Conflow

Hi Jim, Great to hear from you again, hope you and family are fine and yes I'm still using the Lens with the Pentax. Concerning your Network and the PC's and you are using XP ~ by any chance did you download the XP-Sp3 upgrade or did the PC's perform an 'auto-upgrade' from Microsoft ? ~ I know its a tricky question and we might have to find that out, problem being that the Sp3 Upgrade is giving problems with certain PC Setup's. But first, lets try and establish:- Were the PC working O.K before you downloaded PTE.5 ? ~ it seems thats a 'Yes' and if that's a certainty, its more than likely that the Sp3 Upgrade was downloaded prior to you downloading PTE5.5 and its also possible that your Technician may have downloaded it in good faith. You need to check that ! This will give problems totally unconnected with PTE 5.5. with certain PC's. I need to find more Data about that particular PC, and to that end I have "Attached" 2 Screenshots (F1 and F2) which are instructions as to how we can find those details. I need a 'screenshot' of the 'System Information Window' as shown in F2. Hope to hear from you soon, Brian.Conflow.

Pushu, Some Questions:- 1) Before downloading PTE 5.1 was your Computer running O.K. ? 2) What Operating System are you using ? 3) By any chance have you downloaded Vista ? 4) If so have you downloaded the Sp2 Upgrade ? 5) Do you know the Make and Model of the Computer ? With that information we should be able to get the problem sorted. Brian.Conflow.

Hi Ken, Its difficult to answer a starting 'Price Benchmark' because its really a matter of personal choice once the 'Tech Specs' are established. For instance your example where the HP works but the Toshiba has a small problem: Toshibas' tended to be short on 'Page File Memory' (Not RAM) and this is a Bios problem which can be sorted. As a 'Starter Benchmark' the Hewlett-Packard ranges from Models 5000 upwards are excellent and are available with XP from their 'Factory Refurbishment Division' as low as Euro 450 with 1.Year Guarantee and 3.Year Maintainance Insurance. And a 10 day Money-Back Guarantee. So from there the sky is the limit. Contact your Local HP Offices (Refer to Link). Call them up and give them the Spec. No problems as these people are Technically competent and there is a division in every Country ~ Worldwide. Link below:- http://www.hp.com/sbso/buspurchase_refurbi..._computing.html Hope this helps, Brian.Conflow.

Hi All, Seems that everyone is still confused about the selection of a Laptop/Notebook suitable for PTE.5.5 and invariably the topic turns around to the Installed Graphic Card (if there is one) and the relative merits of 'Intergrated Chip-Set Laptops (most are today) those versus 'Card-Built Laptops' which are becoming obselete. All this is "Putting the Cart before the Horse" for the reason if the Data Management System has a restricted through-put ~ you can spend what you want, on what you like ~ and it still won't work ! Get the 'System Selection' correct ~ then and only then ~ think about upgrading your Graphics Card. XP-HOME LAPTOPS (XP-Home is the fastest version of XP for small memory Laptops) * Dual Processors or Duo-Core with speeds of +1.6 Gb each. * Ram User Memory 1 Gb (min) * Page File Memory 2 Gb (min) * Virtual Memory 2 Gb (min) * Available Virtual Memory 2 Gb. * Data-Buss Speed +600 Mb/sec min) * Hard Drive 5200rpm Sata. (XP-Sp3 Upgrade) If your PC has 'auto-downloaded' the XP version Sp3 Upgrade and you wish to use PTE 5.5 you will need a minimum of additional 512.Kb of RAM Memory to run the 'auto-upgrade' in tandem with PTE 5.5. VISTA LAPTOPS They won't tell you this - Vista is an animal with resources, spending more time checking itself and your deployment of it and its own Security than doing any useful work for you. It Needs:- * Dual Processors or Duo-Processors with speeds of +1.8.Gb each. * Ram User Memory 2 Gb. (minimum). * Page File Memory, it needs 3 Gb to run right. (Vista uses 1 Gb) * Virtual Memory, it neeeds 3 Gb to run correctly with Vista+PTE. * Available Virtual Memory, its tight with 2 Gb. better with 4 Gb. * Data-Buss Speed at least +670 mb/sec to run Vista+PTE. * Hard Drive minimum 5200rpm better with 7000rpm Sata. SO HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONE ? Go to the Shop and bring a CD-Disc Show with you (preferably made with PTE 5.5) and also bring the 2 Printouts of the "Attachments" shown below ~ they will be your Guide and Deciders. (CAUTION:- Be wary of Machines stamped "Vista Capable" these will not run PTE with Vista as they are generally optimised for XP, see Attachment F-2). If they meet the F-2 Spec for XP they will run PTE5.5. How to Find the Data:- Attachment F-1 What Data to look for: Attachment F-2 (Also see 'Link' in Post No:3 below this) Hope this is of some use in making your choice, at least you are on the right Tracks... Brian.Conflow.

