Conflow

Lin, May I be the 1st to applaude your excellent descriptive Post above ~ "how true your comments really are" ~ and I also agree that the 'veiled' purpose of XP3 is to ease ones transition over to Vista whether one like it or not. In reality the additional merits of XP3 are very marginal to say the least. In my opinion XP3 is NOT an upgrade, its a brand new 'transitional' Operating System and one must ask....what is the real primary purpose of this 'Half-Way House' ?? You are right Lin...."If its not broke,dont fix it"...of course if others are happy with XP3, let them get on with it, but I shall wait for a proper workable Operating System before I change XP2, and that might not be a Microsoft product. Brian.Conflow.

Yachtsman, I assume the Photos you 'shot' were JPegs, but those from the Internet are usually 8.Bit Gif Images to save space. Gif Images are 256 Colours (usually intense) but only 216 Colours are 'Internet Safe'. In comparison JPeg Images have unlimited Colour +167.Million (24.Bit) with much smoother spectrum reproduction with no Data loss. When Gif's are enlarged there are massive 'No-Data' voids within the Image because of the tiny Colour Count and these are filled by default with 'black-pixels' ~ (pixels turned off) and also 'white pixels' (pixels fully on). Problem being when the System scans a cluster of 'black-pixels' (no data) it tends to loose Scan-Synchronisation and then re-locks on the next Frame. This is rarely evident with a Show Exe on a PC because its a slow process, but when that Image is put on a DVD its multiplied 50 times for a 1.second TV.Viewing (50.Fields/Sec) and it 'drops-out' at the same point in each Frame ~ then very visible "jitter" is seen and most times the DVD Show becomes unstable. Tip: Never use Enlarged Gif Images in making a DVD. Brian.Conflow.

PixResizer Yachtsman, "PixResizer" will do 1024x768 resizing Formats ~ in fact it goes from 96.pixel all the way to 1200x900 pixel and all 'free-hand' choices of your own making. It will even create a 16:9 'compromise' format from 4:3 format, it is also a Format Transformer between: Bitmap,Gif,Jpeg,Tiff,Png and others. This is a solid well built Program which gets better every year and 'to boot' in had the help of the JPeg Industry Association who helped with the origional Software Code ~ one can't say better than that. We have used it for over 5 years on the most 'tricky' resize jobs. It also has a very clean 'Uninstaller'. Link and some Screen-shots below:- Have fun... Brian.Conflow. http://bluefive.pair.com

Dave Gee and Peter, Dave ~ your question concerning comparitives of "Blu-Ray~V~DVD" is really a 'Loaded Question'' because it would take nearly 2 pages of Forum Text to answer the question properly and that would divert away from the origional thread ~ "Poor quality of Pte DVD Shows" which I had answered. Here are the Basics Concerning 'Blue-Ray' ~ It's Recording Format is completely different to Standard DVD in that Blu-Ray is a HD Video System where Standard DVD is not (somewhat like Pal -V- Betamax Systems). 1) For a given DVD-Disc size and Rotation Speed the Blue-Ray Disc stores 10 times more Data than DVD for the reason that it contains more Recordable Tracks. 2) Also for the same size Disc ~ Blue-Ray contains more 'Data-Density' per Track than DVD, not only that but the 'Data-Bit' is 20 times more precise, so better definition is possible, thus its a 'High-Definition Disc'. 3) And again, the Colour Management is different (this is complex) although both use R-G-B Colour the Blue-Ray Colour is Ry-Gy-By ~ its too complex to explain here, see below. 4) Would 'Blue-Ray' improve the replay rendition of Pte-DVD Discs ? ~ Only marginally because the Pte-AVI is only a small part of the conversion process ~ there is so many more Conversion artifacts needed to bring the AVI up to a 'Commercial Television Standard' which includes Rasterisation and Colour Conversion and so much more, making the Software Package larger than 'Auto-Cad' and that package would not run on a Windows Computer. 5) Finallly the Blu-Ray Disc is cut with a Blue-Laser where DVD is cut with a Red Laser and Commercial DVD's are not cut at all ~ that process is a multi-layer Dye Process on the CD which are Laser-Etched whilst the DVD is held stationary. Here below is a Link to the 'Blue-Ray Association with has various Instructional-Videos and a User Forum and a Manufacturers Forum plus FAQ's and Tech.Section which will be of interest to all. LINK:- http://www.blu-raydisc.com/en/nlmp/Blu-rayGlobal.html Also a Screen-Shot of the Home Page ~ I hope this helps.... Brian.Conflow.

