This is Version 3.2 of the Nettmedia Enhanced CD FAQ. It was prepared April 2, 1996. For the most recent update to this file, send an email to "support@nettmedia.com".
INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is an Enhanced CD?
1.2 What do I need to play the Enhanced CD?
1.3 What are the system requirements?
1.4 What is used to create the multimedia program?
1.5 What is QuickTime and why did we use it?
1.6 Where is the multimedia on the cd?
INSTALLATION
2.1 Enhanced CD Installation Instructions
2.1.1a Important notice regarding earlier titles
2.1.1 Step 1 - Install QuickTime
2.1.2 Step 2 - Check Monitor video card Settings
2.1.3 Step 3 - Starting the program
2.1.4 Step 4 - Using the multimedia program
2.1.5 Step 5 - Using the audio portion of the CD
TROUBLESHOOTING
3.1 Why doesn't my multimedia work?
3.2 Does your CD-ROM player actually work? Is it installed correctly?
3.3 Do you have a defective copy of the Enhanced CD?
3.4 The Enhanced CD seems to be OK, but still won't run?
3.5 You can see the cover interface screen but can't hear anything?
3.6 Why is the program running in the centre of the screen with my desktop still visible around the edges?
3.7 The videos won't play or play really slow and jerky?
REAL LIFE TIPS
4.1 Macintosh
4.2 Windows
MORE WINDOWS TIPS
5.1 Installation Problems
5.2 General problems
5.3 For problems with movie playback
5.4 Other tips
CONTACT INFORMATION
6.1 Still not happening?
6.2 For QuickTime information
6.3 For Director information
6.4 For Nettmedia information
INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is an Enhanced CD?
A darn good question to get things started. It's a regular audio CD with a multimedia CD-ROM track. It's not something to fear or hide from. Most Enhanced CD's don't bite.
1.2 What do I need to play the Enhanced CD?
A regular audio CD player for the audio portion of the disc and a Windows or Macintosh based computer for the CD-ROM track. You can also play the audio portion of the CD from your computer if you have an application that will allow you to do so. The multimedia portion won't run on a computer using OS/2 (warp or no warp), Unix, Amiga, Windows NT or anything else for that matter. This not our planning, but a current limitation of the software used to develop most enhanced titles.
1.3 What are the system requirements?
- Microsoft Windows 3.1 or greater (including Windows 95) or Macintosh System 7 or greater (runs very nice on 7.5) are both a good place to start. We very much recommend using System 7.5.x for the Macintosh and Windows 95 for Intel based machines. Many of the problems that are detailed below are solved by using these operating systems. You can use Windows 3.1, but youÆll have a couple of extra steps added to the installation procedure.
- At least 4Mb - 6Mb of free application RAM (that is on top of what your system is chewing up) and a double speed or faster CD-ROM player. You'd be better off with a free 8Mb of RAM, but we don't all have access to gobs of RAM. Remember that any virtual memory you are using - like RAM Doubler - SHOULD BE OFF. Virtual memory does not in this case maximize your playback of the multimedia. If videos seem jerky during playback, it's a good bet that you have some form of virtual memory on.
- A graphics card that can display 256 colours (8 bit) is the minimum required. If you have the capability to go to thousands of colours (16 bit), then do it. (if you have a Macintosh, you donÆt need to worry about the video card, itÆs already there)
- A sound card (another thing not to worry about if you have a Mac)
1.4 What is used to create the multimedia program?
Macromedia's Director 4.04 was used to create the multimedia program. Development was done on various Macintosh PowerPCs - everything from a 7500, 8500 and 8100 to a 6200 and a 5300c. The Windows conversion was done on a 486/66 clone. The CD-ROM master was burned with Toast 2.6 on our Yamaha 4x speed drive. Videos were created using a Media 100 nonlinear digital editing system with two 9GB drives hanging off the sides of it. We also used Sound Compressor and MoviePlayer 2.1 for the videos. You'll see Adobe Photoshop work all over the place. All the text editing was done in ClarisWorks 4.0, except where we wanted to torture ourselves and did it in Photoshop or Director.
