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Freshcafe

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Is there a way of extracting mp3 files automatically for a blind user to be used in media player?

The user has a set sequence to download audio magazines but cannot add whole magazine to windows media play list - instead opens each article one by one when not extracted or unzipped.
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Wakeup
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Under options there's a "RIP Music" tab, and then a "RIP CD automatically" check box?
Perhaps checking that?

I don't know what you mean by when you say, "download audio magazines but cannot add whole magazine to windows media play list"...and then, "instead opens each article one by one when not extracted or unzipped"?

So ....if he's downloading these compressed and one by one, then he'd have to implement or add them one by one once they are extracted?  right?

And if he wants to extract them into a folder....can't he add a folder to the playlist or library list?

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Hi Freshcafe

We really need some more details.

1. How large is each "magazine" worth of audio content?
2. You mention extracted and unzipped.  What file or audio format does the content download as?
3. Does the download page or link to download require a login?
4. Is there any particular software that handles the downloading or is this just from a link in a page on a subscription site?
5. Where does the user or software download the files to?
6. Are the file names consistent, ie. named by date or sequential issue number?
7. Are the URLs to the files consistent such that they could be anticipated in advance?

My thoughts are that perhaps this could be batch processed using one click, but impossible to hazard a guess without knowing more detail.
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Freshcafe

ASKER

Thanks for the time and interest/replies.

The user goes to www.jw.org and selects any of the 3 mp3 file links. It downloads to the pc in Documents, Music, Downloads or even Recieved files on the XP system - the problem comes when it is saved and opened it opens requesting authorisation to open each Chapter individually even if I highlight all the files saved = Front cover jpeg, and each chapter mp3 and select open or press enter. It will only play 1 Chapter, I just tried it on my windows 7 system and it plays the end atricle of all the highlighted tracks. This occurs unless I extract them, then they automatically open in WMP where it appears on a playlist and you can listen to all chapters or select from it which you want (forward/next, back or previous), like on a CD, as needed.

Therefore un-extracted is sees them as files to be extracted or opened but extracted it sees them as mp3 (sounds files to be played, added to playlist, "Convert sound file" etc. I would like to have thes options (easily seen when right cliked) available as simple as possible to add as few keypresses to the users sequence of storing the download on the pc as possible. Try it yourselves if I've not explained it well and I'll try explaining again if necessary - goodnight from the UK (almost morning).
Perhaps downloading them as the AAC format?  And acquiring the correct format to play them via Windows Media player?

MPEG-4 (.mp4)
MPEG-4 is an International Standards Organization (ISO) specification that covers many aspects of multimedia presentation including compression, authoring and delivery. Although video compression and file container definition are two separate and independent entities of the MPEG-4 specification, many people incorrectly believe that the two are interchangeable. You can implement only portions of the MPEG-4 specification and remain compliant with the standard.

The MPEG-4 file format, as defined by the MPEG-4 specification, contains MPEG-4 encoded video and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)-encoded audio content. It typically uses the .mp4 extension. Windows Media Player does not support the playback of the .mp4 file format. You can play back .mp4 media files in Windows Media Player when you install DirectShow-compatible MPEG-4 decoder packs. DirectShow-compatible MPEG-4 decoder packs include the Ligos LSX-MPEG Player and the EnvivioTV.

For more information about the Ligos LSX-MPEG Player, visit the following Ligos Web site:
http://www.ligos.com
For more information about EnvivioTV , visit the following Envivio Web site:
http://www.envivio.com/products/
Microsoft has chosen to implement the video compression portion of the MPEG-4 standard. Microsoft has currently produced the following MPEG-4-based video codecs:
Microsoft MPEG-4 v1
Microsoft MPEG-4 v2
Microsoft MPEG-4 v3
ISO MPEG-4 v1
MPEG-4 video content can be encoded and stored in an .asf file container by using Windows Media Tools and Windows Media Encoder. You can then play these files in Windows Media Player. For more information about Microsoft and MPEG-4 support, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/format/codecdownload.aspx
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MP4??????????????? Who's using MP4? Why is that relevant?
Went to your link...and the files also come in "pdf, Mp3 and AAC format....
AAC Format as far as I recall is the audio used by MP4... Is it not?
The MPEG-4 file format, as defined by the MPEG-4 specification, contains MPEG-4 encoded video and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)-encoded audio content

