Conflow

Hi Geoff, Thanks for that - well thats out of the way, so we are down to the following:- a) A Program effect or defect. A Vista Driver Problem. c) A Wireless Card Problem (always on). Q2) Is it running Vista or XP3 ? I hate to say this, but the Dell Inspiron 1721 has known Sound and Display and Driver issues which Dell choose to ignore and simply gloss over ~ but these 'issues' are all over Google? The "Links" below might be of some help to you, at least they might point you in the right direction. Sorry I cant be of any more help just right now ~ but this really is a Dell issue... There is a 'Diagnostic Disc' available specially for the Dell 1721 in UK. from Users.Com (Third below) So obviously there are some serious issues. Brian.Conflow. (Edited) http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q=De...tart=0&sa=N http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.ph...=0&t=666421 http://www.user-guides.co.uk/asp/product.a...20Test%20Repair

Geoff, You wrote..."1) Slideshows copied to hard-drive and played from there"... That was your answer to my No:1 Question (Post #8 above) you gave no other exact details. How did you do this ? ~ I had assumed you used existing Pte CD's and had simply replayed those on the Laptop and transfered the Files from the CD's to the Hard-Drive on the Laptop ? Did you play a Commercial CD-Music Disc as I had requested ~ this for 'Test purposes' ?? Can you be more accurate and tell me how you made the File transfer process ? That might close off one avenue of known failure mechanism. Brian.Conflow.

Hi Igor, Yes I agree with you ~ Vimeo and U-Tube don't give working examples as to 'Uploading' from an API Application. We in Conflow Services were looking at this problem and came to the following conclusions:- 1) There is a great difference between an AVI/Video ~compared to~ TV/Camera Video. 2) An AVI/Video can carry 'Malware' where its impossible to do this with TV/Camera Video. (Vimeo/U-Tube know this). 3) Consequently it is a simple matter to 'Upload' a TV.Extract or a TV/Camera Video presentation to Vimeo/U-Tube. 4) If the AVI/Video were 'recorded' on to a proper TV/Video Recorder (DVD Video Recorder) this 'Recording' just might work because Vimeo/U-Tube would not be able to discriminate between that and a genuine TV/Camera Video extract. It's just an 'idea' we have been working on and it might help 'Pics-Builder' to develop a possible solution to the problem. Kind regards, Brian.Conflow.

Geoff and Lin, Having looked at the details given, I have a strong suspition that the fault is in the CD/DVD Drive. Portable/Laptop CD-DVD Drives are very "iffy" at the best of times and this fault has all the hallmarks of a 'Cache failure' within the CD/DVD Drive Module. 'Cache Failure' is quite common in Laptops and this means there is no 'pre-loading' from the Drive and the Main Processor is forced to do that, but it needs a few millesecs to load the Music stream and thats your 'tiny' glitches. (It doesn't effect Pictures as these have a relatively long exposure measures in Secs) Try playing an ordinary CD-Music Disc (not of your making) I mean a purchased Music-Disc and if the 'fault' is still there it's definitely Cache failure ~ if it plays O.K then its a program fault elsewhere in the System and I'm afraid its going to be a hunt to find it ! Brian.Conflow P.S... If it's 'cache-failure' you will have to replace the 'DVD/CD Drive Module' ~ they are a Standard Plug-In Unit (not too expensive less than £40)

Tom, Well I did tell you that Vimeo and U-Tube made changes to their System's and you may as well be advise now that they will be making on-going changes to prevent 'persons' downloading the Shows without the Authors permission. Part of those changes, is changing the 'Log-In' procedures so to deny 'alias' Log-Ins. It seems that Igor has come up with an 'auto-check system' for Pte Presentations, that's a good idea. Brian.Conflow.

Tom, You might be making an 'incorrect assumption' concerning Pte 5xx (your version). 'Log-on' to Vimeo again, but this time try and 'upload' one single Photograph and see what happens. If that works then it may be Pte ~ if the Photo won't load its your Security settings ~v~ Vimeo Settings. I can assure you that many of the 'Public Uploader Utilities' have changed their settings in the past few weeks. Try 'downloading' anything from You-Tube and you will see what I mean....they now send you an EMail Link !! You can no longer use a U-Tube Grabber. Anyway try the single Photo and see what happens. Brian.

