VOB files

[ram1009]

I've looked very carefully and repeatedly through all of the supported format lists and cannot find VOB files being supported. Is that really possible for a transcoding software claiming to support all video formats?

[Paul]

VOB files are actually MPEG2 inside, so yes, they are supported. VOB is mentioned on this page a few times: http://www.conceiva.com/products/mezzmo/formatsupport.asp

[ram1009]

VOB files are actually MPEG2 inside, so yes, they are supported. VOB is mentioned on this page a few times: http://www.conceiva.com/products/mezzmo/formatsupport.asp

I know what they are "inside". I've examined every entry on that page several times. VOBs are only mentioned once under "File container formats that Mezzmo can transcode to". There is another chart for "File container formats that Mezzmo can read" where I would expect to see an entry if VOBs are readable. There is no such entry. If you are sure of what you are saying I suggest you do something to have the chart corrected because it almost lost me as a customer.

[Paul]

Ah, ok, I understand your point. Thanks for bringing that up - I'll tell our web developer to fix it up.

[ram1009]

Ah, ok, I understand your point. Thanks for bringing that up - I'll tell our web developer to fix it up.



OK, I've got my VOB files to stream now how do I turn on subtitles. I've tried using help but it only says the subtitle file needs to be in the same folder with the video file. Subs don't have a separate file on a DVD. If I can't view subs with my VOBs then this product is no good to me.

[Paul]

If your device does not support embedded subtitles in VOB (and most likely it doesn't) and you don't have an external subtitle file for that video, then at the moment unfortunately Mezzmo cannot help you. Full subtitle support is coming in the next major update.

[ram1009]

If your device does not support embedded subtitles in VOB (and most likely it doesn't) and you don't have an external subtitle file for that video, then at the moment unfortunately Mezzmo cannot help you. Full subtitle support is coming in the next major update.

Thanks for your honesty. Any idea when the next release will be? I'm beginning to have more respect for my WD Live Hub.

[Paul]

I can't give out any specific dates, but 2-3 months would be a rough estimate.

[ram1009]

I can't give out any specific dates, but 2-3 months would be a rough estimate.

Subtitles are always an after thought to developers. I wish some of them would try to watch a movie without sound.

[Paul]

No, actually subtitles are a very complex area both technically and presentation-wise and require substantial design and development efforts for them to work nicely.

[ram1009]

No, actually subtitles are a very complex area both technically and presentation-wise and require substantial design and development efforts for them to work nicely.

Obviously, the technologies exist. To ignore the NEEDS (not desires) of a significant portion of any client base is bad business, not to mention illegal. Just ask Netflix.

[Paul]

We are not ignoring the needs of anyone - software development is a long and complex process and things are done based on item priority and resource (staff) availability.

I don't see any legal obligations that we have - we don't say that we support burning subtitles (if you bought the software thinking that this feature exists) and you are free to choose any other DLNA server.

[ram1009]

We are not ignoring the needs of anyone - software development is a long and complex process and things are done based on item priority and resource (staff) availability.

I don't see any legal obligations that we have - we don't say that we support burning subtitles (if you bought the software thinking that this feature exists) and you are free to choose any other DLNA server.



FYI, the National Association of the Deaf is sueing both Time Warner & Netflix for violating the Americans with Disabilities act by not providing subtitles or CC on all their streamed videos. Like you, they both claim technical obstacles which is pure BS. If they or you had planned for subs from the beginning rather than rushing a product to market there would no back tracking required to correct ommissions in the software. Thanks so much for pointing out my right to buy other software. Unfortunately most are as uncaring and short sighted as you. You claim you're not ignoring the needs of anyone. Tell me then how does a deaf person use your product?

[Paul]

I think the misconception here is that DLNA server software is not a "needs" software - it's entertainment software, designed to add to your level of enjoyment, but certainly not replace free-to-air or cable TV.

I don't mean to offend deaf people and hopefully I didn't sound "uncaring", but I'm not sure what you are trying to achieve with your accusations? I've already said that this is a planned feature and it's coming in a future version - not sure what else you wish to hear from me?

[ram1009]

I think the misconception here is that DLNA server software is not a "needs" software - it's entertainment software, designed to add to your level of enjoyment, but certainly not replace free-to-air or cable TV.

I don't mean to offend deaf people and hopefully I didn't sound "uncaring", but I'm not sure what you are trying to achieve with your accusations? I've already said that this is a planned feature and it's coming in a future version - not sure what else you wish to hear from me?

My "needs" are simple as are yours: food, water, air & shelter. Everything else is a "want" including what your software could provide. The Americans with Disabilities act says that content providers (you) who don't provide CC or subs are discriminating against the deaf & HOH. Why you would want to omit that many people from your customer base is beyond me. You say you'll remedy this in your nest release. I hope you do, but keep in mind that Netflix has been saying the same thing for years. Talk is cheap. Not sounding uncaring is easy. Actually caring is more difficult. The only thing I'm accusing you of is being grossly remiss. I like your software. It's easy to use and it works. Unfortunately it lacks a critical function which makes it useless to me until you remedy it. I don't feel that the type of files I want to view put me in a minority. quite the opposite. Everybody I know has a library of VOB files. I'm an engineer so telling me about "technological challenges" falls on deaf ears. My western Digital Live Hub streams VOBs with subs natively. If they can do it so can you. The difference is they recognized the importance before you did. I will revisit your software when I see a new rev level.

[Paul]

We are not creating the content though - you are. You could argue that if you use ripping software that burns subtitles onto the video, Mezzmo will provide that content with subtitles, right? On the other hand, if you rip a disk without any subtitles at all, Mezzmo cannot make them appear, correct?

I don't want to go into technical difficulties that we are facing while implementing this feature (as you said you won't appreciate them), but if it was very easy, then everybody else would have this feature as well, wouldn't they?

I am glad that Western Digital supports subtitles and you have a means of watching video material with subtitles.

[ram1009]

We are not creating the content though - you are. I never said you were creating content, you are providing content. My content has subs. You could argue that if you use ripping software that burns subtitles onto the video, Mezzmo will provide that content with subtitles, right? But it won't.On the other hand, if you rip a disk without any subtitles at all, Mezzmo cannot make them appear, correct? Double talk. Nobody could ask you to display what isn't there.

I don't want to go into technical difficulties that we are facing while implementing this feature (as you said you won't appreciate them), but if it was very easy, then everybody else would have this feature as well, wouldn't they?You'd think so wouldn't you. IMHO they are simply greedy and anxious to get to market and don't want to spend the extra money and take the extra time to do it right.

I am glad that Western Digital supports subtitles and you have a means of watching video material with subtitles.Yes I do. I was trying to eliminate that device in favor of a Bluray player that would do everything including play disks.


We can do this all night. There's no justification for omitting subs in my mind. Not only do you reduce your customer base but you alienate those you omitt. Most people will just move on without complaining but sooner or later yu run into someone like me who takes the time to point out your error. At first I thought you sounded like a pretty decent guy but the more you write the more arrogant you sound. On second thought I won't be back for a look at your next release. Have a great life.