Thanks for the reply, I've now done everything that has been suggested but I still get the error code -10 for online activation. Or if I go under the help menu to install additional software, the mpg4 takes me to the purchase page and the mpeg2 just fails the activation.

I must say this is the most confusing activiation process I've ever been through. MEP 2105 Plus was fine and the NewBlue Titler Ex was fine, it's only these codecs that doesn't seem to work.

I am on Windows 10, upgraded from the trial, so the software was installed before and everything worked fine, including the MainConcept Mpg4 codec. Seems like I have to call Magix support and see if they can sort it once they open. 

The change to Windows 10 was pertinent information that you should have included in your original question, along with the fact that everything worked before the change.

See this detailed posting by John EB that may help.

I haven't tried upgrading to W10 and don't intend to until the bugs have been worked out.

The change to Windows 10 was pertinent information that you should have included in your original question, along with the fact that everything worked before the change.

See this detailed posting by John EB that may help.

I haven't tried upgrading to W10 and don't intend to until the bugs have been worked out.

Thanks again for trying to help. I wonder if I am not giving enough info here, as I don't belive that thread is applicable to my problem. That thread refers to MEP 2014 and an upgrade from win7 to win10.

I don't have MEP 2014 and I did not upgrade to win10. I already had win10 when I installed the Trial of MEP 2015 Plus, and just went ahead and purchased the downloadble version. But I didn't install from the link in the email, I registered through the trial software and activated it. And everything works, except that I can't play back my footage from my AVCHD camera or my Galaxy note 2, they seem to require the MainConcept mpg4 codec for playback. 

It does ask me to activate, but I constanly get error code -10, please contact costumer service. Anyway, I'll report back once I know more.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I have installed the latest patch and all the free downloads.

Hi

. . . . Thanks again for trying to help. I wonder if I am not giving enough info here, as I don't belive that thread is applicable to my problem. That thread refers to MEP 2014 and an upgrade from win7 to win10. . . . .

That thread is very applicable to the problem -  I have MEP 17 through to 2015,  and Music Maker 17, MX and 2015 as well and all required a reinstall after upgrading.

In your case follow the instructions except for the upgrade to Windows 10.

After upgrading to Window 10 it looks like I hit the worst case scanarios not only with MEP and MMM but also Office 365 in particular Outlook which is a known issue with the upgrade.

I also had issues after getting everything working - an subsequent update for Win 10 messed up the activation procedure requireing MEP 2015 and MMM 2015 to be reinstalled - this may be what has caused your problem.

This took a lot of research, testing and discussion with Magix, a Windows 10 upgrade can proceed smoothly and cause very minor peroblems, which a repair can fix, to the full blown total mess up of the installations - this is what happened in my case.

HTH

John EB

Well I managed to get it to work under Windows 10, I haven't called support.

1. The full MainConcept mpg4 codec is not included in the price it seems, but only the playback portion. To export a movie, one has to use the intel codec. I've read it somewhere, here on the forums probably? That it is a better codec anyway so this doesn't bother me as long as the quality of my exports are good enough.

2. If you are on the MEP 2015 Plus Trial, don't bother registering and downloading patches. Instead, uninstall, and re-install from the link you received in the email after purchase. Once installed, you get a little different looking window for activating the Mpg4 codec when you try put a clip on the timeline, which also states that it's for playback only.

I think it should be stated at least in the Magix support section that the MainConcept Mpg4 codec is for playback only, and that another codec will be used for export, as it feels a bit shady to me not to mention anywhere.

Anyway, thanks to John C.B.  and johnebaker for trying to help me out. (I assume you are two different guys), finally after 24 hours of trouble shooting I can start editing :)

Hi,

You lost me there. My video camera also creates AVCHD files and I have no trouble importing them into MEP and exporting. Programs setting (Y), System, Other, and select the preferred Codec for importing and exporting. Mine are set to Main concept.

As far as I remember, after installing MEP, the first time that I imported a file (AVCHD), I had to activate the mp4 codec, which was done by simply accepting what was proposed. Nothing to do with Main Concept. Also, Main Concept is included in Plus and Premium versions.

So if you are having problems, it must be due to something else, like Windows 10.

Maybe John EB can explain more about the codecs.

