Extended Command Messages

Extended command messages apply to particular device types such as animation devices. Device types with extended commands have capabilities that are not present in most types of MCI devices. MCI has the following types of extended commands:

Extended Commands for Working with MCI Element Files

Extended Commands for Device Operation and Positioning

Extended Command for Windowed Video Devices

Extended Commands for Working with MCI Element Files

MCI devices that let you edit MCI data can have extended commands for manipulating data. The following commands apply to devices that support editing:

MCI_COPY

Sent by an application to copy data from the MCI element to the Clipboard.

MCI_CUT

Sent by an application to move data from the MCI element to the Clipboard.

MCI_DELETE

Sent by an application to remove data from the MCI element.

MCI_PASTE

Sent by an application to paste data from the Clipboard to the MCI element.

Extended Commands for Device Operation and Positioning

MCI devices can have operating capabilities that apply only to a device type or that apply to a device with unique features. The following commands apply to devices that have specialized operating capabilities:

MCI_CUE

Sent by an application to cue a device for playback or recording.

MCI_ESCAPE

Sent by an application to send a string command to a device handler.

MCI_RESUME

Sent by an application to continue playback or recording previously paused.

MCI_SPIN

Sent by an application to start or stop spinning a rotating media device such as a laserdisc.

MCI_STEP

Sent by an application to step a device one or more frames.

Extended Command for Windowed Video Devices

Video devices that display data in a window on the computer display can have MCI commands for controlling the video display and window. These devices include animation movie players and video overlay devices. The following commands apply to windowed video devices:

MCI_FREEZE

Sent by an application to stop capture.

MCI_PUT

Sent by an application to define a source or destination clipping rectangle.

MCI_REALIZE

Sent by an application to tell a graphic device to realize its palette.

MCI_UNFREEZE

Sent by an application to restore capture.

MCI_UPDATE

Sent by an application to tell a graphic device to update or paint the current frame.

MCI_WHERE

Sent by an application to determine the extent of a clipping rectangle.

MCI_WINDOW

Sent by an application to specify a window and the characteristics of the window for a graphic device to use for its display.