AAC audio is normally wrapped in a mpeg-4 container to make life easier. mpeg-4 AAC audio commonly had three types of filenames: *.m4a (used commonly by iTunes, Apple pretty much set this standard up), *.mp4 (commonly used by other, less known applications), and *.m4p (used only by Apple to show that your content was purchased from the iTunes Store). You can freely go from a *.mp4 to *.m4a by renaming your files, there is no need to convert since they are essentially the same thing.

IF he's set on using Windows Media player, then you'd need some codecs to be able to play AAC...but the AAC on the  website you linked, are not compressed (zipped)...
So the other route you can take, unless you are specifically hooked on MP3's....is to do as I suggested, or perhaps Use Itunes as the player for the AAC audio....
And actually those files are M4B....which I believe uses the same AAC/Mp4/m4a codec.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding
Thanks - I'll check on that - That will mean having the user learn a new download and play sequence after I figure out what exact keystrokes are necessary myself instead of adding 2 to 4 key presses to the routine, or having some kind of program or bat file which does the extracting, bearing in mind the disability.
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BillDL
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Whoops, sorry Wakeup.  I meant to use Freshcafe's name at the start of my comment.
Incidentally, I can't test anything until I repair my Windows Media Player.  It is inexplicably screwed up right now, although it has nothing to do with my testing things from that site.
Greetings BillDL - you always give what seems to be your best and I love your detailed knowledgeable answers.

You are quite correct and the user uses a program from or called "Hal" / "Dolphin" and on several other points too even like the hyperlink tag "Tooltip... " which I have heard myself.

What I meant was after saving the dozen to 20 files which the magazines comprise of I taught the user to move down 1 which selects the first mp3 and then press shift and end together before opening which curiously opened the whole magazine previously (almost certain) though it played the last track first and then then rest in correct order but not doing that now -When all opened it now asks; do you want to open this file and it had this window/box for each chapter.
This select and open works as wanted if the files are extracted meaning the whole magazine is in WMP automatically without having to open each file or Media Player separately.

I am certain if they are informed of the problem or a suitable Sight Impaired suggestion is given they will comply or look into providing a Great solution for these users. It is open to all not just those thought of as members of the organisation and they do well to consider and accomodate all.

Thank you for yor suggestions - your first suggestion of scripting for automated download sounds Great but beyond my Capability. I hope your WMP is sorted soon, I'm sure you can get it done - O can suggest several options there but certain you don't need my help especially as I don't know what the actual problem is and what the cause may be.
@Freshcafe,
The AAC format is just a suggestion...
But .....
Perhaps your client, has an ipod as well?!  not sure how one who is blind would be able to use an iphone or ipod touch....
But if they have an ipod....it is possible that if your client does, he could also put these on his ipod...
Anyway...again AAC was just a suggestion to the issue at hand.
If you grab a codec for his windows media player to play m4a/m4b/mp4/aac, then you shouldn't need to implement any more keypresses?  
As it should just be as easy as playing an mp3 file?
I think?

@BillDL, no prob! :)
Thank you Wakeup it sounds good, as I said I'll check it out. Honestly I'd like to find out if opening them directly through some sort of script is possible but you seemed to have best solution till then. Thank for your help both of you.
I'm no script writer...so I'll leave that to Bill! :)
Good luck...keep us informed...if I think of anything else...I'll let ya know.
Wakeup - I have tried the AAC download and opening it in windows media player just plays the Whole magazine but as 1 REALLY long file. I think I have to check some more and do a few changes - It says it is not recognised and do I want to search for a program and WMP says it is not recognised but may still play the file. I'll try again tomorrow - been a long day.
Ok...ya you need the appropriate program/codec to play m4p/m4a/m4b/aac/mp4 files for Windows Media Player....
that's why it is not recognized...
Have you tried downloading some of the codecs etc that I linked above?
Hi Freshcafe

I may have an explanation for the explanation you gave earlier:

