VB6 help: Kill Winamp VIS/Video

MatrixPC · 06-21-2004, 05:23 PM

Hi all, I need a little help on how to kill/close winamp video/visulizations windows if it is currently running. I was able to close winamp all together but not just VIS or Video windows.

I have a hard time getting the VIS and Video window caption so the app can close it. Instead, it just close winamp which I don't want.

The purpose? I am currently writing a small apps that monitor the status of a serial port to restrict some applications (video/moving image) from running or close it if it is running. This is for legal issue of having video playing within the driver view (illegal in CA and most states, and will be illegal everywhere).
With this application, you can show the COPS that the video can't be play if the hand brake is NOT engage. Of course there is always a switch to override the hand brake if you are in a long trip.
Thanks

Jeep · 06-21-2004, 06:21 PM

Do a search at: http://www.vbcode.com/

MatrixPC · 06-22-2004, 02:48 PM

Cool Thanks

rando · 06-22-2004, 03:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MatrixPC

Hi all, I need a little help on how to kill/close winamp video/visulizations windows if it is currently running. I was able to close winamp all together but not just VIS or Video windows.

I have a hard time getting the VIS and Video window caption so the app can close it. Instead, it just close winamp which I don't want.

The purpose? I am currently writing a small apps that monitor the status of a serial port to restrict some applications (video/moving image) from running or close it if it is running. This is for legal issue of having video playing within the driver view (illegal in CA and most states, and will be illegal everywhere).
With this application, you can show the COPS that the video can't be play if the hand brake is NOT engage. Of course there is always a switch to override the hand brake if you are in a long trip.
Thanks

Seems like this might be easier/cleaner if done from the hosting application.

owenjh · 06-22-2004, 04:15 PM

hmm maybe use the winamp API and write a plugin to do this.

Pudge · 06-22-2004, 04:19 PM

how would the brake be wired into serial port? I think the easiest way would be through the BRAKE LED on your dashboard. When it gets current, maybe that could operate as a switch?

rando · 06-22-2004, 04:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pudge

how would the brake be wired into serial port? I think the easiest way would be through the BRAKE LED on your dashboard. When it gets current, maybe that could operate as a switch?

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...=simple+serial

Pudge · 06-22-2004, 04:47 PM

Seems to complicated for me, but great if it works for you, wouldn't current on the LED be an easier switch method?

rando · 06-22-2004, 07:41 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pudge

Seems to complicated for me, but great if it works for you, wouldn't current on the LED be an easier switch method?

You've got a CarPC and hooking up a relay to your COM port seems complicated? If you want to tap a dash LED and just plug it in to a COM or Parallel port, go for it. The relay method is simple and provides isolation from any stray voltages that might be lurking around your car.

In any case, the circuit(s) in that post are the ones that Matrix is building his software for. Truly any circuit that triggers an input line on the serial port would work. It's hard to imagine one with fewer components than 1.

MatrixPC · 06-23-2004, 12:26 PM

As of now I am not using any host application (MediaCar, FrodoPlayer, MediaEngine nor VOICE). I am just using Winamp, WinDVD/Win Media Player, and GPS stuff. I want this application to run as a service or just like any application so that I have control what applications to run or not to run at the OS level. It is much easier to have it code directly in the host application because the author have complete control over which and when to run a particular player. But this is limit to the host player only.

Quote: Originally Posted by Pudge

Seems to complicated for me, but great if it works for you, wouldn't current on the LED be an easier switch method?

I am not sure how you get the puter in the car but wiring 1 relay doesn't seem that hard nor complicated than take off the dashboard to look for the Ebrake light.
The Ebrake light is connect directly to the batt (with fuse of course) for positive and the ebrake and/or brake reservor for negative (that is how it work in my 2 toyotas).
As for setting up the relay for comport, refer to rando post above for the wiring he has. For trigger(+) wire directly to the batt w/fuse, and tap the ebrake signal to the trigger(-). To bypass, get a toggle switch and wire one side to DTR and the other side to DSR. When switch is on, ebrake has no effect and when switch is off, ebrake take over.

Pudge · 06-23-2004, 12:45 PM

I'll have to find the signal trigger then, sounds fairly simple, thanks.

MatrixPC · 06-23-2004, 12:56 PM

The easiest place to find the ebrake signal is at the ebrake itseft. if you look under the handle, there will be a pin switch. When the ebrake handle is release/down, it press the switch down (no contact to the car frame (-)). When the ebrake is engage/up, the switch is release thus make contact.
Just tap to the wire at the end of the switch.

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