MEP Update states "...free for One Year..." = ?

Tesityr wrote on 2/12/2019, 8:04 PM

Sorry to post yet again in the Forum, after posting just recently, but I was just wondering about a pop-up notification I am seeing with my recent install of Movie Edit Pro Plus, where it shows an Update is available... While helpful, it has a line in it that states "All new Updates free for One Year" and another that says "Unlimited Use of the Program".

Please excuse my ignorance regarding this, but these two phrases seem to suggest to me, that if I install this Update, MEP will no longer be a 'permanent/installed' program and become a Subscription-Based service application that I will have to start paying yearly to utilize.

While not the worst thing in the world, I was under the impression that paying a larger amount up front for Movie Edit Pro meant that it would already be an 'unlimited use' program - as long as it is installed in my system...

Another thing that was unsettling, was that when I went to begin to Install this Update, it said that it would "Replace the current Movie Edit Pro"... Of course, it could just mean the VERSION of the program; but it did not state that. I cancelled the Installation for the moment...

It could be more the phrasing chosen in these instances, than what may be in actuality, thus I am asking if this is the case: if I install this Update, will MEP cease to be a 'permanent/installed' application, and become a Subscription-Based one?
It is not a huge negative against MAGIX (many programs are becoming this, these days); it is just not one I desire at this point in time, for MEP.

Thanks for any input

Comments

browj2 wrote on 2/12/2019, 9:51 PM

Hi,

I presume that when you purchased you got the 2018 version, whereas the current version is 2019.

Read about the Update Service here.

Note the part under unlimited use. With a purchase (or an extension which you can get by clicking on Upgrade to see the price) you receive updates and patches for 1 year. Updates include new features and new versions. After 1 year, you will be advised (normally) that the year is up and offered an extension of 1 year at a discounted price. This is basically the same as Upgrading. The big thing is that if you don't renew, the program keeps working, unless if you have to reinstall the program for some reason, it will revert back to the version that you had when you last paid. So, the Update Service is like an advance on new features and versions which you pay for in the future, if you want or need to. If you don't like any new features/versions that have come out since you paid, then don't renew (unless you have to reinstall). Wait until you see what you like and then simply Upgrade for the same price, locking in whatever was available at the time of payment.

In your case, you are likely within 1 year of purchase and are being offered the new version for free (future consideration). There are still some problems with 2019 that Magix has to sort out, but you likely won't notice. Take a look at the threads about the updates to see the bugs. Also, look at the New Features on the Magix.com site.

The 2018 version will be removed and replaced by the 2019 version. Most of us did this. Once installed, you should check for a patch and install it; current version is 18.0.2.235. Then go under Help, Install extra content, and then Download extra content with the install screen appears. Download and install everything, same as you did when you purchased and installed MEP. Unfortunately, MEP does not keep or use the previous extra content and it has to be done again.

As for the splash screen with the update notice, that is just telling you that this update is actually a new version with the listed new features.

Lastly, do not pay anything or upgrade until your year runs out. One user bought a regular version of ACID Pro and then went and purchased the 365 version, which is a real subscription (it stops working when the contract ends or if you don't pay). He ended up with 2 identical products.

HTH

John CB

Tesityr wrote on 2/13/2019, 1:09 AM

Hi,

I presume that when you purchased you got the 2018 version, whereas the current version is 2019.

<snip>

HTH

John CB

Thank you very much John, for your informative reply - I did run the installation/update and it seemed to work without issue - nice to see them offering Upgrades for a time!

I gather from your last paragraph that this will not 'convert' my purchase into a Subscription format of the application, and this seems to be so.

I am a little concerned about the phrasing in the "Unlimited Use" portion of their Update Service, that states:

"If you reinstall the program after one year, you will have access to the basic version."

I really hope they don't mean that if one purchased the Premium Version, that it will only Install the Basic Version in the future (eg. a few years down the road, after a PC upgrade)… That would be unfortunate...

Thanks for your info, regardless

emmrecs wrote on 2/13/2019, 4:30 AM

@Tesityr

I really hope they don't mean that if one purchased the Premium Version, that it will only Install the Basic Version in the future (eg. a few years down the road, after a PC upgrade)

No, it doesn't mean that. What you will have, if you need to reinstall but do not have a current paid-for Update Service, is the version of the program that you originally downloaded. IOW, if you originally bought and downloaded MEP Premium, version x.x.xx.x, any reinstall will give you MEP Premium, version x.x.xx.x.

HTH

Jeff

FunkyB wrote on 2/13/2019, 7:19 AM

Hi,

I'm a new user and am looking for a little more clarification about this. Today I purchased Move Edit Pro Premium for the first time, after installing the trial version (18.0.2.225). I got a serial number by email, and used it to activate the already installed trial. I also used the download link in the email to save the installer. However, that version is 18.0.1.209 older than one I already have installed (according to the filename and Explorer properties dialog). There are several bugfixes noted in the 18.0.2.225.

Since my serial number activated 18.0.2.225 today, which I still have the installer for, is that the version I'm locked to? Or am I locked to 18.0.1.209 which I have never installed and don't even know how well it works? No updates were installed during the trial period (it only took me one day to decide I needed the full version).

emmrecs wrote on 2/13/2019, 8:59 AM

@FunkyB

Welcome to the Magix forums.

