.wmv Files not playing properly after compiling HTMLHelp

[wklinick]

I have included some links to .wmv videos in my HTML Help. The links work wonderfully when tested in RoboHelp. But, once I compile to a .chm they stop working properly -- (1) the video does not auto- open and -play (you have to click the play button), and (2) no matter how many different video links I click on, the Windows Media Player keeps playing the first one selected. Any ideas?

[Willam van Weelden]

Hi,

What version and flavour of RoboHelp are you using? Does this problem only occur within a CHM or also within WebHelp?

You say you added links to the video files. Does that mean the user clicks a link and the file downloads? If so, you might want to consider embedding the video in the help page itself. See http://www.justin-cook.com/wp/2006/11/29/how-to-embed-a-wmv-file-in-a-webpage/ for some example code.

Greet,

Willam

[wklinick]

Thanks for replying, William.

I'm using Robohelp version 8, HTML Help. The problem only occurs with the CHM file. Within the help, it checks out perfectly (when I click the links, Windows Media launches and the correct video starts playing).

I'm not sure where to place HTML code -- I've seen a few other examples that say to select Insert > HTML Controls > Tag. However, I haven't got a "Tag" menu option. Also, the Justin Cook code is for starting a video upon entering a page, which I do not want -- I want users to be able to select a control/link to view when they want to view...

Thanks again. I'd appreciate any other advice you can offer.

- Wendy

[Jack DeLand]

Wendy,

I am running WMVs outside the CHM from a link. They open in Media Player (or whatever the user's default player is). This uses a bit of JavaScript that I have picked up from Rob C. Is that what you're looking for?  It should work in RH 8.

Jack