Easy-Scout Professional Version 2.71

Last month, we began shipping Easy-Scout Professional 2.71. We expect this will be the final release that adds features or functionality until after the coming (2009) football season.

Version 2.71 adds two features to Version 2.7, both significant.  Version 2.71 is available as a free update to registered Easy-Scout Pro users of any version equal to, or greater than 2.6, which was released in November 2008.  This is consistent with our policy of providing updates based on the “football season”, as opposed to on a calendar-year basis.

Intelligent Default Wizard

Of the two new capabilities in Version 2.71, the one most noticeable is the new Intelligent Default “wizard”. The name was chosen for the “intelligence” that it extends to the scouting data and video editing screens.

Intelligent Defaults TM have been part of all Easy-Scout products for over 20 years, and have been included in Easy-Scout Professional since it was first released in 2006.  Until Version 2.71, however, the time-saving, and accuracy-checking benefits of Intelligent Defaults TM  were available only when using Easy-Scout’s special “ADD MODE”, which saves video and play information, increments the Play Number, and creates a new play with Intelligent Defaults TM .

In short, the Intelligent Default TM wizard has the ability to adjust the values of the Down, Distance and Field Position for any play, at any time, based on the results of the Previous Play.  This is particularly useful in what we call “2 pass editing”, when a game is first “cut” into ODK, and then later, revisited to record additional data for each play – either to produce tendency reports or to expand the “search” criteria that can be used for video analysis and producing cutups.

Combined with the new Quick Cut editor screen added in Version 2.6, the Export Video module added in Version 2.65, and the Split Game Utility added in Version 2.7,  the Intelligent Default wizard completes a new set of functions that collectively represent significant improvement in the Video Editing, Video Analysis and Tendency Reporting capabilities of the program when compared to last season’s version (2.5).

Time based Registration module with License Transfer support

Another significant, but less obvious improvement that has been implemented in Version 2.71 is an optional Registration Module that supports “time-based” licensing.   In short, the new registration module can be configured either for “license purchase” customers – which have historically represented 95 percent of Easy-Scout Professional users, or existing (grandfathered)  Season Pass subscription customers.

Season Pass was a program we offered as a pilot program last season and discontinued due to insufficient interest (due largely, we believe, to the highly affordable price and low cost of ownership for Easy-Scout Pro when compared with other video editing software for football coaching).  With the improvements in Version 2.71, we are considering a reintroduction of a “new and improved” Season Pass program for next season.

For existing users (the 95 percent that purchase an Easy-Scout Pro license), the license transfer option in Version 2.71 adds a low cost, and in some cases, no-cost way to add license portability in a way that can mean significant cost savings.  In short, the License Transfer option in Version 2.71 makes it possible to avoid having to purchase an additional license when a computer is replaced with a new one.   Additional details about the License Transfer option is available by contacting a Technical Support representative.

Version 2.71 availability

Users of Easy-Scout Professional will be contacted with information about updating (free) or upgrading (reduced cost) their Easy-Scout Professional software to Version 2.71.   Full details are available also by visiting the CompuSports web site at www.compusports.com

Easy-Scout XP Plus Spring Savings Promotion

Recently, we announced a promotion for the month of May that offered significant savings on the latest version of our scouting software – Easy-Scout XP Plus.

The promotion offered across-the-board savings on Easy-Scout XP Plus products, and was used to introduce our new, Personal Edition at a price that represents a “rollback” of sorts to level last seen in the late 90’s.

The Personal Edition, intended for individual coaches, can be installed on two computers and is available online as a Digitial Download from the CompuSports Media Exchange.

Easy-Scout XP Plus continues to be available on CD in a Staff Edition, that also includes a download option for coaches that want to get started quickly.  The Staff Edition can be purchased both online and offline (by mail, fax using checks or purchase orders).

The two editions of Easy-Scout XP Plus are identical in functionality, and differ only in the number of coaches that can use the software and the payment options that are available.  

Full details are available at www.compusports.com

Choosing a Windows Vista Version

Computers that run Windows nowadays come equipped with Windows Vista. Since Windows Vista comes in five versions, with most versions available in both 32 Bit and 64 Bit variations, its important that the correct one is selected.

As far as whether to choose the 32 Bit or 64 Bit Edition, we recommend the 32-bit edition for its far superior compatibility in general, but specifically with the products published and distributed by CompuSports (over the 64 Bit edition, but not over Windows XP unfortunately).