1.5 What is QuickTime and why did we use it?
QuickTime is video compression and playback software developed by Apple. The Enhanced CD includes the latest copy of QuickTime for both Mac and Windows. You must install the latest version of QuickTime to watch the videos. The latest version is 2.1 for Macs and 2.0.3 for Windows and is included on the disc. QuickTime is the most dependable cross platform video software we've found so far. Get this straight - QuickTime will not harm your computer in any way whatsoever, even if you donÆt know anything about Apple computers or have never touched a Macintosh. It is software. The Windows version is Windows software made for Windows computers.
1.6 Where is the multimedia on the cd??
This is a good question. There are different approaches to storing multimedia and music on the same CD. The problem isnÆt with storing it, it is with reading it at your end. The current most popular method of storing the multimedia information is on track zero. With this method, your audio CD player doesnÆt see the multimedia track and you donÆt have to skip over it when you listen to it. The problem is that there are quite a few CD-ROM drives that donÆt see track zero, too - most are NEC drives. Something like 25 - 30% of drives on the Windows side and maybe 5% of the Macintoshes canÆt read track zero. Another method is the multisession format in which the multimedia is in the last track after the music. Your audio CD player will stop after the music and will not boldly go where it has never gone before. Unfortunately, even more CD-ROM drives donÆt read multisession discs. Something like 40% on the Windows side. Then there is the track one method in which the multimedia is placed on the first track and the music starts on track two. While this means that virtually every cdrom will see the multimedia, it also means that you have to skip over track one when playing the cd in an audio cd player. It all comes down to picking one method that balances what the label and band feel most comfortable with.
INSTALLATION
LetÆs start with the expanded installation instructions. If you are having any problems, start here, read this, print it out if possible, and then try reinstalling the program.
2.1 Enhanced CD Installation Instructions
To run the enhanced portion of the disc you must have either a Macintosh or Windows computer that meets the minimum standards as detailed on the packaging. You will also need to have the latest drivers for your CD-ROM drive. If you canÆt access the CD-ROM files or the program doesnÆt run you will need to get the latest drivers from your CD-ROM drive manufacturer. We strongly recommend that you have System 7.5 (Macintosh) or Windows 95 (Windows) as your operating system, athough anything above System 7.0 and Window 3.1 will work. DonÆt worry, itÆs nowhere near as scary as it sounds.
2.1.1a *** Please note that some of our earlier disks (notably Sarah Maclachlan's and the Barenaked Ladies', this install procedure was not yet in place. There will be no Main Menu on these titles. The Read Me and the .EXE file are located in the source directory on the disc. To install QuickTime, follow the instructions that came with the title.
2.1.1 Step 1 - Install QuickTime:
MAC - Insert disc into CD-ROM drive. Place the QuickTime 2.1 system extension file and any other extensions included in your Extensions folder and then restart the computer. (You may already have QuickTime installed, especially if it is a machine you got in the last year or so. If you already do have QuickTime, use which ever version is newer.)
Windows 95 - When you insert the disc into your CD-ROM drive it should automatically open the ôMain Menuö. From here you can either run the multimedia program, install QuickTime or read our README file. If you do not have the latest version of QuickTime installed, please do the following:
a) Click the the QuickTime icon on the Main Menu.
b) Select "Local" install and click "Continue" when you are asked what type of install you want.
c) You will be asked if you want to remove old files that have been found on your hard drive. Choose "Remove" each time this comes up.
d) At the end of all of this, click "YES" in the dialogue box when it asks you if you want to exit the set up.
e) If you have any problems with this, check the "READ ME" file in the QCKTIME directory.
Windows 3.1x - Simply run "[CD-ROM drive letter]:\RUNME.EXE" from the Program Manager. Then follow the instructions for Windows 95 above.