First, the latest version is 18.0.2.235, so I'm not sure whether you have simply mistyped the numbers or you are actually still one version behind!

If you keep the trial version installer safely stored on your computer, if/when you need to reinstall after the Update Service has expired, and assuming you do not pay to extend that service, the version you reinstall will be that "trial" version, which will be able to be unlocked and converted to the full version by entering your supplied serial number. IOW, you will be back to the version you currently have. Clearly, however, in this scenario, any updates to that version will NOT be available to you.

HTH

Jeff

FunkyB wrote on 2/14/2019, 1:39 AM

OK, I understand. Yes, the installer version is 18.0.2.225 (which installs as a trial first). I just checked the download for the trial from the product page and it's still 18.0.2.225. I will keep that version of the installer as my backup, then (rather than the older one from My Products). I just got a notification that ...235 is available, but I'm going to stick with .225 until I get to know it so that I have a basis for comparison with future updates.

browj2 wrote on 2/14/2019, 9:31 AM

@FunkyB

That's not how it works. The "versions" like 235 are patches, meaning that they fixed bugs. You likely won't see any difference between 225 and 235.

https://www.magix.info/us/forum/movie-edit-pro-new-patch-18-0-2-235--1221856/

I suggest that you update to the latest patch unless you see somewhere on this site that there were major problems with a particular patch.

John CB

Tesityr wrote on 2/14/2019, 7:15 PM

If I may pop back in, thank you very much for all of this helpful information! 👍

Take care,

FunkyB wrote on 2/15/2019, 4:13 AM

With a purchase (or an extension which you can get by clicking on Upgrade to see the price) you receive updates and patches for 1 year. Updates include new features and new versions.

The big thing is that if you don't renew, the program keeps working, unless if you have to reinstall the program for some reason, it will revert back to the version that you had when you last paid.

but...

The "versions" like 235 are patches, meaning that they fixed bugs.

So, are patches (bug fixes, not new features) available to install on a properly activated product even when your Update Service is expired? (Based on emmrecs' post, we could expect patch version numbers to be those smaller than the last x of "x.x.xx.x".) On the other hand, feature updates and new versions can be installed only while you have a current Update Service contract?

Sorry for so many questions. I also appreciate your taking the time to explain. This sales and distribution model is new to me. It would certainly be nice if bug fixes to a given version were considered separately from "Updates".

emmrecs wrote on 2/15/2019, 4:21 AM

@FunkyB

So, are patches (bug fixes, not new features) available to install on a properly activated product even when your Update Service is expired?

No. Any update/patch/bug fix, call it what you will, is only available if the user has a current Update Service. This latter is free for one year from the date of original purchase but then must be renewed (purchased) if the user wishes to continue to receive any further updates

Jeff.

FunkyB wrote on 2/15/2019, 5:33 AM

So what I said in my post on 2/14 *is* how it works. I will not be applying any updates until I am well familiar with 18.0.2.225 as that is the only version I have actually paid for beyond one year. Since this is what I paid for, I expect it to work with no critical bugs without needing to subscribe to any other services. Anything else is just a forced subscription in disguise.

It only takes one bad and unanticipated Windows update to require reinstalling software so I can't base my workflow on something I can't freely reinstall. Contrary to the stated intent of the Update Service, whether I purchase additional updates will mostly depend on my experience with the base version I have, not temporary updates. This sounds harsh but having to subscribe just to get bug fixes for something I already paid for is a non-starter. Going by version (not year necessarily) would make more sense.

It will be interesting to see if this business model holds up over time as it's a double-edged sword for MAGIX as well (if you have to pay to reinstall what you were using, you're much more likely to look at alternatives before doing so).

The software itself seems very good, so far though.

emmrecs wrote on 2/15/2019, 6:26 AM

@FunkyB

I will not be applying any updates until I am well familiar with 18.0.2.225 as that is the only version I have actually paid for beyond one year.

That is clearly your choice, though not one that the majority of users here, myself included, would go along with!

Since this is what I paid for, I expect it to work with no critical bugs

I confess to knowing of no software ever released that would fulfil this desire! 😭 In an ideal world ALL software would work perfectly and be bug-free right from the date it is first released but IME it just doesn't, and perhaps actually can't, happen. Just think of the myriads and myriads of hardware and software combinations that can and do exist for Windows computers! How is any manufacturer to ensure bug-free operation, critical or otherwise, on every one of them?

It only takes one bad and unanticipated Windows update to require reinstalling software

In a worst case scenario, I would fully agree. But to then essentially berate Magix for not allowing you to possibly reinstall back to whichever version you had prior to the Windows "problem" because you have chosen not to renew your Update Service after one year seems a little "strange", to say the least. Magix cannot be held responsible for what Microsoft might or might not do!! 😀

It will be interesting to see if this business model holds up over time as it's a double-edged sword for MAGIX as well

It will indeed be "interesting" but this current model has been in operation for some time now and I have seen no evidence that it is actually working to the detriment of MAGIX AG.

Contrary to the stated intent of the Update Service, whether I purchase additional updates will mostly depend on my experience with the base version I have, not temporary updates

Can you show exactly where this "stated intent" is printed? I have to confess to never having seen it.

Jeff