SDK Release Highlights

Revision as of 22:08, 10 June 2010

In this SDK release we proudly present the new Character Generator filter - our latest product, designed to take the titling capabilities of your applications to a new level and simplify development at the same time. In addition to being packed with fantastic CG features, the new filter allows you to work with all overlay item types (text, graphics, images and Flash) via a generic interface. The previously available Text & Graphics Overlay and Flash Overlay filters will be replaced by this new product.

What's new:

• Generic interface for text, graphics, image and Flash overlay items
• Built-in support for news tickers (including crawls and rolls) with automatic file tracking
• Support for item groups & compositions to separate style from content
• Smooth change of item size, position, transparency, background or view area
• Item movement, acceleration, fade in/fade out and entrance/exit effects, animation sequences
• New text and image effects: Shadow, Glow, Motion Blur, Rotation, etc.
• New graphic figures: rectangle, ellipse, triangle, star, etc.
• XML-based configuration
• .SRT subtitles support

For a detailed list of features and an editions comparison chart see the product page:

http://www.medialooks.com/products/directshow_filters/chargen.html

The filter is included into the new SDK installer, so there's no need to download it separately. However, deploying it will require a new license file. Since you are an SDK customer, you will be provided with this license file automatically: it is available for download from our online Support Center. Please note the following:

• If you have a valid SDK subscription and no subscription for the Flash Overlay Add-On, your CG license will have a limited set of features (see "Basic" edition in the comparison chart). To obtain the license file for CG, download the full license files pack for your SDK edition.

• If you have both an SDK and Flash Overlay Add-On subscriptions, you will also receive a license for the "CG Flash" edition. In this case, additionally download the separate Character Generator license.

• If you are impressed with the advanced features of the "CG Pro " edition (which we expect you to be) - contact the sales team. :)

If you need help downloading the license files, please refer to this FAQ post:

http://wiki.medialooks.com/Downloading_license_files

Since the new filter implements new interfaces, it will be necessary to make certain changes in your code. Please read the FAQ entry below to get a quick understanding of what to do:

http://wiki.medialooks.com/Migrating_to_the_Character_Generator_filter

If you have any further questions (including questions about the new license files), please submit a ticket via our Support Center.

Other notable updates:

• Critical but rare problem with gapless file switching fixed. Playout stability has been greatly improved.

• New playlist format and parsing routine leading to a significant speed-up in playlist loading (1-2 seconds for a playlist of 1000 files).

• RTMP streaming has been added (Flash Media Live Encoder still required but no need to run it's GUI). This update requires a new license file, which is also available via the Support Center (SDK license files have to be downloaded).

• An option to specify crop & borders for each file in list or for all files has been added.

• MG Preview and MG DeckLink objects now support cropping & borders. MG Preview also supports basic deinterlacing.