Change of # modules limits - does it worry You?

[Rafal Oramus]

I must say I'm really disappointed with the latest 2.05 release. I mean:
* New # modules limits for Pro/Studio/Broadcast (15/25/50) for better positioning of editions.

So, now my number of modules is reduced to 25%! Studio version, from 100 to 25!

Someone can say: you have purchased version 1.36 or 2.04. If you don't like 2.05 - don't upgrade.

I don't know whats Yours, VidBlaster buyers, attitude, but everytime I buy/upgrade VB, I'm hoping for:
- new features, that I will have access for a Year after purchasing licence,
- access to every feature that is available in the day of purchasing licence.

This is why we discuss here, give suggestions, trying to support the development of VidBlaster, we try to help new users. And yes, I realize, that there are tens of users 500 000 % useful than I am. But this is what I feel.

Now, we have to choose: new features, 100 modules (I need about 30) or another upgrade (where Broadcast version has 50 modules instead of 100).

I don't understand one more thing: when Mike wanted to remove player's "Reencode" or "Output to Secondary Monitor" - he asked. I don't see any announcement about reduction the numbers of modules...

So, answering the thread questions - yes, I'm worried a lot. What's Your opinion? Or am I hypersensitive?

[Proxis]

I think this is fair, because none of competition products have such high level support.
Of course, this would be impossible without Daniel and all other MVP's. :D

For me value of each module rises with each new version.

[DavidOLW]

I must say I'm really disappointed with the latest 2.05 release. I mean:


So, now my number of modules is reduced to 25%! Studio version, from 100 to 25!

Someone can say: you have purchased version 1.36 or 2.04. If you don't like 2.05 - don't upgrade.

I don't know whats Yours, VidBlaster buyers, attitude, but everytime I buy/upgrade VB, I'm hoping for:
- new features, that I will have access for a Year after purchasing licence,
- access to every feature that is available in the day of purchasing licence.

This is why we discuss here, give suggestions, trying to support the development of VidBlaster, we try to help new users. And yes, I realize, that there are tens of users 500 000 % useful than I am. But this is what I feel.

Now, we have to choose: new features, 100 modules (I need about 30) or another upgrade (where Broadcast version has 50 modules instead of 100).

I don't understand one more thing: when Mike wanted to remove player's "Reencode" or "Output to Secondary Monitor" - he asked. I don't see any announcement about reduction the numbers of modules...

So, answering the thread questions - yes, I'm worried a lot. What's Your opinion? Or am I hypersensitive?

Rafal Oramus

Yes I agree with you, this is quite a reduction, and am disappointed.

David

[suportehost]

Can not really understand, creates a new version 2.x with news and updates that interest us and make us think and want to upgrade, and then creates a situation that causes us to review whether it is worth it to upgrade or not.

I was thinking of upgrading to a "pro" and then over to v2 do not know what to do now. :(

"better positioning of editions" , apparently only a matter of sales and marketing is more important that maintain the features for which customers have already paid?

[ColinJ]

I would like to add my disappointment (or rather dismay) at the reduction of the number of modules. I have upgraded progressively to Studio purely because I needed more than 25 simultaneous modules (I run a stack of player modules with fixed information ready for instantaneous selection) and needed a better deinterlacer but certainly don't need/want the facilities or cost of the Broadcast version and all the other trimmings that have been added for presumably the professional broadcast community. This will totally limit my use of the Studio version of Vidblaster. Mike, please reconsider this very substantial downgrade - limiting new features through version upgrades is one thing but changing the fundamental basis of the reason that many of us have upgraded (ie for more modules) is not a good move for customer loyalty.

[damn2good4u]

Hello,

I am a PRO version user and based on what I am used to and I have read on www.vidblaster.com, I was meant to understand that the PRO version supports up to 25 Modules.

But to my dismay, on installing/upgrading from version 2.04 to 2.05 today, I got a message that I CAN ONLY HAVE 15 MODULES AS A PRO VERSION USER and other modules I had before were removed and I couldn't add any more modules.

Is this a bug or a deliberate action to reduce the PRO version modules from 25 to 15?

Please Help...

[Sinc747]

The notice was posted on the v2.05 beta download page: http://forum.vidblaster.com/showthread.php?t=2582.

You can revert to v2.04 or earlier for 25 modules in Pro.

Please remember that v2.05 is a "beta" version, not a release version. Not all beta features end up in a release version.

[Amnon]

Whew......
Thanks for making the announcement before we upgraded to the studio. Will just have to learn how to be more efficient with modules, and stay with 1.36 :-)
I was already in the store, getting ready to upgrade, when I decided to check "One more time" what late options were added to Studio, and stumbled on this announcement.

[damn2good4u]

This is totally unacceptable... people discuss on new modules and additions before its added to vidblaster. Why wasnt this discussed before this major downgrade?