>>> "... I taught the user to move down 1 which selects the first mp3 and then press shift and end together before opening which curiously opened the whole magazine previously (almost certain) though it played the last track first and then then rest in correct order but not doing that now.  When all opened it now asks; do you want to open this file and it had this window/box for each chapter" <<<

Beginning with XP SP2 or SP3 or perhaps it was IE7, all files copied from "another computer" have extra metadata (ADS - Alternate Data Streams) written to them in the form of embedded *.INI file syntax.  In Windows this is only supported on drives formatted as NTFS.  The embedded data is lost if copied to a FAT32 drive.  The data is used for various purposes including DRM / copyright protection info.  ADS also supports the embedding of one file inside another without increasing the file size, and so is sometimes deliberately and maliciously used to embed viruses and other nasties that can be run without even extracting the embedded file.

Articles about ADS by Frank Heyne:
http://www.heysoft.de/en/information/ntfs-ads.php
and H. Carvey:
http://www.infosecwriters.com/texts.php?op=display&id=53

Test it yourself on this MP3 after you download it:
http://download.jw.org/files/media_magazines/w_E_20110515_01.mp3

Run the following command:

more < w_E_20110515_01.mp3:Zone.Identifier
or
notepad "C:\Full-Path-To\w_E_20110515_01.mp3:Zone.Identifier"

You should see:
[ZoneTransfer]
ZoneId=3

Zone 3 is the "Internet Zone".  Others that may be used are:
Trusted = 1
Intranet = 2
Untrusted = 4
The intention of adding this flag to downloaded files, or ones copied from another NTFS-formatted computer, is that when you double-click to open a file that is flagged with the Zone.Identifier, it usually shows a security prompt for most file types. Ticking the box voids the flag, as does opening the file's pProperties and clicking the "Unblock" button.

Strangely enough, when I open downloaded MP3 files in Windows Media Player and other media players I AM NOT prompted in the usual way even though I can see that the files are still flagged.  As far as I can determine, files contained INSIDE a ZIP file (at least the ones from the jw.org site) do not contain the Zone.Identifier ADS, but the ZIP files DO.  WinZip, however, does not prompt with a security warning.  Perhaps some versions of Windows were objecting to the separate MP3 downloads and the webmaster decided that Zipping them up might bypass this annoyance.

Anyway, that's my POSSIBLE explanation for the prompts that the user was receiving on using the multiple select method that you first showed him/her.

I don't know if there is something wrong with my Windows Media Player 11 running on this XP machine, but it will not play any of the MP3s downloaded from that site.  It loads them and displays the ID3 tags plus the embedded thumbnail image, but will not advance and play the audio content.  It is playing all my other MP3s just fine, and I know that the "Fraunhofer IIS MP3" codec the files are encoded with is enabled and working fine.  I can't figure it out, but this means that I cannot meantime test out any scripts on files from that website until I can figure out what's wrong.

Bill
Ok I woke a few hrs earlier than I usually do and I've gone through the first posts from you Wakeup - I checked those 3 links and mainly found more reading and links which mostly give more info not codec downloads but with (a bit of rest) some research I decided to go with the STORM codec which has Media Player Classic and the LIGO you mentioned {due to your links}. Due to it incorporating so many it's HUGE - over 23MB. I'm just saving it for now on my system, then I'll install it and test it on my own Laptop before possible requesting access to install it on the clients.

@BillDL - That I Think looks a reasonable explanation but I'll have to re-read it to make sure I understand it and that it makes sense (to me). Thanks
Ok been an hour or so and I loaded the Codec and even found -This file is from another computer ans may be blocked for security - with option to Unblock so I did but still it shows as one file 1hr33 or more - let me open it in WMP Classic now - NOPE, same. This will not do for the user would need to search each chapter by guessing or forwarding through the whole stream etc instead of just clicking next and reaching the start of the article needed. Thanks tho Wakeup. Maybe I'll try the PDF 1 as well sometime today - It'd be helpful to get it done before tomorrow so they can Study it for Use on Sunday.
Sorry...was worth a shot!

