WinCue v1.35

This is free software. It may be used free of charge for personal use. If you are using this software for commercial purposes, please contribute to its development by donating some money to the author. Visit the WinCue web site for more information about donations.

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Using WinCue
  • 2.1 Using The Media Library
  • 2.2 Using Playlist Files
  • 2.3 Searching & Cueing
  • 2.4 AutoCue
  • 2.5 MiniDisc Recording
    • 2.5.1 DelayPlay
    • 2.5.2 MD Titling
• 3. Configuring WinCue
  • 3.1 Options - General
    • 3.1.1 Settings
    • 3.1.2 Searching
    • 3.1.3 WinAMP
  • 3.2 Options - Display
    • 3.2.1 General
    • 3.2.2 Song Info
    • 3.2.3 Fonts
  • 3.3 Options - Skin
    • 3.3.1 Skin Stealing
  • 3.4 Options - Titles
    • 3.4.1 Title Formatting (Default)
    • 3.4.2 Title Formatting (when ID3 tag found)
  • 3.5 Options - AutoCue
    • 3.5.1 General
    • 3.5.2 Options
  • 3.6 Options - Media Library
    • 3.6.1 Directories
    • 3.6.2 Options
  • 3.7 Options - DelayPlay
    • 3.7.1 Options
    • 3.7.2 Delay
  • 3.8 Options - MD Titling
    • 3.8.1 IR Hardware
    • 3.8.2 Delays
    • 3.8.3 TOC Writing
    • 3.8.4 General
• 4. Menus
  • 4.1 WinCue...
  • 4.2 File
  • 4.3 Song
  • 4.4 WinAMP
  • 4.5 DelayPlay
  • 4.6 Sort
  • 4.7 AutoCue
  • 4.8 Show Cue Box
  • 4.9 Options
  • 4.10 Help
• 5. Keyboard Shortcuts
• 6. WinCue On The Web

1. Introduction

WinCue is a playlist manager and MiniDisc recording tool for WinAMP. It is a WinAMP general purpose plug-in which makes it easier to manage your media file collection and record MiniDiscs, using an internal Media Library or external playlist files.

The Media Library consists of any number of specified folders on your computer. When the Media Library is loaded, the folders are scanned, and all the media files are listed in WinCue. This makes it easier to keep track of a large media file collection that might be spread over several drives and directories.

WinCue also features something called DelayPlay, simplifying MiniDisc recording by inserting a user-defined delay between each song in a playlist. This can be used to make the MiniDisc recorder automatically insert track marks between each song.

2. Using WinCue

This section contains basic information on using WinCue.

2.1 Using The Media Library

WinCue features a way to group your media files, called the Media Library. The Media Library consists of one or more folders on your computer containing all your various media files (.mp3, .ogg, .wav, etc.). When the Media Library is loaded, all files in the specified folders are loaded as if they were one large playlist. This list is then searchable like any other playlist in WinCue.

For more information on configuring your Media Library, have a look at section 3.6 and it subsections.

2.2 Using Playlist Files

WinCue supports reading and writing of WinAMP playlist files (.m3u). To open a playlist file, simply drag the file over the WinCue window and drop it. You can also load playlist files from the Open File dialog, accessed by selecting Open from The File menu or by pressing Ctrl+O.

The current playlist or Media Library can also be exported as a playlist file. This is done by selecting Export Playlist... from the File menu, or by pressing Ctrl+S.

2.3 Searching & Cueing

One of the major reasons for using WinCue is its ability to search and enqueue files from a given playlist or Media Library. A Search is simply done by typing the text you want to search for in the search field at the top of the WinCue window. The results of the search are shown as you type. To cue a file from your search results, simply select the desired file(s) and press Enter, or select Cue from the right-click menu.

2.4 AutoCue

AutoCue is a useful feature which makes WinCue automatically cue new songs as the playlist is about to become empty. When AutoCue is enabled, a new song will automatically be cued whenever WinAMP reaches the end of its playlist. AutoCue can be set to cue a new file either when the last file in the playlist is started or when there is a specified number of seconds left of the last song in the playlist.

