[23 Feb 2006] Playing MP3s with Hollywood Since OS4 Update 4

[PEB]

Note: This is an archived post that was originally sent to the Hollywood mailing list on Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:49:24 -0800 (PST)

Ever since the most recent OS4 update, Hollywood seems to have trouble playing mp3s smoothly while pictures are being loaded and displayed (the sound gets choppy until the pictures are done displaying).

I don't have this problem if I use an external player (like AMPlifier) to the play the mp3s, so I assume this is an internal Hollywood issue.

Could this possibly be a buffer size problem with streaming mp3s?

[airsoftsoftwair]

Note: This is an archived post that was originally sent to the Hollywood mailing list on Sat, 25 Feb 2006 23:33:05 +0100

Ever since the most recent OS4 update, Hollywood seems to have trouble playing mp3s smoothly while pictures are being loaded and displayed (the sound gets choppy until the pictures are done displaying).

I don't have this problem if I use an external player (like AMPlifier) to the play the mp3s, so I assume this is an internal Hollywood issue.

Could this possibly be a buffer size problem with streaming mp3s?

I do not have this problem here. MP3s play without any stops even if high-end fx are displayed or huge pictures are loaded. System is a micro A1 with 800mhz and Prerelease 4.

Could it be that you have the 68k version of mpega.library installed? Make sure you use the latest OS4 version available on os4depot.net.

[PEB]

Note: This is an archived post that was originally sent to the Hollywood mailing list on Sat, 25 Feb 2006 15:31:18 -0800 (PST)

Hi Andreas,

Thanks for trying to help; but I do have the latest mpeg library for OS4 (just checked it against the OS4 Depot archive).

If you want to try to replicate what I am doing, try filling a directory ("Brushes/Test/") with 14 different 1280x1024 pictures (you can mix png files with an alpha channel and picutes with a #BLUE mask if you like); also put an mp3 file (Test.mp3) in the "Sounds" directory; then try this code:

Code: Select all

OpenMusic(1,"Sounds/Test.mp3")
PlayMusic(1)

SetVarType(d$, #STRING, 1000)
SetVarType(f$, #STRING, 1000)
ReadDirectory("Brushes/Test/",f$,d$)

Function p_DisplayThumb()
 Thumb$="Brushes/Test/"
 Thumb$=AddStr(Thumb$,f$[x])
 ID$=RightStr(Thumb$,3)
 If ID$ = "png"
  LoadBrush(a,Thumb$,{LoadAlpha=True})
 Else
  LoadBrush(a,Thumb$,#BLUE)
 EndIf
 Scalebrush(a,175,140)
 DisplayBrushFX(a,b,c,#DISSOLVE,10)
EndFunction

x=-1
a=0
b=-184
c=0
While(x<6)
 x=Add(x,1)
 a=Add(a,1)
 b=Add(b,184)
 p_DisplayThumb
Wend

x=6
a=7
b=-184
c=150
While(x<(NP-1))
 x=Add(x,1)
 a=Add(a,1)
 b=Add(b,184)
 p_DisplayThumb
Wend

When I try this, the music becomes choppy while the thumbnails are being displayed.

I don't remember having a problem like this before update 4 (though it may have been there, and I just never noticed it). BTW: I've got the exact same hardware for OS4 that you have.

Thanks again for trying to help.

[airsoftsoftwair]

Note: This is an archived post that was originally sent to the Hollywood mailing list on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 21:58:49 +0100

Hi Andreas,

Thanks for trying to help; but I do have the latest mpeg library for OS4 (just checked it against the OS4 Depot archive).

If you want to try to replicate what I am doing, try filling a directory ("Brushes/Test/") with 14 different 1280x1024 pictures (you can mix png files with an alpha channel and picutes with a #BLUE mask if you like); also put an mp3 file (Test.mp3) in the "Sounds" directory; then try this code:

I didn't try it, but I see something that could be the cause: You're using ScaleBrush(). This command locks the brush bitmap in memory, which is a lowlevel call and stalls multitasking. Thus, you get the choppy sound. Try to comment out ScaleBrush() and the choppy sound should be gone.

[PEB]

Note: This is an archived post that was originally sent to the Hollywood mailing list on Wed, 1 Mar 2006 12:09:39 -0800 (PST)

Hi Adreas,

You were right about ScaleBrush() being the problem. I have already implemented a work-around to have the brushes scaled down before I need them, and it nicely increases the speed when it comes time to display them (obviously). The only thing that I need to be able to make this work in all cases is for SaveBrush() to support PNG files with their alpha-channel. Any idea when this might be added?

[airsoftsoftwair]

Note: This is an archived post that was originally sent to the Hollywood mailing list on Sat, 04 Mar 2006 12:19:06 +0100

Hi Adreas,

You were right about ScaleBrush() being the problem. I have already implemented a work-around to have the brushes scaled down before I need them, and it nicely increases the speed when it comes time to display them (obviously). The only thing that I need to be able to make this work in all cases is for SaveBrush() to support PNG files with their alpha-channel. Any idea when this might be added?

I'm trying to support that in the next version. The ability to write PNGs with alpha channel is really important.