Misleading RealPlayer Compatability

Jessariah67 wrote on 6/25/2002, 6:51 PM
Maybe I'm wrong, but anything I render out to Real Media format (video) will not play back on any player earlier than version 8, though Vegas claims it will work with G2 6.092 (whatever it is..).

I've tried it on four different systems, and I get an error message with Real Player 6 or 7.

Anyone know why this is?

Comments

luke milligan wrote on 6/26/2002, 9:57 AM
I'm not able to repro your issue.
Using RealPlayerG2 6.0.5 on WinXP.
When I loaded an audio/video rm file created in vegas 3, it said other components were needed to play. It updated my player to RealOne Player 6.0.10, and played my audio/video clip just fine.

What version of Vegas are you using to create the media?
What rm template are you using when rendering.
What OS are you running on?
Are your playback systems connected to the internet allowing you to upadte the player with necessary components?
What version of RealPlayer are you using?
Are you able to play other rm files besides one created by vegas?
Are you able to play audio only rm files created by vegas?

Luke

Chienworks wrote on 6/26/2002, 5:04 PM
I think the point is that the older players MUST be updated to play Vegas-produced content. It would be nice to be able to produce a file that plays on older players without needing the update. This is important for making presentation files that will be played on computers that don't necessarily have internet access. Even if they do, it's not exactly impressive for a client to have to wait a few minutes for the update to download while you're sitting there at their conference table waiting for your presentation to play.
Jessariah67 wrote on 6/27/2002, 7:06 AM
Yes, especially when the internet connection is dialup.

I'm using VV3, Win98, Dialup56 template.

The test was done with Real Player 7. The audio worked fine.

I'm just saying that the information should be changed so that people know that a video render is NOT going to work in any player version earlier than 8. Like Chien says, it doesn't look very good to tell people it will work if they have one version, and then they get error messages.
inspector wrote on 6/27/2002, 8:12 AM
I think that it is important to set the customer's expectations. Assuming that the compatibility is not going to change. You could let them know ahead of time that the player needs to be updated to take advantage of the newest technology and if legal, include the new player's setup files on disk. Some pre-presentation preparation and a positive spin can score you some points in customer relations. I don't know if these suggestions will work in your situation or not...just some thoughts on the customer service aspect.

Steve
earthrisers wrote on 6/27/2002, 12:08 PM
If you do see fit to advise clients to get a later version of Real Player -- WARN THEM UP FRONT that when they upgrade, Real Networks signs them up automatically for a "subscription", for which Real charges their credit card every month from that point on. This fact tends to be buried in the fine print of the "I agree" text... they don't even mention it until AFTER you've given your credit card and initiated the purchase.
The only way I know of to get a player upgrade without getting the "subscription" is to contact Real Networks after buying it, and insisting that you wanted only to buy the player, and that you don't want the subscription.
I've been burned by this sneaky tactic twice. I now avoid producing anything in Real format, so as not to put my clients through this experience.
Chienworks wrote on 6/27/2002, 1:58 PM
There is a free version of RealPlayer available. If you've used the free version in the past, then the auto update will upgrade to the free version. You can also find it on Real's website if you poke around a lot. It will nag you about paying for the full version now and then, but you can ignore the nagging.

I do suggest that when registering RealPlayer that you do use a fake eMail address, like oiasjeoijfaehufwieuhf@aiouhjf.bhwreg, as Real has no qualms about spamming you remorselessly and sharing your address with everyone.
SonyEPM wrote on 6/27/2002, 4:27 PM
We regret leaving the G2 option in the Real plug-in, and we'll remove it in the next update.

If you want to be absolutely sure that a player update/download is not required, use MPEG-1. QT and WM players play that format natively on any modern Mac or Windows OS.
For CD delivery, MPEG-1 looks pretty good too. Mpeg-1 doesn't stream- take note.

Otherwise, streaming codecs and the big 3 players are constantly evolving, and periodic downloads are pretty much a way of life. And if you are receiving a streaming file, you are also connected, so codec downloads shouldn't be too painful. Annoying, yes- and who knows what else is going on during the handshake.

Again, sorry for the disinformation. Our mistake.
Chienworks wrote on 6/27/2002, 5:32 PM
For what it's worth, Apple's QuickTime player is able to play a file as it downloads from the 'net. If this is your definition of streaming (and it's close enough for me), then it can stream MPEG files. Of course, since the minimum SF template for MPEG is 400Kbps, you'll need a cable connection or better and the files will be a lot bigger than can be achieved with codecs that allow smaller bitrates. Then again, 400Kbps sure looks a lot better than 56 ;)