Answer from Ulead about the Future of MSP and Vista

[hofmae]

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your email .

The new version release of MSP8 as well as the update patch to support Windows Vista is still under consideration, we haven't received any report from the R&D Department for the future of this software, however, just keep on browsing the Ulead site for the updates.

Should you have any inquiries, please feel free to email us back.

[cgould]

If true, this is pretty inexcusable, and short-sighted.

Any new PC owner wanting to do video will now buy something other than Ulead (or worse, they will buy MSpro because they trust the website saying all products will be made Vista compatible, and feel betrayed re hundreds of dollars wasted:)

http://www.ulead.com/spotlight/vista/runme.htm
"Ulead is committed to delivering Vista support for all its major products. For existing products that require it, we will be releasing downloadable patches, and for future versions, Vista compatibility will be built in."
...
"Our customers can rest assured that when they buy a new Vista PC, or upgrade their current one, Ulead software will remain their best choice for quality, ease of use, performance and value."

This is a promise. It now appears now likely to be BROKEN?

HD video (consumer, prosumer, professional) is just about ready to take off. If Ulead/Intervideo doesn't get off its corporate butt, immediately, and provide Vista fixes as well as proper HDV support in a patch or upgrade, everyone will be buying Vegas and Premiere, justifiably. VS10 is not a professional editing tool, nor is DVDMF.

Vista is out NOW. It is on new PCs NOW. HDV is out NOW.
Where is the patch?

[Antonio G]

This is the worrying part:

"The new version release of MSP8 as well as the update patch to support Windows Vista is still under consideration, we haven't received any report from the R&D Department for the future of this software"

A long time ago, I asked a likely silly question: What future for MSP?
It was by the time Ulead was bought. Now that Ulead has be bought again, we notice what the status "for the future of this software" seems to be.
Amateurish software became more complex, VideoStudio 10Plus is an example, new formats are coming to the market, will Corel want to take MSP and bring it back to the "big guys" fight...or...

[rs02931]

ALMOST...sounds like the kiss of Death from ULEAD...You know when the owner says "the manager is doing a Great job and has my complete confidence". THE NEXT DAY HE IS FIRED !

[troppo]

Sounds to me like a good time to start hedging bets elsewhere, lest you get caught out in the cold with your pants down...

[Devil]

Vista is not a good OS for video work, see http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic. ... 750#103750

[bsuratt]

After supporting Ulead MediaStudioPro products back from Ver 6.0 I have finally given up on any future for MediaStudioPro. It used to be that MSP offered the "most bang for the buck", but when I consider all of the money I have spent over the years for upgrades and new versions which, in many cases were needed to fix problems that were never addressed with updates, I could have bought Vegas or Premiere for less overall.

Currently, Vegas7+DVD can be purchased for about the same as MSP8. No brainer! I am currently learning Vegas, (HDV works well!) and it seems more solid than MSP.

Thanks to all of the members of the forum community for your help over the years. Good luck!

[skier-hughes]

Vista is not a good OS for video work, see http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic. ... 750#103750

But it would be if people like Ulead updated their apps to take advantages of the new items in vista like GPU useage for video work.

[Devil]

Vista is not a good OS for video work, see http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic. ... 750#103750

But it would be if people like Ulead updated their apps to take advantages of the new items in vista like GPU useage for video work.

Sorry, you haven't understood. Vista slows down all video operations, no matter how much the apps are updated. Why? It's to do with the DRM protection and, AFAIK, there's no way round it. Apparently (and I'm a little hazy on the exact mechanism, but this is the gist), all video is converted from whatever native format into a proprietary format deep within Windows, tested for copy protection, and, if it's not protected, it is permitted to be reconverted back to its native format for re-rendering. This double conversion (presumably to a low common denominator) takes up CPU cycles and memory which could be useful for the re-rendering or encoding. More stuff to go wrong, into the bargain. I've heard that a few users who have tried capturing old analogue tapes (VHS-C and Hi-8) have had copy-protection errors which are insurmountable without a time base generator.

Nothing whatsoever with the software authors; everything to do with MS'S bloody OS.

