Actionscript Media Framework
- How does this framework differ from others, including Adobe's video components?
Adobe's playback components are specifically focused on playing streaming or progressive video. In addition, many people find using it for custom solutions is very daunting. Other solutions in the market seem to focus on providing an all encompassing media player solution. Noting this, we think all of the solutions are excellent and fit specific needs. We are not trying to replace them, but create a product that enables users who are looking for a general media framework to create enterprise applications with. As the title states, Dreamsocket's Media framework is by definition a framework. We try to break down everything into the least dependent units you can have, where you choose what you need. We currently support multiple media types which could be used to create any type of media application. We intend to add in UI control components, various views, cue point management, additional playbacks, playlist, ad engines and more that can be used all together or individually. We want everything to be as decoupled and broken down as simple as possible to let you do whatever you want.
- What makes this product better than similar ones on the market?
Dreamsocket has over 20 years experience in software (10 years specifically with Adobe Flash) and almost a decade in the entertainment industry. We have been actively developing our framework since 2003, and it is used in the highest trafficked sites in the world. Utilizing this experience, we are unparalleled with our understanding and expertise of the broadband media space. With companies like Turner and Disney using it, you can feel secure in knowing that you are using the most professional code base on the market. Dreamsocket is fully committed to evolving the product and offers a robust online support system that includes live docs, issue tracking, version tracking, forums and more.
- Is this product worth the cost?
At Dreamsocket, we operate extremely efficiently. This translates directly to the cost of our products. You can easily see the value that we are offering. For example, if you are paying a developer $20 an hour, they work 8 hours a day, for 3 days, and your cost is $480. If you are looking at a product that has evolved over a series of years, whose development has spanned tens of thousands of hours and that costs less than that, do you think it is worth it? By having a professionally developed and supported framework in your toolkit, you are freeing up your development team to focus on the bigger picture in your applications and are able to bring them to market faster. We like to think that's a lot of bang for the buck.
- Do the components support Flash, Flex or AIR?
Yes. We have developed versions of the source and components that can work in Flash, Flex or AIR projects. Each version is custom tailored for that environment.
- What do I need to install the product?
All products are packaged in a ZIP file, so first and foremost you will need a utility to unpackage the contents. The Flash components/extensions require the Adobe Extension Manager to install them into the Flash development program.
Which development program that a product can be used with varies depending on which component or source you are using. Generally speaking, Flash components require a Flash IDE, Flex components require Flex Builder or the Flex SDK, while the Actionscript source requires an equivalent compiler. Please reference the software requirements page for more specifics on what each product requires. To aid in development and allow for the use of multiple code editing IDEs, we also provide intrinsic classes for our AS2 products and SWCs for our AS3 products.
- What versions of the Flash player are supported?
The AS2 version supports Flash 7+, while the AS3 version supports Flash 9+ and AIR 1+. AS2 swfs can be loaded into AIR 1+, but aren't considered first class citizens without having a gateway to access an AS3 shell. It is also important to note different flash players vary in their support of media formats. Please reference the media framework documentation for more details.
- If I purchase the source is it MTASC and MXMLC compliant?
Yes. The AS2 version is MTASC compliant, and the AS3 version is MXMLC compliant.
- What formats can the playbacks play?
It supports a variety of formats (PNG, JPG, GIF, FLV, MP4, MP4A, MP4V, F4A, F4B,F4V, MOV, 3GP, 3G2, SWF and MP3) using progressive, streaming and range request delivery. However, different flash players vary in what they support. Please reference the media framework documentation for more details.
- What is the IAB, and do the playbacks support IAB standard events?
The IAB is the Interactive Advertising Bureau which sets all the standard practices for advertising on the web. Working within the entertainment industry, our framework has been audited and approved against the IAB standards. Our components generate standard approved events that you can use for IAB tracking purposes.
License overview
| License Type | Company Size | Number of Machines | Updates | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | 1 | 2 owned and operated by the purchaser | 1 year subscription | Unlimited complied applications |
| Small Company | 2-20 employees | Unlimited at a single physical location owned by a single named company | ||
| Medium Company | 21-50 employees | |||
| Large Company | 51+ employees |
- Am I able to resell or transfer my license?
No. By purchasing the license, it becomes bound to you. It is a license. You can not resell or transfer it.
- How am I permitted to use the product?
You can essentially build any application you want for clients or to sell, modifying the source how you see fit, provided that it is in compiled form and is not merely a redistribution of elements of the Framework SDK.
If you would like to distribute the components or source (unmodified or modified) to third parties, each receiving party must purchase a license directly from Dreamsocket. By purchasing it themselves, each third party is then held under the restrictions of the license they purchase. They can not receive elements of a product that don't match their license (example: receive source code for a compiled license). Read more about this in the license agreement.
- Is source code provided?
Yes, source code is provided for both Actionscript 2 and 3 versions.
- What types of support do you offer?
We offer an online support system that includes documentation, tutorials, forums, a version tracker and an issue tracker. It is a robust set of resources that will allow you to interact with us and the rest of our community to address all of your needs.
- How are bugs in the framework handled?
We offer a public issue tracker, where all bugs (features that don't work as defined) can be registered. Any user can submit and track bugs through our tracker. Dreamsocket will patch the code and release updates on a regular basis.
- Will you update the framework and how will I know?
Yes. Update information will appear in our news section, version tracker and newsletters. Both our news and version tracker support subscriptions via RSS. Updated versions along with historical ones will be available for download in your user account. If you need to find out what has changed between versions, the version tracker allows you to sort, filter and view each change over time.
- What are your future plans for the framework?
Our internal branch of the framework is much more extensive. It includes more advanced features, ui elements, ad frameworks, tracking frameworks and more. We have a solid roadmap to bring all of it to consumers. The point is not to rush it and to make sure that it is abstract enough for all the variations of use that we foresee. Quality is the name of our game.
- Do you accept feature requests?
Yes. We provide a public issue tracker that allows you to log feature requests. We will periodically review it and provide polls for customers to vote on their favorite requests.
- Does Dreamsocket offer custom solutions, training, or consulting?
We have worked hard to provide a very robust online support system to fulfill all of your needs. We do have a professional service branch where most of products were originally developed. That noted, we are a small firm and are very picky about our client base so custom work is very limited.