Hi All, This subject of PTE~TV quality issues has cropped up many times before and it can't be resolved by any currently available Software methods available to the general Public... Why ? 1) When you make an AVI for DVD you are simply multiplying the origional Image by X ~ where X is the Frame-Rate of the TV Set in question. Frame Rate = No of origional Picture frames per sec which is 25.fps in Europe and 30.fps in the USA. 2) Example:-Your Image of duration 4 secs = Pic x4 x25 = 100 Avi-Images for PAL TV Sets and 4x30 =120 Avi-Images for NTSC TV Sets and each of these is 720x540 pixels for PAL TV's and this is chosen to preserve the 4:3 aspect ratio of the TV-Screen. There are also other signals outside the visible Screen-Area concerned with Synchronisation and Colour correction etc. 3) In actuality, each 'TV Screen-Frame' contains 2 Image ~ the direct Image and a 2nd interlaced image so in visual terms you are getting (pseudo) 50 Frames per sec. This allows for TV 'motion' effect because the interlaced image could be that as a remnant from the previous Frame. TV-Studio Unlike your 'static-images' the TV-Camera works in a completely different way and in effect it is 3 Cameras in one. Whether it uses Videocon Tubes or CCD Image Sensors there are always 3 sensor-systems each to cater for the R-G-B Colour Data, plus Luminance and Chromanance and Remainance (delay-effect) and Synchronisation. It doesn't stop there because each is given a pre-emphasis boost to counteract losses during Transmission. Finally all this lot is 'Rasterised' into a composite TV-Signal which is locked into a signal level from Zero to 70% ~the remaining 30% is reserved for 'Black-Level' which also contains invisable signals. Summary Now you have the 'basic bare facts' about whats going on and when this reaches the TV-Set it is then de-compiled and de-modulated into the appropriate R-G-B signals plus FM Sound and Synchronisations. How the heck can you expect simple Digital-Software such as PTE to emulate that lot and also change your R-G-B data to TV Format ??....it can't be done. The PTE DVD Utility was intended purely to give a simple method of presenting your Shows on a TV.Set nothing else was claimed of it. Hope this goes some way to ending this 'never-ending' futile debate about DVD Disc quality. Brian.Conflow.

Geo and All, Yachtsman wrote (extract)..."I still advocate the KIS principle, leave us something to do with our pictures. PTE would soon become boring if everything was done automatically".... I completely agree with Yachtsman ~ the proposed 'Auto-Resize Utility' embedded within PTE would further complicate the Program and run's contra to many current efforts to make the Program simpler and more user friendly particularily towards the 'Novice' first time user. I know for a fact that there are many excellent (Free) Lossless-Resizers out there in the AV Industry (I use them) so why complicate PTE any further ?? Just recently Peter Appleton and Jeanne-Pierre came up with transformation 'Techniques' that do a better job than any Resizer would ever do in the hands of a Novice ~ in my opinion an inbuilt Pte-Resizer is simply asking for trouble which is totally unwarranted and uncalled for. I'll say no more... Brian.Conflow.

Yachtsman, Congrats to you. When you downloaded the Xp3 version KB936929 you actually downloaded the final (debugged) version of Xp3 which was just released in June and it finally got its International accreditation ISO9660 in July. This version took a full year to re-develop since the origional 'buggy' version Xp3 of 2007 ~ how time fly's !!!. By the way both of your Laptops use 'Intel Processors' and this version of Xp3 does not interfer with the Intel PPM System which the (origional) versions did.... Here is a little 'Tip' ~ just remember that Xp3 uses more resources than Xp2 and as such we would normally suggest to install 2.Gb of Memory Ram if you intend to use the Laptops 'intensively' with Photo-Editors and AV programs like Pte.5xxx. Best of luck with the upgrade. Brian.Conflow.