Hi Xaver, "Digi" never mentioned which version he wants to move, but this works with all 4xxVersions but as yet I have not tried it with 5xxVersions. I see no problem because he still has to copy his 'RegKey' into the Program and many Users make a Notepad .txt File of the Key for easy of Copy and Entry into all PTE-Programs. The reason I suggested 'Copy & Move' the entire Folder is because he may have made some Templates of various Shows ~ with copy/moving the entire Folder he is less likely to loose these. Even if he has lost his 'RegKey' all he has to do is send Igor his 'Forum Membership Number' for sales-validation and he should get a duplicate of it. Most likely he already has the Regkey in the PTE-Folder ~ let's wait and see. Regards from Dublin. Brian

Freebird, Sorry you got no positive answers here ~ you might try this Program "BSR Screen Recorder" see the "attachment below" and follow this Link for a 'Free-Trial' ~ excellent Tutorial. Link: http://www.thesilver.net/ Brian.Conflow.

Digi, To find your RegKey the following should help...Open your PTE Program Folder and look for a Notepad File called Reg. (See "Attachment" below.) A 'sure-fire' way of transferring your Pte Program to your Main PC is simply copy the entire PTE Folder on to a Memory Pen and 'move' that Folder on to your Main PC. (I did say 'move' the Folder not copy it on to the Main PC) Then turn off your Main Pc and give it a fresh New Start. That should work. Brian.Conflow.

Hi Andrew, You wrote (extract)..."I am wondering whether it is safe too install these now"... I wonder did you mean to say ...too uninstall these now?... Irrespective of that, it is a "dilema" for many PC owners having various 'beta' versions of a particular Program on a PC ~ not the least being that newer 'beta' versions tend to drop some features available in the older Programs. Whether your 'older Shows' open-up in Pte5xx is really a matter of trying them out, but so far there seem's to be very few and relatively minor issues with that. However, we have had problems with 'Windows Auto-Updates' which reset some of your personal PC settings back to Windows default settings and in some circumstance that makes it impossible to open 'older' Programs ~ nothing to do with the PC its a Windows issue. To get around this we have a 'Utilities Folder' within which is a 'Zip Folder' containing the downloaded Programs Zip Files + RegKeys ~ so when we have a Windows problem we simply re-download the Program from its 'On-Board' Zip Installer. This has many advantages,viz:- *No running 'duplicate' Programs to cause problems. *Immediate acces to a new Copy Program. *Minimum Memory usage. *Zip always available for Export purposes. *Secure RegKey. The "attachment" below may give you some ideas as to how to secure your older Programs and newer Beta's. Hope this is of some help to you. Brian.Conflow.

Freebird, Welcome back and I do appreciate what you wrote 'go easy'.... I think you are trying to incorporate a Video Camera Track into your PTE Slideshow ? Forget the technics for a moment ~ I'm sure this is do-able but it would be a complex task. May I suggest that you might be (for simplicity).."Putting the Cart before the Horse" A far easier way would be to incorporate your PTE Slideshow into a Video + Your Camera Video, and to get help in doing that may I suggest that you re-send your query to PTE Forum No:5. PTE has advanced a lot since your last visit in 2006 and another version of PTE can create a Video. If you click on the 'Screen-Shot' below it will show you the path to Forum No:5 where you will meet all the Members who engage in what you are trying to do. Hope this is of some help... Best of Luck. Brian.Conflow.

