Application: XMPlay
Category: Music & Video
License: Freeware
Language: English
Description: XMPlay is an audio player, supporting the OGG/MP3/MP2/MP1/WMA/WAV/CDA/MO3/IT/XM/S3M/MTM/MOD/UMX audio formats and PLS/M3U/ASX/WAX playlists.
Download XMPlay Portable 3.6 Dev Test 1 [1+1MB download / 1MB installed]
(MD5: 319def0ec921ddac26b67b25e4fa3ed1)
Online Installer: This is an online installer that will download additional files during setup.
Plugins:
Download AAC/MP4 for XMPlay Portable Dev Test 6 [1+1MB download / 1MB installed]
(MD5: 8226347625858312264d3330199b8ac5)
Online Installer: This is an online installer that will download additional files during setup.
Download Album and Cover Art Rev 6 for XMPlay Portable Dev Test 2 [1+1MB download / 1MB installed]
(MD5: 5471e723070669a829903c284fcbefc8)
Online Installer: This is an online installer that will download additional files during setup.
Download FLAC Rev 7 for XMPlay Portable Dev Test 2 [1+1MB download / 1MB installed]
(MD5: 31a316ae2c4aea4cddbc14b9592fd98b)
Online Installer: This is an online installer that will download additional files during setup.
Download LAME 3.98.4 Encoder for XMPlay Portable Dev Test 1 [1+1MB download / 1MB installed]
(MD5: dd67b632eebba9ff6277dedc88bfc30d)
Online Installer: This is an online installer that will download additional files during setup.
Release Notes:
3.6 Dev Test 1 (2010-12-23):
- XMPlay has been updated to 3.6.
- Added path portability (incl. library).
- LAME plugin - updated to 3.98.4.
- Album and Cover Art plugin - removed check for custom settings directory.
- AAC/MP4 & FLAC plugins - updated to PAI 2.0.8.
3.5.1 Dev Test 4 (2010-02-25):
- Improved drive switching code. Thanks Gringoloco.
3.5.1 Dev Test 3 (2010-02-25):
-
"newtextreplace.dll" is now unloaded on exit, so no folder left in %TEMP% (which only appeared if drive letter was actually changed). Note to prapper: RTFM! - Added support for Album and Cover Art plugin (location of download folder is absolute path in "vis.ini").
- Added Album and Cover Art plugin.
- Packaging for AAC/MP4, FLAC & LAME plugins updated (naming convention was confusing). No file/functionality changed since 2010-02-21.
3.5.1 Dev Test 2 (2010-02-21):
- Updated to NewTextReplace_v0.4.
- Updated FLAC & AAC/MP4 plugins.
3.5.1 Dev Test 1 (2010-02-10):
- XMPlay has been updated to 3.5.1.
3.5 Dev Test 2 (2010-01-15):
- Drive switching code updated to NewTextReplaceV0.2.
- Library backup file is now backed up.
3.5 Dev Test 1 (2009-12-23):
- XMPlay updated to 3.5. No issues.
3.4.2.1 Dev Test 4 (2009-12-11):
-
XMPlay's library is now portable. Huge thanks to Gringoloco for his ReplaceInFileUnicode function.
- I've left the debugging files in for the moment so you'll see the *.old & *.new library files in the settings directory. If you're not having any problems with the library they can be safely ignored.
- Directory structure has changed again in an attempt to speed things up. If you're upgrading, just move the plugins, skins & visuals folders into 'App\XMPlay' before running this new version.
- All plugin installers have been updated to reflect the above directory changes.
3.4.2.1 Dev Test 3 (2009-11-15):
- Plugins and skins are now in 'Data' instead of 'Data\settings'. After updating, just move the existing 'plugins' and 'skins' folders up one level to 'Data'.
- Added 'Data\visuals' folder. After updating, move any visual plugins from 'Data\plugins' into this folder (this is for organization only).
- Updated all plugin installers, removing the (now unnecessary) folder check. All plugins will now install before first run.
- Settings directory is now configurable before first run.
- Bingo!
