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Scala - infochannel-Designer 5 FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions for InfoChannel Designer 5
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Is InfoChannel Designer 5 supported on Windows Vista?
InfoChannel Designer 5 FAQ Solution #1, Designer Vista (last modified 08/13/2008):
Starting with InfoChannel Release 3.1.0 Windows Vista is supported. Windows Vista Business Service Pack 1 or Windows Vista Ultimate Service Pack 1 is required. Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, and any Vista 64-bit editions are not supported.
Recommendations:
A dual core, 1.6 GHz or faster CPU is recommended. 2 GB or more of RAM is recommended.
We currently recommend ATI- or NVIDIA-based graphics cards for use with Windows Vista. It is important to use current drivers, as the older drivers had significant issues. Intel-based graphics cards are not recommended at this time.
Motherboard audio solutions from Analog Devices (ADI), Realtek, and SigmaTel all appear to work. Again, it is important to use current drivers, as the older drivers had significant issues.
For those customers using Vista Ultimate, it is recommended that DreamScene not be installed as it can interfere with smooth playback.
For volume-licensed installations of Windows Vista, Microsoft requires that the systems periodically check in with a Vista license server. If such a system cannot reach its Vista license server over time, Vista may go into reduced-functionality mode, which will not allow Scala software to run. Therefore, any volume-licensed Vista-based PC must be configured correctly. (This does not affect the retail or OEM versions of Windows Vista.)
Scala InfoChannel under Windows Vista
InfoChannel Designer 5 and Player 5 have been certified to function correctly when using the pre-defined Administrator account. Scala does not currently support using standard user accounts.
InfoChannel Designer 5 and InfoChannel Player 5 have been certified to function correctly when User Account Control (UAC) is disabled. Enabling UAC is not supported at this time.
InfoChannel Content Manager 5 (and its underlying services), InfoChannel Broadcast Server 5 and InfoChannel Publish Automation EX Module are not currently certified to operate under Vista. We recommend customers use Windows Server 2003 when using these products.
In the Sound panel, the *Play from Input* command (ScalaScript Sample.Capture()*) does not currently work under Vista. This feature will be supported in a future release.
The InfoChannel Player 5 System Optimizer does not currently contain settings to optimize Windows Vista, so it does nothing. Scala is reviewing the System Optimizer settings for a future release.
Using the Remote Desktop Connection interferes with Scala's ability to check for the dongle. As a work around, customers can use VNC instead. Alternatively, customers who absolutely must use Remote Desktop to manage players can also work-around this issue temporarily by including
RUNIC_DisableDongleCheck=1
to the InfoChannel Player's 5 *MMOS.INI* file.
*Note:* InfoChannel Player does check for a dongle even though in most cases it is not needed.
Regards,
Scala Technical Support
Is there workaround for videos hanging on last frame before starting the next video?
InfoChannel Designer 5 FAQ Solution #2, Last frame (last modified 12/04/2007):
When a video finishes and new one starts it takes a fraction of a second for the new video to build its first frame causing the previous video to maintain its last frame until the new video is ready to start.
This is a workaround example for playing 2 videos back-to-back without the last frame pause.
1. In Designer create a new script and add a plain page.
2. Load the 2 video files into this page as MovieClips. Resize to cover the whole display if desired.
3. For the first video file to play add an In CUT transition, do not select the Wait Button under the Video tab. In the Video tab note the duration of the WMV grayed-out in the End Time. Make sure that in the List that the video file has 0 Timing.
4. For the Second video file to play add an In DISSOLVE transition. Set the Wait Button under the Video tab. Make sure that in the List that the video file has 0 Timing.
5. In List add a Special Event. Place it in between the two videos. Set its timing to about 1 second shorter then the length of the first video. This will hold the second video from playing until about 1 second before the first finishes.
6. Play the script. Adjust the timing on the Special Event if needed.
Regards,
Scala Technical Support
How do I find my InfoChannel Designer 5 serial number?
InfoChannel Designer 5 FAQ Solution #3, designer serial (last modified 02/02/2007):
To find the Designer 5 serial number select the Help menu, select About Scala InfoChannel Designer 5, and the serial number is listed next to InfoChannel Designer USB Key Serial Number.
Regards,
Scala Technical Support
Designer 5 Rel 1.0 not functioning on 3 GB-User/1GB-System.
InfoChannel Designer 5 FAQ Solution #4, Designer 5 on 3GB User 1GB system split (last modified 02/02/2007):
InfoChannel 5 Designer, Rel. 1.0, does not function on machines with more than 2GB of system memory where the memory map has been configured for a 3 GB-User/1GB-System split.
The basic GUI does come up--however most/all playback operations appear to be non functional.
John Schilling, Scala, Inc.
11/27/06
Is my InfoChannel 5 product eligible for an update?
InfoChannel Designer 5 FAQ Solution #5, Designer Update Eligibility (last modified 09/25/2007):
You will be eligible for all updates that have an Eligibility Date before your Scala Advantage Support Ends date. All InfoChannel 5 products include one year of Scala Advantage Basic. You may have purchased additional years of Scala Advantage. You can find your Scala Advantage Support Ends date for InfoChannel Content Manager by going to Settings>License Status or for your Designer by going to Help>About InfoChannel Designer. If that date is later than the Eligibility Date of the Updater, you are eligible for the update regardless of when you download the Updater. For example, if your Scala Advantage support ends date is April 9, 2007 and the Eligibility Date of the Updater for release 1.1 is January 15, 2007 - you can download and install that Updater on February 22, 2007 or June 12, 2007. As long as your Scala Advantage Support Ends date is after the Eligibility Date of the Updater, you are eligible for the download - regardless of your download date.
If you are not eligible for a release, please contact your Scala Certified Partner for information on renewing your Scala Advantage subscription.
Regards,
Scala Technical Support
