Abstract: This document contains materials explaining:
a) terms used in A2 Media Player,
b) some new & important functions provided by A2 Media Player,
c) file formats developed or enhanced by A2 Technology.
Author: Wai-Yan Chow (Program Designer)
E-mail: chowwaiyan@a2mediaplayer.com
chowwaiyan@hotmail.com
Version: 2.21
Date: September 1, 2002
Remarks: This file will be updated frequently. Please check A2 Download Manager for the
new version.
Contents:
Section 1: System
Q1.1 What is a media file in A2 ?
Q1.2 What is the "title" of a media file in A2 ?
Q1.3 What is the "Custom Order Number" of a media file ?
Q1.4 What is Auto Play Mode (APM) ?
Q1.5 How to insert a silent interval between each media file ?
Section 2: Playlist
Q2.1 What is A2 Playlist File (A2L) ?
Q2.2 What is Media File Settings Editor (MFSE) ?
Q2.31 What is the "Custom Order" of media files in a playlist ?
Q2.32 How to re-arrange the playing order of media files in a playlist ?
Q2.41 How to save karaoke settings to a media file ?
Q2.42 How to save volume settings to a media file ?
Q2.43 How to save lyrics settngs to a media file ?
Q2.44 How to save video settings to a media file ?
Q2.5 How to synchronize media files with the environment ?
Q2.6 How to link A2 Playlists together ?
Q2.7 How to modify playlist settings ?
Q2.81 How to distribute your playlist with all the related files to other users ?
Q2.82 How to change an "Auto Path Playlist" to normal A2 Playlist ?
Section 3: Lyrics
Q3.1 What is A2 Lyrics File (A2 lrc) ?
Q3.2 What is MP3 with lyrics embedded ?
Q3.3 How to modify lyrics embedded in MP3 ?
Q3.4 What is KAR file ?
Q3.5 How to modify lyrics embedded in KAR ?
Q3.6 What is KA2 file (A2 Midi Karaoke File) ?
Q3.7 How to modify lyrics embedded in KA2 ?
Q3.8 How to modify lyrics settings ?
Q3.9 What is "Progress Rate" in displaying lyrics ?
Section 4: Audio Media File
Q4.1 How to attach image to an audio media file ?
Q4.2 How to hide the A2 introduction "lyrics" ?
Q4.3 How to attach lyrics to an audio media file ?
Q4.4 How to attach video to an audio media file ?
Section 5: Image Media 12312q1615m File
Q5.1 How to create electronic photo album ?
Q5.2 How to modify image settings ?
Q5.3 How to attach background music to an image media file ?
Q5.4 How to attach text to an image media file ?
Q5.5 How to display image with its real size ?
Q5.6 How to capture display image ?
Section 6: Video Media File
Q6.1 How to modify video settings ?
Q6.2 How to disable video of a video media file ?
Q6.3 How to attach background music to a video media file ?
Q6.4 How to attach lyrics to a video media file ?
Q6.5 How to display video with its real size ?
Q6.6 How to capture video image ?
Section 7: A2 Theatre
Q7.1 What is A2 Theatre ?
Q7.2 How to open or close A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) automatically before playing
an audio media file?
Section 8: Lyrics Sync Editor
Q8.1 What can A2 Lyrics Sync Editor do ?
Q8.2 What is "Time Testing Mode" ?
Q8.3 What is "Time Editing Mode" ?
Q8.4 What is "View By Line" ?
Q8.5 What is "View By Word" ?
Q8.6 How to adjust all the time tags simultaneously ?
Q8.7 What is "Auto Time Correction" when copying repeated lines ?
Q8.8 What are the rules of lyrics editing ?
Q8.9 How to slow down a media file to synchronize lyrics ?
Section 9: Visual Effect
Q9.1 What is the basic structure of A2 Visual Effect ?
Q9.2 What is Visual Background ?
Q9.3 What is Visual Foreground ?
Q9.4 What is Visual Foreground Object ?
Q9.5 What is Visual Overlay ?
Q9.6 How to raise the strength of the visual effect of Audio CD & Midi ?
Section 10: Media File Manager
Q10.1 What can A2 Media File Manager do ?
Q10.2 What is a "media library" ?
Q10.3 What is "search by query" ?
Q10.4 How to sort media files ?
Q10.51 How to rename all the media files in the media library automatically ?
Q10.52 How to rename or delete a media file ?
Q10.53 How to copy or move a media files ?
Q10.54 How to reload or update media file ID3 information ?
Q10.6 How to verify media file information ?
Q10.7 How to sent a media file to the playlist of A2 Media Player ?
Section 11: Miscellaneous
Q11.1 What is System Tray Player ?
Q11.2 How to change button display style ?
Q11.3 How to change popup menu settings ?
Q11.4 How to modify image capture settings ?
SECTION 1: SYSTEM
Q1.1 What is a media file in A2 ?
Any audio, video and image file supported by A2 is considered to be a media file in A2, and can be "played" by adding it to the playlist.
So, A2 Media Player is not only an audio player, it is also a video player, an image displayer, a karaoke simulator, an electronic photo album generator, a multi-media electronic book generator, a multi-media dictionary generator ... , and can be used for entertainment, education and business purposes.
