Hello

I want to show You epiLight project which is a MoMoLight controller software _base_d on BobLight that comes from Bob van Loosen.


MoMoLight module:

Eagle files are here: http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/eagle/


Firmware is MoMoLight+MoodLight v2.6 from The Boss ( http://www.the-boss.dk/ )
http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/firmware/
Unfortunately I don't have source of this firmware. And there is something that should be fixed in it. It doesn't work properly on many USB-RS232 adapters (tested on adapters _base_d on Prolific PL-2303 chip). Many times it _b_link__s because of not synchronized data transmission.


And here is some old screen of my application:



It is designed to work with Windows Vista (i didn't tested it with XP - but probably will not work because it is disabling Aero). So my main concept was to use DirectX 9 to screen capture through FrontBufferData which isn't super fast but works much faster than GDI32 screen capture or even CopyFromScreen function (on Vista). There is also Auto enable function which detects process name and than it is Disabling Aero and starting to work AmbiLight.

Why I decided to do this like that.
So... If You have disabled Aero all the time, program will work fine. But when Aero is enabled it works slower. So I decided to add auto disable Aero composition when some process will be detected (like mp_layer_c - which is MediaP_layer_ Classic - one of the best and simple movie p_layer_).

There is also another reason of auto disabling composition. When You have selected in MediaP_layer_ Classic option like: Direct3D Fullscreen (remove tearing) which really helps while displaying HD movies, the movie will be displayed using DirectX and software will not capture it while there is Aero enabled. So this is another reason why I've implemented auto disabling Aero composition.

In the software there are also some displaying optimalization which will reduced flickering and will make AmbiLight effect more smooth.

You can download app here: http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/epiLightDX.zip
Source of this app is here: http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/epiLightDX_src.zip

Unfortunately it doesn't work properly under Windows 7 while using it on a SECOND MONITOR. I don't know if it's a bug of Windows 7, DirectX11 or even my ATI drivers. So exactly what is going on.
This only happens when Aero is disabled and You are using software to grab pixels from second monitor (Display 1).
My first display resolution is : 1680x1050
My second display resolution is : 1920x1080
Problem happens after a while (few seconds later) or when any new Windows window will be opened and showed on a screen - eg. my computer, trash, control pannel - anything...
The picture on grabbed device will be moved to the right or left (depends on Windows monitor settings) by exactly horizontal resolution size of 1st display - in my case, picture will be moved by 1680 pixels.
Take a look here:


I know that You could not understand what I'm saying (because of my poor english), but anyway don't use this epiLightDX on a Windows 7 while it will work on second monitor.


But You can also use AuroraLight application which is writted in Borland Delphi and probably it's using GDI32 functions to screen capture:
http://members.tele2.nl/m.m.j.kronenburg/aurora
Probably it works faster with GDI32 screen capture because it's writted with FastMM.
(FastMM is a lightning fast replacement memory manager for Borland Delphi Win32 applications that scales well in multi-threaded applications, is not prone to memory fragmentation, and supports shared memory without the use of external .DLL files.)


But when I read some article http://bobcravens.com/dasblogce/2009/04/26/FastestScreenCaptureUsingCVISTAVsWIN7.aspx
I've decided to write application using .NET function (CopyFromScreen). Looks like it works fast on Windows 7. But don't use it on Windows Vista!
So here it is:
http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/epiLight.NET.zip
And source: http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/epiLight.NET_src.zip


If You have any idea how to fix DirectX version to make it working on Windows 7, please help with it.


And feel free to contact me with any ideas You have.



silas @[-_-]@ itlite.pl
Mariusz Grzybacz

Best regards


---------
DOWNLOADS
---------
for people who are looking for a soft only here is a short download de_script_ion:
a) under Windows 7
- max. 1 monitor - you can use epiLightDX or epiLight.NET
- if you have more than 1 monitor - than use only epiLight.NET
b) under Windows Vista
- use only epiLightDX


epiLightDX http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/epiLightDX.zip
Source of epiLightDX http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/epiLightDX_src.zip

epiLight.NET http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/epiLight.NET.zip
Source of epiLight.NET http://qnapclub.pl/qnas/epiLightDX/epiLight.NET_src.zip

Hey, after reading about this i brought my momo light back to life , i use the epiLight software on windows 7 but i have some trouble with it.

When i play a movie the images aren’t fluent, there is a little 'stotter' in the picture (in dvd’s and in the HD ones to, I used vlc, wpm and wmpc). I noticed that it is in windows as well, when i minimize or maximize a window the animation runs in steps (not good) is this normal (a bug to be fixt)? or is it my pc/config ?? i run a 3 years asus laptop (cpu T2400 (1.8), 2gig ram, ati x1600m), when I play a HD( 720p) with epiLight running as well my cpu is @ 80-90%. I tried giving the media p_layer_ realtime priority and epiLight low priority, but I did’n work.
How does it run om your setup (specs??)
Is there a way to fix this ??

