What You Need To Use the Music MegaBase® Media Player Mixer Express™ Beta

We designed the Media Player Mixer Express™ (MPMe) to give DJs and audio operators an integrated music management and playback system that acts more like professional broadcast equipment than a basic jukebox player.  The MPMe provides bold visual cues to DJs and sound producers as they control music and effects through SIX simultaneously available MP3, WAV or WMA capable media players, side-by-side—on one easy-to-read screen.

And unlike some other digital DJ software products, the Media Player Mixer Express™ does not require an expensive multi-channel sound card or external controller.  Plus, the MPMe can be effectively deployed on a relatively inexpensive Windows® laptop or desktop computer.

If your computer can run Microsoft® Access™ 2000, 2002 (XP), 2003, or 2007 AND your operating system is compatible with the Microsoft Windows Media® Player Control (WMPC) version 6.4*, your computer can run the next release of the Music MegaBase® DJ Media Player Mixer Express™ Beta.  Check out the OS (operating system) evaluation table.  Review the hardware and software requirements below to make sure your PC is ready for the Media Player Mixer Express™.

* The WMPC 6.4 is a Microsoft ActiveX® control (msdxm.ocx) and our preliminary testing has indicated that this control is not compatible with Microsoft Vista®.  Therefore, the next planned release of the MPMe will not work with Microsoft Vista®.  Please read the WMP Version 6.4 ActiveX® Control Compatibility Testing update.

MPMe Beta Compatible Operating Systems

This table indicates the Codentity-evaluated status of Windows®-operating systems and their compatibility with the Codentity Media Player Mixer Express™ Beta 2 (planned for April 2010) and its required Microsoft Windows Media® Player ActiveX® Control Version 6.4.

Learn more about MPMe compatibility testing for the Codentity-preferred operating system:  Windows® XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2.  Windows® 7 testing will be completed before the next release of the MPMe.

NOTE: As with Windows® 98se machines, Codentity does not offer support for the MPMe on Windows® 95, Windows® 98 and Windows® Me computers.  The WMPC 6.4 is a Microsoft ActiveX® control (msdxm.ocx) and our preliminary testing has indicated that this control is not compatible with Microsoft Vista®.  Therefore, the next release if the MPMe will not work with Microsoft Vista®.  Plans for future Vista® support are not finalized and subject to change.

Codentity plans to conduct compatibility tests with Windows® 7.  This test will be completed, and the information published, in time to coincide with the next release of the MPMe.  A test will also be made with Windows® 7 in "Windows® XP Mode".

Compatibility requirements for Windows® XP have changed.  Codentity Media Player Mixer Express™ (MPMe) testing (on 6/19/2008 and 7/7/2008) has resulted in NEW operating system compatibility data that confirms the next release of the Media Player Mixer Express™ will function normally with Microsoft Windows® XP Home SP2 and Windows® XP Professional SP2.

On 7/9/2008, Codentity confirmed that the MPMe will function normally after Service Pack 3 for Windows® XP has been applied to a computer with a pre-existing installation of Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2.  ALSO:  On 7/10/2008, Codentity confirmed that the Media Player Mixer Express™ will function normally using Microsoft® Access™ 2007—with the Windows® XP operating system.

Get a more elaborate explanation of our OS compatibility test by reading the WMP Version 6.4 ActiveX® Control Compatibility Testing update.  If you are into mucho details, read the Windows® Updates Application Log.  Also, the Windows Media Player Control (ActiveX®) Version 6.4 OS Compatibility Table walks through version 6.4 compatibility issues with various Microsoft operating systems.

What can you do if you want to use the Media Player Mixer Express™ but you don't have a compatible operating system?  (See notes below.)  Return to MPMe Fast Facts page.  Return to Area 89 Home page.

