Open question, about VLC as a Windows Service

[charlyr]

Is it possible to use VLC Player as a Windows service, that plays a remote stream to a specified audio device in background?
We want to use this in remote broadcasting radio stations that requires neither user intervention nor gui and remote process control.

We are trying to do something like this, but as a windows service.

1st. Service: VLC-FM1 output to DirectX audio device 2
"C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" --quiet --inft=dummy --volume=250 --directx-audio-device=2 --directx-audio-float32 --audio-filter=normvol http://nn.nn.nn.nn:port/FM1

2nd. Service: VLC-FM2 output to DirectX audio device 3
"C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" --quiet --inft=dummy --volume=250 --directx-audio-device=3 --directx-audio-float32 --audio-filter=normvol http://nn.nn.nn.nn:port/FM2

Thanks in advance, any tip welcomed!

[VLC_help]

In theory it should work.

Windows Service interface
--ntservice-install, --no-ntservice-install
Install Windows Service (default disabled)
Install the Service and exit. (default disabled)
--ntservice-uninstall, --no-ntservice-uninstall
Uninstall Windows Service (default disabled)
Uninstall the Service and exit. (default disabled)
--ntservice-name=<string> Display name of the Service
Change the display name of the Service.
--ntservice-options=<string>
Configuration options
Configuration options that will be used by the Service (eg. --foo=bar
--no-foobar). It should be specified at install time so the Service
is properly configured.
--ntservice-extraintf=<string>
Extra interface modules
Additional interfaces spawned by the Service. It should be specified
at install time so the Service is properly configured. Use a comma
separated list of interface modules. (common values are: logger, sap,
rc, http)

So install two different instances with ntservice-name option and also specify options with ntservice-options.

[charlyr]

I have try the service installation as you told me. I get the following problems.

1. The service starts OK, the remote stream is played but no audio goes to output even loading with desktop interaction. I have also try with a simplified command with no luck. I am sending the configuration examples i have try.

a. "C:\Archivos de programa\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" -I ntservice --ntservice-extraintf qt --volume=250 --directx-audio-device=1 --directx-audio-float32 --audio-filter=normvol http://dir.xiph.org/listen/1003756/listen.m3u

b. "C:\Archivos de programa\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" -I ntservice http://dir.xiph.org/listen/1003756/listen.m3u

2. If you stop the service from Services Applet, appears as stopped but in TaskBar the vlc process still appears.

3. If you restart the service from Service Applet, another instance of VLC is launched without stopping the previous one.

I thing the service interface does not support local play, and that it only allows streaming configuration.

Any advice wellcomed.

[charlyr]

Now it´s working!!!
There is a problem related with the way WIndows assigns devices in GUI or Service mode, i try changing de directX audio device and now i have two working autostart streams running in background. This config can be usefull to broadcast remote stations, recording internet radio propuse, etc.

I am sending you the final configuration for future reference:

1. To install the services, go to de command prompt File->Run->cmd

2. Then go to the VLC install directory.

3. Install the Autoplay Stream Service, with an http Administrative remote console on ports 1080 and 1081.

3.1. Autoplay for radio station #1 (Clasical), output device directX audio #1:
vlc -I ntservice --ntservice-install --ntservice-name=VLC-CLASICAL --ntservice-extraintf=http --ntservice-options="--http-host=0.0.0.0:1080 --volume=250 --directx-audio-device=1 --directx-audio-float32 --force-dolby-surround=2 http://dir.xiph.org/listen/1391606/listen.m3u"

3.2. Autoplay for radio station #2 (Jazz), output device directX audio #2:
vlc -I ntservice --ntservice-install --ntservice-name=VLC-JAZZ --ntservice-extraintf=http --ntservice-options="--http-host=0.0.0.0:1081 --volume=250 --directx-audio-device=2 --directx-audio-float32 --force-dolby-surround=2 http://dir.xiph.org/listen/1003756/listen.m3u"

4. Optional, add Service Description.
4.1. Run regedit
4.2. Goto HKLM/System/CurrentControlSet/Services
4.3. Locate the Key with the same name you use on 3.1 or 3.2 (The service name)
4.4. Add a new String Value, the Key must be "Description" write whatever you want as service description.

5. Optional, add Service dependancy
If you want this service to depend on another to delay execution, add a Key "DependOnService" of type REG_MULTI_SZ and write there the service name that this service is dependant. I put this service dependant on Tcpip service, this way the service VLC-CLASICAL does not start after having connection to the IP Network.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Could you document your work on the wiki?

[VLC_help]

http://wiki.videolan.org/Windows_service
I started it.

[primts]

How to deinstall a running a service, and how can i adjust some parameter later??

[VLC_help]

--ntservice-uninstall will uninstall. You have to restart service, if you want to change init parameters.

[quu]

is it possible to play videos with VLC installed as a service, or is it audio only?

I could see this being used as video kiosks, install VLC as a windows service and then control it via http/telnet/etc or just configure it to play from a streaming video source.

[VLC_help]

Video playback is possible in service mode.

[quu]

Video playback is possible in service mode.

cool, I'll have to get a dev machine to experiment with then

do you know if it possible then to specify what screen to use on a multi monitor machine then from the command line (I assume service mode uses the command line interface options)

[VLC_help]

If you use DirectX video output module, there is option for selecting the screen.

Code: Select all

--directx-device={} Name of desired display device In a multiple monitor configuration, you can specify the Windows device name of the display that you want the video window to open on. For example, "\\.\DISPLAY1" or "\\.\DISPLAY2".

but you can also specify x and y position for video window.

Code: Select all

--video-x=<integer> Video X coordinate You can enforce the position of the top left corner of the video window (X coordinate). --video-y=<integer> Video Y coordinate You can enforce the position of the top left corner of the video window (Y coordinate).