How to Install and Configure the Snarl Extension for MPC-HC Media Player Classic Home Cinema (MPC-HC) is a highly efficient, lightweight media player for Windows. While it performs exceptionally well out of the box, you can enhance its functionality by adding desktop notifications. By linking MPC-HC with Snarl—a popular Windows notification system—you can receive clean, customizable pop-ups every time a track changes, pauses, or stops.
This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to successfully install and configure the Snarl extension for MPC-HC. Prerequisites
Before beginning the installation, ensure you have the following components ready: MPC-HC: Installed and updated on your Windows machine.
Snarl: The core notification framework installed and running in your system tray.
MPC-HC Snarl Extension/Plugin: The specific library file (usually a .dll or an external script bridge) designed to send MPC-HC event data to Snarl. Step 1: Download the Extension Files
Locate the official repository or trusted source for the MPC-HC Snarl plugin. Download the compressed file (typically a .zip archive).
Extract the contents of the file to a temporary folder on your desktop. You will usually find a file named something like MpcSnarl.dll or an executable bridge file. Step 2: Install the Extension to MPC-HC
To make MPC-HC recognize the Snarl plugin, you must place the files into the correct directory or register them within the player. Method A: Direct DLL Placement
Right-click your MPC-HC desktop shortcut and select Open file location. This opens the root directory (usually C:\Program Files\MPC-HC).
Open the Plugins or Extensions folder if one exists. If it does not, look for the specific folder indicated by the plugin’s documentation. Move the extracted .dll file into this directory. Method B: Web Interface / External Bridge Configuration
Some versions of the Snarl extension communicate with MPC-HC via its built-in web server. Open MPC-HC. Press O on your keyboard to open the Options menu. Navigate to Player > Web Interface on the left sidebar.
Check the box for Listen on port (the default port is usually 13579).
Check the box to Allow access from localhost only for security.
Launch the external Snarl bridge application you downloaded; it will now use this port to read playback data. Step 3: Configure Snarl to Receive Notifications
Once the files are linked, you need to tell Snarl how to handle the incoming data from MPC-HC.
Look at your Windows taskbar system tray and double-click the Snarl icon to open its settings. Navigate to the Applications or Registered Apps tab.
If using an automated plugin, play a video in MPC-HC; Snarl should automatically detect the player and add it to the list.
If it does not appear automatically, click Manually Register and browse to select the MPC-HC executable (mpc-hc64.exe). Step 4: Customize Notification Alerts
With the connection established, you can tailor exactly what information appears on your screen.
In the Snarl application menu, select MPC-HC from your registered apps.
Click on Events to choose what triggers a pop-up. Common options include:
On Play: Displays the file name or title when a video starts. On Pause/Resume: Shows a brief status update.
On File Change: Displays the new title when advancing in a playlist.
Navigate to the Styles tab to change the visual look of the pop-up. You can alter the background color, font sizes, display duration, and the corner of the screen where the alert appears. Step 5: Test the Integration Keep Snarl running in the background. Open MPC-HC and load a media file or audio playlist. Press Play.
A styled Snarl notification should slide into view displaying the media title. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Notifications do not appear: Ensure Snarl is not set to “Do Not Disturb” mode. If using the web interface method, double-check that the port number in MPC-HC exactly matches the port number in your Snarl bridge application.
Missing .dll errors: Make sure you downloaded the correct version architecture. If you run a 64-bit version of MPC-HC, you must use a 64-bit version of the plugin.
Blocked by Windows: Sometimes Windows blocks downloaded .dll files. Right-click the plugin file, select Properties, and click Unblock if the option is visible at the bottom.
To ensure this setup works flawlessly for your specific system layout, tell me: What version of Windows are you running? Is your MPC-HC installation 32-bit or 64-bit?
Are you using classic Snarl or a newer fork like Snarl Fork/Growl?
I can provide specific troubleshooting steps or download links based on your setup.
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