Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

[bcavender]

I am looking to possibly buy AutoPlay Media Studio.

I would like to hear from users that have generated projects and then deployed them "successfully", in volume, over a broad spectrum of PC hardware under Win2000/ME/XP (maybe even Win98SE) operating systems. In my project, I need to deploy video (Cinepac encoded AVIs-or other codecs if need be), stills (JPEG Source), Scanned Docs...and a slideshow feature would be nice.

I have tested some other Autorun SW, but they do not always play on other systems because of different configs for WinMediaPlayer/DirectX/Etc.

I need software that will produce a self-contained CD that will run without the enduser having to fiddle with Windows software configs because most of my customers are not PC Gurus and are pressed for time. If they have to have support, most likely they will not view the disc contents.

Does AMS deliver this?

If not...any suggestions as to the best route to go from here?

Thanks!

Bruce

[Derek]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

Hi

AMS4 was extensively tested on all versions of windows and works well on all of them. It can handle [with ease] all the things you require it to.
Obviously, video relies on the end-user having certain codecs installed, but thats the same wherever you go. mpeg and avi [which most people have anyway] is supported very well, as well as jpeg, mp3, wav etc etc.
Your best bet [if you havent already done so] is to download the trial version and see for yourself what its capable of. I'm sure you'll be impressed at the ease of use and the power of the application.
Additionally, you get the best support you'll find right here. There's no support to match it anywhere.
If you need further help, shout and we'll do all we can. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

you may find this thread interesting too:
http://www.indigorose.com/ubbthreads...o=0&fpart=

[eric_darling]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

AVI relies on codecs (unless you are using uncompressed media, which you probably are not - you certainly wouldn't fit much on your disc, let alone be able to play it from the CD).

ALL of the AVI codecs that are included with the WiMP install are outdated and pretty lame by today's standards. There are more modern AVI codecs (Divx, to name one), but you'll need ot have people install that as a third party add-on. Many corporate IS departments don't allow for such installs, so if corporate audiences are in your future, you'll want to use MPEG-1, which is supported automatically in Win 98 and above without installing anything on the end-user's computer.

That being said, AMS can deliver all that you have inquired about, and much more.

[bcavender]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

Derek,
I took a look at the demo. I didn't see a slideshow command like I mentioned in my post. I simply need to be able to show a series of 20 jpeg files with a simple navigation control...forward/backward.

Nothing stood out as a preconfigured tool or straightforward way to do this. How would you approach this?

Thanks!
Bruce

[Colin]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

Hi Bruce,

The most straightforward way to do exactly what you're asking is to create 20 pages in AMS, add your images and forward/backward buttons to each page and you're ready to go. Simply attach a "Page Jump" action to each navigation button to switch between pages (images).

There are slicker ways, but that'll only take you a few minutes as it is.

As for system compatibility, that's one of the things we really pride ourselves on. We've gone to great lengths to make sure our software is *extremely* stable and functional and just about everyone's system. There's really no comparison with some of the other "shareware" options out there.

[Corey]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

Yes that is a good starting point because you will get your project done easily in a few minutes and at the same time you will become familiar with the software itself...

Once you've done that I can help you explore some other possible solutions. Ones which might take you a few extra minutes to setup but will offer added functionality. The key point being that you can get all sorts of helpful support here in the forum, even as your skills evolve...

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software

[bcavender]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

Corey,
I opened the demo yesterday evening at 4pm and and by 11 I had learned enough about the package to create an 14 page project that incorporated 11 video pages that play my Cinepac encoded vids perfectly. (Though with 400mb total videos...the preview processing gets long. It would be a good future feature to only process the vid when it was added to the project and have a link for the preview process to use... but for now it is easy to just add them in last.)

I also implemented a webpage jump and after I added my own BACK/FORWARD/REFRESH buttons, I got a quite useable result.

(This speaks highly of the interface and overall design...No system crashes or screwy behavior. Thank you!)

I have one area that I am not yet getting what I need. I would like to pour formatted text into a word wrap box and display it on a page. My first shot at it would only allow unformatted *.txt files to be imported. Maybe this is not implemented because of the uncertianty of fonts on the target systems? ...or am I missing something?

