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Installing Windows Media Player 1.2 Skins

CESD|200140

Applies 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\

  1. 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\)
  2. Tap File and select New Folder
  3. Name the folder Windows Media Player Skins and press enter to accept the changes
  4. Double tap on the new folder to enter it
  5. 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)
  6. 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.

Change Skin Icon

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.

Skin Chooser

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