Gary, The real problem here seems to be your Personal Movies using 'video_ts.ifo Files' I now appreciate what you are trying to do...its a real 'bummer' for lots of reasons. Here below is a 'Google Search' on that subject and I see others have tried this ~ give it a Search. Brian.Conflow.

Arthur/Morris, There are a few ways of doing this, all equally effective ~ personally I agree with 'DaveGee'~ I also would make 'Templates' of the Shows from their 'Associated Folders' which should contain the .pte Path File, which means that the 'Shows' should open up on the Toshiba without problems. (If they don't open you have problems before you even start the Transfer process) * Open each Show in your version of PTE on the Toshiba and then create a 'Template' (see below)... * These 'Template's are stored within the Template Folder within your PTE Program Folder. * Simply copy the 'Templates' to a Memory Pen and then transfer them into the Template Folder of the PTE Program on your New HP Laptop. When finished, shut-down and new-start the Laptop Why use Templates ? Because the Template contains everything (inc Music) and .pte Path File and all Images...its an absolute 'mimic' of each and every (entire) Show Folder which will be loaded into the Template Folder of your PTE Program Folder on your New HP Laptop.. You can 'copy' these elsewhere into New Folders complete with the .pte Path File as needed. Why Memory Pen ? Its non-mechanical and the transfer is pure Digital (No Zip Compression) at speeds up to full USB Transfer protocol ~ and you have a 'copy' on the Memory Pen should you encounter problems. Hope this helps, Brian.Conflow.

Gary, The Utility 'MultiExtractor' would do your job ~ this appeared on the Forum August 4th onwards and it developed into a full blown discussion to which you had a number of Postings there in. Link: http://www.multiextractor.com Hope this helps. Brian.Conflow.

D by C, You wrote..."Also I made tons of DVD's with the old version using pix2exe + Sony my DVD"... I am guessing, as your Sony PC details are not complete and you were using 'old' Pte2. Program'... More details of the Sony PC are needed ?...is it using XP-Sp2 ?....have you downloaded 'Direct X-9' from Microsoft ?...What version of Pte.2 were you using ?...What DVD Authorising Program are you using ? and finally...What DVD Burner Program are you using ? Because you mentioned the 'Old Pte.2 Program' I guess it was Pte.4.48 or 4.49 but things have moved on since those days and that is the reason for the above questions !! Run-Time Errors are usually associated with: ~(1) Memory Overload. ~(2)Direct-X Utility. ~(3)Codec Problem. ~(4)Program Bug. Its necessary to identify which ? Brian.Conflow.

Ken, Hang on a minute ~ this is a Tech Problem and it seems to be in the correct Forum..."technical discussions,problems,etc,etc". Arthur. We have HP Laptops in our Workshops and yes the Main Hard-Drive is partitioned into two sections, viz:- 'Main Drive-C' and 'Sys-Backup Drive-F' and may I ask what do you mean by your 'Old D-Drive'? where is it ?.....was it, or is it in your Desktop PC ? More specific information would be most helpful. Brian.Conflow.

Xaver, My Post was to warn people about installing XP3 on ANY PC or Laptop without first consulting their Computer Manufacturer. I used an example of the Intel PC Management System (intelppm.sys) to illustrate what can happen to a PC should XP3 be downloaded on to an 'Intel Motherboard PC' ~ I did not mention AMD Motherboard PC's ~ and lets be frank about this, there are many other PC Manufacturers who do not use Intel nor AMD Processors but use their version of a Pc.PPM System to suit the Microprocessor used on that particular PC. Microsoft should never,never,ever mess around with the PCs' Management & Bios System on anyones' PC !! ~ its not their property ~ the owner didn't buy the PC from them. Microsoft were simply asked to supply a 'Software Operating System' ....thats all. I am not against XP3 ~ but if one wants to upgrade to XP3 ~ I recommend that they ask the PC Manufacturer for their prior advice ! regards, Brian.Conflow.

