Question how to start subprogram with Windows Scheduled Tasks

[jimdagys]

I don't know if the word "subprogram" is the right word, but I will explain. My goal is to use Scheduled Tasks to start/stop capturing at a future time of my choosing. I can easily use the Scheduled Task Wizard to start/stop the program ArcSoft (see last screenshot). However, to actually capture, once the ArcSoft program starts, two more mouse clicks must be made to actually capture (see screenshot 1). In screenshot 1, A identifies the Arcsoft program, B identifies the second required mouse click, and C identifies the third mouse click.
I don't mind keeping the Arcsoft software window (the window that contains C) open all day.
So my question is:
How can I get the Scheduled Tasks to click the capture button (identified by C)?
I looked in the Arcsoft Program files, and messed around with clicking some internal exe, thinking that might start the capture, but all I got was an error message (see screenshot 2).

[themaster1]

I advise you a program called eventghost which is made for controlling all your apps with a tv remote (or automatically) , it also has a task scheduler option (i've never used it though).You can do many things with this app really (control all your living room).

Apparently arcsoft showbiz don't have keyboard shortcuts (TMT does) so that'll make things a bit harder but not impossible
you would have to use essentially the find window + bring to front + enter actions i believe

[jimdagys]

Thanks for the info on Eventghost, however, for the time being I'm trying to make this work with what I've got.
NEW INFO: On the above first screenshot, I can use alt+C to capture and then alt+C again to stop the capture.
I would think there might be some kind of script or something that could be put into the Scheduled Tasks that would operate the alt+C function, and thereby let me start/stop the capture with the Scheduled Tasks.
Any ideas?

[mgh]

this might help- else search more for windows macro

http://freelabs.info/MacroRecorder.aspx

[jimdagys]

PROBLEM SOLVED
I've been trying to figure a way to start/stop the Arcsoft capture program at some future time (like using the timer record on a vcr). I found that alt+c would start/stop the capture. First I tried a program called Autohotkey:
http://www.autohotkey.com/
where you supposedly write a "script" file that sends the alt+c function to the computer. This script file then can be started/stopped at a future time with the Windows Task Scheduler. Unfortunately, writing this particular "script" is more than I could figure out. (Still would like to know how to do this, if anybody can tell me.)
So then I tried Windows Macro Recorder:
http://freelabs.info/MacroRecorder.aspx
(Thanks to mgh for this info.)
With this Windows Macro Recorder, you can just record the mouse action of clicking the "capture" button on the Arcsoft software. This mouse action is saved to a file, and then you can use the Windows Task Scheduler to execute the file which will
operate the mouse action at some future time. You can schedule to repeat the file again to stop the capture.
Works perfectly, although programing a vcr is a heck of a lot easier. See screenshot (mouse doesn't show up in the screenshot).

[themaster1]

There is an app called Virtualvcr which you could use, it works with capture cards and also webcam i believe (never tried)
Then there is the scheduler you can dl here: http://www.zisoft.de/software/vvcrscheduler
It's more "user friendly"

[jimdagys]

Ok, (for those that have the EZcap capture device) I figured out how to use another fairly simple method to start/stop capture according to a future schedule (like a vcr timer).
Since alt+c will start/stop the capture on the Arcsoft software, you can use the tiny software at:
http://www.autohotkey.com/
to write a script that will send alt+c to start/stop the capture.
After you install autohotkey, the script that you need to write is just
WinActivate CaptureModule
send !c
And then you can easily turn the script into an exe with autohotkey. Then you just put the exe into the Windows Task Scheduler (see screenshot) and choose a future time which will start/stop the capture.
If you don't want to bother with scripts and autohotkey, I have attached the exe that you need to use (sends alt+c to the capture program which starts/stops the capture).
(You must make sure the the Arcsoft Capture Module window is open for this to work, but the window doesn't have to be on top.)

[jagabo]

There's probably a command line option to start recording automatically.

[jimdagys]

There's probably a command line option to start recording automatically.

I searched around on the Arcsoft forum for a command line to start recording, and also asked that question on the Arcsoft forum, but couldn't get any info on that.