MMBC-R2

This information was copied from a retired Web page. The unabridged topic is available by request in a PDF file.

IMPORTANT: You must use a 32-bit Access™ RUNTIME version, or a runtime specified SHORTCUT launch order with a 32-bit retail or OEM Access™ installation, to operate the MMBC. Attempting to open the MMBC with any version of Access™ in a non-runtime state is a violation of the End User License Agreement (EULA) and will cause the program to terminate. Codentity License Manager (CLM), installed with the MMBC, monitors user-compliance with the EULA and CLM cannot be disabled.

Technical Note: To avoid conflicts between different versions of the Microsoft Office installer program, users should plan on installing the MMBC with True Blend™ technology on a desktop, laptop, or Netbook PC where a previously installed version of an Office program (such as Excel 2010, or Word 2003, or PowerPoint 2002, etc.) will not be a different version from the anticipated Access runtime files. However, testing has confirmed that a conflict will not always occur. See next paragraphs. (See compatibility table above.)

UPDATE: On 11/12/14, Codentity testing has confirmed that is is possible to FIRST install Microsoft Access™ 2013 (as part of Office 365), and LATER install MMBC with True Blend™ MPS operating under the Codentity-supplied Access™ 2002 (XP) 32-bit runtime files with NO version conflicts.

For this test on a 2014 Acer© quad-core laptop configured with the Windows® 8.1 OS: 1) Access™ 2013 was installed and test-operated. 2) Next, the MMBC Core Bundle was installed, and that process also installed the FREE and Codentity-supplied Access™ 2002 RUNTIME files. 3) Next, a SHORTCUT specifying the Access™ 2002 RUNTIME as the program to power the MMBC Core Bundle was created and tested as good. 4) Finally, the previously installed Access 2013™ was again launched and tested as operating normally.

CONCLUSION: On our Windows© 8.1 test PC, running at up to 2.58 GHz and equipped with 4 GB of system RAM, it was easy to install and maintain use of both Access 2013™ and Access 2002™ program executable files as desired—and WITHOUT installer conflicts. Additionally, Codentity testing has confirmed that the MMBC Code Bundle with the True Blend™ Media Player System AND the Codentity® EFX Player perform best when powered by the Microsoft® Access™ 2002 (XP) RUNTIME shell. See Lab Case 6 notes above. The Microsoft® Access™ 2002 (XP) RUNTIME is been tested by Codentity and found to be fully-compatible with Windows® 7 / 8 / 8.1.

UPDATE: On 4/13/12, Codentity testing has confirmed that is is possible to FIRST install the MMBC with True Blend™ MPS operating under the Codentity-supplied Access™ 2002 (XP) 32-bit runtime files, and LATER download and install Microsoft® Office 2010—WITHOUT installer conflicts. See Lab Case 2 notes above.

UPDATE: On 1/10/14, Codentity testing has confirmed that is is possible to FIRST install the MMBC with True Blend™ MPS operating under the Codentity-supplied Access™ 2002 (XP) 32-bit runtime files, and LATER download and install Microsoft® Office 2013 including installation of Access™ 2013—WITHOUT installer conflicts.

Notes and Recommendations

For production applications, such as MOBILE DJ use, RADIO REMOTES, or LIVE SOUND EVENTS, Codentity recommends installing the MMBC and its True Blend™ MPS on a dedicated Windows® XP or Windows® 7 computer—where the MMBC and the MPS are operated by the FREE Access™ XP (2002) "runtime" files. This will provide the best speed and graphics performance. If you want to install Office 2010 programs on the SAME computer, do so AFTER installing the MMBC and the Access™ 2002 (XP) RUNTIME. See Lab Case 2 above.

Codentity is licensed to distribute the Access™ 2002 (XP) "runtime" with the MMBC. At this time, Codentity is NOT licensed to distribute the Access™ 2003 runtime. For now, users who wish to use the MMBC on the same PC with installed Office 2003 programs (such as Word 2003) can seek to independently acquire the Access™ 2003 runtime; or a used retail version of Access™ 2003 from an Internet auction site. However, are testing has confirmed that the FREE Access™ 2002 (XP) runtime files are compatible with Office 2003. The MMBC will work with existing compatible RETAIL, OEM, or educational license versions of Microsoft Access™—however the MMBC will only open in runtime mode.

The MMBC is compatible with Microsoft Windows® XP, Windows® 7 and Windows® 8. Recommended video memory is 256 MB or greater (however Codentity has successfully tested the MMBC on a laptop with only 64 MB of video memory—see Toshiba® laptop Lab Case 1 notes above). Master music folders should be organized and stored on drive "D" (or successive drives, such as E, F, G, etc.). A flash media storage drive, such as a 16 GB USB drive, is strongly recommended for the location of the designated master music folder. (Move to start of Requirements and Restrictions topic here.)

