Displays the full MS-DOS Pathname of the Album Information File you are editing.


Enter the title of the album here.


Enter the name of the artist who is featured on the album here. If you do not specify an artist, the album's information will not be saved.


Enter a year for the album here. This usually contains the year in which the album was released, but you may specify any year here.


Enter the copyright information for the album here. It is recommended that you use the form, "(c) 19xx Record Company, Inc."


Enter the owner of the album here. The value of this field has no significance to DiscPlay.


Enter the category to store the album under here. The value of this field has no significance to DiscPlay.


Enter any miscellaneous information here. The value of this field has no significance to DiscPlay.


Contains the names of the tracks on the album. Click on a name to modify it in the edit box below.


Use this edit box to modify track names. To display a track's name for editing, click on the track in the list above. Edit the name in this box, and then press the Enter key to apply the changes.


Click this button to send the title, artist, copyright, and track names to the DiscPlay Internet Database. This will allow other users to obtain the information without having to type it in by hand.

Note:

You may also use the DiscPlay 3.0 Collection Uploader utility to send this information from all the albums in your collection at once.


Click this button to search the DiscPlay Internet Database for information on this album. If the information is found, it will be retrieved and the title, artist, copyright, and track names will be set automatically.


Enter comments or miscellaneous data here.


Enter the MS-DOS Pathname here of the file to be automatically opened each time this album is inserted. This may be an application or a document file.


Click this button to use the standard Open File dialog box to locate a file to automatically open.


Use this menu to specify what type of window you'd like the file to appear in.


Click this button to close the window and save any changes.


Click this button to close the window without saving any changes.


Click this button to save any changes you have made without closing the window.


Click on a section to sort the list based on that item. You may also resize the sections by dragging the dividers between them.


Displays the title, artist, and year of each album in your collection. Double-click an album in this list to modify its properties.


Click this button to print the entire collection or the selected album.


Click this button to export the entire collection to an ASCII database file. The file created will contain the title, artist, year, copyright, category, owner, miscellaneous data, and track names, with these fields separated by tabs. Albums are separated by returns.


Click this button to open the Album Properties window for the currently-selected album in the list. You may also double-click an album in the list to do this.


Click this button to remove the currently-selected album from your collection. The associated album information file will be deleted.

Note:

You cannot remove an album that is currently inserted in the CD drive.


Displays the full MS-DOS Pathname of the currently-selected album in the list.


Click an item in this list to choose an item to search for.


Enter the text to search for in this box.


If this item is checked, an item will match only if it contains the specified text not immediately surrounded by any other text.


Click this button to begin the search.


Click on a section to sort the list based on that item. You may also resize the sections by dragging the dividers between them.


This list contains any matches that were found during the last search.

Notes:

If the search was album-based, double click an item to open an Album Properties window.

If the search was track-based, double click an item to display some additional information about the track.


Click this button to open an Album Properties or Track Information window for the currently-selected item in the list.


Click this button to print all albums represented in the search results, or only the album represented by the currently-selected item.


Click this button to close the Collection Properties window.


What Is DiscPlay?

DiscPlay is a shareware audio CD player for Windows 95 and Windows NT. It builds on the capabilities of other CD player utilities by adding such features as:

An integrated collection-management facility, accessible via the Collection Properties window.

Custom playlists for "programmed" playback. You may create virtually any number of custom playlists for each album. You may also add partial tracks to your custom playlists.

The DiscPlay Internet Database--a centralized repository for album information. Retrieving album information and sharing album information with others is a simple operation.

Support for the cddb Database--another Internet-based database of album information.

Built-in collection searching and printing.

Extensive options for customizing the program's look and feel.

DiscPlay is also very inexpensive. The registration fee is $8.00US.


How Do I Register DiscPlay?

You are allowed to use DiscPlay free of charge for a period of up to 30 days. After this 30-day trial period, you must either register DiscPlay or remove it from your computer.

There are two ways to register DiscPlay: either by visiting the DiscPlay On-line Registration web site (which does not require a credit card), or by sending the registration form (ORDER.RTF) via postal mail. The registration fee is $8.00US per registration.

Further Information:

How To Register By Mail

How To Register On-Line


How To Register By Mail

If you do not have access to the On-line Registration web site, you may also register by postal mail. Although this takes significantly longer than on-line registration, you should still have your registration information within 3-7 days.

To register by postal mail, follow these steps:

1	Print the order form, ORDER.RTF. You can use any RTF-compatible word processor, such as Microsoft Word or the Windows 95 WordPad utility. If you copied ORDER.RTF into the same directory DISCPLAY.EXE is installed in, you may print the file by clicking "Print Order Form" under DiscPlay's "Help" menu.

