How to copy Xvid to directory

[jfcwilson]

Hi,

Does it work to copy the Xvid installed folder to the root folder? Will that let AM accept Xvid-encoded AVI if no other codecs are installed?

Thanks,
James

[Mystery]

Check the 2nd post of this thread, how you can include the XVid codec
http://www.adventuremaker.com/phpBB2/vi ... php?t=4804

And yes, if you do so, the player will be able to view the compressed videos

[jfcwilson]

Well, you see, I want to make it so that the player doesn't have to install Xvid-just copy the files directly and automaticly to the game's installed folder.

[Mystery]

Ummm, sorry I didn't quite understand what you mean.
The players need to install the XVid-codec in order to view your compressed videos

[jfcwilson]

Let's take an example, say, Myst 5. It was made with Bink video. They had to get the files to the hard drive somehow, and there wasen't an installer at the end. So, I think they must have copied the folder containing the NON-exe files(e.g. system files, dlls, etc.) to the Myst 5 directroy. I want to do the same with Xvid.

[Mystery]

Allright, I see now. I don't know how to do that.

However, those players who have already the XVid-codec installed, they don't need it.
If you add it as .exe, players can decide whether they want to install it or abort the installation at that point.

[Lyberodoggy]

Bink video is an integrated engine (just like a plugin), so I don't think you can do the same with Xvid... If you copy the required decoder dlls to your external folder it could work, but it may violate copyright laws... Please contact the creators of Xvid for more info

[jfcwilson]

Okay, thanks. I'll just put the installer at the end.
I've got to do the same with Ogg Vorbis. Do you think people will mind clicking through two additional installers, after the game installer?

[Lyberodoggy]

You should include K-lite. It's both for ogg and xvid and other filetypes and it's just one installation. Far more compact

[jfcwilson]

That looks perfect, but is the license good for including with commercial sofware?
Also, does Xvid and Ogg come with all versions?

[Mystery]

It depends what the license type of each codec has that you want to include.

See more info here:
http://codecs.freeforums.org/can-klite- ... html#p6223
and here: http://codecs.freeforums.org/bundling-k ... html#p4806

You can check the content of each version here:
http://codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

[jfcwilson]

One of those links say that one should offer the package as a seperate download. Is ther any(legal) was around this?

And the site doesn't say Xvid is included.

[Mystery]

Well, all I can tell you is that those replies have been added by the admin of the official website for K-Lite.

For your X-Vid question:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ffdshow
Ffdshow is part of all versions of K-Lite.

And concerning the license of Ffdshow:
http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/p ... .php?t=491

[jfcwilson]

Thanks.

[jfcwilson]

Went to the k-lite forums, and apparently they don't want me to do this. So, back to square 1. I don't really need Ogg, I can go with windows supported MP3,
but I must have Xvid install after my game installer...
I'm confused by the GPL. Does anyone know if it's legal to install Xvid after the game installer, when the game is commercial?

[Candle]

It means that you can use it anyway you want as long as you pass along and changes you make to the software.
You must give the users of your product a copy of the License .
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.txt
that is the License above.

2. Basic Permissions.

All rights granted under this License are granted for the term of
copyright on the Program, and are irrevocable provided the stated
conditions are met. This License explicitly affirms your unlimited
permission to run the unmodified Program. The output from running a
covered work is covered by this License only if the output, given its
content, constitutes a covered work. This License acknowledges your
rights of fair use or other equivalent, as provided by copyright law.

You may make, run and propagate covered works that you do not
convey, without conditions so long as your license otherwise remains
in force. You may convey covered works to others for the sole purpose
of having them make modifications exclusively for you, or provide you
with facilities for running those works, provided that you comply with
the terms of this License in conveying all material for which you do
not control copyright. Those thus making or running the covered works
for you must do so exclusively on your behalf, under your direction
and control, on terms that prohibit them from making any copies of
your copyrighted material outside their relationship with you.

Conveying under any other circumstances is permitted solely under
the conditions stated below. Sublicensing is not allowed; section 10
makes it unnecessary.

[jfcwilson]

Let me get this straight. I can include an installer on the cd-rom of my commercial game IF I include the source code of the Xvid codec on the cd for anyone to view, as well as a copy of the license? Just making sure I've got it right.