Dirk, I tend to agree with Lin about MP3 Files ~ 'black magic' at times. But something comes to mind about Audacity and I wonder if this is the culprit (I don't mean Audacity) viz:- Correct me if I'm wrong:-...I assume your Background-Track incorporates various individual Tracks and I wonder how you stitched these together to make the 'Background-Track ? If there is a slight discontinuety or gap in the Mp3 Track-Line the Sound Player will "freeze" and most likely will "freeze" the Show. Its the way MP3 is, it needs an uninterrupted track line for sound continuety purposes. Audacity tends to jump these gaps being a Sound Editor and indeed I had similar problems in the past, now I 'overlay' Tracks rather than 'butt-joint' them and sometimes I use the Audacity Silent Line to assure absolute continuety....Just a thought ! (Example below) it might help. Brian.Conflow.

Dirk, You wrote..." The problem occurs at the exact point where I yesterday deleted a slide, and inserted a new one"... This might help you:- When you delete an Image it leaves behind a 1.kB Dat File in the location of the missing Image. If you open up PTE Main Window (Classic view) and re-load the Show and go down the 'Main Window File List' you should see the .dat File ~you need to delete this and re-save the Show (Save As) ~ this recreates the .pte File (Work in progress) and hopefully all should be O.K. Alternatively remove the new Image, then again 'Save As' to re-create a new .pte File, this should work. Later on you can introduce your new Image and re-save again. Sounds more complicated than actually doing it... Hope this helps. Brian.Conflow.

Simon, If you have something to contribute to Forum Members about Codecs it would be most welcome ~ rather than the criticism you just vented against me for trying to help other Members whilst trying to keep things simple. Concerning 'Sound Forge' ~ do you mean 'SonySound Forge Audio Editor', Sony's attempt to purloin the Open-Source Web Site 'Sound Forge.Net' the distributors of Audacity Editor. Sound Forge.Net were the origional Distributors of the 3-2-1 Classic Player and one had to download the Codecs's for it to work properly including 'QuickTime and 'RealPlayer' extensions. Brian Kelly.Conflow.

Simon, With respects, I have offered Forum Members a means of understanding Codecs and their uses and have made an effort to de-mystify these things. Classic Player 3-2-1 (Version6.4v9 is also offered as a simple means of 'Testing' their Productions live on their PC's without the restrictions deployed in Windows Media Player 10 & 11. The Classic Player is 'packaged' within the Codec-Pak and we as Electronic Engineers are very familiar with Soundforge and the 666 version of the Player ~ but that would have entailed an additional 'download' and importing the Codecs into the 666 Player which I believe would be beyond the scope of most Forum Members. Concerning 'DivX-Pro' you are well aware that the Suite will only work on 'Certified DivX DVD Players' with DivX-Media on a CD-Disc which is really "off-base" in the present context. Had you gone to the Download Site you would have see the (certified) Open-Org Source of the Codec-Pak and perhaps would have reconsidered the comments in your Post above because we also use Commercial Codecs in our Business. Brian Kelly (Snr) Conflow Services. Dublin. Irl.

Hi All, Following on from a previous 'thread' and other enquiries the following deals with the 'Essential Codec Pak' from Media-Org. Having downloaded the 'Codec-Pak' users are non-plussed as how to use these devices and in what applications. The 'Photo-Instructions' below should de-mystify Codecs and will also explain where they are used, and why they are used. Here below is a Link to acquire MPeg-Encoder-7 which encodec AVI's to MPeg2 and Mpeg4 and more. (9.2.Mb File). http://www.download.com/3120-20_4.html?qt=...ch&tg=dl-20 The "Essential Codec Pak" also has a copy of the ever useful 'Windows Media Classic Player' so you can test your Productions on your PC. (Do not confuse the 'Classic Player' with the 'Windows Media Player v10 or v11) Classic Player has no restrictions and will also repay U-Tube and similar Productions. Here below is a Link to the "Essential Codec Pak" http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/essential...codec-pack.html Brian.Conflow.

