The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous pageNext page →

    AlienFX Pidgin + Winamp plugin

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Ingrater, Sep 21, 2009.

  1. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    If you guys like, I can try to put up another YouTube video...
     
  2. ittekimasu

    ittekimasu Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    113
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    yeah that'll be great!
     
  3. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I was going to do one this morning, but Ingrater said he's going to work on the plugin some more and hopefully send me an updated one to try out later today. So I'll hold off on the video for now :).
     
  4. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    uploading video now - stay tuned. 30 more minutes for the "omg it works" version. After that, I'll be uploading the "jizz in my pants" version.
     
  5. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
  6. DJ_Pawel

    DJ_Pawel Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    30
    Messages:
    147
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    wow, looks awesome!!

    Ingrater and Lord_Zath really great work :notworthy:
     
  7. Deathcore

    Deathcore Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    127
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That's Brilliant, Excellent work... Seiously... :D

    P.S - Whats the first song ?
     
  8. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Komodo, by Mauro Picotto
     
  9. PCG4m3r

    PCG4m3r Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Looks great! Awesome job Ingrater and Lord Zath!


    When will the updated version be available for download?
    Thanks
     
  10. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    we are trying to lock down some bugs. The videos you're seeing on YouTube took a good bit of patience and repitition to finally make 10 minutes of video. Hopefully we'll have it figured out tomorrow :). 32 minutes left on video #2!
     
  11. misterb

    misterb Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    48
    Messages:
    348
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    is this version going to support m11x?
     
  12. PCG4m3r

    PCG4m3r Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Cool thanks for the progress update! And Great work!
     
  13. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    As far as I know, there isn't an option for the M11x yet - it's not in the config file. Though Ingrater might be working on that separately.

    YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQkn0DxUwZs

    Note that the video is "processing". Let's hope it's quick like last time!
     
  14. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Video up! Enjoy!
     
  15. impruv

    impruv Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    8
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Based on your video, there's so much going on now it doesn't even look like it 'goes' with the music anymore. Looks random if anything. Can you tone it down so it actually looks like it goes to the music?
     
  16. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    There's a window you see with a bunch of sliders at one point. Those sliders can be manipulated to match the song you're listening to. Keep in mind, though, that what works for one song won't necessarily work with another.

    In addition, I set up each zone to a different frequency. So I actually intended for more of a light show effect. My first video looks more in-tune with the music because it's only focusing on three frequencies. That's the trade-off.

    One suggestion I gave Ingrater was to come up with a scheme for loading/saving configurations so you can save what works best for various songs. You can also create a more light-show scheme and a more subdued scheme and switch between them that way. With luck, that'll come in time, though fixing some of the bugs we're running into obviously has priority.
     
  17. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    @misterb
    I send out a testing app to 3 m11x users and I'm currently waiting for their repsonses. As soon as I have those I can add the m11x support to the plugin.

    Regards Ingrater
     
  18. Wattos

    Wattos Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    968
    Messages:
    1,200
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Here is the data as far as I know it:

    REGION_KEYBOARD = 0x0001;
    REGION_RIGHT_SPEAKER = 0x0020;
    REGION_LEFT_SPEAKER = 0x0040;
    REGION_ALIEN_NAME = 0x0100;
    REGION_MEDIA_BAR = 0x0800;
    REGION_POWER_BUTTON = 0x6000;

    and the PID is 0x514.

    The rest of the protocol is like for the M15x/M17x

    Hope this helps.
     
  19. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hey that sounds really helpfull, thanks for the info.
     
  20. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I build in support for the m11x. A test version is out to the m11x testers. If it works without crashes I'm going to release the next plugin version.
     
  21. ittekimasu

    ittekimasu Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    113
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I've downloaded the update and followed the instructions placing the files in the desired locations. I run winamp and try to select the plug-in but I continue to get

    "Alienware Device not found. Plugin not active!"
     
  22. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Found the error, new test version was sent to the testers.
     
  23. ittekimasu

    ittekimasu Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    113
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Right Front Speaker, Alienhead/eyes don't work with the configuration but everything else is working.
     
  24. mevlar

    mevlar Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    forgive me if it's already been posted somewhere but where can i get the link to the latest version which changes colours? or has it not been released for public testing?
     
  25. ittekimasu

    ittekimasu Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    113
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
  26. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The version with the color selection is currently in the final testing phase and not yet released. But it will be soon(tm) ^^

    Regards Ingrater
     
  27. mevlar

    mevlar Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm excited now :D It looks awesome! can't wait for release.
     
  28. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
  29. misterb

    misterb Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    48
    Messages:
    348
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Does the new version also support pidgin?

    also it doesn't work for me, I followed the steps tho
     
  30. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    This is a winamp plugin, so it does not support piding ;-)
    The pidgin plugin is a separate thing.
    What did you exactly do and what exactly does not work?
     
