Front-row (pdm Skin Mod) Options

[djdafreund]

On HDTV, the text is a bit smaller, and sitting on average 10-15 feets away, it's hard to read if any bright scene's are on. Sure, if it's dark, it's easier to read, but is someone supposed to skip to a darker scene before being able to change it. I took some screenshots to better illustrate an example of the action in play.



As you can better see, when sitting 10-15 feet away, the text is harder to read then using a SDTV with big text. And i didn't even bother taking a snapshot of 1080i mode, because the text is much smaller yet and didn't even show. I know most don't use 1080i due to the xbmc being flicker with motion due to the xbox power limitation, and 720p looking just fine.

Here is a quick mockup used just to quickly show even a 10-15% transparency added, is enough to allow text to be readable more easily. Granted i did a quick darken, so you just have to imagine all text itself being a bit brighter, since the effect was added to everything in the box area.



If you send me the proper file, i will even do it myself and test. It'll be worth it to me, and to others to include this. Please at least consider it. People won't be able to use older SDTV technology after 08 anyway, because of FCC new laws, so they need to upgrade anyway. We really need to not leave out the HDTV users.

[Sharpe]

I've uploaded an update that includes the code to add a background to the settings - and left the background out of the xpr in the media folder. (OSD Background.png) - have a mess around with the transparency yourself and see if you can get it looking how you want.

I do use an HDTV set myself - but I stick to 720p and like I say I get the transparency showing up as a solid black. Which I've just found seems to only be the case if I'm using Hardware Overlays for rendering - switched it to Pixel Shading and got this,



Oh well - see how you get on.

This post has been edited by Sharpe: Jan 19 2008, 10:56 AM

[djdafreund]

Ok, that will work. And thanks. I think that issue is normal with Hardware Overlay actually. But i haven't used hardware overlay for years since the 1st time i saw snapshots of Hardware Overlay and also Pixel Shading, and using hidef, it's a big difference better using Pixel Shading.
So i'll mess around with touching up a background image to fit. I'll post it for others if it is liked..

[Sharpe]

nice one fella

[Sharpe]

Hello everyone

For those keeping tabs with this skin - I suppose I should mention that I've made a few (nothing too major) updates of the skin.

I've altered the Skin Settings, File Manager and Weather screens a little. Also changed the 5 second popup music playing info thingy a bit and done some work on all the menu closing animation stuff. - Like I say nothing major but the little things pull it together just a bit more I reckon - so worth doing - just wish I was better at photoshop!

djdafreund - did you get anywhere with your video OSD background mate?

[djdafreund]

Thanks for that update. I've been at a friends for a couple days, so i haven't had a lot of time. Got my rig over here though, so i'll make some time and do that soon, and post my results.
BTW- What's the back-Row video thats now in your download's? The link is missing. Possibly a new opening video? That would be cool if so!!

This post has been edited by djdafreund: Jan 22 2008, 04:33 AM

[djdafreund]

Just tried editing the OSD Background.png file, and it's not showing any difference. Was the file for sure deleted from the texture pak?

[Sharpe]

Just tried editing the OSD Background.png file, and it's not showing any difference. Was the file for sure deleted from the texture pak?

Doh - no you're right - it must have slipped back in the xpr. It's been removed again.

BTW - The video thing was just a little demo of the skin in action that I'd made for a pal who was thinking of getting an xbox.

[maximusoctavious]

Hey bro, you might want to go back to the old style. the new skin settings just collides all my pics rtogether?
Even though I select just one directory? You need to make it use the bullets correctly. If you select something than there will be a little blue dot. If not, there will be a blank black area. This would help alot. So for now I had to delete all my pics in all the folders except the default sub folder for all my pics. I hope you fix this reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal soon. Off to go make some TrainWreck hashhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
ITS MY B-DAY.

[Sharpe]

Sorry mate - I'm not sure what you mean - have you got a screenie?

Happy b'day!

[djdafreund]

Hey Sharpe, for that background picture, i just simply doubled the current transparent image (ie-dragged the one down in PS to copy image tool to duplicate, making 2 images in toolbar on right.), then re-saved image, making it just a little darker, and it looks fine.
I didn't experience the total black background myself when using hardware overlay mode, it's just clear, so that seems to be a good compromise on tastes. The current image, i would guess would be about 10% transparent, which seems about 20% now after doubling the image, which is enough to read at sitting position on HDTV set from my theater chairs, but still plenty transparent enough to see behind when those times you need to adjust for syncing issues or what nots.

[Sharpe]

Righto - I've gone with that suggestion and uploaded it.

Cheers

[djdafreund]

Hey thanks Sharpe.

[maximusoctavious]

You need to take another look at your settings? My buddy across the street has the same problem? Your settings window is a complete mess. Even after selecting my wallpaper folders manually, everything is still thrown together. Your previous build did not do this???????? You need to make it where if u select something
you click on the blank round circle and the area is filled with blue. By buddy showed me how the other skins settings in different skins works flwlessly. But not Back-Row? Hopefully you can fix this. I had to delete all the pics in all the folders except the default wallpaper dir for my car pics to show without the interference with all the other folders. We are very surprised no one else has come forward to complain about this. I think its full of coding bugs perhaps. Maybe just to many options conflicting????

[Sharpe]

Is it in the skin settings screen?

Even after selecting my wallpaper folders manually, everything is still thrown together.

What do you mean by "thrown together"? Like I say - show me a screencap of what you mean and I might have a chance of understanding what the problem is.

Has anyone else who's used the skin had any problems like maximusoctavious has had?

This post has been edited by Sharpe: Jan 26 2008, 07:19 PM