Hi Tom, Do you have 'Pop-Ups' or 3rd Party Cookies blocked in your Browser Window ? Many of these sites use Pop-Ups and return Cookies to identify legitimate 'Log-On Users' On the top of this Page click.Tools. Go up to 'Tools'-->Internet Options-->Privacy Tab-->Check if 'Block Pop-Ups' is ticked ? Alternatively select-->Settings-->Type in the URL of Vimeo-->select-->Add and in the bottom strip-Window select either: Low, Med, High. That may be the problem. Brian.Conflow

Hi Geoff, You wrote:-..."Played some slideshows on my wife's laptop, (Dell Inspirion) and noticed that I was getting a glitch in the sound at random intervals" May I ask how did you Play these Slideshows:- 1) Directly from a CD-Disc using the Dell's internal CD-Drive ? 2) Is this CD-Drive a 'Combo DVD+CD System' ? or 3) Downloaded the Slideshows and then played them off the Dell Hard-Drive ? or 4) Played them from a USB Memory Pen ? 5) Was the Slideshow(s) Vision rendering perfect ? 6) And what Model of the Dell Inspirion was used ? Sorry for the questions but ther're necessary to try and isolate the problem. Brian.Conflow

Tom, Just 2 things:- 1) I am using "Outlook Express 6" and Peter is using "Microsoft Outlook" two different Programs all-together. 2) I also have my 'Security-Setting' adjusted to the Attachments shown in my #14 Post above. In these circumstances I simply have to 'Browse' and find my Image in My Documents then 'click-it' and simply hit the 'Upload Button'. The Image is loaded to Cursor position. Thats it... Brian.

Hi Peter, Thanks for the reply ~ It just goes to show ~ "every man to his own brew" ~ but I had a concern about the FAQ's which you had mentioned earlier. I know you are trying hard to sort these out but what hope has anyone got when Microsoft keeps changing the Goal-Posts. So FAQ's for Vista are completely different to those with XP2/3. I don't envy that job you are trying to do, it would drive most of us to dispair. Regards, Brian.Conflow.

Peter, You wrote...."Do you not have to go into "Manage Current Attachments" and do an Add Operation?".... No I don't do that, and I can also add Zips etc; at will. But on reflection I know whats going on (its so simple to forget these things)....it's to do with your Security-Settings and indeed others may be in the same situation as you....So its worthwhile checking your Web and EMail settings,see below. Image-1 (below) concerns normal WEB Security-Settings. IE-Explorer.5~6. Image-2 (below) concerns normal EMAIL Security-Settings. OE-Express.5~6 Let me know if this helped... Brian.Conflow.

Hi Peter, I'm not too sure what you mean by:-...."Brian omitted the very last step, actually attaching the uploaded item to the post".... The 'Screen-shot' in the bottom of my Post demonstrates how to do that and that works always with '98-2000-XP-XP2-XP3 and as I don't use Vista, I can't comment. Mike is using Windows XP3 and I have just tested the Attachment and it works fine and there have been 16 downloads so far......so I must admit I am trying to understand what the perceived problem is ??? Brian.

Mike, Try and avoid 'Word Docs' they are a bit 'finniky' use Gif or JPeg Images taken with a Screen Capture Utility Shown below is HOW TO DO an Image attachment. Brian.Conflow.

Mike, This problem comes up from time to time and it can either be simply fixed or it can becomes a 'right so and so' which needs tracking down. 1) Please let us know the Make & Model No: of your New Monitor ? 2) Please let us know the Make & Model No: of your Computer ? 3) In the meanwhile see the Photo Instructions below and try that. Brian.Conflow.

Barry, You're bang on target ~ I had explained that to Peter in the other thread 'H4 Problem Solutions'. It's an electronic artifact which the H.4 generate's itself under certain operational conditions. Unfortunately there is no way of removing it with the 'Sound Editors' we have available on Forum. However (fortunately) there are way of avoiding it alltogether with proper 'selective' set-ups. Brian.Conflow.