Anthony and Xaver, I have forgotten the number of times I have warned Forum Members about personally installing XP-Sp3 Upgrade available directly from the Microsoft-Site. Its looking for an accident to happen !! Why So ? 1) There are 3 versions of the XP3 Upgrade: The Origional (Flawed) ~ The Next was 'Patched Up' and the Final version which is 80% O.K and thats need's "intervention" to get it to work right. 2) XP3 is to XP2 as it was to XP origional. XP2 gave you a 'brand-new' Operating System which virtually rewrote the entire origional version of XP. Now XP3 re-writes XP2 in its entirety but it goes too far in that it also attempts to re-write the PCMP (PC Management Program) which is entirely different to the PC Operating System. 3) Antony just mentioned:- Quoted.."This basically detects the type of computer one has and identifies the 'intelppm' (whatever that is )" Note the word 'intelppm' that is the Intel PC Management Program. This Software governs the Set-up and the Performance and the Bios System of the Processor's within your Intel-PC. Messing with this (which Microsoft does) can have very serious consequences, often fatal to your PC. Be warned !!! UPGRADING TO XP3 ? ~ DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR ~ CONTACT THE PC MANUFACTURER FIRST and ask about the Upgrade and if there any 'intervention' Programs' available to assist you in the task. Brian.Conflow.

Hi KBG, In case you have one of those PC where the 'Clipboard' is hidden (for security reasons) and you don't have access to a Photo-Editor, the small utility called "DeskScan" will take a PhotoShot of any part of your Screen. Save this as a GIF File in My Documents and 'attach' the Image with your next Post to the Forum. This is easy to do. When you select the 'Reply Button' ~ underneath the Reply Window you will find a 'Browse Button' which finds your selected Image and then the 'Upload Button' which attaches it to your next Post. Best of luck with it ~ see 'Attachment' below for Web Source of 'DeskScan' Brian.Conflow. P.S...Exactly what Drive was replaced ??

Guys, Its great work Peter has done in finding a 'workaround' for the 'Vista-Flashback' problem but XP is a totally a different system depending whether its XP-Sp2 or indeed XP-Sp3 and Peters solution is solely applicable to Vista only. By all means try it out on XP-2 and on XP-3 but be warned that the results will depend on the 'System Setups' of different PC's ~ so don't be too dissapointed if it doesn't work, but if it does thats one less problem to contend with. Brian.Conflow.

Hi Peter, From your recent 'Tests' it looks as if you are on to something there and to my mind it seems to confirm that a special 'Vista API Application' solely controls the Vista Desktop whereas in the older OP-Systems Win-Explorer controlled the Desktop....this would be a logical explaination as to the perceived differences in behaviour. Igor, being a Microsoft API Licencee would be able to explain the differences ~ if it is a Vista (protected) API then there is nothing Igor could do about it, except we all try and get a 'work-around'... I am speculating here, but I dont think I'm far off the mark. Brian.Conflow. Put very simply:- (API means 'Application Programmable Interface' Module)...Some are protected, no source code available from MS.

Peter, Many thanks for all that hard work in testing the "Iconoid" Desktop Hider Program and from your comments and others who have tried it (and loved it) I can only comment as follows:- There seems to be a definite issue between Vista and PTE 5.5 with Acceleration switched on... (I am convinced that it has nothing to do with PTE otherwise it would be evident on XP and 2000) I have no solution for that, excepting that there seems to be a very special Windows API within Vista which makes the Visual-Desktop the 'de-facto' default (protected) Work-Area for the Vista System which in itself is completely different from all other Windows-Operating Systems. That certainly wouldn't surprise me, considering that Vista is an 'Image-Driven System' compared to the older Win-Systems which are 'File Driven Systems'...hence the apt named Vista ! It would be interesting to experiment with the 'Vista Right-Click Desktop Properties' compared to the 'XP RH.Click Desktop Properties' shown below. Concerning "Iconoid" ~ it is an excellent Program and an example is shown below for prospective Users. Brian.Conflow.

