VidFun 3.x FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)
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It consolidates new information and VidFun's README file.
Q. Why do I get a "PB" Message box when the Screensaver runs?
A. You probably installed a recent version of "NetToob". Check
your WIN.INI file. The "run=" or "load=" entry executes a
non-standard screensaver that "lurks in the background" (using
system resources) and overrides other screen savers. It has been
reported to look for Playboy JPG files in a "virus-like" manner
and shows a message box, requiring user input (later versions
may do more nasty things). Remove the "run=" or "load=" entry
from your WIN.INI file and your system will be back to normal;
the MPEG MCI driver should still be functional since it is
CompCore's SoftPEG driver (same one bundled w/ Matrox cards).
Q. Why is VidFun a hybrid 16/32-bit app?
A. Many MCI (Media Control Interface) drivers are, natively,
16-bits and interface in a 16-bit fashion (i.e., common
"data segments"). In a 100%, 32-bit WinNT application, MCI
support for FLI/FLC, Quicktime and many MPEG-1 drivers must
be sacrificed.
As Win95 is a "hybrid" 16/32-bit OS (i.e., maintains 16-bit
compatibility), so is VidFun; existing 16-bit support for
multimedia drivers, as well as TWAIN drivers, is ensured.
Moreover, by using WOW (Windows on Win32), VidFun avoids
compatibility issues between Win32c, Win32s and Win32(NT).
Our strategy is to ensure Win95 compatiblity with a long-term
focus on WinNT. TWO versions will be created/maintained:
* hybrid 16/32-bit version (optimized for Win31 AND Win95);
* 100% 32-bit version (WinNT-optimized, Win95-compatible).
Q. Why can't I play VideoCD files?
A. VideoCD (*.DAT) files are MPEG-1 files (*.MPG) and require an MCI
driver that plays MPG files. Rename any *.MPG file on your hard
disk to *.DAT; if it plays then you've confirmed a BUS MASTER
conflict. Remove your OEM Bus Master driver (e.g., Triones) and
reload the Win95 default PIIX driver (without bus mastering).
Q. Why can't I play WAV or MID (MIDI) files?
A. You must have a sound card and drivers (that come with your card)
installed. Only MID (MIDI) files with matching instruments
mapped by your MIDI Mapper can be played.
Q. Why can't I play AVI, MOV, FLI/FLC or MPG movies?
A. You need the VFW (Video for Windows) MCI driver for AVI files,
QTW (QuickTime for Windows) MCI driver for MOV files and Autodesk
MCI driver for FLI files (see our Web pages for download links).
Win95 users already have the latest VFW drivers if you installed
multimedia components from your Win95 CDROM. Win31 users that
play AVI files encoded with new compression schemes may get an
MCI error and must download/install VFW11e.exe (or later).
Q. What MPEG drivers does VidFun support?
A. All MPEG-1 MCI drivers. Make sure you set MPEG compatibility
options from VidFun' menu. MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and MJPEG (Motion
JPEG) are rare and require specialized drivers.
With almost ALL drivers (e.g., VMPEG, CompCore SoftPEG,
MediaMatics, ATI v2.23 ...) use default setting:
Safe MPEG Mode=OFF
Scaleable MPEG=ON
With Xing driver (bundled w/ OEM S3 cards) set:
Safe MPEG Mode=ON
Scaleable MPEG=ON
For best results, use NATIVE S3 Xing driver
(v1.3 or later).
With the ATI driver (v2.22 or earlier) set:
Safe MPEG Mode=OFF
Scaleable MPEG=OFF
When in doubt set:
Safe MPEG Mode=ON
Scaleable MPEG=OFF
Q. Why can't I play MPA, MPV, MPE or M1V files?
A. These are all MPEG-1 files that have been renamed (e.g., *.mpe
is short for *.mpeg on Unix machines). If you can play *.MPG
files, then simply rename those files with *.MPG extension and
VidFun will recognize them.
Q. What does "32-bit video" option do?
A. It toggles between 16-bit and 32-bit video functions; use it for
testing 32-bit MPEG driver compatibility.
Q. What are "Safe MPEG Mode" and "Scaleable MPEG" options?
A. "Safe MPEG Mode" isolates another instance to avoid a system
lockout if driver crashes; looped playback and concurrent audio
in slideshows is also disabled. DO NOT DISABLE unless sure that
your driver is stable.
