home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Acorn User 1
/
AU_CD1.iso
/
demos
/
j_to_r
/
playavi
/
!AviFS
/
!Help
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1995-02-22
|
5KB
|
127 lines
AviFS - AVI support module for Replay
=====================================
Demo version: limited to approx 10 secs playback.
Introduction
============
AviFS is an extension of the RISCOS filing system that allows Replay to
playback films of formats other than its own. (Only Video for Windows '.AVI'
is supported in this version, but QuickTime '.MOV' is soon to be included.)
AviFS may be activated from the desktop by double clicking on the !AviFS
application, whereupon films of supported alien formats can be treated as if
they actually were Replay files: they may be double clicked to run them, or
they may be dragged to any application capable of reading Replay files.
Alien films are distinguished from true Replay films by a difference in the
appearance of their icons - the alien films have 'AVI' overlayed across the
bottom half of the Replay icon.
Installation
============
The AviFS installation disc contains the !AviFS application and a directory
called codecs. These can be installed as follows:
* The !AviFS application may be copied to any convenient directory on your
hard disc.
* The contents of the 'codecs' directory (i.e. the subdirectories Decomp600,
Decomp601, ...) must be copied to Replay's !ARMovie directory. To do this,
open the !ARMovie application, by double clicking its icon with the shift
key held, and then drag the new codecs to the open application window.
AviFS can access a file only if it has the file type 'AVI' (&FB2). In many
cases !AviFS will set the file type for you when you double click or drag an
appropriate file, but it may be necessary to set the file type manually in
some cases. For playing movies from CD ROM, you will need to have a version
of CDFS that correctly understands the DOSMAP conventions (AVIFS sets up an
appropriate extension to filetype mapping for you). Unfortunately many
versions of CDFS have a broken implementation of this, and must be patched
with the !Filetypes application.
The !Filetypes application is supplied on the disc as a service to customers
and in the hope that it will be useful. It however forms no part of AVIFS,
and may be freely copied and distributed subject to the conditions set out
in the !RunImage.
Adjustments
===========
There are two commands that adjust the behaviour of AviFS, both offsetting
memory usage against smooth play back.
* AviFsFillPeriod <decimal number between 0 and 500>
This command sets the frequency at which Replay reads from a file: the
number specifies the time between reads in hundredths of a second.
Higher settings may produce smoother play back, but will cause Replay
to use larger buffers. The default setting is 200, which is sufficient
to read from CD ROM, but a smaller value of 100 may also be sufficient.
When accessing files from hard disc, 60 is perfectly adequate.
* AviFsBufferSize [ 0 | 128K | 256K | 512K ]
This command sets the size of buffers used within AviFS. 256K is the
default, and is probably the optimal value, although experimentation
is recommended. If you have CDFast loaded then you may be able to
save memory by using a setting of 0.
Using AviFs as a translator
===========================
If an AVI film is double clicked with the shift key held then it will
open as a directory that contains a Replay film named ARMovie. This
may be copied (by dragging) to any filer window. Copies made in this
way are directly useable by Replay without AviFS being loaded.
Buying the full version:
========================
The full version costs £26.42, (inc P&P, no VAT to pay), available from the
address below, and removes the restrictions on the length of the films you
can play.
Upgrades (for the full version):
================================
As with all Warm Silence Software products, minor upgrades are provided free
of charge, provided a formatted disc and a stamped self-addressed envelope
are included. We reserve the right to charge for major upgrades, but we have
never had to resort to this yet. If in doubt, please feel free to telephone
or email first.
We will happily send discs back in whatever envelope you choose to send us,
but we accept no responsibilty for discs lost or damaged in transit, and we
recommend you use padded "Jiffy" bags.
Contacting us:
==============
We have a policy of continually refining and improving our products
according to feedback from our users, so please write and let us know what
you think, even if it is just to tell us why you don't like the package.
We can't fix problems if people don't tell us they exist.
AviFS © Warm Silence Software 1995. All rights reserved.
Written by: Paul Gardiner and Robin Watts.
Contact: Warm Silence Software,
St Catherines College,
Manor Road,
Oxford,
OX1 3UJ
Tel: (0585) 487642
E-Mail: Robin.Watts@comlab.ox.ac.uk