Ray Groome
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Posts posted by Ray Groome
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Dear All
I have now completed all the recommended actions:
1. Downloaded the latest software for the TV
2. Re ripped the music to 192 kbps
3. Applied the normalising software MP3 Gain
4. Reset the tuning controls on the TV
and all is now fine!!
Many thanks to all...now let's get back to the black screen problem!!
Ray Groome
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Brian
Sorted!
Thanks for your patience.
Ray G
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Good Morning Ray,
You wrote.."
"I am having difficulty in describing the original distortion- it was not a lisping effect. It was not smooth,
certainly annoying! Brittle and only occurring on the peak notes"...
Yes thats what I was trying to describe ~ I call it "twittering" and it is a byproduct-artifact of Dolby-Surround
when running unsuitable Sound-media which I have quite a lot of experience with. I was trained by the Sony
Corporation in the 60'/70's and I maintained their equipment and Ampex and EMI and Dolby-NR-Systems
which were incorporated into many (Hi-end) Audio-Reproducers ~and later~ Dolby-Surround in Television's.
Your Sony is running Dolby-Surround-Sound Ac3(normal) and Dolby++Surround-HD which can handle up to
7-Channels but in Cinema-Film it can go up to 14-Channels. "Dolby-Surround is a very precise format" and it will
not tolerate any divergence from what it was designed for...(Dolby)DVD-Film-Discs and (Dolby)CD-Music Discs.
With (Dolby)CD-Music-Discs or copying any CD-Music-Disc for Dolby-usage it must be done to CD-Quality of
192.Kb/Sec (sampling-rate) with CBR(constant-bit-rate). Furthermore the Loudness-Level must not exceed 89.db.
Note: Volume and Loudness levels are completely different things. Volume-level is an increase in listening
level to the Industry-Log/A curve. Loudness-Level is a dynamic adjustment of the Acoustic (sound-envelope) where
'tiny' sounds are increased and 'creshendos' are reduced to prevent over-modulation. Dolby-SS is similar in that it
increases the level of Hi-frequencies during Studio-Recording and corrects this in Playback thus reducing the Studio
'Tape & System Hiss' which is then virtually inaudible on your Sound-Systems.(Its complicated).
What I done: I ran your Track in 'Audacity' ~ I reduced its Volume-level by -6.dB and exported it at 192.kB.Bit-rate
which restored its missing data content (you note the No:6 File is larger) then I reprocessed it in the MP3-Program to
below the 89.db (Loudness-default-level) and exported it to you. (essentially I re-created the CD-Disc Format in Mp3).
So if anyone is using Dolby-Surround-Format please retain the 'Sampling-rate 192.kB/sec/CBR' and reduce the CD-Copy
level by at least -6.dB (or use Loudness-Correction-Software) - that will work in most circumstances.
Ray I hope this has sorted your problem,
Brian.(Conflow)
(To Readers:- Apologies for the long-Post but once you know your're O.K)
Brian
Thanks for all the background.
I seemed to be out of my depth! I opened the ripped disc in MP3 Gain and it processed all the tracks except the one we have been playing with- it objected to that one. That track will no longer play, I am unable to delete it (I need Administrator permission- what ever that means) and the disc will not let me rip it again! Help!! What have I done wrong?
Ray Groome
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Hi Ray,
Just got that Track directly from your Mem-Pen and I'm doing a few tests on it.
Firstly, the Track played perfectly on my my Pc and Hi-fi System, but I would
like to ask a few quick questions: About the distortion you are hearing,viz:-
1)
Is this distortion a type of 'Lisping-effect' you are hearing on top notes ?
2)
Or is is a barely perceptable (annoying) type of 'Twitter' on the top notes ?
Brian.(Conflow)
P.S. I attach a modified version of your Track and let me know if it works ?
Brian
My wife and I carefully listened to your version of the track -(inserted into the pte slideshow and taken through the 'Publish/ HD Video for PC & Mac' route before transferring to the memory stick and playing back on the TV USB socket)- and we did not notice any distortion.
I am having difficulty in describing the original distortion- it was not a lisping effect. It was not smooth, certainly annoying! Brittle and only occurring on the peak notes.
I will be interested to hear of your solution.
Many thanks for your efforts.
Ray Groome
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Ray,
Apology for the small delay ~ I ran your Mp3 through Audacity & MP3-Gain ~ it was just a little high of no signifance.
