T2: EXTREME DVD Technical Support - Frequently Asked Questions
 
Article #: 0134
Article Date:  05/27/2003, updated 11/15/2007
Author: InterActual Technical Support
 
Problem:
This article covers most aspects of video playback and use of added features in the T2: EXTREME DVD release with InterActual Player. Also, included are usage tips for some of the various features.
 
Solution:
IF YOU HAVE INSTALLED WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER 10 OR ABOVE: Users who have installed Windows Media Player 10 and higher will be advised by the disc to install Windows Media 9 when attempting to load the High-Definition feature. Later versions of Windows Media Player will work with this feature and there is no need to alter the installation of this component in your computer. This is due to an error in the player version detection on the disc, and has been corrected in the latest version of InterActual Player. You can download the free update from this page. Make sure you close InterActual Player before running this update. Once it is installed, the High-Definition feature should function properly with your current version of Windows Media Player.

  1. General Information

    1. What is on the T2: EXTREME DVD?
    2. Windows System Requirements
    3. Windows OS Installation of the InterActual Player
    4. High-Definition Feature Requirements/Recommendations

  2. InterActual Player Issues

    1. InterActual Player 2.0 Error Messages
    2. Other Known Performance/Playback Issues

  3. High-Definition Feature

    1. High-Definition Feature Requirements/Recommendations
    2. Installation of Components and Licenses Needed.
    3. Issues Related to High-Definition Feature.

  4. Additional Support

    1. Frequently Asked Questions
    2. Support Website
    3. Contacting InterActual

I. General Information

  1. What is on the T2: EXTREME DVD?

    This two-disc set includes the following features:

    • Disc 1: A version that can be played in a DVD player, typically connected to a television.
    • Disc 2: A bonus DVD that contains a full length theatrical, high-definition WM9S version of the movie for PC playback in 5.1 channel WM9 surround sound (not compatible with Dolby® Digital).
      • The resolution of the Windows Media version of the film is 1920x816. By comparison, standard DVD video formatted for NTSC televisions is 720x480.
      • The total file size is 6.5 GB.
      • Total running time is 152 minutes.
      • The bit-rate is CBR 6.8 Mbps.
    The DVDs also contain:
    • Commentary by 26 members of cast and crew, director James Cameron, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
    • Theatrical trailer(s).
    • "The Making of T2" Featurette; "T2: More Than Meets the Eye" Featurette; "The Making of T2: 3-D: Breaking the Screen Barrier" - in depth look into the making of the MCA/ Universal theme park attraction "Terminator 2: 3D: Battle Across Time".
    • Supplemental Material - additional features that cover every aspect of the filmmaking process
    • Entire screenplay.
    • Over 700 storyboards.
    • Limited edition case
    • Special collector's booklet.
    • Hidden features.

    Back To Top

  2. Windows System Requirements

    In order to take advantage of the T2: EXTREME DVD features, please make sure your system meets the following requirements. Note that Windows system requirements for the High-Definition feature are covered in section I-D:

    • Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon processor, 800 MHZ or higher
    • Windows 98SE, ME, 2000(Service Pack 2), XP
    • 128MB of RAM (2000 and XP: 256MB of RAM)
    • 32MB (or higher) Graphics Card, 1024X768 (or higher) resolution, 32 Bit color
    • Direct Sound compatible Sound card
    • 16X (or faster) DVD-ROM drive (UDMA enabled) This disc will not work in a CD-ROM drive.
    • Direct Show compliant DVD decoder software installed
    • DirectX 8.1 or higher - Click here for download page
    • Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1 or higher
    • Latest versions of Macromedia Flash - Click here for website

      Back To Top

  3. Windows OS Installation of the InterActual Player

    Normally, a prompt to install the InterActual Player software will come up automatically upon inserting the DVD. If it does not, please follow the steps below.

    1. Close any software you have open, including any DVD player software, so that you are back to your Windows desktop.
    2. Either double click on the My Computer icon on your Windows desktop or go to Start >> My Computer.
    3. Right mouse click with the right mouse button on the icon for the DVD-ROM drive and choose Explore.
    4. Double click on the install or install.exe icon.

      Back To Top

  4. High-Definition Feature Requirements/Recommendations

    The following system is recommended in order for the High-Definition content on this DVD to play properly:

    • Windows XP Professional.
    • Windows Media Player 9 Series (included on Disc 2).
    • Microsoft DirectX 9.0.
    • InterActual Player software (included on both discs).
    • Internet Connection to retrieve High-Definition content license files.

      Note: Other operating systems such as Windows XP Home, 2000, Millennium and 98SE may work as well; however, only Windows XP supports multi-channel surround-sound under Windows Media 9.

      Other System Recommendations

    • 3.0 GHz processor.
    • 512 MB RAM.
    • 128MB/3D video card w/updated video card drivers.
    • 24-bit 96KHz multi-channel sound card w/updated drivers. For information on what cards support 5.1 channel audio for Windows Media 9, please click here.
    • 1600x1200, 1920x1080 or higher display setting.
    • Mouse and speakers/headphones.

