The IDirectSoundBuffer::GetCaps method retrieves the capabilities of the DirectSoundBuffer object.

Your application can use the IDirectSoundBuffer::GetStatus method to determine if the current sound buffer is playing or if it has stopped.

You can use the IDirectSoundBuffer::GetFormat method to retrieve information about the format of the sound data in the buffer. You also can use the IDirectSoundBuffer::GetFormat and IDirectSoundBuffer::SetFormat methods to retrieve and set the format of the sound data in the primary sound buffer.

Note  After a secondary sound buffer is created, its format is fixed. If you need a secondary buffer that uses another format, you must create a new sound buffer with this format.

Memory for a sound buffer can be lost in certain situations: for example, when buffers are located in sound card memory and another application gains control of the hardware resources. Loss can also occur when an application with the write-primary cooperative level moves to the foreground. In this case, DirectSound makes all other sound buffers lost so that the foreground application can write directly to the primary buffer.

The DSERR_BUFFERLOST error code is returned when the IDirectSoundBuffer::Lock or IDirectSoundBuffer::Play method is called for a lost buffer. When the application that caused the loss lowers its cooperative level from write-primary or moves to the background, other applications can attempt to reallocate the buffer memory by calling the IDirectSoundBuffer::Restore method. If successful, this method restores the buffer memory and all other settings for the buffer, such as volume and pan settings. However, a restored buffer might not contain valid sound data, so the application should rewrite the data to the buffer.

The DirectSoundBuffer.GetCaps method retrieves the capabilities of the DirectSoundBuffer object.

Your application can use the DirectSoundBuffer.GetStatus method to determine if the current sound buffer is playing or if it has stopped.

You can use the DirectSoundBuffer.GetFormat method to retrieve information about the format of the sound data in the buffer. You also can use the DirectSoundBuffer.GetFormat and DirectSoundBuffer.SetFormat methods to retrieve and set the format of the sound data in the primary sound buffer.

Note  After a secondary sound buffer is created, its format is fixed. If you need a secondary buffer that uses another format, you must create a new sound buffer with this format.

Memory for a sound buffer can be lost in certain situations: for example, when buffers are located in sound card memory and another application gains control of the hardware resources. Loss can also occur when an application with the write-primary cooperative level moves to the foreground. In this case, DirectSound makes all other sound buffers lost so that the foreground application can write directly to the primary buffer.

The DSERR_BUFFERLOST error code is raised when the DirectSoundBuffer.WriteBuffer or DirectSoundBuffer.Play method is called for a lost buffer. When the application that caused the loss lowers its cooperative level from write-primary or moves to the background, other applications can attempt to reallocate the buffer memory by calling the DirectSoundBuffer.Restore method. If successful, this method restores the buffer memory and all other settings for the buffer, such as volume and pan settings. However, a restored buffer may not contain valid sound data, so the owning application should rewrite the data to the buffer.