See-Attachment-Report.
Also attached is the Tech-Data-Sheet for the Sony:46HX703 ~Its a very nice machine~ and it claims to Play Mp3
Tracks in 2-Channel-Stereo and full Home-Cinema in Dolby-Stereo (5-Channels) so that leaves 3 things to check:-
1)
TV-Settings: Sony Dolby-Stereo (Is 5-Channel AC3-Sound Format) yours is a Stereo-Mp3-File so try setting up the TV
for simple 2-Channel-Stereo. If that works O.K...If not proceed below.
2)
Put that Track (by itself) on to your Memory-Pen and send it to me directly from that Memory-Pen. Do as follows:-
Select the Full-Editor-Reply when replying to this. Hit the Browse-Button and when the Window opens select 'Computer'
and select the Memory-Pen from the list shown there. Now double-click its Icon and find the Mp3-Track. Click the Track
then Open and in the Reply-Panel select "Attach" and then Reply.
2) If it does not work there is something wrong with the USB and if it does work its down to the TV-Set-Up or the
PTE-Program which may be corrupted or perhaps there is a PC-Registry-error when writing to the Pen.
Brian.(Conflow)
First may I thank all of you who have contributed to this discussion. I appreciate the enthusiasm and effort you put into helping other members of the Forum.
Dave G asked about the source of the music I attached- it was from an album called Odyssey by Hayley Westenra from New Zealand.
I have now carried out some more tests and concluded the distortion on high notes only occurs when playing back from a USB stick when it is plugged into the TV. There is not a problem when the same USB stick is plugged into a Sony laptop which is then plugged into the TV via a HDMI connector. There is no problem when played back on my desktop with Creative speakers.
So the USB socket connection on my TV has its limitations. Vision is great but not the sound. I have not tried any external speakers to the TV. The TV speakers are set to Stereo.
I am attaching the music track as you requested- from the USB Stick, but I don't think you will find much wrong with that.
Many thanks
Ray Groome
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++Ray,
Yes ~ I agree with Dave on this one ~ if its already (overmodulated) "Clipped"
there is nothing you can do about it..except re-record it again but this time
use the "MP3-Loudness Software" to correct any chance of "clipping" thats if you
dont want to use Audacity. If the Files are still "clipped" there is definitely
something wrong with your PC-setup or the Sony-TV.(With Audacity try the default)
Copy of the "MP3-Gain-Program" here attached.
Dave,
The above is a typical example for you ~ All 'Commercial-Playable-Media' use some
form of "Compander" (Compressor/Expander) on the Studio side of things prior to
any subsequent "Print-Burning" on to CD or DVD. Sometimes with 'cheap' Copies as
in Supermarkets things go wrong, God knows why !!! ~ But in Ray's case he has many
Mp3 sources ~ they cant all be wrong ?
Ray,
If you can oblige, I would like to have a look at one of your Tracks to analyze it
and determine if the 'fault' is on your side or on the Sony side of things.
Perhaps with a reply Post you could attach a small Mp3-File <3.Mb in size.
Brian.Conflow)
Mp3-Gain Software below: 625kB. (Windows.Zip File)
As the music sounds OK on my computer when played through pte, I don't think there is anything wrong with the recording, but it might be overstretching the capabilities of the TV. I am attaching an extract from one of the tracts that is causing a problem. Should I be Normalising this in Audacity or processing it in MP3 Gain? I am confused!
Many thanks for your contribution.
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Ray,
You wrote,
Quote..."Thanks, that sounds interesting. No, I have simply downloaded music from a CD and used it straight into PTE.
I know nothing about Normalization and do not use Audacity. But the problem I have is clearly related to clipping
as much of the track plays OK- its only the peak notes that distort".
Thats what I had suspected ~ it seems as if the Controls on your "Volume-Panel" are set too high or you had the CD
playing 'too-loud' although you may not have noticed that if you had your Listening-volume set low. To get to your
Volume-Card-settings simply double-click the 'Loudspeaker-Icon' down to the left in the bottom Task-bar.
Set these Controls at Half-way:- Volume-Control ~ Wav-Control ~ CD-Control ~ All at half way.
Check with Audacity which you should download (its-Free). See the "How-to" details in the attachment.
Hope this helps,
Brian.(Conflow)
Thanks for all the comments.
The Volume Mixer settings were all set to the 50% mark. The problem occurs on a variety of tracks from different sources.