The "Scaleable MPEG" option, if enabled, will play MPG files
like AVI or MOV (Quicktime) video; position and video size in
slideshows is supported. DO NOT ENABLE this option if your MCI
driver does not supports variable zoom factor (not just 2x or 4x).
If the MCI driver supports scaling (e.g., VMPEG, SoftPEG,
MediaMatics), VidFun uses its feature set. ATI's MPEG driver
(v2.22 and earlier) does not support scaling; v2.3 and later does.
Video cards based on S3 (Trio32/64, 864/964) chipsets do NOT
support scaling. Weitek 9100, Trident 9680 (IBM Aptiva), Matrox
Millenium, Tseng ET6000, ATI Rage, ProMotion 64xx (NEC xx22), and
S3 (928, Trio64V+/UV+, 868/968, ViRGE) cards support scaling and
are usually bundled with an MPEG MCI driver. With other cards,
check your manual or ask your dealer.
Q. Why are total number of reported MPG frames wrong?
A. Some MPG files stop or loop from middle or continue playing even
if 'end of the file'. Depending on the way "key" frames are
encoded and read, the total number of frames reported by the MCI
device will be wrong. Regardless, VidFun will loop when file
has stopped and allow random access "beyond total frames".
Q. Why is MPG video playing "too fast"?
A. This problem exists with many MPG files found on the Internet.
It varies with MCI driver or file encoding. With Xing driver,
enable "Rate Control" to minimize problem.
Q. Why is video playback silent?
A. Playback of AVI or MOV files with sound requires a sound card and
installed drivers. Some video files have NO audio; most MPG files
found on Internet are silent movies. Some MPG files have WAV files
(with same name) as audio track; VMPEG is the only driver I know
that plays MPG with synchronized WAV audio. Also, ensure that
your Volume Control is set correctly.
Q. Why does VideoCD playback stop after a minute?
A. You are probably using the Shareware version of the VMPEG driver.
Get a registered version of VMPEG or install the MPEG MCI driver
bundled with your video card or Computer.
Q. Why is video playback jerky?
A. Firstly, make sure your video files are placed on uncompressed
hard drive. If playing from CDROM, Quad-speed (or better) is
recommended; in Win95, set maximum "read ahead" buffer and
appropriate drive speed. 160x120x256 (15 fps) AVI video runs
smoothly on 386-33DX; see table for 24-bit video playback:
Frames fps Type(s) Zoom Mininum System Requirements
-------- --- ------- ---- ---------------------------
160x120 15 MPG x1 486-33 + 32-bit video
320x240 30 MOV/AVI^ x1 486-66 + 32-bit video
352x240 30 VideoCD x1 486-100 + 64-bit video
^Cinepak compressed w/ less than 300 kbs xfer rate; Indeo
compressed files and xfer rates >300 kbs need faster CPU.
Q. Can I design a slideshow for different video modes ?
A. Yes, provided the target display is larger than the display mode
you designed it on. Write the script in 640x480 video mode for
widest audience. Remember that (1) FLI/FLC (or non-scaleable
MPG) playback is not resizeable. (2) WAV and MID playback needs
a sound card. (3) Graphics, video/animation in user positions
will not be in the same spacial location as those set to "mid".
(4) Random Position, Random Selection and Fit-to-Screen global
slideshow options will override your settings. (5) 256-color
displays may exhibit palette changes depending on your slides
and SVGA palette setting (i.e., global slideshow option).
Q. Can I run the slideshow without using the Slideshow Editor?
A. Ofcourse. Open any *.AVL file as you would any multimedia file
and it will immediately play; you can even drag & drop an AVL
file on the VidFun icon, as well as launch it from Explorer (or
even Internet Browsers) via file association.
Q. Can the slideshow wait for a keypress before showing next slide?
A. Yes. Pressing [spacebar] terminates the wait/delay added to a
particular slide; set the wait/delay to maximum. If you enable
View|Preferences|Show Slide Control, each slide advances only
when you click advance button (you can "jump" to any slide too).
Q. What causes erratic multimedia slideshows/screensaver errors?
A. Running multi-track multimedia slideshows can "stress" your
system. If slideshow/screensaver plays for hours then crashes,
HEAT is the problem; we have confirmed this on a 6x86 P150+;
no problems have been reported with Cyrix/IBM 6x86 P120+.
To diagnose memory timing problems, write down ALL your CMOS
CHIPSET settings and enable BIOS DEFAULTS; diehard "tweakers"
can adjust individual settings until reliable settings are found.