  31. misterb

    misterb Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    48
    Messages:
    348
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    my bad it works, but when I stop or try to change visualization it crashes. shame tho, because it's a cool program. Also is it normal that when you stop all the lights stop working?

    And does the pidgin plugin work for the m11x?

    It btw crashes all the time
     
  32. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Are you stopping / changing the visualization while the music is playing? Because this is a known bug, and I don't know why it crashes. Could be simply avoided by first stop the music and then change / quit the plugin.

    I didn't have time yet to build an m11x version fot he pidgin plugin. I will look into that as soon as I find time for it.
     
  33. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I was getting constant crashes at first. I completely removed Winamp and reinstalled it. Suddenly no crashes. Give that a try. I'm using the latest winamp (5.57). Ingrater was using 5.56. The plugin works for both versions.

    But PLEASE post the requested information in the readme file. We need to know:
    Model:
    Operating System:
    Winamp Version:
    What you did that caused the crash:
    How the crash effected the plugin (does it still work?):
     
  34. mevlar

    mevlar Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    My winamp plugin is only working on the left of the keyboard , on the speakers and the alienware logo, i've reinstalled winamp once already and it crashes when ever I quit the plugin. I have Windows 7 64bit. winamp compleatly freezes and i have to end the operation.
    v5.572 winamp on M15x
    i used the configuration in the readmefile
     
  35. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Did you change the model inside the vis_alienfx_config.xml file?
    What m15x do you have? All powerfull or area51?
     
  36. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    mevlar, a couple troubleshooting ideas.

    1. Did you make sure you properly edited the config file by putting in the correct number for your model laptop?

    2. Are you using the latest version of Command Center? I remember Dell came out with one that was even buggier than the older ones so we were all advised to stick with the older one (AO3 perhaps?)...

    3. Are you closing out of winamp at once, or are you stopping winamp, then closing it?
     
  37. PCG4m3r

    PCG4m3r Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Works great! Winamp freezes when i end it sometimes, but other than that it works flawlessly. Great work. Keep up the good work, and Thank YOU!
     
  38. mevlar

    mevlar Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I've just entered my model number into the config but it did not fix any problems. also the colours don't change from the light blue that it is already configured at with alienfx.

    I'm not sure what version of command center i'm using.

    I close the plugin before trying to quit winamp but it's at the point where i close the plugin that it freezes winamp.

    Edit: Re configured the zones and now the colours work but the right side of the keyboard and speakers still don't light up

    When i go into edit zones there is no right/left areas or speakers. just Touchpad, Lightpipe, alienware logo, alienhead, keyboard and touchpad which doesn't match some of the zones on the readme
     
  39. H1zi

    H1zi Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    @mevlar: first i had exactly the same problems as you.
    i entered the model number into the wrong line.

    <!-- set your laptop model here -->
    <!-- 0 = area51 m15x -->
    <!-- 1 = all powerfull m17x -->
    <!-- 2 = all powerfull m15x -->
    <!-- 3 = all powerfull m11x -->
    <model value=" 2" />
    enter it here

    <model value=" 2" />
    here

    sry, this doesnt work very well and im new here :)
     
  40. mevlar

    mevlar Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Right lights problem has been fixed now. Had to add model number a second time as it seems with configurations already in place, it overwrote the model number back to 0 after i changed it.
     
  41. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    yeah it's kinda easy to enter the 2 into the wrong spot. I'd also suggest deleting the settings xml file completely and starting over, especially if the plugin thought you were using a different laptop (I've made this mistake countless times over the span of testing with Ingrater).
     
  42. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    --just some stuff that was invalidated by a previous post--
     
  43. Wattos

    Wattos Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    968
    Messages:
    1,200
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Why dont you just detect which laptop it is by looking at the PID? (e.g. you check which of those are present)


    511 - m15x
    512 - M15x/M17x
    514 - M11x

    then you dont need to specify that in the plugin setup
     
  44. Ingrater

    Ingrater Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    181
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    yeah that might be a good idea. When I started the plugin I just thought that there are maybe different laptop types with the same PID, but now I know that the m15x and m17x have exactly the same leds.
     
  45. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    The M17x has a keypad LED; I don't think the M15x has a keypad, does it?
     
  46. Wattos

    Wattos Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    968
    Messages:
    1,200
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    55
    doesnt matter. The zones are the same. You still only get 4 zones on the M17x
     
  47. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    940
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    ahh didn't realize there were 4 zones on the keyboard. cool.
     
  48. impruv

    impruv Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    8
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
  49. pinoy_92

    pinoy_92 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    20
    Messages:
    453
    Likes Received:
    52
    Trophy Points:
    41
  50. Marcham93

    Marcham93 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    148
    Messages:
    643
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
← Previous pageNext page →