As far as whether to choose Vista Home Premium, Vista Ultimate or Vista Business, in most cases Vista Home Premium is the best choice. We do not recommend upgrading the operating system on a computer that already has Windows XP to any version of Windows Vista.

For a full discussion of the details behind these recommendations, read Critical Windows Vista Purchase Considerations in the Coaches Advisor Journal.

Click here for an overview of the Versions of Windows Vista

Click here for detailed specifics about the features included and not included in each one

Easy-Scout Professional 2.51 Released

We just released an update for Easy-Scout Professional Version 2.5 that was introduced last November.  The new version features updated Report Groups that better organize the reports that were included in the new Reporting module introduced in Version 2.5 as well as a new Report Index report.  In addition, the "Back" and "Forward" buttons were adjusted to complement the behavior of the new Reverse and Forward Video Playback controls in Windows Media Player 11.

Easy-Scout Professional 2.51 is available in a full install for new purchasers and trial users as well as existing users that purchase an additional license. It is also available for purchase by users of Versions 1.0 through 2.14 as an upgrade.

Released with Easy-Scout Professional 2.51 is a new version of the Easy-Scout Database Utilities – Version 1.1. The new utilities include a new function to update the Report Groups after applying the Version 2.51 Update to an existing installation without interfering with any user-defined Report Groups.

* Changes that Microsoft made in January 2008 to the Windows Installer in Windows XP required modifications to the Version 2.5 installer for Easy-Scout Professional. The changes only affected Windows XP and not Windows Vista. The installer for Version 2.51 replaces all prior installers of 2.5 shipped or downloaded between November 2007 and March 14, 2008.

There are no known issues with installers shipped prior to November 2007 or after March 14, 2008.

Easy-Scout XP Plus upgrades now available – download at www.compusports.com

Easy-Scout XP Plus - the newest member of our Easy-Scout family can now be ordered as an upgrade by existing Easy-Scout XP users. Available in both CD and Download format, Easy-Scout XP Plus combines the capabilities of its predecessor, Easy-Scout XP and its advanced game analysis and reporting companion, the Easy-Scout Analyzer into a single, “streamlined” football scouting program that runs on BOTH Windows XP and Windows Vista. 

Despite its similarities, Easy-Scout XP Plus is much more than a combination of two products – something that is evident immediately when using the new Search/Analysis Grid and Reporting module.   Our development team worked hard to deliver these additional capabilities without adding to the complexity of the program – particularly for first-time users.  The result, we think is a “tighter feel” than had been the case when Easy-Scout XP and Analyzer were separate programs, due in part to an effort to reduce the number of ”buttons” on the search grid. 

Easy-Scout XP Plus is available at a special upgrade price to registered users of previous Easy-Scout products.

Click here for full details, a trial version and more information.

Windows Vista compatibility update for CompuSports products

When Windows Vista was released in January 2007, we knew it was only a matter of time before the need to attain Vista “compatibility” would become a necessity for software publishers.  Despite an avalanche of criticism from all corners of the computing community, including the recently “awarded”, dubious designation as PC World’s “biggest disappointment of the year”,  what Microsoft wants, Microsoft gets. Its that simple.

As the PC World article points out, “Vista will come to dominate the PC landscape, if only because it will become increasingly hard to buy a new machine that doesn’t have it pre-installed.”  While Retail buyers (those that buy computers in stores like Circuit City, Best Buy, Staples and the like) found this to be true almost immediately after Vista’s release, companies that sell computers to business and insitutional buyers have been permitted to offer their customer a choice of Windows XP or Windows Vista, and will be permitted to do so until June 2008.

The unfortunate part of all of this for new computer buyers is that the cost of purchasing a new computer that runs Windows Vista does not end with the cost of the computer. Many “peripherals” like printers and video capture devices don’t work on Vista and need to be replaced.  The story is the same for software, particularly specialized software of the kind that coaches purchase for coaching-specific tasks.

We had a two-pronged approach to Windows Vista at CompuSports. Like most publishers that want to remain in business for the long haul, we made a commitment to invest in the future viability of our Easy-Scout, Easy-Cut and Easy-Recruiter products. 

The first prong in our strategy was to develop Vista-compatible versions of our video editing products, which we did shortly after Vista was released. Easy-Scout Professional 2.0 , and Easy-Cut 2.1shipped in March with Windows XP and Windows Vista compatibility.  In each case, the application itself required significant modifications in order to run at all on Windows Vista, and since a new computer, often a laptop, is often purchased to run Video Editing software, that was our priority.