Moreso, what is the essence of my pro which i felt was good for me before now compared to the studio version... this is just not acceptable and i am highly disappointed.

[damn2good4u]

This is medicine after death.. my modules was drastically reduced already before coming up with all the excuses... to me these are mere excuses.

[Amnon]

Moreso, what is the essence of my pro which i felt was good for me before now compared to the studio version... this is just not acceptable and i am highly disappointed.
It shows that Mike may be a good programmer, but a lousy businessman. I see two possibilities he could have handled this and kept everyone (including his pockets) happy.

1. Grandfathered those who already bought the current version.
2. Create other versions in between, with different number of modules.

[Roy]

Following a demostration of VidBlaster to our group of churches we were just about to place a bulk order for Pro versions for the group, but have now been told there will not be enough modules for what we want to do. They have said they will arrange another demostration of a different system for us. Even if you purchased the Studio versions at double the price of the Pro you only get 25 modules not 2 x 15 (Pro). Yes increase the price a bit, but not halve the useabilty of a product. Can anyone confirm this will appy because we liked the Vidblaster setup and don't want to get a different system only to find this will not apply in the release version.

[DavidOLW]

It shows that Mike may be a good programmer, but a lousy businessman. I see two possibilities he could have handled this and kept everyone (including his pockets) happy.

1. Grandfathered those who already bought the current version.
2. Create other versions in between, with different number of modules.

3. Or a small price increase.
4. Or supply additional modules to all versions.

[wiav8r]

Well, I am disappointed also on this issue. I just would like to know the reasoning behind this. Is there a technical reason to limit the number of modules more than they were before? Or is this just a marketing attempt to sell more Broadcast editions?

I know that for additional functions and capabilities there is a need for Broadcast. Some of us dont need remote control or RSTP. Having different versions is important for this reason.

But I don't think it is reasonable to ask existing license holders to "downgrade" their existing capabilities

I think we would all like to know why? Why is the reason not being discussed? Is is a secret?

I am like the others posting on this topic and am becoming more and more disappointed as we with little or no budget "feel" that we are being "left behind". If this is the case then so be it. We just want to know so that we can move on pursue other angles to get our broadcasts done.

I respectfully request an answer to this question.

[zenvideo]

Following a demostration of VidBlaster to our group of churches we were just about to place a bulk order for Pro versions for the group, but have now been told there will not be enough modules for what we want to do. They have said they will arrange another demostration of a different system for us.

Post removed as I realised I was going off-topic... :(

[Maxsalino]

I think that Mike is legitimately following market rules so, if you don't like this behaviour, you can follow the market rules too and you are free to watch around for competitors (by the way I noticed no answer to the disappoint of some customers here, I don't like this way to treat the customers or simply potential customers so I made my choice from a long time and I'm very satisfy by another software and, mostly, the kindness of the support).
Customers and companies are in the market so everyone is free to do what he wants.
Well, it's time for vacation now and I'm going to the sea without computers, webcams, softwares, switchers, controversy, etc... (I'll can't read this forum for ten days).
I suggest to everybody (companies and customers) to take some time for yourself resting just a little.
Good luck and peace.

[jvrproductions]

Sorry for my english but we buy our VB about 3 month ago. It's my understood that i suppost to get what was offert and went you made and upgrade (If i am correct)... A upgrade it's to UPGRADE your system not to DOWNGRADE.. We use 32 modules on our set-up. And at that time and today Mike website say that i supost to have acces to 100 modules "http://vidblaster.com/about/vidblaster-edition-comparison-table.html". I think that current users must have the availability on some way to maintain the product and be available to updated to give and example. Google apps now charge for each email account for coorporation over 10 emails or users but old user still have access to have 100 accounts.

[Mike]

As this is no longer a productive thread and some have even lowered themselves to personal attacks, I've merged the two threads about this topic and moved it to After Hours. For everyone's sake I will also close it and not tolerate new threads (nor PM or email) about this subject.

For those who are really clueless: yes, VidBlaster is a commercial product. Which means, for the good of the existence of the product, sometimes I need to make commercial decisions that even I should not open for discussion (I guess this thread proves that). I am truly disappointed in some of you who fail to understand that writing software is no different from, say, developing a car. No one will complain if the next model is different from the first, has more or less or different features. No one will say his current model suddenly is no longer worth its money..

Despite making this change in a yet unreleased and so undefined product, I am willing to refund anyone who upgraded his license from v1 to v2 and now regrets it. Take note that refunds are costly for me so I will assume you won't change your mind after the next release, nor that you did any more activations after this message is posted. Just send me a short email and I will refund the upgrade, enable your old v1 license and block the v2.

Finally, to all of you who have supported me in this decision, or at the very least understood that most of us are fortunate enough to live in a free world: thank you! I am looking forward working with you and will continue to work hard to make VidBlaster a great but especially a long lived success.