You only need to install QuickTime onto your system once. All you need to do from now on is to click on the multimedia program icon from the Main Menu to run the multimedia presentation.
2.1.2 Step 2 - Check Monitor video card Settings:
MAC - Best settings are 640x480.
WIN - Best settings are 640x480.
2.1.3 Step 3 - Starting the program:
MAC - Double click on the multimedia program icon.
WIN - Just click once on the multimedia program icon.
2.1.4 Step 4 - Using the multimedia program:
Nothing complicated here. Move the cursor around. When you see the cursor change or an icon start to act weird you'll know that you have found something you can click on. Always hunt around on a screen. You never know when you'll find something.
2.1.5 Step 5 - Using the audio portion of the CD:
Yes, the entire CD is on this disk as well. Just pop it into a regular CD player and listen, just like you would with any other CD. Just check to see if the disc you are using is a "Track One" disc. If that is the case, the multimedia is on the first track and you'll have to skip over it in order to get to the audio portion. If you don't skip over it you'll either get a long period of silence or a nasty blast of white noise. If the enhanced cd you are using is a "pregap", "track zero", "multisession" or "bluebook" cd, you don't have to skip track one as the multimedia is hidden from your audio cd player.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If you are still having trouble getting the multimedia to run or even load, check out some of the suggestions below.
3.1 Why doesn't my multimedia work?
Well...multimedia technology isn't perfect yet. There are quite a few bugs, but less this week than there where last week. Let us start at the beginning and see if we can get your enhanced portion running for you. Our turn to ask the questions:
3.2 Does your CD-ROM player actually work? Is it installed correctly?
Try using another CD-ROM to see if it works. We had a CD-ROM player burn out awhile ago and were blaming the disc. Too bad, it would have been cheaper if it had been the disc.
3.3 Do you have a defective copy of the Enhanced CD?
This happens sometimes. A regular audio CD can have a flaw or dust speck or whatever and you never notice it. But CD-ROMs are very picky--one little flaw on the wrong spot and it's game over. Try cleaning the disc carefully with a lint free cloth, wiping from the centre to the edge. Try again.
3.4 The Enhanced CD seems to be OK, but still won't run?
Mac people: Unload every extension you can. Director seems to conflict with a few popular program extensions out there. Take everything you don't need out of your extension folder. That usually fixes things up. Make sure to keep your CD-ROM and QuickTime extensions in place. If you are using System 7.5, you can use the built in extension manager to turn extensions off and on or you can get a program like Conflict Catcher which will make your life much easier. Here are the extensions that you should have loaded to run your CD-ROMs:
Apple CD-ROM
Apple Photo Access
Audio CD Access
Finder Update (PowerPC only)
Foreign File Access
High Sierra File Access
ISO 9600 File Access
QuickTime 2.1
QuickTime Power Plug (PowerPC only)
Sound Manager
Windows people: You've heard this one before: memory config. Take the EMM386 driver out of your config.sys and lose any TSRs that you don't need. And it doesn't like some of the screen savers either. Try running the title's .EXE program right from the File Manager. Just double click on it.
And everyone please make sure you have enough RAM! At LEAST 6Mb free application memory is required. And at least a double speed CD-ROM drive. The program will run better if you don't have any other applications running, as well.
3.5 You can see the cover interface screen but can't hear anything?
Mac people: Do you have the new version of QuickTime? It's QuickTime 2.1. It eliminates the need for the Apple Multimedia Tuner. QuickTime 2.1 is included on this disc. Installation instructions are described above.
Windows people: Do you have a Sound Blaster compatible sound card that can handle 8-bit, 22K sound? Is it installed properly in Windows? Try using another piece of software to play sound within Windows. Are your speakers plugged in? Is your sound card compatible? Check the QuickTime README file for a compatibility list. ItÆs in the QuickTime directory. And same as the Mac people, make sure the version of QuickTime you have is 2.0.3 or later.