Peter, Firstly may I say your NWR Production is really excellent ~ particularily the way you captured the 'ambience' of the Locomotives & Carriages, the colour photography is also very well balanced. I too photograph Trains for Technical purposes and as you know its quite difficult to get it right ~ particularily when its raining. Below are 2 of the most difficult ones I ever photographed, too shiny and too fast. Back to the H.4 Recorder, the 'spectrum-graph' I illustrated was 20.secs of your 'Voice-Over' in the NWR Show and the fault shows up clearly ~nothing to do with you~ its a machine problem, but there are ways around it. This is a 'Digital Thing'~ The H.4 is not the only Recorder which has such a problem.These Recorders are so new on the Market...that many smaller Manufacturers are still grappling with the dynamics of Acoustics where in comparison the 'Big Boys' like Sony have been in this business since the late '50s, so they know a thing or two about Digitial-Audio which they don't intend to share. It's also a very steep learning curve for Forum Members. If I can be of any help in this respect, just let me know. Brian.Conflow.

Tom, Be careful with that recommendation, you wrote:-...."I think your clip on will perform OK with your iMic".... Some of these supply a DC.voltage down the signal line ~thats not good for the iMic~ best test the Mini-Jack with a little Voltmeter to make sure there is no voltage present...with these things its always safe to be sure !! All the best, Brian.Conflow.

Tom, You are quite correct, any cheap Cassette Type (Mono-Microphone) or even a better type, will do the job. Microphone Impedance should be between:- 200 ohm ~ 1000 ohm and best fitted with a Mute switch. As always it should be mounted on some form of Desk-Stand with a Felt layer under the Stand. It will also need to have a 3.5mm 'Mini-Jack Plug' fitted to it to suit the Griffin Mic Input. The same Mic can also be used with the Zoom Recorders. (switch off the internal Mics) I can't comment on (Battery-powered) Electret Microphones as there are so many different types available and some of these are Phantom-powered, not suitable for the Griffin iMic. Regards, Brian.Conflow.

Hi All, This will be of interest to all of you who own a Zoom H.4 Sound Recorder and its 'ultra-sensitivity' problem when making 'Voice-Overs' for your PTE Slideshows. Hither too and up to recently the Zoom Manufacturers have denied that such a problem exists (despite your personal experience of it) ~ Its rather interesting that they have released the "H.4 Version 2" where this defect has been rectified. See Attachment: Image-0 (below) For those of you who own a (normal) H.4 Version1 ~ a work-around solution can be found in your User-Manual ~ Pages 90 to 92. This applies to 'Voice-Overs' only. Here are things you have to do:- * Use 'Mono Recording Mode' only. * Stereo or 4 Channel should never be used. * Use the lowest Mic Sensitivity Level (L) * If possible use Mp3 Recording at VBR setting. * In 'Mic-Preamp Effects' (Page.90-92) select FLAT MPRE * In 'Mic Effect' select 'Low-Cutoff' 1~10 and select 'Shure Mic SM57'. The combination of these settings will prevent input A/D Overload and will reduce the excessive 'Bass Response' which causes the overload resulting in an unplesant "sound warble" and in extreme cases "sound-clipping". See Attachment: Image-1 (below) There is a 'Supplemental-Manual H.4' available from the Zoom Site for download which explains these issues which I had reported in an earlier Post reviewing the H4. Hope this helps with the problems. Brian.Conflow.

Pete & Lin, As an old Engineer was heard to say..."Why fix somethin' dat's not broke" ~ just copy your New Key on to a Text Document (Use Notepad) and 'Save As' New-Key into a secure Folder other than and apart from the PTE Folder. Just simply hang on to it for 'safe-keeping'...its your receipt of purchase. Brian.Conflow.

