O.K., I wrote a basic script for AutoHotKey, which can be placed as a tile in the VMC Menu, and when selected, it minimizes VMC and opens PowerDVD.
After watching your BlueRay movie, press Backspace and PowerDVD closes, and VMC is restored.
1. Download the .ahk script from here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?bzsxy0bzdde
2. Download AutoHotKey and install it:
www.autohotkey.com
3. To place a new menu item anywhere you want to in the VMC Menu, you need to download MC Menu Mender (v. 0.3.3 or higher) from here:
http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/community/vista-plugins-addons/25714-new-util-mc-menu-customiser-32.html#post204704
4. In Menu Mender, create a new entry point.
Browse and select the path for the PowerDVD.ahk script, wherever you have saved it (make sure you have selected to view All Files.) Name it BluRay, or anything else you want, chose an image file for an icon, and from the "When this link is launched..." drop-down menu, select "Close the Now Playing view port."
Finally, drag the new entry point where you want it in the VMC Menu.
And that's it! It works like a charm:-)
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This would work with any other BlueRay/HDDVD player, just edit the script to point to it.
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The only problem I have is that, the BACK button on the MCE remote is not registering as BACKSPACE. I thought the VMC shortcut for going back is BACKSPACE, but the remote seems to be issuing a different command, not recognized as the BACKSPACE keystroke.
I tried with a couple of MCE remotes, same result. But the BACKSPACE on MS IR keyboard works, so I just learned the IR command it issues to my universal remote. So for now, this would useful mostly to those with learning universal remotes.
IF SOMEONE KNOWS WHAT IS THE KEYBOARD SHORTCUT EQUIVALENT TO THE "BACK" BUTTON ON THE MCE REMOTE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
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Here is the script, if someone wants to play with it. It's my first script (I used the MediaPortal script as a base,) so while it works, I am sure it can be improved. ; Start sequence
IfWinNotExist, CyberLink PowerDVD
{
WinActivate, Windows Media Center
Run "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD8\PowerDVD8.exe" \FULSCREEN
WinActivate, CyberLink PowerDVD
WinMaximize
Sleep, 2500
WinMinimize, Windows Media Center
WinActivate, CyberLink PowerDVD
}
else
{
WinActivate, Windows Media Center
Sleep, 1000
WinMinimize, Windows Media Center
WinActivate, CyberLink PowerDVD
}
return
Backspace::
IfWinExist, CyberLink PowerDVD
{
IfWinNotExist, Windows Media Center
{
Run C:\Windows\ehome\ehshell.exe
}
Sleep, 1000
;WinRestore , Windows Media Center
Run C:\Windows\ehome\ehshell.exe
WinClose, CyberLink PowerDVD
ExitApp
}
IfWinExist, MediaPortal
{
Send, , Backspace, C:\Windows\ehome\ehshell.exe
}
return