I use the media center XM Radio program often.   Often enough, that I'd like it to show up on my Media Center default startup/home page for quick access.

I'm trying to avoid having to navigate around the 5 or 6 steps it takes to get there now.  Having it on, or closer to the main page would be nicer.

This seems like it should be a very basic thing, but I'm not sure if you need to manually edit a file or if some option thing is available I'm missing.

Can someone post a tip or trick to do this? (couldnt find it)

It is really easy, take a look at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb189039.aspx.  If you want me to make the registry file for you just let me know.

mikinho:

It is really easy, take a look at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb189039.aspx.  If you want me to make the registry file for you just let me know.

Thanks, yes please.  If you could help me out, or clearify that page more, I'll be able to create future ones after help with this one.

I'd like XM Radio Online to show up as a menu strip.

The way I get to it currently is MCE main page, Online Media, program library, music + radio, XM Radio Online

Is it possible

Also, the MAIN thing I access on my Media Center is the Video Library. 

Is it possible to make the Video Libray be the first choice that shows up when you scroll up to "Pictures + Videos"? 

It's annoying how the new Vista sport for the Video Libray is buried a bit. (when it used to be nice and easy to get to in MCE 2005)

If I could have Videos and XM Radio right up front, I'd be a happy camper !

Do you want it per user or all users?  I'm leaving work soon and can make it from home.

All users would be fine.  That's generally how I install any program when it asks.  I dont use more then one account, so either way is fine actually.  (what ever is easier)  Thanks ! :)

S4Czech:

Is it possible to make the Video Libray be the first choice that shows up when you scroll up to "Pictures + Videos"? 

I don't know how to do this without hex editiing but I'll look into it more.

Below are two files that will create a new strip for you called Favorites.  In it I've added video library and xm radio online.

1- Copy and paste the below text into Notepad and save it as CustomStartMenu.xml

<application id="{86859EF7-A910-43a3-AC4A-95ED0068BEF3}" Title="Favorites" Description="Favorites" CompanyName="Favorites">
 <entrypoint id="{0E0D6A78-ACF8-4b34-80BB-24A95E65D690}" title="xm radio online" description="XM Radio Online" url="http://www.xmradio.com/mce">
  <category category="CustomStartMenu\Favorites"/>
  <category category="Services\Radio"/>
 </entrypoint>
 <entrypoint id="{4936E88D-90A5-459c-9631-8667000AB854}" title="@%SystemRoot%\eHome\ehres.dll,-14058" description="@%SystemRoot%\eHome\ehres.dll,-13120" run="%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:VideoCollection.xml /pushstartpage:true">
  <category category="CustomStartMenu\Favorites"/>
 </entrypoint>
</application>

2- Copy and paste the below text into Notepad and save it as CustomStartMenu.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Start Menu\Applications\{86859EF7-A910-43a3-AC4A-95ED0068BEF3}]
"Title"="Favorites"
"Category"="CustomStartMenu\\Favorites"
"OnStartMenu"="True"
"TimeStamp"=dword:0C3919AF

Merge the registry file (right-click Merge) and from an administrative command prompt run the following command: %SystemRoot%\ehome\RegisterMCEApp.exe /allusers CustomStartMenu.xml

Note:

   - Both items are using the default image, it can be changed to a custom image easily however I want to look into reusing the existing ones, I just don't know what file has the resource yet.

   - I'm positive there is a better way to navigate to video library without calling the exe.  I can make an addin that uses the NavigateToPage API but I think there is an easier way, I'll figure it out this weekend sometime.

   - I started making an addin that will you let create and manage Favorites.  It will let you add any section to the favorites menu, I believe there is a 5 tile limit to custom start menus though.

   - If you have Media Center auto-start with Windows you can give it a cmd line switch so it starts with the Favorites strip.  I've set this up and am pretty happy with it.  I'll make this an option under my addin.

These are the setting for MCE 2005

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Extensibility]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Extensibility\Applications]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Extensibility\Applications\{abce8379-f381-47b8-ae3d-ef6ade750509}]
"Title"="XM Radio"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Extensibility\Categories]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Extensibility\Categories\Start Menu]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Extensibility\Categories\Start Menu\{3de6904a-d9c7-4ef9-b77d-c1216b39161f}]
"AppId"="{abce8379-f381-47b8-ae3d-ef6ade750509}"
"Title"="XM Radio"
"Url"="http://www.xmradio.com/mce"
"NowPlayingDirective"="stop"
"BackgroundColor"="RGB(0,0,0)"
"TimeStamp"=dword:086f4354
 

This was just what I was looking for, something to move the video menu somewhere so it wasn't hidden.

I merged the file with the registry, and from the command prompt as admistrator added the XML file. It gave me a Sucess. When I load up MCE I see the Video Menu, but when I click on it, it does not do anything. Is there something I did wrong? The XM Radio works fine.

Some quick questions:

1. Is there something I am doing wrong with the Video folder?

2. Is there a way to completely take out the SPORTS start menu?

3. How do you organize the order of the Start menu items?

Thank you so much for your help.

Guy

#1 - I installed it on a couple other machines and it works on 2 of 4 machines, I'll figure it out tonight.

#2 - Yes.  Move the unwanted folders from %ProgramData%\Microsoft\eHome\Packages\.

#3 - I'm not sure if there is a way to do this yet.  Custom add-ins are sorted via their timestamp in the registry.  Not sure about the default ones (yet).

Thank you again, your instructions are specific and super helpful.

Thanks!

Guy

I couldn't find the root cause of why it doesn't work consistently so I made an addin that will work consistently.  If you are interested in it just let me know and I'll make a setup package for it and post it here.

On my system I have a "Favorites" menu strip which includes:

1- video library

2- cartoon network (adult swim ftw)

3- play dvd (current dvd if there is one otherwise to the dvd gallery)

4- start screen saver (when I'm playing music I prefer to manually start the screen saver asap)

I then configure Media Center to start with Windows and go directly to the Favorites strip.

 

i would be extemely interested in that addin,
can we also move\delete items from the menu strip, ie. make "videos" on its own strip?
also whats the limit on how many menus we can make, ie, favorites1, favorites2


of topic -  does anyone know where the images (background, button) are stored..i think with MCE we needed to use resouce hacker from a exe?

CaMs:

i would be extemely interested in that addin,
can we also move\delete items from the menu strip, ie. make "videos" on its own strip?
also whats the limit on how many menus we can make, ie, favorites1, favorites2

I believe the limit is two custom strips with 5 tiles in each.  After I make the setup package (tonight, put on tgb tomorrow) I'll send you a registry file to make videos it's own strip using the addin to call video library.