AutoCue is great for parties or other situations where people might not always remember to cue files all the time, or for people who are just lazy. When used with crossfaders and similar plug-ins it will probably work best to have WinCue cue the next song when the last song in the playlist is started. This is to make sure the crossfading (or similar transition) works like expected. When not using such plug-ins, the other mode is probably best to use, as the next song will then not be cued before the playlist, and thus the music, is almost finished.

See section 3.5 for more information on AutoCue, its use and various options.

2.5 MiniDisc Recording

In addition to being a playlist manager for WinAMP, WinCue is also designed to make MiniDisc recording easier. This section contains basic information on using WinCue for MiniDisc recording.

2.5.1 DelayPlay

DelayPlay is a feature which will insert a user specified delay between each song in a playlist. This is useful for MiniDisc recording, as the MiniDisc recorder then has the time to set a correct track mark between each song. Using DelayPlay, a MiniDisc can be recorded in one go, without the need to manually monitor the recording or inserting track marks.

Note that WinCue only provides a time gap between songs and does not control your sound card or sound hardware in any way. Some users have experienced problems when using DelayPlay mode with sound cards featuring optical or electrical S/PDIF output. These problems are usually caused by the sound card driver not cutting the data stream when sound output stops, and has nothing to do with WinCue. If you are experiencing problems you should try upgrading your drivers, but the solution is usually to do an analog recording instead.

See section 3.7 for information on configuring the DelayPlay feature.

2.5.2 MD Titling

If you have a WinRemote hardware device, or compatible, WinCue can automatically title MiniDiscs as they are being recorded.

See section 3.6 for more information on configuring the MD titling functionality of WinCue.

3. Configuring WinCue

This section describes how WinCue can be configured through the various alternatives given in the Options dialog. The Options dialog is accessed by pressing Ctrl+P when the WinCue window is active, or by selecting Options from the right-click menu.

3.1 Options - General

3.1.1 Settings

3.1.2 Searching

3.1.3 WinAMP

3.2 Options - Display

3.2.1 General

3.2.2 Song Info

3.2.3 Fonts

Specify which fonts to use in the various text areas. Select font and size from the drop down lists. Pressing the Reset button will revert to standard font and size settings.

3.3 Options - Skin

3.3.1 Skin Stealing

3.4 Options - Titles

3.4.1 Tile Formatting (Default)

Specify title formatting to be used for files with no ID3 tag, or for all files when ID3 tags are not used.

3.4.2 Title Formatting (when ID3 tag found)

Specify title formatting to be used for files with ID3 tag.

3.5 Options - AutoCue

3.5.1 General

3.5.2 Options

3.6 Options - Media Library

3.6.1 Directories

Specifies the directories in the Media Library. Each time the Media Library is loaded, these directories are scanned for files. Use the Add, Remove, Up and Down buttons to manipulate the list.

3.6.2 Options

3.7 Options - DelayPlay

3.7.1 Options

3.7.2 Delay

Specifies number of seconds to wait between each song DelayPlay mode is active.

3.8 Options - MD Titling

3.8.2 IR Hardware

3.8.2 Delays

3.8.3 TOC Writing

3.8.4 General

4. Menus

This section contains a description of WinCue's right-click menu and its commands.

4.1 WinCue...

Show About WinCue dialog.

4.2 File

4.3 Song

4.4 WinAMP

4.5 DelayPlay

4.6 Sort

4.7 AutoCue

Toggle AutoCue feature. See section 2.4 for more information on AutoCue.

4.8 Show Cue Box

This will display the cue box. The cue box is a dialog similar to the Go To dialog, where you can enter song numbers and add them directly to the WinAMP playlist.

4.9 Options

Display Options dialog. See section 3 for more information on the Options dialog and configuring WinCue in general.

4.10 Help

5. Keyboard Shortcuts

6. WinCue on the web