I have been putting in lots of work to update video.Maru to version 2.0. The main update - #1 below - is that it didn’t work in the Flash 9 authoring tool because of new limitations on characters that can be used in an instance name. I think the solution that I implemented makes it even easier to create custom video interfaces with video.Maru.

Along the way I’ve added lots of other updates. Most of the work has been to enhance the XML support.

Oh, and there is one HUGE update that I think will be a big hit that I’m leaving for a surprise.

Here is a partial list of the updates :

• Updated to make compatible with Flash 9/CS3 IDE
• Fix for the fact that “/” and “.” characters cannot be used in instance names which makes it impossible to make the videoWindow have the instance name of “vids/myVideo.flv”
• Integrate with FlashVars to play a video
• Integrate with FlashVars and XML to play a specific video from the xml
• Added a downloadProgress TextField
• API to work with dynamically created content
• Add XML attribute to make the video automatically play the next video
• Add XML attribute to loop a video.
• Add XML attribute to describe the video.
• Add XML attribute to display a thumbnail picture.
• Add XML attribute to autoPlay a video, or not
• Add a state to the volumeSlider and volumeRange to indicate if mute is on or off.
• Change the playHead drag so that it works without a progress bar

Known bugs fixes:

• The playhead cannot be dragged past the point that the downloadProgress reached when it is pressed.
• The playhead automatically plays video after dragging is complete but it doesn’t toggle the play button to the paused state if had been paused before dragging the playhead.
• Make link buttons not start video over if it’s the current video
• fix the reflection width (for some reason the width of the reflection has to be greater than the width of the video)

Right now I’m mostly working on video tutorials to cover every feature offered in video.Maru. The videos are all in the 2-5 minute range so that you can watch one on a specific feature that you want to use.

I’m also planning to record some longer videos that show how to create more involved interfaces with video.Maru. Here are some of my ideas.

• How to add graphics on top of the videoWindow.
• How to create animated buttons for: play_btn, stop_btn, playhead, volume, etc.
• How to create a dropDown navigation for videos.

If you have any suggestions for other video tutorials that you would like to see then by all means let me know.

And remember, there is one more added feature that you’re gonna love.

I’m going on vacation until June 19th. I’ll publish everything right after I get back.