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aumshantih · Joined: Jun 6, 2008 Posts: 6

Namaste:

The Bioera machine I maintain was inadvertently upgraded to Windows 10 by someone else. While the software appeared to be running correctly, I could not for the life of me get the DVD object to work correctly.

I rolled back to windows 7, but it appears the system is pretty well borked. It's likely a good time to do a clean reinstall.

Before I do, I would ask if anyone has experience getting the software running on Windows 10.
Also, what DVD decoders are supported? I had Intervideo WinDVD 8, but it didn't work in Windows 10.. and it still doesn't work in the rolled back version.

Any luck on getting the open source DVD decoders working? I generally use Dscaler / ffdshow for most other NFB programs.

jarek · Joined: Oct 22, 2007 Posts: 1073

I was told that WinDVD version 9 gold works great on Windows 10. It is an old version, but it works on all Windows systems (back to XP).

I don't know about other codecs though. Not anything more than described here: http://www.bioera.net/support/viewtopic.jsp?id=357

JCARMEN · Joined: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 7

WinDVD8 has been working fine with Windows10. I have in the past had all kinds of problems with WinDVD9.

Jeff Carmen

JCARMEN · Joined: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 7

WinDVD8 has been working fine with Windows10. I have in the past had all kinds of problems with WinDVD9.

Jeff Carmen

jarek · Joined: Oct 22, 2007 Posts: 1073

Thank you Jeff, my mistake. WinDVD 8 it is.

JCARMEN · Joined: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 7

Yes, it is surprising how selective the combination is. Since Windvd8 is no longer in production and almost impossible to find the right production run on the surplus market, I managed to buy up what might be the last of the world's supply. I should have enough to last into the next century! But it is strange. I have been unsuccessful at getting anything else to work reliably. The Corel download usually will not work, and Corel won't respond to communications about Windvd8, other than to suggest buying a more recent version. Even some other production runs of windvd8 can be flaky when running under BioEra. Interestingly, they run fine by themselves, just not as an added layer with BioEra.

Another unique aspect of Windows 10 is that it no longer comes with a built-in media player. I do like it better than Windows 8 in terms of what feels like stability, although I don't really have a solid basis for that feeling.

Jeff

GMartin · Joined: Feb 5, 2010 Posts: 308

I have come up with two options. One is to use BxShadow(era) available from QuietMind foundation. This allows you to use any DVD player you wish and control screen brightness.The other option requires ripping the DVD to .avi format. There are several good freeware programs out there to do that. I have created a video file player nested desing that will play/pause, change volume, and zoom in and out, whatever you choose. It has a slider option to allow you to scrub to any portion of the video you want so you can pick up where you left off. (with thanks to Jarek for his examples and snippets and an upgrade that made zooming more fluid)

George

JCARMEN · Joined: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 7

George, Shadow sounds interesting. I didn't know it worked with bioera. Folks have implemented ripping with my design, but frankly for the average user, it is beyond them. Most of my tech support ends up being simple things like helping people figure out things like what a folder is. Especially for mac users.

Specifically with my implementation for pIR HEG, the binary aspect of stopping and starting a movie is an important aspect. Things like dimming, slowing, etc. are actually dysfunctional for the process. It's one of those deals where just because you can do something doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Jeff

GMartin · Joined: Feb 5, 2010 Posts: 308

Jeff,

I agree completely about the binary on off. I also find that manual thresholds are preferable to automatic in a lot of casess. I use stop start with with certain designs and particular clients.

Marvin Berman just released a BxShadow for BioEra Pro. My video feedback routines allow for dimming, stop start, and zooming of the video stream.

Have you ever considered having BIoEra control play/pause on VLC. there are at least two sets of designs out in the wild that use that for feedback.

Geroge

JCARMEN · Joined: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 7

Interestingly, I have never been able to get VLC to work reliably with BioEra, even trying it on multiple computers with multiple windows versions. If you know of a design that uses it and it works reliably, I would like to look at it. VLC is potentially a great option, if it can be made to work. I do think it has been through a ton of iterations, but I did try it within the past year. That's when I gave up and bought my currently huge stock of windvd8. Curiously, that particular production run of windvd8 has worked flawlessly with all upgrades of BioEra.

GMartin · Joined: Feb 5, 2010 Posts: 308

Jeff,

I had this working a while back. I will look through my many generations of BIoEra snippets at the office tomorrow. I had BioEra sending keystrokes to VLC using the application player. Play/Pause worked really well.
I will put together a short snippet to illustrate

JCARMEN · Joined: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 7

That would be wonderful. Thanks, George.

GMartin · Joined: Feb 5, 2010 Posts: 308

Jeff

here is a link

https://app.box.com/s/nqcjv6ay5zbd8t04arfke7c292xyf1ln

In VLC preferences choose the hotkey tab. Change to default play key to 8 and the pause key to 7.

There is a start VLC button on the design. You may have to change the file path in it depending on where your copy is. If the path is the default programfiles(x86)\VideoLan\vlc.exe then you are good to go. That is were it installed when I downloaded so should not be a problem for you or end users.

Once the design is started clicking the Start VLC button will launch it.

VLC will have to be the window in focus. So once any settings are made make the VLC window front most.

That should do it.

I included an oscilloscope and lamp in the design so I could eyeball the changes and make sure play pause worke well. The source is a .25hz signal going into a threshold.

Hope this works well for you

George

George

JCARMEN · Joined: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 7

Thanks, George. I will play with it, but I doubt that I will use it as part of my design. I can imagine hours of tech support trying to explain this to some of the users. I have long ago decided that I can't assume anything in terms of understanding. Some folks can handle and understand just about anything, while others get lost and just give up. With WinDVD8 integrated into my design, the process is invisible to the user and always works. I am intrigued by VLC though and might use it for some other things.

Jeff

GMartin · Joined: Feb 5, 2010 Posts: 308

Jeff,

I understand the support issues, having spent many hours online and on the phone. I try to make things as simple as possible, but there are always issues.

An other option is to have VLC loaded as BioEra starts so no need for the button. But having the DVD player embedded into the design with windvd is the most elegant solution for sure.

George