We are trying to embed mp3 files in our database of music recordings. We know how to put .wav files into it, but we have not figured out how to put mp3's in it. The people I have talked to either do not know how to do it, or if it can be done. Has anyone ever done this sort of thing?

-Erik Keilholtz

Arhoolie Records

[ August 20, 2001: Message edited by: Jonathan Mickelson ]

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Originally posted by ErikErikPolkaMan:

We are trying to embed mp3 files in our database of music recordings. We know how to put .wav files into it, but we have not figured out how to put mp3's in it. The people I have talked to either do not know how to do it, or if it can be done. Has anyone ever done this sort of thing?

-Erik Keilholtz

Arhoolie Records

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Sorry to say that you cannot embed .mp3 files. On the PC, you can embed .wav's and on the Mac you can embed .aiff. I have not heard any mention of .mp3 support pending from FileMaker Pro.

On a lighter side, I think we could reasonably expect the FileMaker guys to at least entertain the idea of .mp3's for embedding due to the file size bonuses as well as the cross-platform playability. I will not be supprised when Version 6.0 does comes out , and it has .mp3 support, because this will provide an embeddable cross platform audio file format within FileMaker.

OK, so that sounds fun, but you have a need right now! I would suggest getting familiar with the 'Send Message' script step on the PC platform ('Send AppleEvent', on Mac) which allows you to activate and execute a file (ie .mp3 file) via a calculation field (including file path info). Now, you must remember this is the same as double clicking on the .mp3, so if you do not have any .mp3 players loaded, it'l be a no go!

But hopefully it will work for you ! Hope this helps... FYI this script step is in the Misc. section of script steps at the bottom of the list.

BTW, I didn't suggest the Open URL script step, because I'm not sure how the current run of the mill web browser will handle the .mp3, I think it'll try to download it, but you could also check this out.

IMHO,

Jonathan

I would take if for version 6.0, that Filemaker could try and use Windows or Mac OS X 's Media handling. I mean, Windows has built in support for mp3, and other codecs such as AVI, MPEG, DIVX video etc. And I would think these Operating System's have API's to allow applications to be able to open/decode/understand multiple file formats.

Just my two bucks worth

Steve Griff

MP3 files can be placed into container fields on the Windows OS. They will also play right within the container field.

But, alas, you can't do it on the Mac - yet.

I've done this successfully on a Mac. You need to have QuickTime installed. You must create a container field. In browse mode, click on the container field. Go to the Insert menu and choose Insert Movie. Pick your mp3 file. When you click on the container field, a quicktime player bar will appear. You can control the playback like a quicktime movie. You can do this with any format that quicktime supports.

That works, great! So hey, here's a challange. I have made a script that calls that MP3 file at the point when I open the document. How do I get the little container feild to be invisible though?

If you do want to play the file from the container field, go into Layout mode and set your graphic rulers to pixels. Then using the Object Size formatter, set the container field to have a size of 1x1 pixel. Word of warning here, it gets so small you may never be able to find it again.......

Or, if you're always going to have the same Mp3 called as the file opens, you don't need to have it in a container field. Instead, use the Send Message script step to open the Mp3 file. Make sure the 'Bring target app to foreground' box is unchecked.