2	On the order form, fill out sections B, C, D, and E (Note that D and E are optional).

3	Send the order form and payment to the address printed at the top of the form.

After your payment and order form are received, you will be sent a password and serial number. If you supplied an e-mail address on the order form, the information will be sent to that address. If you did not supply an e-mail address, the information will be snail-mailed to you.

When you receive the password and serial number, follow these steps:

1	Click "Register..." under DiscPlay's "Help" menu.

2	When the "Register DiscPlay" window appears, click the "Next >" button.

3	Enter the password and serial number you received, your name, and your organization's name in the appropriate boxes.

4	If you entered the password and serial number correctly, the "Register" button will be highlighted. Click it to complete the registration process.

Note:

Please read and follow all instructions on the registration form!


How To Register On-Line

If you have access to the World Wide Web, you may register DiscPlay on-line.

To register on-line, follow these steps:

1	In a forms-compatible web browser (such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer), open the following URL:
http://www.pobox.com/~discplay/32/register.html

2	Read all of the text at the top of the form. You must agree to these terms before you submit the form.

3	On the form, fill out sections A, B, C, and D (Note that C and D are optional).

4	When you're sure you have entered all information correctly, click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the form.

5	You will be given a Registration ID Number. You must use this number when you send payment, so make a note of it.

Assuming that you filled out the form properly, you will be e-mailed a password and serial number. This will usually take less than a day.

When you receive the password and serial number, follow these steps:

1	Click "Register..." under DiscPlay's "Help" menu.

2	When the "Register DiscPlay" window appears, click the "Next >" button.

3	Enter the password and serial number you received, your name and your organization's name in the appropriate boxes.

4	If you entered the password and serial number correctly, the "Register" button will be highlighted. Click it to complete the registration process.

5	Print the order form, ORDER.RTF. If you copied this file into the same directory DISCPLAY.EXE is installed in, you may print the file by clicking "Print Order Form" under DiscPlay's "Help" menu.

6	On the order form, fill out section A. You will need the Registration ID Number you were given when you submitted the on-line registration form.

7	Send the order form and payment to the address printed at the top of the form.


The registration fee is $8.00US. You may pay by check, money order, or cash, but keep these notes in mind:

Checks must be in US funds drawn on a US bank.

International money orders must be in US dollars.

Cash must be US dollars. If you send cash, be sure it cannot be seen through the envelope. You may want to wrap it up in dark-colored paper or use a security envelope.


What Is A Playlist?

A playlist is a list of steps that DiscPlay will play. Each step represents either a track or a partial track on the album. Playlists are synonymous with programmed playback on a home stereo CD player.

DiscPlay automatically creates a single playlist, named "Album," for each album you insert. The Album playlist contains a step for each track on the album. In addition to this playlist, you may create any number of custom playlists.

Further Information:

Selecting Playlists

Creating Playlists

Modifying Playlists

Removing Playlists


How To Select A Playlist

Each playlist is represented by a tab located directly below the current playlist. To select a playlist, simply click on its tab.


How To Create A New Playlist

To create a playlist, click the Add Playlist [image] button. You will be presented with a window asking you to enter a name for the playlist. Type a name and click the OK button.

Notes:

The playlist name can be up to 255 characters in length, but you should keep the name short so it fits onto a tab.

There must not already be a playlist by the name you enter.

Add steps (tracks) to the playlist by dragging them from other playlists onto the new playlist's tab, or by clicking the Track List button [image] and dragging them onto the playlist from the Track List window.


How To Modify An Existing Playlist

DiscPlay allows you to modify any playlist at any time. You may rename a playlist by clicking the Rename Playlist button [image]. In addition, there are several other ways to modify playlists:

Adding Steps To A Playlist

Drag a step from another playlist or the Track List window onto the a playlist's tab to add the step to the end of the playlist.

Drag a step from the Track List window to any position in the current playlist to insert the step.

Moving Steps Within A Playlist

Drag steps within the current playlist to re-order them.

Removing Steps From A Playlist

Drag a step onto the delete button to remove it.


How To Remove A Playlist

To remove a playlist, select it and click the Remove button.

Note:

You cannot remove the Album playlist.


What Is The DiscPlay Internet Database?

New for DiscPlay 3.1: DiscPlay now supports the Internet cddb Database. Do not confuse the cddb Database with the DiscPlay Internet Database--they are completely separate databases.

The DiscPlay Internet Database is an automated central repository for album information. It allows you to retrieve album titles, artists, copyrights, and track names from the Internet so you don't have to enter the data by hand. If another DiscPlay user has already entered information on an album and sent it to the database, you need only click the Get From Internet button to retrieve the information.

If you have any albums that are not already present in the database, you are encouraged to enter the information and send it to the database for others to use.

Further Information:

Sending Album Information To The DiscPlay Internet Database.

