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  Tutorial: Introduction to MCI  
 
 

Introduction to MCI

By Chris Wagg.


Welcome to MCI

MCI (Multi-Media Control Interface) has been around a long time, and has improved much over the years. Yet it goes mostly unexplored by many developers (including me!). This is an attempt to explore its capabilities and limitations without the need for writing code (just yet). See MSDN for a comprehensive list of possible commands.

A basic set of commands seems to work with all multi-media devices and files(and MCI versions): open, play, pause, stop, close, seek. etc. Some of the optional parameters used with these commands, like "repeat", do not work with all files and devices and versions, so this is your chance to test basic commands on multiple platforms and get the quirks out! -).

Beyond the basics are extended MCI commands and vary depending upon the device: resume, cue, freeze, unfreeze, capture, record, save, etc. Extended commands are not excepted by all devices and all MCI versions.

Be aware that some commands don't work with some devices for obvious reasons: sound-only devices like cdaudio, waveaudio, and midi sequencer are simple devices (versus compound - they don't have video), so they don't support palettes and windows and the 'put' command in any form.

On the other hand, some commands, like cue and resume, don't work for "not so obvious" reasons: they were written for certain devices or versions and have no support beyond that. Test these on various devices before using, or use 'capability' first to see if the command is supported.

Although MCI versions seem to be mostly compatible, there are some minor differences. It's difficult to pinpoint all the little details. A major difference is the old version (4x) seems to return the MCI ERROR NUMBER in its string buffer: MMSYSTEM# followed by the message. I guess some people thought that was redundant since the the error number was already being returned. The newer version (5x) avoids returning the error number in the message buffer. Also the textual messages for the same MCI error numbers are worded slightly different between versions.

Below are past conversations with various machines - including some 486's and other boxes with low-grade sound cards. Although those low-grade machines had limits (like no multiple wave-table support), they otherwise seemed to perform admirably! I tried to clean up the textual conversation somewhat, but included some mistakes that maybe you can learn from :-? Try some of these commands on your machine!

P.S If you come up with some unique solutions or innovative conversations (like I can't get my TVCard or Overlay device to work with MCI! What's the trick?), please e-mail them to Chris Wagg. - TIA!


The Conversation Program

Click here to download the MCI conversation program.

Just type in a textual command and the MCI Interface will respond. The typical MCI command syntax is:

Command <device> (parameters...) (notify | wait)

    Command - open, play, pause, stop, close, info, status, capability, etc.

    <device> - either a file name, an alias, the word "all", a drive letter for a MMedia device (has to be type-d), or a MM device driver signature (waveaudio, avivideo, cdaudio, sequencer, etc.)

    (notify | wait) - are optional parameters, and accepted by most MCI commands.

Tip: <Enter> launches the command line. To avoid that, use <Ctrl><Enter>

Notes:

  • "All" does not work with every command, but always works with "close" ("Close all"). Also using "all" may limit optional parameters (see some conversations below).
  • MCI file names should be "short" (8.3) by design ;=) However, using double quotes to enclose the file name (like "Long movie name.mpeg") seems to work with all MCI versions and platforms. Also fully-pathed file names seem to open faster.
  • One or more parameters may be required, and depend upon the command being used.
  • Using the "all" <device> name may void the use of any parameters, including notify & wait.
  • Be aware that using wait with real devices or huge files like full-length movies may cause an intolerable delay (!) and will create a blocking situation: nothing happens until the device has finished the command. For example, "seek DAT to Start wait" may take a long time to process if currently end of tape. Of course, blocking or "waiting" may be preferable in situations where the next line of code depends upon the current MCI command either executing or failing.

Example Conversations


486-66 Win95/VB4 machine w/16bit sound card

----Device Query
Open WaveAudio
1
Open MMMovie
MMSYSTEM263 This is not a registered MCI device.
Open Sequencer
2
Play Sequencer
MMSYSTEM274 The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
Capability Sequencer Has video
false
Capability Sequencer Has audio
true
Open AAAnim
3
Open AVIVideo
4
Open CDAudio
5
Open DAT
MMSYSTEM263 This is not a registered MCI device.
Open GDAnim
MMSYSTEM263 This is not a registered MCI device.
Open Overlay
MMSYSTEM263 This is not a registered MCI device.
Open VCR
MMSYSTEM263 This is not a registered MCI device.
Open VideoDisc
MMSYSTEM263 This is not a registered MCI device.

