eZedia World e-Newsletter

eZedia World - vol. 3
eZedia's Monthly e-Newsletter
June 13, 2001

In this issue:

1.	eZediaMX 2.1 NOW available for purchase
2.	Special Offer from Videometry™
3.	What is a video codec and what does that mean to you?
4.	Did you know about the eZediaMX Container Object?
5.	What's New At eZedia

1. eZediaMX NOW available for purchase on our web site!
eZediaMX 2.1 is now available for purchase! To buy your copy, visit the eZedia store. Your copy will be shipped for delivery within 48 hours to most locations in North America. In addition to the software, the CD contains animated gifs, digital movie clips, tutorials, an eZedia Showcase and a full product tour to get users up and running quickly. We've made eZediaMX even easier to learn and use by offering extensive on-line help and added a default Object Well so that you're ready to go the minute you launch eZediaMX. Our Text Objects now support bulleted lists and with version 2.1 you have greater precision in editing animation paths.

With version 2.1, eZedia now offers buyers the option to purchase a download version right from our web site at the eZedia store.

If you already own eZediaMX 2.0 or a demo, keep your version current. You can download a free update:

Windows
eZediaMX 2.0 - 2.0.3 to 2.1.2

eZediaMX 2.1.1 to 2.1.2

Mac OS
eZediaMX 2.0 - 2.0.3 to 2.1.1

You can also get to our web site update section by choosing updates in the Help Menu while you're in eZediaMX.

2. eZedia teams up with Videometry™ and it's a win-win partnership for eZediaMX Users!

In an effort to make it even to easier communicate creatively now you receive 25 digital video clips from Videometry on the eZediaMX 2.1 CD. Not only do you get more ways to dazzle, but also have we got a deal for you! Read on to find out more about Videometry and our special June offer!

Who is Videometry?
Videometry is a premier provider of royalty-free digital video imagery for the new wave of multimedia applications known as Desktop Video. Videometry's royalty-free license model allows for unlimited, single-user usage of broadcast quality imagery with only a one-time purchase.

Established in 1998 by 15 year video industry veterans Steve Gianfermo and Sean Frame, Videometry owns over 500 hours of broadcast quality video content – and the latest equipment, facilities and expertise to continue creating fresh, new content. Videometry boasts one of the largest libraries of fully-released people shots but also specializes in other categories including Shopping, Entertainment, Food and Drink and San Francisco / Northern California.

All Videometry full motion full screen stock footage titles are available in either analog videotape or CD-ROM in either PAL or NTSC format. To create their web-ready imagery, Videometry compresses its video in QuickTime at 720 by 486 for NTSC, 720 by 576 for PAL and 320 by 240 pixel resolution and 15 fps for multimedia.

Every CD contains 25 video clips, QuickTime 4 software and a custom designed browser-based interface to view and access the clips. Videometry CD based products are easy to use since they work in any HTML browser such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. Inspanidual movies can be easily exported into editing and presentation programs and of course, eZediaMX. Sign up for membership and receive a free stock footage video clip!

Throughout the month of June when you purchase or upgrade to eZediaMX 2.1, you'll be entitled to receive 50% off ANY Videometry product. From scenic video, to people to animals, a picture is always worth a thousand words, so once you've purchased or upgraded to eZediaMX 2.1, go to www.videometry.com and tell them eZedia sent you.

3. What is a video codec and what does that mean to you?
In our on-going efforts to make sure our users always get the best from eZediaMX and the newest updates in technology, we spoke to Curtis Carlson, Technical Support Specialist at eZedia about what a video codec is.
eZedia World: What does video codec mean?
Curtis Carlson: A video codec is used to compress and decompress raw digital video, hence the name codec. The latest movie trailer you downloaded off the web is just a bunch of "1's" and "0's" rendered by your player of choice to display on the screen. In its original state, raw digital video files are huge because every pixel of the frame is captured and stored to disk. This is where codecs come in— to reduce the file size while maintaining the highest image quality possible for playback on your computer or streaming over the web.

