Backward Compatibility Questions

1. Can I create backward compatible files that will play on 5.0 RealPlayers?

   There is a specific backward compatibility feature in RealProducer Plus G2. By setting the SureStream Preferences to "RealPlayer 5.0 and later," you can ensure that content created for RealPlayer G2 can also be played by RealPlayer 5.0. This backwards compatibility feature is only available in RealProducer Plus.

2. Can I create backward compatible streams for every target bandwidth?

   No, backward compatibility is supported for only one target bandwidth. The default in RealProducer Plus is to make the lowest target audience the backward compatible stream. For example, if 28K modem, 56K modem and Dual ISDN are selected, backward compatible streams will be created only for the 28K modem target audience.

3. Will enabling backward compatibility increase file size?

   Yes, enabling backward compatibility will increase file size. Typically, file size will increase by 5%-40% depending on the target bandwidth audiences and the options you have selected. For example, if the lowest target bandwidth is Dual ISDN, then the stream with backward compatibility will have a much larger file size than if the lowest target bandwidth was 28K modem.

4. Will creating backwards compatibility increase the processing requirements?

   Yes, enabling backward compatibility will increase CPU load since RealProducer Plus must create an additional set of streams for backward compatibility. This will affect encoding time and encoding speed.

   Total increase in CPU load and time will depend upon which target audiences and codec options you have chosen. If your lowest target audience is Dual ISDN, you will see more system usage than if the lowest target bandwidth was 28K modem.

5. Can RealProducer Plus G2 create backward compatible single rate files?

   Single rate streams do not support the backward compatibility feature. Backward compatibility is a function of the SureStream technology. Single rate files, by definition, do not use any SureStream features.

6. Why are backward compatible files not working after they have been modified with either the RMEditor or RMEvents utilities?

   A problem was discovered in the Windows versions of the RMEdit and RVEvents tools. Because of the problem, SureStream files with backward compatibility enabled could not be successfully played after the files had been modified with either of the utilities.

   A resolution has been found for the problem and there is now a patch that can be downloaded and installed. Click the link below to download the patch. After completing the download and installing the patch, the utilities will successfully modify backwards compatible files.

   RM utilities patch

7. Can I use my 5.0 RealServer to stream files encoded with RealProducer Plus G2?

   Yes, in a limited set of circumstances, you can encode files with RealProducer Plus G2 and serve them from a 5.0 RealServer. The only instance where this works, is if you are creating a static SureStream file with a backwards compatibility stream.

   You cannot do live encoding to the 5.0 RealServer. Also, you cannot do single rate encoding to a static file and stream it from the 5.0 RealServer. The only way to use your RealServer 5.0 with RealProducer Plus G2 is to create static SureStream files with backward compatibility enabled.