--Long file name test
open c:\Sorry - Game Over.wav alias wav0
MMSYSTEM263 This is not a registered MCI device.
-- use short 8.3 name
open c:\SORRY-~1.WAV alias wav0
1
close wav0
Okay
-- or use double quotes
open "c:\Sorry - Game Over.wav" alias wav0
1
play wav0
Okay
play wav0 repeat
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
close all
Okay

----Wave-Table Stress Test
open c:\windows\ringin.wav alias ring1
1
open c:\windows\ringin.wav alias ring2
2
play all
MMSYSTEM320 All wave devices that can play files in this format are in use.
 Try again when a wave device is free.
play ring1
Okay
play ring2
Okay
status ring1 mode
stopped
play ring1 repeat
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
info ring1 product
Sound
capability ring1 DEVICE TYPE
waveaudio
status ring1 time format
milliseconds
info ring1 version
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
close all
Okay
!! only 1 simultaneous wave-table supported! (16bit SCard)

--MIDI test
open c:\windows\Canyon.mid alias midi1
1
play midi1
Okay
status midi1 mode
playing
status midi1 length
1376
status midi1 time format
song pointer
info midi1 product
MIDI Sequencer
capability midi1 DEVICE TYPE
sequencer
info midi1 version
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
status midi1 mode
stopped
status midi1 position
1376
play midi1 repeat
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
play midi1
Okay
status midi1 mode
stopped
seek midi1 to start
Okay
play midi1
Okay
status midi1 mode
playing
open c:\windows\Canyon.mid alias midi2
2
play midi2
MMSYSTEM337 The specified MIDI device is already in use. Wait until it is free,
 and then try again.
status midi1 mode
playing
status midi1 mode
stopped
play midi2
Okay
play midi1
MMSYSTEM337 The specified MIDI device is already in use. Wait until it is free,
 and then try again.
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay
!! only 1 simultaneous sequence is supported!

---- Animation!
open d:\media\Transfor.fli alias AAA1
1
play AAA1
Okay
status AAA1 time format
frames
info AAA1 product
Autodesk Animator (TM) Animation
capability AAA1 DEVICE TYPE
animation
close all
Okay
status AAA1 mode
stopped
status AAA1 length
250
status AAA1 position
251
seek AAA1 to start
Okay
status AAA1 position
1
play AAA1
Okay
status AAA1 mode
playing
close all
Okay

--Can't control HWND on Animations?
open d:\media\Transfor.fli alias m1
1
window m1 handle 512
MMSYSTEM274 The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
play m1
Okay
status m1 window handle
1532
put m1 window at 10 10 30 40
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
capability m1 can stretch
false
capability m1 uses windows
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
put m1 source at 10 10 100 100
Okay
seek m1 to start
Okay
play m1
Okay
put m1 destination at 0 0 320 240
MMSYSTEM282 The parameter is out of range for the specified command.
close all
Okay

--------------Movie Window moving/sizing
open c:\temp\test.avi
1
play c:\temp\test.avi repeat
Okay
close all
Okay
open c:\temp\test.avi alias m1 wait
1
play m1 repeat
Okay
put m1 window at 100 100 320 240
Okay
put m1 window at 100 100 120 240
Okay
play m1 fullscreen
Okay
play m1 fullscreen repeat
Okay
'?? FULLSCREEN w/repeat flickers!?

--Movie manipulation
open c:\temp\test.avi alias m1 wait
1
play m1 repeat
Okay
put m1 destination at 100 100 320 240
Okay
put m1 destination at -100 -100 320 240
Okay
put m1 destination at 0 0 320 240
Okay
put m1 source at 0 0 320 240
Okay
put m1 source at 100 100 320 240
Okay

---Multi-Movie play
open c:\temp\lunch.avi alias m1 wait
1
open c:\temp\lunch.avi alias m2 wait
2
play all repeat
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
play m1 repeat
Okay
play m2 repeat
Okay
pause all
Okay
seek all to start
Okay
resume all
MMSYSTEM280 Errors occurred in more than one device. Specify each command
 and device separately to determine which devices caused the errors.
play all
Okay
play all repeat
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.

