1. terms used in MediaCommands,
2. some new & important functions provided by MediaCommands,
3. file formats developed or enhanced by MediaCommands.

Section 1. System

• a video player,
• an image viewer,
• an image (video or animation) karaoke simulator (supports animated lyrics overlaying on video / 3D animation in real time without using any other hardware equipment),
• a 3D animation viewer,
• a kaleidoscope viewer,
• an electronic photo album generator,
• a stage performing partner,
• a presentation tool ... ,
  
  

1. Waiting Time - time to wait before the media file is actually played
2. Starting Position - starting position of the media file to be played
3. Duration - length of the part of the media file to be played

1. select "Preferences" from the Main popup menu (right-click on the Main Module of the player to get the popup menu),
2. select the "System" page,
3. select the "Auto Play" page,
4. check the "Apply auto playing mode" checkbox,
5. check the "Apply current auto play timing settings to all media file" checkbox,
6. enter the required silent interval for Waiting Time.

Section 2. Playlist

1. pressing the "Media File Settings" button in the playlist module, or
2. selecting the "Edit Media File Settings" option in the popup menu of the playlist module (right-click on the playlist to get the popup menu).

1. Use the mouse to drag a media file in the playlist and drop it at the required position when the playlist is sorted by "Custom Order".
   
   
2. Change the "title" of the media file in the playlist through the "Name" page of the Media File Settings Editor when the playlist is sorted by "Playlist Title".
   
   
3. Select "Sort Media File by ..." option in the popup menu of the playlist, and sort the playlist by any one of the following methods: Customer Order, Playlist Title, ID3/Ogg Title, ID3/Ogg Artist, ID3/Ogg Album, ID3/Ogg Comment, ID3/Ogg Genre and ID3/Ogg Year (right-click on the playlist to get the popup menu).
   
   
4. Use the "Shuffle" function of MediaCommands.

1. save volume settings to the media file,
2. save lyrics settings to the media file.

1. save volume settings to the media file,
2. save lyrics settings to the media file,
3. save video settings to the media file.

1. save volume settings to the media file,
2. save lyrics settings to the media file,
3. save animation settings to the media file.

1. selecting the "Save settings to media" option in the Main popup menu of the player (right-click on the main module to get the popup menu),
   
   
2. selecting the "Save volume settings to media" option in the popup menu of the Theatre (Karaoke Simulator) (right-click on the image to get the popup menu).

1. selecting the "Save settings to media" option in the Main popup menu of the player (right-click on the main module to get the popup menu),
   
   
2. selecting the "Save lyrics settings to media" option in the popup menu of the Theatre (Karaoke Simulator) (right-click on the image to get the popup menu).

1. playlist background image,
2. hide or show line number,
3. number of spaces after the number,
4. font name,
5. font size,
6. normal text color,
7. selected text color,
8. left margin for each line (maximum 30 lines),
9. top margin,
10. line height,
11. number of lines per page,
12. media files sorting method,
13. show or hide the "Custom Order Number".

1. create a directory used for distribution,
2. copy all the required files into the directory,
3. create a playlist for playing the media files in the directory,
4. make attachments and save all the required settings into each media file in the playlist,
5. test the playlist,
6. set each media file in the playlist to "Auto Path" by pressing the "Auto Path" Button in the Media File Settings Editor (the "Auto Path" Button MUST be pressed again if user needs to re-activate the Media File Settings Editor to modify settings of the media file),
7. save the playlist into the directory for distribution,
8. re-load the playlist into MediaCommands from the directory and test the playlist again,
9. Write all the files in the directory into CDR or diskette, or ZIP all the files into one unit,
10. re-test the "final product" and then send the CDR, diskette or ZIP file to other MediaCommands users.

1. select "CD / VCD / DVD Playlist" from the Main popup menu (right-click on the Main Module of the player to get the popup menu),
2. select "Download CDMI Playlist" or "Download Freedb Playlist".

1. select "CD / VCD / DVD Playlist" from the Main popup menu (right-click on the Main Module of the player to get the popup menu),
2. select "CDMI CD & Lyrics Registrar".

Section 3. Lyrics

1. To allow words (or syllables) to have their own timing, a new time tag called "Word Time Tag  <mm:ss.xx>" is introduced. It is distinguished from the original time tag ("Line Time Tag  [mm:ss.xx]") by the symbols '<' and '>'.
   