Retrieving Album Information From The DiscPlay Internet Database.

Using The Collection Uploader Utility.

Note:

You must have an active TCP/IP (Dial-Up Networking) connection to the Internet to access the DiscPlay Internet Database. See Windows help for information on setting up a dial-up Internet connection.


Sending Album Information To The DiscPlay Internet Database

The DiscPlay Internet Database is a community effort that relies on the generosity of its users. You are encouraged to send information on any albums you have that are not already present in the database.

To send album information to the DiscPlay Internet Database for others to use, follow these steps:

1	Open the Album Properties window for the album whose information you wish to send.

2	Click the Advanced tab on the Album Properties window.

3	Click the Send To Internet button. You will be prompted for a message to display to users who retrieve the information. Enter a message and click the Send Album button.

Notes:

You may also use the Collection Uploader utility to send information on all of your albums at once.

When you send information to the DiscPlay Internet Database, only titles, artists, copyrights, and track names are transferred. No other information is transferred.


Retrieving Album Information From The DiscPlay Internet Database

To retrieve album information from the DiscPlay Internet Database, follow these steps:

1	In either the Add New Album wizard or the Album Properties window, click the Get From Internet button.

2	You will be presented with a list of possible matches (if there were any). If the album's title appears in the list, double click it (or highlight it and click the Get Album button).

3	If the user who sent the album information chose to display a message to users who retrieve it, you will be presented with the message. Click OK.

After you complete these steps, the information will be automatically placed in the appropriate edit boxes. Simply click the OK or Finish button as you would if you had entered the information by hand.


cddb Database

The cddb Database is a large collection of album information (12,000+ albums) that DiscPlay 3.1 can access via the Internet. You must have a direct or dial-up connection to the Internet to access the cddb Database.

This database allows you to obtain album titles, artists, and track names from the Internet so that you don’t have to enter them by hand. To access the cddb Database, simply click the “cddb Database” button in the Add New Album wizard.

Notes:

If you set Always query the Internet cddb server when an unrecognized album is inserted in the Options window, DiscPlay will automatically attempt to load information from the cddb database every time you insert a new album.

The cddb Database was created by Ti Kan (ti@amb.org) as part of the Unix xmcd CD player package. The current version of the cddbp (cddb protocol) server was written by Steve Scherf (steve@moonsoft.com). See the following URL for more information about xmcd and cddb:
http://sunsite.unc.edu/~cddb/xmcd.html

DiscPlay 3.1 does not support uploading to the cddb Database. The next version will support uploading.


Using The Collection Uploader

The Collection Uploader is a separate application supplied with DiscPlay (DPCOLLUP.EXE). The program simply attempts to send the information from every album in your collection to the DiscPlay Internet Database.

To send your entire collection with the Collection Uploader, follow these steps:

1	Open the Collection Uploader (DPCOLLUP.EXE).

2	When the Collection Uploader window appears, enter the message you'd like to display to users who retrieve your information. If you do not want to display a message, simply clear the appropriate check box.

3	Click the Start button. The button will change to read Stop and the program will start sending your album information.

Notes:

If for some reason you must stop the operation before it completes, click the Stop button.

The number of the album currently being sent and the approximate amount of time the operation will take to complete are displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the window.

A transcript will be displayed in the window showing all messages sent to/from the DiscPlay Internet Database.

When you send information to the DiscPlay Internet Database, only titles, artists, copyrights, and track names are transferred. No other information is transferred.


How To Print Your Collection

DiscPlay allows you to print single albums, search results, or your entire collection.

To print a single album, follow these steps:

1	Open the Collection Properties window.

2	In the album list, highlight the album you want to print.

3	Click the Print button.

4	When the Print window appears, make sure Print selected album only is checked.

5	Click the Print button.

To print search results, follow these steps:

1	Click the Print button located directly below the Search Results list.

2	When the Print window appears, make sure Print selected album only is not checked.

3	Click the Print button.

To print your entire collection, follow these steps:

1	Open the Collection Properties window.

2	Click the Print button located directly below the album list.

3	When the Print window appears, make sure Print selected album only is not checked.

4	Click the Print button.


What's New In DiscPlay 3.0
What’s New In DiscPlay 3.0

DiscPlay 3.0 contains numerous additions and enhancements over earlier versions of the program. Here is a short list of some of the most important ones:

Added the DiscPlay Internet Database.

Added the Add New Album wizard to simplify album information entry.

Added auto-start and auto-stop functions.

Added option for auto-scrolling the playlist.

Added option for keeping album information files in multiple folders.

Changed the layout of the Player window.

Changed the layout of the Collection Properties window.

Changed the layout of the Album Properties window.

Many other minor changes and additions.


