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Code4Sale  
#1 Posted : Wednesday, April 20, 2016 9:50:49 AM(UTC)
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Perhaps I am missing something. If so, please let me know.

The new NDI capture is very nice, but it seems it comes at the expense of breaking every Desktop Capture Preset we ever made (and that is a lot).

It should be easy enough to add a Legacy Desktop Capture option that does not break a customer's setups.

We had some pretty good tweaks that were very customized for the old Desktop Capture (such as optimized captures of specific areas), that make version 17 pretty unusable out of the box (at least without a heck of a lot of work).

There ya go. Good design. You don't have to continue to upgrade the old Desktop Capture app, but you don't have to ditch the source code either.

I would like to add that the Legacy Desktop Capture option provides some capture capabilities in some situations that the new NDI capture does not provide, so in some cases, the new NDI capture upgrade actually reduces functionality.

Adding the code back in makes a lot of sense, and it is an easy feature to provide.

The alternative is that I suddenly lose all faith in anything you do provide as an input or preset option, figuring that at anytime, you may choose to yank it out or break it at will, without forethought on how it will affect your customer base.

Thanking you in advance for your consideration.

Joe
Bandit62  
#2 Posted : Wednesday, April 20, 2016 9:58:36 AM(UTC)
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I think that the older desktop capture is still there to download from the download page:
http://www.vmix.com/software/download.aspx
Code4Sale  
#3 Posted : Wednesday, April 20, 2016 10:20:13 AM(UTC)
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Bandit62 wrote:
I think that the older desktop capture is still there to download from the download page:
http://www.vmix.com/software/download.aspx


Well, yes, and I have every version archived as well, but the old desktop capture does not seem to work with new version 17 (nor the presets), and the new version of capture does not work with old version of VMix.

But you can selectively run either version of the Desktop Cap App.

We have several vMix systems, some version 17, some version 16. They no longer play well together.

Interestingly, you can run both versions of the Desktop Cap app at the same time (not surprising - you should be able to) - but they go goofy on you if you do (and that should not happen).

Joe
jip  
#4 Posted : Tuesday, April 26, 2016 5:20:05 AM(UTC)
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I'm definitely supporting this option.

In many cases Legacy Desktop Capture worked perfectly. When you only need to capture Powerpoint slide show, NDI feels overkill, particularly with older Desktop Capture clients and WiFi.
admin  
#5 Posted : Tuesday, April 26, 2016 5:05:33 PM(UTC)
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Hi,

It will not be possible to add back the legacy desktop capture to vMix at this time.
There were a lot of code dependencies by the legacy method that needed to be changed to suit the NDI, so it is non-trivial to add the old code back in.

I would point out that the compression using NDI is better than the older desktop capture method, so even if using WiFi you will see
higher frame rates with NDI vs the old application.

Also, the desktop capture app has been completely rewritten for performance. It will use GPU acceleration where available and even without it
the frame rate it can capture at on older machines is up to 50% faster.

There have also been a number of improvements and fixes over the past couple of weeks to get the new desktop capture application working on older machines.

The down side is that desktop capture in 16 presets will not import into 17, but this is to be expected for major new releases, I try as much as possible to
support backward compatibility, but the benefits of NDI, in my view, make the time to reconfigure things worth it.

To confirm: vMix 16 requires the older desktop capture app. vMix 17 will only work with the new desktop capture app.
To download the old versions scroll down towards the middle of the download page.

Regards,

Martin
vMix





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madness on 4/27/2016(UTC)
Code4Sale  
#6 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 4:54:17 AM(UTC)
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admin wrote:


It will not be possible to add back the legacy desktop capture to vMix at this time.
There were a lot of code dependencies by the legacy method that needed to be changed to suit the NDI, so it is non-trivial to add the old code back in.



1) Rename old unit filename

2) Edit Namespace

3) Add old tabsheet

4) Paste old clicky code

Legacy customers supported :)

Don't forget, some of your customers are old coders, and we do understand what it takes to maintenance this kind of code.

I do understand that the new code is faster, but not necessarily better, or stable, nor is bug free (by any measure).

In fact, I would not even deem it shippable.

admin wrote:


I try as much as possible to support backward compatibility, but the benefits of NDI, in my view, make the time to reconfigure things worth it.



