playing mp3 files [Resloved]

[mbonfyre]

all I want to do is play an mp3 file when a cmd button is clicked - but I have an uneasy feeling that this is not going to be as simple as I would like it to be.



can I zip up the mp3 files with the application? do I need to include a player of some type ? or are there commands to search a pc to look for their player???????

Could someone give me a pointer where to start...

many thanks

[-_MAD-HATTAH_-]

Would u perfer it to play the MP3 in another program (ie Windows Media Player) Or ONLY from your program?

[mbonfyre]

It doesn't really matter to me, although the guys who will be using this would probably prefer their default players. At the end of the day I am making this for them as a favour (and good practise for me) so whatever will be easiest!

[PhilRob56]

This API will open a file using the system default executable for the file type:

This goes in a module:

Public Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "ShellExecuteA" (ByVal hwnd As Long, _
    ByVal lpOperation As String, ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As String, ByVal _
    lpDirectory As String, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long
Public Const SW_MAXIMIZE = 3
Public Const SW_MINIMIZE = 6
Public Const SW_RESTORE = 9

This goes in the Command Button Click event:

Dim retVal as long
Dim sMP3 as string
 
sMP3 = "path to some mp3 file"
 
retval = ShellExecute(Form1.hWnd, "open", sMP3, "-fast", App.Path, _
        SW_MAXIMIZE)
 
' note that Form1.hwnd is replaced with the
' name of your form that is making the call (frmMain.hwnd for example).

Check out :http://216.26.168.92/vbapi/ref/s/shellexecute.html

For a full discussion. Also, you may like to look at the ShellExecuteEX API. It is more powerful and allows you more control of the function.

[mbonfyre]

tried your code and got this line highlighted:

retVal = ShellExecute(frmPlaylist.hwnd, , "open", sMP3, "-fast", App.Path, _

and the message:

Argument not optional....

any ideas?

[PhilRob56]

Originally posted by mbonfyre
tried your code and got this line highlighted:

retVal = ShellExecute(frmPlaylist.hwnd, , "open", sMP3, "-fast", App.Path, _

and the message:

Argument not optional....

any ideas?

Ahhhhh!!!!!
It's that damn pesky SW_MAXIMIZE....LOL
Add the SW_MAXIMIZE constant to the end on the line

retval = ShellExecute(Form1.hwnd, "open", sMP3, "-fast", "C:\Temp\", SW_MAXIMIZE)

I just tested it and it opened WinAmp and played the MP3.

[mbonfyre]

this may sound dumb, but what does "c:\Temp\" refer to?

retval = ShellExecute(Form1.hwnd, "open", sMP3, "-fast", "C:\Temp\", SW_MAXIMIZE)

Obviously, I still have not got it going!

[PhilRob56]

Now, it you want to add a touch of flair to your efforts, why not label the comman button with the default system player?

This is from one of my projects. Change the control references to suit your system. This gives you the idea:

Module Code:

Public Declare Function FindExecutable Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "FindExecutableA" (ByVal lpFile As String, _
    ByVal lpDirectory As String, _
    ByVal lpResult As String) As Long

Form Load (or whereever you want to do it) Code:

Dim sResult As String
Dim lPos    As Long
Dim lMyResult As Long
    
sResult = String(255, Chr(0))
lMyResult = FindExecutable(MP3Path, vbNullString, sResult)
sResult = Trim(Replace(sResult, "/dde", "", 1))
sResult = Trim(Replace(sResult, vbNullChar, "", 1))
    
    
lPos = InStr(strResult, "wmplayer.exe")
If lPos <> 0 Then
        Command1.Caption = "Play with Media Player"
        Exit Function
End If
    
lPos = InStr(strResult, "winamp.exe")
If lPos <> 0 Then
        Command1.Caption = "Play with Winamp"      
End If

[PhilRob56]

Originally posted by mbonfyre
this may sound dumb, but what does "c:\Temp\" refer to?



Obviously, I still have not got it going!

Not dumb!
Apparently it is a folder for the API to use - like a temp area. I don't think it really matters where it is. I just pointed it at Temp.


Hmmm...Still the same error?

[mbonfyre]

Flair would be great, but I think I better keep trying to get it to work before I start trying to get flash!

my code:

Private Sub Command1_Click()

Dim retVal As Long
Dim sMP3 As String

sMP3 = "C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Alien Antfarm - Smooth Criminal.mp3"

retVal = ShellExecute(frmPlaylist.hwnd, , "open", sMP3, "-fast", "C:\Temp\", SW_MAXIMIZE)


End Sub

yes I have included the other code in a module...

any further ideas (please!)

[PhilRob56]

Ok, let me look...

[mbonfyre]

Sussed it!, that extra comma!!!

thanks for your help

[PhilRob56]

Couldn't find it for the life of me. I even created your directory structure and named an MP3 Alien antfarm....

Still couldn't get it to work....and then I saw it...

two (2) commas after frmPlaylist.hwnd - ....... , , "open".......

retVal = ShellExecute(frmPlaylist.hwnd, "open", sMP3, "-fast", "C:\Temp\", SW_MAXIMIZE)

Paste this in...it does work...even on Alient Antfarms....

[PhilRob56]

You beat me!!


Now go and add that extra touch....it'll be cool!

[MidgetsBro]

You can pass vbNullString in the place of "C:\temp\" and it will work. This is usually how I call it:

ShellExecute hwnd, "open", sMP3 ,vbNullString, vbNullString, 1