3.6 Why is the program running in the centre of the screen with my desktop still visible around the edges?
Ah, the old ænot in 640x480Æ trick. Your monitor resolution needs to be changed to 640x480 for best performance. You have it set on something else, probably either 832x624 or 1024x768. While this is okay and some people actually prefer it, the program is optimized for 640x480 playback, so any little screen glitches you experience may be a result of that.
3.7 The videos won't play or play really slow and jerky?
Mac people: Make sure you placed the new QuickTime driver in the extensions folder and then restarted your computer. Try using the QuickTime Player program to play a video right from the SOURCE folder. Make sure your monitor is set to thousands of colours or more. An occasional hesitation of playback on most systems is to be expected. Single speed CD-ROM players will be pretty slow and painful. If you have a double speed make sure it has been set to run at double speed in the Control Panel, (not needed if you are using an Apple CD-ROM drive). Also quit out of any other applications that you may have open. Most importantly, turn off Virtual Memory or RAM Doubler.
Windows people: Did you install the QuickTime software on your hard drive? Was it successful? Try using PLAYER to run a video from the SOURCE directory on the CD-ROM. If you don't have a sound card the videos will not run. Is your video card set to 640 by 480 and 256 colours? Is your video card compatible? Check the QuickTime README file for a compatibility list.
SOME REAL LIFE TIPS (FROM ACTUAL PEOPLE)
If you have any hints for future versions of this FAQ, please e-mail them to us at 'info@nettmedia.com'.
4.1 Macintosh
4.1.1 Make sure that you have QuickTime 2.1 installed, it is the most important piece of software you need to run this and most enhanced CDs. Also, for Power Macintosh users, make sure the version of the QuickTime Power Plug matches the version of QuickTime you have installed (check this in the ôGet Infoö window). They are not "cross-compatible" (i.e. - QTPP 1.0 won't work with QT 2.0, QTPP 2.0 won't work with QT 1.6.2).
4.1.2 Turn off virtual memory. Note: RAM Doubler is a form of virtual memory.
4.2 Windows
4.2.1 It doesn't run on WindowsNT but runs on Windows 95. It has some trouble on Workgroups for Windows. Some people think the 32-bit disk access feature messes up the CD-ROM drive access. If youÆre connected to some sort of network expect some problems.
4.2.2 "Undefined Dynalink error or GPF" - QuickTime was installed over an older version. The older version is causing a conflict. Reinstall QuickTime and make sure to allow the install program to delete all older copies of QuickTime.
4.2.3 "GPF Error in GDI.EXE", "USER.EXE" or one that ends in ".DRV" - This indicates a problem with your video card Windows driver. Please contact your video card manufacturer for a updated video driver. Or try the "VGA" or "Super VGA" default Windows driver.
MORE WINDOWS TIPS (with thanks to the fine folks at Terran Interactive for providing the info below):
5.1 Installation Problems:
5.1.1 SYMPTOM: Installation fails because Windows cannot create a Program Group.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Windows has a maximum of 40 Program Groups allowed;
you may have reached the maximum.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Remove other unnecessary Program Groups and try
installation again.
5.1.2 SYMPTOM: Divide by 0 error while installing QuickTime.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: System has run out of DOS memory.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Boot from a floppy with minimal autoexec.bat and
config.sys, then install QuickTime.
5.1.3 SYMPTOM: The QuickTime installer cannot delete VIEWENU.DLL (an icon file for the Viewer Windows item) because it is "In Use".
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Installer cannot delete files which are being used
by the system.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Quit installer, leaving a partial, incomplete
install; restart Windows; re-install.
5.2 General problems:
5.2.1 SYMPTOM: The program doesn't run properly, freezes, or won't load.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: You may have other programs running at the
same time.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Check your Startup program group to see what
programs automatically load at startup. Restart Windows, and make
sure you've quit all other running programs.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: A screen saver may be interfering with this program.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Disable any screen savers. You may need to restart.