________________________________________________________________________________ Peter, The program has very many options one of which is a 'time-delay' on restoring the Desktop to normal which is user variable from 0.3sec ~10 sec.. You have to select this feature and set the timing delay and also you will have to play around with the options to get the desired results. As I had mentioned, I have not tried it out with Vista ~ you seem to be the first person to do so ~ unfortunately I don't have access to a Vista PC here in our Workshop just now, so I can't try it till one becomes available. Brian.Conflow.

Hi All, Here is a small Utility which may be a godsend to those of you who wish to hide your Desktop (on demand) for various reasons, including ~ hiding the 'Desktop-Flash' during presentation's of concesutive Slideshows. It has other uses such as:- showing your 'Music-Player and Play List' as a solo feature item on the Desktop and when working with selected Folders one can hide everything else except those Folders. It also has a 'time-delay' on Desktop Restore should this timing feature be needed as well as 'Fade Desktop'. One can also change the 'Blank-Desktop Colour' to Black...this is ideal for any PTE Shows History: In the past few months we have tried 18 similar Programs and this one has exceeded all our requirements right down to its excellent 'Contextural Mouse-Over Instructions' and Help Menu. The Developer is anxious that you report any 'bugs' encountered, that makes a change to the other 18 tried. The Program runs on all versions of Windows from '95 to XP (inclusive) but has yet to be tried out on Vista... It also has an excellent 'Uninstaller' within the Program Folder... It is also a 'Free-Utility' for the time being. Links and Screenshots below. Have fun... Brian.Conflow. Link:- http://www.sillysot.com

Hi HFImages, Your plan to replace your Hard-Drive and install Vista may give you a lot more headaches than what you anticipated. Quite simply, if your PC is more than 3 years old you are looking at a 'warren' of Microsoft understatements of the minimum requirements to install Vista. Here below is the (published) 'Microsoft Requirements Specifications' to run Vista on a PC. They really mean what they say ~ minimum requirements for Vista ~ and everything else is at your own risk. What they are saying is:..."We cant anticipate the additional needs of individual PCs".... The "Attachment" below will explain all and hopefully will help you in any decision you make. (Notes have been added to the Specifications in the light of hard practical experience) Do keep in contact and let the Members know how you are getting on. Regards, Brian.Conflow.

Gilbert, In real actuality ~ you are loading a 'Television Program' into PTE.5xx ~ the Images you see have been converted and Formatted into some form of TV.Standard before they were 'burnt' on to the DVD Disc. So in effect you are trying to load Video-Images into a Program which does not support those type of Images. There are ways of extracting them back to (near-origional) Photo format. Others on the Forum would have more experience in doing that, than I have... Then,you might have 'burnt' those Images on to a DVD yourself...your Post does not make it very clear as to whats on the DVD ? Brian.Conflow.

In reply to Xaver, Xaver wrote... If there really should be a Basic Version it should part of the actual software and not a new name for old software without new development, and which is to be installed separately. Brian Xaver, i completely agree with you, the 'basic version' is already available in Pte.5, and as we know Pte.4.49 uses a different Engine and there is no going backwards. Thats the reason I suggested the 2.Button set-up,viz:- Select Button.1 and Pte.5 operates as if it were Pte.4.49 and it is capable of doing just that. Xaver In my opinion, the situation should remain as it. Maybe it is possible to reorganize the menu structure of PTE v.5 in a way that it helps inexperienced users to configure the program according to their needs, but with the possibility to upgrade their projects when having learned more. Brian Xaver, again I agree with you ~ yes it may be possible to re-organise the Menu structure but that would entail more written Code whereas the Button solution (in theory) would simply 'Turn On/Off' those API's associated with PZR effects and yet leave the options available for those who need to use PZR and for the 'Novice' when he/she becomes more familiar with the Program. Of course there are other options,but what can be simpler than a Switch ? Xaver The drawback of any separation (basic, advanced, …) could be that configuration items which an advanced user would like to see in one menu will be split over two or more, not being an enhancement of usability. Brian Xaver, not necessarily so, because the Button (proposal) simply switches from 'Basic V.5-Program' over to 'PZR V.5 Program' and within that there are many other selectable options. Also Plug-Ins are not an ideal solution for -Beta-Testing New Ideas- but they are far more acceptable than simply adding 'new-code' to the existing Program. I am refering to Screen-Size options and Masks and new ideas for iPod etc,etc,etc. Ronnie's Post Certainly when one reads the Post from Ronnie Boothwest ~ I have to say that Ronnie does represent the concensus of ordinary Users in that the Program is becomming difficult for the 'New User/Novice' ~ I myself have a similar problem in Ireland with new (prospective) users and their feedback is similar to Ronnie's, its not so good ! Xaver, this is my last Post to this Thread. At this stage I wish to retire from this important discussion so Igor has some time to consider the options available as I know that he is concerned about these issues and other schedules which the Development Team are engaged in....and time is passing here also ! Best regards from Dublin, Brian.Conflow.

