Neo Karate ProVideo Player 1.1

A free specialized video player for Windows with enhanced playback features for detailed review of video files.

Contents

User Testimonials
Features
Screen Shots
Keyboard Shortcuts
Why and How
Download
Updates
Notes

User Testimonials

This video player is great! Perfect for watching and analyzing tricks videos! Congratulations!    -Beat "Billy" Bilang

This was just what I needed, I've gotten headaches of watching clips looping at full speed just trying to figure out the moves. Keep it up! This is a keeper!    -Kim Erik Hang

This is awesome, GREAT JOB!!!    -Greg "Parodox77"

It looks sweet.    -reverse540

You did a great job, thanks.    -Jedi Trickz

If you haven't already, . . . go run on over and download it - it is really useful for analyzing techniques!    -Justin "Jubei" King

Features

• Plays all video files that Windows Media player can play. (mpeg, avi, mov, asf, etc.)*
• Variable speed playback from 10% to 200% of the original speed (great for slow-mo).
• Speed can be changed while playing.
• Instant jump back 1 to 9 seconds during playback for quick "let's see that again" replay.
• Single frame advance and review.
• Custom in and out points in order to loop a segment of the video.
• Video can be scaled 50%, 100%, 200% or 400% of original size.
• File list of videos in current folder.
• Single click playback of videos in file list.
• Full keyboard control.
• Tool tips.

Screen Shots

Standard size; all features visible; video size is 320x240

Smallest size of player; no file list; playback speed set by pressing number keys.

Full screen maximized player (800x600) displaying a video at 200% (640x480).

not actual size

Keyboard Shortcuts

Tool Panel
Z: Stop
X: Play (normal speed)
C: Pause
V: Play (custom set speed)
B: One Frame Backward
N: One Frame Forward
M: Jump Back x Seconds
Shift + Ctrl + [1-9]: Set x (1-9 seconds)
<: Set In Point
>: Set Out Point
/: Reset In/Out Points

Speed
[1-9]: Video Speed (10%-90%)
0: Video Speed 100%
Shift + [1-9]: Video Speed (110%-190%)
Shift + 0: Video Speed 200%

Position
End: Video Position End
Home: Video Position Start
Ctrl + [1-9]: Video Position (10%-90%)
Ctrl + 0: Video Position 100% (End)

Zoom
Alt + 1: Zoom 50%
Alt + 2: Zoom 100%
Alt + 3: Zoom 200%
Alt + 4: Zoom 400%

Misc
Alt + F: File List Display Toggle
Alt + G: Get File
Alt + I: Info Tabs
Alt + L: Loop Toggle
Alt + S: Sound Toggle

Why and How

I wanted a video player that would let me examine action videos in slow motion and frame-by-frame in an efficient manner. I searched the best site I knew for shareware software and found 130 video players. After reading the descriptions I downloaded and tried 7 that I felt had potential. Only one came close to the features I wanted, but that player could only play AVI files. It turned out it was easier for me to write my own player using a VFW web site and free video ocx. 

Why put it on the Internet? I consider myself a software developer and figured it was time I released some freeware. I've used and enjoyed other programmers' programs so it was my chance to "give" something back. It was easy. Once I had a program working for my personal use, I just had to clean things up a bit and package it for distribution.

Why for free? I'm a nice guy; what can I say:-). If I spend more time on it like to replace the ezavi.ocx with code, make a nicer interface with pretty buttons, and add more features, then I may consider making it shareware and asking some bucks for it. As it is, use for free. If you like it I wouldn't mind hearing about it.

Download

Definitely need program files setup:

provideosetup.zip - 337 Kb  Setup for ProVideo 1.1 (program files only)

Unzip the files to a temporary folder and run setup.exe. (Get WinZip for free here.)

Might or might not need support files setup:

vbrun60sp3.EXE - 1,037 Kb (Windows 95 & 98, NT 4.0, 2000) You might need to install these extra files if they aren't already on your computer. (Search for the file msvbvm60.dll on your computer) 

If you get an error while trying to install ProVideo then you probably need to install the support files first. It also won't hurt installing the support files if you already have them installed.

Version 1.1 (Feb. 3, 2001)

- Made a minor fix to video window resizing.
- Added an INI file to save window size and position, most recently used folder, and other user options.

Version 1.0 (Nov. 26, 2000)

Initial release.

Updates

This was a real quick program I wrote that works very well for what I needed. I'm not planning any major updates.

One major feature I might add, if I feel so inclined, is the ability to have a second video window. It would make it easier to compare two videos side-by-side. They could even be linked so, for example, clicking the frame advance button would affect both. This way you could compare Steve Terada's sideswipe with a video of your sideswipe easier than using two players, which you can do with version 1.1.

I'm not going to bother collecting email addresses for an update list so check back once in a while to see if there is an update. However, I will mention updates in the regular Neo Karate newsletter, but it's not worth signing up for that newsletter if you're not interested in sport karate and this site.

Notes & Help

* The player actually hooks into Windows VFW drivers so technically any video file types that Windows Media Player recognizes should work with ProVideo. However, there could be exceptions. I did notice a problem playing one specific file compressed with a divx codec, although other files using the same codec worked fine.

- To uninstall. Click Start|Settings|Control Panel, then double-click the "Add/Remove Programs" icon, select "ProVideo Player" and click the "Add/Remove" button.

- For more help and tips visit the Message Board.

- The screen shots are of the original Combastics "GoblePro" version.

- The videos in the file list of the screen shots are the videos from the first Combastics ASKOT Championship & Showcase.

- Send email to zolt[a]neokarate.net if you have comments, questions, or suggestions about the player.