[Candle]

The license and the any changes you have made to Xvid codec code!
I don't think your coding Xvid are you?

[mercedes]

Hi there...

Chances are you won't be making any changes to Xvid at all..[if only including the codec-installer in with your game]

What Candle is saying is that the software is for any use--Commercial or other wise..However, you must include a copy of the license in with the installer--[Your Game]--because you are distributing it.
Once the users who download your game, they will also have a xvid on their pc and will have to follow the same guideline you do. Should they choose to distribute it as well, they will also have to include the copy.

Do you think people will mind clicking through two additional installers, after the game installer?

No not at all, if you say to others where they download your game from;--[So they know what to expect.]

As such requirements to view this game you will need Xvid codecs.
" A separate installer of Xvid Codec will be installed automatically at the end of installation of the game. However, if you have it on your computer already, you can simply cancel it before it installs and the game will install only. Once installed you will see it in Program Files like any other additional software~"---- I mention this..cause some ppl aren't sure what it is..and may think they have it already..or not know if they do..



Something like that should be fine..or however you want to word it...and/or you can put it in a different font color...This way ppl dont' think its something else installing on their pc..

Peace

[jfcwilson]

Thank you all so much!
Sorry for dragging it out so long and for being stupid and slow.
You all will be thanked in the credits, definantly.

Thanks again,
James

[mercedes]

Don't worry about it..most of us are pretty eager to help here,...s'all good...and thanks! very nice of you...
Later~:D

[jfcwilson]

I contacted Xvid.com a few days before, and they got back to me today.
This is what he told me:

Hi James,

sorry for the delayed response. Xvid is published under the GNU General
Public License (GPL). The GPL permits you to use, modify and redistribute
the program free of charge. The GPL however also requires you to distribute
a combined work of a GPLed software and some other software as a whole
under the GPL again. So if you don't want to publish your program under the
GPL you should refrain from distributing it together with Xvid.

You can read more about the GPL license in our license FAQ. It should
answer most of your questions:

http://www.xvid.org/FAQ.42.0.html#c44

It is important to understand the difference between using and distributing
a software. The GPL does not restrict your usage (means the act of "running
the program"). So there is no problem with your proprietary program _using_
Xvid at runtime if it happens to be installed on the user's computer. There
are restrictions however in case you want to redistribute Xvid. Precisely:
If you distribute Xvid (also just a seperate installer) together with some
other application for use in combination this will make up a derived work
and the GPL requests you to publish the whole package under the GPL.

If you do not want to publish your app under the GPL simply refrain from
distributing it together with GPLed programs. You can implement support
for Xvid in your application and use Xvid for playback if it's present at
runtime. You can also advice your users that they should install Xvid in
order to make best use of your program. You should however not distribute
Xvid together with your app if you do not want to publish your program
under the GPL as well.

This seems to clash directly with what I was told here. Any ideas?

[mercedes]

I'll send u a pm.. I have a few questions..Thought it might be easier to ask there..I seen a few things in the T.O.U..If it turns out to a be a solution, then we can post back here with results..

[Mystery]

Well, as I have understood it from the beginning, that you weren't allowed to redistribute XVid with a commercial game.

But I haven't found any other official answer to this apart from the FAQ and Terms Of Use of the "owners".

[mercedes]

Actually I have found out more about this..from the partner/owner of XVID-

You can redistribute XVID pretty much anyway, commercial or otherwise--BUT-- XVID falls under the GPL ..meaning if u redistribute it with your game--You have to redistribute as a whole--Your game now has to fall under the GPL licence as well..

Reading the GPL license..not many would like to do that with their games--if they are commercial..For free...who knows..

I know I wasn't comfortable with it..

[Mystery]

Yep, but then you have to make your game free and open source.

[mercedes]

Yep..exactly..and I'm not sure many of us would be comfortable with that..especially if u sell ur game..It wouldn't take much for someone else to copy it and redistribute it..
I.m.o. it sounded no better than downloading a paid game from limewire or something..for free now,cause someone else--who doesn't always respect license terms--is now giving it away..Sort of how i saw it..

[CBSection31]

I posted this in another thread, but it may help here, too...

You are not legally able to distribute Xvid itself OR Xvid encoded videos with a commercial game in the United States.