eW: Okay, that makes sense, but why should it matter to me as an eZediaMX user?
CC: Well, A codec compresses digital video by using complicated, mathematical calculations to reduce the number of "bits" needed to render every frame. The corresponding decompressor is used to render playback of the file on screen for you to watch. QuickTime™ and Windows Media Player™ both support a myriad of codecs but not all. We've noticed as have some of our users, that an error message similar to, "decompressor not found" may display if the player you are using does not support the codec.

eW: Have you found this to be the case with any digital video in particular?
CC: Yes, for example Indeo Video 5™ is a new revision that has been updated for interactivity and web capabilities. A lot of .avi files are compressed using this codec and will display the error message I spoke of earlier. If this has happened to you, you need to download the Intel Indeo Video 5 for Windows and Macintosh codec from Apple's web site. This will allow QuickTime to playback any .avi file compressed with Indeo Video 5.

eW: Where do I go to download this codec?
CC: For Windows just go to http://asu.info.apple.com/swupdates.nsf/artnum/n11431
And for Mac http://asu.info.apple.com/swupdates.nsf/artnum/n11430
If you follow the instructions, you'll be running these .avi files in no time.

eW: Thanks for taking the time to tell our users about codecs and how they might effect eZediaMX users. Anything else?
CC: We've posted this information on our web site in our Support section at and for those of you who are technophiles like me, you can check out the sites below to find out more about digital video, architecture and codecs:

The (Almost Definitive) FOURCC Definition List

Codec Central

Synthetic Aperture - Accurate Digital Video Previews

4. Did you know about the eZediaMX Container Object?
This month in eZedia World we highlight the Container Object. As part of the Logic Tools among the eZediaMX Objects, there is no limit to the amount of things you can do when you combine the Container Object with the Branch Object and most of the other Interactive or Media Tools in eZediaMX.

A Container Object is literally a container (hence the jar icon found on the eZediaMX Tool Bar) which allows information to be entered, collected, displayed, calculated and transmitted to other objects in an eZediaMX document.

It's also important to know about the Branch Object as it receives input from one eZediaMX object and activates other objects based on its evaluation of that input. Branch Objects send and receive information through Link Objects.

A Container Object can be used in conjunction with any other object that outputs or receives information. (Movie Object, Branch Object, Menu Object, MultiChoice Object or Path Object) Container Objects receive information through making links with the Link Object.

What you can do with the Container Object?

1.	Collect the running timecode from a movie and display it while it runs
2.	Provide a means for accepting text input for logic decisions
3.	Trigger the start of a sound track based on a certain point in a path
4.	Jump to specific points in movies and sounds
5.	Collect VR nodes and hotspots
6.	Display time, date, frame number and random numbers

You can use this type of functionality in eZediaMX projects at work, at home and at school.

At Work

•	Training Materials including section quizzes
•	Digital Catalogue with Text, Video, Sound and Graphics

At Home

•	Include voiceovers or text during a home movie based on your cue
•	Recipe Index with Graphics

At School

•	Teach students how to spell or to learn a new language
•	Prepare math problems, geography or any curriculum quizzes based on user input

These are just a few of the many incredible interactive digital projects you can make with eZediaMX. If you are ready to roll up your sleeves and show the world who you are, jump right in and try the Container Object Tutorial available on either the new eZediaMX 2.1 CD or on our web site.

As well, the showcase section on our web site has projects that highlight the use of the Container Object, especially our Phrases and SCUBA projects. Just follow the download instructions and drag the files onto the eZediaMX icon to see how they were made.

5. What's New At eZedia
We're always adding new information and resources to our web site. Have a look at what's new at eZedia.

eZedia Awards

eZedia Events

eZediaMX Updates

Look for the next issue of eZedia World on July 9, 2001.

eZedia World welcomes subscriber feedback, story ideas as well as editorial contributions to our monthly newsletter. Please e-mail us your ideas at ezediaworld@ezedia.com.

© 2000-2001 eZedia Inc. All rights reserved. eZedia, the eZedia logo, and eZediaMX are registered trademarks or trademarks of eZedia Inc.