#Photon Paint Update??
12 messages in this thread
Hi,
I've seen Photon Paint 2 on my retailers shelf for a few weeks, but have
yet to receive my paid update in the mail. I understand there was a mix up and
shortage of the initial run. I'd like to know if everyone else is still
waiting or whether I should start complaining to the company.
-RSL-
Roy, I haven't received my Photon Paint 2 update either, but I already
have my cancelled check which was cashed on April 5th. -Joel
Joel,
I think that MI sent out all of their available copies to retailers where
the profit margins were higher and the sales were less assured. They are
expecting a larger shipment, which they will use to send us our updates. I'll
give them a few more weeks and then start YELLING.
-RSL-
Give me more infos about your Future video Editing software!! Which options
do you have? How do you find it?
– Pat, Whapping from Quebec City!
Patrick,
Until recently, I have been using a software package from Future Video
called EDL-1000 for online editing with my Future Video EC-1000 Pro/TC Mark
II editing controller. This software gave me complete online control of my
Sony 801 camcorder (playback) and my Panasonic AG-1960 VCR (recording).
One simply plays back the source tape, the Future Video controller reads
the Sony RC time code, an edit decision list is created, and assembly
editing is done automatically by the EDL-1000 software package. The fly in
the ointment with this setup is that the EDL-1000 software did not
multitask with the Toaster. Thus anytime I came to a transition where I
wanted a Toaster DVE inserted, I had to set up this scene manually at the
Future Video editing controller, and use the GPI on the controller to
trigger the Toaster DVE at the proper point. Otherwise, the Toaster DVE
would cause the EDL-1000 software to crash. Online editing with Toaster
effects was thus not possible. I recently contacted a company called RGB
(makers of editing software that goes by the name Amilink) located in
Riviera Beach, Florida about the problem of integrating Toaster DVE's with
an online edit decision list. They indicated that they did not have a
product yet on the market that would allow fully integrated editing with
the Toaster using Control-L type VCR's like my Sony 801, but that they had
such a product under development with a scheduled release in early April.
I suggested that I would like to try a beta-test version of this software
when they had it ready. About two weeks ago I received a beta-test version
of the Amilink/VT software which was supposed to control my source and
record decks through my existing Future Video EC 1000 Pro TC controller.
When I installed the software, it did not recognized my Future Video
controller and was thus useless. After many phone calls to RGB over the
last two weeks, it turns out that they wrote this software for another
Future Video controller called the EditLink controller and that it will
never work with my EC 1000
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Pro TC controller. I am now trying to negotiate a deal with RGB and Future
video to get the right controller to work with the Amilink/VT package. I'll
let you know how this all turns out. In short, I have yet to find the
solution to online editing that fully integrates Toaster effects and allows
control over both Control-L and Panasonic 5-pin decks. If anyone else out
there has solved this problem, I'd like to hear from you. For your info:
RGB can be reached at (407) 844-3348 and Future Video can be reached at
(714) 770-4416.
Tom
– via Whap!
Roy,
I understand your concern, and apologize for the delay. We are expecting a
new shipment of product for upgrades in this week. Personally, I'd say make
the (toll-free if out of CA) call to MicroIllusions and complain. I'd like to
make sure that everyone there gets the message that this is very bad for our
customers. (I'm also passing along every message I read here to them). MI is
(800) 522-2041. Of course, it won't help either you or me to mention that I
said that. 8) —Mike
Mike,
No problem, no names will be mentioned.
Thanks for the info.
-RSL-
Yea, I sent my check in aabout the same time I sent for Dpaint3, and I'm
*still* waiting. What gives?
Clifford,
From the information I've gleaned on CIS, MI received a far smaller
supply from their product from their commercial copy service. They appear to
have decided to funnel these products to their retail distributors where the
sales weren't already committed, rather than to us poor guys who paid for the
product already.
I hope that their next shipment arrives soon and we all get our upgrade.
If not, I suggest we all complain LOUDLY to MI!
-RSL-
Well, that certainly says something about what MI thinks about their customers.
As I recall, there is Federal legislation on the books that states that anyone
engaged in doing business by mail must provide the product offered within a
reasonable time. That time is defined (30 days I believe). If it is not
possible to provide the product within the time limit, the vendor is obligated
to notify the customer that the product is not available and give him the
option of cancelling the order for a full refund or waiting for another
reasonable time. I don't recall what the second time frame is, but it is not
material at the moment.
My check was cashed by MI on 21 March, and cleared my bank on 24 March. This is
obviously outside a reasonable time frame. You and others have spoken of your
checks being cashed in early April. Again, a reasonable time has passed. I
have not received any correspondence from MI, nor have I heard of anyone else
receiving such correspondence.
It therefore appears to me that MI just might be in violation of Federal law,
and should they not ship the product REAL SOON, legal recourse through the
Postal Service or Court system may be a viable option.
Of course, letters to the local Chamber of Commerce and BBB might also be in
order. (CC to MI, of course!)
Bill, K3OZM
Bill,
For the time being I will wait calmly. I sent MI my Mastercard number
instead of paying by check. I find that companies are MUCH less likely to bill
credit cards early, than cash checks, and I can always put a hold are credit
card purchases. I am a bit upset with MI attitude. I would have hoped that
they would be more gracious to its old customers, rather than inconveniencing
them in order to seel more products to new customers. Its a shame, but then
I'm not very altruistic about many business practices!
-RSL-