Using DirectShow to Play a Movie from Visual Basic | CodeGuru

Using DirectShow to Play a Movie from Visual Basic

Environment: VC6 SP5 Playing a movie file (AVI, MPG) from C++ is simple if we use the DirectShow interfaces provided with each version of DirectX. However, if we want to use Visual Basic as a movie player, the DirectShow interfaces can be difficult to use. That’s why we have built (in C++) an ActiveX control […]

Written By
CodeGuru Staff
CodeGuru Staff
Jun 16, 2003
1 minute read
CodeGuru content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

Environment: VC6 SP5

Playing a movie file (AVI, MPG) from C++ is simple if we use the DirectShow interfaces provided with each version of DirectX. However, if we want to use Visual Basic as a movie player, the DirectShow interfaces can be difficult to use.

That’s why we have built (in C++) an ActiveX control for Visual Basic that allows us to play any movie file (compatible with DirectShow). The ActiveX object also provides the complete interface for controlling the movie playback (Start, Stop, Pause, and a trackbar; it also shows the current movie position and the total length of the movie).

The ActiveX exports three functions:

StartMovie [MovieName] Starts the specified movie

StopMovie Stops the specified movie

UnloadProgram Unloads the DirectShow interfaces

See also:

Play a Movie from C++


http://www.microsoft.com/Developer/…/Play_Movie_from_C++.htm

Control the Video Playback Window from C++
http://www.microsoft.com/Developer/…/Control_Video_Playback_Window_C++.htm

Downloads

Download demo project – 37 Kb

Download binaries only – 139 Kb

CodeGuru Logo

CodeGuru covers topics related to Microsoft-related software development, mobile development, database management, and web application programming. In addition to tutorials and how-tos that teach programmers how to code in Microsoft-related languages and frameworks like C# and .Net, we also publish articles on software development tools, the latest in developer news, and advice for project managers. Cloud services such as Microsoft Azure and database options including SQL Server and MSSQL are also frequently covered.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.