I have downloaded Audacity and explored the Normalisation facility- but I note you have to specify the the maximum amplitude. Do I accept the default value of -1.0dB?
Ray Groome
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Ray,
What do you use to produce the MP3 from the CD?
DG
Windows Media Player
Ray G
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Dave,
I accept what you say we have no argument about that. But firstly we dont know what PTE resources Ray is using
nor his File-formats....He simply said:.."I have just transferred a set of my pte slide shows onto a USB2 memory stick
for play back on a Sony TV (model 46HX703)"...
Secondly ~ What Sound-Tracks he plays on his PC is a matter of personal choice and more to the point, has he got
his "Volume-Card Levels" properly setup because the 'Listening-Volume Control' is seperate from the 'Wav-Control'
which controls the Card-output on most PC's.
"Normalisation" is a requirement for TV-Video and if its not correct you can easily overload the 'Sound-Discriminator'
circuitry within the TV-Set. I certainly know that because I have worked in the Industry for over 40 years and its also
a feature in 'Audacity' (for a reason) ~ and ~ its used in every Studio I have worked in....
So lets get the Answers first...And go from there. (Thats what my reply and attachments with examples were all about).
Brian.
Thanks, that sounds interesting. No, I have simply downloaded music from a CD and used it straight into PTE. I know nothing about Normalization and do not use Audacity. But the problem I have is clearly related to clipping as much of the track plays OK- its only the peak notes that distort.
Ray Groome
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HOME > VIDEO > USB.
Do you have an external sound system or are you just relying on the built in system?
DG
I am using the built in system
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Thanks for your prompt responses.
MP3 music and MP4 video are compatible with the Sony TV. The music is 320 kbps.
Your reference to the Volume Offset was helpful as I was having problems with reducing the volume level (but Sony made it difficult to find that control!)
By adjusting the Treble and Volume Offset to minimum and turning off the Sound Enhancer on the TV I have reduced the distortion, but there is still room for improvement!
This is a little disappointing as the use of a USB memory stick is a very convenient way of playing back pte slide shows on a TV whilst maintaining good quality presentation of the images.
( I played the slide shows using the Home/Video menu on the TV- I trust that was correct)
Ray Groome
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I have just transferred a set of my pte slide shows onto a USB2 memory stick for play back on a Sony TV (model 46HX703). (Using the helpful guidance given by davegee on the 16 Nov 2011- titled MPEG4 Files for HDTV).
The image quality is great but I have encountered unacceptable sound distortion on this high spec TV. No problems when playing back on my computer. The music is from mp3 source. Any suggestions please?
Ray Groome
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That is not always the correct way to go. PTE acts in a transparent way with respect to color management. So, if the presentation device (monitor or projector) runs according to a particular color space (call it xRGB), the images should be xRGB, as well. In most cases, projectors use sRGB. Therefore, sRGB then of course is correct, but there might be exceptions!
Regards,
Xaver
I can confirm Xaver's comments: when I purchased a Dell U2410 Monitor and set it up with a large colour space approaching Abobe RGB, I was horrified to see the results of my PTE slide shows- the greens were too highly saturated. Fortunately with this monitor you can also select a smaller colour space of sRGB and this provided the excellent results I had become used to with my older monitor.
I obtained good results with the Adobe RGB setting on my monitor if I used images in PTE that were also in the Adobe RGB colour space.
So it is not correct to say images in PTE must be in sRGB- it all depends on the display colour space. It just happens that most monitors and projectors work in the sRGB space.
Ray Groome
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ray
couple of ways of applying stroke line.in ps make sure stroke line is inside.in pte as a global png frame. as above.if pc monitor is hd then you should see same symptoms there. is pc monitor 16:10?please give a little more detail or pm me template in zip folder without images.if your pte setup is right have you altered your tv geometry at any time?dg
Dave and Peter
Thank you for your replies. They helped me to resolve the problem- It provoked me to explore the settings of my TV and I found there was a facility for adjusting the display area; By changing the setting from 'Normal' to 'Full Pixel' I managed to obtain the white border around Dave's Test Example and my own A/V.
Another satisfied customer!
Ray Groome
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MPEG4 Files for HDTV
When preparing a project for converting to MPEG4 for playing on a HDTV via USB the following, in my experience, are the settings which get the optimum results.
In Project Options > Screen set the Aspect Ratio (AR) of the project to 16:9 and the resolution to 1920x1080.