What's New In DiscPlay 3.1
What’s New In DiscPlay 3.1

The following is a list of new features introduced in DiscPlay 3.1. See What’s New In DiscPlay 3.0 for information on new features introduced in the previous version, DiscPlay 3.0.

Supports the Internet-based cddb Database, a large (12,000+ album) database of album information.


Tips For Upgrading To DiscPlay 3.0

This help topic provides tips for users of earlier versions of DiscPlay who are upgrading to version 3.0.

Use your DiscPlay 2.x album information files.

You can either copy your old album information (.DPD) files into DiscPlay 3.0’s Album Files folder, or you can add your DiscPlay 2.x album folder to the album search path (see Options window for more information).

Use your DiscPlay 2.x print template files.

You can open DiscPlay 2.x print template (.DPT) files just as you would open DiscPlay 3.0 templates.


How To Use DiscPlay 3.0 With Windows 95 AutoPlay

You can use DiscPlay with Windows 95’s AutoPlay feature. This will cause DiscPlay to be automatically opened whenever an audio CD is inserted into your CD-ROM drive.

To use DiscPlay with AutoPlay, follow these steps:

1	In any Windows Explorer window, click Options… under the View menu.

2	When the Options window appears, click on the File Types tab.

3	In the Registered file types list, double-click the “AudioCD” item.

4	When the Edit File Type window appears, highlight the “Play” item in the Actions list.

5	Click the Remove button to delete the “Play” action.

6	Click the New… button.

7	When the New Action window appears, enter “Play” in the Action field.

8	In the Application used to perform action field, type “discplay.exe /PLAY”.

9	Click the OK button.

10	In the Edit File Type window, highlight the new “Play” action and click the Set Default button.

11	Click the OK button.

12	In the Options window, click the OK button.

Note:

If you have DiscPlay set as the AutoPlay CD player, do not open DiscPlay manually (by double-clicking its icon, for instance). Opening the program manually will cause Windows to try to open another copy of DiscPlay each time you insert a CD, which will cause an error.


Player Window

The Player window is DiscPlay's main window. It allows you to control playback and manipulate playlists.

The Player window opens automatically whenever you start DiscPlay.

For help on a specific item in the Player window, tab to it and press the F1 key.


Album Properties Window

The Album Properties window allows you to specify such information as an album's artist, title, copyright, and track names. The Advanced tab also gives you access to the DiscPlay Internet Database.

To open the Album Properties window, click "Album Properties" under the File menu.

For help on a specific item in the Album Properties window, click on the ? icon on the window's title bar, then click the item you'd like help on.

Note:

If you are using Windows NT 3.x, tab to the item you'd like help on and press the F1 key.


Collection Properties Window

The Collection Properties window allows you to view, manipulate, search, and print your album collection.

To open the Collection Properties window, click "Collection Properties" under the File menu.

For help on a specific item in the Collection Properties window, click on the ? icon on the window's title bar, then click the item you'd like help on.

Note:

If you are using Windows NT 3.x, tab to the item you'd like help on and press the F1 key.


Print Window

The Print window allows you to set options, select a template, and specify the scope for a print operation. It also provides space for you to edit print templates.

To open the Print window, click "Print Album" under the File menu, or click the Print button in the Collection Properties window.

For help on a specific item in the Print window, click on the ? icon on the window's title bar, then click the item you'd like help on.

Note:

If you are using Windows NT 3.x, tab to the item you'd like help on and press the F1 key.


Options Window

The Options window allows you to customize certain aspects of how DiscPlay looks and operates. You specify display options, folders in the search path, and format strings with this window.

To open the Options window, click "Options" under the Window menu.

For help on a specific item in the Options window, click on the ? icon on the window's title bar, then click the item you'd like help on.

Note:

If you are using Windows NT 3.x, tab to the item you'd like help on and press the F1 key.


Click this button to search the DiscPlay Internet Database for information on the album. This allows you to retrieve the album's title, artist, copyright, and track names from the Internet instead of entering them by hand.

Note:

You should first search the cddb Database by clicking the cddb Database button, because it is a larger database (currently 12,000+ albums).

Further Information:

Retrieving Album Information From The DiscPlay Internet Database.


Click this button to display the previous screen.


Click this button to display the next screen.


Click this button to close the New Album Wizard and save the information you've entered.


Click this button to close the New Album Wizard and discard any information you've entered.


Enter the album's title here.


Enter the name of the artist featured on the album here.

Note:

Click the down-arrow to choose the artist from a list of all artists in your collection.


Enter the category to store this album under here. The contents of this field have no significance to DiscPlay.

Note:

Click the down-arrow to choose the category from a list of all categories in your collection.


Enter the name of the album's owner here.

Note:

Click the down-arrow to choose the owner from a list of all owners in your collection.


Enter a year for the album here. This usually contains the year in which the album was released, but you may specify any year here.


