mci play compressed avi

I'm using the following code to play an avi file in a picture box:

ret = mciSendString("open " & A$ & " type avivideo alias movie parent " & Picture1.hWnd & " style child", RS, 128, cb)

However, when the avi is compressed the device won't open and error number 296 is returned (...file can't be opened...).

Any clues as to whether this is normal or if there is a way to configure this so it will play compressed video?

I know I can do this real easy with a mediaplayer control but I'm using a picturebox so I can get it's handle easily and play the control as an elliptical region.

Thanks.

There is no formal information about any problems displaying compressed AVI's using MCI, afterall Microsoft Media Player uses it (is it). I would have thought that aslong as the codec used to compress the avi is on your system it would play ok. Are you sure that you have got the path correct to the file and that it is a true avi and not a navi which though up alot of errors with media player.

I have dug out some code i used a while back, try this as a replacement line.

i = mciSendString("open AVIvideo!" & A$ & " alias movie parent " & Picture1.hwnd & " style child", RS, 128, cb)


It worked for me. A$ is the path (!!IT HAS TO BE A SHORT PATH!!)

use the getshortpath api call to convert a long path to a short one. and RS is 128 spaces.


I am confident that this will work now.

No go. I had already tried that syntax with no success. I've been unable to find any docs on the subject on the web. So for now I've switched to the Windows Media player control which has no problem and is quicker to code anyway howbeit with some limitations as to my original needs.

Thanks loads anyway.