Hardly.

Problem with version 1.0.

Same problem with patch for version 1.0.

That's original CD.

Upgraded to version 2.0, that CD fails registration also.

Not just a single machine. Failure on three different PC's. Clearly there is something seriously wrong the the registration software.

Downloaded version 2.0a off Internet. It failed.
Download builds 90 and 91 off Internet, they failed!

Every install, VF FAILS every attempt at registration.
I literally have over a dozen unlock codes none of which work and have never worked.

Using online resistration results in failure.

Using register with another computer, fails.

Using phone support to get unlock code, fails again.

Repeating, I'm finally sent a unlock code that works, but limited, still fails to allow use of cookie cutter plug in, it brings up the moronic register screen all over again. These are all classic signs of poorly designed, bug infested software.

Each time I suffer through this same crap. One failed registration attempt after another. Today was no different.

What I'm really waiting for is for Sonic Foundry to publicly acknowledge how screwed up their registration scheme is and apologize for the hours I've wasted and for them to actually admit it don't work. Clearly my history shows it does not.

Actually, I've no problems with the unlock codes on either my ME when I first purchased the program, or on my recent install of XP Pro. I know this is likely to incur some wrath, but since there are so many users with no problems, have you conisdered that it might be either a problem with another program you have installed that's interfering, or possibly user error?

Let me address the last issue you raised first. User error? What could be simpler, it asks for some generic information, name, address, etc., grabs the computer ID and that is suppose to trigger a valid unlock code.

My experince is it simply don't work regardless if you try to register online, by phone or via the HTML gizmo. It don't even work when pasting the unlock number given by customer service. The question is why does the 3rd or maybe 4th code given work and the others given just minutes before don't? That's not user error. It suggests something is wrong with the random seed gererator uses to generate the unlock code since everyone is very different.

As far as any other software interfering, that would suggest poor testing on Sonic foundry's part. I don't have anything weird on any of my systems. Even if I did, none should interfer with a simple process of entering a unlock code, especially when not doing it online and simply pasting one in once given one over the phone.

Clearly what is happening is Video Factory is too dumb to read its own registry key used to "unlock" and register the software or is simply too dumb to know what to do with it. That's the only explination for now having finally got a unlock code that works for MPEG yet it still fails to allow use of the cookie cutter plug-in again bringing up the registration dialog box every time I try to use it. Being a programmer myself, that tells me the coding is faultly. That's likely because there is no special unlock code just for the cookie cutter. It relys on the other unlock code which VF apparently accepts since I now can finally do MPEG again, yet it won't allow me to use the cookie cutter which suggests it has not accepted the unlock code. Both conditions can't be true, yet that's what Video Factory is saying by first accepting the unlock code, then next saying it don't have any if I attempt to use the cookie-cutter. That's sloppy programming, pure and simple. Whoever wrote the unlock code at SF should be chained to his/her desk until ALL the bugs are found and eliminated. Sonic Foundry has failed to address this issue preferring to stonewall and just saying the registration scheme works for others. The point is as I have documented is it DOES NOT work for everyone.

Further I disabled all TSR including anti-virus before attempting any registration and it don't make a bit of difference. It fails anyway.

Not to boast, but I have over twenty years experience with PC software and mainframe as well. I know what I'm doing. Clearly the registration scheme is flawed and Sonic Foundry not addressing it regardless how many customers experience it does not speak well of them.

As anyone can tell I am very agitated by this because I have reported it here in the forum several times, as well as in email and also on the phone and still Sonic Foundry does nothing to remedy this problem. They have not responded to the HSL issue I raised nor have they responded to the jitter caused when rendering in AVI either. It seems the only times SF reps respond in the forum is when there is a simple problem. Flaws brough to their attention are ignored or dismissed as user error.

So far from the day I first installed version one nearly a year ago I estimate wasting over four hours of my time fooling around trying to register. What's probably worse is I know I'll go through the same hell if I ever upgrade my OS again, or apply a patch or install a new version. Such sloppyness is totally unacceptable. Once you register that should be it for the life of the application.

So far the only way I ever got any valid unlock code was by calling customer service. The problem there is the first several unlock codes given over the phone never work. Why?

Hate to interrupt your rant, but I too have been using it with XP Pro with no problems at all, going back a couple of months. I had been using VF2 under 2000, then installed the public beta of XP Pro, with no problems, and now have upgraded to the real XP. VF hasn't complained once.

If I were going to complain about VF, it would be the slow rendering times relative to other programs and it's lack of multiple CPU support, but certainly not it's registration scheme.

"If I were going to complain about VF, it would be the slow rendering times relative to other programs and it's lack of multiple CPU support, but certainly not it's registration scheme."

If anyone had as much trouble as I had with their registration scheme they would be complaining just as much. You're complaining about "features" I couldn't even use the program. Far worse problem.

Let me make a quick analogy. If you bought a new car and every time you stuck the key in the ignition it said sorry, your license is invalid, and the car refused to start, you be just as mad as I am.

That'd what I keep experiencing for nearly a year. I DID register. Countless times. I paid for the software. Damn it, let me use it!

I use In-Sync's Speed Razor and SF's Video Factory and Vegas Video. I've registered my SF stuff on three different machines with no problems. All of my calls to customer service have been answered in about 4 rings. All registrations went without any problems.
In-Sync's registration scheme has been a nightmare for many people. I had to leave a message with their support and waited two weeks for return call.
Count your blessings.

ditto. Installation was a snap. What I want to know is, can I now uninstall VideoFactory 1.0, now that I have 2.0a installed?

This is just a repeat, but no problems on the registration here. Maybe you should look at what your doing. Again, you are one of the constants in your problem.

-R