Sudden expiration
 

Hello,
Several weeks before I've installed Cineform v 3.2 codec (CFHD.dll+ini) on computers on my After Effects render node. Some of them has previously installed evaluation or fullversions for test purposes but i've deactivated them and unistalled them competely. Everything was ok but now some of those computers shows this error message: "Thank you for evaluating this software. Your evaluation period is over. Please visit http://www.cineform.com to purchase the software." just after windows boots or when starting After Effects. Message appears repeatedly and I cannot use those machines in render node.
There is no trail of Cineform in "Remove Programs" control panel nor in Program Files folder. I've tried to reinstall just 3.2 codec with no success.
Is there any chance to get it working without reinstalling whole system? It'll be very time consuming.
Thanks for help

The VfW codec file is installed (by Windows) into C:/WINDOWS/system32/cfhd.dll -- simple delete that file and you should be fine. You might also have the CFHD importer/exporter component (CFHDIO.aex) within AE, that is located without the AE Plugins directories -- that can also be manually deleted. If you used a standard installer for Connect HD or Aspect HD these component are removed by an normal un-install. For manual installs like yours, that requires a manual un-install.

Thank you, David.
Yes, it works, when I delete a CFHD files no error message apears anymore. But I'd like to use Cineform codec for Network rendering and when I install CFHD codec (copy and install CFHD.dll + ini files from main workstation with license) then the message reapear again.
There is probably something hidden in system...
Is it solvable without complete reinstall?
Regards

Do you encode at each of your render nodes or only decoding? Are we only talking about After Effects, or are you using other tools on you render farm?

Just decoding. And After Effects only.

I haven't done any render farm setups with expired components -- only encoding is suppost to expire. Licensing changed with Aspect HD 3.3 a little so you should try that. If the probelm occurs with 3.3 we will look into it.

So you suggest to uprgrade to 3.3 and then try to install CFHD codec from 3.3 version to render computers? Is it necessary to unregistered the license when upgrading?

No, just install the new version.

Ok, done, unfortunately without success. Computer still shows the message just when I start After Effects.

We have now comfirmed that here, and we are looking for a solution.

Hello David,

is there any chance to solve this?

regards

Yes. We are looking to make a small change in the next release of Aspect HD. If we work out a solution before then I will get you that change. However, the CFHD codec that ships with Vegas 6.0 may have the licensing you need (decode only outside of Vegas.) If you need that version email me tomorrow (to remind me to send you a copy.)