Enter the album's copyright information here. It is recommended that you use the form, "(c) 19xx Record Company, Inc."


Enter any miscellaneous information here. The contents of this field have no significance to DiscPlay.


Enter the name of the specified track here. After you enter the name, click the "Next Track >" button to name the next track. Repeat this procedure until all tracks have been named.


Click this button to view or modify the name of the previous track.


Click this button to view or modify the name of the next track.


Click this button to search the cddb Database for information on the album. This allows you to retrieve the album’s title, artist, and track names from the Internet instead of entering them by hand.


Enter a title for the step here. If you leave this box blank, the corresponding track's name will be used.


Displays the number of the physical track the step will play.


Enter the starting time within the physical track here.

Examples:

00:00 would start playing at the beginning of the track.

01:00 would start playing from 1 minute into the track.


Enter the ending time within the physical track here.

Examples:

In a track that is 5:34 in length, 05:34 would play until the end of the track.

In the same 5:34-length track, 04:34 would play until 1 minute before the end of the track.


Click this button to close the window and save any changes you have made.


Click this button to close the window and discard any changes you have made.


Click this button to display information on how to register DiscPlay.


Type the flashing password into this box to use DiscPlay before it is registered.


Click this button to begin using DiscPlay.

Note:

This button will be disabled until you type the flashing password into the edit box.


Click this button to close DiscPlay.


Resize the sections by dragging the dividers between them.


Displays a list of all possible matches found in the DiscPlay Internet Database.

Note:

Double-click on an album in this list to retrieve its title, artist, copyright, and track names.


Click this button to retrieve the title, artist, copyright, and track names of the highlighted album.

Note:

This button will be disabled if there were no possible matches in the DiscPlay Internet Database or if you have not highlighted an album.


Click this button if the album you are searching for does not initially appear in the list. This will cause DiscPlay to search the DiscPlay Internet Database again, with less-specific search criteria.


Click this button to close the window without retrieving any album information.


Enter the password you received when you registered here.

Note:

You must enter the password exactly as it appears in your registration materials. It is case-sensitive.


Enter the serial number you received when you registered here.

Note:

You must enter the serial number exactly as it appears in your registration materials. It is case-sensitive.


Enter your name here.


Enter your organization's name here.


Click this button to show the previous screen.


Click this button to show the next screen.


Click this button to close the window and accept the registration information you have entered.

Note:

This button will be disabled until you enter the password and serial number correctly.


Click this button to close the window without entering your registration information.


Click this button to close the window.


If this box is checked, DiscPlay will only print the album that is highlighted in the collection list or search results list.

Note:

This box will be disabled if you have not highlighted an album in the list, or if you are printing a single album by using Print Album under the File menu.


Displays the full MS-DOS Pathname of the template that will be used to print the album(s).

Note:

To use a different template, click the Browse button.


Click this button to create or choose a print template (.DPT) file.


If this box is checked, DiscPlay will not allow an album to be split between multiple pages.


If this box is checked, DiscPlay will print only one album per page.


If this box is checked, DiscPlay will print a header on each page. The header is defined in the current print template.


Displays a sample of what the base font for the printout looks like.

Note:

Effects such as boldface, italics, and underlining are controlled by the current print template and will not be displayed here.


Click this button to choose a new base font.

Note:

You may choose a font face and size, but effects such as boldface, italics, and underlining are controlled by the current print template.


Displays the full MS-DOS Pathname of the print template you are editing. This is the template currently selected under the Options tab.

Notes:

To choose a different (existing) template, click the Browse button located under the Options tab.

To create a new template, click the Browse button located under the Options tab, enter a name for the template file, and click the Open button. When you are asked if you'd like to create a new file, click Yes.


Controls the format of the template's header, which is printed on the top of each page of output.


Controls the format of the template's body, which is printed once for each album.


Click this button to save any changes you have made to the template.


Click this button to close the window and begin printing.


Click this button to close the window without printing.


Print Templates

DiscPlay's Print window allows you to create custom print templates. These templates dictate what will be printed in a line-by-line fashion. Please note that creating print templates is a topic for advanced users--for most, the default template and the compact template (COMPACT.DPT) supplied with DiscPlay 3.0 should suffice.

Contents of a Print Template

A print template consists of two separate parts: the header format and the body format.

The header format and body format are simply lists of zero or more format lines (see Layout of Format Lines, below).

The options simply consist of the states of the Do not allow page breaks within album body, Print only one album per page, and Print header checkboxes in the Print window.

Layout of Format Lines

Syntax:

t[as_][as_]...[as_]

Definition:

The first character of any line (t, above) specifies the line type. This can be any of three possible characters:

>	Lines of this type are printed once per album (in the header, all non-divider lines must begin with this character).

