Tip: Media 100 i Software Codec

The Media 100 i software codec for OSX is finally available to everyone, including Media 100 i customers running Media 100 version 8.2.2. You can download the HD V10.1 installer that includes the Software codec installer from the Media 100 web site. This is a disk image containing the V10.1 installer and the Software Codec installer.

Below is instructions on how to install the SW codec in Media 100 i OSX systems:

Please Note: You may need an Administrator name and password to perform this action

Step 01: Uninstall the Media 100 i hardware codec.

To remove the Media 100 i hardware codec first quit all running OSX applications.

In the Finder, navigate to the root level of your startup harddisk. There, open the "Library" folder and open the "QuickTime" folder within that "Library" folder.

In the QuickTime folder there should be several items, including one named "Media100 Codec.component". This file is needed for QuickTime-based Applications to access the hardware codec on the P6000 board.

To disable the hardware codec, drag the "Media100 Codec.component" file to the Trash. If you are not logged in as an Administrator the Finder will ask for identification as a Administrator. Enter your Administrator name and password into the dialog box.


Step 02: Install the software codec

If you haven't already, download the Media 100 HD V10.1 update.

Depending on your Browser settings the downloaded file should unzip automatically. If it does not unzip, double-click the downloaded file in the Finder.

A Disk-Image named Media 100 HD 10.1 will be mounted. An installer named "Media 100 Codecs Install" is located inside this disk image.

Run this installer. When asking for authentication, enter your Administrator name and password. Read and accept the License Agreement. In the next window, click "Install" to install the Media 100 i, 844/X and HD software codecs.

Now you are able to use the Software codec inside QuickTime-based applications like AfterEffects and Compressor as you did before with the hardware codec. The codec is still named "Media 100 NTSC, Media 100 NTSC-720, Media 100 PAL and Media 100 PAL-720 as with the hardware codec, and all your AE render presets will be intact.

Unlike the Software Transcoder, the software codec will allow to read and write native Media 100 i files with and without Alpha channels exactly the same way the hardware codec does.

You will notice a big performance increment compared to the hardware-based codec, and you may see less conflicts when rendering into Media 100 i codec inside AfterEffects. You even can render in AfterEffects in the Background while continuing to work in Media 100 i in the foreground.

A big thank you to Floh from the Media 100, Crerative Cow forum for posting this mini tutorial.