Support Media Keys

[acozz]

Continuing from the discussion about the function keys on a laptop:

The problem was that the hot key control doesn't recognize Fn + F9 (Virtual Key Code 179) and such but instead recognizes it as 'G'.

Ok, well 179 is B3 in hex, and looking that up the virtual key code is defined as VK_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE but is for Windows 2000/XP and up only. I think it would be better if QCD could somehow support these keys (set them as system wide hotkeys by default, maybe make it an option).

VK_MEDIA_NEXT_TRACK , VK_MEDIA_PREV_TRACK, VK_MEDIA_STOP, VK_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE

Would this be possible?

[Paul]

I didnt realize those VK's existed (my bad!). I thought the APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_* keys were the only ones. I'll add the VK's.

[acozz]

Sweet, thanks. I think this might make those media keys on all those keyboards work too.

[acozz]

There are also volume ones but I'm not sure if those are meant for media apps or the windows mixer.

[Paul]

Sweet, thanks. I think this might make those media keys on all those keyboards work too.
Doubtful.
VK_MEDIA*, like all other virtual keys, are only captured by an app when it's active.

Logitech's keyboard, for example, keeps a list of media players and send message to all in the list in order to work around this issue. Thus, just responding to these keys is not enough to make it 'work for all keyboards'. Until I find otherwise, I believe each keyboard must decide which players to support, and not the other way around.

[acozz]

Doubtful.
VK_MEDIA*, like all other virtual keys, are only captured by an app when it's active.

Logitech's keyboard, for example, keeps a list of media players and send message to all in the list in order to work around this issue. Thus, just responding to these keys is not enough to make it 'work for all keyboards'. Until I find otherwise, I believe each keyboard must decide which players to support, and not the other way around.

I don't think that's entirely correct. The keys already work in QCD when it is active. It is when it isn't active that they don't work. However, with WMP, they work even when it isn't active.

[Paul]

I don't think that's entirely correct. The keys already work in QCD when it is active. It is when it isn't active that they don't work. However, with WMP, they work even when it isn't active.
My point exactly.

[acozz]

I fail to see how these keys are any different from other hotkey combinations. The key is pressed, the message is posted, if an app has that key registered as a global hotkey why wouldn't it go to that app?

[Paul]

I wonder if registering them as global hotkeys is the correct solution? I didn't think it was because that would mean only one player at a time would get the events, but maybe you're right and that's what others are doing.

[acozz]

I wonder if registering them as global hotkeys is the correct solution? I didn't think it was because that would mean only one player at a time would get the events, but maybe you're right and that's what others are doing.

Then play it safe and make it an option. Or test with other apps to see the effects.

[Audiobot]

I don't think that's entirely correct. The keys already work in QCD when it is active. It is when it isn't active that they don't work. However, with WMP, they work even when it isn't active.

what do you mean by active? open or the highlighted window.
Right now I am typing in this window and QCD responds to all the media keys (except for volume) on my logitech keyboard- the cordless elite duo

[arw2004]

:D :cheerful: I think that instead of using standard media keys why not use the F5-58 keyboard buttons. I would like it if Paul Quinn could make an input plug-in that resolves this problem on Windows 98 SE or Windows 2000 ,or
Windows XP. :robot: :robot: :cheerful:

[acozz]

Download the Hotkeys plugin from the General plugins page.

[Paul]

Try out the multimedia keys on your keyboard with B71 and let me know how it goes.

[acozz]

Try out the multimedia keys on your keyboard with B71 and let me know how it goes.

They work perfectly, thanks.