Hardware Requirements

Performance configuration— Pentium® 4 class processor (such as the 2.53 GHz Intel® Core™ Duo) with 2 GB memory, 1280x1024 graphics with 256 MB video RAM or better, Sound Blaster® compatible sound card, one 100 GB 7200 rpm operating system hard drive (or partition), plus one 200 GB 7200 rpm digital file storage hard drive (as second partition on same physical drive OR better as separate physical hard drive), 10/100 Ethernet card (for optional DJ "kiosk" mode in MMB DJ only) or wireless adapter card, CD or DVD optical drive.

Which is resolution is best?  The most suitable resolution (standard 1280x1024 and 1024x768; or widescreen 1280x768 and 1360x768) will ultimately be determined by the capabilities of your monitor and its adapter—in combination with your personal preferences.  Read more here.

Display Configurations:  The Media Player Mixer Express™ automatically scales to produce efficient ergonomic control access at STANDARD and WIDESCREEN resolutions.  Key controls and message displays are scaled to fit at 1024x768 or 1280x1024 (standard) and 1280x768 or 1360x768 (widescreen) resolutions.

Sensible configuration— Pentium® 4 processor with 512 MB memory, 1024 x 768 graphics with 128 MB video RAM or better, Sound Blaster® compatible sound card, one 40 GB 7200 rpm operating system hard drive, plus one 80 GB 7200 rpm digital file storage hard drive, Ethernet card (for optional DJ "kiosk" mode in MMB DJ only), CD or DVD optical drive.

Acceptable configuration— 700 MHz P-III Intel® or equivalent Athlon® processor, 256 MB memory, 1024 x 768 graphics, Sound Blaster® compatible sound card and 60 GB 7200 rpm hard drive, plus one 80 GB 7200 rpm digital file storage hard drive, Ethernet card (for optional DJ "kiosk" mode in MMB DJ only), CD or DVD optical drive.

Minimum configuration— P-233 MHz with 128 MB memory, 1024 x 768 graphics, Sound Blaster® compatible sound card and 40GB hard drive, CD or DVD drive.

IMPORTANT: For laptop users, an EXTERNAL 7200 USB 2.0 (high-speed) hard drive is highly recommended.  MMB DJ will perform faster if the operating system is located on your C drive and the digital music files are located on a different physical drive (like your D drive).  This works wonders for laptop configurations because the external hard drives have their own power supply and rotate faster.  Most laptop hard drives spin at 5400 rpm and their power management software may cause the drive to spin down between music queries.  An external hard drive eliminates these issues, and a USB flash drive is even better.

Another sensible laptop solution can be achieved by acquiring a large USB flash drive and using it as your audio storage drive.  Flash drive prices are continuously falling with 8 GB and 16 GB flash drives priced well under 50 dollars.  As of January 2, 2010, retail outlet Microcenter® was advertising an OEM 16 GB USB Flash drive for approx. $35 plus tax and an OEM 32GB USB Flash drive for approx. $75 plus tax.  (Visit www.microcenter.com for updated USB Flash drive price information.)

If you already have Access™ installed on your computer, the MPMe (and MMB DJ) requires about 400 MB of free space.  If you do not have Access™ installed on your computer, the MPMe (and MMB DJ) runtime Access™ files may require up to 900 MB of free space.  (The size of the final release version of MMB DJ / MPMe is expected to be smaller than the beta version releases.)

Return to MPMe Fast Facts page.

Software Requirements

Operating System— To use the Media Player Mixer Express™ (MPMe) your computer must have a compatible Microsoft Windows® XP or Windows® 2000 operating system (see list above).

Microsoft® Access™— You will also require Microsoft® Access™ database software.  Compatible versions of Microsoft® Access™ include: Access™ 2000, 2002 (XP), 2003, and Access™ 2007 (under Windows® XP).  If you do not have a compatible version of Microsoft® Access™, you can use the included FREE runtime version of Access™ 2002 (which requires Windows® XP***).

The Access™ XP "runtime" allows users to benefit from a limited capability version of the Access™ XP database program.  Microsoft permits this use under a license agreement with developers who design and deploy Access™ XP applications (like the MPMe) from special "Office Developer" versions of Office XP (2002).  The runtime version does not give users all the features of the full retail version of Microsoft Access™, however, it is quite capable of serving as the executable shell for the MPMe.  The Access™ XP runtime version is included at no extra charge for licensed users of the Codentity Media Player Mixer Express™.