      Note: The processor recommendation is for minimum optimal playback of this feature. The recommended resolutions above are for optimal playback of the feature. However, other display settings may work, resulting in less than optimal playback of the feature.

    Back To Top

II. InterActual Player Issues

  1. InterActual Player 2.0 Error Messages

    The following is a selection of errors that could potentially be displayed through the InterActual Player if something on the computer is not set up properly for DVD video playback.

    Back To Top

  2. Other Known Performance/Playback Issues

    The following are other possible performance or playback issues.

    • Jerky or Unsynchronized Video and Sound - Click Here For Article
    • Your InterActual Software Stops Working When You Upgrade To A New Version Of Windows - Click Here For Article
    • Video, No Sound in InterActual Software With WinDVD 3.0 Or Later - Click Here For Article
    • Please note if you wish to uninstall the InterActual Player software for any reason after installing from the T2: EXTREME DVD, please restart the computer before uninstalling the program.

    Back To Top

III. High-Definition Feature

  1. High-Definition Feature Requirements/Recommendations

    • Windows XP Professional.
    • Windows Media Player 9 Series.
    • Microsoft DirectX 9.0.
    • InterActual Player software, located on DVD.
    • Internet Connection to retrieve High-Definition content license files.

      Note: The processor requirement is for minimum optimal playback of this feature. Other operating systems such as Windows XP Home, 2000, Millennium and 98SE may work as well, however, performance may be less than optimal.

      Other System Recommendations

    • 3.0 GHz processor.
    • 512 MB RAM.
    • 128MB/3D video card w/updated video card drivers.
    • 24-bit 96KHz multi-channel sound card w/updated drivers. For information on what cards support 5.1 channel audio for Windows Media 9, please click here
    • 1600x1200, 1920x1080 or higher display setting.
    • Mouse and speakers/headphones.

      Note: The processor recommendation is for minimum optimal playback of this feature. The recommended resolutions above are for optimal playback of the feature. However, other display settings may work, resulting in less than optimal playback of the feature.

  2. Installation of Components and Licenses Needed.

    • The High-Definition Feature requires Windows Media Player 9.0 to view. If you do not have Windows Media Player 9.0 installed, you will prompted (see example below) to choose the version of Windows Media Player 9.0 you wish to install. This will take you to several other screens (not pictured in this FAQ) which allow you to customize the installation of Windows Media Player 9.0.

      Once the installation of Windows Media Player 9.0 is complete, you may be required to restart your computer. After the computer has rebooted, re-open InterActual Player and click on the High-Definition Feature from the main menu. Follow the onscreen prompts for finishing setup.

    Once the security components are installed, you must agree to the End Use License Agreement to activate the Play button, allowing you to access the High-Definition Feature. If the dialogue does not come up, then click on the "menu" button on the controller (as indicated by the red arrow in the picture below). Then re-enter through the High-Definition link on the main menu.

  3. Issues Related to High-Definition Feature.

    • When the High-Definition Feature starts to play video and all you receive is a black screen or a distorted picture, this may be a sign of needing to upgrade the video card driver on the system. To find out what video card you have and how to upgrade the driver, you may need to contact your system manufacturer or the manufacturer of the video card.
    • If you receive an error message from Windows Media Player when attempting to play the High-Definition Feature try the following:

        1. Click here and follow the instructions under "To reset the Windows Media DRM system".

        2. Navigate to X:\common\win\lang\en\t2x\esource (replacing X with the letter of your DVD drive).

        3. Open one of the .ASX files that begin with "CHAP_" in Windows Media Player.

    Back To Top

IV. Additional Support

  1. Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Why is the movie "letterboxed" on my PC monitor?
    A: The movie itself was filmed in Cinescope 2.35:1 format, which is a very wide format. When shown on a relatively square 4:3 PC monitor, 2.35:1 films have a black area above and below the picture to preserve their aspect ratio. When shown on a more rectangular 16:9, those black areas are much smaller.

    Q: Will the High-Definition feature (Disc 2) play on earlier versions of Windows Media Player?
    A: No - the content will play on WMP9S players only. When the content is first accessed, a check is done to ensure that the Windows Media Player 9 Series (WMP9S) is installed. If it is not on the machine, the user will be prompted to install it directly from the disc. The setup files do not have to be downloaded from the Internet. The reason for this requirement is that WMP9S utilizes new features that present the user with the best possible experience.

