Develop Media Center Addons

Short notes!!

Preparation of the environment

Should have Visual Studio 2008

1. Download and Install the Windows Media Center Software Development Kit from

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=a43ea0b7-b85f-4612-aa08-3bf128c5873e&displaylang=en. 

2. Download and Install GUIDGEN.EXE from (if you don't have it in VisualStudio tools)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=94551f58-484f-4a8c-bb39-adb270833afc&displaylang=en. 

3. Download and install the latest build of WiX v3.0 (Wix3.msi) from

http://wix.sourceforge.net/downloadv3.html.

Build the add-on

The addon have to be registered with WMC and in GAC! In order to make a change you have to unregister it first and then to register again.

Also register it with  Windows Media Center ( %windir%\ehome\RegisterMCEApp.exe) 

Steps to switch to Canadian EPG in Windows Media Center

1) Install or check if it is installed HD HomeRun from

http://www.silicondust.com/support/hdhomerun/downloads/

2) Run EnableATSCandQAM.bat

3) Run USGuide.bat and select 4 (Toronto)

4) In WMC - >Tasks - >Settings -> TV -> TV Signal -> Setup TV Signal -> Select CANADA, M2N 6P4

How to Get EPG from WMC

1) Find C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\eHome\mcepg2-0.db

2) Build the WMC Addon with code from

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/netfx64bit/thread/ea979075-f602-475d-b485-3a4f787dcb70 to 
http://experts.windows.com/frms/windows_entertainment_and_connected_home/f/25/p/79249/481843.aspx

• Note: the EPG also saved in MXF File. More info:

Windows Media Center Guide Listings Format