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Media key global hotkeys should use different event api (WinXP)
Songbird does capture global hotkeys for media keys fine under Windows XP, but it does not stop other applications from being triggered by the same media key. For instance pressing my play/pause media key also triggers any other running programs such as Windows Media Player, iTunes, Zoomplayer or the default IntelliType Pro hook (which opens the default media player, which is not Songbird).
Songbird should follow the same UI methodology as all these other players do, that is capture the media key events when it does not have the focus, and only letting another app have the event when that app has the focus instead. As far as I can tell, the WM_APPCOMMAND api is used for this behaviour, instead of the more general WM_HOTKEY api.
Microsoft has some best practices on the subject of these media keys. This means that in order to correctly support media keys, songbird will have to start capturing the WM_APPCOMMAND events instead of registering WM_HOTKEY events for these keys.
Songbird should follow the same UI methodology as all these other players do, that is capture the media key events when it does not have the focus, and only letting another app have the event when that app has the focus instead. As far as I can tell, the WM_APPCOMMAND api is used for this behaviour, instead of the more general WM_HOTKEY api.
Microsoft has some best practices on the subject of these media keys. This means that in order to correctly support media keys, songbird will have to start capturing the WM_APPCOMMAND events instead of registering WM_HOTKEY events for these keys.
I’m annoyed
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Inappropriate?We've had reports that songbird hot keys can interfere with IntelliType Pro at some point.
What key do you use for Play/Pause control?
More info on implemented keyboard shortcuts at
Help->Keyboard Shortcuts1 Comment
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This solves the problem
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I use the standard play/pause media key on my keyboard, using the default PLAYPAUSE keycode in the Songbird options window.
I have the Intellitype Pro driver installed as well, but this problem should also occur with all other keyboards with the standard media keys, as Windows itself implements the WM_APPCOMMAND api for the main media keys (as mentioned in the MSDN link). The only additional problem when using Intellitype Pro is that it starts the default Media Player when its APPCOMMAND_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE event is not handled by any application. -
Inappropriate?Yeah, I'm trying to just use the Play/Pause media key on my keyboard as well. Have had to change it to WIN + INSERT because pressing Play/Pause opens Windows Media Player as well
I’m annoyed
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Inappropriate?Has there really been no update on this in 8 months? I didn't even find an official feature request for this on Windows. Multimedia keys on keyboards are ubiquitous these days, and I think it's imperative that Songbird work to support them.
I’m frustrated
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This solves the problem
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I'm afraid so. I was tempted to implement it myself at one point, as I had already pinpointed the problem and suggested a solution with the description given above, but I just didn't have the time to invest.
I've since solved the problem, by uninstalling songbird and installing another player that does play nice with hotkeys :( -
This is my worry - I switched to Songbird because it seemed to have so much potential, and I want it to become popular, but I don't know how long I can stick with it when it lacks such basic features :(
