Q. How do I get support for FrontView?

A. Email us at support@MediaCenterMagic.com.

Q. Where can I get the latest version of FrontView?

A. The latest version of FrontView can always be found at our web site at http://www.MediaCenterMagic.com

Q. Is FrontView free?

A. There are now two versions of FrontView -- a registered and an unregistered version.  The unregistered version is free.  For a nominal fee ($20 USD) you can register your copy of FrontView.

Q. Why should I register FrontView?

A. If you register your copy of FrontView, you get access to a wealth of nifty features and you'll be able to customize what is shown on your LCD/VFD. And only the registered version of FrontView supports the new "plug-in" technology.  Plus, you'll have the valuable satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to support the development of a pretty cool piece of technology.

Q. What displays does FrontView support?

A. FrontView 3.0 supports LCD and VFD devices made by iMON*, Crystalfontz*, and Matrix Orbital*, as well as a variety of parallel port displays using controllers based on the Hitachi* 44780 controller chip.

Q. My case is made by XXX.  What display do I have?

A. Older Silverstone and Ahanix cases shipped with Hitachi 44780-based parallel displays, but newer versions cases have come out with iMON USB displays. If you can add to this list, please contact us at support@mediacentermagic.com.

Q. My computer doesn't have an LCD/VFD display.  Can I build one for it?

A. It is not too hard to build an external box with a Hitachi display.  One of our software engineers, whose soldering skills are very suspect, managed to build a 2x16 and a 4x20 display boxes very cheaply using resources from the web.  Here is a good article on how to build your own Hitachi display module. We bought some 2x16 displays for as little as $1.99 USD here.

Q. I'm having a problem with my Hitachi 44780 display showing garbage characters.

A. A number of our customers have reported solving this problem by attaching a simple "ferro core" from Radio Shack to the parallel cable connected to their display.

Q. Can I post FrontView on my web site?

A. Not without written permission.  We appreciate your enthusiasm, though, and welcome you to post a link to http://www.MediaCenterMagic.com on your site.

Q. Will you add support for XYZ display?

A. Maybe. Most of the major displays are now supported, but we will consider any requests.  Your chances are much better if you can send us an example of the display you want supported.

Q. Can I add support for XYZ display?

A. The new architecture of FrontView version 3 allows for third parties to write plug-in modules to support new displays in FrontView. If you have Windows programming skills and would like to write a display module, we would welcome your contribution!  Contact us at support@MediaCenterMagic.com.

Q. Can you support XYZ feature as a plug-in to FrontView?

A. We welcome suggestions for feature requests.  Please contact us at support@MediaCenterMagic.com with your request or suggestion. FrontView 3 supports a plug-in architecture for sessions.  Contact us if you think you'd be interested in working on a plug in.