   
2. Since the timing of the words (or syllables) in each line of the repeated lines may be different, MediaCommands decided to omit the repeated line format. But still, MediaCommands can read repeated lines with "Line Time Tags  [mm:ss.xx]".
   
   
3. In order to handle all the existing 'LRC' files, MediaCommands decided to raise the accuracy of timing from 1/10 sec to 1/100 sec.
   
   
4. In order to save more information into the lyrics file, MediaCommands decided to add 3 more info tags: "Version [ve:]", "Author [au:]" and "Remarks [re:]".
   
   
5. Since there are funtions in MediaCommands to add or subtract a time interval to or from all the time tags simultaneously, the "[offset:]" info tag is omitted.

1. the "File" option in the main menu of the Lyrics Editor after a MP3/Ogg media file is loaded,
2. the "Lyrics" page of the Media File Settings Editor.

1. the "File" option in the main menu of the Lyrics Editor after a Midi media file is loaded,
2. the "Lyrics" page of the Media File Settings Editor.

                              KA2 File
                          ...
                          ... KA2 data
                          ...
   
      --------------------- Lyrics Block ---------------------
      -                 Header size (2 bytes)                -
      -   -------------------- Header --------------------   -
      -   -     Field size - Version Number (1 byte)     -   -
      -   -     Field Data - Version Number              -   -
      -   -     Field size - Software Name (1 byte)      -   -
      -   -     Field data - Software Name               -   -
      -   -     Field size - Company Name (1 byte)       -   -
      -   -     Field data - Company name                -   -
      -   ------------------------------------------------   -
      -      Lyrics data size = LRC file size (2 byte)   -   -
      -   ----------------- Lyrics data ------------------   -   
      -   -                                              -   -
      -   -            ...                               -   -
      -   -            ... LRC file data                 -   -
      -   -            ...                               -   -
      -   -                                              -   -
      -   ------------------------------------------------   -
      -                                                  -   -
      -                         00                       -   -
      -           padded with byte 00 if not used        -   -
      -                         00                       -   -
      -                                                  -   -
      --------------------------------------------------------
                  Lyrics Block Size (2 bytes)
                  Block Name - "LYRICS" (6 bytes)
                  Block Name size - "6" (1 byte)
                  ID3 Tag (128 bytes, optional)

1. Header data must be written on top of the Lyrics Block.
2. Lyrics data must follow the Header data immediately.
3. All the unused area in the Lyrics Block must be padded with byte 00.
4. When the Lyrics Block is updated with a new Lyrics Block of size larger than the original size, the Lyrics Block Size field MUST be updated with the new size. Otherwise, DO NOT MODIFY this field.

1. the "Lyrics Options" option in the popup menu of the Main module (right-click on the main module to get the popup menu),
2. the "Lyrics Options" option in the popup menu of the Theatre (Karaoke Simulator) (right-click on the image to get the popup menu).
3. the "Lyrics" page of the Media File Settings Editor.

1. Lines (for all completed, current and incompleted lines),
2. Focused Word (for current word only), and
3. Completed Words (for completed words of the current line).

Section 4. Audio Media File

1. select "Preferences" from the Main popup menu (right-click on the Main Module of the player to get the popup menu),
2. select "Audio" page,
3. select "Audio CD",
4. select "Playback mode",

Section 5. Image Media File

Section 6. Video Media File

1. the "Video" Page of the Media File Settings Editor,
2. the "Video Options" option in the popup menu of the Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) (right-click on the video to get the popup menu).

1. Right-click on the video to get the popup menu of the Theatre (Karaoke Emulator).
2. Select "Lyrics display mode" in "Video Options" from the popup menu, and then select "Overlay on video".
3. Select "Show video lyrics" in "Video Options" from the popup menu if no lyrics shown.

Section 7. Theatre

1. By selecting "Maximized image (TV / Mon)" in the popup menu of the Theatre, user can set the Theatre to display on the primary or the secondary monitor/TV.
2. Pressing the [Esc] key (or double-clicking on the image/video of the Theatre) can bring the Theatre back to the primary monitor if it is displaying on the secondary monitor/TV.
3. If the Theatre is not activated, user can preset the Theatre to display on the secondary monitor/TV as follows:
   
   
   1. select "Preferences" from the Main popup menu (right-click on the Main Module of the player to get the popup menu),
   2. select "System" page,
   3. select "Dual Monitor" page,
   4. check "Secondary Monitor / TV" for "Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) monitor".
   