Gary, By the very nature of what you are attempting to do, my reply has to be a 'multi-facet' answer,viz:- 1) How to do it ? Please refer to Lin's Post No:3 above ~ Lin has given you the answer there. 2) PTE Drop-down List of Codecs ? This is a 'tricky one' and perhaps best answered by Igor, because I simply don't know how the WnSoft Team wrote the API Application for their Codec (drop-down) selection List and I dont know if its possible to select an 'external' Codec as Lin suggested. You need Lin's help with that one. 3) Importing Codecs into the PTE Program Folder. It is possible to copy Codec's into the PTE Program Folder, but whether the PTE Program will recognise such and register these for usage, I have no answer ~ Again Igor or Lin could answer this. 4) Best Codec to Use ? No simple answer to this either ~ it depends on what you want to do with the AVI File. These Files can be converted into simple Video Files or TV.Video Files both Pal & Ntsc (Digital & Analog types) -SWF Files -and a whole range of Video Applications from Blue-Tooth to U-Tube and iPod and Web-Flash applications. You need to decide exactly what you want to do with the AVI's and re-post back here with that query. Sorry I cant be more specific, but I hope I have pointed you in the right direction so to make a decision. Brian.Conflow.

Jim and All, Here below is a Link to 'Snapfiles' and the 'Open-Org Software Group' their "Essential Windows Codecs" which has everything you may possibly need plus the excellent 'Windows Classic Player 6.8' These 'Codecs' are essential for replaying Video/Audio Media (anything) ~ including U-Tube and Windows Media etc. Enjoy... Brian.Conflow. Link:- http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/essential...codec-pack.html

szphoto, Simply re-open your origional Slideshow Folder and re-open the Presentation with the:- .pte File...into the Main PTE Program Window. Now make a 'Template' of the Show which will be stored within the PTE Program Folder. You can then 'copy' that into a New Folder of your choice and re-name that Folder and park-it elsewhere on your PC...then remove any other duplicate. The 'PTE Template-Utility' is designed to do exactly what you want to do. It makes an exact copy of all the Images,Sounds,Transitions,etc..... It's a carbon copy ~ of the origional Show and all its contents. "See attachment below" Brian.Conflow

Dave, Glad to be of assistance to you and thanks for the 'Off-Forum' reply ~ this following my advice to install the XP-Op System in deference to Vista which came ready pre-installed on your Hewlett-Packard Laptop. As I had said, the '945 Chip-Set' was never designed to run Vista with 1.Gb of RAM, but then this is so typical of Microsofts' arrogance trying to "ram" Vista down our throats and worse still "trying" to force Manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard and Intel to use this 'bloated' Op-System. Someday, do try and upgrade your Memory to 2.Gb and watch your '945 Chipset' really take off. If I can be of further help to you, just drop me an EMail. Brian.Conflow.

Dave & Colin, Colin you wrote.."I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Dave, but I think the HP is intended as a business computer, and as such is not up to the task of graphics-intensive output"... Colin with respects, that's an unqualified statement and is completely untrue and misleading. Hewlett-Packard make 83 Laptops - I know,because we have 4 of them...and they ALL WORK PERFECTLY with PTE. The Intel 945 Bridge-Chipset with 1Gb of RAM and the matching Duo-Core Processors are an Industry Standard designed by Intel in co-operation with Hewlett-Packard for IBM Business Laptop Markets. (HP manufacture the laptops for IBM). The Chip-Set was designed to work with XP and optimise all the best 'speed-features' of XP which is lightning-fast with these Chips. Dave, they were NEVER intended for use with Vista and had you visited the HP Website they offer the laptop in XP ~ one of the few Manufacturers who do so. Should you wish to stay with Vista you will need a RAM Upgrade to 2.Gb because Vista need all of your 1.Gb) Personally, I would dump Vista ~It is not Laptop friendly~ Its O.K for Desktops, if you like that type of 'bloated' OP.Sys. (Hewlett-Packard will help you with this. Contact Customer-Support with Laptop Reg No: and ask for XP-Install Disc). There in lies your problem, either provide more RAM or better still, install XP-Home...I did say XP-Home !. It's the fastest XP version. Brian Kelly. Conflow Services. Dublin.

