Re: Does WPF support AAC format sound files? - WPF Discussion Boards

Re: Does MediaPlayer support AAC format sound files?

5-Jul-09 14:59

I'm absolutely shocked to hear this. If what you say is true, I was completely mislead by Matthew MacDonald's book, Pro WPF in C# 2008 and had big plans for adding music to my application, which has been requested for years.

Christian Graus wrote:
Why would it be surprising ?

Because MacDonald's book makes statements like this: "The support WPF provides for audio is a signficant step up from previous versions of .NET...WPF gives you the ability to play a wide variety of sound formats, including MP3 and anything else supported by Windows Media Player."

You also say,

Christian Graus wrote:
The media control in WPF barely works, why would it have all the latest formats in it ?

According to this [^] article, AAC has been around for ten years. I'd hardly call that one of the "latest" formats. And who said it had "all the latest formats" to begin with? I asked about one format. Are you absolutely certain you know what you're talking about? Sounds as if you got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, and I need to do some more research to find out whether it's even worthwhile for me to embark on this project.

[Edit] So here is a quote from another book, Windows Presentation Foundation Unleashed: "You won't be able to build a professional audio application solely using WPF, but you can easily enhance an application with music and sound effects!"

"Easily enhance" sounds a long way from your, "media control in WPF barely works" assertion. I just want my customers to be able to start some sound files when they start a picture show. If they have AAC files and I can only support MP3 files and they absolutely have to play their AAC files, I also found out that there are readily available conversion tools that will go from AAC files to MP3 files, so I don't think your alarmist attitude about "media control in WPF" is warranted for the simple things I want to do. So go sow your sour grapes somewhere else, and next time try to be a little more constructive.

modified on Monday, July 6, 2009 9:43 AM

Christian Graus6-Jul-09 9:43

6-Jul-09 9:43

fjparisIII wrote:
Because MacDonald's book makes statements like this: "The support WPF provides for audio is a signficant step up from previous versions of .NET...WPF gives you the ability to play a wide variety of sound formats, including MP3 and anything else supported by Windows Media Player."

ROTFL. I can play all that in ANY C# application. And, that's exactly what I thought I said. IF I didn't, I must have deleted it, bc I typed it in at first. It uses WMP, so it plays what WMP plays, which probably means you can play other formats IF you install a filter for WMP support.

They've added NOTHING, they gave you WMP, same as Winforms.

fjparisIII wrote:
. Are you absolutely certain you know what you're talking about?

Yes. I have written a great many applications that use sound and video in C#, in and out of WPF. I was making a generalisation.

fjparisIII wrote:
, I also found out that there are readily available conversion tools that will go from AAC files to MP3 files

I'd have assumed you knew that already, sorry. You should have asked.

fjparisIII wrote:
so I don't think your alarmist attitude about "media control in WPF" is warranted for the simple things I want to do.

I was talking in general, about my general experiences with it.

fjparisIII wrote:
So go sow your sour grapes somewhere else, and next time try to be a little more constructive.

http://thingsihateaboutmicrosoft.blogspot.com/[^]

I am doing both of those things. Where Microsoft frameworks have bugs, I am not scared to say so, and I have a blog to tell people how to work around them.

Christian Graus

Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista.

"! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums.

I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp

fjparisIII15-Jul-09 8:52

15-Jul-09 8:52

Christian Graus wrote:
Why would it be surprising?

It might be surprising because MP4 has been around for a decade and WPF has only been around for about 3 years. But in looking around, I didn't find a free MP4 codec, so maybe MP4 isn't in the public domain yet and that's why Microsoft doesn't offer it for free.

Christian Graus wrote:
The media control in WPF barely works

What do you mean by "barely works"? I got MediaPlayer to work perfectly the first time I tried it with a list of MP3 files I fed into it. All of the properties like Volume, Balance, and SpeedRatio work as advertised, and you can start, pause, and stop music files, and cycle through a list of music files with the same MediaPlayer instance, all without a hiccup.