}	Lines of this type are printed once per track per album.

-	Lines of this type print a horizontal divider. Any characters after the "-" are ignored.

A series of zero or more item blocks ([as_], above) follow the type character. Item blocks have the format [as_], where:

[,]	Enclose the block data.

a	Specifies the alignment of the block. This character has three possible values:

l	The block is aligned with the left margin.

r	The block is aligned with the right margin.

c	The block is centered.

s	Specifies the style of the block. This character has four possible values:

p	Plain.

b	Bold.

i	Italic.

u	Underline.

_	Text and information tokens to print. Characters preceded by a percent-sign (%) are replaced with data dynamically (see Print Tokens); all other characters are printed as-is.

Example of a Print Template

To illustrate, look at the default print template:

Header Format:

>[lb%P Collection Report][lp (%C Albums)][cp%d][rpPage %p]

-

Interpreting the Header Format:

The header format has two lines: a printing line (notice ">" is the first character), and a dividing line ("-" is the first character).

The first line has four item blocks: [lb%P Collection Report], [lp (%C Albums)], [cp%d], and [rpPage %p].

The first item block, [lb%P Collection Report], will print DiscPlay Collection Report in bold type, left-aligned.

The second item block, [lp (%C Albums)], will print  (n Albums) in plain type, left-aligned.

The third item block, [cp%d], will print mm-dd-yyyy in plain type, centered.

The final item block, [rpPage %p], will print Page n in plain type, right-aligned.

The second line will print a horizontal divider.

The actual header printed will look something like this:

DiscPlay Collection Report (31 Albums)	09-Jan-1996	Page 1

Body Format:

>[lb%T]

>[lp%A]

}[li     %n. %t (%l)]

>

-

>

Interpreting the Body Format:

The body format has six lines: four album lines (those starting with ">"), one track line (starts with "}"), and a divider line.

The first line has a single item block, [lb%T], which prints Album's Title in bold type, left aligned.

The second line has a single item block, [lp%A], which prints Album's Artist in plain type, left aligned.

The third line, which is a track line, has a single item block [li     %n. %t (%l)], which prints       n. Title (mm:ss) once for each track on the album.

The fourth line is an album line that contains no item blocks, so it prints a blank line.

The fifth line prints a divider (notice "-" is the first character of the line).

The final line, like the fourth, simply prints a blank line.

The actual body printed will look something like this:

Album 1 Title

Album 1 Artist

     1. Track 1 Name (0:00)

     2. Track 2 Name (1:00)

     3. Track 3 Name (2:00)

Album 2 Title

Album 2 Artist

     1. Track 1 Name (3:00)

     2. Track 2 Name (4:00)

     3. Track 3 Name (5:00)

     4. Track 4 Name (6:00)


Print Tokens

Print Tokens are characters in a print template format line that are preceded by a percent sign (%). They are replaced with the corresponding information in the following table:

Token	Replaced with

Miscellaneous tokens (use in the header)

%C	Number of albums in the collection

%d	The date when printing began

%P	DiscPlay

%p	Page number

%V	3.0

Album-related tokens (use in > lines)

%A	Artist

%c	Number of tracks

%L	Length (mm:ss)

%G	Category

%N	Album number (1 through number of albums in the collection)

%O	Owner

%R	Copyright

%T	Title

%U	User data

%Y	Year

%0	First line of comments

...	...

%9	Tenth line of comments

Track-related tokens (use in } lines)

%l	Length (m:ss)

%n	Number (1 through number of tracks on the album)

%t	Title


Dialogs

You have selected an album in the Collection Properties window and clicked the Remove button.

Buttons:

Yes: Remove the album from the collection by deleting its album information file.

No: Don't delete the album.

Help: Show this help screen.


Dialogs

An error occurred while DiscPlay was attempting to retrieve information from the DiscPlay Internet Database.


Dialogs

DiscPlay attempted to retrieve information from the DiscPlay Internet Database, but the server was being accessed by someone else. Wait a few seconds and try again.


Dialogs

DiscPlay received an invalid response when it tried to access the DiscPlay Internet Database. Check the URL specified under the Miscellaneous tab in the Options window--it may be missing or incorrect. Contact the author (see the file CONTACTS.TXT) for the correct URL.


Dialogs

DiscPlay was unable to communicate with the DiscPlay Internet Database. This usually means that you are not currently connected to the Internet.


Dialogs

You specified an album information file that is not in the list of folders DiscPlay searches whenever an album is inserted.

Buttons:

Yes: The folder containing the album information file will be added to the list of folders to search.

No: The folder will not be added. You will have to find the file manually again the next time you insert the album.

Help: Show this help screen.


Dialogs

The file you have specified to automatically open when the album is inserted was not found. Check the Pathname specified under the Advanced tab of the Album Properties window.


