************************** *** WHMIC - README.TXT *** ************************** Voice Enhancement, Audio Stream Player and Secure Internet Communication Program. 02 January 2006 *************** *** VERSION *** *************** Version 5.1.02 ***************** *** Addresses *** ***************** - Product Web Site Address: http://www.whmsoft.com Visit regularly this web site for corrections and enhancements. - Address for Bugs, Comments and Suggestions: whmic@whmsoft.com Specific developments (interfaces or precise functionality) relative to the product can be demanded at this address. - Address for Commercial Information: sales@whmsoft.com - Addresses for Registration: http://www.whmsoft.com/registration_en.htm ************************************ *** Notes About WHM Audio Codec *** ************************************ A new and high performance codec for Voice and Music. Recommended Parameters: The computed compression rates are for 16 bits PCM inputs. The computed bitrates are for one channel. 1) Voice, 8 kHz. Compression Rate: 1/34. Bitrate: 3.8 Kbps. 6 peaks, 10 bits. 4 bands, 4 bits. Simple Decimation. Local Peaks Only. Corrected Scale. No other option. 2) Voice, 22 kHz. Compression Rate: 1/53. Bitrate: 6.5 Kbps. 8 peaks, 10 bits. 4 bands, 4 bits. Simple Decimation. Local Peaks Only. Corrected Scale. No other option. 3) Music, 44 kHz, quality 1 ("48 Kbps"). Compression Rate: 1/14. Bitrate: 48.2 Kbps. 16 peaks, 16 bits. 54 bands, 2 bits. Simple Decimation and ADPCM. Musical timbre. Corrected scale. No other option. 4) Music, 44 kHz, quality 2 ("64 Kbps"). Compression Rate: 1/11. Bitrate: 63.7 Kbps. 22 peaks, 16 bits. 54 bands, 3 bits. Simple Decimation and ADPCM. Musical Timbre. Corrected Scale. No other option. 5) Music, 44 kHz, quality 3 ("96 Kbps"). Compression Rate: 1/7. Bitrate: 95.4 Kbps. 32 peaks, 18 bits. 54 bands, 3 bits. ADPCM without decimation. Musical timbre. Corrected Scale. No other option. **************************************** *** Notes About VoIP Communications *** **************************************** - PC-to-PC unlimited free communications around the world. - End-to-End secure Internet communication programs. - Many classical communication codecs are available (G.711, GSM 6.10, MP3, ...). - WHM Audio Codec, a new and high performance codec is available. - It is possible to choose the classical sampling rate (8 kHz) or a superior value. - All data can be secured by enhanced cryptography. - It is useful to use a multimedia headset with microphone. - With WhMic and WhStream, it is possible to setup a desktop server (non web server) for audio diffusions to tens or hundreds of participants. - With WhMic and WhStream, it is possible to setup a desktop server (non web server) for text messages (chat) between tens or hundreds of participants. - With WhStream, it is possible to setup a desktop server (non web server) for bi-directional communications between tens or hundreds of participants. - For the host, it is useful to have a static IP address or to take out a subscription to a dynamic DNS service (Internet domain name assigned to a varying IP address). - If it is planned to buy a key with many participants (above 10), price reductions are possible: sales@whmsoft.com - For technical support: whmic@whmsoft.com whstream@whsoft.com ***************************************** *** Notes About WhmSoft VoIP Service *** ***************************************** - For a subscription, it is possible to communicate very simply with the product. - Mandatory steps: - Take out a subscription to the service at the following address: http://www.whmsoft.com - Download a ready to use version (key without any restriction, single user, valid for the duration of the subscription). - Install the product. - Open the "WhMic Communications" icon on the desktop or in the "WhMic" folder. - Fill the fields of the "Web Server Parameters" dialog box (sub-menu "Parameters / Web Server Parameters"): give the user name and the user password chosen during the subscription. - Fill the fields of the "TCP/IP DirectPlay Parameters" dialog box (sub-menu "Parameters / TCP/IP DirectPlay Parameters"): only choose a participant name different from the correspondent participant name and give the distant address. The distant address is an IP address if the correspondent doesn't have a subscription or is in the form: http://username.whmsoft.com if the correspondent has a subscription. - Start the program. - The Web Server only verifies the subscription name and password and gives the IP address to the correspondent. All the other program features are unchanged, in particular the end-to-end security. - The user must give the subscription name to the correspondent but not the password, because the computer IP address can be replaced by an other computer IP address which uses the same identifiers. ******************** *** Other Notes *** ******************** - New communication interface with TCP/IP, incompatible with the previous versions, compatible with WhStream. - It is recommended to use a high speed modem (ADSL or cable) or the local area network for the audio communications. A 56K modem may be sufficient for sending messages and for the anonymous reception. - Minimum recommended configuration: Pentium III, 500 MHz. - It is mandatory to use a version of DirectX superior or equal to the version 8.0 for the DirectSound drivers. - Read carefully the documentation before