VideoLogic MPEG Player for Windows 95 
18th February 1997.


Contents

1. Introduction
2. .INI file settings
3. Installing MPEG Player
4. Removing the software
5. Running XING software MPEG and MPEG Player hardware at the same time
6. Troubleshooting
7. Field notes


1. Introduction

This file contains installation instructions, late-breaking information, troubleshooting information, and notes on the MPEG Player.

You can print this file by clicking the File menu at the top of the window, then Print. The page setup is for US Letter sized paper, but will also print to A4 size.

If you are reading this file outside of the VideoLogic Installer and want to install MPEG Player manually, refer to section 3 below or the User Guide for complete instructions on how to do this.


2. .INI file settings

Introduction
The VDI.INI file (in the Windows directory) has a new section entitled [MPEG Player Tuning] and has switches as follows:

PreRollVideo=1	This controls whether video is 'prerolled' when a clip is opened. Prerolling enables the first frame to be displayed but incurs a small overhead in the time to open the clip. Setting this to 0 stops prerolling.

EstimateDuration=0	This is another switch which affects the time it takes to open an MPEG clip. By default (ie. value 0) the driver behaves the same way as it did in v1.0 and determines the duration of an MPEG clip by analysing the timestamps both at the beginning and end of the file. If you set this switch to 1 then the clip duration is estimated, based on the file size and specified bit rate. This significantly speeds up clip opening time but may give a less accurate result. Use this switch to improve the load time from a network.

DurationScale=100	This switch is only relevant when EstimateDuration is set to 1, and allows the estimated duration to be adjusted in cases where the estimate is too short. The effect of a clip's duration being estimated too short is that its playback will stop prematurely. The value is expressed in terms of a percentage, so a value of 105 will factor the estimated duration up by 5%. It should not be necessary to use a value greater than 105.

ReloadMicrocode=0	With v1.0 the video decoder's microcode was uploaded every time a new clip was opened, which again increased the opening time for the clip. By default, v2.0 does not reload the microcode and so this should never be necessary. However, if you experience problems then try setting this to 1; if you find this cures a problem then please report this to VideoLogic.

AlignStreams=1	Some encoders generate audio/video clips that are out of sync according to the timestamps for the audio and video streams. By default v1.1 will adjust such MPEG clips on the assumption that the audio and video streams start at the same time. If you experience problems with audio/vido sync then try setting this switch to 0.

WarnEncryptedVideo=1	Some encoders generate audio/video clips that are encrypted and do not conformto the MPEG 1 standard (ISO/IEC 11172). If you try to play an MPEG clip which is encrypted, then you will see a warning dialog displayed when you open the clip. To inhibit the warning dialog set this switch to 0. For more information about encrypted MPEG files contact VideoLogic.

TimeOut=1000	This value sets a minimum timeout for seek and play start-up during which interrupt detection is critical. If seek and/or play start-up do not appear to be functioning correctly try increasing this value (which is in milliseconds) to see if this improves the driver behavior. Note that this switch does not appear in VDI.INI by default.

VideoDoubleClick=1	This value controls the video window double click feature. When set to 1, you can toggle between a video window with and without title bar by double clicking on the video. Setting this value to 0 will disable this feature. Note that this switch does not appear in VDI.INI by default and that the video window double click feature is disabled by default.

The section [MPEG Player] can have this line added to make the number of displayed lines in an MPEG movie identical to that used in v1.0 of the MPEG Player software:

AuxClip=0


3. Installing MPEG Player

Running MPEG Player Setup
MPEG Player Setup must be run from Windows. Before running the program, make sure that you are not running any other applications.

Run the MPEG Player Setup program before fitting your MPEG Player card in your computer. 
Follow these instructions carefully. We assume that you are using drive A: as your default floppy drive. Substitute the correct drive letter for your computer if necessary. Use the Help button, or press F1 if you need further information.

1.	Start Windows.

2.	Insert the VideoLogic Software Library CD into your CD drive.

3.	Click Run from the Start menu.

4.	Browse to [drive]:\mpegplyr\gstar\disk1\setup.exe  where [drive] is your CD drive, and click OK. Setup displays the MPEG Player Welcome dialog box. 

5.	Click Continue. The Installation Mode dialog box is displayed.

6.	Click Express or Custom installation. If you are unfamiliar with installing computer software or hardware choose Express installthis installs all the MPEG Player software. Custom Install allows you to choose which software components to install.

