Using the DirectShow Base Classes

To use the base classes in Microsoft® DirectShow®, you must build and link the base class library, located in the following directory:

(SDK root)\Samples\Multimedia\DirectShow\BaseClasses

Note  Previous versions of the SDK included the libary as a binary file. With Microsoft® DirectX® 8.0, you must build this library yourself if you plan to use the base classes.

The project workspace for the base classes is named BaseClasses.dsw. The project builds two versions of the library—a retail version, Strmbase.lib, and a debug version, Strmbasd.lib. In your own project, include the header file Streams.h. Link your project either to Strmbase.lib or to Strmbasd.lib, depending on whether you are making a retail build or a debug build. For debug builds, define the preprocessor symbol DEBUG before including the header file.

The table that follows summarizes the files you need.

Workspace	BaseClasses.dsw
Retail Library	Strmbase.lib
Debug Library	Strmbasd.lib
Header File	Streams.h

For more information on setting up your build environment, see Setting Up the Build Environment.

Preprocessor Symbols

When you include the header file Streams.h, the following preprocessor symbols have special meaning:

• DEBUG: Debug build. This preprocessor symbol enables a number of debugging utilities. For more information, see Debugging Utilities
• PERF: Reserved. Do not use this preprocessor symbol.
• VFWROBUST: Enables pointer validation. For more information, see Pointer Validation Macros. If DEBUG is defined, it is not necessary to define VFWROBUST.