3.4.2.1 Dev Test 2 (2009-11-12):
- $SETTINGSDIRECTORY is now bullet-proof.
- A few minor PA.c Format tweaks.
Plugins (2009-10-17): Added
- AAC/MP4
- FLAC
- LAME 3.98 Encoder
3.4.2.1 Dev Test 1 (2009-10-15): Initial release
Known Issues:
The library will not follow a changing drive letter as the launcher is unable to write to the relevant files. You can get around this by saving your playlists as M3U files. All paths are written relative to the root of the drive by default.
Notes:
Skins are here. You're going to want one :-)
Tested with:
XP Home SP3 (Admin)
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Patrick for hosting.
I know the feeling about beta applications here, but I wanted to discuss the manner in which XMPlay is upgraded.
As people use the program and find issues and/or request features, the author puts out a new version of the .exe file. I won't post the link to that newest version since I don't need my wrist slapped. Suffice to say that anyone can look for the right "stuff" and download it themselves.
While I'm all for sticking with the "official release" version, it currently lacks several features that many people want, such as album art. You can install either of the two album art add-ons, and nothing will work, since the feature was implemented AFTER the last official release. Same goes for some of the library/history features.
And you are right about the skins. There are some nice ones. Unfortunately, the official XMPlay link you gave provides only a few of the skins. The official XMPlay support site has a different selection of skins. Further, there are some nice skins that are buried as posts in the XMPlay support forum.
And the last thing for this post is that some skins are "compiled", but others are available as a group of source files. The compiled ones are a lot smaller, but the source files can be manipulated (with a text editor or a graphics program) to tweak the skin or use as a start for your own skin.
Oh... someone asked today about having an online radio program available as a portable application. XMPlay does that, and it even records the stream, too.
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
Yeah, I agree with everything you say. I just wanted to keep it simple though. The link to the support site is in the help file if anyone wants to root around installing the stuff/plugins/skins etc. (maybe I'll do a couple of plugin installers). Thanks for clarifying though.
My comment regarding the skins was meant to infer that I thought the default one was terrible
:-)
Or is it just me?That's right... the default skin isn't very appealing. I gave the alternate skin location in my post so that others could check the options.
I know it is just a name, but the Neutron skin (preview and download) is pretty nice.
For radio use, I found the source file skin called ImAbar (Royale Vista) (direct download link!!) very good.
Someone here could make a shiny red metallic skin like the one made for CoolPlayer. Unfortunately, CoolPlayerPortable doesn't allow skin changes from the "official" one. As you say, simple is easy, but I don't support removing all options like that.
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
Added online installers for AAC/MP4, FLAC and LAME 3.98 Encoder
They don't want to install. It just gives the "you must run xmplay portable at least once" error and the installer halts (doesn't exit; I have to click Cancel manually).
I have loaded the application and even changed some settings, so if it's looking for xmplay.ini, it's there.
It's looking for the Data\settings directory which is why you need to run the app once (so it gets created) which you've obviously done. I just installed the app and all the plugs to test and everything is working ok here. Any other info you can give me? Are all directories the defaults? The only thing I can suggest at the moment is you try a fresh install.
EDIT: Changing the name of the settings directory with the INI will cause this. But I'm presuming you haven't?
Edit: I see Neutron was already on top of this.
There's a bug in XMPlay Portable Dev Test 1 where, if you change the name of the settings directory with the INI, the default files won't be copied correctly, breaking portability. It'll also cause the plugin installers to fail. Sorry about that
Temporary solution - don't change the name of the settings directory with the INI
Does anybody ever do this anyway?
Almost no apps will copy if you change paths because you could have changes the path to everything and then it can't find the defaults. If someone is want to be mucking with paths, they should do it after first run. Nearly all apps are like this.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
See release notes for changes.
To solve the problem of the destination folder for the plugin installers, would it be better to have this -
instead of the current situation with everything in the settings directory?
I would definitely keep everything separate like that.
This makes it look like my current (manual, non-paf) setup.
