This article is intended for Users of the pinnacle PCTV hardware , and the second part is relevant only to pinnacle PCTV vision users (PCTV pro/stereo/plus)





To edit the keymaps in your remote, navigate to \Program Files\Pinnacle\PCTV Stereo\Remote

and open the profiles.ini in notepad



first there will be a

Code:

[default]

section, but the keys there are commented out ( i think )

then

Code:

; hardware ID:

HWID=0

this may vary and may be different for those with IR receivers that plug into the PCI card, not a serial port. Add the definitions there,

First off ,how to run programs from a button



you can already see the commands for tv, radio, teletext marked there. We don't have teletext here, so i changed the teletext key(41) to start foobar

Code:

key41=EXEC f:\Program Files\foobar2000\foobar2000.exe

you can make any key start any program



then, a simple way to assign hotkeys to your pctv remote



just add (for example )

Code:

key62=KEYBOARD CTRL+ALT+t+^t+^ALT+^CTRL

this will map CTRL+ALT+T to the down arrow button in your remote. If you want it to work continuously (for ex smooth scroll for volume etc,) add the same command for key(n+64) ie

Code:

key126=KEYBOARD CTRL+ALT+t+^t+^ALT+^CTRL

this will repeatedly cause CTRL+ALT+T to be pressed when you're holding the down arrow



similarly, map other hotkeys to the other buttons you want (play pause vol etc ....). the button numbers are given in a pdf file in the same folder as the profiles.ini file



NOTE: everything is case specific, and remember to add the ^ command for every command you give else that key will stay pressed

for ex, in key126=KEYBOARD CTRL+ALT+t+^t+^ALT+^CTRL



CTRL= depress CTRL key

ALT= depress ALT key

t= depress 't' key

^t= release 't' key

^ALT= release ALT key

^CTRL= release CTRL key



however , there may be cases where you want a key to stay pressed. I've set my channel switch buttons to do alt-tab

Code:

key23=KEYBOARD ALT+TAB

key28=KEYBOARD ^ALT

the channel up button works as the program switcher, and down button causes alt lock to be released

now that you have configured the remote, time to make them do something!

Ill show screenshots for three players that i use.

map the hotkeys that you just made to the functions you want here



Winamp



mplayerc



foobar



The key maps ( and a more detailed guide ) are given in the last pages of the remote.pdf file in Program Files\Pinnacle\PCTV Stereo\Remote



Have fun with the remote!.

Now for the skins !

[BREAK=Skins]

Now some fun for pinnacle pctv vision users.If you feel bored with the stock skin that comes with it , you might be interested in some of these.



Bluemediavision



Rottens blue



vega

All you have to do is , save these zip files to a folder, press CTRL+B when your PCTV is running in TV mode (without the controls , like in the winxp blue screenshot) and choose that folder as the skin folder...

Btw, i got these skins (and some more) from the pinnacle fanboard It's all in german, plus they havent added any skins since 2005, so i wouldnt bother going over there..joining there was a story worth telling in itself

Have fun

thanx mate. Lol i never knew it was skinnable even ). YOU ROCK...post a few more skins pls