Author Topic: Commands Over Loud Music / Noise (Read 9130 times)

pmdaniels73 · « **on:** June 11, 2013, 05:31:38 PM »

Just starting using VC yesterday. Thanks for James and the others in the group for all your help. One thing I am trying to figure out is how when I am playing music at a pretty high volume can I issue commands? The music blends with my voice and VC gets mixed commands.

Thanks again folks for all your help!

nime5ter · « **Reply #1 on:** June 11, 2013, 05:51:09 PM »

I can start by recommending the same FAQ wiki link as the last time: http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=FAQ#Why_doesn.27t_VC_understand_me_all_the_time.3F.

The most popular solution is to use some kind of ducking, where the system volume is reduced temporarily while you speak. If you search for "ducking" on the forum you should find a number of threads about this.

If you want more specific help to implement a solution and can't find it after reviewing the forum, maybe consider the various options that the FAQ mentions and share your preferred method so that someone can explain how to accomplish that.

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2013, 06:47:32 PM »

Thanks for the reply. Since I don't have the amulet remote or an android device it seems that using "ducking" via prefix mode would be my ticket. Is there a tutorial on how to set this up. One problem I see that I am going to have with it though is that every time I turn on prefix mode and restart VC it defaults to prefix mode being turned off.

nime5ter · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2013, 07:38:05 PM »

Quote from: pmdaniels73 on June 11, 2013, 06:47:32 PM

One problem I see that I am going to have with it though is that every time I turn on prefix mode and restart VC it defaults to prefix mode being turned off.

Actually, I think it defaults to being in the green "listen" mode. The prefix works in standby mode. You can change the settings so that when you open the program it immediately switches into "automatic standby" mode via the Options menu under the General tab. It's set to "0", but you can change that. [Edit: what this actually does is to automatically switch VC from "listen" to "standb"y mode after a period of inactivity (i.e., a period of time in which no commands are recognized), so a better solution for starting up in standby is the command line option mentioned below.]

James and other users share their own custom command groups on the forum as xml files. You'll find it helpful to watch the tutorial on importing groups into VoxCommando:

, so that when you find stuff on the forum that you want to try, you'll be able to import it.

jitterjames · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2013, 09:10:48 PM »

Quote from: pmdaniels73 on June 11, 2013, 06:47:32 PM

One problem I see that I am going to have with it though is that every time I turn on prefix mode and restart VC it defaults to prefix mode being turned off.

Enabling a prefix is done in options. Once you enable it and save the options it will remain set.

Perhaps you are talking about standby mode (yellow) in which most commands require a prefix in order to execute. In order for VC to start in standby mode you can add the command line parameter -standby when starting voxcommando.exe

http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=53.0

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2013, 02:00:26 AM »

I guess James. I am really too new at this and just now trying to learn. I went into options and checked the box to turn prefix mode on then entered the word I wanted to use. I am sure I will figure it out eventually.

nime5ter · « **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2013, 03:43:10 AM »

Quote from: pmdaniels73 on June 12, 2013, 02:00:26 AM

I went into options and checked the box to turn prefix mode on then entered the word I wanted to use. I am sure I will figure it out eventually.

Yes, that's right. Once you've done that, the prefix will remain set, so you're on track. The reason that it seemed like it was turning off when you closed and re-opened the program is because the prefix works specifically when the program is in "standby" (yellow) mode, not when it is in full "listen" (green) mode. When you re-opened the program it was in green mode, so the prefix was irrelevant.

The wiki has a lot of information that will help to explain how the prefix works and what the different options settings do. Reading through the "Getting Started" and "Options" sections of the documentation should clear up a fair bit of your confusion.

Kalle · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2013, 06:33:50 AM »

Quote from: pmdaniels73 on June 12, 2013, 02:00:26 AM

I guess James. I am really too new at this and just now trying to learn. I went into options and checked the box to turn prefix mode on then entered the word I wanted to use. I am sure I will figure it out eventually.