Hi

. . . . the MainConcept Mpg4 codec is for playback only, and that another codec will be used for export, as it feels a bit shady to me not to mention anywhere. . . . .

It is not as you can see in the first image below.

. . . . To export a movie, one has to use the intel codec. I've read it somewhere, here on the forums probably? That it is a better codec anyway so this doesn't bother me as long as the quality of my exports are good enough. . . . .

Whether it is the better codec depends on what you want to do - for streaming video from the web the MainConcept is better - you have more options to set to get a compact file which streams well to the majority of playback devices.

Can you check the patch version for MEP 2015 you installed - se under Help, About, you should be at version 14.0.0.183.

Check if you have the options indicated in programs settings (Y key)as shown in the image below

Yours may say Default, click the dropdowns to see if you get the two options as shown above.

If you do not get the options above go to Help, Install extra programs - you should have the two mainConcept options as shown below

These will install and activate the two codecs if your installation is OK, otherwise they will take you to the Magix website for you to purchase.

I have put a request in for clarification of which versions of MEP the fee based activation is required - it used to be included in the Plus and Premium versions.

However there is no clear indication now on the website, whether it is just the Basic version, or the Plus and Premium as well, that fee based activation is required.

HTH

John EB

Hi,

I'll write my replies in bold between the lines.

Hi

. . . . the MainConcept Mpg4 codec is for playback only, and that another codec will be used for export, as it feels a bit shady to me not to mention anywhere. . . . .

It is not as you can see in the first image below.

. . . . To export a movie, one has to use the intel codec. I've read it somewhere, here on the forums probably? That it is a better codec anyway so this doesn't bother me as long as the quality of my exports are good enough. . . . .

Whether it is the better codec depends on what you want to do - for streaming video from the web the MainConcept is better - you have more options to set to get a compact file which streams well to the majority of playback devices.

Can you check the patch version for MEP 2015 you installed - se under Help, About, you should be at version 14.0.0.183.

Yes I have updated to the same program version.

Check if you have the options indicated in programs settings (Y key)as shown in the image below

 

Yours may say Default, click the dropdowns to see if you get the two options as shown above.

 

Here is my screen shot where the mpg4 codec choice is not visibale at all, I can choose the MainConcept for Mpg2 as I could activate it.

If you do not get the options above go to Help, Install extra programs - you should have the two mainConcept options as shown below

 

These will install and activate the two codecs if your installation is OK, otherwise they will take you to the Magix website for you to purchase.

Yeah that link takes me to the online activation window that looks like this.

Once I press the online activation one it takes me to the full upgrade purchase page.

So it seems to me that it's not included in the price anymore, or maybe it really is a win10 problem, not sure what to think of all this at the moment.

I have put a request in for clarification of which versions of MEP the fee based activation is required - it used to be included in the Plus and Premium versions, however there is no clear indication now whether it is just the Basic version on the website..

Now that would be really weird if it's only the Basic version that would include the codec, but not the plus or premium versions.

HTH

John EB

Hi

. . . . Now that would be really weird if it's only the Basic version that would include the codec, but not the plus or premium versions. . . . .

I think my statement there my have not been clear ( I have adjusted it) - the codec was included in the Plus and Premium versions but paid for in the Basic version.

I await a reply from Magix.

John EB

Hi

. . . . Now that would be really weird if it's only the Basic version that would include the codec, but not the plus or premium versions. . . . .

I think my statement there my have not been clear ( I have adjusted it) - the codec was included in the Plus and Premium versions but paid for in the Basic version.

I await a reply from Magix.

John EB

Thanks for digging a bit deeper on this issue, I'll wait for your reply.

Hi,

MEP2016 is now out. You may want to exchange 2015 for 2016. You would have to contact Magix support for this. Magix has a 30 day return policy.

Hi,

MEP2016 is now out. You may want to exchange 2015 for 2016. You would have to contact Magix support for this. Magix has a 30 day return policy.

A new version already? Thanks for the heads up, but at this time the Magix website only shows MEP2015, maybe it will be updated later.

Ok, found it, it does cost extra money. It's in the manual of all places, but not on Magix website, nor the support part of the site. I found it by accident when I was digging deeper into the manual.

So yeah, this feels a bit shady to me, usually important information like these are written on the webpage, at least somewhere. Oh well, I still like the software, but I urge Magix to be more open about these kind of things in the future.