    Q: Can I output the 5.1 channel audio to my home theater receiver?
    A: The High Definition feature was not tested in our labs for playback using a 5.1 multi-channel surround sound configuration, as the feature is playing through Windows Media Player and not the InterActual Player software. Please note that the audio track in the High-Definition feature of T2 is not in the Dolby® Digital format, and does not use the AC3 audio standard which is part of the DVD Specification. It is Windows Media Audio, a proprietary audio format developed and supported by Microsoft in the Windows Media Player. So the decoding of the audio from the high-definition feature can only be done by the audio card, which will also be responsible for routing the sound to an amplified, self-contained 5.1 channel speaker system connected directly to it. A Dolby® Digital-compatible receiver will not be able to process the full 5.1 channel output, so playback will be limited to 2-speaker stereo support only. For more information on audio cards and PC speaker systems that support 5.1 channel audio, please click here.

    Q: Is the High-Definition feature (Disc 2) protected with any encryption?
    A: The Windows Media movie on the ROM portion of this disc contains security features that require users to connect to the Internet to receive licenses for the content on the enclosed DVD. There is a 5 day unlimited play license issued to users on the specific PC used to play the content. Consumers will be able to continually renew their license for 5 days at a time, according to the terms of the End User License Agreement (EULA).

    Q: Who set up the DRM protection for the High-Definition Theatrical feature (Disc 2)?
    A: Artisan Home Entertainment determined the specific DRM licensing rules that were applied. The DRM services for the content on this disc are being provided by SyncCast using Windows Media Digital Rights Management. For more information about the technology used to protect content on the disc, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.synccast.com.

    Q: Can anyone watch the content? Are there any geographical restrictions?
    A: Artisan is distributing the DVD in Region 1 (US and Canada) only at this time. The DVD-ROM follows the region restrictions in much the same way that the DVD video does. Only users in Region 1 will be able to unlock the content for viewing.

    Q: You say I need to have Windows Media Player 9 Series on my machine, and I notice InterActual Player is also on the DVD. Why are there two players?
    A: Windows Media Player 9 Series is required for the High-Definition content (Disc 2) on the T2: EXTREME DVD, but you cannot actually use the Windows Media Player software itself to view this feature. Components of Windows Media Player 9 Series run embedded within the DVD ROM interface of the DVD, which is also responsible for obtaining the necessary DRM licenses for the High-Definition feature. The High-Definition content of this DVD is considered a DVD ROM feature, and InterActual Player is required in order to control all of the DVD ROM content for this DVD.

    Q: I receive an error message that I need to insert the DVD-ROM, but the DVD is in the drive. What happened?
    A: The reason for this error message is that the DVDRUN.EXE has not finished running. This error will show up if the "Continue" option is selected very quickly at the T2 Requirements screen in the video menu, or if there was a problem connecting to the license server. To correct the problem, go back to the main video menu, select High-Definition, and wait at the Requirements screen a little longer before clicking Continue.

    Q: At times the chapter headings in the control bar seem out of sync with the video. What causes this?
    A: InterActual Player has a controller application to navigate around the film during playback. There is a small bug that displays improper chapter information that may be encountered if you skip around to other chapters. The chapter headings should sync properly if the movie is played straight through.

    Q: I experience long pauses at several points during playback of the high-definition feature. What is the problem?
    A: The high-definition content consists of a number of separate Windows Media video files, rather than a large single file. These files are organized in a "playlist" in Windows Media Player. The files used by the high-definition feature are very large (some exceed 1 GB in size), and have a significant amount of compression applied to them as well, so it will probably take longer for these files to start up. If you randomly select chapters, it may take 10 seconds or more for your selection to start playing, since the entire video file has to be read from the DVD before the chapter point can be found. This is to be expected, and does not indicate a problem with either your computer or the high-definition feature.

    Q: I have a Dell PC, and it gives me a DVD Sentry warning dialog every time I put the DVD in the drive. What is this?
    A: Dell has a piece of software that detects DVDs and prompts the user to run the Dell installed DVD application, thereby discouraging the use of what they refer to as "third party" DVD players. However, the T2 disc needs the InterActual Player in order to access the DVD ROM features, and the auto-run on the disc specifies this. Users should press the "No" button for the sentry dialog, and let InterActual Player install and run. The InterActual software is only an interface for these extra features; the DVD video software installed by PC manufacturers like Dell is still required as well and will not be overwritten by the InterActual software.

    Back To Top

  2. InterActual Support Website

    In addition to this FAQ, the InterActual support website offers more information and troubleshooting tips on general issues. To access our support website, please close out of this browser window and go to http://support.interactual.com

  3. Contacting InterActual

    If you encounter an issue that is not included in this FAQ or not on our support website, then please close out of this browser window, go to http://support.interactual.com and select the Contact Us link. Please completely fill out the support form, so we can assist you in a timely manner.

    Back To Top
 
Related Links:
 
Patch for systems with Windows Media Player 10 - Click here
 
        

Feedback
 
 
This document...
helps resolve
       my question
does not apply
       to my question
is inaccurate
       for my question
 
  
 
Copyright ©2001-2008 Sonic Solutions. All rights reserverd. InterActual and the InterActual logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions, the leader in DVD decoder, CD burning & DVD burning software; NASDAQ: SNIC Privacy Policy , Terms of Use