If all these things work, then how can you say it "barely works"? When I read "barely works" from your answer, I expected intermittent and distorted sound, or even crashes, and approached my development effort with trepidation. I'm greatly relieved to report that none of that happens. The music sounds wonderful and the MP3 sound files play flawlessly. I'd say the MediaPlayer class works great and exactly as advertised, and that your answer is greatly misleading, unless you were using the expression, "barely works," in a sense with which I am completely unfamiliar.

Christian Graus wrote:
why would [WPF] have all the latest formats in it?

How many of the "latest formats" have come out since WPF was introduced? I don't know of any, but I'm new to this sound game. In any case, I wasn't referring to "all the latest formats." I was referring to the AAC format, which is just MP4. As I'm sure you know, that format has been around for 10 years.

Pete O'Hanlon5-Jul-09 23:12

5-Jul-09 23:12

AAC is supported in MP4, F4V and some MOV files. Whether or not you'll be able to play them properly depends, to a large extent, on whether or not you have the right Codecs installed.

"WPF has many lovers. It's a veritable porn star!" - Josh Smith

As Braveheart once said, "You can take our freedom but you'll never take our Hobnobs!" - Martin Hughes.

fjparisIII6-Jul-09 3:42

6-Jul-09 3:42

Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
Whether or not you'll be able to play them properly depends, to a large extent, on whether or not you have the right Codecs installed.

I know nothing about music files and codecs and want to support music only as a "nice touch" to my main application which is to display large collections of photographs in dozens of different levels of refinement. So I'm restricting myself to the MediaPlayer as I don't want to get into anything low level for functionality as peripheral as this. I want to start the music when photos start showing, playing one music file after another until the user stops showing his photographs.

I should have phrased my question, "does MediaPlayer support AAC?" and I guess the answer is no. But I have found out that there are lots of free utilities that convert AAC to MP3 and so this is not a critical issue. If my application was primarily for playing music I probably wouldn't even try it in WPF. Apparently it would actually be simpler for me to go back to MFC, COM, and Win32. But for my simple audio needs, WPF is the quickest way to get there, especially since I've already got 75,000 lines of code invested in my photo showing application.

Pete O'Hanlon6-Jul-09 3:59

6-Jul-09 3:59

fjparisIII wrote:
"does MediaPlayer support AAC?" and I guess the answer is no.

The answer is yes - but you need a codec installing. The answer to "does MediaPlayer support AAC out of the box?" is no.

"WPF has many lovers. It's a veritable porn star!" - Josh Smith

As Braveheart once said, "You can take our freedom but you'll never take our Hobnobs!" - Martin Hughes.

fjparisIII6-Jul-09 4:28

6-Jul-09 4:28

Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
fjparisIII wrote:
"does MediaPlayer support AAC?" and I guess the answer is no.

The answer is yes - but you need a codec installing. The answer to "does MediaPlayer support AAC out of the box?" is no.

What is involved in "installing a codec"? Is this something the user can do after they buy my application, or is it something I have to build into my application?

Pete O'Hanlon6-Jul-09 4:33

6-Jul-09 4:33

The user can do this after they buy your application, but you may want to offer some default codecs in your installer, bearing in mind that some codecs work well in x64 and some don't. Some of your users will probably have favourite codecs installed already, so it's always a good idea to let them bypass the installation phase.

This KB[^] describes the process of installing and removing codecs.

"WPF has many lovers. It's a veritable porn star!" - Josh Smith

As Braveheart once said, "You can take our freedom but you'll never take our Hobnobs!" - Martin Hughes.

fjparisIII6-Jul-09 6:13

6-Jul-09 6:13

I don't think I want to get involved in installing codecs. If my application was focused on sound that would be a different matter.

If the user has pre-installed sound codecs, does this mean that if a user has installed a codec for AAC files that MediaPlayer will run AAC files automatically? What are the file extensions for AAC files? I haven't been able to find out this information.

BrowniePoints6-Jul-09 6:54

BrowniePoints

6-Jul-09 6:54

AAC is an Apple Codec I believe (used in iTunes and QuickTime). Is there a reason you're so adamant about AAC? Do you have a ton of these laying around? I'd say you're better off using MP3 or WMA for audio if possible.