[rs02931]

Devil, I completely Agree with you regarding Vista......Most in the Video Editing World are advising AT LEAST a wait/see Attitude. HOWEVER - Don't you find it Rather POOR business practice at the very least for ULEAD to provide their KNOWN USER BASE CUSTOMERS such as the ones on this and other "ULEAD USER GROUPS" websites the lack of ANY KIND of FIRM information regarding the future direction of MSP8??????

"we haven't received any report from the R&D Department for the future of this software, however, just keep on browsing the Ulead site for the updates." What is this - THEY CAN"T/WON'T talk to R&D ?????? KEEP BROWSING THE WEBSITE????????

I love MSP* and hopefully it stays around - but that kind of response makes me wanna DL all other Trial Versions - JUST TO SEE WHAT I'LL LIKELY HAVE TO SWITCH OVER TO !

[Devil]

Yes, it's poor business practice. You wouldn't believe how many times I've e-mailed various people I know in Taiwan on the policy for MSP and DVD-WS. Also some people in Corel. The PM for MSP is now the person responsible for co-ordinating policy decisions with IV and Corel and I know what his feelings are on the subject, even if NDA forbids me from sharing them with you. Being a mere beta-tester for the prosumer products, I obviously cannot answer for Ulead, IV or Corel but I have a feeling that they cannot wait too long before a decision is made and announced.

[rs02931]

Well Hopefully SOON, someone with some common sense will realize, if they don't SOON make a decision AND ANNOUNCE it, There will be NO decision to make !

As always thanks for ALL your Efforts Devil........hopefully you will be beta testing MSP9,10 ,11 etc.........

[Devil]

hopefully you will be beta testing MSP9,10 ,11 etc.........

Keeping my fingers crossed, but I feel the top priority should be DVD WS3, as WS2 is really beginning to show grey whiskers!

[HighTekHillbilly]

I guess Ulead/Corel doesn't owe me anything, but I've been down the 'upgrade path' (MSP, PI, Cool3D, DVD-WS etc.) since version 2.5ve probably 15 years (or more) ago that came bundled with a Matrox video card. Kinda feeling like my wife of 15 years just ran off with someone else and didn't tell me anything...WRONGED!! I'm sure there's the marketing guys that know much more than I do about how to make a buck, but if all the current MSP users are just suddenly left out in the cold, that goes way beyond just making money. If the decision is made to drop MSP, I think the 'DECENT' thing to do would be to formally announce it, even if it does come late, and continue to support the latest version via pathes to make the software do what it was supposed to for HDV. Maybe even for a few years. M$ is even better than just 'totally' dumping on their customers.

I waited to upgrade this last time (Studio Quartet again) until I bought an HDV camcorder and was hoping by that time a service pack or two would have MSP where it belongs, as far as I'm concerned, at the top of the video editing packages out there for what it does and without spending thousands of dollars.

I sure wish Ulead/Corel or whomever would see what they have, and more importantly, could have with Media Studio Pro and give it the resources it deserves. I know.....I'm a dreamer.

I wonder if there's enough MSP users to petition some 'Multimedia type' software company to pick up where Ulead dropped off ?

I try to look on the bright side. At least I've got lots of boxes and manuals to use as kindlin' in my wood burning stove.

I had thought 'Liquid' was the way to go, but after actually looking into things with a purchase in mind, it looks as though I'll be a 'Vegas' user very shortly.


Sad days indeed.

[skier-hughes]

Sorry, you haven't understood. Vista slows down all video operations, no matter how much the apps are updated. Why? It's to do with the DRM protection and, AFAIK, there's no way round it. Apparently (and I'm a little hazy on the exact mechanism, but this is the gist), all video is converted from whatever native format into a proprietary format deep within Windows, tested for copy protection, and, if it's not protected, it is permitted to be reconverted back to its native format for re-rendering. This double conversion (presumably to a low common denominator) takes up CPU cycles and memory which could be useful for the re-rendering or encoding. More stuff to go wrong, into the bargain. I've heard that a few users who have tried capturing old analogue tapes (VHS-C and Hi-8) have had copy-protection errors which are insurmountable without a time base generator.

Nothing whatsoever with the software authors; everything to do with MS'S bloody OS.

Ok I'm checking these items out with the DM team at MS.

Though reading back over the Toms Hardware report, video apps on page 5 all seem to be better on Vista???
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/01/3 ... page5.html