DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi: A Simple Guide to Download and Use
How to Download and Use DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi
If you are a Delphi developer who wants to create media-streaming applications, you might be interested in using the DirectShow API, a media-processing framework from Microsoft that allows you to play, capture, transform, and render audio and video data. However, using DirectShow in Delphi can be challenging, as it requires you to deal with complex COM interfaces and low-level details. Fortunately, there is a solution that can make your life easier: DirectShow9.dcu.
directshow9.dcu download
DirectShow9.dcu is a Delphi unit that provides access to the Microsoft DirectShow application programming interface (API) using native Delphi code. It allows you to use DirectShow features without having to write any COM code or import any type libraries. In this article, we will show you how to download and use DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi in a few simple steps.
What is DirectShow9.dcu?
What is DirectShow?
DirectShow is a multimedia framework that enables applications to perform various operations on media data, such as playback, capture, conversion, editing, mixing, processing, and rendering. It is based on a modular architecture that consists of reusable components called filters. Filters are connected together in a graph-like structure called a filter graph. Each filter performs a specific function on the media data, such as decoding, encoding, rendering, or transforming. The filter graph manages the flow of data between filters and handles synchronization, buffering, threading, and error handling.
What is Delphi?
Delphi is an integrated development environment (IDE) and programming language that allows you to create cross-platform applications for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and web platforms. It is based on Object Pascal, an object-oriented extension of Pascal. Delphi supports various features such as generics, anonymous methods, closures, attributes, interfaces, classes, exceptions, properties, events, components, and libraries.
Why use DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi?
Using DirectShow in Delphi can be difficult because it requires you to work with COM interfaces and low-level details that are not native to Delphi. You have to import type libraries from Microsoft SDKs or third-party sources that may not be compatible with your Delphi version or platform. You also have to deal with memory management issues such as reference counting and garbage collection. Moreover, you have to write a lot of boilerplate code to initialize COM objects and handle errors.
DirectShow9.dcu simplifies this process by providing native Delphi wrappers for all DirectShow interfaces and classes. You do not need to import any type libraries or write any COM code. You can use DirectShow features directly from your Delphi code using familiar syntax and conventions. You also get access to some helper functions and components that make it easier to build and control filter graphs.
How to Download DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi?
Step 1: Find a reliable source
The first step is to find a reliable source where you can download DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi. There are several websites that offer this file for free download but not all of them are trustworthy or up-to-date. Some of them may contain malware or viruses that can harm your computer or compromise your data.
One of the most reputable sources where you can download DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi is Macanga Institute. This website provides a link to download DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi along with instructions on how to use it. The file is verified by VirusTotal and has no malicious content.
Step 2: Download the file
The next step is to download the file from the source website. To do this:
Go to Macanga Institute.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will see a button that says "Download Now".
Click on the button and wait for the download to start.
Save the file in a location where you can easily access it later.
Step 3: Extract the file
The final step is to extract the file from the downloaded archive. To do this:
Locate the downloaded file on your computer.
Right-click on the file and select "Extract All".
Select a destination folder where you want to extract the file.
Click on "Extract" and wait for the extraction process to finish.
You should now have a folder that contains DirectShow9.dcu along with some other files such as readme.txt and license.txt.
How to Use DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi?
Step 1: Add the unit to your project
The first step is to add DirectShow9.dcu to your Delphi project so that you can use its features in your code. To do this:
Create a new or open an existing Delphi project.
In the Project Manager window (View > Project Manager), right-click on your project name and select "Add".
Browse to the folder where you extracted DirectShow9.dcu.
Select DirectShow9.dcu and click on "Open".
You should now see DirectShow9.dcu listed under your project name in the Project Manager window.
Step 2: Declare the DirectShow interfaces and classes
The next step is to declare the DirectShow interfaces and classes that you want to use in your code. To do this:
In the Code Editor window (View > Code Editor), add the following line at the top of your unit:
uses DirectShow9;
In the interface section of your unit, declare the DirectShow interfaces and classes that you want to use. For example, if you want to use the IMediaControl interface and the TFilterGraph class, you can write:
var MediaControl: IMediaControl; FilterGraph: TFilterGraph;
You can find a list of all DirectShow interfaces and classes in the DirectShow9.pas file that is included in the folder where you extracted DirectShow9.dcu.
Step 3: Create and configure a DirectShow graph
The third step is to create and configure a DirectShow graph that will perform the media operation that you want. To do this:
In the implementation section of your unit, create an instance of the TFilterGraph class and assign it to the FilterGraph variable. For example, you can write:
FilterGraph := TFilterGraph.Create(nil);
Use the methods and properties of the FilterGraph object to add filters to the graph and connect them together. For example, if you want to play a video file, you can write:
FilterGraph.RenderFile('C:\Video.avi');
Use the QueryInterface method of the FilterGraph object to obtain a reference to the IMediaControl interface and assign it to the MediaControl variable. For example, you can write:
FilterGraph.QueryInterface(IMediaControl, MediaControl);
You can find more information on how to create and configure DirectShow graphs in the readme.txt file that is included in the folder where you extracted DirectShow9.dcu.
Step 4: Run and control the graph
The final step is to run and control the graph that you have created and configured. To do this:
Use the methods of the IMediaControl interface to start, stop, pause, or resume the graph. For example, if you want to start playing the video file, you can write:
MediaControl.Run;
Use the methods and properties of the FilterGraph object to access other DirectShow interfaces and classes that provide additional functionality such as seeking, volume control, video window positioning, etc. For example, if you want to seek to a specific position in the video file, you can write:
FilterGraph.Seek(10000); // Seek to 10 seconds
Use the events of the FilterGraph object to handle graph events such as completion, error, or notification. For example, if you want to show a message when the video file has finished playing, you can write:
procedure TForm1.FilterGraphNotify(Sender: TObject; EventCode: Integer; Param1: Integer; Param2: Integer); begin if EventCode = EC_COMPLETE then ShowMessage('Video finished'); end;
You can find more examples on how to run and control DirectShow graphs in the samples folder that is included in the folder where you extracted DirectShow9.dcu.
Tips and Tricks for Using DirectShow9.dcu for Delphi
Tip 1: Use the TFilterGraph component for easier graph building
If you want to simplify the process of creating and configuring DirectShow graphs, you can use the TFilterGraph component instead of the TFilterGraph class. The TFilterGraph component is a visual component that allows you to design your filter graph using a graphical editor. You can drag and drop filters from a palette and connect them with wires. You can also set filter properties and view filter information using property editors and dialogs. The TFilterGraph component automatically creates and manages an instance of the TFilterGraph class for you.
To use the TFilterGraph component:
In the Component Palette window (View > Component Palette), select "DirectShow" from the list of categories.
Drag and drop a TFilterGraph component onto your form.
Double-click on the TFilterGraph component to open its editor.
Add filters and connect them as desired.
Close the editor when done.
the folder where you extracted DirectShow9.dcu. You can also visit the Microsoft DirectShow documentation to learn more about the DirectShow API and its features.