All versions of A2 Player after V2.2 supports the following media file formats and their attachments:
Media File Attachments
Audio File Image File (bmp, jpg, png)
(Audio CD - cda) Video File (VCD, mpg, avi)
(MPEG - mp3) A2 Lyrics File (lrc)
(Windows Media Audio - wma)
(Wave - wav)
(Midi - mid)
(Midi Karaoke - kar)
(A2 Midi Karaoke - ka2)
Image File Audio File (mp3, wma, wav, mid, kar, ka2)
(BMP Image - bmp) 2 lines of text
(JPEG Image - jpg)
(Portable Network Graphics - png)
Video File Audio File (mp3, wma, wav, mid, kar, ka2)
(Video CD - dat) Image File (bmp, jpg, png)
(MPEG Video - mpg, mpe, mpeg) A2 Lyrics File (lrc)
(AVI Video - avi)
Q1.2 What is the "title" of a media file in A2 ?
In A2, the "title" of a media file is actually the text display in the playlist. It is the same as the file name of the media file when it is loaded into the playlist the first time.
A2 allows user to modify the "title" of each media file through the "Name" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2). This is especially useful in creating the CD and VCD playlist where the title can reflect what is actually inside each media file.
With the help of the auto play timing settings (see Q1.4), this is also a very useful tools to re-arrange different parts of a media file for playing.
In other words, 'title' is the alias of part of a media file in a playlist, and different titles in a playlist may refer to the same media file. What is actually the path and the name of the media file can be found in the "Name" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2). If user wants to rename the the media file as the title, this can also be done in the same page.
Q1.3 What is the "Custom Order Number" of a media file ?
"Custom Order Number" is a 4-digits number assigned to each media file in a playlist to represent the playing order of the media files defined by the user. By default, the number represents the sequence of the media files added to the playlist.
User can rearrange the playing order of the media files by changing their "Custom Order Numbers" through the "Next" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
The "Custom Order Number" can be set to show or hide through the "Playlist" page of Preferences. By default, the playlist is sorted by the "Custom Order Number".
Q1.4 What is Auto Play Mode (APM) ?
Auto Play Mode (APM) is actually the default playing mode of A2 Media Player V2.0. When APM is applied, media files in the playlist will be played one by one continuously until the end of the playlist is reached. In all versions of A2 Media Player after 2.0, the concept of auto play timing control is introduced to make the APM a lot more powerful than before. The auto play timing for each media file can be set and modified through the "Timing" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2). They are:
a) Waiting Time: time to wait before the media file is actually played
b) Starting Position: starting position of the media file to be played
c) Duration: length of the part of the media file to be played
A playlist will also be played automatically when it is loaded if APM is applied.
With the help of the auto play timing settings, user is able to play a series of "chopped" media files at a specific time in any order without using any other audio or video editors (see Q1.2).
Sampling is actually applying auto playing mode with zero waiting time and zero starting position for a specific duration to all media files.
Q1.5 How to insert a silent interval between each media file ?
User can insert a silent interval between each media file by:
a) select "Preferences",
b) select the "System" page,
c) select the "Auto Play" page,
d) check the "Apply auto playing mode" checkbox,
e) check the "Apply current auto play timing settings to all media file"
checkbox,
f) enter the required silent interval for Waiting Time.
SECTION 2: PLAYLIST
Q2.1 What is A2 Playlist File (A2L) ?
A2 Playlist File (A2L) is a new type of playlist file completely different from M3U, M3L and PLS. Seeing that different media files may require to be played with a different settings of the environment at different time, A2 decided to developed a playlist which is capable of saving variables (settings) of the environment.
With the help of the auto play timing settings (see Q1.4), user is able to play a series of "chopped" media files at a specific time in any order without using any other audio or video editors. This also means that the A2 playlist can be used to synchronize media files with other actions, e.g. lectures and seminars, school stage play, party performance, ... etc.
With the help of the new "Execute" settings after Version 2.2, media files can also be made to be synchronized with the environment through external software and hardware.
So, A2 Playlist File (A2L) is actually a program - an event generator. A2 will show you more about "Playlist programming" in the coming versions.
In short, A2 playlist file let you mix "everything" together and "play" in whatever way you like.
A2 Playlist file saves the following environment settings:
Media File: Title
Path & file name
Length of media file
Customer Order Number assigned to the media file
Mixer Settings: Master Volume
Master Volume Balance
Media volume (Audio CD, Wave, Midi)
Media Volume Balance
Bass Volume
Treble Volume
Auto Play Timing: Waiting time
Start position
Duration
Image Media File: Display size
Option to show title
Option to show proportional image: Option to set background
color
Video Media File: Option to hide or show video
Option to hide or show video lyrics
Option to hide or show video player
Option to play background music (disable video audio)
Option to turn left audio channel on or off
Option to turn right audio channel on or off
Option to apply background color: Option to set background
color
Attached Image: Path & file name
Display size
Option to show title
Option to show proportional image: Option to set background
color
Attached Video: Path & file_name
Option to hide or show video lyrics
Option to apply background color: Option to set background
color
Attached Audio: Path & file_name
(Background Option to loop background music
music) Option to apply background music to subsequent image or video
files
Attached Lyrics: Path & file_name (except kar and mp3 with embedded LRC)
(or image text) Font name
Font size
Focused line: Font color
Option to show outline: Outline color
Not focused line: Font color
Option to show outline: Outline color
Focused word: Font color
Option to show outline: Outline color
Line spacing
Bottom margin
Time compensation
A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) Control: Command to open or close the A2
Theatre (karaoke Emulator) before the
media file is played
External Program Execution: File name & parameters for executing an external
program before the media file is played
Playlist Link: Path & name of the playlist to be loaded and played when the media file
is finished.
Q2.2 What is Media File Settings Editor (MFSE) ?
Media File Settings Editor (MFSE) is an editor for modifing all the environmental variables (settings) including all settings of attachments (except mixer settings) saved for each media file in the playlist. The editor can be activated by:
a) clicking the "Media File Settings" button (known as Media File Rename button in
V2.0) in the playlist module,
b) clicking the "Edit Media File Settings" option on the popup menu of the playlist
module (right-click the mouse on the playist to get the popup menu).
Each type of media file has its own set of settings, and are described as follows:
Audio Media File: Name, Timing, Attached Image, Attached Lyrics, Attached Video
(see Q2.1 for details)
Image Media File: Name, Timimg, Image, Background Music, Text - 2 lines (see
Q2.1 for details)
Video Media File: Name, Timing, Attached Image, Attached Lyrics, Background
Music, Video (see Q2.1 for details)
"Customer Order Number", "A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) Control",
"External Program Execution" and "Playlist Link" can also be set and changed for
all media files through the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.1 for details).
Q2.31 What is the "Custom Order" of media files in a playlist ?
In all versions after V2.2, A2 allows user to defined his/her own playing order of media files in a playlist in a more natural way. By default, media files are arranged in order of the time they are addded to the playlist with a "Custom Order Number" assigned to them.
User can re-arrange this order by changing the "Custom Order Numbers" of the media files through the "Next" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.32).
The "Custom Order Number" can be set to show or hide through the "Playlist" page of Preferences.
The "Add Media File", "Search Media File", "Load Playlist" and "Save Playlist" operations will force the playlist to be sorted by "Custom Order" no matter what order the media files are arranged before those operations.
Q2.32 How to re-arrange the playing order of media files in a playlist ?
There are 5 ways to re-arrange the playing order of media files in a playlist:
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 "Custom Order Numbers" of the media files through the "Next" Page
of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2) when the playlist is sorted by
"Custom Order". The following example shows how to move the last media file in a
playlist to the top:
a) Select the first media file in the playlist.
b) Right-click the mouse on the playist to get the playlist popup menu.
c) Select "Edit Media File Settings" option and then the "Assign Next Media
File" option on the popup menu to open the Media File Settings Editor.
d) In the "Next" page, pressed the "Browse" button to browse the "Customer
Order Number" of the playlist.
e) Select the last media file and pressed the "Confirm" button of the Media File
Settings Editor.
f) Selects the second media file in the playlist and then repeat steps a) to e) to
assign the first media file as the next media file of the second media file.
3) 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".
4) Sort the playlist by anyone of the following method: Customer Order, Playlist
Title, ID3 Title, ID3 Artist, ID3 Album, ID3 Comment, ID3 Genre and ID3
Year through the "Sort Media File by ..." option on the playlist popup menu.
(Right-click the mouse on the playist to get the playlist popup menu).
5) Use the "Shuffle" function of A2 Media Player.
Q2.41 How to save karaoke settings to a media file ?
To save karaoke settings for image display (including images in electronic photo album):
a) save volume settings to the media file (see Q2.42)
b) save lyrics settings to the media file (see Q2.43)
To save karaoke settings for video display:
a) save volume settings to the media file (see Q2.42)
b) save lyrics settings to the media file (see Q2.43)
c) save video settings to the media file (see Q2.44)
All saved settings except volume settings can be modified with the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
Q2.42 How to save volume settings to a media file ?
Mixer settings (See Q2.1) can be saved to a media file by:
a) clicking the "Save settings to media" option on the popup menu of the main
module (right-click the mouse on the main module skin to get the popup menu),
b) clicking the "Save volume settings to media" option on the popup menu of
the of the A2 Theatre (Karaoke Simulator) (right-click the mouse on the
image to get the popup menu).
Saving can be done only when the media file is playing.
Q2.43 How to save lyrics settings to a media file ?
Lyrics settings (See Q2.1) can be saved to a media file by:
a) clicking the "Save settings to media" option on the popup menu of the main
module (right-click the mouse on the main module skin to get the popup menu),
b) clicking the "Save lyrics settings to media" option on the popup menu of the
A2 Theatre (Karaoke Simulator) (right-click the mouse on the image to get
the popup menu).
Saving can be done only when the media file is playing.
Image settings (see Q2.1) will be saved automatically to the media file after lyrics settings are saved.
Lyrics settings for a media file can also be modified through the "Lyrics" page of the
Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2)
In usual cases, lyrics should be set in the A2 Theatre (Karaoke Simulator) when the media file is playing so that what you save is what is see.
Q2.44 How to save video settings to a media file ?
Video settings (See Q2.1) can be saved to a media file by clicking the "Save video settings to media" option on the popup menu of the A2 Theatre (Karaoke Simulator) (right-click the mouse on the image to get the popup menu).
Saving can be done only when the media file is playing.
Image settings (see Q2.1) will be saved automatically to the media file after video settings are saved.
Video settings for a media file can also be modified through the "Video" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
Q2.5 How to synchronize media files with the environment ?
A2 allows user to synchronize media files with the environment (including animation, lighting, ... etc.) by executing external programs to control other software and hardware before playing a media file. This makes A2 a very powerful tools for home entertainment. More about this area will be introduced in the coming versions.
Execution of external program can be done through the "Execute" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
Q2.6 How to link A2 Playlists together ?
A2 Playlists can be linked together through the "Next" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2). This means that A2 Media Player can play all the media files in different playlists automatically as if they are in one playlist.
Q2.7 How to modify playlist settings ?
Playlist settings can be modified through the "Playlist" page of Preferences. Settings which can be modified are listed as follows:
a) playlist background image,
b) hide or show line number,
c) number of spaces after the number,
d) font name,
e) font size,
f) normal text color,
g) selected text color,
h) left margin for each line (maximum 30 lines),
i) top margin,
j) line height,
k) number of lines per page,
l) media files sorting method,
m) show or hide the "Custom Order Number".
Q2.81 How to distribute your playlist with all the related files to other users ?
A2 allows playlist and all the related files to be distributed to other A2 users through CDROM, diskette or the Internet by creating an "Auto Path Playlist". But the playlist and all the related files MUST be saved in the same directory.
"Auto Path Playlist" is a playlist in which all the paths of the related files are removed. This playlist can be run immediately in all disk drives and directories by loading it into A2 Media Player without any modification. A2 will search a file in the "playlist directory" if no path is found.
Below is the procedure to create an "Auto Path Playlist" for distribution:
a) create a directory used for distribution,
b) copy all the required files into the directory,
c) create a playlist for playing the media files in the directory,
d) make attachments and save all the required settings into each media file in the playlist,
e) test the playlist,
f) set each media file in the playlist to "Auto Path" by pressing the "Auto Path"
Button in the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2, the "Auto Path" Button
MUST be pressed again if user needs to re-enter the Media File Settings
Editor to modify settings of the media file),
g) save the playlist into the directory for distribution,
h) re-load the playlist into A2 Media Player from the directory and test the playlist
again,
i) Write all the files in the directory into CDR or diskette, or ZIP all the files into
one unit,
j) re-test the "final product" and then send the CDR, diskette or ZIP file to other
A2 users.
Q2.82 How to change an "Auto Path Playlist" to normal A2 Playlist ?
User can change an "Auto Path Playlist" (see Q2.81) to normal A2 Playlist by re-entering the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2) and pressing the "Confirm" button for each media file in the playlist.
SECTION 3: LYRICS
Q3.1 What is A2 Lyrics File (A2 LRC) ?
Seeing that there are many incompatible lyrics formats made for different types of audio media files, A2 tries to develope a simple but powerful lyrics structure which can be applied to all media files.
A2 Lyrics File (A2 LRC) format is an enhancement of the LRC format introduced by Kuo (Djohan) Shiang-shiang's Lyrics Displayer which was probably the first program that tried to simulate Karaoke performance. In order to make this simulation more realistic and save more information into the lyrics file, A2 decided to make the following changes:
a) Added another time tag called "Word Time Tag" which is distinguished from
the original time tag (Line Time Tag) by the symbol '<' and '>', so that words
(or even letters) in a line can have its own timing.
b) Since the timing of the words (or letters) in each line of the repeated lines may
be different, A2 decided to omit the repeated line format. But still, A2 can read
repeated lines with "Line Time Tags".
c) Although human eyes may not be able to detect the difference in lyrics display
within 1/10 of a second in usual cases, A2 still decided to raise the accuracy of
timing from 1/10 sec to 1/100 sec so that it is able to handle all existing 'LRC'
files.
d) To save more information into the lyrics file, A2 introduced two more info tags:
"Author [au:]" and "Remarks [re:]".
e) Since there are funtions in A2 Player to add or subtract a time interval to or
from all the time tags simultaneously, A2 omitted the "[offset:]" info tag.
Below is a detailed decription of the A2 lyrics (A2 LRC) format:
[ti:Title][CR][LF]
[ar:Artist][CR][LF]
[au:Author][CR][LF]
[al:Album][CR][LF]
[by:Enter by][CR][LF]
[re:Remarks][CR][LF]
[mm:ss.xx]<mm:ss.xx>word 1 of line 1 <mm:ss.xx>word 2 of line 1 <mm:ss.xx>
... last word of line 1<mm:ss.xx>[CR][LF]
[mm:ss.xx]<mm:ss.xx>word 1 of line 2 <mm:ss.xx>word 2 of line 2 <mm:ss.xx>
... last word of line 2<mm:ss.xx>[CR][LF]
...
...
...
[mm:ss.xx]<mm:ss.xx>word 1 of last line <mm:ss.xx>word 2 of last line
<mm:ss.xx> ... last word of last line<mm:ss.xx>[CR][LF]
Empty lines for hiding previous lines or re-positioning of the next line (as top or bottom line) are coded as:
[mm:ss.xx][CR][LF]
[mm:ss.xx][CR][LF]
...
[mm:ss.xx][CR][LF]
where mm is minute, ss is second and xx is 1/100 sec., and no repeated line is allowed.
Q3.2 What is MP3 with lyrics embedded ?
A2 Media Player allows A2 Lyrics File (LRC) to be embedded into MP3 files. This can be done through:
a) the "Lyrics" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2),
b) the "File" option on the main menu of the Lyrics Editor (see Q8.1) after a
MP3 media file is loaded.
Lyrics embedded in MP3 will be extracted and displayed in the Karaoke Emulator automatically when the MP3 media file is played. User can override this A2 action by attaching another lyrics file to the MP3 media file through the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
A2 adopts a simple and elegant way to embed the whole Lyrics File (LRC) between the ID3 tag and MP3 data at the end of the MP3 file. The Lyrics File (LRC) with its header structure (contains version, software & company information) is encapsulated inside a data block called "Lyrics Block" with block information read from the end of the file. The file structure is described as follows:
MP3 File
...
... MP3 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)
Rules for updating "Lyrics Block":
a) Header data must be written on top of the Lyrics Block.
b) Lyrics data must follow the Header data immediately.
c) All the unused area in the Lyrics Block must be padded with byte 00.
d) 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.
Q3.3 How to modify lyrics embedded in MP3 ?
Lyrics embedded in MP3 can be extracted by loading the MP3 media file into the Lyrics Editor (see Q8.1). It is up to the user whether he wants to save the modified lyrics as a separate LRC file or to embed the lyrics into the MP3 file again (see Q3.2).
Q3.4 What is KAR file ?
KAR file is actually Midi file with lyrics embedded. A2 supports reading of KAR file only (not writing). Lyrics embedded in KAR will be extracted and displayed in the Karaoke Emulator automatically when the KAR media file is played. User can override this A2 action by attaching another lyrics file to the KAR media file through the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
A2 also allows A2 Lyrics File (LRC) to be embedded into a copy of a standard Midi file (mid or kar) and save the copied file as KA2 - A2 Midi Karaoke File (see Q3.6).
Q3.5 How to modify lyrics embedded in KAR ?
Lyrics in KAR can be extracted by loading the KAR media file in the Lyrics Editor (see Q8.1). Since A2 does not support writing of KAR file, user can only save the modified lyrics as a separate LRC file and then attach the LRC file to the KAR media file using the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
Q3.6 What is KA2 file (A2 Midi Karaoke File) ?
A2 Media Player allows A2 Lyrics File (LRC) to be embedded into a copy of a standard Midi file (mid or kar), and save the copied file as KA2 (A2 Midi Karaoke File). This can be done through:
a) the "Lyrics" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2),
b) the "File" option on the main menu of the Lyrics Editor (see Q8.1) after a
Midi media file is loaded.
Lyrics embedded in KA2 will be extracted and displayed in the Karaoke Emulator automatically when the KA2 media file is played. User can override this A2 action by attaching another lyrics file to the KA2 media file through the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
The file structure of the embedded lyrics in KA2 is the same as that in MP3 (see Q 3.2).
Q3.7 How to modify lyrics embedded in KA2 ?
Lyrics embedded in A2 Midi Karaoke File (KA2) can be extracted by loading the KA2 media file into the Lyrics Editor (see Q8.1). It is up to the user whether he wants to save the modified lyrics as a separate LRC file or to embed the lyrics into the KA2 file again (see Q3.6).
Q3.8 How to modify lyrics settings ?
Lyrics settings (see Q2.1) can be set and modified through
a) the "Lyrics Options" option on the popup menu of the main module (right-click
the mouse on the main module skin to get the popup menu),
b) the "Lyrics Options" option on the popup menu of the A2 Theatre (Karaoke
Simulator) (right-click the mouse on the image to get the popup menu).
c) the "Lyrics" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
In usual cases, lyrics should be set in the A2 Theatre (Karaoke Simulator) when the media file is playing so that what you save is what is see (see Q2.43).
Q3.9 What is "Progress Rate" in displaying lyrics ?
"Progress Rate" is the rate to fill a word with the Focused Word color set for lyrics in "Lyrics Options". If "Progress Rate" is not applied, the whole word will be filled in the Focused Word color immediately once the time set for the word is reached.
Some user may want to see the whole word to be filled in the Focused Word color on the screen when they are singing. So, it is important how a line is chopped into words or into separated letters when entering lyrics.
In some cases, chopping lines into large groups of words may still be acceptable when "Progress Rate" is applied. But it will become unacceptable for users who don't like to apply "Progress Rate".
In all versions after 2.1, lyrics are displayed in the A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) according to the tempo set for the media file in the mixer.
CAUTION: Lyrics display may not be correct if the changed tempo is too fast.
SECTION 4: AUDIO MEDIA FILE
Q4.1 How to attach image to an audio media file ?
Image can be attached to an audio media file together with some image settings (see Q2.1) through the "Image" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
Image can be set to display with its real image size by checking the "Apply real image size" option on the popup menu of the A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) (right-click the mouse on the image to get the popup menu).
Q4.2 How to hide the A2 introduction "lyrics" ?
When an audio media file is playing in A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator), A2 displays its introduction "lyrics" if no attached lyrics file is found.
User can override this A2 action by attaching an empty lyrics file to the audio media file (see Q4.3). The empty lyrics file can be created using the Lyrics Editor (see Q8.1).
Q4.3 How to attach lyrics to an audio file ?
Lyrics can be attached to an audio media file together with some lyrics settings (see Q2.1) through the "Lyrics" page in the Media File Settings Editor (Q2.2).
Lyrics can also be embedded into a MP3 file (see Q 3.2).
Q4.4 How to attach video to an audio file ?
Video can be attached to an audio media file together with some video settings (see Q2.1) through the "Video" page in the Media File Settings Editor (Q2.2).
Video audio will be turn off automatically when the audio file is playing.
Lyrics display is also allowed when the video file is playing.
SECTION 5: IMAGE MEDIA FILE
Q5.1 How to create electronic photo album ?
In A2, an electronic photo album is actually a playlist file containing a series of image media files. A2 supports BMP, JPG and PNG image formats after V2.0.
All image media files will be given 5 seconds to display when it is loaded into the playlist the first time. User can change this duration through the "Timing" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2). The system default duration can also be modified through the "Image" page of Preferences.
Audio file can be attached to an image media file as background music (see Q5.3).
Two lines of text are also allowed to be displayed with the image (see Q5.4).
Q5.2 How to modify image settings ?
Image settings (see Q2.1) can be set and modified through the "Image" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
Q5.3 How to attach background music to an image media file ?
Background music can be attached to an image media file together with some settings (see Q2.1) through the "Background Music" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2). A2 supports MP3, WMA, Wave, Midi and Kar audio file formats as background music.
Background music can be looped and apply to all subsequent image media files which have no background music attached.
Q5.4 How to attach text to an image media file ?
Two lines of text can be attached to an image media file through the "Text" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2). Settings for text are the same as those for lyrics (see Q2.1, Q3.8).
Q5.5 How to display image with its real size ?
Image can be set to display with its real image size by checking the "Apply real image size" option on the popup menu of the A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) (right-click the mouse on the image to get the popup menu).
Q5.6 How to capture display image ?
Press [CTRL-T] to capture image in its display size. The captured image will be processed according to the capture settings defined in the "Image" page of Preferences (see Q11.4).
Press [CTRL-G] to capture the whole screen.
SECTION 6: VIDEO MEDIA FILE
Q6.1 How to modify video settings ?
Video settings (see Q2.1) can be set and modified through the "Video" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
Q6.2 How to disable video display of a video media file ?
Video display of a video media file can be disabled through:
a) the "Video" Page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2),
b) the "Video settings" option on the popup menu of A2 Theatre (Karaoke
Emulator) (right-click the mouse on the image to get the popup menu).
Attached Image and lyrics (if any) will be displayed when the video display of a video media file is disabled.
Video sound will still be playing even when A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) is closed.
Q6.3 How to attach background music to a video media file ?
Background music can be attached to a video media file together with some settings (see Q2.1) through the "Background Music" Page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2). A2 supports MP3, WMA, Wave, Midi and Kar audio file formats as background music.
The "Play background music" option in the "Video" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2) must be set if background music is applied.
Video audio will be disabled automatically if background music is applied.
Background music can be looped and apply to all subsequent video media files which have no background music attached.
Q6.4 How to attach lyrics to a video media file ?
Lyrics can be attached to a video media file together with some lyrics settings (see Q2.1) through the "Lyrics" page of the Media File Settings Editor (Q2.2).
Q6.5 How to display video with its real size ?
Video can be set to display with its real video size by checking the "Apply real image size" option on the popup menu of A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) (right-click the mouse on the image to get the popup menu).
Q6.6 How to capture video image ?
Press [CTRL-T] to capture video image in its display size. The captured image will be processed according to the capture settings defined in the "Image" page of Preferences (see Q11.4).
Press [CTRL-G] to capture the whole screen.
Section 7: A2 THEATRE
Q7.1 What is A2 Theatre ?
A2 Theatre (formerly known as Karaoke Emulator) is a module of A2 Media Player for displaying image, video and text which makes A2 Player an outstanding player capable of mixing audio, image, video and text together to create and simulate multi-media performance such as real karaoke simulation, MTV simulation, automatic image, photo and video album display, ... etc.
Many features and functions can be found from the popup menu of A2 Theatre (right-click the mouse on the image to get the popup menu).
Q7.2 How to open or close A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) automatically before playing
a media file?
A2 Theatre (Karaoke Emulator) can be set to open or close automatically before playing a media file through the "Execute" page of the Media File Settings Editor (see Q2.2).
SECTION 8: LYRICS SYNC EDITOR
Q8.1 What can A2 Lyrics Sync Editor do ?
A2 Lyrics Sync Editor is a very useful and powerful tools for Karaoke simulation. User can:
a) create A2 Lyrics File (LRC) for lyrics display in the Karaoke Emulator (see
Q3.1),
b) read all existing LRC files for editing (see Q3.1),
c) insert time tags (Line Time Tag [mm:ss.xx]) for line
d) insert time tags (Word Time Tag <mm:ss.xx>) for words (or letters) (see
Q3.1),
e) update time tag of a line automatically by clicking the left mouse button on the
line when the media file is playing (in time editing mode),
f) edit time tag and text in each line when the media file is NOT playing (in time
testing mode),
g) display synchronized lyrics when media file is playing (in time testing mode),
h) reposition media file by clicking on the lyrics when media file is playing (in time
testing mode),
i) view lyrics line by line (view by line),
j) view lyrics word by word (view by word),
k) add or subtract a time interval (0.01 - 5.00 sec) to or from all the time tags
simultaneously (see Q8.6),
l) Save user the time to add "Word Time Tags <mm:ss.xx>" for repeated lines
by using "Auto Time Correction" when copying repeated lines (see Q8.7),
m) embed A2 Lyrics into a MP3 file (see Q3.2),
n) embed A2 Lyrics into a copy of a standard Midi file (mid or kar) (see Q3.6),
o) extract lyrics from Midi Karaoke File (KAR) for editing (see Q3.5),
p) extract lyrics from A2 Midi Karaoke File (KA2) for editing (see Q3.7).
q) extract lyrics from MP3 media file with embedded lyrics for editing (see Q3.3).
Q8.2 What is "Time Testing Mode" ?
"Time Testing Mode" is one of the two modes (time testing & time editing) of the Lyrics Editor used for time testing. It is the default mode when a media file is loaded. In "Time Testing Mode", user can:
a) edit time tag and text in each line when the media file is NOT playing,
b) display synchronized lyrics when media file is playing,
c) reposition media file by clicking on the lyrics when media file is playing.
In "Time Testing Mode", time will be displayed in green.
User can only switch from "Time Editing Mode" to "Time Testing Mode" through the main menu or popup menu of the Lyrics Editor when the media file is playing. (right-click the mouse on a line in the Lyrics Editor to get the popup menu).
Q8.3 What is "Time Editing Mode" ?
"Time Editing Mode" is one of the two modes (time editing & time testing) of the Lyrics Editor used for auto time tag updating. In "Time Editing Mode", user can update time tag of a line automatically by clicking the left mouse button on the line when the media file is playing.
In "Time Editing Mode", time will blink in red.
User should "View By Word" (see Q8.5) before switching to "Time Editing Mode".
User can only switch from "Time Testing Mode" to "Time Editing Mode" through the main menu or popup menu of the Lyrics Editor when the media file is playing. (right-click the mouse on a line in the Lyrics Editor to get the popup menu).
Q8.4 What is "View By Line" ?
To "View By Line" means to re-arrage and sort all the lyrics line by line according to the time specified in the Line Time Tag [mm:ss.xx].
All the LRC files are saved under the "View By Line" format which is hidden from the user. This also means that "View By Line" is the default display method when a new LRC file is loaded into the Lyrics Editor.
User can only switch from "View By Word" to "View By Line" through the main menu or popup menu of the Lyrics Editor when the media file is NOT playing. (right-click the mouse on a line in the Lyrics Editor to get the popup menu).
Q8.5 What is "View By Word" ?
To "View By Word" means to re-arrage and sort all the lyrics word by word according to the time specified in the Word Time Tag <mm:ss.xx>.
User can only switch from "View By Line" to "View By Word" through the main menu or popup menu of the Lyrics Editor when the media file is NOT playing (right-click the mouse on a line in the Lyrics Editor to get the popup menu).
Q8.6 How to adjust all the time tags simultaneously ?
User can add or subtract a time interval (0.01 - 5.00 sec) to or from all the time tags simultaneously through the "Adjust all time tags" option in the main menu or popup menu of the Lyrics Editor (right-click the mouse on a line in the Lyrics Editor to get the popup menu).
Q8.7 What is "Auto Time Correction" when copying repeated lines ?
When "View By Line" is applied, A2 will keep the time of the Line Time Tag [mm:ss.xx] of the copied line in its memory. If a line is pasted, the time of all the Word Time Tags <mm:ss.xx> in the copied line will be re-adjusted automatically based on the time difference between the Line Time Tags of the copied line and the pasted line. This will save user the time to add Word Time Tags for repeated lines.
CAUTION: The time of all the Word Time Tags <mm:ss.xx> in the pasted line will
be correct only if both of the Line Time Tags [mm:ss.xx] of the copied
line and the pasted line are accurate.
Q8.8 What are the rules of lyrics editing ?
Since A2 Lyrics Editor has done most of the tedious work for lyrics editing, there are not many rules left for the user:
a) Add a Word Time Tag <mm:ss.xx> at the end of each line to tell the
Karaoke Emulator when the last word is going to finish (see Q3.1).
b) Add empty lines to hide previous lines or to re-position the next line (as top or
bottom line) if required (see Q3.1).
c) 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.
CAUTION: a) Some user may not like to apply "Progress Rate". So, it is important
how a line is chopped into words or into separated letters when
entering lyrics (see Q3.9).
b) The performance of lyrics display with difference of time interval less
than 0.2 seconds may not be good when running on slow machine.
Q8.9 How to slow down a media file to synchronize lyrics ?
In all version after 2.1, media files (MP3, WMA, Wave and Midi only) in the Lyrics Editor are played according to the tempo set in the mixer. That means user can slow down the tempo of a media file to synchronize lyrics. This will give more time to the user to update time tags in "Time Editing Mode" (see Q8.3).
Tempo change will only work for WMA and Wave media file when Direct X is applied. Direct X can be set through the "Drivers" page of Preferences.
SECTION 9: VISUAL EFFECT
Q9.1 What is the basic structure of A2 Visual Effect ?
Visualization of sound data is a huge and unlimited area which has not been fully exploited. A2 will try to provide different tools for users who want to seek the relation between sound data and visual aesthetics.
In A2, an effect image is called a "scene" which is separated into three parts of different depths: Background (see Q9.2), Foreground (see Q9.3) and Overlay (see Q9.5). Stunning effect may be able to be produced by combining these three parts with animation.
A2 provides a number of preset visual effect examples after V2.0 for every skin.
User can resize the visual area for better visual display through the "Resize Visual Effect" option on the popup menu of the Visual Effect Module (right-click the mouse on the Visual area to get the popup menu).
User can also import visual effect from other skin or directory through the "Effect List" page of Visual Effect Options.
Visual Effect will only work for WMA and Wave media file when Direct X is applied. Direct X can be set through the "Drivers" page of Preferences.
Q9.2 What is visual background ?
Visual background is the innermost part of a scene (see Q9.1) in A2 vsiual effect where user can:
a) provide still image,
b) color the background image,
c) shift the background image towards a specified direction at certain speed,
d) let A2 to adjust the direction and shifting magnitude automatically according to
the peak value of sound wave.
When "Auto magnitude" is applied, the input value of magnitude will become the maximum shifting magnitude of the background image.
A2 provides a number of preset visual background examples after V2.0.
Q9.3 What is visual foreground ?
Visual foreground is the middle part of a scene (see Q9.1) in A2 vsiual effect where user can:
a) provide still image,
b) color the foreground image,
c) draw lines on the foreground image,
d) display animated foreground object,
e) select which part of foreground (top, middle, bottom) to be displayed first,
f) select which part of the background (top, middle, bottom) to draw the
foreground first,
g) separate foreground into bars of a specified width,
h) control bar spacing,
i) control the vertical step size of the bar,
j) control the sample data size of sound data for display.
A2 provides a number of preset visual foreground examples after V2.0.
Q9.4 What is visual foreground object ?
Visual foreground object is actually an image list (BMP or A2O) with transparent color provided by the user to display on the foreground. User can specify:
a) the path and file name of the object image list,
b) whether the object images are listed horizontally or vertically,
c) the number of object images in the object image list,
d) the transparent color of the object images,
e) whether or not to shift the object and the number of object to shift,
f) to display object randomly or in sequence,
g) the refresh rate of the object,
h) the top margin and bottom margin of the visual area for object display,
i) whether or not the top and bottom margin value should be re-adjust according
to the visual area size.
Q9.5 What is visual overlay ?
Visual overlay is the outermost part of a scene (see Q9.1) in A2 vsiual effect. It is a still image with no motion. User can provide the path and file name of the overlay image together with its transparent color.
CAUTION: No visual effect will be seen if the transparent color is incorrect.
Q9.6 How to raise the strength of the visual effect of Audio CD & Midi ?
The visual effect strength of Audio CD or Midi is affected by the media volume (CD or Midi volume) of the mixer. Raising the media volume makes a stronger visual effect. User can lower the master volume at the same time if a constant volume is required.
Section 10: MEDIA FILE MANAGER
Q10.1 What can A2 Media File Manager (MFM) do ?
A2 Media File Manager (MFM) is a simple database system for managing media files in the computer. It collects "filtered" media file information as indexes of media files and stores those information into the "Media Library" (MLB, see Q10.2). (indexes include file name, file path, file size, file date and ID3 information). Each "Media Library" is a stand-alone database of such collected information with remarks to identify its contents. With the help of A2 Media File manager, user can:
a) Create, open and save a media library.
b) Search all media files of certain formats from any directories (simple search).
c) 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, see
Q10.3).
d) Add media files (single or multiple) to the media library.
e) Remove a media file from the media library.
f) Clear the media library.
i) Sort media files in the media library by indexes (see Q10.4).
j) Search media files in the media library using index and the query editor (use
"sort by" to select an index to search).
k) Rename all the media files in the media library automatically according to the
ID3 information: Title - Artist or Artist - Title (see Q10.51).
l) Verify the existence of all the media files in the media library (see Q10.6).
m) Rename a media file in the media library according to the input in the text
editor (see Q10.52).
n) Delete a media file in the media library from its directory (see Q10.52).
o) Copy a media file in the media library to a specific directory (see Q10.53).
p) Move a media file in the media library to a specific directory (see Q10.53).
q) Save an ID3 Tag field to the media library according to the input in the text
editor and save the ID3 Tag to the data file if the file is a MPEG audio file (see
Q10.54).
r) Load the ID3 Tag to the media library from the data file if the file is a MPEG
audio file (see Q10.54).
s) Sent a selected file in the media library to the playlist of A2 Media Player (see
Q10.7).
Q10.2 What is a "media library" ?
A2 "media library" is a stand-alone database of "filtered" media file information used as indexes of media files in the computer with remarks to identify its contents. Indexes include file name, file path, file size, file date and ID3 information.
User can create, open, save, add media files to and remove media files from the media library.
Q10.3 What is "search by query" ?
"Search by query" is to add media files to the current media library by searching media files of certain formats from any directories with a key word in any one of its indexes(use "sort by" to select indexes). The steps are as follows:
a) select an index to query using the "sort by" option,
b) input key word for search in the query editor,
c) select "by query",
d) select file formats to search,
e) press the "Search" button.
Q10.4 How to sort media files ?
User can sort media files by file name, file path, file size, file date and ID3 information through the "sort by" option.
Q10.51 How to rename all the media files automatically ?
User can rename all the media files in the media library automatically according to the ID3 information: Title - Artist or Artist - Title through the "Auto" option in the Main Menu.
Media files will only be renamed if both the Title and Artist columns are "NOT" empty.
Q10.52 How to rename or delete a media file ?
User can rename or delete a media file by pressing the "Rename" or "Delete" button which will be appeared if the "File Name" column is pressed for the selected media file.
Input the new file name in the "Text Editor" if a media file is to be renamed.
Q10.53 How to copy or move a media files ?
User can copy or move a media file by pressing the "Copy" or "Move" button which will be appeared if the "Path" column is pressed for the selected media file.
Q10.54 How to reload or update media file ID3 information ?
User can reload or update ID3 information of a media file by pressing the "Save ID3" or "Load ID3" button which will be appeared if any one of the ID3 information columns is pressed for the selected media file.
Input the new ID3 information in the "Text Editor" if ID3 information is to be updated for a media file.
ID3 Tag will be saved to the data file if the file is a MPEG audio file.
Q10.6 How to verify media file information ?
User can verify the existence and other information of the media files in the current media library through the "Verify" option in the Main Menu.
Q10.7 How to sent a media file to the playlist of A2 Media Player ?
User can sent a selected media file to the playlist of A2 Medaia Player by:
a) double-clicking the selected media file.
b) clicking the "Add To Playlist" option on the popup menu of the Media File
Manager (right-click the mouse on a media file to get the popup menu).
Section 11: MISCELLANEOUS
Q11.1 What is System Tray Player ?
System Tray Player is a set of buttons on the system tray of the taskbar for playing media file. Functions include "Previous", "Play", "Pause / Resume", "Stop", "Next" and "Exit". User can select any combination of the functions to be placed on the system tray of the taskbar.
Q11.2 How to change button display style ?
Button display style is the display style of button when mouse is on top of it.
Skin designer is able to preset different types of button animation used for button display style. User can override these animation by:
a) select Preferences,
b) select "System" page,
c) select "Buttons" page,
d) uncheck "Apply skin default button animation" option.
If no button animation is applied, one of the following button display styles will be used instead:
a) shift button from normal state to selected state a number of times,
b) show button pressed state,
c) show button selected state,
d) no change.
User can select these button display styles through the "Buttons" Page.
Q11.3 How to change popup menu settings ?
User can change the popup menu settings through the "Menus" page of Preferences.
The popup menus settings that user can modified are:
a) background image,
b) color of normal and selected text or symbol,
c) background color of normal and selected text or symbol,
d) apply skin default settings,
e) apply system default settings.
Q11.4 How to modify image capture settings ?
User can modify image capture settings through the "Image" page of Preferences.
Image capture settings that user can modified are:
a) directory to store captured images,
b) capture image default name,
c) capture image start number used for generating a number to append to the
captured image default name,
d) whether or not to add captured image to the playlist.
|