   The Theatre will then display on the secondary monitor/TV when it is activated. If the Theatre is already activated, doing this will bring the Theatre to the primary or the secondary monitor/TV immediately.

1. select "Preferences" from the Main popup menu (right-click on the Main Module of the player to get the popup menu),
2. select "System" page,
3. select "Dual Monitor" page,
4. modify the resolution and the position of the "Secondary Monitor / TV" as required.

Section 8. Lyrics Editor

1. create LRC Lyrics File (lrc) for lyrics display in the Theatre (Karaoke Emulator),
2. read all existing 'LRC' files for editing, and convert imported lyrics text directly to Enhanced LRC format (Import Text),
3. support Non-English characters editing (charset selection),
4. insert time tags (Line Time Tag [mm:ss.xx]) for lines - Simple LRC format.
5. insert time tags (Word Time Tag <mm:ss.xx>) for words (or syllables) - Enhanced LRC format,
6. break a line with words and syllables separated by spaces and hyphens automatically into time-tagged words and syllables,
7. update time tag of a line automatically by clicking the left mouse button on the line or by pressing the [Down Arrow] key when the media file is playing (in "Time Editing Mode"),
8. edit time tag and text in each line when the media file is NOT playing (in "Time Testing Mode"),
9. display synchronized lyrics when media file is playing (in "Time Testing Mode"),
10. reposition media file by clicking on the lyrics when media file is playing (in "Time Testing Mode"),
11. view zoomable sound wave when media file is playing, and show media time for sound wave by moving cursor over the sound wave display area when media file is paused,
12. view lyrics line by line ("View By Line"),
13. view lyrics word by word ("View By Word"),
14. add or subtract a time interval to or from all the time tags simultaneously,
15. scale the duration of all the time tags,
16. save user the time to add "Word Time Tags <mm:ss.xx>" for repeated lines by using "Auto Time Correction" when copying repeated lines,
17. insert and edit "Lyrics Remarks",
18. beautify lyrics display automatically,
19. embed LRC Lyrics into MP3/Ogg file,
20. extract lyrics from MP3/Ogg media file with embedded lyrics for editing,
21. extract lyrics from Midi Karaoke File (KAR) for editing,
22. embed LRC Lyrics into a copy of a standard Midi file (mid or kar),
23. extract lyrics from MediaCommands Midi Karaoke File (KA2) for editing.

1. edit time tag and text in each line when the media file is NOT playing,
2. display synchronized lyrics when media file is playing,
3. reposition media file by clicking on the lyrics when media file is playing.

1. Remove all the empty lines before the first lyrics line and after the last lyrics line.
   
   
2. Remove all the empty spaces at the end of the last word of each lyrics line.
   
   
3. Add an empty "Word Time Tag", if there is none, e.g.
   
   [00:10.50]first word <00:12.50>second word ... <00:13:50>last word<00:14.50>
   
   to the end of each lyrics line to signal MediaCommands when the last word ends. The time given to the "Word Time Tag" is somewhere in the middle between the time of the previous time tag and the time of the next time tag, and the maximum time difference with the previous time tag is 1 second.
   
   
4. If the time difference between two lyrics lines is long enough, create a "Leading Time (Leading Blank)", if there is none, e.g.
   
   [00:10.00]<00:10.50>first word <00:12.50>second word ...
   
   at the beginning of each lyrics line, so that lyrics line can be changed from "Non-focused Line" color to "Focused Line" color earlier to give a signal to the singer to prepare for singing. The leading time, from 0.2 to 0.5 second, will be started at least 0.2 second after the last word of the previous lyrics line is finished. If "Leading Time" already exists in a lyrics line, MediaCommands will maximize the "Leading Time" for that line.
   
   
5. For Instrumental Section, lyrics displayed on the screen will be cleared about 0.7 - 1.5 seconds after the Vocal Section is finished, and the next lyrics line will be shown in "Non-focused Line" color, about 1 - 2 seconds before the time of the first word of that lyrics line is reached.
   
   
6. The first lyrics line will be shown in "Non-focused Line" color, about 0.8 - 2.0 seconds before the time of the first word is reached.
   
