Playing sound with SAFR Actions on a PC

Playing a sound with SAFR Actions can be a challenge because Windows does not allow system services to interact with the sound devices.  Sound device is considered an interactive device and is not meant to be controlled by a Windows Background Service.

To run a sound with SAFR Actions, SAFR Actions must be run on the command line using the syntax described in SAFR Actions Guide here: https://docs.real.com/guides/safr_actions/SAFR+Actions.pdf

C:\Program Files\RealNetworks\SAFR\jdk\bin\java.exe -jar ares.jar

This command will run the SAFRActions.config file located in following folder

C:\Program Files\RealNetworks\SAFR\ares

You can edit this file with a text editor or use the SAFR Actions Windows Application to edit it.

NOTE: You should turn off the Windows Service (and disable it so it does not resume at reboot).

Tip:

Experiment with the commands provided below to see which one you prefer in how to play a sound from Windows Command Line.  Use Google for more information on this topic.

systemsounds.bat - plays standard windows sounds

References:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/27079534/how-to-start-a-system-beep-from-the-built-in-pc-speaker-using-a-batch-file

https://github.com/npocmaka/batch.scripts/blob/master/hybrids/.net/systemSounds.bat

Sample code:

  systemsounds asterisk    

Available sounds: asterisk, beep, exclamation, hand, question

Python WinSound module

https://pypi.org/project/playsound/

Ref: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/python-winsound-module/

Sample Code:

# loop iterates 5 times i.e, 5 beeps will be produced.

  import winsound

  for i in range(0, 5):    

    winsound.Beep(freq, dur)    

    freq+= 100

    dur+= 50

# WinSound with input file:

  import winsound

  # winsound.PlaySound('filename', flag)

  winsound.PlaySound('Welcome.wav', winsound.SND_FILENAME)