Hi,

Please see below an official update on Smartsound and Pinnacle Studio:

We are happy to announce that, seeking the best interest of our end users, we have reached an agreement with SmartSound that enables users of Pinnacle Studio 10 software and earlier versions to keep on using their SmartSound content in Pinnacle Studio 12 (and Studio 12.1).   We will continue to offer this ability until such time that we have implemented a plug-in architecture in our Pinnacle Studio software (which we anticipate will be in 2009), subject to the terms of our agreement with SmartSound.  This plug-in architecture will allow third party developers to easily develop plug-ins for Pinnacle Studio, giving the end user access to more content.  Pinnacle Systems will work with and assist such third party developers in developing a plug-in compatible with the Pinnacle Studio architecture.

Thanks Bertrand

 I was itching to tell but was asked to hold back. As I wrote earlier to Mr Leborgne

"I would like to thank you and your team for your hard work on this issue. It was very important to a great many users, a point which was perhaps underestimated by the marketing team when the idea to withdraw support was first announced. However you have shown that you are prepared to listen to your customers, bite the bullet and offer a solution. Your actions and that of Pinnacle are a shining example for all companies in the marketplace and many outside."

 So after 400 + posts and 24000+ views we got a resolution. I would be interested to know what you all think. Personnaly I feel this is the best solution providing Smartsound work with Pinnacle to develop the plugin. So now the pressure moves over to SS.

Ian

bvregille:

Hi,

Please see below an official update on Smartsound and Pinnacle Studio:

We are happy to announce that, seeking the best interest of our end users, we have reached an agreement with SmartSound that enables users of Pinnacle Studio 10 software and earlier versions to keep on using their SmartSound content in Pinnacle Studio 12 (and Studio 12.1).   We will continue to offer this ability until such time that we have implemented a plug-in architecture in our Pinnacle Studio software (which we anticipate will be in 2009), subject to the terms of our agreement with SmartSound.  This plug-in architecture will allow third party developers to easily develop plug-ins for Pinnacle Studio, giving the end user access to more content.  Pinnacle Systems will work with and assist such third party developers in developing a plug-in compatible with the Pinnacle Studio architecture.

 

YES! That is great news! I bought a new PC just so I could buy Studio 12. I loaded 12 and the update from scratch. Then I realized that Smarsound would not work and all work arounds were disabled. But I own 5 Smartsound discs. How will S12 support these? Will there be another patch to restore Smartsound back into S12?

 

Boy am I happy to read this great news.

Thank you Pinnacle, thank you SmartSound Inc. This really appreciated.

Thank you guys who have been posting in the "other thread".

 

fantavet:

Then I realized that Smarsound would not work and all work arounds were disabled. But I own 5 Smartsound discs. How will S12 support these? Will there be another patch to restore Smartsound back into S12?

There is a working work around that allows you to use SmartSound in S12. It's been posted many times in this forum.

Can't point you to it right away, but a search should help you to find it.

Morning all

In todays world, sensible and practical solutions to many problems are hard to come by.

Well done to all who had an input into sorting this matter.

 

Keith

fantavet:

YES! That is great news! I bought a new PC just so I could buy Studio 12. I loaded 12 and the update from scratch. Then I realized that Smarsound would not work and all work arounds were disabled. But I own 5 Smartsound discs. How will S12 support these? Will there be another patch to restore Smartsound back into S12?

Fantavet,

That's what I will call a wrong information. Smartsound was never disabled in Studio 12, content was simply not included anymore (since Studio 11).

If you have an earlier version of Studio as Studio 10 (or previous), you can install your previous version of Smartsound and it will then be available in Studio 12. See this FAQ

If you don't have a previous version of Studio, I'm sorry, but you will have to contact Smartsound...

Thanks I will search for it now. But from what I understood there was a official release from Pinnacle stating that all known workarounds would be disabled with the patch. I read that and gave up trying to get my discs to work. I figured that I would just use Studio 9.4 on my old PC to uses those Smart Sound cds.

But I will search again and see if I can find the post that you mention.

If you have an earlier version of Studio as Studio 10 (or previous), you can install your previous version of Smartsound and it will then be available in Studio 12. See this FAQ

Okay, just saw the previous post. I will read the FAQ. I have Studio 9 but when I installed that it didn't seem to do anything for Studio 12 regarding Smart Sound. I will read the FAQ as I must be missing a step.

 Update: I see that you can't use a Studio 9 disc on Vista. I tried the quick track installer fix supplied by Smartsound but that doesn't seem to work. I will search the forums and keep an eye out for future news on this as I'm sure something will come out where Studio 12 and smartsound will work together again. My situation of having a new install of 12 on a new machine is causing the issue I'm sure. But I can wait on the fix.

fantavet:

Okay, just saw the previous post. I will read the FAQ. I have Studio 9 but when I installed that it didn't seem to do anything for Studio 12 regarding Smart Sound. I will read the FAQ as I must be missing a step.

For Smartsound to work with studio 12 you need your studio 10 disk OR go to the smart sound web site HERE and download the installer interface for studio. Pinnacle did not include this interface with 11 OR 12, it still works you just have to get it from a different location. If you have problems installing this start a new thread, there are solutions to get it to work.

