New User - Some Questions

[slickrick]

Hello,
I recently purchased Flix, and like the product. I have some questions hopefully someone can answer:

1. I encoded and uploaded a video to a web site. I included a player with it, as well as setting the preloader to "Adaptive". It plays fine for me from my home pc (cable modem), and work (T1). the file was encoded using the "128K BB MX" option. I had a friend go to the site, and she has a 56k modem. I was expecting to have her see the player come up, which it did. Then, a percentage number of the video loaded, then the video playing all the way thru, with no pauses. That didn't happen. She saw no percentage numbers, and after about 10 seconds, the video began to play. But stops after 4 seconds. Then paused for a while, then played again for a couple seconds. Is that because I encoded at the 128 setting, and she has a 56k? I thought that encoding at 128 using the preloader would still allow her to view uninterrupted after the required time? And why would she not see the percentage numbers? Is the rule of thumb to just encode to the users connection, and not have them try something higher?

2. Adding to the above - it would be nice if I could somehow "Lower" my internet connection speeds to mirror what a 56k user sees. Any way to do this?

3. Reading the HELP on "Custom Players" - to make a custom player, or edit and change Flix's players - does this have to be done in Flash? I don't have Flash, and don't want to purchase. But I would like to be able to add stuff to Flix's existing players, like a title or other images and text.

That's all I can think of now. Thx, slick

[Jonathan_B]

Hi.
1. Try creating the video first with the adaptive preloader and then adding the player afterwards using the "existing swf" tab of the players window. I think there is a bug in the current version that causes the adaptive preloader not to work with a player output. (We're going to be posting an update very soon that fixes this.)
2. There are connection speed emulators that are available. Do a search on Google.
3. Yes, you need Flash to create your own custom players.

jb

[slickrick]

thanks for the quick response, jb.
it's nice to have a board where someone responds in a timely manner!
do you announce updates like the one you mentioned via email? or should i just check somewhere on your site?

[Jonathan_B]

Hi.
It will be in the newsletter.
You are automatically signed up for the newsletter when you purchase, unless you opt out or unsubscribe.
jb

[slickrick]

Regarding needing Flash in order to make a custom player: what is the lowest version of Flash that I can use to do this? I don't want to buy Flash MX to do this if I can use an earlier version that is cheaper...

[Jonathan_B]

You need at least Flash 5 to use volume control.
jb

[slickrick]

do you mean i need flash 5 for the custom player ability? i'd imagine you just made a typo there, but just checking

[Jonathan_B]

You need Flash 5 to make a custom player with volume control. You can make one in Flash 4 without volume control.
jb

[slickrick]

Hey Jonathan,
I have recently downloaded the updated version. Does the new version fix the bug you told me about on this post (the one about having to make the player and movie separate in order for the preloader to work)? Do you have a list somewhere that shows what the bug fixes are?

[Jonathan_B]

Hi.
Yes, that should be fixed.
I don't have a list.
jb