Startup, Launch DVD loop, shutdown - how to do this?

Question

Thanks for any help here:
I want to do a simple auto loop, where I basically have a mac that would start up every day at a certain time, launch QT or DVD player, then shut down at a certain time every day.
Using the Control Panels scheduler isn't working, as it can't force the app to quit.
This is for an art exhibiton that is not regularly monitored. The Macs need to shut down so that the data projectors they are attached to will as well.
Please let me know if this can be done in Applescript or Automator - many thanks!!
J

Answer 1

Cyrusirish.
Yup... I think this should be entirely possible. Try the following workflow.
1. Get specified finder items (your QT movie)
2. Play movies (from the quicktime Automator actions.
(here you can specify playback size, secondary display and crucially how many times to loop the QT file)
3. Shut down (from system Automator actions) which you'll find here:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/automator/shutdown.html
If you then save this action as an application and specify that application as a login item (system prefs > users > login items), This should run every time the mac is logged into.
You can start up the macs using the schedule (sys prefs > energy saver > schedule).
In Login options (sys prefs > accounts > login options), you should make sure that each machine automatically logs into a specified account.
And that should about do it.
You, of course, will need to fettle this for your own specific needs, but if I've read you intentions correctly, it should have put you on the right track.
Good luck with this and the exhibition.