Xodiac MP3 Player

[The Red One]

Would any1 like to team up to build an MP3 Player called Xodiac (if you got a better name, tell me)?
I need programmers and graphics people cuz i have absolutly no graphical skill

[The Red One]

Any1?
guyz?

[VBproGGer]

I'm in, email me at [email protected] or pm me with more info.

Peace

[007shahid]

Sounds like fun [email protected]

[flame_211]

Cool, Ill join [email protected]

(programmer, and a lil art)

[ysa1441]

hey count me 2,
[email protected]

[The Red One]

Well guyz, im glad to see such enthusiasm.
can someone make us a GUI? i mean like load Paint Shop up, and gimme a winamp-sonique hybrid, something cool.
any1 who want to help with the code (100% VB code), my icq# is:115016987

[VBproGGer]

Well I would make a gui, but I'm too poor to get any image editing software. I'll sure help with the code tho!

[flame_211]

Ill take a shot at the GUI... Ill make a few pics first, then u huys tell me if ya like it or not...

[The Red One]

OK, thanx for your help guys, i hope i can post a
very-very-initial-n-experimental version after i get the GUI and let you add stuff to the code.
i can play:
MP3s
MPEGs (mpg,mpeg)
AVIs
CDAs (audio CDs)
MIDI Files
any more suggestions?
(does any1 have code to play ogg vorbis files?)

[007shahid]

How about editing the MPGs, AVIs, MP3s etc... & conversions. But better test and improve the basic program first.

[The Red One]

Editing MP3 files?!?!?!
Lay off the LSD man (Just kidding, no offense)
well i can allow AVI editing through a control i once downloaded
but were talkin' about a media PLAYER here, though i do like that conversion idea (you'r a Winamp freak too? Im still trying 2 figure out how 2 write plugins in VB)

And another thing:
Can some1 get us Xodiac.com or suggest a better name?
(if you can get us Xodiac.com for free, make sure you can run ASP scripts or try learning PHP or Perl, cuz im fine with ASP)

[007shahid]

I will need the source codes to try and write plugins. Maybe use APIs. What are you using ? ActiveMovie Control, Windows Media Player Control, etc...
About editing the MP3s... I was just dreaming. Though I have never come across a MP3 editor, we could convert it into WAV Format and then do the editing. But will need a lot of research though
And about Xodiac.com, the best I can suggest it domain forwarding sites like http://www.kickme.to/ or http://www.zip.to/
Here you would have your URL like http://kickme.to/Xodiac
Just register with you domain service provider URL like Geocities.
Lastly though I do like the looks & features of WinAmp, I prefer Windows Media Player 6 , bundled with Windows 98.
I got an old PC with a Sound Card supporting only 8 bits. Hence it is easier with WMP.

[The Red One]

Here is the Xodiac Plugin SDK (Software Development Kit).
The first version of Xodiac will only support Input and Output plugins
Please follow the instructions at the begining of the file

And Shahid (Are you Muslim?):
I dont want kickme/Xodiac or zip or **** or whatever, i want Xodiac.com! (if we dont have it, Download.com wont let us in)

[VBproGGer]

Well Red One, you have to pay for Xodiac.com if you want a good host for your domain names, cuz free ones are usually crap. But, brinkster.com is a good free host for ASP, and I think they support domain names.

[flame_211]

I got a question about the sample gui, what do you want the color scheme to be, and what do you want the height and width to be?(preferably, I want the height and width to be designated in either inches or pixels)

ex-
colors:red/white/black
height:20pixels
width:50pixels

thanks,
-Andrew

[007shahid]

This is amazing. As usual I got 2 free CDs bundled with softwares with my computer mag subscription. Co-incidentally, it had the following softwares...

MP3 to WAV Decoder &
WAV to MP3 Encoder at
http://www.mthreedev.com/

AND

mp3DirectCut (MP3 editor without converting to PCM format)
http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~pesch/

And best fact; all the above programs were made in VB
If they can, so can we!

[flame_211]

Cool,

So, people, since u havent said what u want the cheme to be
I asume u dont care, same with the size... Ill just take guesses...
(this is about the GUI)

[The Red One]

Well dont assume that, I dont want too much white on the GUI, i want it to be black/dark blue/red.
and shahid, they wrote it in VB but dont forget that these people are probably MCPs (Microsoft Certified Professional) with more than enough experience for all this.