I have:
It just made sense to keep different things together separately. (How's that for a strange sentence?)
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
Agreed
Why do you have a Playlists folder though? XMPlay won't automatically 'see' any playlists apart from "xmplay.pls" in it's root folder.
Will it?
There are other players that use playlists in different ways. I just copied the playlists into XMPlay's folder structure, and wanted them to be separate from the rest of the files. I drop the playlist files onto XMPlay to make them play.
It probably made more sense when I was comparing the players head to head.
Oh... right now I'm using FreeCommander as my "launcher" instead of PAM. It gives me a lot of flexibility in running what and where I want, especially when playing around with new programs. So I'm not restricted to seeing only an .exe file in a menu.
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
So I'm not missing anything then.
XYplorerFree here btw.
I'm inclined to agree. Perhaps Dev Test 3 is on the cards
Before I upload DT3 (which doesn't contain any default data) can your clarify whether the (empty) DefaultData folder is still required?
See release notes for changes.
I was recently discussing portability on the XMPlay forum, and mentioned your note about library drive-letter portability.
They pointed me to the library format, which may help?
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
Thanks for posting that. Glad the hint re: M3U was helpful to the OP
Re: the library. I confess, that info, interesting though it was, went right over my head Until somebody (and it won't be me) comes up with a way of writing to these types of files without corrupting them, I am stuck on the library issue, unfortunately.
I'm beginning to feel a little out of my depth round here lately LOL.
There *is* a rather steep drop-off as you go toward the deep end of the swimming pool.
I thought that other launchers might deal with drive-letter portability by modifying the ini files (or whatever), and this would follow down that road.
There's been enough concern about the library file integrity that by default it keeps a backup copy. That's not a very good sign, is it?
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
Don't worry about it
Yeah, drive letter portability is normally handled by modifying files. If the library was stored in an INI, CFG, XML etc. we would be OK but the XMPlay one is a binary file (as I understand it, or not!) which, using the standard ConfigWrite, ReplaceInFile etc., gets corrupted if the launcher (rather than the app) modifies it. I think.
There are a lot of examples here but the most recent is µTorrent, where you have to enter relative paths in the GUI rather than letting the launcher do it's thing, hence all the 'µTorrent ate my files' posts. Just to finish off with the culinary references And as that's wraithdu's project, if he can't do it, nobody can.
I never bothered backing up the library files with the launcher. Do you think that's something I should be doing?
Well, I did open the library file in a Notepad-style text editor. Since this particular library holds only URLs, it must look different than a "normal" one that shows the full paths to individual music files. Even so, it is mostly human-readable stuff.
The latest beta version of xmplay.exe changes the library format to allow "ratings" of items in the library. So if you decide to muck around in the library, you might want to be aware of that format change.
You can disable backup of xmplay.library to xmplay.library~ before updating by manually inserting "NoBackup=1" in the xmplay.ini file.
There's other "secret settings" (settings which don't appear in the configuration interface) and there's a discussion I had with Ian (the XMPlay author) about them. You can look there, or I can repost it here if you'd rather. One such setting is very important to us here (and it is now standard): "NoReg=1" disables Windows registry use and relies on xmplay.ini to hold settings.
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
The launcher creates the INI and sets that entry on first run, so I knew about that one!
I just looked at the launcher and it seems it does back the library file up. And, although it's human read-able (as some of them seem to be), it still won't tolerate any manipulation, at least in this version of the app. It sounds like I need to have another look, especially if things have changed recently (haven't used the library for ages) but, if it's only with the latest betas, I'm not sure how to use it here. I'll check it out though. Thanks for the info.
I am willing to help.
This library file looks straight forward. The problem is ReplaceInfile is not doing a very good job, but it isn't that hard to write a peace of code what does the Replace byte by byte.
I will have a look now !
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
I think the problem is that it is UTF8, not ANSI like NSIS. NSIS Unicode with plugins updated to Unicode could probably do it.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
just using 'filereadbyte, compare & writebyte' does the trick. The code is a bit more complicated then that, but work fine enough !
