WinXP: moving Cyberlink files out of My Documents (and other gripes)

CyberLynx

Newbie Joined: Mar 09, 2012 05:49 Messages: 3 Offline

Solved by

Mar 09, 2012 06:13

Having bought a 3D monitor (an LG), I needed software to play 3D BD discs on my PC. There's not alot of choice out there. Eventually, for some reason, I plumped for Cyberlink PowerDVD 12.

Firstly, on installing, it started scanning my PC for media files - without asking me first. I finally managed to stop it by looking for and finding the media locations in the settings and deleting everything there. However, I was already rather cross with the software at this stage. Look, Cyberlink people, this is an annoying "feature". You might think it all very clever to go looking for a user's media files automatically, bit it isn't - it's annoying. I therefore very, very, very strongly suggest that you build a question stage in: "Do you want PowerDVD12 to scan your PC for media files automatically? Yes/No/Ask later". Is that really too much to ask?

Secondly, all I want is a programme to play 3D BD discs. I do not want an image viewer, or a music player (I have software for those), or another shopping portal. Unfortunately, such a simple player software does not, as far as I know, exist - they all present integrated all-media and shopping facitilies. How about a slimline version which is JUST a DVD/3D-BD player (and doesn't 'phone home' (see below) and doesn't invade 'My Documents' (see below))?

Thirdly, whenever I start my PC now, I get a message from my security software that Cyberlink DMR is trying to go on-line. Can you please explain what that is, and why it needs to 'phone home' when I start my PC? I have disabled all I can find in the settings, but I still get that contact attempt.

Fourthly, I cant help noticing - and being annoyed by - a 'Cyberlink' folder, with subfolders 'LocalStorage_V2' and 'PowerDVD12', in 'My Documents'. What on earth are they doing there? 'My Documents' is for - well, for MY documents (Word files, spreadsheets, PDF files etc), not for programme data files. I have found in the PowerDVD settings a means to define locations for purchased media and for BD Live local storage, but that's all. How can I move these other annoying files out of My Documents where they are in the way and don't belong?

ttfn,
CyberLynx

Jeff R 1

Senior Member Joined: Jan 09, 2010 14:05 Messages: 176 Offline

Mar 10, 2012 10:43

No body ever said that computer Blu-ray playing software was perfect.

Just from my experience with them they can be very problematic, either by design or incompatibility.

For what the cost is for DVD12 or any other player for that matter, why not spend the money on a stand alone player.

You won't have any problems with them other then the occasional firmware update.

You didn't actual say if it played your 3D movie OK, people on the forum here have difficulty wit that.

Tyomni

Member Joined: Dec 12, 2011 12:31 Messages: 50 Offline

Mar 10, 2012 14:18

Blu-ray technology isn't perfect and well finished itself, that's why I never blame software developers for having problems with them.

CyberLynx

Newbie Joined: Mar 09, 2012 05:49 Messages: 3 Offline

Mar 10, 2012 17:42

Quote: You didn't actual say if it played your 3D movie OK, people on the forum here have difficulty wit that.

Actually, playing 3D movies works just fine. The Bluray playing part of PowerDVD I have no problem with. It works, and does what I want it to do. I just wish it didn't insist on being a media server and a shopping portal and everything else as well, and putting its data files in with my documents...

wlb_aes

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2012 20:39 Messages: 3 Offline

Jun 30, 2013 17:51

I am using Win7 and have the exact same annoyances:

1) It clutters "My Documents" with it's own program data and gives me no option to move it. Why would anyone want this clutter in this fixed location? Who does this benefit?

2) It automatically loads these shopping ads to get us to buy more. This is a paid program, why do I need to waste time and download bandwidth and screen clutter every time it loads? Why can't I turn off this annoyance so that I can just play the movies I have with it?

Seeing that no one answered this post in over eight months it appears that Cyberlink just does not care what it's customers think or want in a product and will keep on with all the annoyances whether we tell them or not. Anyone know of DVD software from a company that actually listens to it's customers and users, unlike this poor example of Cyberlink?

stevek

Senior Contributor Location: Houston, Texas USA Joined: Jan 25, 2011 12:18 Messages: 4663 Offline

Jul 01, 2013 13:39

Did you ever think that MOST people want those extra features and don't mind where the saved documents are saved?? Why design software that only two people have issues concerning the extras. Did you shop around before buying the software? Wassdn't it clear in the literature and other sources?

Eight months without someone else complaining seems to indicate that there are not a lot of people concerned.
Yoiu have been a member for for over a year and this is the worst problem you have (one post)?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Jul 01. 2013 13:41

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wlb_aes

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2012 20:39 Messages: 3 Offline

Jul 01, 2013 14:31

As per putting a programs internal data files (that the user is not to access separately) in the "My Documents" folder should be a no brainer for any software company or user. My Documents is for what it says it is - a users own saved documents they work with. I am not sure what stevek understands about software, but just moving a program's internal program files to a location where these are supposed to go does not remove "features". It is just in an organized location where most programs (and all well-written ones) put their data. Most use the location "users\username\program_name". Why these would be placed in the wrong place is of concern, but would be an easy fix if Cyberlink really cared about the customers data. Or if they really think some users might actually want a program's internal data cluttering "My Documents" then it could at least be an option, at setup, if not later.

As for all the clutter Cyberlink DVD12 puts on my computer, I noticed I had over 2.5GB in tens of thousands of files and various directories stored in "\users\Public\Documents\CyberLink\DigitalHome\CyberLink PowerDVD 12 Media Server Service\1392455381\vthumb" Why would it think users would want over 2GB of useless data copied and stored in this directory. And thumnails for all my jpegs? What does that have to do with DVD (the name of the program)?

Clearly, the big push in forcing all users to have the video store come up is for their own profits from advertising and sales - a sad thing to put in purchased software. Again, if you think some users actually want this "feature" of yet another place to spend money, then at least make is as a configurable option so that all users aren't forced into this.

CyberLynx

Newbie Joined: Mar 09, 2012 05:49 Messages: 3 Offline

Aug 09, 2013 05:53

Just to update: I now have a 47" LG 3D-TV and proper 3D-BD player, so I have no need of BD playing software on my PC any more (but I keep my 3D screen to view my stereoscopic pictures on). I have also updated my PC from Windows XP to Windows 7, and as you may guess, I have absolutely no intention whatsoever of installing Cyberlink again. In the unlikely event that I again need BD software, I shall look elsewhere for a more tame programme.

Bye-bye, Cyberlink!

wlb_aes

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2012 20:39 Messages: 3 Offline

Aug 09, 2013 09:12

Yes, CyberLynx - you clearly have the obvious solution - just get rid of Cyberlink! They intentionally force all this advertising of titles on us without any configuration options for us to get rid of that and they clutter our drive with useless information (2.5GB of our own files copied from other locations!). An in addition they clutter our "My Documents" with their own internal files we have no use for and call it a "feature"! Worse than that their support offers no help or even seem concerned of their poor tactics. Clearly they have provided no solutions or attempt to fix these many problems so I stopped using their software, as you, and many others soon will be also.