Christian Graus6-Jul-09 9:46

I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

6-Jul-09 9:46

For someone who wanted to blast me, it seems you've done not even basic research before asking your question. Still, it seems Pete has filled in the gaps from what I said. There is NO support in WPF. NONE. WPF uses Media Player, just like C#. Your book is full of lies. In ANY .NET framework, the media player will play whatever formats have codecs installed for Windows Media Player.

A codec is just a program you install, I have shipped codecs with my installers in the past.

Tope7775-Jul-09 9:42

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

5-Jul-09 9:42

Hi everyone,
I need an experienced wcf developer to take me through a wcf project(real life) they have done recently.
I am going for an interview and this is urgent.
your help appreciated in advance

Pete O'Hanlon5-Jul-09 10:36

5-Jul-09 10:36

Tope777 wrote:
I need an experienced wcf developer to take me through a wcf project(real life) they have done recently.
I am going for an interview and this is urgent.

All this tells me is that you want somebody to help you to lie in an interview. What expression DO YOU have with WCF? That's what interviewers want to know, not what experience do I have.

"WPF has many lovers. It's a veritable porn star!" - Josh Smith

As Braveheart once said, "You can take our freedom but you'll never take our Hobnobs!" - Martin Hughes.

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

Tope7775-Jul-09 10:56

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

5-Jul-09 10:56

hi,
I was hoping someone would help me and not have a go at me.
If you can help I will appreciate it, if not please dont have a go at me.
Thank you

Pete O'Hanlon5-Jul-09 11:17

5-Jul-09 11:17

What possible help could I possibly give you for an interview? Interviews are about your experience (and not mine), and it is unfair on other potential candidates for the position who possibly have the experience the company wants. To be honest, in the current economic climate, there are lots of really good candidates for positions, and they will bring this experience into the interview.

I see, from your profile, that you are in the UK; you aren't coming for an interview in my company tomorrow are you (I'm interviewing)? Oh dear - I could very well be the person who's actually interviewing you.

"WPF has many lovers. It's a veritable porn star!" - Josh Smith

As Braveheart once said, "You can take our freedom but you'll never take our Hobnobs!" - Martin Hughes.

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

Tope7775-Jul-09 11:34

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

5-Jul-09 11:34

Thank you sir. I refuse to be irritated even in the face of your unwarranted attack.
You took it upon your self to interpret my request for help as cheating and then to pass judgment based on that prejudice.
Even if I were somebody who would potentially work for your company I will withdraw instantly because God forbid that I would work for a prejudicial person. Besides , I only do contracts, sorry.
If you care to know, I have close to six years experience in software development and I have done various things hitherto. If you think you are really important maybe you should be spending time on worthwhile things and not clogging up my thread. I hope you never reply to my post again.
Thanks

Christian Graus5-Jul-09 14:19

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

5-Jul-09 14:19

Tope777 wrote:
If you care to know, I have close to six years experience in software development and I have done various things hitherto.

So, if you want a WCF job, buy a WCF book and read it. I've gotten jobs where I didn't know the core technologies, because I told the truth, not because I asked someone to teach me the right things to say in the interview.

Pete O'Hanlon5-Jul-09 21:55

5-Jul-09 21:55

Tope777 wrote:
Besides , I only do contracts, sorry.

And you're the reason that contractors have a bad reputation.

Tope777 wrote:
You took it upon your self to interpret my request for help as cheating and then to pass judgment based on that prejudice.

So why do you want this information for an interview, if not to cheat? Go on, astound us with your dazzling logic as to what possible use this thread could be if not to try to bluff your way through an interview.

Tope777 wrote:
If you care to know, I have close to six years experience in software development and I have done various things hitherto.

Ooh. I'm dazzled, starstruck even, no I'll go as far as to say I'm positively underwhelmed.

Tope777 wrote:
If you think you are really important maybe you should be spending time on worthwhile things and not clogging up my thread

Nope - I don't think I'm really important. I did get to where I am today though by building up solid experience and using that to my advantage.

The interesting thing here is that you think that you'll be able to bluff your way into a job doing WCF, and from there, keep the contract. That's not the way contracting works bubba - if you aren't up to the job, a client will kick you off the project straight away - that's why we have termination clauses in contracts. There are enough contractors who do have the requisite experience that will be able to take the contract on.