Just a second, will do some small testing on the library file and after will send the code !
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
Thanks to everybody who is taking a look at this issue.
Your efforts are appreciated all around!
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
Done testing changing the driveletter and back again, after checked the file with WinMerge !
Also done a quick test on the push and pop's, all the variables stay ok.
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
We'll need to have someone test this with a library file with wid chars in the path names (Chinese, Japanese, etc) to be sure it works properly.
Thanks for working on this, Gringoloco
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
By the way the "push $6 & push $7" seem to be mixed up, but aren't.
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
Just loaded some Cyrillic file name songs in to the library, and exited XMplay.
Then changed the drive letter of the usb device through Computer Managment and separately updated the library file drive letter. Copied it back into Data\settings and restarted XMplay. Cyrillic letters are still in order !
[edit] by the way, this is basically the same code I am using for Winamp and is tested well on that app. (that's why I could get out this fast)
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
I thought it would be a better idea.
As well I fixed a bug in the above code, cause I just copied/pasted a function into an .nsh file the search & replacement strings got swapped around.
ReplaceInFileWithUnicode.nsh
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
The following is a zip file containing the exe,nsi & nsh files.
Just unpack them into the XMPlayerPortable folder, and use XMplayerPortableFix.exe to start XMPlayer, you will see the Library will be updated !
XMPlayerPortableFix
Ps.:I've tested it with Cyrillic, just the XMPlayer tab bar seems to not show the Cyrillic well, but that is probably related to something else.
And I've found a bug, when updating it but the $OLDDRIVE is empty, it seems to mess things up. It definitely needs more testing !
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
or may I call you Gringo?
Have to pop out soon as mrs. prapper and I are taking three sick kittens to the vet but will test later when we get back. Thanks for looking at this It's such a stumbling block on so many apps...
So, is "sick kittens" becoming a standard excuse?
Just kidding....honest!
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
Good luck on that. Leo took well over a week to get better (including 5 days at the vet).
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
We foster cats for a local charity and the three we've had for the last six weeks have been through it a bit. A couple of them were rescued from a rubbish tip would you believe. Two got the all clear and the third has a week more of meds just to be safe, so all are fine now We've had to keep them in isolation too, which requires major planning in our small flat!
Just a quick report to say that DT4 is up & running with a portable library! Well done Gringoloco, that is a major achievement, in my book. I haven't tested with any other languages etc. and the library only contains ten tunes but it's all looking good so far
Am I missing something but won't $OLDDRIVE only be empty on first run? In which case it wouldn't matter as, even if someone wanted to drop an existing library file in, they would run it first wouldn't they? Or maybe I should check the INI string actually contains something before updating the library. Or is that too cautious?
Before I upload it for testing, a couple more questions (perhaps John could chip in here) -
In all previous dev tests I've been moving the folders in and out of the app directory but I'm finding this unusually slow, even though there's hardly anything in them (and I'm on an external HDD). As I can never settle on whether it's better (for various reasons) to move or leave/preserve them, maybe somebody else should make the decision for me! Actually, the whole app dir is preserved at the moment in case of cancelled/failed downloads and I'm presuming this is OK as all files are overwritten on a succesful upgrade anyway.
And again, Gringoloco, excellent work, very impressive!
See release notes for changes.
Just noticed I forgot to unload the registry plugin at the end. Fixed now but please download & install DT4 again.
Well, the discussion of "beta or not" has been concluded.
Version 3.5 was just officially released.
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
See release notes for changes.
I developed a new plugin, to use instead of ReplaceInFileWithUnicode.nsh !
It's based on the same code as the normal TextReplace plugin, so it shouldn't have (m)any bugs. As well it is a much faster solution, than the macro XMPlayPortable is using now!
My self I have tested it on several files including 'xmplay.library' and UTF16LE files.
So you would do me a favor if you could include it in XMPlay Portable for additional testing !
https://portableapps.com/node/21840
Thanx
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
this is just a random comment about XMplay and a "feature" with skins. I have no idea if this issue has been fixed and it was part of XMPlay itself, nothing to do with the portable version so perhaps it's not even relevant here. However, I recall that paths to skins were saved as absolute and so consquently XMPlay would revert to the default skin if you used it from different locations with different drive letters etc.