The second part of our strategy was to focus on those products that were typically installed on “office” or school computers, since there was a greater likelihood that Windows XP would be slower to “disappear”. With just a few exceptions, we found this to be the case, and in fact, expect Windows Vista to have a slow uptake in schools due to the fact that schools, like business, “have a choice”. The two products in this category were our Easy-Scout XP (football scouting) and Easy-Recruiter (athletic recruiting) applications.

Easy-Recruiter was shipped early this fall in a Vista-compatible version, that itself has been updated one time in early December to resolve what had been an intermittent, yet nagging issue. 

Easy-Scout XP, while delivered in a Vista-compatible immediately upon Vista’s release,  had a design that made it somewhat inconvenient for Vista users to install and run.  Plus, its companion product, Analyzer 2006 was not Vista compatible and we learned that it would only function on Vista with a major overhaul. 

For these reasons, our approach with Easy-Scout XP and Analyzer was to “consolidate” the two products and offer them in a single, Windows XP and Windows Vista compatible product.  That product, Easy-Scout XP Plus, was shipped last month (November). In addition to consolidating the products, we took the opportunity to enhance the analysis and reporting module that had been in Analyzer before releasing Easy-Scout XP Plus. The result is a better product, where we believe 1+1=3.

While not free, these Vista-compatible versions are available at reduced upgrade pricing to current users. Season Pass subscribers for Easy-Scout Professional automatically receive the latest version with their subscription renewals, and software maintenance agreement holders receive them as needed.

Using your “mini-DV” Camcorder to convert VHS tapes

Even though topics such as this tend to be highly technical in nature and not limited to our software products, a recent article in www.coachsadvisor.com dealing with this subject has generated a lot of interest and questions from coaches. This is no surprise, since few coaches are so fortunate that they never have a need to convert a VHS tape or a DVD to a digital format that is “sports editing software-friendly”.

Since our product designs are based on the belief that there is no justification to reinvent the wheel when doing so adds cost, complexity or difficulty for the user, it makes sense that when we discover ways to reduce one or more, we make sure not to keep it a secret.  Coaches fortunate enough to have a camera that supports “digital pass through” should really consider this technique. 

To this end, I decided to include two links for current or prospective users of CompuSports’  Video Editing Software Easy-Scout XP Professional and Easy-Cut that want to explore this method of converting “analog” video sources to Digital.

The first link takes you to the Microsoft web site and applies to Windows XP Users . The article has some very useful diagrams as well as step by step instructions.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/21/dvpassthrough.mspx

 The second link takes you to a recent Coachs Advisor article that covers the topic in general and has a link to a similar Microsoft web site article that applies to Windows Vista users.

 http://coachsadvisor.blogspot.com/2007/10/convert-your-vhs-tapes-with-windows.html

New version of Easy-Scout XP scouting software for 2008

It’s been a big year at CompuSports in 2007, and we’re charging hard to the finish line as we prepare to refresh our Easy-Scout product line for its 25th Anniversary.

In a year that kicked off with the January release of the long-awaited Windows Vista, a host of ensuing challenges were faced by computer users and software developers (both large and small) alike.   Despite it being virtually impossible to avoid Windows Vista if a person wanted to buy a new computer in a Retail Store, Windows XP enjoyed a surprising resurgence in popularity that resulted in Microsoft extending its life - not to mention scratching its head.

By mid-summer, to the surprise of many, Windows Vista started appearing in a number of school environments but soon it became clear that Microsoft had used its war chest to “nudge” the process along.  As we close out 2007, its still a mixed bag as far as what works on Vista, what doesn’t and what “never will”.

In the case of our Easy-Scout product line, we chose to focus our developers’ efforts last fall (a year ago) on Easy-Scout XP Professional, as it was clear that due to the way Windows Vista handles video, major changes would be required. This filtered through to Windows XP users as Vista’s Windows Media Player 11 was “pushed out” by Microsoft early this year via Windows Update. Like Windows Vista, Windows Media Player had a number of “issues”, but unlike Vista, they were quickly worked out.

By late Spring the final 2007 updates for both Easy-Scout Professional and Easy-Cut were released – in plenty of time for the 2007 fall sports season.  Quickly, our development  efforts turned to our Easy-Scout XP and Analyzer scouting products, since only Easy-Scout XP itself was Vista-compatible.   After studying a number of options,  the logical direction was clear: Easy-Scout XP and Analyzer would be combined into a single product (much like we did with Easy-Scout Professional ) based on Easy-Scout XP.