Mike, Nice to see you found the 'fault' ~ human error, it happens all the time. Just to explain 'Monitor-Response' time - its tha ability of the Monitor to go from Full-Black to Full-White and return to Full-Black in xx Milleseconds at its native Design-Resolution. (You quoted 2mS but not the Size Resolution) (Thats an All-Colour excursion from black to White in xx mSecs) In your case, from the figures you quoted, it appears that the Images were 17x larger than your 1024x685 pixels and I reckon they were some 12x larger than the native resolution of the Monitor, in terms of pixel counts. In that case the Monitor response time would have fallen off drastically to something near 20mS per frame ~ that would have created your flicker irrespective how powerful the PC actually is. (The price we pay for going beyond design criteria accidental or otherwise). Hope that was of some help. Brian.Conflow.

Mike, You don't say whether you are using a PC or a Laptop ? In either case ~with large LCD Monitors or Screens~ (+19" or +480mm) using 'resolves' of 250millesecs or faster. Its absolutely imperative that the Monitor has a 'response-time' better than <5millesecs. With bigger older LCD and TFT Monitors the response times were somewhere between 6~9millesecs (too slow) and usually gave after-smear when the cursor was dragged across the Screen with 'Cursor Shadow' turned off, thats also a handy indicator of response time (see below). Today,such Monitors have response times less than 4millesecs. With fast transitions 2millesecs would be the required norm. (Older CRT Monitors also slow-up after years of usage) Check up on the response time of your Monitor before any other actions, you can find this by visiting the Manufacturers Web-Site and checking on the Model and Serial No. Also check the 'Frame-Rate'(It might save you a lot of hassle) Brian.Conflow. Quik-Chek for Response Time (Cursor means Mouse Pointer) On the (open) Desktop drag the cursor across the Screen at at moderate rate. 'After-smear' on the moving cursor should be less than: < half the cursor width.

Lin, I appreciate what you said above ~ however I stand by my statement, this Project was started last year. That is unless I'm dreaming, or the Calander is wrong below ~ thats possible !!! but at the end of the day where is the PC data ? for without it everything is speculation ~ thats the point I am making, and by my own admission, I expect we have to wait for that input. Brian. Lin see Lauras' Profile Dated Snap-Shot below:- 29th August 2007.

Yachtsman, Good advice from Colin and following on Barry's Sony Specification, here below is:- A (Mid-Range Cost) of a 'Hewlett-Packard (Commercial) Laptop ~ WITH XP So you can compare what you get for your money. ______________________________________________________________________ Hewlett-Packard 'Invent 5500' (Mid-Cost Commercial Laptop) Processor Types: Intel 'Dual' each 1.8Ghz Bios System: Hewlett-Packard F.23 Op-System: XP-Sp2 (Version 5.1.26) Intergrated Firewall & System Firewall. Support Utilities: H.P Support/Bios Suite 300.Mb Complete with Norton 2007 Internet Suite. Full Suite of Microsoft Works 8.0 Powerpoint Viewer and Win 10 Media Player RAM Memory: 1 GB. Type DDR2 SDRAM Virtual Memory: 2.Gb Page File Memory: 2.Gb Hard Drive Capacity 80.GB Sata 7200rpm (1.Gb Pre-Installed 'Ghost' of Op-System) CD-Optical Drive: DVD+-RW/+-R DL/RAM Complete with Sonic CD & DVD Burn Software. Screen Size/Type 15"inch.32bit (800x600 ~ 1280x800 Selectable) Brightness Buttons Up/Down. Graphics Card Type: Intel-PicBridge 945 Graphics Memory: 2.Gb VGA Output Socket: YES Support 16 Bit-Program Support: YES Wireless Enabled: YES Telephone Enabled: YES Ethernet Enabled: YES Joystik Enabled: YES Video Camera: YES PC Memory Card: YES Microphone Enabled: YES Headphone Output: YES Sound System: Altec-Lansing Conexant HD Audio Software. Volume Buttons Up/Down. Memory Cards Read/Write: Types: XD-SD-MS-MMC-SM 3 x USB Connections. 2 Express PC1 Card Slots. Battery Type Lithium-Ion Battery (3 Hours operation) Width 360 mm Depth 255 mm Colour: Black/Silver (Alloy Case). Keyboard:Silver/Grey. QUESTIONS:- 1) Does it Run PTE: YES all versions 4.49 and 5.10 2) Does it Project well: YES in every day use in Video Conferences. 3) Can you run the Sound through 'External Amplifiers ? YES 4) Will it Play Pre-Recorded DVD Film Discs ? YES,superb. 5) Whats the CD Burner performance ? Very Fast 24x and 8x 6) Is it 'finniky' no its not, and its very reliable ~ Its H.P. PRICE: 3 of them are H.P.Factory 'Refurbished Machines' in the Mid-Range Price index. (We paid Euro525 - £412- $815 each) After HP Discount. NOTE: This is only ONE of their 'mid-range product' ~ just imagine what you could get for $1200 Brian.Conflow