Also, a quick question about building a target CD. Are my source avi/jpgs visible to the casual user on the target CD or can the files be compiled so Joe Jerkwater can't easily copy them into his vid editor and decorate my clients vid with clips from his favorite **** site?

Pretty good package overall...how long does it usually take to get the key after ordering?

Thanks!

Bruce

[Corey]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

Hi. OK:

1. When you say, "formatted text" what are you referring to? (HTML? CSS? Word?)

2. As to the video, I've never heard of a person taking someone's compressed videos and then decorating them with **** clips. I highly doubt this occurs. But if you are going to give your video to people, no matter what software you use, then I guess in theory they could turn around and misuse that video. Again I've never heard of such a thing and I don't think you need to worry about that.

3. As to the key, I'm not in sales so I have no clue (although I imagine it's very quick) but you can find out easily enough by contacting [email protected]. We also have a toll free order line at 1 (800) 665 - 9668. The sales folks are extremely friendly and helpful and they will be happy to answer any and all sales related questions, anytime...

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software

[bcavender]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

Sorry for not being more specific.

I would just like to enter text directly or take it out of a Word doc (using only standard Windows fonts like Verdana/SanSerif) and be able to keep font/size/bold/italic/underline/strike/justification/etc. This is a little more efficient for long texts without art rather than making PDFs.

By your response, I presume that the files are not aggregated or masked from viewing by Windows Explorer. Incidentally, this happened to a friend that works at a service bureau...the clip turned up at a customer of the client that had the project made...who in turn took it to the bureau because he though someone at the bureau was making a "funnie" at their expense. It took quite some time to get the non-technical mgmt guy to believe that some other person lifted the file and doctored it in his $100 "movie" software. His "semi-angry" response was "Don't you have the know-how to protect your work! ...as he stormed off. They haven't seen business from them since.

A discussion on the esoterics of video security would be lost on this gentleman and 99% of the people that pay my invoices. All I am interested in is masking it from the casual browser because that is 90% of the population. Encryption would be unnecessary. Just trying to look down the road a little....

Thanks!
Bruce

[Corey]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

You cannot give somebody something and yet protect it from them at the same time. Impossible, ergo all the pirated games, movies, and software on the net... Not sure how you care to reconcile that reality with your clients, but that's pretty much a given...

As to inserting Word formatting the only way I know of is via the web browser object and I think you would have to make sure your end user has a word plug-in installed for their IE browser, although I'm not 100% certain on that since I never use Word, maybe someone who uses Word can offer something more on the topic...

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software

[Lorne]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

There are ways to make it a bit harder for people to access files...for instance, you could package them in password-protected Zip archives, and then extract them to a temporary location with a misleading name before displaying them. (AutoPlay allows you to extract files from a password-protected Zip.)

Of course, this introduces a performance issue if the files are large...you probably wouldn't want the user to have to wait a few minutes for a video to be extracted before it could play. It's feasible for image files, though.

Ultimately, if it ends up on the computer screen, there are ways for anyone with enough knowledge to capture it. And even with "perfect" security in place, there is always the threat of a legitimate user with access and illicit intent.

The best you can do is to protect things just well enough to inconvenience the casual plagiarist. Kind of like house alarms and car security systems...any heist movie should tell you they won't stop a determined thief, but you hope the bad guy will go after the easier target down the street instead.

The good news is, AutoPlay is flexible enough to let you take some steps to make unwanted access difficult. Whether the extra effort and side effects are worth it will depend on your needs, and your clients.

Either that, or only include content in your projects that no one would want. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[cdemallie]

Re: Want to hear from users deploying in volume on Win2000/XP/ME PCs

I have not used AMS to deploy video, but have used it extensively to re-package and deploy installation packages on everything from Win95 and up. I have never had a problem with my AMS project performing differently on different operating systems. The only issues I've had have related to my coding.

Buy the program. Once you discover everything it can do, you'll use it for much more than you initially intended.