Easy-Scout to Celebrate 25 years of helping coaches build game plans

Easy-Scout, first released in January of 1984 will be available in two versions for the 2008 season: Easy-Scout XP Plus, the replacement for Easy-Scout XP, and Easy-Scout XP Professional a video-enabled version of Easy-Scout XP Plus. Both are fully compatible with Windows XP AND Windows Vista.

Easy-Scout XP Plus combines the functionality of Easy-Scout XP and Analyzer into a single product. This new “scouting” product includes a number of “under the hood” improvements and adds the advanced analysis and reporting modules previously offered in Easy-Scout XP Analyzer, along with a number of improvements and additions to its extensive library of reports.

Learn more about Easy-Scout XP Plus

Easy-Scout XP Professional adds a number of video editing features to the capabilities found in Easy-Scout XP Plus, including the ability to watch video while recording scouting data and then quickly search for, retrieve and view plays from one or more games. Easy-Scout Professional can produce cutups and highlights using an external recording device, such as a VCR, DVR or DVD Recorder and is available in a special bundle with Easy-Cut, that adds advanced video editing and cutup functionality for those who need it.

New features scheduled to debut in 2008 include support for intercutting two or more camera angles and a number of other enhancements.

Learn more about Easy-Scout XP Professional

New Video Editing Software Demonstrations

We’ve just completed a number of animated demonstrations for our Easy-Scout Professional and Easy-Cut products.

 The demonstrations are accessible from the main page in the Online Help system for each program, the trial download pages, and the CompuSports Technical center.  ”Offline” versions that do not require an internet connect are available on request to licensed users.

The new demonstrations include the following titles for Easy-Scout Professional:

Easy-Scout Professional Game Menu – Understanding and Using the Game Menu. Covers Adding, Editing, Viewing and Deleting Games. Also covers using the Game Properties function to link a video file to scouting from any Easy-Scout product.

Easy-Scout Professional Play Entry process – detailed, step by step explanation of entering plays into Easy-Scout Professional, using the “scouting” or “data-only” mode. An essential skill  for using Easy-Scout Professional for scouting, video editing, or both.

Easy-Scout Professional Video Editor – detailed, step by step explanation of the Video Editor controls and how they work.  Shows use of the Video Editor after selecting a game for editing that has already been started.

Easy-Scout Professional Video Analyzer – introduction to the Video and Data Analyzer.  Illustrates the design of the Video Analyzer “form” after selecting one or more game for analysis.

Making Cutups and Highlights with Easy-Scout Professional – introduces the Video Analyzer’s tools for performing searches and creating cutups and highlights. Explains Movie Projects and how Easy-Scout Professional and Easy-Cut work together to create advanced cutups and highlight videos.

Reporting with Easy-Scout Professional – overview and detailed, step by step explanation of the Report Manager in Easy-Scout Professional. Shows use of Report Manager for viewing and/or printing one or more reports, for single games or groups of games.  Also covers the Report Group feature to provide fast access and better organization of the 100+ reports included in the program.

Easy-Cut Demonstrations include:

Editing Video – demonstrates the functionality of the Video Editor and how to use it to view digital video and mark plays for selective playbacks and to produce cutups and highlights.

Creating Video Cutups – demonstrates the steps involved in creating video cutups in Easy-Cut. Begins with importing from Easy-Scout movie projects and illustrates the use of the Project Manager for organizing plays and building projects.

Season Pass Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve been getting quite a few questions about the Season Pass, 1 year subscription option that was announced a short time ago. 

A few of the most frequently asked questions about the Season Pass licensing alternative.

Question : I prefer to purchase the program. Do I still need a Season Pass  each year?

Answer: No. The Season Pass, when available, is an alternative for the traditional license purchase. It is an "either/or" situation – either a traditional license or a Season Pass, but not both.

Question: Are there any other benefits for the Season Pass, such as free updates?

Answer:  Since the Season Pass will always be a license to use the latest version of the software it makes it possible to budget for the cost of upgrades.

Question: What is the main benefit of the Season Pass 1 Year Subscription

Answer:  In the short term, the Season Pass offers football coaches an opportunity to benefit from the use of software at lower initial cost.

Question: Is the Season Pass available for more than one computer, and if so, how much does it cost?

Answer:  Yes.  There is no limit to the number of Season Passes that can be purchased. For two computers, there is no difference in cost. For three or more, a staff license Season Pass is available that offers some savings.

Question:  If I decide I want to purchase a license after one year, do I get credit for what I paid for a Season Pass?

Answer:  In some instances, a portion of the cost of the first year of a Season Pass license can be applied toward a license purchase .