---------Movie info
OPEN C:\temp\test.avi ALIAS M1
1
INFO M1 FILE
C:\temp\test.avi
INFO M1 PRODUCT
Video for Windows
INFO M1 VERSION
4.0.950
INFO M1 WINDOW TEXT
test.avi
INFO M1 VIDEO STREAMS
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
INFO M1 AUDIO STREAMS
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
INFO M1 VIDEO BITRATE
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
PLAY M1 REPEAT
Okay
FREEZE M1
MMSYSTEM274 The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
CAPABILITY M1 HAS AUDIO
true
CAPABILITY M1 HAS VIDEO
true
SEEK M1 TO START
Okay
CAPABILITY M1 CAN STRETCH
true
CAPABILITY M1 CAN STRETCH INPUT
false
CAPABILITY M1 CAN TEST
true
CAPABILITY M1 COMPOUND DEVICE
true
CAPABILITY M1 DEVICE TYPE
digitalvideo
CAPABILITY AVIVIDEO DEVICE TYPE
digitalvideo
OPEN DIGITALVIDEO
MMSYSTEM263 This is not a registered MCI device.
CAPABILITY WAVEAUDIO DEVICE TYPE
waveaudio
CAPABILITY M1 USES PALETTES
true
CAPABILITY AVIVIDEO USES PALETTES
true
CAPABILITY M1 USES WINDOWS
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
CAPABILITY M1 WINDOWS
MMSYSTEM274 The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
CAPABILITY M1 USES FILES
true
CAPABILITY M1 CAN SAVE
false
CAPABILITY M1 HAS STILL
false
CAPABILITY M1 MAXIMUM PLAY RATE
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
CAPABILITY M1 MIMIMUM PLAY RATE
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.

---------Movie Frame Info
open c:\temp\lunch.avi alias m1
1
play m1 repeat
Okay
status m1 audio
off
status m1 video
on
status m1 audio stream
0
status m1 length
84
status m1 mode
playing
status m1 nominal frame rate
12000
status m1 position
6
status m1 ready
true
status m1 speed
1000
status m1 start position
0
status m1 frame
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status m1 time format
frames
status m1 video brush
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status m1 video stream
MMSYSTEM274 The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 window handle
588
status m1 visible
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status m1 window visible
true
status m1 window minimized
false
status m1 window maximized
false
status m1 current frame
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status m1 current track
1
status m1 palette handle
0
status m1 number of tracks
1
status m1 stretch
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status m1 position
52
status m1 position
61

----------CD Info
open cdaudio
MMSYSTEM291 The device driver is already in use. To share it, use the
 'shareable' parameter with each 'open' command.
open cdaudio
1
play cdaudio
Okay
pause cdaudio
Okay
resume cdaudio
MMSYSTEM274 The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
play cdaudio
Okay
status cdaudio position
01:10:63
status cdaudio time format
msf
status cdaudio window visible
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status cdaudio current track
2
status cdaudio speed
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
set cdaudio audio all off
Okay
set cdaudio audio all on
Okay

---- Query CD
close cdaudio
Okay
close all
Okay
open cdaudio alias cd1
1
play cd1
Okay
open cdaudio alias cd2
MMSYSTEM291 The device driver is already in use. To share it, use the
 'shareable' parameter with each 'open' command.
status cd1 device type
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status cd1 mode
playing
status cd1 length
43:14:22
status cd1 number of tracks
11
status cd1 audio stream
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status cd1 audio streams
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
capability cd1 compound device
false
capability cd1 can eject
true
capabilty cd1 device type
MMSYSTEM261 The command used is not a valid MCI command.
capability cd1 has video
false
capability cd1 can freeze
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
capability cd1 audio bitrate
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
info cd1 product
CD Audio
info cd1 version
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
close all
Okay
open cdaudio alias cd1
1
seek cd1 to start
Okay
play cdaudio from 9 to 11
- 2 milliseconds @ msf!
Okay
stop all wait
Okay