starting (at least the generalities and TCP/IP chapter). - An assistant is available for beginning quickly with the product (Action sub-menu). - At the end of the installation, the user must choose between a Web Server version (registered key for WhmSoft VoIP Service) and an evaluation version. - To install a Web Server version or an evaluation version: - Decompress the installation files in a temporary directory . - Run SETUP.EXE. - Don't install the product in the same directory as a previous version directory (the configuration files are not compatible). - After the installation, remove temporary files. - To install a registered version: After the registration, the user receives by e-mail the definitive product key files (WHMKEY.TXT and WHMKEY.DAT). First method: - Replace the files \KEY\WHMKEY.TXT and \KEY\WHMKEY.DAT by the definitive product key files, where represents the installation directory. Second method: - Remove all previous installations of WhMic. - Decompress the installation files in a temporary directory . - Copy the files WHMKEY.TXT and WHMKEY.DAT into the files \KEY\WHMKEYNR.TXT and \KEY\WHMKEYNR.DAT respectively. - Run SETUP.EXE. - After the installation, remove temporary files. ************************** *** Evaluation Period *** ************************** - 21 days. - The evaluation version is a complete version, but the user must reset the configuration files at least once a week. Furthermore, Internet and Intranet communications via TCP/IP and DirectPlay are limited to 30 minutes by a program exit. Finally, the enhanced cryptography is not available. ********************************* *** Indicative License Prices *** ********************************* See on the product web site. ******************** *** Enhancements *** ******************** - From 1.0 to 1.1 - TCP/IP It is possible to communicate with a distant correspondent via Internet or an Intranet network, using TCP/IP communication protocol. It is also possible to diffuse voice and music to multiple correspondents. The program uses DirectPlay (DirectX 5 or ulterior version, or NT 4.0 SP6). The program transmits non compressed or compressed audio data. For the compression, many classical codecs and the MPEG Layer-3 (MP3) codec are available. - 3D Sound: It is possible to set the "listener" and the "diffusion cone" parameters values. The program uses DirectSound (DirectX 7 or ulterior version). - Equalizer The user can choice a 15-band or 30-band graphic equalizer (instead of 10-band). The user can also use a parametric equalizer (up to 128 bands). Equalization is done with band pass filter before the other treatments. - File: It is possible to write and read a 4 Go non compressed file. - Detection: It is possible to set a minimum normal running time after detection and to have statistics on running time with activity and running time without activity. - Noise: It is possible to set a value for a noise reduction. - Shift: Default input/output shift decreased for sampling rates inferior or equal to 22 kHz with treatments. - Instances: It is possible to have two simultaneous instances of the program with treatments. - Display: Scale for time domain display. - Command line: - "/tcpip=yes" or "/tcpip=no" option to enable or disable TCP/IP. - /hostname=host_name option to give the distant station TCP/IP name or address. - "/stopped" option to run and automatically stop the program. - From 1.1 to 1.2 - Generation of a version without TCP/IP and Internet communications and diffusions. This version is available in the product web site. - "Try/Buy/Cancel" dialog box at the program start, for non registered versions. - Change in the program default installation directory. - Details of compressed (and non compressed) formats visible from the "Session Information" sub-menu during TCP/IP communications. - It is possible to give the files and URLs names from the "File" sub-menu. - Support of the Windows Media Audio codec (WMA) for the diffusions. - Reading of Windows Media Audio Streams. - Simple reading of MP3 and WMA files and URLs. - From 1.2 to 1.3 - Windows Media Audio (WMA): - .ASX file support for the anonymous input. - Adjustable "Buffering Time" for WMA streams receiving. - Anonymous diffusion (without DirectPlay) of WMA streams. - "Anonymous Type" for input and output without DirectPlay. - support of the Professional WMA codec. - Windows Mixer: - Possible control of quadraphonic speakers channels. - Assistant: - An assistant for beginning quickly with the product (Action sub-menu). - Installation: - The installation program adds the "/stopped" option to all icons command lines. - Security: - The configuration files can be secured. - DirectPlay password is enabled and there is a default password. - Program control data and communication codecs data can be secured (base cryptography and enhanced cryptography). The security of WMA data is not included in this version. - Command line: - "/password=password" option to give the program password. - Menu: - The "Identification" sub-menu is replaced by the "Security Parameters" sub-menu. - From 1.3 to 1.4 - Fourth secondary window for sending and receiving text messages. The number of messages to keep and the appearance of this window can be configured. - Possibility to send and receive secure messages. - The program participant types (host or caller) are: - Mixed - Audio only - Other only (non audio). - The uniqueness of the session