Using inf files with DVDs

[Stephen G.]

Hey guys,

I am adding a little program to a DVD that starts up when the disc is inserted into the drive. I am having a hard time figuring out how to run the DVD files after my program completes its task.

Is there a command that will run the DVD movie files once my startup program completes?

Thanks

[SUF6NEWBIE]

should be fairly easy....sorry dont have direct help link..

but there is some info on how to do this in the AMS docs
(or perhaps in the 'how do I' section of help..)

another way is to publish a small project to Hdisk with the
autorun inf included..this will guide you what is called...
should be able to modify to suit...

(you can run files proggies directly from autorun.inf)

have a look on the Office CD or Operating system cd and
see how "setup.exe" is called from within the autorun file
on root of CD\dvd

[Stephen G.]

I'm not quite sure what you mean, because the files on a DVD are setup differently from the files on CD. There is no ..exe files, but simply video_ts and audio_ts folders. Please explain.

Thank you

[SUF6NEWBIE]

yes I see how this could be confusing...

cd 700meg dvd 4464meg same data- larger storage medium-capacity

eg you can purchase Office 2003 on DVD media


actual 'movie' dvd's yes .vob etc etc.


basically have a look on CDs that 'autorun' to help get an
idea of what commands some of them use to fire up a proggie
on the CD-DVD medium..

I may have misunderstood what you are trying to achieve..

are you wanting to see if you can start standard movie dvd files (VOB)
up from what ??? no comprende... if this is what you wish,
You would need Separate Software capable of Decoding and Playing VOB files
eg PowerDVD , WINDVD or similar..you may be able to use a command line
call from AMS5 or the inf file to start the Decoder Software that is already installed..You could consult some of the Software(mentioned) websites
to see if command line scripts are supported..Perhaps you could explain
in more detail exactly what you are trying to acheive..

[SUF6NEWBIE]

some decoder software need to be pointed to the VIDEO_TS folder only
and then find the correct IFO file to start playback

where others need to be pointed directly to: VIDEO_TS\\.IFO
these IFO's store the chapter info and sequencing for playback-menus etc etc.

[SUF6NEWBIE]

This is an example of starting a Standard Retail Movie DVD with
a retail version of PowerDVD installed...

I have not gone into this any further regarding other controls
or running from INF-INI...might lead you to where you wish to go.
..usually with inf it is a requirement to enclose thing in quotes:

eg: run32dll.exe "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PowerDVD.exe"
its OK to use: "C:\\Program Files\\CyberLink\\PowerDVD\\PowerDVD.exe"

all paths etc ...change to suit
eg: my dvd burner is device letter I:

how PowerDVD runs is subject to the current User configuration

..so below might get you started...
you can do all sorts to locate installed version, apppath device letter etc etc.

ACTION:

File.Run("C:\\Program Files\\CyberLink\\PowerDVD\\PowerDVD.exe", "I:\\VIDEO_TS\\", "", SW_SHOWNORMAL, true); --wait for PowerDVD to close...

NOTE:
the IFO file that is always analysed first by ALL Software DVD Players
is this one: FULLPATH\\VIDEO_TS\\VIDEO_TS.IFO

If using WINDVD pretty sure just change the Filerun action above to suit
..however include..append \\VIDEO_TS.IFO

reading current registry entries before running this action may
allow you to control things further..use caution as always..

[kpsmith]

Are you looking to have a menu that starts on the PC with an option to play the DVD movie in the users default DVD software?

This is what I used in AMS 4 ..... I'll try to get it updated to AMS5 but I've been real busy lately. This may point you in the right direction though. Essentially is checks for some registry keys and determines what windows has set for it's default DVD player and adds any appropriate switches that are need to load the movie in the software. I believe I tested this on PowerDVD, WinDVD, Windows Media player and they all worked.

// Get and open Default DVD player
%DVDKey% = Registry.GetValueData ("HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DVD\shell", "(Default)")
%DVDPath% = Registry.GetValueData ("HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DVD\shell\%DVDKey%\Command", "(Default)")
%DVDPath% = String.Replace ("%DVDPath%", "%L", "%Srcdrv%")
%DVDPath% = String.Replace ("%DVDPath%", "%1", ""%Srcdrv%"")

%DoubleQuotes% = """"
IF (%DVDKey% = "" OR %DVDKey% = "%DoubleQuotes%" OR %DVDPath% = "" OR %DVDPath% = "%DoubleQuotes%")
%Result% = Dialog.MessageBox ("Could not find DVD Player Program", "This program was unable to loc...", Ok, Question)
ELSE
File.Execute ("%DVDPath%", "", Continue)
Application.Exit
END IF

[TJ_Tigger]

That is Great KP.

[SUF6NEWBIE]

Ditto !!!!!!!!!