Igor

Jerry, Please let me know what exact version of PicturesToExe you're using? You can check version number in the main menu | About PicturesToExe window. We've solved similar issue with PicturesToExe 6.5 under Windows 7 in one recent update. Please download and install the latest version 6.5.7 from our website - www.wnsoft.com

I didn't think of that. Interesting idea. This is already done. I can publish sample show to illustrate it.

potwnc, - For producing of an executable slideshow (EXE) we re-encode video and you will able control quality and bitrate parameters (auto or manual settings). Probably even we will support several formats without need to convert source video files. This is not a final information. - For video output (DVD, H.264 video file, YouTube/Facebook, etc) we use original video files from a project to render picture of a slide. Thereby you have only one conversion to final output format. It's a difficult problem without clear solution. There is a common situation when size of source video doesn't equal to size of output video. Also take in attention tranformations of video object (Pan/Zoom/Rotate). Even difference of 1 pixel in sizes or position will destroy right transfer of interlaced video to output video file (avoiding de-interlacing). 1) So you need to use de-interlacing option for source video (automatically by default). PicturesToExe will take care about right transfer of any source video to final output format. 2) Or you must disable de-interlacing option and then take care about right size of video object and its position. In other words keep same pixel size, aspect ratio and no animation for video file. In this case it possible to rightly transfer interlaced video through all stages and receive output interlaced video .

After I read comments on French forums I decided update this demo video slideshow. Now it's 24 MB file: http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/show/Video_and_Pictures.zip Previous variant (38 MB) was larger because 2nd slide had 38 second's video but actually it used only 10 seconds. So I've converted a source file again. Both variants (old and new) use 5 mbit bitrate for video clips. HD ready quality 1280x720 30p. We didn't finish work to find optimal bitrate and parameters of compression yet. One of current tasks is to reach best smoothness of video playback. We already can support 60p video and interlaced video with good de-interlacing.

Eric, We didn't think yet should it be in Deluxe or Standard version. Ralph, Currently video playback in version 7.0 Alpha requires video card which fully supports DirectX 9.0 or later. It's all desktop video cards manufactured since 2003 year. And Intel video cards since 945GL (GMA 950). We use hardware acceleration for playback. Probably we will write a special code to support more old video cards. Currently you can see greyscale video on such old video cards.

My first very simple and short demo to illustrate video capabilities of next version 7.0: http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/show/Video_and_Pictures.zip I used old video recorded with my compact camera without image stabilization. I'm sure that modern DSLR cameras will allow create excellent video slideshows with 1080p video.

PicturesToExe Deluxe 6.5.7 is available now Download link: http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/picturestoexe-setup.zip (8 MB) Changes in this version * Fixed problem (5.6.0 to 6.5.5) with loss of details in lights and shadows in created H.264 video file (video file for PC & Mac, YouTube, Facebook, iPhone, iPad). * Fixed bug (6.5.0 to 6.5.5) with wrong title "No String" in Create menu called from the Objects and animation editor. * Updated German language file.

PicturesToExe Deluxe 6.5.7 Beta is available now Download link: http://www.wnsoft.com/test/picturestoexe-setup_657.zip (8 MB) Changes in this version * Fixed problem (5.6.0 to 6.5.5) with loss of details in lights and shadows in created H.264 video file (video file for PC & Mac, YouTube, Facebook, iPhone, iPad). * Fixed bug (6.5.0 to 6.5.5) with wrong title "No String" in Create menu called from the Objects and animation editor. * Updated German language file.

Thanks for the confirmation! I'll publish beta version now.

Xaver, Please try updated version 6.5.7 Beta: http://www.wnsoft.com/test/picturestoexe-setup_657.zip It should resolve the issue with loss in shadow details. Also it includes your suggestions for German translation. Please let me know about result. Thanks in advance!

Thanks, I remember about this problem with AVI file. Probably we can find another solution for this issue.

PicturesToExe almost never exceds 2 GB limit of system memory. Even for very hard slides memory usage is about 400-700 MB. For encoding video we run two processes (PicturesToExe and VideoBuilder) and both can use 2Gb+2GB of memory.

Xaver, You're right! I just tested on my Epson TW2000 and also see this loss in shadow details. On the computer I also reproduced this problem. The problem in encoded H.264 file. We'll investigate this issue tomorrow and will try fix it quickly. Thank you! This problem doesn't occur with MPEG2 video files created in VideoBuilder.