No, you have that backwards, Not as much as possible... It is possible. You try as much as "in your view" of what you want to be possible, and "in your view" is your measure of how much your customers time is worth to reconfigure things, and what they be willing to accept as "breakage".

Some of your customers may feel differently.

admin wrote:


this is to be expected for major new releases



No, what is expected now is that, as a customer, I cannot count on the major features that you add. You may break them, or remove them at will, without forethought (you removed code instead of adding new code).

What I can count on, is your update release schedule. Do you realize that (like clockwork) your updates are most often released right before a trade show you are attending?

And on some occasions, those updates were buggy, and quickly re-released?

As a coder, that says to me that updates are sometimes rushed out without good testing, for the purpose of "show and tell".

Your paying customers deserve better. We are not your beta testers.

Sorry if this all sounds harsh. That is not the intention. The intention is truth, and the truth may only appear harsh.

A final truth: VMix is a very (very) fine product. I have very few criticisms. I ask for a little care, a changelog for the updates, version numbers for the desktop capture apps on the download page, and you to be truthful with me (in turn).

In exchange, I thank you (in the form of payments and buy recommendations), I abide by your licensing and also thank you for the flexibility to easily move those licenses as needed.

Actually, I sometimes wish I was part of the coding team. VMix a great product, and something I think I could really get behind (I'm coding a similar app, but cross platform - most lately supporting high end ARM boards like the Jetson-TX1 - but my multi-mix cameras fly on drones and are strapped to aircraft - I think I would prefer seeing studio mixes to the feeds I get).

Joe
admin  
#7 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 12:25:26 PM(UTC)
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Hi Joe,

I am quite upset to be honest, that you continue to slander me and make false claims about how things are done.
You say vMix is a fine product, but than personally attack me claiming I am lying about why things were removed and that I don't care about customers?

How do you expect me to respond to things like that?

As such, for peace of mind you will not be seeing any responses from me in the future. Maybe others on the forum will have the patience to help you out..

Regards,

Martin
vMix
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madness on 4/27/2016(UTC)
Code4Sale  
#8 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 2:02:53 PM(UTC)
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I am very sorry you feel that way Martin.

Come on... there is no technical reason why you cannot accept the streams produced by the legacy desktop capture app. Right?

I think you could paste that code back in to a tabsheet in short order.

That would be actionable on your statement of doing whatever is possible to maintain backwards compatibility for your customers.

I am a long time veteran of application development. I use same tools as you do, and I do examine your work.

I do understand (very well) the code changes you made to the product.

I did not mean to upset you.

Your statement about what is, and what is not possible, seems like an excuse. I know what is possible.

Saying "I don't want to" would seem like a reason. I accept reasons.

admin wrote:


How do you expect me to respond to things like that?



I expect you to act like the grown adult, and not like a child who got their hand caught in the cookie jar.

These things should not upset you Martin.

You made a coding decision that greatly affects your customers.

You are getting reasonable questions of why you choose to do what you did.

If you cannot take that, you are in the wrong business.

That said, I think you need to get over your "upset" and deal with your customer that is asking questions, instead telling the world that you are too upset to respond.

I am not trying to upset you. Nor am I slandering you, or attacking you.

These are honest, truthful statement and questions that I expect you to deal with.

I have invested in your products based on features, and I have lent my name on recommending them, and you, in turn receive sales.

I cannot invest into, or recommend a product, who's author is going to needlessly break features.

I am not convinced that removing the Legacy Desktop Capture code was necessary. I believe it was a design decision.

If that is true, then we cannot count on (invest) in the major features that you deliver, as you may choose to remove them at will.

We invest in your product for the long haul, not the short term.

That said, will we receive an email when it is time to renew? I believe we have money to send.

Joe

ovinas  
#9 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 2:14:29 PM(UTC)
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It's up to you to stay with version 16 and use the legacy desktop capture. That's what you've invested in and payed for.
And if you know it all and better then code your own application.
madness  
#10 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 3:38:38 PM(UTC)
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I guess my response is if you're a coder as you say you are, and you have dissected the code and understand it as you say you do, what's stopping you from creating your own vMix variant, and not having to depend on someone else's efforts.
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Code4Sale on 4/27/2016(UTC)
Code4Sale  
#11 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 4:01:22 PM(UTC)
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ovinas wrote:
It's up to you to stay with version 16 and use the legacy desktop capture. That's what you've invested in and payed for.
And if you know it all and better then code your own application.