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I should have mentioned, the MP3s are cached as normal for files retrieved from URLs to the user's Temporary Internet Files folder.
Hi Freshcafe

I'm sorry, but I've had to throw in the towel on this as far as my "batch" approach is concerned.  I hate having to give up on anything, but there sometimes comes a time where a "solution" becomes more complex than the original problem.

Although the file names are all consistent enough to resonably foresee what next month's audio files will be named, or sufficient to know what eg. January 2011's "Awake" mp3s were named, the ID3 tagging in them is too inconsistent to rely on.

I have been trying to create an "offline" MP3 archive for the user, and a single double-click desktop shortcut that looks at the site for fresh content and downloads the audio files to keep the offline content current.  The archive would comprise one HTML file (or an "index" file linked to others with easy navigation) and containing links to each of the MP3s saved to the hard drive.  Each link would be suitably tagged so that text to speech software would provide accurate information when each header, line of text, and hyperlink was tabbed to or selected on mouseover.  I was relying on the MP3 Tags (ID3 tags) being consistent enough in all audio files to extract them and use them for those tooltips that would be applied to the HTML code.

I know that it is not exactly what was asked, and may in some ways patronise your friend who likes to remain as independent as possible in using the PC, but about the best solution would be an audio book on CD or DVD.  I would be happy to download all the current audio files on that site and burn them to DVD in some format where the user could just insert the DVD and make selections from a menu by Year, Month, and then separate categories.

That doesn't address the issue of new content though.  I would have thought that the International Organisation for Jehovah's Witnesses would probably already have had a service in place where they distributed new releases on Audio CDs with printed Braille labels.

I looked in detail at the "Contact Us" pages on the various JW sites, but all they do is allow you to Request an in-home personal visit from somebody to discuss the Bible with you.  I can't find a contact to just ask a few questions or mention the need for a "Blind-Friendly" version of the site.

As far as the "AAC" (m4b) files are concerned, it would seem that my computer uses a codec that was installed by my Roxio CD Burning software to play the content in Windows Media Player.  That file type defaults to Apple QuickTime Player on my computer, but it doesn't play because I think I previously messed a bit too much with the installed files and it will need to be reinstalled:

*.M4B file type = AAC Audio Book
One action only = Open
Open Command = C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe "%1"
Use DDE
Application = QuickTimePlayer
Topic = System

QuickTime always opens so slowly, even if asked to play a small simple file, that I have always avoided using it.

I reassigned the *.M4B extension to VideoLan's VLC Player (http://www.videolan.org) and the AAC links on the site play in VLC Player just fine, but regardless of what program is associated with that file extension this is not "streaming" audio content.  It still needs the user to click on the "Open or Save" dialog.  The "Open" choice still needs to physically download and save the file, and it then playes from one of the sub-folders in the user's Temporary Internet Files folder, for example:

C:\Documents and Settings\Bill\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\9JJ8TW2G\w_E_20110615[1].m4b

If only there were links on the JW pages that "streamed" the content and didn't have to download the file in its entirety first, for example using the mms:// protocol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Media_Server) or better still the rtmp:// protocol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Time_Messaging_Protocol).

In the end, using what is available, I suppose you have a few options for playback by clicking the links on the pages:

1. Install Apple QuickTime and associate the M4B file type with it.
2. Install VLC Player and associate the M4B file type with it.
3. Install either or both, but associate the M4B file type with Windows Media Player and hope that it can use a suitable decoder that was installed by one of the other applications.
4. Install neither 1 nor 2, but instead install a reputable "Codec Pack" and hope that Windows Media Player can play the content using one of the pack's codecs.

I'm not really too familiar with all the "codec packs" that are around, and I generally shy away from them because I've had some bad results in the past, but on searching I see this one that may do the trick:
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/aac_aacplus_player_plugin.htm
Direct Link (Right-Click > "Save Target As" should work):
http://www.free-codecs.com/download_soft.php?d=5079&s=683

The above is version 1.1.51 of the "aacPlus DirectShow Stream Parser" codec created by http://www.orban.com/ but their FTP site is a maze to navigate.  The actual codec installed by the setup package in the zip file from the above links comprises just one DLL file (aacpParser.dll)

All that is needed here is the DEcoder for a speciific file encoding, not the ENcoder.  It's just for playback. So installing a complete codec pack like "K-Lite Codec Pack" is overkill for the user's needs.