Thanx 4 the help
Greetings

Well I hope that You are using epiLight.NET.

1) If You are using Media P_layer_ Classic You can increase movie speed by enabling Options > Playback > Output > Direct3D Fullscreen - but this is only dedicated if You are watching movies on a second display. Don't forget to set it to from a "Full Screen Monitor" list which is in same window.

2) *VERY IMPORTED* Also remember that if You have enabled Aero it will works very very slow. Thats why I implement auto-enable function. Enter there filename without extension of Your p_layer_.
I'm using

Code: :

Media Player Classic

which I run from file

Code: :

mplayerc.exe

, so I entered in a auto-enable field : "

Code: :

mplayerc

". It is automaticly detecting mp_layer_c and when it's enabled, it is disabling Aero in a Windows and automaticly enabling epiLight.

3) epiLight is reading a lot of pixels so try to set Screen divide to 32, or 16. On a Faster PC's You can set 64.

4) Next thing is to increase Time interval which is default 1. Try to set 10 or even 50. This should dramaticly increase speed of played movie, but epiLight will works slower.

5) You should also see option Capture screen every X cycles. This options is also really helpful because it's hard to read pixels all the time very fast - because of CPU usage. So imaging that once pixels are readed from the screen, than for a next 7 cycles (if it's set 8) epiLight it's not capturing screen, but it is calculating colors on internal algorythms to makes displaying everything very smooth. This makes epiLight very smooth to work software and perfect for movies - only.

Thx for the fast reaction, i tried some of the settings, no real difference. I guess it is because my pc is fast enough, the problem is aero doh, epiLight is to slowing everything down but if i disable it (by hand or true the epiLight auto enable setting) epiLight freezes completely it gives a .net _frame_work error (screen is with windows classic theme btw, doesn't work ether as you can see , i cant puch the "details" button, it frozen as well) what version of .net _frame_work do you run ?

I’m running the 7600 of windows 7 btw, does that matter ?

greetz

bro... did You disabled working of epiLight before turning off Aero.

Try this way:
1) Close epiLight
2) Disable Aero
3) Run and Enable epiLight

It should work. I'm on a 7600 too... And in a 7600 there is a .NET 3.5 i guess and this application is writed for it too.

It should work!

yep i did disable aero first ..., i'm going to the final windows 7 in a few days, i use a lot of 3d drawing programs _link_ 3ds max and stuff like netbeans (java) as well, they like to sc*** with .net _frame_works … I’ll try it on a clean install.

thanks for the help, you ll here from me when the final 7 is running

greetz and thanks again

btw... if You didn't installed new os run epiLight once again and when error will appears click on a Details and take a screen for me

ah and one thing... please use "10*Movie smooth+Fast scene" mode!

Fast scene reaction should be 128. If value it's lower than it is more aggresive changing colors.

Smooth 3x at color means to do not change smooth color for next 10 _frame_s, but to smooth for only 3 _frame_s when colors different is smaller than 96.

Screen divide means for how many pixels in X and Y screen should be divided. So if there is a 64 it means to grab 64*64 pixels which is 4096 pixels. It is really a lot and enough ... could be used only on a fast CPU.

Offset multilpier - You shouldn't use it - 0 value is ok.

Capture screen every X cycles will also make ambilight more smooth especially when screen capture operations is really slow (do not set it to more than 16)

Color increase You can set for a 20 and Inc. delay 15. At the begining color increase will be always 10 and will increase (+1) every 15 (Inc. delay value) cycles - only when color difference is not more than fast scene reaction / 3. If different is bigger than color increasion will be decreased. On a Fast scene reaction it is automatily reseting to 10.


Expand individually You can use when You are watching movies at day where is very light in Your room. At night You should always choose No expand.


BTW: Update Your GPU (graphics card) and MOBO (chipsets, and etc) drivers.

hey, i'm back with a clean windows 7 install (the final) epiLight is still acting up i can play regular divix files just fine with wmp and the auto enable setting on
-timer interval 1ms
- screen divide 64
- capture screen every 8 cycles
this all on 10*Movie smooth+Fast scene.
So far so good, then there is the problem of HD movies and DVD’s epiLight disables aero and then just crashes with hardware H.246 encoding on or off, it doesn’t make a difference
My best guess is that it is in the codex, which ones do you use ?

error message:

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.IO.IOException: The requested resource is in use.