Yes, I agree. That does seem like that could be be an optimal solution.
Code4Sale  
#12 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 5:13:40 PM(UTC)
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madness wrote:
I guess my response is if you're a coder as you say you are, and you have dissected the code and understand it as you say you do, what's stopping you from creating your own vMix variant, and not having to depend on someone else's efforts.


Well, yes, I do see your point. I had figured it was better to let Martin's fine product provide to this market, as I am busy with another.

But my code is very similar. With the exception that I am not tied down to Windows - I compile on OSX, Linux/Mobile, and support x86 x64 and ARM (I do love ARM). I don't think you are going to see that here. I might be wrong.

I must say the thought of a retail variant does cross my mind from time to time.

So far, I just cannot see how your suggestion is a win situation for Martin or his excellent vMix (or you, assuming you use the vMix product).

Don't you think the Windows market is in enough trouble? Linux is gaining in popularity, and while OBS is nothing to compare against, it does hinder vMix sales... and WireCast too.

Really? That's your suggestion? I make a variant that runs on all the platforms, and quickly start picking off sales from Martin?

Do you realize how easy it is to get started at something like that?

Heck, I can punch out a capture app from scratch for Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS using Delphi in about 20 minutes or less.

I just don't see how this is constructive to vMix. Seriously, how many times in history has some company been taken down by some guy that's fed up with customer service and strikes out on his own?

Sigh... and that's your suggestion?

madness wrote:


if you're a coder as you say you are



Let me introduce myself. Joe C. Hecht, at your service.

I have specialize in graphics engines and drivers, mainly for Widows (since beta 0.8 circa 1985-ish). I'm a former Borland guy (I know compilers), I did the first full screen animation engines for Disney, Warner, etc, etc, (blah, blah), So yes, I am a graphics coder (and considered to be a pretty good one). You can go double check me on that if you want.

Now can we please get back to the issue at hand?

This "don't like it then move on and start your own" answers are so so lame. You folks just don't know what to expect from good old fashioned customer input (and good ol fashioned customer service).

And you don't know who you are talking to either. I might just say "OK"

Seriously? Martin's feelings are hurt, and customers are telling me to go off and start a better vMix?

All over some legacy desktop capture code?

That's just wrong on so many levels...

Joe


ovinas  
#13 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 5:34:41 PM(UTC)
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Code4Sale wrote:
...Heck, I can punch out a capture app from scratch for Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS using Delphi in about 20 minutes or less....

Just do it! Instead of writing your last post you perhaps were able to also punch out a Linux app..... ;-)
madness  
#14 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 8:38:49 PM(UTC)
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Are you sure your name isn't ____?

Honestly, Never heard of you.
You seem pretty full of yourself, and I can see why Martin is already fed up with your comments.

Martin has already stated he will not be creating a Linux version, and I am going to make the assumption he won't be creating an OSX version either, so there are 2 wide open markets for you. As Martin has no intention of doing these platforms, I would suggest you go for it. After all, by the time you got around to reading this you could have already created one for each most likely, so why you wasting your time? You have better things to do.

Personally, your reputation means nothing to me, and the fact that you so easily want to show how superb you are, only solidifies my lack of interest in you.

I think I'm done here.

Peace, Out!
sinc747  
#15 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 9:47:55 PM(UTC)
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The moral of this story is...

Don't drink and post!

- Tom
admin  
#16 Posted : Wednesday, April 27, 2016 9:50:33 PM(UTC)
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I'm closing this thread as it is not very constructive.

Joe, if you had not accused me of lying (not once, but repeatedly) then I would have responded to your suggestions.
I didn't get upset over constructive criticisms by the way, many members of this forum have been vocal in the past and vMix has been better for it.

If anybody else out there wants to have a constructive conversation about what features from legacy desktop capture they would like to see added to NDI,
let's get a new thread going.

Thanks,

Martin

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