   
7. The last lyrics line will be cleared from the screen 1.5 seconds after it is finished.

1. Follow the instructions in the tutorial written for professional LRC lyrics production to produce your lyrics files.
2. Make your synchronization as accurate as possible.
3. Apply "Beautify Lyrics Display" to your lyrics if you are not familiar with professional LRC lyrics production.
4. Add a Word Time Tag <mm:ss.xx> at the end of each line to tell the Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) when the last word is going to finish (see Q3.1 for details).
5. Add empty lines to hide previous lines or to re-position the next line (as top or bottom line) if required (see Q3.1 for details). Lyrics line with time difference of 300 ms or less will only be displayed with the Focused Word color to give better effect of single line display which required empty lines with time difference of 300 ms or less to push the next lyrics lines to be displayed at the top or the bottom line.
6. Information lines which has the same effect as empty lines can be added at any place if required (see Q3.1 for details).
7. Do not add empty lines at the end of the file if you want the last line to stay on the screen until the media file is finished.

Section 9. VISUAL EFFECT

1. provide still image,
2. color the background image,
3. shift the background image towards a specified direction at certain speed,
4. let MediaCommands to adjust the direction and shifting magnitude automatically according to the peak value of sound wave.

1. provide still image,
2. color the foreground image,
3. draw lines on the foreground image,
4. display animated foreground object,
5. select which part of foreground (top, middle, bottom) to be displayed first,
6. select which part of the background (top, middle, bottom) to draw the foreground first,
7. separate foreground into bars of a specified width,
8. control bar spacing,
9. control the vertical step size of the bar,
10. control the sample data size of sound data for display.

1. the path and file name of the object image list,
2. whether the object images are listed horizontally or vertically,
3. the number of object images in the object image list,
4. the transparent color of the object images,
5. whether or not to shift the object and the number of object to shift,
6. to display object randomly or in sequence,
7. the refresh rate of the object,
8. the top margin and bottom margin of the visual area for object display,
9. whether or not the top and bottom margin value should be re-adjust according to the visual area size.

Section 10. Media File Manager

1. Create, open and save a media library.
2. Search all media files of certain formats from any directories (simple search).
3. Search media files of certain formats from any directories with a key word in any one of its indexes ("search by query", use "sort by" to select indexes).
4. Add media files (single or multiple) to the media library,
5. Remove a media file from the media library.
6. Clear the media library.
7. Sort media files in the media library by indexes.
8. Search media files in the media library using index and the "query editor" (use "sort by" to select an index to search).
9. Rename all the media files in the media library automatically according to the ID3/Ogg tag information: Title - Artist or Artist - Title.
10. Verify the existence of all the media files in the media library.
11. Rename a media file in the media library according to the input in the text editor.
12. Delete a media file in the media library from its directory.
13. Copy a media file in the media library to a specific directory.
14. Move a media file in the media library to a specific directory.
15. Input ID3 information for all types of media files and save the entered data in the text editor into the media library (ID3/Ogg tag information will be only be saved into the data file for MP3/Ogg).
16. Load the ID3/Ogg Tag to the media library from the data file if the file is MP3/Ogg.
17. Sent a selected file from the media library to the playlist of MediaCommands.

1. select an index to query using the "sort by" option,
2. input key word for search in the "query editor",
3. select "by query",
4. select file formats to search,
5. press the "Search" button.

1. double-clicking the selected media file, or
2. selecting the "Add To Playlist" option in the popup menu of the Media File Manager (right-click on a media file to get the popup menu).

Section 10. Miscellaneous

1. select "Preferences" from the Main popup menu (right-click on the Main Module of the player to get the popup menu),
2. select "System" page,
3. select "User Interface" page,
4. select "System Tray Player" page,
5. select "Show system tray player" option,
6. select a combination of functions of the System Tray Player.

1. select "Preferences" from the Main popup menu (right-click on the Main Module of the player to get the popup menu),
2. select "System" page,
3. select "User Interface" page,
4. select "Buttons" page,
5. uncheck "Apply skin default button animation" option.

1. shift button from normal state to selected state a number of times,
2. show button pressed state,
3. show button selected state,
4. no change.

1. background image,
2. color of normal and selected text or symbol,
3. background color of normal and selected text or symbol,
4. apply skin default settings,
5. apply system default settings.

1. directory to store captured images,
2. capture image default name,
3. capture image start number used for generating a number to append to the captured image default name,
4. whether or not to add captured image to the playlist.