Ok, I think this is for what you search - we call it "prefix as intercom funktion"
This command group is actual configured to use with XBMC, but you can edit and use it with other programms like MediaMonkey.

A short explanation for this command:
To work with this command, it is important you have activate in VC-Options "Use Prefix" and set a "Idle-Timeout" to a couple of seconds (5-10).

What does the command? If you speak your "prefix", VC activate a partial mute and reduce the volume of XBMC with a softmute to a preset level, switch VC from standby (yellow) to ON-mode (green) and start the timer for idle timeout and wait for a command.
Now two scenarios are possible:

1. If VC recognized a command: execute the command, switch back to standby mode (yellow) and unmute XBMC to normal volume level

2. If VC doesn't recognized any command within 10 seconds after your spoken prefix - it switch back from ON to standby mode and unmute XBMC back to normal volume level.

this all is possible since VC generate events for the most things, in this example for ON and standby and also for end prefix - take a look in the VC history window and you will realize a calendar icon with VC.On, VC.Standby, VC.Prefix.Start and VC.Prefix.End - we call this events and "events" can trigger any action in VC.
Take also a look in this command group with the "command editor" and it gives you some information how it works.

I hope this wiil help you a bit to understand the function of this command group - you can search in this forum for "intercom" and find some results.

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2013, 03:13:03 AM »

Ok. I figured out the problem with the settings not saving. I also spent hours building some simple launch url commands that got deleted also. I know what the problem is but no clue on how to fix it. I use VC for itunes and xbmc. I built all of my commands while in the itunes eula. Then I switched to xbmc eula. Went back to the itunes eula and every single thing i done was gone. Even the prefix word was back to "eye tunes." So do I have to change eula every time I want to switch between itunes and xbmc? If not (and I did look at the wiki for this) how do I or can I combine the two (itunes and xbmc) into one single eula?

Once again guys thanks for all your help!

Kalle · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2013, 03:24:38 AM »

Quote from: pmdaniels73 on June 13, 2013, 03:13:03 AM

Ok. I figured out the problem with the settings not saving. I also spent hours building some simple launch url commands that got deleted also. I know what the problem is but no clue on how to fix it. I use VC for itunes and xbmc. I built all of my commands while in the itunes eula. Then I switched to xbmc eula. Went back to the itunes eula and every single thing i done was gone. Even the prefix word was back to "eye tunes." So do I have to change eula every time I want to switch between itunes and xbmc? If not (and I did look at the wiki for this) how do I or can I combine the two (itunes and xbmc) into one single eula?

Once again guys thanks for all your help!

sorry if I misunderstand you - at the moment you use to different instances of VC, one with commands for iTunes and a other one with commands for XBMC, is this right?

If you want to combine groups from different instances of VoxCommando, open in one of them the editor window. In the menu bar of the editor you can choose "Open" and go to the folder where is your other instance of VC installed and select the voicecommands.xml and open it. So you have two windows side by side in the editor - press and hold the control button on your keyboard, select a group which you want with the mouse and then drag and drop it in the command tree. Don't forget to save your work.
I hope it helps

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2013, 04:15:59 AM »

Hello Kalle and thanks once again for your time and help. You are correct. I thought that if i wanted to go from using xbmc to itunes i had to click file then choose "apply standard configuration" then in the "EULA" choose itunes? So what I am trying to do is use the same instance / EULA for both itunes and xbmc. Sorry if I am not being to clear.

Kalle · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2013, 05:08:32 AM »

Quote from: pmdaniels73 on June 13, 2013, 04:15:59 AM

Hello Kalle and thanks once again for your time and help. You are correct. I thought that if i wanted to go from using xbmc to itunes i had to click file then choose "apply standard configuration" then in the "EULA" choose itunes? So what I am trying to do is use the same instance / EULA for both itunes and xbmc. Sorry if I am not being to clear.

open "apply standard configuration" open always a standard (pre-configured ) VoxCommando - this will not add commands in your configuration it override it and you will lost your old config.

ok, step by step - and please follow exact this steps:

1. install VC with your preferred config setup first (like XBMC frodo or what else), open VC, make your settings which you need, save it and close VC.