If your actual image AR is something different to 16:9 (3:2 or 4:3 etc) then the images will drop into the 16:9 frame and show with black lines either side.
[if the 3:2 or 4:3 AR is used for the project then with some HDTVs it is possible that the MPEG4 will be made to fit to the screen's width and cause the images to be distorted. Even if it shows OK on your HDTV it could show differently on someone else's HDTV if you are going to share it]
Use 1920x1080 (or 1080 High) images. Obviously, if the images are going to be zoomed into, then this has to be addressed. A general rule is that if you are going to zoom into an image to 200% then your images need to be twice as big (3840x2160 or 2160 High).
When you are ready to create the MPEG4 file, click on PUBLISH and choose "HD Video for PC and MAC".
In the next screen choose 1920x1080 and High Quality with Pan & Scan Enabled.
These settings have proved (in my experience) to give a result which VERY closely approximates the quality of the same project when saved as an EXE and viewed on your computer monitor. Using the CUSTOM parameters do not in my opinion enhance the final result for MPEG4 files for HDTV.
Select the location that you want for the resulting MPEG4 file – the default is the Project Folder where the PTE file is stored.
Transfer the MPEG4 file to a memory key and plug into the TV. The method of playing in the built in Media Player will differ with different makes of TV so that will need to be researched in the TV's Manual.
Because of the large file sizes of MPEG4 files it's wise to get a memory key which will hold a collection of them – I use a Kingston 16 Gb.
If you decide to try this approach I think that you will agree that the viewing experience for small groups of people - family etc - is well worth the effort.
DG
Dave
I have just come across this advice and found it very useful. It resulted in a very good quality presentation. My only small disappointment was on my Sony HD TV I lost a small amount from the top and bottom of the slide: I had placed a white line around the edge of each image and this was cut off at the top and bottom. What is the best solution to this?
Ray Groome
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I think Xaver has aswerered my problem, thanks.
I hope I can remember this complication the next time I use the programme!
Ray
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Dave
Thank you.
I can now see the effect of ticking the box 'Fixed size of slide'. I note, however, that if this box is not ticked and I change the 'virtual size of slide' there is no observible effect when the aspect ratio is retained. Is this what you would expect?
Ray Groome
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I was interested in this question as I (wrongly) thought the answer was to tick the box 'Fixed size of slide' in Project Options/ Screen. However when I tried this I realised I did not understand the purpose of this box. In addition I don't fully understand the adjacent box 'Virtual size of slide'. Please can someone clarify for me the meaning of these?
Ray Groome
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Peter
I like it, thanks!
Ray
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Thanks, Peter, for that example.
If you start off with an image and then develop the frames as you suggest, how do you get the image to bottom of the stack?
I can only achieve this by deleting the image and then reopening it as a child of the bottom frame, which seems a bit clumsy!
Ray Groome
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I have another problem that you may be able to help me with.
I am wanting to export an edited video from Adobe Premier Elements to the Video Converter and I am not sure which settings I should use in Premier Elements. To my surprise I have found that under Share/ Export files for viewing on Computer/ AVI/ Advanced/ there is a setting 'Video Codec for PICTURESTOEXE' !!. Fame, indeed! But when I try that I cannot open the file in Video Converter. Any advice please?
Ray Groome
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If you use the default "Save" the converter is, apparently, designed to save in the optimum format for PTE i.e. MP4.
If however, you want to "Save As" you need to add the ".mp4" to the file name when you save.
I do not think that it is intended to convert all formats to all other formats.
DG
Thanks, that's solved it for me. The issue only occurs if you change the 'destination'.
Ray Groome
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I am unclear as to how I should use the Video Converter. When it converted an avi video, the saved file was not supplied with an extension and so it was necessary to add this before pte could recognise it. I added an avi extension to the converted file - which 'solved' the problem, but I am wondering if another extension would have provided a better result. Please advise.
Ray Groome
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Joy
I also experienced poor colours in PTE last year when I purchased a new high specification calibrated Dell monitor. The problem was resolved when I reset the colour space of the monitor to sRGB. When the monitor was set to a larger colour space the results in PTE were very poor- despite getting excellent results in Lightroom.
I understand this was due to there being no colour management built into PTE, whilst it is designed into the Adobe products.
Ray Groome
PicturesToExe
in Slideshows & AV Shows
Posted
What a super tutorial!, thanks.
Ray Groome