If you already have a compatible version of Access™ on your computer, you should NOT install the Access™ runtime files.  Consult and follow instructions in your MMB DJ / MPMe distribution or download README file.  Like the MPMe, MMB DJ is an Access™ application file and requires Microsoft® Access™ 2000, 2002 (XP), 2003, and Access™ 2007 (under Windows® XP); however these requirements may change with the next beta release of MMB DJ.

The Media Player Mixer Express™ will also require a special SHORTCUT on your desktop (or program menu) that will encapsulate a link to the required Access™ security file.  And, all users of Codentity® software must read and agree to the terms and conditions of the Codentity EULA (end user license agreement) in order to obtain a license and legally use our software.  Read more on the FAQ page.

For existing compatible installations of Microsoft® Access™, users may have to add a reference to the Windows Media® Player ActiveX® Control (msdxm.ocx) from the Access user interface.  Users may also have to use their Access menus to add a reference to the Microsoft Scripting Runtime library.  Other library references may be required and specific notes and “How To” instructions are detailed in your MMB DJ / MPMe distribution or download README file.  There is also a helpful explanation of required library references on the MPMe FAQ page.

*** IMPORTANT:  If you intend to use the Microsoft® Access™ runtime code (instead of a retail or OEM installation of Microsoft® Access™ 2000, 2002, 2003 or 2007), you MUST have the Windows® XP operating system (Home or Professional) on your computer.

Music MegaBase® DJ (MMB DJ) and / or the Media Player Mixer Express™ (MPMe) will NOT work with Windows® 95 or Access™ 97 or earlier.  If you are using an earlier version of Access™ (prior to version 2000) on your computer, you may want to consider using a different computer for MMB DJ or the MPMe.

In all cases, be sure to follow the instructions in the READ ME file BEFORE attempting installation.  You should not install MMB DJ or the MPMe on a computer with a version of Access™ prior to Access™ 2000.  To learn more about the set-up and installation process, read the FAQ page.

ActiveX® Control— To use the Media Player Mixer Express™ (MPMe) your computer must be able to use the Microsoft Windows Media® Player Control (WMPC) version 6.4 (a Microsoft® ActiveX® control) which is available for compatible versions of Microsoft Windows® XP or Windows® 2000.  In some cases, you may have to be sure that Windows Media® Player security updates (and / or Windows Media® Player series 9 updates) have not blocked access to WMPC version 6.4.  Learn more about the required Windows Media® Player Control (WMPC) version 6.4 on the FAQ page.

The current MPMe Windows Media® Player Control version 6.4 requirement is an important issue, and our research continues into the possibility of using the version 6.4 control with all versions of Windows® XP and with Windows Vista®.  When and if we develop an alternative solution, to what we now believe is a version 6.4 ActiveX® control class ID registry block in some operating systems, we will post the information on this Web site.  Get a more elaborate explanation of our version 6.4 ActiveX® control testing by reading the WMP Version 6.4 ActiveX® Control Compatibility Testing update.

What Can You Do If You Don't Have A Compatible Operating System?

If your intended Media Player Mixer Express™ (MPMe) computer does NOT have an operating system (OS) which is compatible with the Microsoft Windows Media® Player Control version 6.4 (msdxm.ocx)—which is required to operate the MPMe—you can install a compatible OS version like:

Windows® XP Home or Professional, Windows® XP Home or Professional updated with Service Pack 1 (SP 1) or Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows® XP Home or Professional bundled with Service Pack 2 (where the optical media contains Windows® XP Home or Professional with SP2 already applied), or Windows® XP Home or Professional updated with Service Pack 3 (SP3); compatible operating systems also include Windows® 2000 updated with ANY compatible service pack, or Windows® 98se (which is not supported by Codentity).