2 run VCsetup.exe again and install it in a different folder from the first folder. Open it and select your second preferred setup (like iTunes).

3 if this is done, you must have two VoxCommando Main folders and both have the whole program inside (voxcommando.exe, some dll's and so on)

4 start the VC with the XBMC commands and click on edit (you must see the command groups from XBMC)

5 click on the menu bar to "Open", so a file browser is open and then search the folder where the VC with iTunes config is in and select the voicecommands.xml and press - open

6 You can see there are to windows in the command editor open - drag and drop the command groups from the "iTunes" windows in the "XBMC" windows how I it explain in the post above - don't forget to save when you close the editor.

7 Make a full restart of VC and a take a look in the editor again if all commands available - that is all

It is important that you copy also the folder with the payloads for iTunes to your VC folder with the combined commands.

I hope you understand me, english is not my native language

Kalle · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2013, 05:32:02 AM »

A simpler way is to run multiple instances of VC togther - to do this, install two VC's in different folders and create for each a d, open the properties for each link and type at the end of the command line -new, this allowed you to open more then one VC at the same time.

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2013, 06:10:33 AM »

Kalle you are awesome! I done the drag and drop procedure. I did get some error message when i chose "voicecommands" from the itunes folder like albums.xml could not be found and they were hilighted in yellow after clicking ok through all the error pop ups. However when i closed and re-opened VC it seemed to be fine. Now this is where I am. How will VC know when I issue a command like "play artist Jack Johnson" if it should play in itunes or xbmc?

jitterjames · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2013, 07:34:32 AM »

I recommend you just stick with two folders, one for each configuration, and switch between them depending on what program you want to control. Follow Kalle's directions but stop after step 3.

By the way, EULA stands for "end user licence agreement"

jitterjames · « **Reply #15 on:** June 13, 2013, 07:44:15 AM »

Quote from: Kalle on June 13, 2013, 05:32:02 AM

A simpler way is to run multiple instances of VC togther - to do this, install two VC's in different folders and create for each a d, open the properties for each link and type at the end of the command line -new, this allowed you to open more then one VC at the same time.

I strongly disagree. It might be easier to set up, but running side by side instances of VoxCommando is almost never a good solution, and I would not recommend trying it unless you really know what you are doing.

Kalle · « **Reply #16 on:** June 13, 2013, 07:48:57 AM »

Quote from: pmdaniels73 on June 13, 2013, 06:10:33 AM

Kalle you are awesome! I done the drag and drop procedure. I did get some error message when i chose "voicecommands" from the itunes folder like albums.xml could not be found and they were hilighted in yellow after clicking ok through all the error pop ups. However when i closed and re-opened VC it seemed to be fine. Now this is where I am. How will VC know when I issue a command like "play artist Jack Johnson" if it should play in itunes or xbmc?

the errors come when the xml's was missing - and that is why I'm writing "It is important that you copy..." you must copy the iTunes payloads album/artist xml's also.

Quote

Now this is where I am. How will VC know when I issue a command like "play artist Jack Johnson" if it should play in itunes or xbmc?

VoxCommando doesn't know this by it self, you can create a command to enable/disable groups

take a look in the VC action tree when you create a command - you find actions like VC.DisableGroup and there is also something in our WiKi if you click on the "View help on WiKi" button.

jitterjames · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2013, 08:23:55 AM »

He probably needs to run genxml now for both XBMC and iTunes.

But I think trying to combine these configurations is too advanced for a beginner.

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2013, 12:33:29 PM »

Good morning Mr. James! I would say just having two seperate VC's would be the easiest. I am just going to go that route.