5.3 For problems with movie playback:
5.3.1 SYMPTOM: Movies are not playing smoothly, frames are dropping out, oráyour computer crashes or locks up when trying to play movies.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Your audio or video drivers may be out-of-date,
especially if you are using a Trident video card.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Turn the sound all the way down during playback.
If the video plays smoothly without the sound, then the problem likely
resides with your sound card or sound card drivers. Refer to the
instructions/manual for your sound card for help diagnosing and
solving this problem.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Obtain the latest version of the drivers for your
video card and sound card. Contact the vendor of each card for help
getting those drivers. Trident's newest drivers are on their BBS,
at (415) 691-1165.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Virtual memory may be interfering with QuickTime's
internal caching.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Turn off virtual memory.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Your software CD-ROM caching may be interfering
with QuickTime's internal caching.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Turn off external caching (i.e. SmartDrive).
Refer to your DOS manual for help with SmartDrive.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: You may be using 16-bit graphics (thousands of
colors) when 8-bits graphics (256 colors) may be faster.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Change your video configuration to 8-bit graphics.
Note that this will, however, reduce the color clarity.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM Your video card may have compatibility problems with
QuickTime for Windows.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Edit the QTW.INI file (in the /WINDOWS directory);
change the line which begins "optimize = " to "optimize = driver".
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM You may be using the Microsoft Speaker Driver, which
does not allow playing of sound and animation of video at the same time.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Use another speaker driver.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: You may not have your PC running in Turbo mode.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Make sure the turbo switch on the front of your
PC is activated.
5.3.2 SYMPTOM: The movies are "grainy," and the color is not clear.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: You may be using 8-bits graphics (256 colors);
16-bit graphics (thousands of colors) will produce the range of colors
more smoothly.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Change your video configuration to 16-bit graphics.
Note that this may, however, make the movies play back less smoothly.
5.3.3 SYMPTOM: When the mouse cursor is over the playback window, the video
ááááááplayback is poor and the audio falls out of sync.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Your mouse drivers may be causing this playback
performance degradation.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Try a different mouse, or a different driver for your current mouse.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Make sure you have the most recent versions of your mouse driver.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: If you are using a custom cursor, then the time needed to redraw the special cursor for each frame may be causing the performance problems.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Turn off custom cursors while using QuickTime.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Don't leave the mouse cursor over the playback
window during playback.
5.4 Other tips:
5.4.1 SYMPTOM: Intermittent "Cannot find LINGO.INI file" error message at
QuickTime startup.
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Cirrus Logic video driver writes outside its own
memory area, causing intermittent error messages.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: If you are using the Cirrus Logic video drivers,
try running the MS SVGA 256 color driver that comes with Windows for
Workgroups, or any other version of the Cirrus Logic driver.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Try using another video card / video driver.
5.4.2 SYMPTOM: The program suffers from frequent General Protection Faults
- POSSIBLE PROBLEM: There may be a problem with the configuration of
your video card driver.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Re-configure the driver to use 640x480 resolution
and 8-bit (256 color) graphics.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Make sure your DOS and Windows memory managers
are not interfering with the video card's memory area. Refer to the
instructions/manuals for DOS and Windows, as well as the manual for
your video card, for help with this.
- POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Make sure you have the latest versions of your
video card's drivers. Contact the vendor of the card for help.
CONTACT INFORMATION
6.1 Still not happening?
Some things are just not meant to happen. Try seeing if we have a more recent version of the enhanced FAQ by e-mailing to address below. Also check with your CD-ROM drive manufacturer to see if their drives are able to run enhanced CDs. Some manufacturer's drives just won't do it. And, like we said before, System 7.5 and Windows 95 will eliminate most problems.
6.2 For QuickTime information
For QuickTime information try http://www.support.apple.com
6.3 For Director information
For Director information try http://www.macromedia.com
6.4 For Nettmedia information
for the most recent version of this FAQ file, send an e-mail to enhanced_faq@nettmedia.com and one will be sent back to you. We also have a web site, http://www.nettmedia.com that has various tidbits of information and links to sites that contain information about enhanced CDs.