participants names is verified. - From 1.4 to 1.6 - Sub-menus "About WhStream" and "WhStream Web Site". - Reading of the first audio stream in a media with several streams. - Changes in some default values: - Gain: 4 dB - Maximum frequency: 11025 Hz without TCP/IP. - Effect and resynchronization meters: 2 and 12. - TCP/IP is authorized but not active. - From 1.6 to 1.8 - Version Compatible with WhStream, using the common features. - Modifications of the maximum and the default values of the effect and the resynchronization meters. - DirectPlay sessions are created with the latency optimization option. The modem communications are done with the DirectPlay protocol. - There are distinct threads for the emission and the reception with DirectPlay. - If the adequate option is active, the elements of the "File" sub-menu: "Get File name", "Get URL Name", ..., start or restart the program. - Change of the program icon. - The secondary window "Messages" contains only one list box. - Display of the spent time in anonymous reception. - Sub-menu "TCP/IP - DirectPlay Parameters" to have directly the "TCP/IP - DirectPlay" dialog box. - Options "/inurl=url_name" and "/outport=port_number" are possible in the command line to give the anonymous input URL name or the anonymous output port number at the program start. - Options "/other=yes|no" and "/shortcut=internet_shortcut" to start the program without or with the audio communications and to give the anonymous input URL via an internet shortcut. - The installation program adds a sub-menu "Open with WhMic" to the internet shortcuts context menus. This allows for example listening the radio stations directly from the "Favorites" folder. - The installation program creates two additional icons ("Anonymous Player" and "Other Caller") in the installation folder. - The URLs for dynamically getting ASX files generated by ASP scripts are supported. - The program windows don't give the impression to temporary "froze" during the starts with the anonymous TCP/IP type. - From 1.8 to 2.0 - Support of Real Media files and URLs in anonymous input. The video streams are not taken into account. A recent version of the RealOne player must be installed. - New communication interface, compatible with WhStream. - The maximum size of messages sent to participants is set to 1024 (instead of 128). - Possible positioning in anonymous input, if the URL or file size is determined. - Adding of the element "Start Dynamic File List" to the "Action" sub-menu to choose a list of files to play in anonymous input. - In anonymous input or output, suppression of the frequency filtering by default. - Windows Media and Real Media modules are freed at the program stop. - With Real Media, audio treatment is done in "Post-Mix" instead of in "Pre-Mix". - Buffering is not blocking and is indicated by a dialog box. - From 2.0 to 3.0 - Change in the main window aspect (WhStream aspect). - Addition of the WHM Audio Codec, a new and high performance voice codec, for the bi-directional communications. - Support of the multichannel without treatment (3 to 8 channels, audio and non compressed .WAV files). - Inversion of the vertical axis for the time domain displays. - Addition of the "Effect Meter 2" ("Program Parameters"), a parameter tuning the latencies of the sound card drivers. - Improvement in total latencies with the bi-directional communications: - TCP/IP level effect meter is not taken into account. - Optimizations of DirectPlay parameters. - Improvement in latencies of most of the classical codecs (chiefly G.711, GSM 6.10 and MP3), with DirectSound, in less treatment mode and up to 22 kHz. - Addition of the sub-menu "Get Distant Address" in the "File" sub-menu. - Changes in some default values: - No frequency filtering. - Sampling rate = 22 kHz for TCP/IP. - DirectSound drivers chosen by default. - Minimum size of the writing files: 0 Mo. - The noise generator covers all the frequencies up to 24 kHz. - From 3.0 to 3.1 - The sent messages (chat) are immediately deleted. - Changes in default values for the WHM Audio Codec. - Addition of the "Web Server Parameters" sub-menu allowing to have a distant address in the form: http://username.domainname - Support of MP3 radios compatible with Windows Media or Real Media (.pls). - At the end of the installation, the user must choose between a Web Server version (registered key for WhmSoft VoIP Service) and an evaluation version. - From 3.1 to 4.0 - The "Anonymous Player" icon replaces the normal icon on the desktop. - Addition of the "Radio Stations" sub-menu in the "Help" sub-menu, to find radio stations URLs to open with Internet Explorer or to play with the program. The user must have at least a free subscription with WhmSoft VoIP Service. - Network connections are done in a thread different from the main thread. - New look and new defaut values for the "Messages" window. - From 4.0 to 4.1 - The default buffering time is set to zero in anonymous input. - Support of the .M3U play list files. - Many URLs are taken into account for the play list files (.ASX, .SMIL, .RAM, .RPM, .M3U files, 32 Ko buffer for URLs names). - From 4.1 to 4.2 - Review of the WHM Audio Codec. This codec is from now a great quality and high performance codec for the voice and the music, in return for a simple change in some parameters. - Addition of diffusion and reception icons to the group of icons, for the audio diffusion and reception, with