(Dave T2: Aha... I clicked on "Buy" but didn't see the "store" link.)

Well, within 15 minutes of posting to the forum and sending an e-mail to Sonic/Sony support, I had answers from both! Very impressive!

So, to summarize:

1) The direct link to the upgrade is: https://www.sonicfoundry.com/shopping/item.asp?PID=238

2) I'll report on the upgrade process. I'm told by Sonic/Sony support that the previous version need not even be installed on your target PC, so I'm assuming that the "upgrade" is actually a sort of full reinstall.

3) Sonic/Sony support says that the "download is no longer available, only the packaged version". Bummer, but for $29.95 to upgrade I can live with it.

Is this the upgrade for Video Factory 2? I visited the link provided by Gogiants, and I did not see the upgrade version number. Can someone please reasure me that this is the upgrade for VF2.
Thank you.

The upgrade page says Update Any Version of Video Factory. You have to enter your Serial Number so I assume if it is not a valid version it will let you know.

Dave T2

In my inquiry to Sonic Foundry support, I specifically mentioned both in my e-mail subject line and in the body of the e-mail that I was upgrading from VideoFactory 2.0c. They directed me to the link. The e-mail was definitely written by a live person based on other responses they provided in the message, so it wasn't some automated response.

Again, they also said that the machine on which you install the "upgrade" needn't even have the older copy of VideoFactory installed.

All signs point to this being the right upgrade for VideoFactory 2.0. I've not yet received the package but should be able to report for sure within a couple days.

It's not technically an "upgrade" at all, but a full-blown, complete app.

The price break is a courtesy to us current customers.

In other words, it will "upgrade" any Video Factory or Screenblast version.

I would like to purchase this upgrade, but as it costs $46.00 in postage to get the packaged version (I live in England) it isn't worth it, even if the $29.99 itself is a good deal.

Anyone know why they removed the option for downloading the software?

Mark

Mark,

You should be able to purchase it locally from any of the two distributors there: http://www.sonicfoundry.com/partners/intldist.asp?country=UK

I was one of the lucky ones but I'm also trying to find out why they would remove the download option. I imagine it will result in a significant amount of lost sales.

Hmmm, well, I baulked at the $9.00 shipping charge, but after thinking about it for a while, went for it anyway.

I still cannot see why it is not offered as a download though - except I would feel pretty sick if it suddenly became a download having just coughed up for shipping.

So now I wait for it to arrive, and wait, and wait....

I got the following response from Sonic Foundry:

"Unfortunately for licensing reasons there will not be a download version
available any longer."

They pointed me to the distributors in the UK as well; they don't have this upgrade on their web site; I have mailed them asking if they have it.

This seems a big step backwards, to no longer offer downloadable software.

Mark

The bigger step backwards is no trial downloads either. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve referred people to VideoFactory by saying , “download the trial and see for yourself, you have nothing to loose”. I can’t do this anymore. This is NOT good. I hope this changes.

~jr

Does anyone know of a Canadian distributor? The reason:

Your Cart: [edit cart]
Item Total: $29.95
Est. Shipping: $38.00
Total: $67.95

$38 bucks to ship to Canada!!?? This isn't Antarctica and it's arriving on the next supply ship!! You could throw a snowball from here and hit the US of A (we do it al the time).

Gerry,
Well, if you live in Montreal I can bring you a copy when I go up there in September. :)

-Dave

Gerry,

What you need to do is write a letter to Sony and complain. If they see enough people not buying their software because its not downloadable then perhaps they can make the business case to fix the licensing problem and offer the downloads once again. It always helps if you can point out a competitor that sells their software via download like Ulead does. I think your case exemplifies the problem since the shipping costs more than the software! It’s real important to complain so they know they are loosing business.

~jr

To DaveCT: Reference you going to Montreal, please email me at gerry_leacock@mts.net

Thanks!

I've just spoken to one of the UK distributors, SCV. They're expecting pricing info to be about 3 weeks behind the US, but the upgrades usualy cost about 1£ / $, and postage would be £5. I'd still prefer a downloadable version, but at least we're not completely isolated!

Ian G.

I'm just going to add that I think the resellers' page is a bit hard to find (at least I always forget where to look). If you're looking for a distributor -- US or International -- you can try the partners page or other ways to buy

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/partners/resellers.asp
http://www.sonicfoundry.com/shopping/howtobuy.asp


Suzan

I have the screenblast product and its the same look but I dont like being put into sonicMYDVD when creating mpeg1 or 2 - I like it the old way with main concept - I use to use MYDVD to render mpeg2 and it was ok - main concept produced better picture.