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Road Map to QuickTime 4
The sections in this chapter introduce QuickTime: what it is, what you can do with it, and a little bit of how it works. Read one or more of these sections if you are new to QuickTime, or new to this version of QuickTime.
This chapter also introduces the concept of components and some of the main component types that are part of QuickTime. Many QuickTime services, such as image compression and decompression, are provided by components. A very basic understanding of components is required to make use of them from an application.
QuickTime Quick StartQuickTime Quick Start gives a concise overview of QuickTime. It includes a list of frequently-asked questions. This is a good place to start reading if you are new to QuickTime.
Introduction to QuickTimeIntroduction to QuickTime is the original introduction to QuickTime from Inside Macintosh. The newer features of QuickTime are not discussed, but this remains the most complete introduction to QuickTime concepts, architecture, and tools.
Introduction to MoviesIntroduction to Movies follows the Introduction to QuickTime and describes how movies are put together, with discussion of time base, movies, tracks, and media. Read this section if you are new to QuickTime and want more details.
About MoviesAbout Movies directly follows "Introduction to Movies" and provides technical details on how movies are put together, with hands-on discussion of tracks, media, spatial properties, sound, and the nuts and bolts of opening and editing movie files. You should read this section for a solid technical introduction to these topics.
What's New In QuickTime 4What's New in QuickTime 4 introduces all of the features added to QuickTime since version 1.6 (up to version 4.02). Programmers familiar with earlier versions of QuickTime should start here.
Overview of QuickTime For WindowsOverview of QuickTime For Windows serves as a general introduction to QuickTime for the Windows programmer, focusing on issues that the Windows programmer needs to be aware of. The QuickTime for Windows API for release 3.0 and later is quite different from preceding versions of QuickTime.
If you are a Windows programmer new to QuickTime, you should read the other introductory material listed in this chapter first. At that point, you may wish to read the entire QuickTime for Windows Programming Guide, then refer to the rest of the QuickTime documentation as needed for reference.
Introduction to ComponentsIntroduction to Components describes what components are and how they are used by applications.
QuickTime Components OverviewQuickTime Component Overview describes some of the main QuickTime component types, including diagrams that show the role each component plays during typical operations. Detailed overviews are given of the following component operations: