open video file help

[cdd]

Hi,

So far much of the programming i have been doing just involves output into the console. Now i want to write a program that when placed in a folder comprised of either all video or all picture files, will open a random video/picture. In a program such as VLC. How would i go about doing this, im confused on how to open a video file through c++ so far the only files i have dealt with have been txt files?

thanks

[helios]

Take a look at this: http://www.cplusplus.com/forum/general/16507/#msg83104
It's not as short as it could possibly be, but I think it gives a good idea of how complex it is to do video playback. libVLC lets you write a player in fewer lines, but it has some serious design issues in its API.

[cdd]

thanks for the link,

I'm not interested in making my own video player. I just want a way for the program i write to open the video file using an existing player on my computer i.e. windows media player or VLC. Can this done using c++?

[Mathhead200]

A quick way would be to use system...

[cdd]

Mathhead200, could you please explain what you mean, i havent used system too much.

[king214]

A quick way would be to use system...

Quick, but not a very good way.

using an existing player on my computer i.e. windows media player or VLC. Can this done using c++?

For WMP check with Microsoft's doc. I think I remember seeing something like this?

I'm not interested in making my own video player. I just want a way for the program i write to open the video file

Making your own player wouldn't be too much of a head ache. If all you want to do is just play the video than you wouldn't really have to add any(?) functionality for the user.

EDIT: Actually I've looked at something like this from time to time, and the best thing I could find was Bink(Rad game tools) although for most purposes that won't do unless your looking for money to throw away. Never really looked into libVLC though...