On 7/9/2008, Codentity confirmed that the MPMe will function normally after Service Pack 3 for Windows® XP has been applied to a computer with a pre-existing installation of Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2.

If you do not have the original OS media discs, it may be possible to legally acquire a compatible version disc and license from an authorized reseller or an independent marketplace like eBay®.  Use key word search phrases like: Windows® XP SP1, Windows® XP service pack 2, Windows® XP disc, Windows® XP media, or variations of these phrases.  Additionally, OEM system builders may be able to legally sell media and licenses for Windows® XP.  Search the Web for keywords: OEM system builders + Windows XP.

If you do not already have a compatible version of Microsoft® Access™ (2000, 2002, 2003, or 2007) on your MPMe computer, you should plan on obtaining a compatible flavor of Windows® XP because it will allow you to install and use the included FREE runtime version of Access™ 2002 (which requires Windows® XP).

INFORMATION CHANGE:  We now know that users who acquire "Windows® XP Home (retail) Service Pack 2" bundled media WILL be able to successfully install and use the Media Player Mixer Express™ (MPMe).  Our test machine installation of Windows® XP Home on 6/19/2008 did not block the registration and use of the required Microsoft Windows Media® Player version 6.4 (msdxm.ocx) ActiveX® control.  However, in some cases, indiscriminately applying Windows® security updates for the version 6.4 control might result in a registry alteration that can block the use of the version 6.4 control.

The current MPMe Windows Media® Player Control version 6.4 requirement is an important issue, and our research continues into the possibility of using the version 6.4 control with all versions of Windows® XP (including compatibility with security updates) and with Windows Vista®.  When and if we develop an alternative solution, to what we now believe is a version 6.4 ActiveX® control class ID registry block in Windows Vista® (and possibly a class ID registry block associated with some security updates under XP), we will post the information on this Web site.  For current test results read the Windows® Updates Application Log.

CAUTION:  Not accepting, permitting or applying Windows Media® Player updates may compromise your system security with respect to the ActiveX® control for Windows Media® Player.  You should read and understand your security risks by consulting information published at the Microsoft Corporation Web site—this way to Microsoft.com.

Since it is possible for WMP version 9 (which has enhanced security) and WMP version 6.4 to co-exist on the same Windows® XP computer, you can minimize the threat of virus or Trojan payloads in digital files if you set the file associations for your PC to default to WMP 9; the VBA (Visual Basic® for Applications) code in the MPMe will make the appropriate calls to its required version 6.4 ActiveX® control—without interfering with your WMP 9 rules in place for other digital files.

Additionally, you can help prevent compromised security on your MPMe computer by refraining from using it to surf the Web or download untrusted digital files.  A smart scenario might be to designate one computer as your MPMe only computer, and minimize your access to audio or video from unknown sources when using that computer.  Codentity recommends that you plan to acquire your digital audio files from authorized sources in order to avoid legal and technical issues.

Return to Area 89 Home page.  Return to Media Player Mixer Express site.

Will the Next MPMe Release Require Reinstallation?

Yes.  Changes have been made to the data table structure and query programming statements.  Significant improvements to program features and core functionality, including a new method of search controls, have also been added.  Additionally, user ID security measures have been strengthened, and the activation keys distributed for previous MPMe installations will not work with the latest MPMe beta release.

These and other changes to the Media Player Mixer Express™ (MPMe) will require that most previously installed beta versions be re-installed.  It will not be possible to upgrade early beta versions of the MPMe or MMB DJ.

For example, users of any MPMe beta version distributed before January 2008 will have to re-install the next beta release.  The newest release will not function with earlier versions of the MPMe or MMB DJ.  However, users with pre-existing compatible versions of Microsoft® Access™ will not have to re-install Access™.  Consult the MPMe FAQ page for more information.

The absence of a feature or technical description in this "beta software changes" statement does not constitute a waiver of any and all intellectual property rights that Codentity LLC may have established in any of its product, feature, or patent pending claims.  Beta software is subject to change without notice.

Return to MPMe Fast Facts page.  Return to Area 89 Home page.