at System.IO.Ports.InternalResources.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String str)
at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream.EndWrite(IAsyncResult asyncResult)
at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream.Write(Byte[] array, Int32 offset, Int32 count, Int32 timeout)
at System.IO.Ports.SerialPort.Write(Byte[] buffer, Int32 offset, Int32 count)
at epiLight.MainForm.Send() in C:epiLight.NETBobLightMainForm.cs:line 943
at epiLight.MainForm.SendOnExit() in C:epiLight.NETBobLightMainForm.cs:line 981
at epiLight.MainForm.MainForm_FormClosing(_object_ sender, FormClosingEventArgs e) in C:epiLight.NETBobLightMainForm.cs:line 930
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnFormClosing(FormClosingEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmClose(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4918 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
Code_base_: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/_frame_work/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
epiLight
Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
Code_base_: file:///D:/-Desktop-/Pics/DIY%20MoMoLight/epiLight.NET%20(momo%204%20win7)/epiLight.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4918 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
Code_base_: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4918 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
Code_base_: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4918 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
Code_base_: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System._xml_
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4918 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
Code_base_: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System._xml_/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System._xml_.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Data
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4918 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
Code_base_: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_32/System.Data/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Data.dll
----------------------------------------
Accessibility
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4918 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
Code_base_: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Accessibility/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Accessibility.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:





When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

no this doesn't looks like thats because of codecs. i'm using K-Lite code pack anyway, but error pasted by You seems it's a problem with opening serial com port.

problem like that happens exactly when serial port is already opened.

i will ask You few questions

1) are You using it on two or one monitor? this is very important and on which monitor You are displaying movie

2) if there is a second monitor, it is connected all the time or Your are connecting it in a moment when You want to watch movie?

3) are You sure that You don't have any other applications that could use Serial port?

4) what p_layer_ are You using for HD movies?

hey,

i do use 2 monitors i have a external monitor on my laptop that i use as my primary monitor (on all the time and i play movies on this monitor). I select this monitor in epiLight and it sees it (resolution is correct).

I use a usb to rs232 convertor on my laptop (conceptronic) and it cant be open already because it works if I play divix ... i tried Bluetooth comports as well ... same result.

It doesn’t matter what p_layer_ i use, i tried WMP, WMPC, media center and VLC (vlc doesn't play HD's with the openGL setting) all the same result.

hmmm openGL settings?
i prefer to use Media P_layer_ Classic from K-Lite Codec Pack

anyway let's say You can do this:
1) close epiLight software and any other programs on Your Windows 7 that You are not using them at the moment
2) disable Aero from a Windows
3) be sure that You have already connected second monitor
4) run epiLight software
5) _turn _off_ Auto enable function in epiLight
5a) check if a second monitor is connected
5b) now try to Enable epiLight

tell me if in this point epiLight is working and if You will move some window on a second monitor it will works or not

6) start divx movie and move it on a second monitor
doest it works?

7) start hd movie on a second monitor... tell me exactly what happen

Hey, i'm @ home now (i left my external monitor @ my placen i'm running only @ my laptop screen) now it works just fine, i can play HD's and move windows (i couldn’t on my 2e screen) that is just great (momolight is not connected, i'm trying on a Bluetooth com port)
Tomorrow i return to my place, i'll try some more than, like disabling my laptop screen and stuff

Thx, this is a step in the good direction

Have a gd weekend
Stofjas

But this still doesn't tell us exactly what is going on. Hope that we could find a reason what the problem is. Maybe when movie is starting on a 2nd monitor there is something like disabling and enabling screen :/ dunno...

I have built Momolight hardware. But I am not able to use any software in Windows 7 RC 7100. I can use only test program for check hardware - it works fine.
BSp_layer_ with filter does not work - no color change.
I have not software or desktop/games.
Please advise which software I can use for games/desktop with Win7/Vista/XP.
Do you have function _link_ for epiLight? _link_s to shop does not work. Please upload this software to Rapidshare or other download server.

try again this:
http://itlite.pl/epiLightDX/epiLight.NET.zip

but use this software for a movies only!

and i prefer to do not use any USB>RS232 converter - many adapters makes problems with com ports

Hey, srry i’ve bin a bit busy lately but today i did some new tests ... i just can’t get it to work
Do you have Bluetooth ?? Can you plz try to run epiLight on one of the Bluetooth COM ports ?? Should that work ?? Maybe i should order a new usb to RS232 converter (a different brand) ...

greetz

you can't run it... what this mean? what kind of error You have?
show me screen...

When i pres the enable button it freezes up, when i use Bluetooth ports it works fine ... so it is my usb to rs232 converter that is the problem!

Now i have 2 possibilities buy a new usb rs232 converter (other brand, other driver) with no guaranty that it will work than or i can rework my hardware to usb, i like to do this but ... did someone do this successfully because i'm not that good to do it myself ??

greetz

yes i have also momolight module on a rs232 and i whish to have it on usb

anyway, tell me what is your usb to rs232 converter? _base_d on a PL2303 chip from Prolific, or maybe something like FT232. To be honest there is one very good working RS232 best one!

yes i have also momolight module on a rs232 and i whish to have it on usb

anyway, tell me what is your usb to rs232 converter? _base_d on a PL2303 chip from Prolific, or maybe something like FT232. To be honest there is one very good working RS232 best one!

i use a conceptronic converter (Prolific) what kind do you use ?? does yours work on win7 ??

I was looking to buy this one _link_

greetz