P.S. Are there any commands to get the old lady to cook or clean house? LOL!

jitterjames · « **Reply #19 on:** June 13, 2013, 12:36:50 PM »

I think it is best for now. At some point, when you know the program better, and maybe if you give up trying to bypass the activation process and actually buy a license, we can look at something a bit more sophisticated.

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 15, 2013, 03:30:37 AM »

So I put the intercom with prefix group in my tree. I went into options and turned on prefix mode. I typed in a prefix word. I set the idle timeout for 5 seconds. I saved settings. Restarted VC. After the 5 seconds VC went into standby mode. I spoke my prefix word. The word I spoke shows up as if VC is hearing me. However VC does not go into listen mode and mute volume when I speak the prefix word. What have I done wrong?

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2013, 04:07:10 AM »

Ok. So I got everything working except for the volume part. I think I know what is wrong. The xml file is not set to control the actual xbmc volume. Since I am using VC on a remote computer I would imagine this is why the volume is not muting when I speak the prefix word. So if this is the case would someone be nice enough to guide me through any changes I need to make in order to get this to work?

Thanks!

jitterjames · « **Reply #22 on:** June 15, 2013, 08:01:15 AM »

Can you please refer me to the exact XML that you are using. The best would be if you could do the following

1- In the command tree editor right-click the group and then select copy.

2- Reply to this forum post, click the code icon (button above the message entry text box with a # symbol on it), and then type ctrl-v to paste the code.

I guess you are using Frodo, so we will only need to change you actions to use xJSON softmute actions.

Please note that a prefix does not turn VC green. It only allows a command to execute when you are in standby mode. The prefix must be spoken at the beginning of a command, as part of the command. You can't just say the prefix and then wait. To do that you should just use the pay attention command. You could also get the pay attention command to lower you volume if you wanted, and restore the volume when you return to standby mode.

jitterjames · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2013, 10:36:46 AM »

I don't know why you posted this in the Feature Request portion of the forum. This is not a feature request, you are asking for help to understand how to use the features that already exist. I will move this thread now.

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 15, 2013, 12:04:30 PM »

Sorry James for posting in the wrong location. Yes I am using frodo. Below is the xml I am using. Taken from Hallle.

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 15, 2013, 12:34:16 PM »

Code: [Select]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<commandGroup open="False" name="Vox Intercom with prefix and idle timeout" enabled="True" prefix="" priority="0" requiredProcess="" description="">
  <command id="1704" name="Ducking End" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
    <if ifBlockDisabled="False" ifNot="False">
      <ifType>LastActionSuccess</ifType>
      <ifParams>&amp;&amp;</ifParams>
      <then>
        <action>
          <cmdType>XBMC.SoftUnMute</cmdType>
          <cmdString />
          <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
        </action>
      </then>
      <else />
    </if>
    <action>
      <cmdType>VC.Standby</cmdType>
      <cmdString />
      <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
    </action>
    <event>VC.Prefix.End</event>
  </command>
  <command id="1642" name="Ducking start" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
    <if ifBlockDisabled="False" ifNot="False">
      <ifType>ProcessRunning</ifType>
      <ifParams>xbmc&amp;&amp;</ifParams>
      <then>
        <action>
          <cmdType>XBMC.SoftMute</cmdType>
          <cmdString>20</cmdString>
          <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
        </action>
      </then>
      <else />
    </if>
    <action>
      <cmdType>VC.On</cmdType>
      <cmdString />
      <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
    </action>
    <event>VC.Prefix.Start</event>
  </command>
  <command id="942" name="idle timeout" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
    <if ifBlockDisabled="False" ifNot="False">
      <ifType>ProcessRunning</ifType>
      <ifParams>XBMC&amp;&amp;</ifParams>
      <then>
        <action>
          <cmdType>XBMC.SoftUnMute</cmdType>
          <cmdString />
          <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
        </action>
      </then>
      <else />
    </if>
    <action>
      <cmdType>VC.Standby</cmdType>
      <cmdString />
      <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
    </action>
    <event>vc.idletimeout</event>
  </command>
</commandGroup>

jitterjames · « **Reply #26 on:** June 15, 2013, 12:39:38 PM »

OK. That's a kind of weird way of doing things.

