Thread: Leaving DVD running in background to view GPS?

With PowerDVD/WinDVD or any external DVD player, it is possible to do that, except when you use the built-in touchscreen panel from RR (You'd have to use the controls from the DVD player itself -- embedding it as any other external app). Leaving it "playing" on the background basically implies that you'd be missing that part of the movie/video while in any other screen -- not an acceptable solution as far as I see it.

Originally Posted by guino

With PowerDVD/WinDVD or any external DVD player, it is possible to do that, except when you use the built-in touchscreen panel from RR (You'd have to use the controls from the DVD player itself -- embedding it as any other external app). Leaving it "playing" on the background basically implies that you'd be missing that part of the movie/video while in any other screen -- not an acceptable solution as far as I see it.

But for us with headrest monitors it means that the kiddies movie's gotta be interrupted when daddy needs to sneak a peek at iguidance

Thanks for the response (hope they pay ya well ) Yea, well I would most likely pause it and then come back and hit play, just would save the time/touches of waiting for it too load again, etc.... In scheme of things not a deal breaker. Been trying to use it just as an external app (by using Launch settings) but PowerDVD/WinDVD haven't worked as well there, ie: powerDVD's transport control window won't hide, weird focus issues, and so far can't find a skin w/ big/simple (touchscreen friendly) buttons.

I guess that would be the way to go though, just have to:
1) Find a skin for one of these DVD programs w/ extra big buttons
2) Get the window to go fullscreen correctly and for controls to hide

This can be done.

You need to edit your exectbl.ini

Code:

"DVD","LOAD;powerdvd_player.skin"

"HIDEDVD","SHOWWINDOW;PowerDVD;False||backtomain"
"BACKTOMAIN","MAIN"

Note: you need to have it load whatever dvd skin your using ie windvd_player.ini

Then you need to open up that skin file and change the code for the exit.
It should look like this

B12,735,1,62,70,"HIDEDVD","Exit"

An easier way could be to use the skinediter. and just edit that button and add "HIDEDVD"

Originally Posted by nkotch

Thanks for the response (hope they pay ya well ) Yea, well I would most likely pause it and then come back and hit play, just would save the time/touches of waiting for it too load again, etc.... In scheme of things not a deal breaker. Been trying to use it just as an external app (by using Launch settings) but PowerDVD/WinDVD haven't worked as well there, ie: powerDVD's transport control window won't hide, weird focus issues, and so far can't find a skin w/ big/simple (touchscreen friendly) buttons.

I guess that would be the way to go though, just have to:
1) Find a skin for one of these DVD programs w/ extra big buttons
2) Get the window to go fullscreen correctly and for controls to hide

Originally Posted by nkotch

Hey all,

Sorry if this has been covered before but searched and didn't see anything useful.

Question is: Is it possible to have a DVD playing in RR (doesn't matter what player, but I currently use PowerDVD) , then switch over to another screen (like GPS or gamma settings) to make a few adjustments or view the navi screen and then go back to DVD with it continuing to run in the background? Right now whenever I leave the GPS screen to do anything else it closes the dvd player and when I come back I have to wait for the disc to load back up and resume, which is how it's designed to work I assume.

Very new to this and I'm no programmer so just starting to dive into the skin files and learn how they work. Finally got powerDVD to work with one skin and played with around with one of the buttons assigning it different commands to switch back the "home" menu or a different skin file instead of the "EXIT" command but it still closes dvd player.

Anyway, was just curious as to if this is even possible. Can see where my passenger would be watching a movie and I need to quickly check on the gps screen and then go back to the movie.

Thanks,

I hope you already find this feature in the 5-1-06 release, if not here is the background regarding to it.
Beta release: RoadRunner with dual monitor support

I have been reading like crazy thru the threads about a number of items getting DVD cooking well, prefer MPC if I can get it working (due to integration, controls, tracking). Would do just fine with WinDVD or PowerDVD but simply can't get them (truly tied-in) well enough - must be missing something but I want no borders, nada.... advice? I had a CPU issue but got MPC working with the WinDVD and PowerDVD codecs and HW ACCEL. I think the new WinDVD has to much skin stuff on it to tie in well, V7. Advice is beyond appreciated....

1 - ? - I see it looks like no RESUME exists with MPC/DVD as it does with others if menus exist. Is this still true?

2 - ? - How can I maipulate this HIDE process to work with MPC. Boy is it painful/not-usable, to switch screens then have to ffwd-skip until you get back to the point you wanted. Neither PowerDVD or WinDVD do that due to the resume. I guess if I could just move away from it while it hides, that would be just fine.

3 - ? - I read but am looking for a control that allows a button goto ROOT or MAIN MENU?

Sorry if these sound dumb - I am trying really hard to research before posting here.

Thx

Originally Posted by MatrixPC

I hope you already find this feature in the 5-1-06 release, if not here is the background regarding to it.
Beta release: RoadRunner with dual monitor support

(Per my last thread - ... )

Just tested the HIDE process with MPC, and it so oddly works perfect with Video Files - but DVD's it restarts - makes very little sense, but am sure there is a reason.

I think if I can make this work - I am golden "for now" ;-) Ultimately my hope would be for example heading back to the main menu or such:

- PAUSE
- HIDE
- LOAD MENU

Am I dreaming

...

Originally Posted by kolemieux

I have been reading like crazy thru the threads about a number of items getting DVD cooking well, prefer MPC if I can get it working (due to integration, controls, tracking). Would do just fine with WinDVD or PowerDVD but simply can't get them (truly tied-in) well enough - must be missing something but I want no borders, nada.... advice? I had a CPU issue but got MPC working with the WinDVD and PowerDVD codecs and HW ACCEL. I think the new WinDVD has to much skin stuff on it to tie in well, V7. Advice is beyond appreciated....

1 - ? - I see it looks like no RESUME exists with MPC/DVD as it does with others if menus exist. Is this still true?

2 - ? - How can I maipulate this HIDE process to work with MPC. Boy is it painful/not-usable, to switch screens then have to ffwd-skip until you get back to the point you wanted. Neither PowerDVD or WinDVD do that due to the resume. I guess if I could just move away from it while it hides, that would be just fine.

3 - ? - I read but am looking for a control that allows a button goto ROOT or MAIN MENU?

Sorry if these sound dumb - I am trying really hard to research before posting here.

Thx