Personally I think that trying to circumvent the issues created by the MP3s in the Zip file is banging your head against a wall.  That format of download is presented on the site's pages to allow for easy downloading and saving of all the MP3s in one neat package for manual unzipping by a sighted person, rather than as the means to play back content.

Bill
BillDL - Your idea worked well and I love it lots - I had it play as I wished but if you cannot get it to automatically change the names to be downloaded I will have to find a way round it like volunteering to run your file/program weekly or fortnightly myself - in order to retrieve the latest magazines. I  hope to get your idea to the website owner/ manager to implement something along the lines of your ideas - TY _ I am not sure I fully understand all of it but the example you sent me (links) worked a treat. I hope to look into it and get it to work in the proper setting.

Regards,
Freshcafe
Points will follow - let me try testing this on her system this week please!
Great....glad you were able to get something going!  BillDL good job! :)
Hi Freshcafe

I hung off posting any other comments because I knew you would need time to digest the information, which was (as is usual for me) typically verbose and written as though I was thinking out loud :-)

Just to explain the first couple of paragraphs in my last comment so you knew why I "threw in the towel" on a batch method.

I ended up hitting a snag when it came to retrieving them for all except for the current "download" page:
http://www.jw.org/index.html?option=QBJrYBNQF

To see "previous" monthly downloads there is a drop-down web form, but it does not actually load a new page, or at least reflect this in the Address Bar or the page properties.  All it appears to do is dynamically repopulate the table below it with the relevant data for the month and year chosen. The page URL remains unchanged.  I am not clever enough with web design to know exactly how this is done in order to get real page URLs, but I assume it uses JavaScript or similar.

This presented problems using a program like URL2File to download the page code for each month so that I could walk through the page code and grab the URLs for each of the months.

So, as it stands, any "batch" method will have to be restricted for your own volunteering offer and used just to get fresh links each month for your friend.

I have kept going back to this each time I thought of something else to try, and was just testing out something a couple of days ago using a little 3rd-party command line program that reads ID3 Tags from MP3 files.  My thoughts were still aiming towards creating a repository of "local" web pages that are more "blind friendly" in that they speak what the user has hung the mouse over and accurately describe the audio file's contents.  The idea was still aimed towards a "one-click" desktop shortcut to download new content and add to the repository, but in view of the problems I had, perhaps this is something YOU could do for the user and just update on a monthly basis.  I haven't finished this yet, and whether it would be reliable and usable is something I won't know until I either get something working or have to admit defeat.

This is now a "project" for me, and has departed somewhat from the original question.  My interests are now driven by a desire to make things a bit easier for a blind user, for you, and out of general curiosity and dislike of defeat.  Perhaps I could create an E-E "blog" entry to continue my experimentation and keep you updated.

Let us know if you intend installing a suitable Codec (eg. the one I suggested in my last comment) to enable playback of the AAC links to the *.M4B files, or if you really want to persevere and try to create some kind of offline audio file repository or playlists for online streaming using a "batch" solution.

Bill
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Dont believe it's flown by so quickly - I was on another job for 2 weeks on nights - trying to catch up with my IT work now - Please Bill what exactly would I need to do to the batch file to download the newest files - I'd guess I'd work out the next date code for each magazine and edit the .m3u file. I'll just try the Awake magazine link by editing your m3u file today. Not got back to that system yet but when I understand this I should have remote access to the system to try it out.

Thanks -
help@{me}.com
I marked it as complete, and easy to follow because it seems logical and the m3u list worked as described - I just have to work out the naming conventions, where to get them or at least where/how to get the future 1s to make my own list/s and create the relevant file/s to play the media just as Bill's EXCELLENT Example. When my brain recovers from lack of sleep I SHOULD be able to do this.
The 1st answer given points was marked best because it was quick and to the point and actually worked out to be demonstrated on the answer awarded most points! Every response was worth something - Thank you guys! Both!