Hi, this is probably the sixth or seventh place I''m posting in hope to find someone who might solve the problem rather concisely described by the name of the thread. Namely, I''m using BC5.02 and any attempt to compile DirectShow8 code (to play mp3 audio) results in the compiler generating an error about rpcndr.h being too old. I haven''t been able to find any kind of solution to this problem, so I turned to third party libraries to do the job for me (namely bass.dll). At one point however, an option emerged that it might be possible for me and a couple of other guys in on the project to make some money if we include certain elements in the game. This money comes from a corporation, not from the end user - the end product will still be free. However, it is my understanding that by accepting money and basically advertising the sponsor in the game forces the game to qualify as a non-freeware product, hence forcing us to pay for the use of bass.dll. This presents us with a bit of a predicament - how to play mp3 audio? Are there any other completely free third party libraries out there that can do the trick or does anyone here perhaps know the solution to the Borland and DirectShow problems. Thanks, Crispy

DirectX 9 has a sample that plays MP3s and Microsoft has already taken care of the royalties, but I don''t think DX9 works with Borland so I''m not sure if that helps you.

Try the ogg vorbis files.

quote: Ogg Vorbis is a new audio compression format. It is roughly comparable to other formats used to store and play digital music, such as MP3, VQF, AAC, and other digital audio formats. It is different from these other formats because it is completely free, open, and unpatented

http://www.vorbis.com

- Edit -

Oh I believe the library is free to use in commercial products too.

--
Before I couldn't spell engineer, now I are one!

[edited by - ShockBoy on January 12, 2003 12:05:55 PM]

audiere http://audiere.sourceforge.net/
works great, easy to use
plays mp3, ogg, mod, xm, it, others

The Audiere lib looks very promising. Just to make sure I understood the LGPL license correctly - I can use it in commercial applications. Right?

Regarding ogg - I''ve given it a thought, but I''d like to stick to mp3 for the time being - can''t really reason why...

Thanks for the replies!

Crispy

SMPEG works ok for me.

http://www.icculus.org/smpeg/

You would only stick to MP3 if you only have your files in MP3 (and not wave). Converting MP3->OGG is not a good plan, there will be a serious loss in quality (lossy to lossy compression). If you have original waves, then use OGG, it is much eaiser.

PS: I use borland, and I know what a bitch DirectX can be. I feel your pain.

Do not meddle in the affairs of moderators, for they are subtle and quick to anger. ANDREW RUSSELL STUDIOS
Cool Links :: [ GD | TG | MS | NeHe | PA | SA | M&S | TA | LiT | H*R ]
Got Clue? :: [ Start Here! | Google | MSDN | GameDev.net Reference | OGL v D3D | File Formats | Asking Questions | Go FAQ yourself ]

I''ll definitely have a look at SMPEG. Thanks for the link.

Andrew: the original files are created in MadTracker and then exported as wav''s, so there''s really no difference into which format they will be converted later on.

Regarding Borland and DirectX - I have successfully created an application that uses DirectSound and DirectInput. I don''t have a BC5.5 (haven''t got around to downlaoding it), but a friend of mine does, and it (5.5) can compile the abovementioned DirectShow stuff as well. Too bad Borland has given up on hardcore C++ and moved to stuff like BCBuilder, Kylix and such. btw, can anyone tell me if the (new) BCB compiler also supports C++ source files (or are the two really the same) - to me there''s a quite an obscure line between the two...

Crispy