Dialogs

You specified an album information file that was not associated with the album you inserted.

Buttons:

Yes: The Open dialog will be shown again to let you pick another file.

No: The program will proceed as if this were a new album.

Help: Show this help screen.


Dialogs

DiscPlay could not start-up properly because it experienced an error while trying to get control of the CD drive.

Possible Causes:

Another CD player utility may be active. Close the other utility and click Retry.

Your CD Audio drivers may not be set up properly. See Windows' help for information on setting up your drivers.

Buttons:

Abort: The program will terminate.

Retry: The program will try to get control of the drive again.

Help: Show this help screen.


Dialogs

DiscPlay could not connect to the server that hosts the DiscPlay Internet Database.

Possible Causes:

The URL specified in the Options window may be incorrect. Contact the author (see CONTACTS.TXT) for the correct URL.

There may not be an active connection to the Internet. Open a connection through Dial-Up Networking (see Windows' help).

The server may be too busy to handle your request. Try again later.


Dialogs

You tried to send album information to the DiscPlay Internet Database, but the album didn't contain a title or artist, or no track names were specified. Enter the missing data and try again.


Dialogs

You dropped a file onto DiscPlay's window that is not an album information file, so it does not know what to do with the file.

Buttons:

Yes: The file will be automatically opened each time you insert the album that is currently in the drive.

No: The dropped file will be ignored.


Dialogs

You attempted to close DiscPlay while playback was occurring.

Buttons:

Yes: Playback will be stopped and the program will terminate.

No: The program will terminate without stopping playback. Playback will continue until the current step finishes.

Cancel: The program will not terminate.

Help: Show this help screen.

Note:

To make the program always stop playback without displaying this dialog, set Always stop playback before exiting the program  in the Options window.


Dialogs

You either started DiscPlay with the "/PLAY" command-line switch, or had Automatically start playback when an album is inserted checked in the Options window--but the album's current playlist was empty.


Dialogs

You inserted a CD that contains only one track. This usually means it is a CD-ROM, which cannot be used by DiscPlay.

Buttons:

Yes: DiscPlay will assume that it is an audio CD, and proceed as usual.

No: The CD will be ignored. DiscPlay will look as it does when the drive is empty.

Help: Show this help screen.


Dialogs

You tried to print, but the printer was inaccessible.

Possible Causes:

The printer may be turned off.

You may not have a printer selected or attached to the computer.


Format Strings

Format Strings allow you to specify what text is displayed in the title bar and user information bar of the Player window. The format string is simply a line of regular characters and status tokens (characters preceded by a percent sign). The status tokens are replaced with information dynamically; the regular characters are copied as-is.

Note:

Status tokens and characters enclosed in braces ( {,} ) are displayed only when there is not a disc in the CD drive.

Status tokens and characters enclosed in brackets ( [,] ) are displayed only when there is a disc in the drive.

Other status tokens and characters are always displayed, regardless of whether there is a disc in the drive.

Examples:

%P %V	Displays DiscPlay 3.0 whether there is a disc in the drive or not.

{No }Disc.	Displays Disc. when there is a disc in the drive, No Disc. when there isn't.

[%t (%A)]{No disc.}	Displays Track Name (Artist) when there is a disc in the drive, No disc. when there isn't.


Status Tokens

Status Tokens are characters in a format string (see Options window) that are preceded by a percent sign (%). They are replaced with the corresponding information in the following table:

Token	Replaced with

Miscellaneous tokens

%C	Number of steps in the current playlist

%L	Playlist title

%N	Playlist item number

%P	DiscPlay

%V	3.0

Album-related tokens

%A	Artist

%G	Category

%O	Owner

%R	Copyright

%T	Title

%Y	Year

%0	First line of comments

...	...

%9	Tenth line of comments

Track-related tokens

%m	Minutes elapsed/remaining

%n	Track number

%s	Seconds elapsed/remaining

%t	Title


If this item is checked, DiscPlay will automatically request album information when you insert an unrecognized album.

Note:

If When requesting new album information, use the New Album Wizard is checked, DiscPlay will request information using the New Album Wizard. If it is not checked, it will use the Album Properties window.


If this item is checked, DiscPlay will use the New Album Wizard instead of the Album Properties window when requesting new album information.


If this item is checked, DiscPlay will ignore insertions of single-track CDs without prompting the user for an action to take.

Note:

Single-track CDs are usually CD-ROMs, which cannot be used by DiscPlay.


If this item is checked, DiscPlay will use a default Pathname for newly-created album information files. If it is not checked, you will be asked to specify a Pathname each time a new album is inserted.


If this item is checked, DiscPlay will automatically stop playback when you exit the program. If it is not checked, you will be prompted for an action to take.


