Is there anywhere I can still get this, or does anyone have a copy that I can get? I'm really interested in this product and feel like a Johnny Come Lately!!

Thanks,

- Brad

It would be useful to have a BIG sticky- or better, something on this forum's "front page" giving the official word on free dv's termination/where to from here.

Mods?

Also, what's the situation regarding distribution of existing copies? Does the eula forbid making copies available to others? What about copies I haven't used! (I have a copy of 1.6 for windows, but I've stuck with 1.3) Could I give that to someone else?

 

Since Avid has stopped offering it, I would say it's no longer available anywhere.  Section 2(a) of the license says it is not allowed to sublicense the software, meaning to me that no one else is allowed to supply the software or give out authorization keys.  That's just my opinion, of course, but I think it's correct.  Section 2(c) goes a bit further.  I think section 4 leaves no doubt.

For anyone who doesn't have a copy of the agreement and wishes to read it, I've attached a copy of the US version to this post.

Hi Brad,

Unfortunately, Avid isn't offering FreeDV anymore. I wish I had better news for you.

Rob, Scott's right in that the EULA agreement is still in place, so you're not allowed to distribute copies of FreeDV. I'll put a sticky at the top of the forum that'll point to the FreeDV web page where people can read the official word from Avid.

adios,
Carl

I fear Scott is right here, license agreement is clear !

Thanks for explaining that, Scott, Carl and Sep. Of course I should have read and memorised the eula- or had it tattoed (in mirror image) on my forehead.

I'm going to continue to use and enjoy free dv on my home machines- it's been a great gift. But I'll stop recommending it enthusiastically to friends, colleagues and strangers I meet in dark alleys.

It seems a shame, but all things must pass. Much respect to the gentle and endlessly helpful moderators.

 

Rob,

Let us know when you've memorized the agreement.  There'll be a test. 

Seriously, though, I hope you didn't take any offense at my answer.  I was only pointing out the specific places to look for the answers.

If anyone is looking for an inexpensive yet very powerful NLE, take a look at Liquid.  As far as I know, it cannot be beat for the value it gives for the price.  I think it does much more than higher-priced NLEs and does it better and faster.

Come by the Liquid forum sometime.

Is Liquid so inexpensive ?

Yes, it is.  Especially for what it can do.

smyers63:

Yes, it is.  Especially for what it can do.

I agree. But if you were using FreeDV to become familiar with the traditional Avid interface, then Liquid is not the for you, you need to move on up to XPRO. But if you just want a powerful little NLE to cut with, then Liquid gives you a lot of bang for your buck!

JJ

No real argument about Liquid as far as features to dollars ratio. It cuts just about anything- mpeg4, mepg2, HDV in a range of flavours.

But... I bought it at work, just so I could cut mpeg2 natively. And I've found I'm using cinematize and xpro instead anyway, because Liquid doesn't work the way I want it to. I guess I need some tutorials. I've cut on Premiere, and I can go back to that, but it's not pleasant. I've tried FCP, and it's ok too, some very nice features- but rather like Premiere in it's "tool-based" approach.

The only other product I've used that approaches Avid for ease of use and a great interface was Edit* which was discontinued a few years back. Maybe I'm just stuck in my ways...

To me, a layman, subleasing, I would take to mean that you cannot necessairly supply your installation SR# to anyone else.  The system and software not being officially "leased" to an end user until the application is installed with the license code.  Once installed, it is leased to an end user.  I don't see an issue personally with 3rd party sites distributing the application since it is free as you still need to go through Avid (or at least did) to get the license codes.

Where the issue becomes a mess to me is that if you download an application from a 3rd party source (any application) you are opening yourself up to the possibiulity of spyware, viruses and malware, etc.  Not a healthy thing for your editing system.

It is out there on 3rd party download sites.  I know, that's where I got my version.  I did however have a license from Avid for the application that I had at one time downloaded and didn't install.  Subsequent upgrades to the computer deleted the old downloaded copy so I downloaded a copy from an unnamed 3rd party and used my official license from Avid for the installation.

To me, other issues aside, it's the same as if I had stored the downloaded file for installation at a later time.

My opinions only and naturally they do not reflect any official policy of anyone.

S.