Tope777 wrote:
I will withdraw instantly because God forbid that I would work for a prejudicial person.

You think it's prejudicial to expect that somebody who goes for an interview has the required experience level, and is going to talk about what they have done? Oh dear - you have a lot to learn. Oh well, good luck with the interview then - do come back and tell us how you get on.

"WPF has many lovers. It's a veritable porn star!" - Josh Smith

As Braveheart once said, "You can take our freedom but you'll never take our Hobnobs!" - Martin Hughes.

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

Christian Graus5-Jul-09 14:19

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

5-Jul-09 14:19

Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
I see, from your profile, that you are in the UK; you aren't coming for an interview in my company tomorrow are you (I'm interviewing)? Oh dear - I could very well be the person who's actually interviewing you.

That would just be *awesome*

BrowniePoints6-Jul-09 4:09

BrowniePoints

6-Jul-09 4:09

I have slim to no trust in body shops because I know how they operate. Most likely this guy has never even seen his recruiter face to face (he'll meet her in the lobby or on the way to the client) but they'll pass him off as if they've known him for ages. They've probably had him pad his resume to contain keywords they've heard the client use describing the job. And of course (the oldest trick in the book) they've asked previous candidates the client interviewed to tell them what questions were asked.

And for their remarkable service, they'll charge a bill rate that is double what the contractor receives.

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

Christian Graus5-Jul-09 14:17

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

5-Jul-09 14:17

This is totally awesome.

Tope777 wrote:
I need an experienced wcf developer to take me through a wcf project(real life) they have done recently.
I am going for an interview and this is urgent.

so, someone who DESERVES their job, should take the time to train you up, so you can get a job you DON'T deserve ? What the hell is wrong with you ? Learn WCF, or go back to flipping burgers. Seriously, you are everything that is wrong with our industry. Any company that hired you based on what someone told you, when you have no idea, would certainly deserve what they got.

Tope7775-Jul-09 23:19

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

5-Jul-09 23:19

The deluge of what I will regard as hate mail from this website just because I asked for help on something is unbelievable to say the least.
I have said time and over that I am an experienced software developer and I have developed asp.net and wpf, xslt and asp.net WEB SERVICES . which WCF is just a superset of.
It is not in my upbringing to have a go at people or say bad things to them so I wish you all will be treated exactly the same way you have treated me.
By the way, I just asked a former colleague to remind me of a similar web services work we did together so I guess that is it.
But is life not like this:
You were in primary and somebody taught you what you knew then
same goes to secondary and university and beyond.
I wonder why all these people are feeling on top of the world because I have the humility of asking them for help even when I have tried to explain that I am an experienced software developer and yes I needed this for an interview but its not like I am a novince and I have done extensive research . I just said I needed a little help. But hey , if this website is like this then I will just withdraw my membership before I am killed with hate mails.
It seems ....I will not finish that statement so that my good manners will not be corrupted .
Thanks a lot and goodbye

Christian Graus6-Jul-09 2:20

Re: I need an experienced wcf developer to tell me what wcf project they have done before

6-Jul-09 2:20

Tope777 wrote:
The deluge of what I will regard as hate mail from this website just because I asked for help on something is unbelievable to say the least.

You asked for someone to take the time to walk you through one of their projects, showing you code that they almost certainly had signed an NDA on. You didn't just ask us to post an answer, which is what we do, but to give you a guided tour of something so that you;'d understand it enough to get through an interview. For free. That's just astounding.

Tope777 wrote:
You were in primary and somebody taught you what you knew then
same goes to secondary and university and beyond.

Yes, and we are here because we like to help people who are learning. I am all for that. If you'd done some research and asked specific questions about WCF, you would have got a heros welcome here. You didn't. You made a pretty unreasonable request, and we responded accordingly.

Tope777 wrote:
But hey , if this website is like this then I will just withdraw my membership before I am killed with hate mails.

Read the forums a bit. Look at Pete and my replies to other people and consider the differences between your post and the ones that we bend over backwards to help.

I am surprised you've gone 6 years without finding this place, it's the best developer resource on the web.

Tope7776-Jul-09 3:39