History of versions | FAQ

MediaGun 1.8 (the current version)

New Features

MediaGun now supports new exciting file formats, offers better video playback performance and increased PowerPoint compatibility.

DVDs integration has been improved. On most DVDs, menus are now functional, by playing the “VIDEO_TS.VOB” file.

1080 HD video playback - in the WMV format - has been greatly improved. Notice that it requires a faster machine to play smoothly. You can download a sample clip from http://www.exponentsoftware.com/downloads1/Robotica_1080.zip

PowerPoint: In contrast with previous versions, MediaGun will now support ppt/pps slideshows whatever version of PowerPoint is installed, starting Office 2003. This doesn’t include the new Office 2007 “.pptx” file extension. On a PC where PowerPoint is not installed, the free PowerPoint Viewer 97-2000 is currently the only option.

New video and audio formats are now supported:

.flv (Flash video), XviD, DV. DivX is now handled directly, without requiring to change the extension to .avi.

Shockwave Flash (.swf) support has been updated, and now delivers full interactivity (buttons, hotspots). It now uses Adobe’s Shockwave plug-in.

The QuickTime aac audio codec, companion to the IPod (with extension .m4a) is now supported.

Please see the MediaGrid on the "Technical Stuff" page to find what system resource is needed to playback any file format in MediaGun.

MediaGun 1.7

New Features

MediaGun is now available for online purchasing. This is done through our partner eSellerate^®, an industry-leading software commerce provider.

A 14-day free evaluation version is available. It can be downloaded here. A permanent license can be purchased and activated at any time, during or after the evaluation period. This is done either through MediaGun’s splash screen or here. In both cases, an Internet connection is required.

MediaGun is now sold in two separate solutions, identical in features but aimed at different deployment environments. Both offer valuable advantages to the end-user:

-          MediaGun Single User

-          MediaGun Client-Server

A MediaGun Single-User license must be activated individually on each machine where MediaGun will be used. MediaGun will then be protected by a software key, which will be delivered by Exponent Software once the purchase has been validated. This key is transferable to another PC at any time.

This procedure is fully automatic. However, please note that an Internet connection is required to perform it, and that a delay of up to 30 minutes is necessary between deactivation on machine A and activation on machine B.

A MediaGun Client-Server license is advantageous over a network.

It is less demanding in terms of workload by the system administrator, as MediaGun must only be activated once on the server machine – instead as on each individual PC.

It is also cost effective as it manages concurrent licenses. For example, MediaGun could be installed on 50 PCs, while only 25 licenses had been purchased. However, no more than 25 instances of the application could be running it at any given time.

MediaGun 1.6

New Features

To play PowerPoint (*.ppt and *.pps) files, MediaGun now gives priority to PowerPoint 2003, if present in the system. Of course this is done without actually opening the PowerPoint application, so it’s totally seamless. This enables you to include all the new effects and transitions offered by PowerPoint 2003. If PowerPoint 2003 is not found, MediaGun looks for the PowerPoint Viewer 97/2000, which is found on the MediaGun CD at: http://www.exponentsoftware.com/downloads1/PPointV.zip.

Also new in 1.6, the possibility to have a Solo Portfolio automatically play once and automatically exit.

MediaGun 1.5

New Features

MediaGun now supports *.pdf and DivX files (with the .avi extension).

Compatibility with target PC: with MediaGun 1.6, you now can run a Portfolio on any PC, thanks to the new Portfolio Support Dialog Window. This enables you add what is necessary to play the Portfolio on the target PC.

This dialog offers the choice between:
A: Include installer (System)
B: Include resources (Local)

A: Include installer (System) (9MB) - This is a Windows setup program - the PortFolio Support “PFSsetup.exe” which installs in the target PC all the system components (at the operating system and Portfolio specific level) needed to run a Portfolio. Choose this option if you are confident the receiver has the ability and privileges needed to run a Windows installation, has never installed this before, and doesn't have MediaGun installed.

B: Include resources (Local) (8 MB) - This option copies all the necessary Portfolio (not system) components needed to run a Portfolio into the Portfolio folder itself. Choose this option if you know the target machine has the Visual Basic runtime components installed (Windows XP has these by default) and for whatever reason you believe the receiver can't run the Support Setup (see option A - the preferred method).

Both A & B (17 MB) - Choose to include both of the above if you aren't sure whether or not the receiver satisfies any or all of the above requirements and want to make sure they can run the Portfolio no matter what the case.

Neither A or B (0 MB) - Choose this option if you are sure the target machine has the PortFolio Support or MediaGun already installed.

MediaGun 1.4.7

New Features

Updated user interface with more coherent button response

Update licensing scheme to provide unlocking during the trial period

MediaGun now includes *.wmv (Windows Media Video), *.wma (Windows Media Audio), *.tga (targa image file) and  *.mp4 video.

*.swf files (Flash) can now be linked to a Music Track.

MediaGun now accepts wide-screen resolutions on screens with a resolution of 852-480 pixels (and larger).

Corrections

Fixed incorrect resizing of full-screen QuickTime videos.

Starting a MediaGun session by scanning a Resource Folder different from the one "remembered" since the previous session sometimes aborted, or produced an error message. Fixed.

On the Stage, a Music Track would resume from the top if a Powerpoint slide show was launched from the popup menu of the Control Bar. Fixed.

Clicking on a hyperlink in a Powerpoint presentation played from MediaGun did not execute the expected action. Fixed.

Fixed alternating Quicktime and mpeg movies sometimes resulting in a crash.

MediaGun 1.4.6

New Features

MediaGun now supports three user selectable languages: English, French and German.

MediaGun now enables you to automatically embellish your text files (*.txt) with a choice of 30 patterned or plain backdrops, ink colors, as well as font styles and sizes.

MediaGun now enables you edit your text files directly for last minute changes.

Note: Sometimes the text editing program fails to open in front of MediaGun. This issue will be addressed in the next release of MediaGun.

To work around this, hold down the ALT key on your keyboard and then press the TAB key successively until the correct text editing program icon is highlighted and then release the ALT key. This will make the text editing program the active application.

Corrections

Fixed problem where MediaGun did not copy similarly named files during the creation of Portfolios.

Fixed (Automation) error that occurred unpredictably during the scanning of a Resource Folder or file playback on Windows NT and Windows 2000 systems.

MediaGun 1.4.5

Corrections

Fixed problem where MediaGun did not find shortcuts in a Resource Folder when the setting “File extensions for known file types” was selected in Windows Explorer

Fixed problem where MediaGun could freeze while trying to scan a Resource Folder on CD-ROM device that had no media in it

Fixed problem that caused certain Portfolio events to not play if the Portfolio was moved from its original location.

MediaGun 1.4

New Features

MediaGun now supports several additional file types: .vob; .mpe; .m1v; .m2v; .mpa; .swf.

MediaGun now enables a music track to be linked to still images, text or PowerPoint presentations

MediaGun now enables a "one click" access and playback of any event in a list by a popup menu. This feature is currently available on all Windows platforms except on Windows NT.

Error message handling of file types not understood by MediaGun due to the lack of certain supporting system resources has been improved.

Corrections

Errors due to inconsistent ActiveX components installed on certain systems have been resolved.

MediaGun 1.3

New Features MediaGun and MediaGun Portfolios now support Windows 2000.

MediaGun now generates standalone runtime Standard (interactive) and Solo (self-running) Portfolios

MediaGun now has a Marketing Window that allows users to choose and manipulate the logo and contact information images. These images then appear on the Stage in MediaGun and in any generated Portfolios.