7.	Follow the instructions in the dialog boxes to install the software. When Setup has installed the software, it scans your system for a free base address. The program displays a dialog box showing the correct position of the jumper for the base address it has selected.
	
	Remove MPEG Player from its protective envelope, taking care to discharge any static electricity first (read Handling MPEG Player below). Compare the position of the jumper on the card to that on the screen, and reposition the jumper as necessary. Replace MPEG Player in its envelope.

8.	Restart Windows to initialize the changes to your system.


Installing the MPEG Player card

Handling MPEG Player
Follow these guidelines to minimize the risk of electrostatic charges damaging the card:

	Keep the card in its protective packaging until you are ready to install it.
	Just before handling the card, touch the metal frame of your computer with the back of your hand to discharge any static electricity which may have built up on you or your clothes.
	Hold the card by the adapter bracket or by its edges; do not touch the printed circuit board.
	Do not place the card on top of your computer or on any other metal surface.
	Make sure that the card is not accidentally touched by anyone else.
	Handle the card with care to avoid damage to the fragile electronic components mounted on the circuit board.

Warning: Always switch off your computer before removing the cover and observe the warnings specified in its documentation.

1.	Exit Windows and switch off your computer, monitor and any other peripheral devices, such as printers, connected to your computer. Leave the power cable connected to the power outlet so that your computer is grounded.

2.	Remove the cover of your computer. Refer to the documentation supplied with your computer if you are not sure how to do this.

3.	Touch the bare metal chassis of your computer to discharge any static electricity.

4.	Locate an empty 16-bit ISA expansion slot, preferably next to your VM-Channel graphics card. Remove the slot cover and keep the screw.

5.	Align MPEG Player with the slot you have chosen. Firmly press the card into the slot. You may need to use some pressure to push the card into place, but do not use excessive force.

6.	Secure MPEG Player using the screw that you removed from the expansion slot cover.

7.	Connect MPEG Player to your VM-Channel graphics card using the VM-Channel cable supplied. Make sure that you do not twist the cable.

8.	If you want to connect MPEG Players internal audio-out connector to the CD-in connector on your sound card, do so now using the optional internal audio cable.

	The supplied cable fits 928Movie with audio, Sound Blaster, or any sound card that uses Molex 70066-G or 70400-G connectors. 

9.	Replace the cover and restart your computer.


Connecting MPEG Players audio-out jack
You can connect the audio-out jack on the back plate of MPEG Player to non-powered Walkman type headphones, self-powered speakers, or an amplifier.

Warning: Permanent or temporary hearing loss or impairment may result from incorrectly running sound systems with headphones. Before putting on any set of headphones, you should set the volume while holding them away from your ears to avoid injury from unexpected noise.

Alternatively, if you have a sound card installed in your computer you can connect MPEG Players audio-out jack to the audio-in jack on the back panel of your sound card, using a 3.5 mm jack 


4. Removing the software

Introduction
This section explains how to remove the MPEG Player software.

Use the Remove button in the Control Panel Drivers list for [MCI] VideoLogic MPEG Player 4.0.

Delete this file from the Windows \SYSTEM sub-directory if older software has been installed:

	VDIVIC.CPL

Delete these files from the Windows directory only if Captivator Pro (or other VMC option card) is NOT installed:

	VDI.INI
	SCANSTAT.INI

Delete these files from the directory into which you installed MPEG Player (usually \VLPOWER):

	README.TXT
	VDIVIC.ICO
	MPINST.EXE (GrafixStar range only)
	VICISR.DLL
	MPEGMCI.HLP
	CODECDRV.DLL
	VDIVIC.HLP
	MPEGPLYR.DLL
	VLMPGAPI.DRV
	SCANDLG.HLP
	SAMPLE.MPG
	VDIVIC.CPL

Only delete these files if Captivator Pro (or other VMC option card) is NOT installed:

	VLPPAPI.DLL
	VDIVMC.DLL (GrafixStar range only)
	VDI.DLL (928Movie and PCIMovie only)
	PSTREAM.DRV (GrafixStar range only)

For GrafixStar cards, run the GrafixStar or VMC Controller Setup in the GrafixStar group and select the Remove option provided. This will give a choice of modules to be removed so select VMC Controller only. For Windows 95, follow the instructions in the VMC Controller v2.0 README file.


5. Running XING software MPEG and MPEG Player hardware at the same time

Introduction
If you are a current user of Xing MPEG, and have just upgraded to hardware MPEG, you will find that although you can access either software or hardware MPEG playback from the Device menu under Media Player, the Xing MPEG Player application no longer displays video.

