Quicktime 7.4 Upgrade causing problems with Video Editing software?

[gunug]

There is "apparently" a problem with the Quicktime 7.4 upgrade having a DRM function which kills some video-editing software:

http://www.videocopilot.net/blog/?p=130

I don't know this from personal experience but thought some here should hear about it sooner rather than later!

[Xairbusdriver]

Ther've been reports at <MacFixIt>, also, with some suggested fixes. I should have posted this earlier.

[Gregg]

Well, I accepted the upgrade, but I don't own any video editing software.

I thought that was rather nifty how Software Update just told me it was available.   That never happened before....

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

That never happened before...

I would have sworn that was in use in OS 9.

One caution, however, Gregg. Many of us wait a few days/weeks before installing anything just because it's available. There are often bugs in the new stuff that don't appear until a few thousand people run into it and start making reports. Also, I still believe in downloading the larger 'combo' installers for System updates instead of the smaller one you'll get from SW Update. Especially if you don't make every single update that is offered.

Don't let your 'bleeding edge' status go to your head! Think before you update. Backup before you update. Then think about it, again...

[Gregg]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Jan 23 2008, 02:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would have sworn that was in use in OS 9.

If it was, I didn't have it configured to run automatically or something. I had to initiate it myself.

If you decline to download the update, will it ask you again, and again, and again... ?

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

will it ask you again, and again, and again...

Yes and you'll also get snail mail and eventually phone calls late at night!

Seriously, you can set SW Update to completely ignore any item you don't want to bother with. Start up SW Update from the 'grey Apple' menu. It will go and search the stuff available and applicable for your machine. When it finishes, select any item. Go to the "Update" menu and the first item in there is "Ignore Update..." Select that and you will get one more chance to correct your actions; you will be asked if you are sure you want to delete that item from the list presented. If you truly don't want to partake of all the hard work by thousands of dedicated, helpful and caring programmers, just click the "OK" button. You won't ever see that item again!

Later, when you come to your senses (and have found that there are no new bugs introduced) you can change that setting and again see that item and download it. And Apple won't even look down on you.

While you have SW Update running, you might as well check its preferences. Not much there but you can stop the (apparently) daily notices by selecting a weekly check for updates.

HTH's!

[gunug]

I thought the extreme "fix" (going back to the previous version of Quicktime) was rather time consuming:

QUOTE

In these dire cases, when our previously mentioned fixes don't work, your best bet may be a downgrade to QuickTime 7.3, as described below:

Downgrading to QuickTime 7.3 First, make a backup of your current Mac OS X installation with QuickTime 7.4 applied, problematic as it may be. If there is an issue along the way, your valuable data will be safely intact in its current form.

Next, you'll need to perform an Archive and Install process to remove all of the QuickTime update's (and potentially problem-causing) components, and replace them with the components of the older release. Unfortunately, this means you will lose some system settings and some or all third-party system add-ons.

To begin the process, insert your Mac OS X CD or DVD. Restart your machine and hold down the "C" key to boot from the newly inserted disc. Follow the on-screen instructions, and after accepting the license agreement, click "Options." Select "Archive and Install," and check the "Preserve User and Network Settings" option if you'd like to do so.

After the installation process is complete, you will be left with an earlier Mac OS X system that (hopefully) does not suffer from the problems generated by QuickTime 7.4.

Next, download and install the latest version of your OS (Leopard [10.5.1], Tiger [10.4.11], or Panther [10.3.9]) from Apple's download page.

Finally, download and install QuickTime 7.3 from one of the following links:

    * QuickTime 7.3.1 for Leopard [10.5.1]
    * QuickTime 7.3.1 for Tiger [10.4.11]
    * QuickTime 7.3.1 for Panther [10.3.9]

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=2008011811151896

I also saw that the video part of SKYPE had been disabled because of security concerns by the company.  I don't know if anyone here uses it but our experimental school is big on remote tutoring using it!  I realize this is a Windows problem but I thought it might apply to some out there.

[Xairbusdriver]

The above routine is one of the reasons I archive as many of the "To Be Upgraded" item before doing the upgrade. Of course, the next problem, after discovering that there is a problem, is to see if enough original files were actually archived. Sometimes, especially with Apples (and Adobe?) apps, it's next to impossible to find everything related to the main item.

To avoid the problem of missing a file, simply wait a week or two before making these updates. As long as the Mac remains as free of virus/malware/etc. as it is, what is the hurry about 'security' fixes. And if the fix is for something you haven't even had a problem with, there's even less incentive to be "the first one on your block!" Just be a little patient and any problems will soon surface and then you can decide if the risk is worth the update. It's the same principle for handling suspected phishing SPAM, check out the "bait" before swallowing it!

EDIT: MFI now has an alternate method of downgrading to QuickTime 7.3.1 using Pacifist. The write up is a little sparse on details, however.

[Gregg]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Jan 23 2008, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Seriously, you can set SW Update to completely ignore any item you don't want to bother with.

While you have SW Update running, you might as well check its preferences. Not much there but you can stop the (apparently) daily notices by selecting a weekly check for updates.

Thanks, Jim. I ran it through to see it work. Maybe I'll remember later. It was set to "Weekly". Several updates had been applied, apparently when the 10.5.1 update was installed before I picked up the computer.