SAMPLE: Synchronizing Applications with CD Audio (103217)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) 3.1
This article was previously published under Q103217

SUMMARY

This technical article describes a simple technique that uses the Media Control Interface (MCI) to synchronize events in a Microsoft Windows-based application with audio from a CD. The following topics are covered:

  • MCI message interface
  • Audio CD time formats
  • Owner-draw graphical buttons
  • Extending the idea to other time sources

MORE INFORMATION

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Singacd.exe

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

Four pieces of sample code included with this article create four applications: PLAYACD, a simple CD controller; SINGACD, a sing-along application that shows the lyrics to a CD as it plays; TIMEACD, an authoring tool to create the lyric files used by the sing-along application; and SINGAWAV, an application that demonstrates synchronizing to a waveform.

The SINGACD sample application shows how to use the media control interface (MCI) to synchronize an application with CD audio in Microsoft(R) Windows(TM).

SINGACD displays a moving ball above the lyrics of a song. The ball moves in time with the music and (ideally) stays above the current word in the song. Achieving this synchronization involves a two-part process: The first part involves displaying the entire line of text at the right time; the second part involves placing the ball over the correct word in the line.

SINGACD has the following components:
  • The PLAYACD application is a very simple controller for the MCI CD audio device.
  • The TIMEACD application is a tool for authoring lyric files.
  • The SINGAWAV sample is a modified version of SINGACD that opens and plays a specific wave file and lyric file.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/30/2004
Keywords:kb16bitonly kbfile kbmm kbSample KB103217 kbAudDeveloper
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.