I think you should get rid of that group and replace it with this one...

Code: [Select]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<commandGroup open="True" name="prefix softmuting for xJson" enabled="True" prefix="" priority="0" requiredProcess="" description="">
  <command id="1704" name="Ducking End" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
    <action>
      <cmdType>XJson.SoftUnMute</cmdType>
      <cmdString />
      <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
    </action>
    <event>VC.Prefix.End</event>
  </command>
  <command id="1642" name="Ducking start" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
    <action>
      <cmdType>XJson.SoftMute</cmdType>
      <cmdString>50</cmdString>
      <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
    </action>
    <event>VC.Prefix.Start</event>
  </command>
</commandGroup>

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 15, 2013, 02:31:10 PM »

Alright Mr. James. Here is what I am getting when trying the suggested group. And I do truly apologize in my ignorance in the matter. It just takes me a little bit to grasp things.

Kalle · « **Reply #28 on:** June 15, 2013, 03:19:57 PM »

Quote from: pmdaniels73 on June 15, 2013, 02:31:10 PM

Alright Mr. James. Here is what I am getting when trying the suggested group. And I do truly apologize in my ignorance in the matter. It just takes me a little bit to grasp things.

Here is a very, very short Video-Tutorial how you copy code in the VC commandtree-editor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WloGXocFEYw

jitterjames · « **Reply #29 on:** June 15, 2013, 03:26:53 PM »

Thanks Kalle. I hope it helps.

Kalle · « **Reply #30 on:** June 15, 2013, 03:30:39 PM »

Quote from: jitterjames on June 15, 2013, 03:26:53 PM

Thanks Kalle. I hope it helps.

I'm sure a video is already exist!

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #31 on:** June 15, 2013, 03:37:08 PM »

Thanks Kalle and James. That did work. However is this the code need to mute the volume on the remote computer in which xbmc is installed on. It is toggling between listen and standby like it should but there is no change in volume on the remote computer.

jitterjames · « **Reply #32 on:** June 15, 2013, 03:42:33 PM »

I think pm is making up a bunch of extra steps but he isn't providing us with any information about what he is actually doing, so we can only use our imagination.

I should point out that the copy paste works a little bit differently depending on if you are dealing with groups, commands, or actions. Only groups can be pasted or dragged into an empty part of the tree. Commands must be dropped or pasted on an existing group, and actions can only be pasted in the LCB.

I will make a more thorough tutorial on this subject but for now I think yours will help. I hope.

jitterjames · « **Reply #33 on:** June 15, 2013, 03:47:08 PM »

Quote from: pmdaniels73 on June 15, 2013, 03:37:08 PM

is this the code need to mute the volume on the remote computer in which xbmc is installed on. It is toggling between listen and standby like it should but there is no change in volume on the remote computer.

The code I posted will softmute XBMC if you have set it up correctly to work with Frodo. The code I posted does not toggle between listen and standby, nor is it supposed to. Who knows what you have done. Probably you have multiple groups now acting simultaneously.

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #34 on:** June 15, 2013, 04:04:52 PM »

I got it. And James thank you so much for your patience.

pmdaniels73 · « **Reply #35 on:** June 15, 2013, 09:52:28 PM »

Hey James. One more question about this. Everything is working great except for one small thing. When I speak the prefix word if I pause for any amount of time at all VC recognizes the command but does not execute. So just as soon as I speak the prefix word I have to hurry and follow with the command. Just wondering if there is a setting somewhere I am looking over to change this. Because If I speak the prefix and wait for the volume to mute then speak the command nothing happens.

jitterjames · « **Reply #36 on:** June 15, 2013, 10:21:15 PM »

Nope. The prefix is PART of the command, so you can't pause for more than a short time.

If you want to just speak a command by itself then you don't need to use a prefix at all, just make the listen command do the softmute.