Xaver, Please read my reply regarding black level and details in shadows: http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11627

Peter, Yes, Lin is right about different file size of two MP4 video files with same duration and size (1920x1080). It's because by default we use "One pass - Quality" mode in VideoBuilder. And you adjust "Quality" parameter. And like saving of JPEGs in Photoshop, file size depends on content of picture. A picture with solid color areas will give smaller file size. Also "Quality" parameter is smart - you can use same value for any size of video (640x480 and 1920x1080). It will produce same quality for final picture. In opposite, if you use "One/two pass - Bitrate" you have to adjust it according complexity of picture and increase bitrate for larger picture size. Xaver, I'll try to repeat your test with shadow (black level) on my HD media player connected to Epson TW2000 (high-quality 3LCD projector). I spent much time calibrating black level for DVD player and HD media player. I think I'm able to see this difference between black levels, too. Please use all color range for video from 0 to 255, Otherwise you will get faded picture. The necessary conversion from 0-255 to 16-235 is performing during encoding H.264 video file.

I see several ideas how to use Direct 3D mode for Menu show. In theory we can reduce video card usage applying several optimizations and tricks. It also should be under special option in Project options window, but it would be an unified graphical engine with minor differences. Anyway any changes should come not earlier than in version 7.5

It might happen if PicturesToExe or VideoBuilder processes still are working in background in hidden mode. Normally this should occur, but please check up with Task Manager, the secon tab for processes (PicturesToExe.exe and VideoBuilder.exe). But in this cause installer also is not able to update these files too. If Task manager shows nothing related with PicturesToExe, please try to delete ogg.dll file manually. And then install the latest version again.

Thanks, we will keep this option in the next version 7.0 And probably I'll find some replacement for this mode for further versions.

Thanks for your responses!

I forgot to mention that now we have to support two different graphical engines (two libraries of code) - for hardware acceleration and software engine (based on CPU).

Do you turn off (for some reason) the option "Use hardware acceleration" (in Project options | Screen tab)? I remember that was used for some menu like projects to call other slideshows and reduce loading for video card during parallel work of menu project and slideshow. Hardware acceleration (the mode by default) is required for smooth playback of slideshows. Masks, 3D transformations, Video clips on slides and Blur feature - all they require hardware acceleration. Should we still provide to authors of slideshows the possibility turn off the hardware acceleration? If you need this control on this option, please describe shortly the scenario how you use it. Thanks,

Thanks to all for your thoughts and comments! Jose, - Video files format accepted? At least all main formats. - Maximum length, if any? The limitation only with final size of EXE file (4 GB). But we're considering a variant to put video file near to EXE file (like folder of Mac slideshow) - Maximum video/audio bitrate? I think any reasonable values. - Variable opacity (video over a slide, fade-in/fade-out over slides on the back, etc.)? Video is object of slide. So you can apply any usual effects and transformations (3D, Masks, Pan/Zoom/Rotate, Opacity, Start time, Duration, Shadow, etc.) - Text over video? Yes, as another object over video object. - Mask effect (video inside a mask)? Yes, of course. - Border for video is possible? Thanks for good idea! Why not? - Creating a final MP4 HD file of finished project, no problem with such mix (slides/video)? Yes, no problem.

André, Please explain in more details why you think that audio features are not finished in current version? Version 6.5 has many new audio features that you can successfully use already now. It's infinite process - improvements of existing audio features and adding of new audio features. I have plans for many new audio improvements for at least several future versions. Video does not have more high priority than audio for us. Please see my two posts above.

Eric, It was our initial intention. But now it's dangerous to pause work on video clips support. We can forget about many important details related with video code if take a break for several months to make audio features.

We have a good progress with development of the next version 7.0 of PicturesToExe. I expect appearance of first public beta version in January. Support of video clips on slides took significant time. But we're trying implement this feature to PicturesToExe at highest level with smooth playback on wide range of PCs. It's a joy for me to see video in real time in PicturesToExe's slideshow with any effects - 3D transformations, Masks, Pan/Zoom/Rotate, etc. Due to complex work with video, probably we will delay advanced audio editing (global timeline with waveforms) for version 7.5. We didn't expect that video support will take so much time. Also version 7.0 will bring vastly improved picture quality. Two new features will appear for this. And they are already finished.