------Movie audio
open c:\temp\carwash.avi alias m1
1
open c:\temp\carwash.avi alias m2
2
play all
Okay
set all audio all off
Okay
set all audio all on
Okay
play all repeat
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
play all
Okay
play m1 repeat
Okay
play m2 repeat
Okay
status m1 audio
on
set all audio all off
Okay
status m1 audio
off
set all audio all on
Okay
status m1 audio
on
status all audio
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status avivideo audio
MMSYSTEM274 The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 audio
on
status m2 audio
on
set all audio all off
Okay
status m1 audio
off
status m2 audio
off
close all
Okay

----- CD msf Time Play/Seek
Open CDAudio alias cd1
1
play cd1
Okay
stop cd1
Okay
status cd1 length
78:45:53
seek cd1 to 33:00
Okay
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 position
33:53:11
status cd1 track
MMSYSTEM270 The integer entered is invalid for this command.
 Please enter a number.
status cd1 current track
12
status cd1 number of tracks
24
status cd1 current track
13
status cd1 position
35:23:49
pause cd1
Okay
seek cd1 to 35:23:49
Okay
play cd1
Okay
pause cd1
Okay
status cd1 position
35:53:66
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 position
36:00:02
status cd1 mode
playing
PAUSE cd1
Okay
status cd1 mode
stopped
play cd1
Okay
STOP cd1
Okay
status cd1 mode
stopped
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 position
38:34:11
STOP CD1
Okay
STATUS CD1 POSITION
38:53:56
PLAY CD1
Okay
STATUS CD1 POSITION
39:12:73
STOP CD1
Okay
SEEK CD1 TO END
Okay
STATUS CD1 POSITION
78:47:52
STATUS CD1 CURRENT TRACK
24
STATUS CD1 NUMBER OF TRACKS
24
SEEK CD1 TO START
Okay
PLAY CD1
Okay
STATUS CD1 POSITION
00:05:68

--- CD door!
open cdaudio alias cd1
1
status cd1 media present
true
set cd1 door open
Okay
status cd1 mode
open
set cd1 door closed
Okay
status cd1 mode
stopped
status cd1 media present
true

---Seek lesson!  Don't SEEK w/o 1st Pause-ing or Stop-ping (on some platforms)
open cdaudio alias cd1
1
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 mode
playing
seek cd1 to 15
Okay
status cd1 mode
stopped
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 mode
stopped
seek cd1 to start
Okay
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 mode
stopped
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 mode
stopped
close cd1
Okay
close all
Okay
open cdaudio alias cd1
1
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 mode
playing
!!! Whew ! Got it back after causing error!
!!---
!! note:  ?this seemed to work OK on Win2K (seek w/o 1st pausing or stopping!)

----Alt way to open CD devices, esp. if multiple CD drives!
----...specify the CD drive letter AND "type" it
open d: type cdaudio alias cd1
1
play cd1
Okay
----------- Yeah!  to specify track,
-----------... set time format to tmsf, then use SEEK
status cd1 time format
msf
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 position
00:15:24
status cd1 current track
1
set cd1 time format tmsf
Okay
status cd1 position
01:00:59:03
pause cd1
Okay
seek cd1 to 3
Okay
play cd1
Okay
status cd1 current track
3
status cd1 position
03:00:23:08
stop cd1
Okay
close all
Okay

--- multi-movie hwnd fun
open c:\temp\test.avi alias m1
1
open c:\temp\test.avi alias m2
2
window m1 handle 1884
Okay
window m2 handle 1888
Okay
play m1 repeat
Okay
play m2 repeat
Okay
put m2 destination at 5 5 64 48
Okay
play all repeat
MMSYSTEM259 The command parameter used is not defined in the MCI command set.
set m1 video off
Okay
set all video on
Okay
set all video off
Okay
pause all
Okay
resume all
Okay
set all audio all off
Okay
set all audio all on
Okay
status all mode
MMSYSTEM279 Use a specific device name for this command.
status m1 mode
playing
status m2 mode
playing
set all video off
Okay
status all video
MMSYSTEM290 The constant used is invalid for this command.
status m1 video
off
status m2 video
off
set all video on
Okay
status m1 video
on
stop all wait
Okay
close all wait
Okay