And by the way i checked out brinkster a long time ago. they stink:
No FTP Account, No Global.asa, NO DSNS!!!!!

And now for the task at hand:
I need someone to create an OCX that is like Winamp's Seeking Bar, that will load 3 images (one for the background, one for that seeking button in its regular state, and one for the button when is is pressed), and will change its size to fit the background image
can any1 do this for me?

And another thing:
Why dont you take a look at this GUI I made with PSP 7 and tell me what you think:

I know the controls are not aligned so well but its just a sample im still working on it.
The idea is that while program can change the controls in the inner circle, the user can always control the player using the controls on the side and the keyboard.

And did you start making Plugins yet?
You know i can really use a progress report if you guys can spare some time to tell me whats going on

cya, Red

[The Red One]

ysa can you tell me about your knowledge in VB (or Graphics) so i can let you do something too?

[flame_211]

Ok, couple suggestions/questions/comments,
1. How about we make it skinnable?
2. Your thing looks cool.
3. How do I use the Plugin thingy?(ill make some)
4. Sorry, I just found out my Adobe Photoshop 5 screwed
up on me, it only does black gray and white now (no color)
Does any one know how to fix that?

[The Red One]

Couple of answers\explainations\DUHs\:
1. Of course its gonna be ****ing skinnable!!!!!!!
2. Thanx, ill keep working on it
3. There are instructions at the begining of the file
***ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS***
make a new DLL Project (ActiveX DLL in VB6), add a copy of the SDK to it, change its name to the name of your class and modify the COPY OF THE SDK FILE according to the instructions at the begining
***END OF ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS***
4. Sometimes when you use GIF or BMP formats it only allows you to draw black and white after ya save it, try to use photoshop's format and export it to GIF once your done:eek:

Also:
1. What about that report, ehh?
2. I will soon post the full Xodiac 1.0 Plugin SDK for:
a.Input Plugs
b.Output Plugs
c. Visualization Plugs
3. I will post the Compact Mode GUI image (GIF format in case you were wondering)

Now guyz,
is any1 workin' on that seeking bar?

CYa laTeR,
RED

[007shahid]

I made 2 small projects of a skinnable player window.
1. XTest - This is just a basic program to test the OCX
2. XodiacWindowPlayer - This is the important ocx. Based on the path of a skin folder, it modifies the form in which it was added.

I have used 'Dev Power Flat Button Control' instead of normal Command Button. Though currently there is only 1 image. But I am working on the 3 image concept. Since the control is 340 kb (97kb zipped), I have attached it in the next thread. In the project I have just added a Play button. Other buttons and slider bar will work on the same concept.

I need a final OK, suggestions and report of any flaw before finishing the OCX with all buttons.

[007shahid]

Here is the Dev Power Flat Button Control.
Just unzip it to XTest folder

[flame_211]

1st of all dont ****ing yell at me!!!!!!!!! I havent programmed an Mp3 Player with an actual team before, ive always made them by myself and they arent skinnable cause im too lazy to add it...

2nd, YOU NEVER ****EN said it would be skinable!!!!!!!!


3rd, I downloaded that stuff and it doesnt understand string on form load...

any suggestions???

oh, and ill try to fix photo shop the way u said...(thx)

[ysa1441]

Well, I have been messing up with vb since 8 years old (yes I worked on that vb4 then vb5 and finally vb6).
My graphic skills though are about 1.5-2 years old and i am capable of doing something nice, if you would like to see some of my work:
http://www.cova.up.co.il
it's an hebrew page but look at the graphics and design there, all done by me.

so, make up your mind about what I can do, i will gladly do it...

[VBproGGer]

Hey flame211, if you haven't figured out why adobe will only do black and white, it's probably because you're on grayscale mode. I think you go to image/color? or something at the top and change the mode to RGB i believe and you can do colors again.

I think that works.

[007shahid]

What about my OCX. Is any improvement required or shall I complete it with all the buttons ?
Anyway only 1 person download Xodiac.zip (control), but 3 downloads for XTest (Flat button control) !!! Strange !

[flame_211]

VBProgger,
Thanks... It worked.... (YEAH I GOT COLORS!!!!!!!!)