The True Blend™ MPS uses embedded Microsoft ActiveX® media players—namely the Windows Media® Player 9 series, version 9.x. The players are compatible with Windows® XP, Windows® 7 and Windows® 8, however Codentity has not tested the True Blend™ MPS with Windows® Vista. See compatibility with Mac systems here.

ONLY WMA, WAV and MP3 audio file formats are supported. DRM (digital rights management) has not been exhaustively tested. However, performance should conform with Microsoft version 9.x standards. For example, in order to evaluate compatibility with Web store MP3 format media files, Codentity purchased approximately 25 music files from the Amazon.com digital music store. (Note: Amazon is a registered trademark.)

In testing, every MP3 format file acquired from Amazon Digital Services worked as expected in the True Blend™ MPS. Codentity has not yet conducted testing for digital media files purchased from other vendors. In cases where a user may have a media library consisting of unsupported formats (i.e., other than WMA, WAV or MP3), freely available conversion programs can be used to transform files into acceptable True Blend™ MPS formats.

TIP: Because the Music MegaBase™ Catalog (MMBC) with its True Blend™ Media Player System (MPS) will be available as a FREE trial download, users will have an opportunity to TEST the software with their typical music files—before purchasing a MMBC / MPS license.

The True Blend™ Media Player System requires users to insert hyperlinks to digital media files on their computer. The hyperlinks are saved in the catalog system and they correspond directly with TITLES (and their associated artists) present* in the Music MegaBase™ Catalog.

*The MMBC includes approximately 4,000 entries for hit-music recordings made popular from the years 1950 through 2000. If a particular song you want to use in the True Blend™ MPS is NOT in the catalog, you must enter its minimum data information as a new "record" (i.e., Title / Artist combination) BEFORE you can connect a hyperlink. Minimum data includes; Title, Artist, Music Type (genre), Decade of release, and AFC (Audio File Content).

In cases where a particular detail, such as the decade of release is not known, the user must submit a "best guess". They most common AFC values is "HMT"—designating hit-music track. The program includes an assortment of special forms to speed data entry and management. It also includes special tools for hyperlink insertion and validation testing, Read Basics Help, Media Assets Help, or Player Assets Help, provided with the program, to learn more.

In testing, Codentity was able to confirm that, with a well-organized music folder structure, it takes about 3 hours for the one-time set-up* insertion of 1,000 hyperlinks (when the song titles are already present in the catalog database). Learn more now on the MMBC FAQ page.

FYI: *The investment required to set-up your hyperlinks ONE time, pays off every time you use the MMBC with its True Blend™ MPS. This is true because the direct association between a catalog title and its stored hyperlink is what enables the amazing SEARCH flexibility, and one-click FILTER capability, of Microsoft® Access™—the program that powers the Music MegaBase™ Catalog. In fact, the search and filter capabilities in the MMBC are many times more efficient than other search methods (such as simple folder sort then browse, or "thumb scroll").

The audio hyperlinks must connect with files on a drive NOT labeled "C". In other words, our best practices recommendations suggest organizing and storing the master music folder, and its subfolders, on a D partition, or a discrete USB flash media drive—labeled D, E, F, or G, and so on. Get complete guidance within the program by reading Modify Assigned Drive Letter Help.

Recommended video resolutions include 1024x768 and 1280x1024 in standard 4:3 aspect ratio*; plus 1360x768, 1366x768, and 1920x1080 in widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, and 1280x800 in 16:10 aspect ratio. 256 MB of video memory is suggested. *1024x600 is also accommodated. Read UDS Manager Help for instructions.

The MMBC with its True Blend™ MPS has been extensively tested on Windows® (XP / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10) laptops and desktops. All systems were configured with a processor capable of 2 GHz or better, and at least 2 GB of system RAM. At minimum, a dual-core processor is recommended. A Netbook device has not yet been tested.

Codentity® LLC is the developer, publisher, and exclusive licensor and distributor of the Music MegaBase™ Catalog (MMBC) Media Edition—which includes the True Blend™ MPS. FREE trial downloads will permit potential customers to "test drive" the software on their Microsoft® Windows® XP, Windows® 7 or Windows® 8 / 8.1 / 10 PCs.

Compare the True Blend™ MPS "mixing experience" with other products, here. Learn about an important Codentity MUSIC SEARCH initiative here.

NOTE: On this Web site, all referenced trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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