Yachtsman, My very first sentence in my last Post was:- * "Firstly forget comparisions to Desktops ~ Laptops & Desktops are two different species entirely" There is no comparison,per se ~ if Mr.Delmonte is asking ~ "Will it give the same Performance as the Clubs PC on a Projector Screen" That depends on the Clubs selection of Laptop -IT IS NOT A DESKTOP- If you make the correct selection it will probably surpass the Desktop because its Technology is up to date. But don't expect it to hold 100 Gigs of Club Shows and so on... Secondly, there are 3 Markets out there,viz:- Retail ~ Commercial ~ Industrial. The big name in the Retail Market is "Dell". The big name in the Commercial Market is "Hewlett-Packard" and in the Industrial it is "IBM" and there are Manufacturers catering for all sectors. I gave you a "nod & wink" about Hewlett-Packard because they Manufacture for IBM, both Desktops & Laptops ~ what more can you ask for ~ they make 84 Types of Laptops and in my Industry they surpass and outperform everything in the Retail Market. I should know, having being in this Business for a very long time and we have 3 HP.Laptops, wouldn't touch anything else ~ then thats my personal preference. (They also have a 'Factory Reconditioning Division' ~ All Products with up to 40% discounts). Word of caution: "Whats big in the Retail Market wouldn't rate consideration in the Commercial/Industrial Markets" and you seem to forget that you have $1200 at your disposal. I'm afraid you and the Club Members are going to have to....'Sharpen Pencils get out the Notepads, make Comparisons' and decide. Then make a 'shortlist' get into your Car and go and try them out...there is no other way. Brian.

Yachtsman, Well your question has a simile.."How long is a piece of String".. ** Firstly forget comparisions to Desktops ~ Laptops & Desktops are two different species entirely. ** Different design, different mode of operation, different structures, different memory management. Laptops come in 3 basic varients,viz:- 1) Totally Intergrated Systems (Lo-End Cost) you get a box that does a reasonable job ~ thats it. 2) Medium Intergration Systems where you have limited choices to its Manufacturing Specs (Graphics etc) 3) Hi-End Intergration ~ the Ferrari's of the Laptop World (Expensive). Basic Specification a) Look at Laptops that have Dual-Processors each with speeds +1.8.Gb/Sec and +1.0 Gb of Memory. Hard Drive should be about 80~120 Gb. Resist the temptation of larger Hard-Drives which are slower. c) The HD should be a Sata 7200 rpm Drive. You also need an Intergrated CD/DVD Burner Rom Drive. d) Few Laptops have (swoppable) Graphic Cards. Look for the ones where you can specify your Graphics. e) Many have 'Intergrated Pic-Bridge Chip Sets' ~ the best of these is the Intel Chipsets 945 Series. Manufacturers: Hewlett-Packard - Acer - Dell - Asus - Gateway etc; and so on down the line. (H.P offer 84 Laptops right across the range. They also have a Recon-Division 40% discount) This will get you going..don't forget £600 is worth $1200 dollars in USA (nod), Have Fun... Brian.Conflow. Best Review of Laptops is below as a Link:- http://www.notebookcheck.net/Home.49.0.html