question about PC timer mute/unmute howto (software)?

[eye2i2hear]

I wanted to run this by the techies here. I ran across this on a forum talking about doing what I'm after with Ubuntu, but which I'd like to do with Windows XP:
Poster #1
Mute Commercials for 3 Minutes
I listen to talk radio online and the commercials are driving me nuts. But when I remember to mute the volume so I don't have to listen I forget to unmute it so i miss some of the broadcasts. I've noticed that no breaks are shorter than 2minutes and longer than 3 minutes.
I'd like to mute my audio/soundcard for X minutes and then it returns to the previous state automatically.
Anyone know where to start?

Poster #2
I'm listening to the stream using RealPlayer so I had to reduce the PCM sound item. This did the trick:

Code:

#!/bin/sh
#
#
VOLUME_LEVEL=10
DELAY_TIME=180
TMP_PIDFILE="/tmp/mutepid.pid"


if [ -f $TMP_PIDFILE ]; then
  amixer -q set PCM 80%
  rm -rf $TMP_PIDFILE
else
  # Run Script
  amixer -q set PCM $VOLUME_LEVEL%
  echo "1" > $TMP_PIDFILE
  sleep $DELAY_TIME
  rm -rf $TMP_PIDFILE
  amixer -q set PCM 80%
fi

I also found this on a Mac site:
Poster #3
A shell script to mute volume for a set length of time:

Code:

#!/bin/csh
osascript -e 'set volume with output muted'
if ( $# != "0" ) then
sleep $1
osascript -e 'set volume without output muted'
endif

Anybody have an idea how we could do this with Windows?
:-[
TIA

[3rdear]

eye2i2hear Wrote:I wanted to run this by the techies here. I ran across this on a forum talking about doing what I'm after with Ubuntu, but which I'd like to do with Windows XP:
...
Anybody have an idea how we could do this with Windows?
:-[

I was going to suggest writing a batch file and then create a desktop shortcut to the batch file. When you want to mute for the ads, you'd double click the batch file shortcut. Problem is, it's been a while since I've done any batch file programming and I'm not sure if a batch file can test for time elapses, let alone whether it would actually mute/unmute the volume. The discussions I've seen online seem to indicate that a regular .bat file won't cut it, but I'll look into that.

The Task Scheduler might allow you add Volume Control to the list, but I'm not sure how configurable it would be, if at all.

If that doesm't work, I could write a little program in Visual Basic, C++, or C# to mute/unmute the system volume that could either be a stand alone utility, or used in conjunction with the task scheduler. You might want to search some of the techie/coder/programmer sites and see if anyone has done something like this already. If so, you might make some headway there. Even if you don't find an actual piece that is ready to go, you'll at least find some code for me to look at. I really think that a utility like this exists already, but if I'm right it'll still be hard to find.

If all else fails, you could stop using XP and start using Linux. :tongue2:

[NonEntity]

3rdear Wrote:If all else fails, you could stop using XP and start using Linux. :tongue2:

Whyzat? Cuz with Linux you can't get the damned sound card to be recognized in the first place so it's not an issue? :tongue2: :tongue2:

- NonE

[3rdear]

NonEntity Wrote:

3rdear Wrote:If all else fails, you could stop using XP and start using Linux. :tongue2:

Whyzat? Cuz with Linux you can't get the damned sound card to be recognized in the first place so it's not an issue? :tongue2: :tongue2:

- NonE

No, because you can write scripts to handle the job like the people he's referring to have. I've never had a problem with Linux not recognizing a sound card and I've installed Linux on about 20 machines ranging from Slax and DSL on some older 486 machines, to some strain of Ubuntu on the vast majority, to Sabayon on some newer machines. Haven't messed with RedHat, OpenSuse, Mandrake, Fedora, Gentoo or any others -- yet. But the systems on which I've installed the distros mentioned there has never been any real problem with most any hardware in most any application.

I have a multi-I/O sound card on one machine right now (M-Audio Delta 1010LT) and it does just fine whether I'm booted into Kubuntu or Studio-To-Go (unfortunately, now defunked -- these guys really had a full-range product for audio pros, IMO, but maybe Ubuntu Studio will make up for the loss). As a matter of fact, when it comes to audio production, my main machine** is faster and does most things better in Linux because it handles system resources and hardware more efficiently.

** Gateway E6000
Intel P4 2.4GHz CPU
1GB RAM
DVD-RW
CD-RW
2TB HD drive space across 3 drives with multiple partitions and two formats (ext3 & NTFS)
D-Link DFE-530TX+ NIC
U
M-Audio Delta 1010LT sound card
NVidia GeForce2 MX 200 video card
Turtle Beach Video Advantage video capture card
Triple-boot system into Kubuntu 8.04, Studio-To-Go! 2.0, or WinXP
All OS's can see all disks & partitions and read/write from/to them.

=====

P.S. I just installed Kubuntu on a system*** last night, again no problems

Intel Celeron 600MHz
768MB RAM
20GB HD
Trident 3D Image 9850 Video Card
Ensoniq/Creative Labs ES1371 Soundblaster compatible sound
D-Link DFE-530TX+ NIC
Diamond Supra 56i SP modem

=====

P.P.S. I usually don't pull this kinda thing on people, but right now, I just can't stop myself ...

[NonEntity]

3rdear Wrote:

NonEntity Wrote:

3rdear Wrote:If all else fails, you could stop using XP and start using Linux. :tongue2:

Whyzat? Cuz with Linux you can't get the damned sound card to be recognized in the first place so it's not an issue? :tongue2: :tongue2:

- NonE

I've never had a problem with Linux not recognizing a sound card.

I wuz just being a troll, thurd! Besides, I only deal with Penguins who wear red bowties.

- NonE

[3rdear]

NonEntity Wrote:I wuz just being a troll, thurd!

- NonE

Right ... and I was feeding him. :eekeek: :rolleyes2:

[eye2i2hear]

Ok.
I found a Windows Command-line program that'll do the trick.
The program is called NirCmd (freeware here). (helpful info here)
It runs a customizable batch file. Here's the one I put together:

Code:

nircmd.exe win hide stitle "cmd.exe"
nircmd.exe mutesysvolume 1
nircmd.exe cmdwait 180000 mutesysvolume 0

the 1st line executes the NirCmd, which then hides the Command prompt window
the 2nd line executes the NirCmd, which then mutes the volume
the 3rd line executes the NirCmd, which then unmutes the volume after 180 seconds=3 mins.

I then dropped a shortcut of the batch file on my desktop that I can click when ready.
So long to those infernal looping FTL (that I know all word for word), patriodiot, and etc ads!! (and the distraction of trying to keep up with how long the mute's been on/forgetting the mute is on)

thanks for the suggestions 3rdear

[3rdear]

eye2i2hear Wrote:I found a Windows Command-line program that'll do the trick.
...
thanks for the suggestions 3rdear

I kinda thought there'd be a solution out there already that could do the job. Glad you found something. I bookmarked the NirSoft site. There's some handy little tools there.