also, if you are still having problems then add the following to the registry:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\Extensibility]
EnableAddInLaunchDebugging = 1 (REG_DWORD)

This will give you a details button when it crashes that will display some call stack information.  When you add this registry entry, you will get prompted a couple times when launching the application - this is normal and you probably want to remove this registry value (or set it's value to '0') after it starts working again.  If you can capture a print screen of it, that might help isolate where the problem is in case I can't duplicate it.

- EricL

Works fine here.



A couple of suggestions:



1. In Watch Now/Television, for example, the plugin shows only 19 shows. It cuts off at Brotherhood, Season 1. Makes it kind of tough to browse:-) It seems like it's is the same for most other categories (it'd be great to have a counter, showing the total number of items available withing a category.)



2. When viewing info on a show or a movie, the background is a bit too light, and it makes it tougher to read the white type.



3. Delayed Viewing (Love this:-): when I scroll to it and select it, it shows a random selection of items, none of which are downloaded - it took me a bit to figure out that I had to move the cursor to the right, to actually select the one show I downloaded. It may be better to show only the items downloaded, when first the row is selected.



4. The large Icon to the right of the item description would be great, but the quality of the thumbnails from Netflix is so bad, that at least on my TV (60" plasma,) it looks way too pixelated. I'd do a smaller thumbnail, but I suppose on smaller screens it may look better.



5. I wonder if turning off the background animation would make the menus more responsive (the sweeping "searchlight" effect, which is very subtle.)



Thanks for a great plugin.

Thanks, and I appreciate your suggestions.  I added #1, #2, and #3 to the known issues list.  I know about #4, right now it's just a placeholder until I find a way to implement a better resolution image.  I'll look at #5, I've thought about removing that as well - #2 and #5 looked better when I had selected a solid background, but I thought a transparent background would look more integrated.

Thanks again,

- EricL

eluttmann1:

...I've thought about removing that as well - #2 and #5 looked better when I had selected a solid background, but I thought a transparent background would look more integrated....

Thanks, Eric.

I actually love the transparent background, since I use a modified monochrome theme (see this: http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/permalink/207333/249834/ShowThread.aspx#249834) and the transparent background allows integration of the plugin with my background.

But I was thinking of the subtle animation of the background, which might be making the menus a bit slower (but it's not a big deal.)

Question about #1 ... was this under Browse DVDs or Browse Instant?  I'm seeing quite a few (250+) under Browse Instant, but only a few (<20) under Browse DVDs.  Just wanted to make sure you are seeing the same thing.

- EricL

P.S. I found and fixed the Delayed Viewing issue already (cut and paste issue) and yes, I too like transparent better.

Strange, just came back and saw your post, but when I tried the plugin, suddenly I can see a lot more items.  ?!??

Wonder if something was funky with the Netflix site when I was browisng before, or if it was just really slow caching all of them.... But now, for example, Television works great and it shows all items:-) Sorry for the false alarm.

One other thing, not a big deal, but just to put it on the radar:

When browsing items with long names, (e.g. TV series tiltes, like for instance Dorothy L. Sayers, you see only the begining of the title title, but not the rest.

So, in this exapmle you see only "Dorothy L. Sayers M..." (M... as in "Misteries,") but you can't tell which episode it is. The problem is, you can't tell even if you selct it, since the description screen cuts off the rest of the title as well.

It may be good idea to run the full title of the highlighted item somewhere, perhaps below or on top of the strip outline. Or allow more space at least on the description screen.

Eric;

We are making progress. The R2 version worked on my system.  Not sure what is different from the first version. 

Thanks for your help in getting it to run on my system.  Keep up the development.

Some feedback

1.  When you go from different sub menu choices in the menu item.  For example DVD new releases to action and adventure.  When you scrolled to the right in any selection.  The selected movie does not start over to the first in the list.

2.  I would like some numberin each selection so that I know how many are in the seleciton and which one I have selected.  Like you do on search.  7 of 263 or something.

3.  Your main menu choices are confusing.  Browse DVD and Delayed Viewing both show the same thing.  I would prefer that delayed viewing just be the ones that I set to download.  If that was not your intent.  How do I select just my downloaded movies to watch? 

4.  When I have the movie playing and the menu system is activated in overlay (very cool by the way).  How do oyu make the menus go wasy?  When I use the BACK button; I get asked if I want to quit vmcnetflix whish is not what I want to do.

5.  I would like some way to elimate genrue that I don't want.  Maybe some form of settings. 

Thanks for the work in getting it to this point.

> Wonder if something was funky with the Netflix site when I was browisng before, or if it was just really slow caching all of them

That might be... once I have the list of movies then getting the details,  the thumbnails, and adding them to the list is all being done in the background.

 

- EricL

I agree with all your points below, most I already had knew I needed to
address.  Some comments:

#1 - Yes, that is something I need to look at.
#2 - Good idea, this should not be hard to implement
#3 - Browse DVDs should just be like the tab on Netflix website.  Delayed
Viewing should just be the downloads that have completed, however there was
a bug that I just fixed (a cut and paste issue) which will be in the next
release.
#4 - This is something I'd like to address as well ... thinking about adding
some sort of shortcut key while the netflix app is running, otherwise I'll
add a option in the header or footer.  A work around I use is to use the
"green button" and then go to "play now".
#5 - I was looking at adding a filter when I address the
settings/configurations - probably combind this with the Parental Control.

- EricL