If you want to run hardware and software MPEG, then either do so from Media Player, selecting the appropriate driver as required, or perform the following modifications to your system files:

After installing the MPEG Player software, edit SYSTEM.INI, and go to the [mci] section. There you will see two lines which start with "Mpegvideo" - one, pointing to XMPLAYER (the Xing Player driver), will have a number after the text "Mpegvideo". To make the Xing Player application show software MPEG again, change these lines so that the XMPLAYER line starts:

Mpegvideo=

and the other line (pointing to the VideoLogic MPEG Player driver) starts:

Mpegvideo1=

This enables you to use the Xing application, but it will also mean that double-clicking an MPEG file in File Manager, or an icon associated with an MPEG file in Program Manager, will start Media Player, and run the software MPEG driver by default. To change this side-effect, edit WIN.INI, and go to the [mci extensions] section. Change all lines which reference standard MPEG extensions (e.g. .mpg), which currently look like this:

mpg=Mpegvideo

to say, for example, this:

mpg=Mpegvideo1

Now double-clicking on an MPEG file will run Media Player, and use the VideoLogic MPEG Player driver by default.

This will come into effect on restarting Windows.


6. Troubleshooting

Introduction
This section describes common problems you may encounter when using SmartTools or running MPEG Player.

The video window is black on my GrafixStar 300
Check that the display mode supports VMC. Select 800x600 65k colors at 75Hz on a 2MB card, and try again.

My CD-i digital movie does not play:
Many CD-ROM drivers for Windows 95 do not support CD-i format. If it is VideoCD standard, then use the MPEG Player device in Media Player. Contact your CD-ROM supplier or use a DOS driver instead.

My CD-i interactive title does not play:
Most of these, e.g. "Titanic: an interactive exploration", are not digital video (MPEG) and so cannot be played on PC MPEG cards. They are designed for a Philips CD-i player.

I get no video window when I play MPEG movies using the XING Player
The MPEG Player driver is incompatible with the XING Player application. Use Media Player instead. Refer to section 4 above.

My CD-i digital video movie is displayed with the wrong aspect ratio
Some NTSC titles, e.g. "Star trek - the undiscovered country", are an unconventional width. Just stretch the window downwards.

Only the first track on a Video-CD can be played
Some Video-CDs have the copyright and title information on separate tracks with the main movie as the last track. The VideoLogic CD-i driver can only access track 1. Use the VideoLogic MPEG Player device in Media Player to access the tracks as separate files (*.DAT) on the CD drive.

The video window is black when I use a virtual desktop mode
MPEG Player works with the SmartDesktop Zoom facility, but does not work in most of the large virtual desktop sizes selected in the Display application Edit Mode. Use a regular display mode instead.

The MPEG movie is jerky
Close down some applications to increase the CPU time available for MPEG.


7. Field notes

Introduction
This section gives a summary of VideoLogic field notes. Field notes are frequently asked questions, troubleshooting information, late-breaking information or general comments about MPEG Player behavior under certain circumstances. Where possible a software patch has been provided.

Field notes file format
All of the field notes are in Adobe Acrobat format, and have the extension .PDF. To read these files you must first install the Adobe Acrobat reader which is supplied on the CD. It is located in the directory [drive]:\reader\win95 where [drive] is your CD drive. When you have installed the reader, double-click the .PDF file to read the field note, or open it from within the reader.

All of the patch descriptions are in DOS .TXT format.

Field notes folders
All the notes are located in their own folder within the MPEGPLYR\ UPDATES folder on the CD, so that, for example, field note 160 is in the folder MPEGPLYR\ UPDATES\ FN0160. Patches are in their own folders within the field note folders. For example, patch 94 is in the folder MPEGPLYR\ UPDATES\ FN0160\ PATCH94.

Field Note	Summary	Patch	
FN110	CD-ROM compatibility with VideoCDs and CD-i	
FN140 issue 3	MPEG Player and SmartDrive for CD-ROM	
FN150 issue 2	Maximum xy size of MPEG files	
FN153	Flashing video on MPEG Player and Captivator Pro/TV	
FN158	MPEG video not displayed in a window	
FN160	Playing audio-only files	94
FN161	Using the MCI "cue to" command	
FN172	Xing Player with MPEG Player	
FN179	Developing applications using MMIO	
FN194	CDi digital video movies	
FN195	Top 6 lines of MPEG video	
FN211	Captivator Pro(/TV) and MPEG Player	
FN222	Intermittent audio failure with MPEG Player v4.0 software	222

