Noob questions: external programs / menu structure

[Malevolution]

Hello all... Please be patient with the n00b

I'd like to know if it's possible to:

1) remap the DVD playback item and function (and others) to an external program

2) edit the GameEx menu structure / hierarchy

3) add custom items to the GameEx menus (so as to launch external programs)

...and if so, how to do these things.

I've looked over the FAQ's (with enough detail to know that there is a duplicate question or two listed there), done some forum searches, and searched through the .INI to no avail. The best I've been able to come up with are some posts circa 2005 when (apparently) GameEx didn't have a DVD player, and the function was necessarily remanded to an external application.

This doesn't mean I'm not missing something obvious.

My intended use for GameEx is as a frontend for my HTPC (please disguise your shock ). "Under" it, I intend to run several emulators as well as PowerDVD and Beyond TV.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you're able and willing to provide!

[Michael]

Hello all... Please be patient with the n00b

I'd like to know if it's possible to:

1) remap the DVD playback item and function (and others) to an external program

2) edit the GameEx menu structure / hierarchy

3) add custom items to the GameEx menus (so as to launch external programs)

...and if so, how to do these things.

I've looked over the FAQ's (with enough detail to know that there is a duplicate question or two listed there), done some forum searches, and searched through the .INI to no avail. The best I've been able to come up with are some posts circa 2005 when (apparently) GameEx didn't have a DVD player, and the function was necessarily remanded to an external application.

This doesn't mean I'm not missing something obvious.

My intended use for GameEx is as a frontend for my HTPC (please disguise your shock ). "Under" it, I intend to run several emulators as well as PowerDVD and Beyond TV.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you're able and willing to provide!

gameex has a built in dvd player for both dvd disc and hard drive (think you have to have registered gameex)

as for editing the menu structure i dont think this is possible at the moment

as for adding external application this is possible under "External Applications" in the gameex Advanced configuration Application these will be shown in gameex under more programs.

[Malevolution]

はじめまして, Michael! Thank you for replying.

gameex has a built in dvd player

That much I noticed; however, I don't want to use an internal player. I want to use PowerDVD instead. Is this no longer possible?

as for editing the menu structure i dont think this is possible at the moment

That's unfortunate. A true frontend needs at least this level of customization, in my opinion. One for the feature requests, I suppose.

as for adding external application this is possible under "External Applications" in the gameex Advanced configuration Application these will be shown in gameex under more programs.

And these will always be located under an "External Applications" submenu then?

ありがとうございます!

[Brian Hoffman]

POWERDVD.... YES any program that can be run via commandline can be configured for use with gameex...

Customazation.... What EXACTLY are your referring to? Order of the emus? The way the names are displayed... If the use a start page... This can all be definded.... Plase clairfy your intent so we can determine if this IS possable.

As a far as the external apps goes it just depends how you want this to be configured...

Gameex is very flexable.... If only you dont mind taking the time to set things up.

[Malevolution]

はじめまして, Brian Hoffman. Thank you for your reply.

POWERDVD.... YES any program that can be run via commandline can be configured for use with gameex...

How? If you have a link to specific documentation on this practice, that would be most helpful... If not, please bear with the n00b and tell me how to do this.

Customazation.... What EXACTLY are your referring to? Order of the emus?

Specifically:

1) Display name

2) Creation of new items / mapping to external apps

3) Order / Organization

4) Hierarchy (e.g. ability to create submenus and place items within them)

The organization / hierarchy in GameEx is better than average, don't get me wrong... But everyone's got a way they like to do it.

As a far as the external apps goes it just depends how you want this to be configured...

Just launching an executable (or -- forgive me -- a batch file) would be a good start. Are arguments configurable too?

Gameex is very flexable.... If only you dont mind taking the time to set things up.

Oh, I most certainly don't mind taking the time. I'm very patient with this project. I realize I have a lot to learn, so I truly appreciate your patience. Until I know this program like the back of my hand, though, I'm going to come up with some bizarre questions along the lines of "pushing the limits." Since I don't know what they *are* just yet, though, I will have to rely upon the largesse of folks whose experience far exceeds mine.

ありがとうございます!

[bkenobi]

If you can run a program via the command line, you can use it in GameEx. This is generally done by putting all files associated with that program (videos for PowerDVD for example) in a single folder, then telling GameEx to look for files in that directory. You use the [RomDir] and [RomPath] arguments in place of actual filenames and paths in the command line you use. I can't be very specific on the exact location of where these go in the setup since I'm not in front of a computer with GameEx installed, but Brian might be able to put together a few screen shots showing where to put those things in.

As far as organization, there are a few things that you can do and some you can't. For instance, you can group similar emulators together into a single emulator group. This can help if some roms for a console play better on one emu, but others work better on a second. You can have them in a single list as though it was a single emulator. Or, you could group systems together. For example, maybe you want all Gameboy systems (GB, GBC, GBA, VB...) in a single list...

YES, you can use any type of executable file you want! It can be a real exe, or a scripted one in any format (batch, vbscript, wshost, autohotkey, autoit, etc.). It all comes down to how you define the command line in GameEx. If you can determine what you want done, you can make it happen. If you can't figure out a way, or just want to see how others have done something, ASK! There are a bunch of people here that have put MANY MANY combined man years into configuring GameEx with different applications.

Just so you know, this forum is VERY friendly. We like to keep it that way, so if you have a question, you will NOT be belittled in any way. We will help you solve the problem the best we can. Actually, the only one to avoid is nologic...he's a real jerk j/k!

[Brian Hoffman]

According to some reasearch I found power dvd can be controlled via a command line. I also assume you can subsitute "C" for your DVD rom drive letter.

will work -> powerdvd C:\VIDEO_TS\VIDEO_TS.IFO

will work -> powerdvd C:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_1.VOB

So create a Batchfile

@echo off

c:

cd "c:\program files\cyberlink\powerdvd"

powerdvd.exe C:\VIDEO_TS\VIDEO_TS.IFO

--------

This should get powerdvd going if so then we can setup gameex

--------

Setup should be under emulated games

ROMMFILTER= *.bat --- This will make gamex call your bat with the correct command

Working path= The location of the bat files

Rompath= the location of the bat files

Command= "[rompath]/[romfile]" (this will call the bat only)

DONE

As far as eternal apps and batfiles and arguments goes...

Wouldn't you specify all command arguments in the bat file? The answer should be yes...

The above example should help you get most things going

[bkenobi]

See, I knew Brian would have the correct answer to clear up my ramblings