3rd Party Apps in Windows Media Center

[GrinReaper]

Hello,

I have a third party app in Windows Media Center that I'm trying to use AutoIt to write a script to "click" on one of the buttons.

When I use the AutoIt Windows Info program, it will not read any relevant information about the 3rd party app in WMC.  It doesn't show any Visible Text or buttons.  Even when I try to use the Finder Tool.

Is this because of how WMC runs the 3rd party app within itself?

Thanks in advance for any help or insight this forum can give.

Greg

[GrinReaper]

So I gave up on trying to get information with the AutoIt Windows Info tool.

 

After much testing and failure, I've been able to put together a script that will automate the ripping of DVD's into Windows Media Center without having to click anything.

 

The script is mainly send keys, but it moves through the WMC program just fine.

 

The only extra program I needed was The Maxifier.  This program allowed me to run the script while keeping WMC in focus.  Otherwise the script would run in something like the desktop environment.

 

I do use the following programs as well.

 

AutoRip N Compress - Free

Handbrake - Free

AnyDVD - $$$   (you can use MakeMKV in it's place)

GD3 (for metadata) - Free account with AutoRip N Compress

 

 

WindowsMC()
Func WindowsMC()
  If ProcessExists("ehshell.exe") Then
    ;Send("^!c") ;Hot Key to close Windows Media Center through The Maximizer. Commented because probably not needed.
    ;Sleep(1000) ;Commented because probably not needed.
    ;Send("^!o") ;Hot Key to start Windows Media Center through The Maximizer. Commented because probably not needed.
    ;Sleep(8000) ;Commented because probably not needed.
    Send("{BACKSPACE},1")
    Sleep(1000) ;All sleeps are needed otherwise the script runs to fast.
    Send("{BACKSPACE},1")
    Sleep(1000)
    Send("{BACKSPACE},1") ;Three backspaces to make sure you are out of the sub menus.
    Sleep(2000)
    Send("{HOME}") ;Home to get you to the extras menu
    Sleep(1000)
    Send("{ENTER}") ;Enter to select extra menu
    Sleep(3000)
    Send("{ENTER}") ;Enter to start AutoRip N Compress
    Sleep(2000)
    Send("{ENTER}") ;Enter to start Ripping (Start Rip button defaulted)
  Else
    Send("^!o") ;Hot Key to start Windows Media Center through The Maximizer.
    Sleep(8000)
    Send("{HOME}")
    Send("{ENTER}")
    Sleep(3000)
    Send("{ENTER}")
    Sleep(2000)
    Send("{ENTER}")
  EndIf
EndFunc

Hope this helps someone, or someone can improve on it!

 

Greg

Edited March 24, 2014 by GregB