Installing Windows Media
Player 1.2 SkinsCESD-S-0089Applies To:
- Handheld PC Professional, SP1
- Handheld PC 2000
Overview:
Windows Media Player version 1.2 for the Handheld PC allows the
end user to customise the user interface of the main Windows Media
Player window through the use of specially written skin files. This
article demonstrates how to install custom skin files onto the Handheld
PC using a Manual installation, or Host / Cabinet installation system.
More Info:
A Windows Media Player 1.2 skin is comprised of a collection of
inter-linked image and script files which combine to produce the
customised visual experience.
Windows Media Player skin files predominantly consist of indexed
BitMap (BMP) files, with a .SKN script file containing all of the
required references needed to populate the individual elements of
the interface.
As the skin files are drawn as uncompressed BitMap files, file
sizes will vary depending on the complexity and number of the elements,
screen resolution of the target Handheld PC device and optimisations
carried out on the skin components at the time of creation. Ultimately
skin files may be relatively large and if possible installed into
external storage memory, such as a CF card rather than into internal
RAM.
How-to Guide:
If your skin file is wrapped in a Host installer you should consult
CESD-S-0046 or if it is wrapped
in a Cabinet installer, you should consult CESD-S-0047
for instructions on installing programs onto your Handheld PC observing
the general guidelines set out below.
In the case of skin files distributed as a manual installation
packages such as those skins designed by HPC:Factor. You should
follow the steps outlined below.
Download the skin package to your PC or Handheld PC and inflate
the contents (Decompression software may be required)
Skin files make use of the same standard set of file names for
the graphical elements that make up the components of the skin.
As a result of the standard file naming conventions you cannot store
all your skin files on one directory within your Handheld PC's memory.
You should create sub-folders to contain all of the constituent
parts of every skin you plan to install on your device.
For example:
\Storage Card\Program Files\Windows Media Player Skins\Skin 1\
\Storage Card\Program Files\Windows Media Player Skins\Skin 2\
\Storage Card\Program Files\Windows Media Player Skins\Skin 3\
- Using Windows Explorer on the H/PC navigate to the location
on your storage card where you wish to store the skins
(e.g. \Storage Card\Program Files\)
- Tap File and select New Folder
- Name the folder Windows Media Player Skins and press
enter to accept the changes
- Double tap on the new folder to enter it
- From the File menu again select New Folder and
give the folder a name reflecting the skin file you wish to use
(e.g. Plus DME)
- Copy the contents of the skin package into the newly created
<skinname> folder. You can do this locally if unzipping
the skin package on the H/PC or using ActiveSync's Explorer function
from the Host PC.
When you have copied your required skin files into the filing system
of your Handheld PC, launch Windows Media Player 1.2.
Tap on the Skin Chooser button (highlighted above) to open
the Skin Chooser dialogue.
Windows Media Player will automatically scan the internal RAM and
any storage cards present in the system for any available skin files.
Once the scan is complete you can use the back and forward
buttons in the Skin Chooser to navigate between previews of all
available skin's detected on the H/PC.
When you have found the skin file you would like to use simply
tap OK to apply it to the main player interface.
See Also:
CESD-S-0079 - Installing
Windows Media Player 1.2
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