If this item is checked, DiscPlay will automatically start playback whenever you insert a CD.


If this item is checked, DiscPlay will not automatically start playback if there is a CD in the drive when you start the program.


Specify the number of seconds of each step to play in intro mode here.


Specify an action to take when the user double-clicks an item in the playlist here.

Actions:

Open the Step Properties window for the double-clicked step.

Begin playing the step.


If this item is checked, a pop-up description will appear whenever you stop the mouse cursor over a control on the Player window.


If this item is checked, the time indicator will show the time remaining in the current track. If it is not checked, the elapsed time will be shown.


If this item is checked, DiscPlay's menu bar will be visible.


If this item is checked, the Player window's position will be saved and restored each time you start DiscPlay. If it is not checked, the window will be centered on the screen.


If this item is checked, the Player window's size (full, playlist, detail, control, or mini) will be saved and restored each time you start DiscPlay. If it is not checked, the window will always appear in full size.


If this item is checked, the Player window will stay in front of all other windows on the screen.

Note:

If any other DiscPlay windows are open (such as an Album Properties window), the setting will have no effect until they are closed.


If this item is checked, the current step in the playlist will be highlighted in red.


If this item is checked, the playlist will automatically scroll to keep the current step in view.

Note:

The steps immediately surrounding the current one will also be kept in view.


The Player window will "stick" to the screen border(s) you select.

Note:

To keep the window in a corner of the screen, select a horizontal and a vertical border.


If this item is checked, an eject button will appear in the system notification tray (Taskbar).


If this item is checked, a stop button will appear in the system notification tray (Taskbar).


If this item is checked, a play/pause button will appear in the system notification tray (Taskbar).


If this item is checked, a previous track button will appear in the system notification tray (Taskbar).


If this item is checked, a next track button will appear in the system notification tray (Taskbar).


If this item is checked, a DiscPlay icon will appear in the system notification tray (Taskbar).

Notes:

Left-click the DiscPlay tray icon to bring the Player window to the front.

Right-click the DiscPlay tray icon to pop-up the Control menu.


Displays a list of the folders that DiscPlay will search for album information files when you insert a CD.


Click this button to remove the highlighted folder from the search path.


Click this button to manually add another folder to the search path.


If this item is checked, DiscPlay will automatically add folders you open while manually locating album information files.

Note:

The setting of this item will have no effect if Always use default filename for new album information files is checked under the General tab.


Displays the folder DiscPlay will create new album information files in. To specify a different folder, click the Browse button.


Click this button to change the default new album folder.


Displays the format string that dictates what is displayed on the title bar of the Player window.


Displays the format string that dictates what is displayed on the user information bar, which is located directly below the time indicator on the Player window.


Displays the URL of the DiscPlay Internet Database. This must be a full URL, including the "http://" prefix.

Notes:

Under normal circumstances you should never change this item.

At the time of this writing the correct URL is “http://www.he.net/cgi-bin/suid/~mattj/dpidb.cgi”.


Displays the address of the cddb Database server to use. There are several servers in operation on the Internet--click on the one nearest you on the world map.


Displays the port to connect to on the cddb Database server.


Displays the geographic location of the currently-selected cddb Database server.


If this item is checked, DiscPlay will attempt to load album information from the cddb Database server whenever you insert a new album.


Click this button to close the Options window and save any changes you have made.


Click this button to close the Options window without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to save any changes you have made, without closing the window.


Opens the Collection Properties window.


Opens the volume-control application (by default, this is Windows' standard Volume Control, SNDVOL32.EXE).


Ejects or retracts the CD drive's tray.


Stops playback and moves to the beginning of the first step in the playlist.


Starts or pauses playback.


If fewer than 2 seconds have elapsed in playback of a step, moves to the previous step in the playlist. Otherwise, moves playback to the beginning of the current step.


Moves playback to the beginning of the next step in the playlist.


Displays the current playback position within the current step. Drag the scroll thumb to a different location to jump to another part of the step.


Displays the steps in the current playlist.

Notes:

Drag steps within this list to re-order them.

Drag tracks from the Track List window onto this list to add them to the playlist.

Drag steps from this list onto a different playlist's tab to add them to that playlist.

Drag steps from this list onto the Delete button to remove them.


Click this button to remove the current playlist.

Note:

You cannot remove the "Album" playlist.


Click this button to create a new custom playlist.


Click this button to rename the playlist.


Click this button to shuffle the steps in the current playlist.

Note:

Drag a single step onto this button to randomize the location of that step only.


Click this button to delete the currently-selected step from the playlist.

Note:

You may also drag a step onto this button to delete it.


Click this button to change the starting position, ending position, and title of the currently-selected step in the playlist.


Click this button to display the Track List window.


Click this button to open an Album Properties window for the currently-inserted album.