This sample shows how a simple Windows Media download package can be used. It also shows a simple border. Borders are similar to skins, but they are displayed in the Now Playing pane of the Full Mode of the Windows Media Player.
A Windows Media download package is a compressed file with the extension wmd. It can contain a metafile (asx), a border (wmz), and one or more content files (wma, wmv, asf, etc.).
When Windows Media Player opens a wmd file, it looks for a metafile (asx, wax, wvx) and adds any content metadata it finds to a new playlist. In addition, it also looks for a <SKIN> element in the metafile. If the SKIN element contains a reference to a border file (wmz), it will load the border into the Now Playing pane. Finally, any content in the wmd file will be unpacked and added to the media collection of the users machine. Note that borders use the same technology as skins, and the difference has to do with where they are displayed and how they are loaded.
This sample contains a simple metafile (package.asx) that references a border (package.wmz). The metafile also contains playlist information about three included audio files (banjo.wma, guitar.wma, synth.wma). The playlist information includes additional metadata that defines an art file (gif) and URL for each file, as well as file name and media title.
When the border begins playing, an art file button will be displayed that is related to the media that is playing. The media title is displayed to show what web site will be displayed by Internet Explorer when the art file button is clicked. A visualization is playing in the background. The border file calls JScript functions that use the playlist metadata to display the art file and link data associated with each media file.
Borders can have any design, but care should be taken to create designs that can be resized; buttons should be centered and backgrounds should not be used. Border is a metaphorical term and indicates that art and user interface are "wrapped around" the content. Because the border is displayed in the Now Playing area, a border does not need transport controls or a return to full mode button. Borders can be used for simple advertising purposes or can be the foundation for a complete multimedia application that includes content and navigation within the context of Windows Media Player.
For convenience, the uncompressed wmd file is included in the wmd_file folder. For additional convenience, the uncompressed wmz file is included in the wmz_file folder. Neither folder is required or used by the wmd file itself; they are provided in case you do not have decompression programs such as PKUnzip and want to view the uncompressed files.
See the Windows Media Player SDK for more information about borders and Windows Media download packages.
