Add internal CD/DVD burning to TC? (FoxBurner SDK)

[Loc2262]

Definitely "file list reference". The new Foxburner has integrated project management features... when you "copy" a file to a project, you just tell Foxburner which file you wish to add to your project, and it handles the stuff internally. You can even list/change the existing project contents. So TC itself doesn't need to do much there, no need to copy the files to a temp dir, they can be burned from their original place. (Except you burn files from a slow network connection or similar.)

[petermad]

2Loc2262

Will Foxburner place the files in the sequence they are listed from TC or will Foxburner sort the files/dirs alphabetically (I hope not!) ?

[Loc2262]

2petermad
They should be burned in the order in which they were added.

[petermad]

2Loc2262
Thanks !

[Stitscher]

Hi!

I don't think that additional plugin functions would be needed for the FS plugin interface - the actual burning could simply be put in a small seaprate exacutable, so just the file gathering is done inside of TC.

The reason why I would like to add burning internally would be to make it more intuitive:
1. The user could switch to the CD drive, even if there is no CD inserted
2. He could "copy" the files there
3. He could click on "burn" to burn them to the CD

What is the current status of this project?
Can you give any news?

Thanks, Stitscher

[ghisler(Author)]

Currently I'm not sure whether I should continue at all. The showstopper here is the mp3 format: If I add mp3 decoding to TC internally (not using any system functions), I would have to pay patent fees per licence to two different company groups, even for users of existing licences. This would mean the end of free updates, and also mean a price increase.

[fredscal]

Hi, too !

I don't think that additional plugin functions would be needed for the FS plugin interface - the actual burning could simply be put in a small seaprate exacutable, so just the file gathering is done inside of TC.

The reason why I would like to add burning internally would be to make it more intuitive:
1. The user could switch to the CD drive, even if there is no CD inserted
2. He could "copy" the files there
3. He could click on "burn" to burn them to the CD

Currently I'm not sure whether I should continue at all. The showstopper here is the mp3 format: If I add mp3 decoding to TC internally (not using any system functions), I would have to pay patent fees per licence to two different company groups, even for users of existing licences. This would mean the end of free updates, and also mean a price increase.

2ghisler(Author)

But if actual burning is done through a separate executable, wouldn't it be possible to have mp3 decoding included into that executable, and then sell it separately for a reasonably low fee ?

ps: maybe that separate executable could even be third party ? Can't Golden Hawk's DAO do the trick ? So you wouldn't have to bother yourself with licenses, drivers, etc. Just route your costumers to their download page (as i remember, they give free time-unlimited demos away that are only limited in burning speed, and even their license is quite affordable). I mention Golden Hawk because they've been around for a long time and seem quite reliable on the long run

[StickyNomad]

2ghisler(Author)

The end of free updates just because of that decoding feature is absolutely no option IMO.

But perhaps it might be possible to avoid that by providing a burning solution that dosn't support mp3 decoding. I personally could easily live without mp3-decoding support and use e.g. winamp's disk-writer plugin for that.

EDIT: Maybe the way fredscal mentioned could also be an option...

[m^2]

Maybe don't implement mp3 decoding but support for a tool that does it?
Winamp plugin? Bass library? Whatever.
I agree with StickyNomad that end of free updates sounds very bad.

[StickyNomad]

BTW, I just noticed that the packer plugin AudioConverter also supports decoding mp3 files. I don't know if it uses system functions, but at least it contains a bunch of DLLs.

[ghisler(Author)]

2StickyNomad
Free tools can use the patents for free, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3#Licensing_and_patent_issues

[quote]Additionally, patent holders declined to enforce license fees on free and open source decoders, allowing many free MP3 decoders to develop.[17] Furthermore, while attempts have been made to discourage distribution of encoder binaries, Thomson has stated that individuals using free MP3 encoders are not required to pay fees. Thus while patent fees have been an issue for companies attempting to use MP3, they have not meaningfully impacted users, allowing the format to grow in popularity.[quote]

So if someone else offers a free mp3 decoding tool or plugin for Total Commander, that creator and the users will not get into any problems with patents. But if we bundle it with TC, it will be for pay, and will require a patent licence.

What I could do is distribute foxburner.dll without mp3lib1.dll and the mp3 decoder functionality...

[m^2]

What I could do is distribute foxburner.dll without mp3lib1.dll and the mp3 decoder functionality...

Maybe just w/out the .dll? Like with the libraries needed for FTPS. Having external download is much better than nothing IMO (even though I still don't find burning DVDs in TC really important).

[Hacker]

Christian,
Could MAD be used somehow?
If not, then just do not provide MP3 decoding. It might be just my opinion, but burning MP3's to Audio CD's is getting out of fashion.

Roman

[m^2]

Could MAD be used somehow?

It's GPL, so no.

[icfu]

but burning MP3's to Audio CD's is getting out of fashion

Burning AudioCDs is outdated in general, I guess. The idea to pay license fees for MP3 decoding is just ridiculous.

Icfu