Is this an issue here? I'm assuming not, since the launcher probably handles all that business. I supposed I should give XMplayPortable a test really shouldn't I, since it is my preferred MP3 player.
Looking forward to this one hitting the shelves.
Path to skins is relative, so no problems here.
See release notes for changes.
See release notes for changes.
Any problems with 'NewTextReplace' so far ?
I would appreciate it if you would update to the latest 'NewTextReplace Beta 4'.
Sorry for all the updates, and changes in the usage, but this version is basically the final major update.
It's configured so all you have to do is, include NewTextReplace.nsh, and it works in combination with ReplaceInFileWithTextReplace.nsh
Do away with 'UTF16.nsh'
This is all, cause I finaly code all of it in C, and could do away with the additional NSIS macros.
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
No problems so far. Thanks again, updated
See release notes for changes.
Release notes set to Dev test 1 (Copy+Paste Error :p)
Thanks for all the application updates in the last hour or so.
PortableApps.com Advocate
Fixed.
No problem
See release notes for changes.
With the NewTextReplace plugin, you should be able to use it in combination with ReplaceInFileWithTextReplace.nsh !
Just include NewTextReplace.nsh instead of TextReplace.nsh
Probably something like this:
It re-compiles for me, but let me know if you have some problems.
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
OK, are you around for a while and I'll upload a quick test that you can have a look at and make sure I'm getting this right?
I'll be in all evening.
But it should be fine, this is the way I've used it for WinampPortable as well!
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
OK, test is at the bottom of the OP. Maybe you could give it the once over? Thanks
That's it, exactly as I meant it to be used !
gave it a small test, and it changes all the drive-letters as expected
Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32
Thanks for that
See release notes for changes.
I don't know how closely you're following the XMPlay developments, but the newest (stuff) version of XMPlay has an actual spectrum display on the main screen. Previously, any display was simulated (fake) moving bars. Updated skins are required to show the new feature, and are being tweaked.
I'm mentioning this for two reasons... first, some people might have wandered away in search of the eye-candy (which is now available in beta), and second, to let you know that significant changes are brewing. Once things get right, I'd anticipate a new (stable) release.
Edit: I can provide links to download the stuff version and updated skins if anybody is interested.
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
A list of what's changed between the last release and the latest stuff would be useful. Is there such a thing?
I've been away for a bit, so I didn't answer right away.
Here's the changelog detailing the exact item(s) addressed for each beta update version:
http://www.un4seen.com/forum/?topic=10759.msg82828#msg82828
Each entry on the list is a link to the error report and/or discussion.
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
See release notes for changes.
XMPlay version 3.6 now supports a real-time live audio spectrum display. Unfortunately, the default skin does not have this feature, since it is a carry-over from the previous (3.5.1) stable version.
So, this means that if a user wants to see the new audio spectrum display, they have to separately download new skins that have this feature enabled.
Here's a list of the new skins with download links:
Euphoria 1.1 - http://www.un4seen.com/download.php?skin/Euphoria.xmpskin
Aiwa 2.1 - http://www.un4seen.com/download.php?skin/Aiwa%20Z-D3300M%20v2.1.zip
A-Round - http://www.un4seen.com/download.php?skin/A-Round.xmpskin
WAModern (5 variations) - http://www.un4seen.com/download.php?skin/WAModern
Rated - http://www.un4seen.com/download.php?skin/Rated.xmpskin
My favorites are Euphoria and the Nightvision variation of WAModern.
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
I am eager to utilize the portable path problem with XM Play. I downloaded the installer. It throws an error saying it cannot download XMPlay 3.6
I downloaded 3.6 manually, and placed in existing portable apps directory for 3.5, and 3.6 works, but I am fairly certain the install does not reflect the new version portable apps (it is running 3.6 XMPlay).
Any ideas?
Thanks.
-Mike