Microsoft Releases Windows DreamScene For Windows Vista Ultimate

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News

Since Microsoft released Windows Vista early this year, one of the most scrutinized aspects of the launch was the Windows Ultimate Extras program.  The Extras were a set of downloads for customers who had purchased the Ultimate version of the OS and included items like multi-language packs, a Texas Hold'em card game, BitLocker drive encryption tools, and Windows DreamScene, the technology to play video files as your desktop wallpaper, all without losing any PC functionality. 

DreamScene should be of particular interest to everyone here, as it's the technology we built Stardock DeskScapes on top of, extending the capabilities of DreamScene to allow artists to retain credit for their work, and to go beyond simple videos, and place real-time 3D dynamic animations on your desktop.

Up until recently, Windows DreamScene was considered to be "beta" software and thus unsupported by Microsoft, and with no guarantee of proper functionality.  Today, the Director for Windows Vista Ultimate, Barry Goffe, announced that DreamScene is done!  Here's a bit of what Barry had to say about DreamScene, as well as Stardock/WinCustomize in the announcement:

Additionally, you can use your own videos as DreamScene desktops or visit Stardock’s Dream.WinCustomize.com website to download Stardock’s DeskScapes (an add-on to DreamScene) as well as a collection of fabulous content created by Stardock and members of the Ultimate community.

If you are a Windows Vista Ultimate user, you'll want to check Windows Update later today to pull down the final build of DreamScene.

And if you're already a DreamScene user, grab DeskScapes for free from Dream.WinCustomize.com!

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NightTrainthedark
Reply #1 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 1:48 PM
Additionally, you can use your own videos as DreamScene desktops or visit Stardock’s Dream.WinCustomize.com website to download Stardock’s DeskScapes (an add-on to DreamScene) as well as a collection of fabulous content created by Stardock and members of the Ultimate community.



Shouldn't that read... by Stardock and members of the Stardock communty or are they trying one of them slow play takeovers.
Zouly
Reply #2 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 1:54 PM
oki



thank the team


Is it compatible Vista ultimate 64 bit?
raisinjack
Reply #3 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 2:46 PM
Is it compatible Vista ultimate 64 bit?


must be- I just downloaded and installed the update and I'm running x64
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #4 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 3:03 PM

members of the Ultimate community

I think that describes WC perfectly

Edtorious
Reply #5 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 3:47 PM
So that's it? Not even one dream file included? At least a complimentary dynamic wallpaper for all the wait?   Oh well.    Thank god we have stardock.   
Yosmel
Reply #6 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 4:19 PM
So what exactly changed with this "Final" version? I was hoping that when their final release came out my computer would actually be able to play some of these dreams and not croak (or croak a bit less). Guess that's what I get for hoping
Murex
Reply #7 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 4:24 PM
Up until recently, Windows DreamScene was considered to be "beta" software and thus unsupported by Microsoft, and with no guarantee of proper functionality. Today, the Director for Windows Vista Ultimate, Barry Goffe, announced that DreamScene is done!


Doesn't look any different to me. Any one have any Idea of what we just downloaded ? Looks to me like they just wanted to say that they have finished it because of articles like this one


WWW Link
JuiceDaddy
Reply #8 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 4:42 PM
any new format support? or improved cpu usage...

I have tried and succeeded in using an mp4 file, unfortunately, it is no better than wmv was with cpu usage...
Astyanax
Reply #9 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 5:51 PM
Looks to me like they just wanted to say that they have finished it because of articles like this one


People actually bought Ultimate because of Dreamscene and dumb little games? Who cares about those things, they are just nice perks for me. I got it because I wanted Media Center & the features Business has that Home Premium doesn't.

By the way, one of the main new things is Dual Moniter support.
Excalpius
Reply #10 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 6:47 PM
By the way, one of the main new things is Dual Moniter support.


DreamScene has always played the same video on both monitors, so I don't see anything "new" here in this regard. Can you be more specific or cite an example? Thanks.
Astyanax
Reply #11 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 9:21 PM
I read for some people it didn't work well... and that issue was resolved....
Jeff Gamble
Reply #12 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 12:14 AM
I'm confused..... I cant find a new version of DreamScene anywhere.

My computer says the last time Dreamscene updated was on 3/14/2007.

And, Windows Update says there are no new Ultimate Extras to download.

Can somebody tell me what's up with this?
Zoomba
Reply #13 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 12:36 AM
I forced a check of Windows Update and it showed for me.
Jeff Gamble
Reply #14 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 2:09 AM
Thanks Zoomba, I tink I just had a "Duh!" moment. LOL

My next question is where are these 'new animated DreamScene desktops, including “Aurora”' that Barry refers to in the article?

Or are these just the ones that were released back in March for the 'Preview Version'?
H4mst4h
Reply #15 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 3:48 AM
The only differences I've seen are:
1) The desktop context menu no longer has the "(Preview)" tag next to the play/pause dreamscene item
2) A short while ago the icons on my desktop "lost" their text. Highlighting the icons allowed me to see the text, as there were holes in the highlight where the text would be. The update fixed this when all my previous efforts to fix it failed.
Shinobi no jutsu
Reply #16 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 3:48 AM
you can find all the dreams you want jeff in the "dreams" section of the site. if you havent had a look yet there are some pretty awesome dreams. ive almost downloaded them all! dont forget install dreamscapes from here too! enjoy, i know i do!
MrDarkWolf
Reply #17 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 5:31 AM
Sorry for the Dumb question y'all but this is the first that I have really looked into this dream thing, after seeing it mentioned on wincustomize for so long...

Is dream for Vista Ultimate users only? Must we all be rich and insane to run these improvements? I do not have Windows Vista on my new computer. I am still not happy with the software, and really do not want to fork out alot of money for software that isnt up to my needs. Besides, if I have to pay even more for the ultimate edition for an extra enhancement... I don't Know...

As an XP Professional user... can I use this dreamscape thing?

thanks

DarkWolfe
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #18 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 6:39 AM
No - Vista Ultimate only   
Jeff Gamble
Reply #19 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 1:57 PM
you can find all the dreams you want jeff in the "dreams" section of the site.


Were is this "dreams" section of the site? I've looked all over the Windows Vista Ultimate site and can't find "dreams"

I already have DeskScapes.... I'm trying to find the NEW Windows Dreams he talks about in the article.

Thanks for any help
Island Dog
Reply #20 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 2:02 PM
Once you install the new DreamScene update, you have to reboot, and check for updates again.  You will see them listed.


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