Also, update your Win95 system with Microsoft's SERVICE PACK and
other updates (downlable from their Web site). Video and audio
card drivers can also affect reliability (see next sections).
Q. Is there a problem with ATI/Mach64 card?
A. Quicktime for Windows may crash if the following entry is
absent in your [Macx] section:
DeviceBitmap=OFF
Get latest drivers from ATI (www.atitech.ca); v2.23 or later.
The Win95 MPG driver 2.23 sometimes "unregisters" itself;
using ATI's MPEG driver in Screensaver is not recommended.
Q. Is there a problem with Matrox Millenium card?
A. Older drivers caused mask to appear as solid white block in True
Color (24-bit) video mode. Get latest Win95 drivers (v3.14 or
later) from Matrox (www.matrox.com). In Windows 3.x, use the
Mask|Inverse option to correct 24-bit mask problem.
With VMPEG MCI driver, DISABLE DCI in "Video Configuration".
In WinNT 4.0, DirectDraw has been reported to conflict with the
bundled SoftPEG MPEG driver; check Matrox's Web site for updates.
Q. What do I do about MCI errors when playing FLI/FLC files?
A. Most likely you did not install the MCI drivers for FLI/FLC
playback or have an incomplete setup. Use Media Player to test
playback. Check your SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI files.
In SYSTEM.INI file:
[mci]
Animation1=mciaap.drv
In WIN.INI file:
[mci extensions]
fli=Animation1
Q. What do I do about MCI errors when playing Quicktime MOV files?
A. If your video card seems incompatible with MOV playback, backup
your QTW.INI file then modify the following sections' entries to
look like this:
[Options]
VideoOptimize=DIB
[Video]
Optimize=DIB
If you get MCI errors during playback, backup your SYSTEM.INI
and check for following entry under the [mci] section (drive and
directory may vary with your system).
QTWvideo=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MCIQTW.DRV
Also, check your WIN.INI file for the following entry under the
[mci extensions] section.
MOV=QTWvideo
To get the latest QTW drivers visit Apple Computers' Page
http://www.apple.com
QuickTime for Windows (QTW) 32-bit drivers are not recognized
by Win95 (maybe due to Apple-Microsoft lawsuits a while back);
however, VidFun will play MOVies if QTW 16-bit is installed.
VidFun supports 32-bit video and will recognize a 32-bit QTW
version that links via MCI (e.g., via WOW "thunking").
Q. Media player reports "settings changed by another program"?
A. If you associated multimedia elements with VidFun instead of
the Win95 Media player, it will report that. Click "No" if you
still want VidFun to be default multimedia player; click "Yes"
and Media player again becomes the default multimedia player.
Q. Is my video card incompatible with video playback?
A. Change Windows video mode to VGA 640x480 (16 colors). Video
files should play (jerky, slow and grainy). Test other video
modes; if specific modes don't playback correctly, install
updated drivers from your card's manufacturer. In Win95,
you can also set "Graphics Performance" to NONE (at System
Panel) to test driver compatibility.
Q. Is my audio card incompatible?
A. Generally, you shouldn't have a problem. On a Pentium 100 or
faster, the chances of incompatibility increase. With Creative
Labs' Vibra16 card, make sure you get the latest Win95 drivers
(4/96 or later); older drivers had some nasty interactions.
Q. I don't want certain VidFun File association, what do I do?
A. If you don't want to associate specific FILE TYPES such as *.CAL
fax files which have the same extension of CALendar data files,
uninstall VidFun to restore all your previous associations.
Reinstall from original self-extracting archive and "check" only
desired FILE TYPES to be associated, in setup dialog.
Q. Can I import unsupported graphics (e.g., GIF)?
A. Use other Windows apps (e.g., WAOL), to COPY it to the Windows
clipboard; from VidFun select Edit|Paste and it will be pasted
on a VidFun document. You can also use other apps to convert
to PNG or BMP format for use in VidFun.
Q. Why is my image grainy?
A. You see dithering, a method used to display more colors on
256-color displays (e.g., True-Color JPG file). Set
View|Preferences|Optimal Palette
for superb JPEG views; set
File|Slideshow prefs|SVGA palette|Optimal
for outstanding slideshows and screensavers.
Q. I want to upgrade my system. What do you recommend?
A. For hardware discussions surf here.
appliedinsights.net