Win98se + AMD 366Mhz + VB6 + onboard Sound

---Various movie formats
open c:\temp\wedding.mpe alias video0
1
play video0
Okay
status video0 mode
stopped
status video0 window visible
false
'!! I physically closed it
info video0 product
ActiveMovie
info video0 version
4.01.96.0807
capability video0 device type
digitalvideo
close video0
Okay
open c:\temp\kids.mpeg alias video0
1
play video0
Okay
info video0 product
ActiveMovie
capability video0 device type
digitalvideo
close all
Okay
open c:\temp\pullup.mpg alias video0
1
play video0 repeat
Okay
status video0 mode
playing
status video0 time format
frames
capability video0 device type
digitalvideo
info video0 product
ActiveMovie
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay
open c:\temp\firework.avi alias video0
1
info video0 product
Video for Windows
info video0 version
4.03.1998
capability video0 device type
digitalvideo
play video0
Okay
play video0 repeat
Okay
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay

PIII 700MHz Win2K/VB6 w/32bit sound card

----Device Query
Open WaveAudio
1
Open MMMovie
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Open Sequencer
2
Open AAAnim
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Open AVIVideo
3
Open CDAudio
4
Open DAT
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Open GDAnim
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Open Overlay
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Open VCR
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Open VideoDisc
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
open Scanner
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Open Other
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
open mpegvideo
5
open mpegvideo2
6
open MpegVideo3
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
open mpegVideo4
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Open DigitalVideo
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Close all
Okay

--- 2 CD players!
open f: type cdaudio alias cd1
1
open g: type cdaudio alias cd2
2
play cd1
Okay
play cd2
Okay
pause all
Okay
resume all
Okay
pause cd2
Okay
status cd2 mode
stopped
-Whoa! Works but noisy!
-???no way to set volume??????
set cd1 audio to 100
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
set cd1 volume to 100
The driver cannot recognize the specified command parameter.
set cd1 audio volume to 100
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
set cdaudio all off
The device driver is already in use.  To share it, use the
 'shareable' parameter with each 'open' command.
set all audio all off
Okay
set all audio all on
Okay
status cd2 mode
stopped
status cd1 mode
playing
setaudio cd1 volume to 100
The driver cannot recognize the specified command.
setaudio cd1 to 100
The driver cannot recognize the specified command.
setaudio cd1 volume off
The driver cannot recognize the specified command.
set cd1 audio to 100
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
set cd1 audio volume to 100
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
set cd1 audio all off
Okay
status cd1 mode
playing
set cd1 audio all on
Okay
set cd1 audio left off
Okay
set cd1 audio right off
Okay
status cd1 mode
playing
set cd1 audio left on
Okay
set cd1 audio right on
Okay
resume all
Okay
status cd1 mode
playing
status cd2 mode
playing
pause cd1
Okay
setaudio cd1 left volume to 100
The driver cannot recognize the specified command.
setaudio cd1 volume to 100
The driver cannot recognize the specified command.
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay

---- Multiple CD players....without specifying,
---- you get the 1st one in drive letter sequence!?
open cdaudio
1
play cdaudio
There is a problem with your media device.  Make sure it is
 working correctly or contact the device manufacturer.
close all
Okay
open f:\ type cdaudio alias cd1
1
play cd1
There is a problem with your media device.  Make sure it is
 working correctly or contact the device manufacturer.
status cd1 media present
false
close all
Okay
open g:\ type cdaudio alias cd2
1
status cd2 media present
true
play cd2 repeat
The driver cannot recognize the specified command parameter.
play cd2
Okay
info cd2 identity
17043974
info cd2 product
CD Audio
info cd2 upc
Cannot determine media identity or universal product code.
---Ooops!  It hick-uped then started playing again
status cd2 current track
2
status cd2 mode
playing
status cd2 number of tracks
11
status cd2 type
0
status cd2 type track 1
audio
status cd2 type track 11
audio
status cd2 type track 12
The specified parameter is out of range for the specified command.
stop all wait
Okay
close all
Okay