Yachtsman & All, Yachtsman you wrote..."To sum up, I have now downloaded the "hidden" software from the Griffin site, however I still can't test it as I don't have a suitable mike, but be sure I will and will report "without prejudice" what I find".... Well thats good News, and here below is a 'Live Demo' of the iMic in 'Voice-Over' usage ~ courtesy of Tom McCourt U.K. this to prove that it does work, and it works well. Yachtsman, if you have any other problems with the Product, why not contact 'Griffin Technologies' I found them very helpful indeed. (Their Web "Link" is in my last Post to you) Concerning your comments about the (lack-of) Software Instructions using the Griffin CD-Installation Disc ~ yes unfortunately this is a problem for some people ~ but after 20 years of Microsoft Windows usage most Manufacturers (assume) that the PC User has aquired the skills and knowledge to Install a 'Plug & Play Device' such as:- Mem-Pens ~Card Readers ~USB Hubs ~Camera Software and all such like devices...its not Rocket Science. Your comment could equally be applied to the PTE Program, and many other Programs....but this is a "Help Forum" where if a user has a problem they usually ask for 'Help' which is always "freely" offered and in my experience with PTE, the user rarely if ever 'pillars' the PTE Program but endevours to get on with it, with the assistance of the Forum Members ~ thats exactly what I offered you on the Griffin iMic. MediaFire 'Demonstration of Griffin iMic in Voice-Over usage' LINK:- http://www.mediafire.com/?4ngm5nayoto Brian.Conflow.

Barry, Here below is a 'Live Demonstration of the Griffin iMic used in Voice-Over' ~ this courtesy of Tom McCourt (Tomuk) U.K. MediaFire Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?4ngm5nayoto Brian.Conflow

Yachtsman, Good god, your're not up my nose ~ I just like to see fair Play for a Product and in this instance you have overlooked the following:- 1) This is an 'Apple-Mac' Product ~ its not a Windows product ~ thus the name Griffin iMic somewhat similar to iPod. Griffin make virtually all the accessories for Apple-Mac and its name iMac should have indicated that to you. (Windows-XP is also catered for) 2) Had you 'opened' the CD-Disc you may have found Windows Drivers on it ??...in that respect I simply dont know whats on your particular Disc. However you should have found Playthrought on the Disc and this must be loaded for the device to work properly in Mac and Windows. 3) I didn't write the 'Instruction-Manual' so I'm not getting into an 'argument' or dessitation about it. I did try to help you, and the Windows Drivers ARE available on the Griffin Web-Site and I will assure you that there are many thousands of satisfied 'owners' using this product. See 'Attachment'. Brian.Conflow.

Yachtsman, I just read 2 Copies of your Post ~ It's a little unfair to compromise the Product for others before you even get it going.....However here below is some help. I think you put the 'Cart before the Horse' ~ the Griffin IMic is a 'Plug & Play Device' and there are many Programs on the CD (including Audacity) and don't forget that anything on a CD is always 'older' that the latest Web downloadable version of anything. Being a USB Device you are supposed to connect it to your PC which is 'Switched-Off' You then 'Switch-On' your PC and when it boots-up it will announce "Found New Device" it will then offer to install suitable USB Drivers for the device ~say No~ and it will then ask for the CD-Disc which you now insert. it will probably ask if your PC is a Mac or a Win PC (that you choose for yourself) you then 'guide' the Install Utility to the CD Disc, double clk.the Disc Icon and (hopefully) it will find the proper Program for you. If you are doubtful about selecting and installing the Software yourself, proceed as follows... Get on to Griffin Technologies and find the IMic and the appropriate 'Windows Pak' its free and here below is their 'Link'~ LINK: http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic iMic 'Support Tab' (Top RH.Side) click this ~ 'Windows Pak's' are the 2nd or 3rd down the List. Have fun... Brian.Conflow.

LAPTOP MOBILE POWER Pete & Lin, If you want Computer Power (on site) there is nothing to beat the little "Maplin 75 Watt Micro Inverter" Costs about £10 (UK) or $15 (USA). Model: A85HZ You supply it with 12v.DC (Car Battery) or from a 12vDC.30AH.Battery or from your Car Cigarette Lightei it converts this into 240v.AC available an its 3 Pin Socket. (RadioShack USA have the 110v.AC type) Plug in the Laptop 'Power Supply' and it also recharges the Laptop Battery whilst operating your Laptop. Maplin.UK or Radio Shack USA. Link: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criter...r&source=15 (Screenshot below) Hope this helps... Brian.Conflow.