For pinnicle;

This announcement is truly good news for both companies, I hope everyone continues to corporate in the future. I kind of like this solution also, it keeps the pressure on Smartsound to provide the latest drivers and to maybe give full support for the multi-layer music also, which under the old agreement would probably never happen. It was worth the long wait.

"THANK YOU" Pinnacle for listening to your users.  And "Thank you", Bertrand, for publishing the news.

The news is "95% good" and as was said earlier, now the pressure is on SmartSound to work on the plug-in.  When that's announced, then I'll declare it to be "100% good." 

Bertrand, Pinnacle,

Although the original thread is not locked, please do not delete it.  There are many posts in that thread that comment on the value to SmartSound of having SS support in Studio.  It would be good for us to be able to direct SS management to that thread (and some posts in particular).  We don't want their marketing and management teams to make the same mistake Pinnacle started to make.

 

We are happy to announce that, seeking the best interest of our end users, we have reached an agreement with SmartSound that enables users of Pinnacle Studio 10 software and earlier versions to keep on using their SmartSound content in Pinnacle Studio 12 (and Studio 12.1).

What about Studio 12.2? or isn't there going to be a Studio 12.2?

On a more serious note, I'm sure many Smartsounds users will be very pleased with this announcement. I think Timeless Moments deserves a word of praise as well.....

Excellent news!  Well done by all who played a part, both in bringing the issue to attention (Ian - Timeless Moments in particular) and Pinnacle/SmartSound for the resolution.

This is excellent news, thanks to all who helped with the SS issue.  I just bought 7 more SS disks last week bringing my collection to about 25 now.

I think Timeless Moments deserves a word of praise

Yes - From everyone, on all of the Forums!!

If it wasn't for Ian bringing this to everyone's attention in the 1st place, none of us would have been aware of Pinnacle's initial intention to Disable the facility to use SmartSounds WEF S12.1 Patch. The campaign started by Iain, has prevented this from happening.

Virtual s or s (Whatever takes your fancy) are on us. (Hmm...on 2nd thoughts, maybe just a from me, the way things are in the UK. But never mind - It's the thought that counts ).

.

colour:

I think Timeless Moments deserves a word of praise

Yes - From everyone, on all of the Forums!!

If it wasn't for Ian bringing this to everyone's attention in the 1st place, none of us would have been aware of Pinnacle's initial intention to Disable the facility to use SmartSounds WEF S12.1 Patch. The campaign started by Iain, has prevented this from happening.

Virtual s or s (Whatever takes your fancy) are on us. (Hmm...on 2nd thoughts, maybe just a from me, the way things are in the UK. But never mind - It's the thought that counts ).

.

Many thanks to you all for the good wishes. However we are not yet having our kafee und kuchen in Berlin! The final point is to ensure that Smartsound do indeed work with Pinnacle to build a plugin that will work with 12 and upwards. I have already written to Sharon Morgan VP Smartsound asking that question, I hope to get her response when she is back from her holiday next week.

I also spoke with Tanguy Leborgne, VP Worldwide Marketing for Pinnacle, who had the courtesy to not only email me but also to call and let me know this was coming. I asked for clarification on the plugin, his answer is here:

Some clarification indeed:

1 – The plug-in architecture will enable 3^rd party companies like SmartSound to develop their own plug-in. While we are not driving our 3^rd parties and partners strategy, we believe this is an opportunity companies like SmartSound will consider very seriously and we’re here to support them through the development of such plug-ins.

Thank you again for your patience.

Tanguy Leborgne

As soon as I have any further information I will post it.

Ian

First of all my thanks to Ian for ending up with a good result!

I do hope this is going to be taken forward positively by both companies in order that Studio 12 and all its updates will be able to use SmartSound technology, after Studio 12 then that is another round of talks I presume.

Thank you to both companies for listening to the users a point very often overlooked when a product has been released.

justaviking:

Bertrand, Pinnacle,

Although the original thread is not locked, please do not delete it.  There are many posts in that thread that comment on the value to SmartSound of having SS support in Studio.  It would be good for us to be able to direct SS management to that thread (and some posts in particular).  We don't want their marketing and management teams to make the same mistake Pinnacle started to make.

There is no plan to delete the original thread. It was just locked and un-pinned.

Thanks for listening Avid/Pinnacle.

 

Paul W. H

While the plug-in feature is a good one, I will still wait to see what happens with Smartsound and others (ProDad, NewBlue, etc.). When the plug in is available, then I will celebrate. Since 2009 is the tentative date for the next release (NextGen or NextGen Lite?), I would guess that there might not be any more "bug fixes" for S12.

Thanks for the update -- Good News! Thanks to both Pinnacle and SmartSound for working this out. Obviously we'll be happier yet when the plug-in arrangement is in place and working. It's great that some companies do actually listen to their users -- very much appreciated.

Awesome News!!

Studio 12.1 and lower supports smart sound. You can follow the thread where I loaded from scratch studio 8 which was my full version then used studio 10.5 to enable smartsound on a brand new PC thus far is working great.

http://forums.pinnaclesys.com/forums/post/231068.aspx

Thanks for listening Pinnacle.

 

I have a clean machine with Studio12 Plus on it, using XP SP3, latest patch on Studio12. I have 3 Smartsound CDs I want to load up and I want Studio 12 to recognise them and use them. What do I have to do please to make Smartsound be recognised and useable within Studio12? Thanks John