---- CDA CD Tracks!
open f:\track01.cda
1
play f:\track01.cda
Okay
status f:\track01.cda mode
playing
status f:\track01.cda device type
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status f:\track01.cda type
0
status f:\track01.cda track number
The specified integer is invalid for this command.
status f:\track01.cda type track 2
audio
status f:\track01.cda type
0
status f:\track01.cda number of tracks
19
status f:\track01.cda current track
1
status f:\track01.cda mode
playing
info f:\track01.cda file
The driver cannot recognize the specified command parameter.
status f:\track01.cda current track
2
info f:\track01.cda product
CD Audio
--still playing!!!??
status f:\track01.cda current track
3
play f:\track12.cda
The device driver is already in use.  To share it, use the
 'shareable' parameter with each 'open' command.
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay
play f:\track12.cda
Okay
status f:\track12.cda current track
1
-? huh?
status f:\track12.cda number of tracks
19
stop all
Cannot carry out the specified command on an auto-opened device.
 Wait until the device is closed, and then try again.
stop f:\track12.cda
Okay
close all
Okay
open f:\track04.cda alias cdFile
1
play cdfile
Okay
status cdfile mode
playing
status cdfile current track
1
-? what?
status cdfile position
00:54:59
status cdfile current track
1
pause all
Okay
resume all
Okay
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay
open f:\track04.cda alias cdFile
1
play cdfile
Okay
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay
play f:\track04.cda
Okay
status f:\track04.cda current track
1
- PLAYing the track directly is the only way to get that track?
- ALIASing doesn't work???
stop all
Cannot carry out the specified command on an auto-opened device.
 Wait until the device is closed, and then try again.
stop f:\track04.cda
Okay
close all
Okay
open f:\track04.cda alias cdFile
1
play cdfile
Okay
--??? starts at beginning on ALIAS?
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay

--- MP3
open c:\Guajira.mp3 alias song1
1
play song1
Okay
info song1 file
c:\Guajira.mp3
info song1 product
DirectShow
info song1 version
6.03.01.0400
open c:\blind.mp3 alias song2
A problem occurred in initializing MCI.
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay
open c:\blind.mp3 alias song2
A problem occurred in initializing MCI.
---- this was a RPlayer Encoded MP3!  Can't Play!!!?

---MP3 Status, Info, Capabilities
open c:\Guajira.mp3 alias m1
1
status m1 audio streams
1
status m1 length
420823
status m1 time format
milliseconds
status m1 mode
stopped
status m1 nominal frame rate
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 position
0
status m1 ready
true
status m1 speed
1000
status m1 start position
0
status m1 frame
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 current track
1
status m1 number of tracks
1
status m1 type track 1
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
play m1 repeat
Okay
status m1 position
7827
status m1 length
420823
status m1 mode
playing
status m1 position
62611
status m1 position
267709
status m1 position
4565
--repeating!!!
status m1 device type
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 audio
on
status m1 video
on
---? huh?  no video!?
status m1 media present
true
status m1 type
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
INFO M1 AUDIO STREAMS
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
INFO M1 VIDEO BITRATE
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
CAPABILITY M1 HAS AUDIO
true
CAPABILITY M1 HAS VIDEO
true
CAPABILITY M1 CAN STRETCH
true
CAPABILITY M1 CAN STRETCH INPUT
false
CAPABILITY M1 CAN TEST
true
CAPABILITY M1 COMPOUND DEVICE
true
CAPABILITY M1 DEVICE TYPE
digitalvideo
Info m1 product
DirectShow
CAPABILITY M1 USES FILES
true
CAPABILITY M1 CAN SAVE
false
CAPABILITY M1 HAS STILL
false
CAPABILITY M1 MAXIMUM PLAY RATE
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
CAPABILITY M1 MIMIMUM PLAY RATE
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 alignment
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 bitspersample
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 bytespersec
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 channels
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 format tag
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 input
The specified command requires a parameter.  Please supply one.
status m1 level
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 output
The specified command requires a parameter.  Please supply one.
status m1 samplespersec
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 audio alignment
The specified parameters cannot be used together.
status m1 audio bitspersample
The specified parameters cannot be used together.
status m1 audio breaks
0
status m1 audio bytespersec
The specified parameters cannot be used together.
status m1 audio samplespersec
The specified parameters cannot be used together.
status m1 audio stream
1
status m1 bass
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 bitsperpixel
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 file format
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 file mode
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 right volume
1000
status m1 left volume
1000
status m1 volume
1000
status m1 play speed
100
status m1 play format
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 output
The specified command requires a parameter.  Please supply one.
status m1 treble
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 audio treble
The specified parameters cannot be used together.
status m1 seek exactly
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 pause mode
Cannot carry out the commands in the order specified.  Correct the
 command sequence, and then try again.
status m1 pause timeout
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 alignment
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 audio bitspersample
The specified parameters cannot be used together.
status m1 audio bytespersec
The specified parameters cannot be used together.
status m1 audio channels
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 format tag
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 audio input
The MCI device you are using does not support the specified command.
status m1 audio level
The specified parameter is invalid for this command.
status m1 audio output
on
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay

WinXP AMD XP 1500 1.3GHz w/Platinum SCard! + VB6

----Device Query
Open WaveAudio
1
Open Sequencer
2
Open AVIVideo
3
Open CDAudio
4
open mpegvideo
5
open mpegvideo2
6
open mpegVideo4
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
Close all
Okay

--- Multi Wave-Table!
open "D:\Tunes\Rippingtons\Curves Ahead\[03] Santa Fe Trail.MP3" alias sound1
1
play sound1 repeat
Okay
info sound1 product
DirectShow
capability sound1 device type
digitalvideo
status sound1 mode
playing
open "D:\Tunes\Rippingtons\Curves Ahead\[02] Aspen.MP3" alias sound2
2
play sound2 repeat
Okay
open "D:\Tunes\Rippingtons\Curves Ahead\[07] Snowbound.MP3" alias sound3
3
play sound3 repeat
Okay
status sound1 mode
playing
status sound2 mode
playing
status sound2 mode
playing
--!! coool - how many of these can i spawn?
--sure is noisy!!!
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay

---Video CD (VCD) Test!
open F:\MPEGAV\AVSEQ01.DAT alias FullMovie
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
open F:\MPEGAV\AVSEQ01.DAT type digitalvideo alias FullMovie
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
open F:\MPEGAV\AVSEQ01.DAT type avivideo alias FullMovie
The specified file cannot be played on the specified MCI device.
 The file may be corrupt, not in the correct format, or no file
 handler available for this format.
open F:\MPEGAV\AVSEQ01.DAT type mpegvideo alias FullMovie
1
play FullMovie
Okay
info fullmovie product
DirectShow
capability fullmovie device type
digitalvideo
status fullmovie time format
frames
status fullmovie length
114377
status fullmovie position
5749
play FullMovie fullscreen
Okay
stop fullmovie
Okay
status fullmovie mode
stopped
close all
Okay
!- Way Cooooool!!!

P4 2GHz Win2K w/onboard SCard

--- Various Media Formats
open d:\tunes\bobMarley-09.wma alias m1
1
info m1 product
DirectShow
info m1 version
6.03.01.0400
play m1 repeat
Okay
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay
open c:\winNT\Media\Beethoven's 5th Symphony.RMI alias m1
The specified device is not open or is not recognized by MCI.
open "c:\winNT\Media\Beethoven's 5th Symphony.RMI" alias m1
1
info m1 product
MIDI Sequencer
info m1 version
The driver cannot recognize the specified command parameter.
capability m1 device type
sequencer
status m1 time format
song pointer
play m1 repeat
The driver cannot recognize the specified command parameter.
play m1
Okay
''?? can it handle more than one? NO!
open "c:\winnt\Media\Mozart's Symphony No. 40.RMI" alias m2
2
play m2
The specified MIDI device is already in use.  Wait until it is free,
 and then try again.
stop m1
Okay
play m2
Okay
stop all
Okay
close all
Okay

 

 

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  Updated