the non anonymous TCP/IP mode. - From 4.2 to 5.0 - Suppression of the end of file warning sound with the TCP/IP communications and diffusions. - The starting of file readings and writings is synchronous. - Addition of the "Adaptive Scale" to the WHM Audio Codec. - From 5.0 to 5.1 - Change in the spectrogram rotation direction. - Graphical displays with histograms instead of points. - With the Window Media Audio Codec, choice of the smallest bitrate suitable for the audio format. - Enhancement of the WHM Audio Codec for the music. ******************* *** Corrections *** ******************* - Minor corrections before diffusion. - More accurate controls of lower boundaries of writing files parameters. - Accurate taking the number of seconds to display into account (Time Domain and Frequency Domain). - In normal mode, when reading or writing a file without treatment, all treatment parameters are disabled in the "Settings" dialog box. - Accurate initialization of the mixer elements in the "Windows Mixer" dialog box when the program is stopped. - In case of format change with TCP/IP, the end of music is played on the caller stations if the host pause time is sufficient. - With TCP/IP, the warning sound is heard on the host station. - Correction of the caller exit problem (even with high effect and resynchronization meters), when the host frequently changes the wave format (file on, file off, ...) during the diffusions. - Correct Initialization of the program with TCP/IP in anonymous reception, without /stopped option. - If the mixing generator is activated, after a start, the generator state is always correctly displayed and the program is always correctly initialized. - From 1.3.00 - Small changes in the "Assistant" content. - Additional coherence tests in the "TCP/IP - DirectPlay" dialog box. - With TCP/IP, if a connection is to establish, the program requires a connection before starting. - With TCP/IP, if a modem connection is to establish, the program shows the dial-up networking dialog box. - The modem connection dialog box is correctly displayed with Windows ME, but the user must restart the program after the connection. - The program stops at the start if TCP/IP and DirectPlay can't be launched. - The "Join Secure Session" option doesn't lead the "Incorrect security Parameters" message. - From 1.4.00 - TCP/IP dialog box is accessible again in configuration mode. - if a WMA stream is not found, the program doesn't wait too long. - If the security parameters are not correct (password and seed), the adequate message is displayed instead of the message "Invalid Group Name". - With a non audio host or caller, ("Other Host" or "Other caller"), the user can play a sound file locally. - A warning message is displayed if the user tries to send a message without text. - With audio, the host verifies that the caller has the same internal functioning frequency. - With the priority compression, the user can send and receive audio data again. - The program can be stopped or terminated normally when the warning sound is in progress. - With the WMA compression and the Other Type or Caller Type, the user can send and receive messages. - The resynchronization parameter is taken into account with the anonymous input. - From 1.8.00 - The configuration mode is possible if there is more than one instance of the program. - The manual selection of mixer elements is taken into account at the program exit. - The program disables the non useful file options with the anonymous type and TCP/IP. - Modification of the event thread priority. - With Windows ME, the modem connections are normally established. - ACM starts correctly again. - In anonymous input and without treatment, there is no access violation at the start. - In recording, the end of the files are always taken into account. - From 2.0.00 - The change of the mixer driver during the stop doesn't cause an error at the restart. - Some driver initialization errors don't cause a program exit. - The "Automatic Indicator" option is correctly treated in anonymous input and at the program stop. - If there is no error, the program always plays all the files of the dynamic list. - There is no problem at the restart if the program exits with a maximized message window. - CD/VCD/DVD drives opening and closing events are not blocked by the program. - With Real media, the starting sound is not doubled in some conditions. - With Real media, the current bitrate value is displayed instead of the initial bitrate value. - From 3.0.00 - The diffusion with Windows Media Audio codecs without the TCP/IP anonymous type functions correctly again. - The program is correctly stopped again with distant Windows Media Video files. - From 4.0.00 - After a non fatal error message, the TCP/IP-DirectPlay session remains again. - A new thread is created for handling the network connections instead of the dialog boxes thread. - The participant selection is correctly done with the new "Messages" window. - If the "Messages" window is displayed during an anonymous input reading, the push buttons are disabled. - If the MP3 and Windows Media URLs don't support the positioning, the orders are unaware. - Review of the WHM Audio Codec. - The priority codec (ACM) may function again, even if it is not supported in standard by the product. - From 5.0.00 - Correction of bugs which make the WHM Audio Codec quality variable. - Change in the priority of several threads.