007,
I downloaded both... On both(i think) I got an error, i know at least one...

I said earlier:

"I downloaded that stuff and it doesnt understand string on form load..."

Any help with that?

[007shahid]

Is there any error with the coding. You are supposed to open the Group file and don't change the path or sub folders. Check for the ini files. Since I am just giving you the Flat Button Control (XTest.zip), you are supposed to register the file youself either by adding it as a component in VB or by using regtlib. Try debuging (F8) to see where you get error.

[The Red One]

well im sorry for yelling.

ysa why didnt you tell me you can speak hebrew?

and flame: what the **** is "that stuff"?

i didnt test your OCX yet, but i will, and ill tel ya what's up wit it.

im currently working on a skuin editor, because i cannot start the main program without the default skin.

so, what's up with you guys, di you make any interesting plugins and do you have any ****ing idea how 2 make vis plugins?

[The Red One]

well shahid, its fine but its not what i asked for.

you see... i have a way to make the program skinnable but i need a seeking bar OCX, like winamp's.
and since i am quite imperssed with your skills, it is now you assignment!

(note: it must load 3 images, 1 for the background, 1 for the seeking button when its up, and one for the button when its down. the form must resize itself to the background image's size.
(use winamp for a reference))
AND ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: I WANT IT TO BE LIKE WINAMP'S NOT SONIQUE'S!

and guys, i still wanna know what's going on!
*vbprogger and ysa, PM me

[007shahid]

got it

[007shahid]

OK got it. But I need some help. Everything is fine but there is some problem with my MouseDown & MouseUp events. The current slider does not support manual sliding right now. I want to do the coding for the MouseDown & MouseUp pictures. Just unzip the attachment to the Xodia folder as it is without changing the paths.
Use 'Skin 1' only. Some additions have been made to the skin ini file and 2 new bitmaps added. Ofcourse I haven't added the Flat Button Control.
I'll concentrate on the manual sliding since I have wasted a lot of time on MouseDown & MouseUp pics. Please some one check it out.

[ysa1441]

[q]ysa, why didn't you say you can speak hebrew?[/q]
well, what diffrent does it make? does it help in a way? anyway, i guess you doent need me at the moment, so just tell me what you need if at all.


P.S.
I prefered been e-mailed than having to check any new posts in the forum, so if you have anything to say to me personally, please e-mail me at [email protected]

[flame_211]

I downloaded the new file... Ill check it out and see if their are any errors... And a reason thre might be is cause I got VB5 not 6

[The Red One]

well shahid, i didnt really want the slider to read anything from the ini, i want the Xodiac executable (collectivly "Xodiac") to do all the work.
it does SetPics, sets Max, and does setSlidePos every second.
r u up 4 it?

ysa, ill email you later, i want to see some of your skills.

Flame, could you write the playlist code while i work on the actual identification and playing of the file.

the OCX needs to:
1. be capable of loading a background image
2. change the text color (not font, unless you have some free time)
3. have a CurrentFilePath property (do i have to explain?)
4. have a way to highlight the current song (once again, use winamp and sonique for an example)
5. have a GoNext and GoPrev methods, for Xodiac's Previous and Next buttons
6. have AddFile, RemFile and RemAll methods
7. any other gadget you can come up with
(take a close look at winamp's playlist)
think you can handle it?
if you need help, just drop us a line

cya guys

[007shahid]

No. The ini file is just like a database. It just has the RECT settings.
You can pass the Left, Top, Width, Height parameters from your executable as a static value or a value taken from the registry.

[The Red One]

I know, but I dont want it to read anything.
Xodiac will tell it what image to load, and it will load it and then resize.
I can set the Max, and set a new position with setSlidePos.
but i need the manual sliding feature and I need to get the value so I can adjust the song's position.
got it?

and another question:
it matters if the song is 3 seconds, or 5 minutes.
can the control adjust itself properly?

[007shahid]

OK I'll remove the auto resize. You can enter the duration of songs as the max value. I am currently working on the manual slide.
The reason why I uploaded this unfinished control is because of the MouseDown & MouseUp event problems. The control is switching between both Mouse status pictures, but it does not take the first click in my machine. Hence it shows Mouse Up picture when mouse is down and vice-versa. If I minimize and maximize the window it gives the proper picture. I don't understand why?