i am making a distributable usb for a charity.
i have vlc port on a usb, and also a folder called 'video' containing a single m4v file. (the video is in it's own folder in case people want to download it to their pc)
i also created a shortcut in the root of the usb pointing to a playlist of the single video so that when clicked, it automatically plays the video.
this works well on the computer it was created on, but not, of course, when used on another where the drive letter for the usb might have changed.
a. is it possible to automatically load the video, (with a command line)so skipping the playlist shortcut. ie. create a shortcut directly to vlc to play video?
b. i have searched the net to find a SIMPLE method of making the usb paths relative so it will work in any pc. i'm very confused. could someone help me out or point me to a idiot proof tut 
thanks for your time,
leslie
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If it's a legit non-profit charity, you may be able to use the PA.c Platform to easily launch it plus some other stuff for free. Drop a note to our business development email address with the details.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
thanks john, really appreciate that - unfortunately i can't find a 'business development email address' anywhere?
i did have a look at the app though - would it be what i'm looking for since i didn't read anything about relative paths or anything connected with 'stand alone'?
anyway, again thanks for your interest
leslie
It's on the About page
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
You could use a bat file like this:
start "" %~dp0/VLCPortable/VLCPortable.exe %~dp0/videofolder/video.avipaste above code into a text editor, edit the folder and video name, save it as PLAY.bat or something (make sure it's a bat) and double click it.
Another option, as you suggested was add the command line option into the launcher, as John just offered
Yes, I set the working directory!
thanks for that bennieboi,
interestingly i just received this suggestion from a friend:
@echo off
Start ..\VLCPortable\VLCPortable.exe ..\..\video\nst.m4v
what would be the difference between yours and his?
btw - they both work - many thanks
@echooff prevents the actual commands from showing and shows only the ouput. This can be useful, keep this line. It's not needed because the command prompt will close as soon as vlc will open but it won't hurt to keep itI added "" to the start command to make the title invisible, not that you'll actually notice it because to command prompt will close so fast. Same point as above, it can't hurt to keep it.
Next the only difference is where the bat file is located relative to the folders:
..means that it goes one folder up in the directory structure starting from the current working directory which would only be usefull if the script is not in the same folder as the two other folders or all three are at the root of the drive.%~dp0means that we start from the directory where the script lives and go on from there.Basically you only need to decide for yourself which structure you want to use (location of the bat file relative to the folders, where you want to place the files in general).
Yes, I set the working directory!
thank you for a very clear and understandable explanation, it is most appreciated indeed.
i think i'm going to have a very happy charity
again, thanks....