Hi Igor, You do have a problem with your Asus PC-900 and its Battery power consumption... Following on from 'world-wide complaints' they have now agreed to replace the 4400.mA/Hr Battery installed in your PC-900 but this appears to apply to Hong-Kong purchasers solely ~ what every other purchaser has to do ~ I simply don't know at this time of writing. In the meantime you could 'turn-off' the Wireless Lan Adapter (when not in use) and also re-configure the 'Power-Settings' in Control Panel according to the "Attachment" below ~ this should give you extra Battery life until the replacement arrives. (NB: The power-Settings shown below are for a Mechanical-HD and I assume there must be a similar Configuration-System for the SSD-HD) Here under is an "Attachment" and a Link to the 'Product Review Web Site' which will explain all ~ LINK:- http://www.product-reviews.net/2008/04/23/...umpc-batteries/ Brian.Conflow.

Igor & Team, Many thanks for the reply acknowledgement ~ and may I say the following:- PTE is a very successful Program and its getting better all the time, but in everyday life good Programs tend to become 'victim' of their own success ~ this also applies to Cars, Trains, Planes and Software etc. The more an object becomes successful, the more demands are made on it, such as you have written:- Item.1 Quoted..."I know it's necessary to think now use or don't use hardware acceleratation, problem with incorrect colors on ATI video cards with adjusted desktop gamma, slow work of slideshows on very old video cards".... Answer:-These are not PTE problem's they are "external" Hardware problems with some Computers and thats the reason I proposed the 2xButton Program Set-Up....Select Button.1 and Pte.5xx runs as if it was Pte4.49. Igor you have tried to help these people ~ but why compromise your Program with issues not of your making ?? Item.2 Quoted..."But almost all have seen terrific and impressive slideshows/AVs with smart usage of Pan/Zoom effects. So it's necessary to provide Pan/Zoom effects we have to use hardware acceleration" Answer:-Absolutely no problems with PZR Effect in PTE, they are wonderful excellent features but they are hard to use for the 'Novice' and 'New Purchaser' and there are many Pte Users who don't use those features at all, so again if you select Button.1 (proposal) that would make Pte.5xx run as if it were Pte.4.49. But this Button also gives access to PZR Effect when the 'Novice' has enough experience and is ready to use it. Item.3 The Big Problem... (How you are going to solve this I do not know)....Standard JPeg Image Size -V- Monitor Size's, and those who demand 'Full-Screen' in 4:3 Format or 16:10 Format and there are no 'Standard Camera Image Size's. Answer:- That was the reason for (proposal) Button.2...Advanced Features Button. Under that Button one could try out Jean-Pierre's Technique or indeed develop some 'Plug-Ins' which would accomodate the most popular Screen Size's without interfering with the Basic Pte.5xx Program with Acceleration switched on. If the Screen-Size 'Plug-In' works, thats great ~ if it doesn't work, try another, or wait till one becomes available. Finally I do know that you are working hard on the 'Mac System' and the 'iPod Interface' and other small 'Bugs'and I also know that the 'Novice' and 'New User' has concerns and I realise that there are only 24 Hours in the Day, so my 2.Button 'Set-Up Proposal' was my effort to try and help you overcome the 'immediate' problems and give you more time to work on your schedules without the distractions of these concerns......I think it would work for you. Kind Regards, Brian.Conflow.