Using MCE2k5, fully patched and rolled-up. Love being able to browse pictures with family, etc. While I know how to get pictures into MCE via a USB key or memory card, I can't figure out how to get them out. Typical scenario will be we're browsing pictures and someday will say "Hey, can I get a copy of that photo? Here's my USB key."

Now shouldn't there be a way to plug the USB key in and then export the photo to it (using the MCE interface)? I've poke around and can't figure it out...

Anyone?

For those with compatibe portable devices, the 10' interface gives you sync options for all media, but inserting a removable drive/USB key will only give you view/import options.

As for picking out individual photos and send them to a drive from the interface... I think its a good idea for a plugin :)  At the moment, MCE only gives you the option to burn them to disc

Still, it would be much quicker to quickly use a mouse, minimise MCE get to the group of pic(s) you want and do it the good ole fashion way ;)

astro

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MCE Buddy : User Friendly DVMRS to H264/DIVX/XVID/ZUNE/PPC etc. Give it a try !! // Freeware !!

Astrotoy7:

For those with compatibe portable devices, the 10' interface gives you sync options for all media, but inserting a removable drive/USB key will only give you view/import options.

As for picking out individual photos and send them to a drive from the interface... I think its a good idea for a plugin :)  At the moment, MCE only gives you the option to burn them to disc

Still, it would be much quicker to quickly use a mouse, minimise MCE get to the group of pic(s) you want and do it the good ole fashion way ;)

astro

 

In terms of being quicker, I have to disagree. The whole point of a media center appliance and the 10' interface is to make it less like a computer and more like an appliance. I have no room in my A/V cabinet to store a mouse and KB for certain occasions. Yes, I could pull the photos off the network from my office PC, but that means getting up and going into another room during a family get together. Plus, the whole idea is to make it simple enough so anyone can do it when I'm not there.

I guess I need to find out what it takes to develop MCE2k5 plugins....

In terms of being quicker, I have to disagree

I have an MS rechargable BT mouse that sits quietly ontop of my av cabinet. Its quite pretty and glows a soothing green when you dock it ;)


Whenever I need to do something quickly outside the 10" interface, I grab it, minimise MCE and get it done within a matter of seconds.... then maximise back to mce.  Lets say you wanted to do this for more than one photo,  doing it through MCE can never be more quicker than a mass select and 'send to'   Still, I understand how keeping it all within MCE can be attractive to some :) You could browse through and pick what you want etc. a bit more leisurely :)

if I had the choice between coding a plugin and plugging a bluetooth usb dingle(for a BT mouse) into the back of my pc I know which way I'd go. I really dont have the coding skills nor the free time to sweat over it.

still, if you get it done, it'd be a handy app for some Im sure :)  Probably best to head over to the projects/requests section

good luck !!
astro

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MCE Buddy : User Friendly DVMRS to H264/DIVX/XVID/ZUNE/PPC etc. Give it a try !! // Freeware !!

Agreed -- we're constantly deciding between implementing management features vs. consumption features.  Usually we think of Media Center as a consumption app because many management tasks can be done much quicker in other 2' apps.

 

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Noah Spitzer-Williams
Program Manager, Media Center

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Astrotoy7:

In terms of being quicker, I have to disagree

I have an MS rechargable BT mouse that sits quietly ontop of my av cabinet. Its quite pretty and glows a soothing green when you dock it ;)
Whenever I need to do something quickly outside the 10" interface, I grab it, minimise MCE and get it done within a matter of seconds.... then maximise back to mce. 

 

I appreciate the suggestion, but the problem is you're visualizing yourself, me or some other GreenButton member doing this... which is totally going down the wrong path. Yes, you or I could do what you suggest easily and quickly. But I'm talking grandma or Aunt Hazel here... folks who don't even own a computer or if they do, they simply answer email on it. You can't  expect them to go ouside the MCE interface and know what to do. Besides, I don't want them poking around file explorer with the potential to delete files on a PC I own... if you get my drift ;)

The optimal experience for them would be browsing pictures in the MCE environment, they see a photo they want, they click Info on the remote , and the option to send the pic to a removable drive is right there. They continue browsing photos and repeat the process for other pics. Afterwards, Grandma knows how to take a USB key to the Kodak picture printer at the pharmacy ;)

One thing you learn in good UI/application design is to never think to yourself "how would I do this" but instead "how would everyone else BUT me do this..."

Thank though for the suggestions, it's very much appreciated :)