The reason for this has nothing to do with the Xvid GPL license. The problem relates to the fact that Xvid uses MPEG-4 technology, which is a proprietary technology owned by MPEG LA.

As such, if you wish to distribute any video encoded with MPEG-4 techology in the United States (this includes DivX, too), you must purchase a license from mpegla.com.

I spent a lot of time, research, and money into investigating the legality of this, so you can trust this information.

Below is the reply to an e-mail conversation my lawyer had with MPEG LA regarding this issue. I hope it helps!

----------

Dear ------:

Thank you for your inquiry and interest in MPEG LA. We are pleased to be in touch with you and I will be glad to assist you with questions regarding MPEG-4 and our Visual License.

As you mentioned, the Xvid codec (and similarly, DivX) utilizes the MPEG-4 Visual (Part 2) Standard. Therefore, a product/service incorporating the Xvid or DivX codec makes use of the MPEG-4 Visual (Part 2) Standard, and as a result, NEEDS to be licensed under the essential patents in our MPEG-4 Visual License. Similarly, content encoded using the Xvid codec is encode using the MPEG-4 Visual (Part 2) Standard, and will benefit from coverage under our MPEG-4 Visual License.

More specifically, the MPEG-4 Visual License is effectively divided into two halves: (i) sublicenses granting the right to "make and sell" MPEG-4 Visual Products and (ii) sublicenses granting the right to "use" such MPEG-4 Visual Products to provide MPEG-4 Video to end users for remuneration.

When MPEG-4 Visual video content is provided for remuneration (for example, on a Subscription or Title-by-Title basis), the provider of such MPEG-4 Visual video content will benefit from coverage under the MPEG-4 Visual License and is responsible for paying applicable royalties for the use of the MPEG-4 Video Encoders and MPEG-4 Video Decoders in connection with the remunerated content.

In the case where an end user pays for MPEG-4 Visual video content on a Title-by-Title basis, the royalty is the lower of 2% of the price paid to the Licensee or $0.02 per title for video greater than 12 minutes. However, there is no royalty for a specific Title of 12 minutes or less.

From your description, it appears that your client's computer game product would include MPEG-4 Visual video content and would be distributed on a Title-by-Title basis. Therefore, you would benefit from coverage under the MPEG-4 Visual License.

The process to become a Licensee is very straightforward and normally takes only a few days. All that is required is to simply fill in the necessary information on the MPEG-4 Visual License agreement and return the signed document for execution by MPEG LA. After the License is executed by MPEG LA, we will then return a .pdf copy of the fully executed License to your for your files. Following that, our Royalty Services Department will communicate with you directly to provide detailed royalty reporting and payment instructions. Running royalties for products going forward are paid on a semi-annual schedule (i.e., twice per year) and Back Royalties for any products prior to concluding the Licenses are paid within 30 days of signature.

If you will please provide me with your physical mailing address, I will send you (via FedEx) an execution copy of the MPEG-4 Visual License along with some additional background information on MPEG LA.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Michael J. Zurat
Licensing Associate
MPEG LA
5425 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 801
Chevy Chase, MD 20815 U.S.A.
+1 301 986 6660 Phone
+1 301 986 8575 Fax
mzurat@mpegla.com

[reneuend]

You are not legally able to distribute Xvid itself OR Xvid encoded videos with a commercial game in the United States.

So, for those of you outside of the U.S. is this even an issue?

[Candle]

http://www.theora.org/

Q. What is the license for Theora?
Theora (and all associated technologies released by the Xiph.org Foundation) is released to the public via a BSD-style license. It is completely free for commercial or noncommercial use. That means that commercial developers may independently write Theora software which is compatible with the specification for no charge and without restrictions of any kind.

What is Theora

Q. What is Theora?
Theora is an open video codec being developed by the Xiph.org Foundation as part of their Ogg project (It is a project that aims to integrate On2's VP3 video codec, Ogg Vorbis audio codec and Ogg multimedia container formats into a multimedia solution that can compete with MPEG-4 format).
Theora is derived directly from On2's VP3 codec; currently the two are nearly identical, varying only in framing headers, but Theora will diverge and improve from the main VP3 development lineage as time progresses.

http://www.theora.org/faq/