Lin Evans

Hi Peter, Stu, I've experimented with Hilary's slideshow and I believe there is a bug in PTE. Her sound consists of a single vocal narration background MP3 installed under the Music Tab in Project Options. When a full screen Preview is played, or when an executable is created, the sound placement via slides is consistent. However, when the mini-player is used or when the blue indicator arrow is moved about on the timeline, the vocal narration timing varies by as much as two seconds at about the forty two second position. Moreover, if the mini-player slider is manually positioned at zero, the blue indicator on the timeline does not return to zero but stops at a position which doesn't seem to be always consistent, but somewhere after the zero point. If "play" is then clicked on, the blue indicator arrow "jumps" to the beginning and play starts from the correct point. This leads me to believe that when manually dragging the blue arrow on the timeline about, it may not properly align with real time. This issue makes it quite difficult to precisely sequence slide or transition points with the background narration. The only way I see to accomplish this is by an arduous iterative process involving multiple replays of the entire show. This effectively defeats the purpose of both the timeline and mini-player as a means of precise sequencing. If you would like to experiment with this, please email me and I'll provide her link to the zipped PTE file: [email protected] Lin Postcript: There is no bug - the problem turns out to be a defect in the MP3 file. When converted to a WAV the problem evaporates.....

Hi Mark, To test I need the zipped PTE file which contains all images as well as the PTE file. Just go to "File" "Create Backup in Zip" and post a link to it on your site or use: http://www.mediafire.com/ and send me a link. I'll create a CD and test it for you and get back with you on it. Best regards, Lin

I borrowed your concept for the ending on this one. Still looking for a way to get more dramatic flames but as yet not found one......: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k67RtpsOc8 (youtube link at 1600x1200). Start, let it buffer to the end first then restart for best playback ...... Or zipped exe here: http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sample/jimmiebond.zip Lin

Hi, Something is not right if Video Builder doesn't give you the very best quality possible in a DVD. The output from Video Builder when you have things right can not be improved on in a DVD format. As a test, I just created a DVD using my "rotation madness" PTE file which has the very most difficult and trying pans, rotates, zooms, etc., and the DVD created with Video Builder is absolutely as good as DVD's get. The image quality, movements and so on are perfectly smooth and jerk free. If you will set up a link to the zipped PTE for me, I will test this with your PTE file and report back. I'm not sure what your problem with Video Builder may have been or is, but your settings may be responsible. The default setting "should" produce a perfect DVD with as much resolution as possible to get from PAL or NTSC and with very smooth movements including pans, zooms and rotates. As for using Nero and an AVI, unfortunately I have no recent experience so can't be of any help. I can tell you that often a computer will not play a DVD file as smoothly as a commercial player attached to a TV so if you haven't tested the output that way it might be different. Best regards, Lin

Hi Hilary, You have created the file needed (the zip file containing all information). You can either post it on your own website (if you have one) and a link here or you can email it to me at: [email protected] I can only handle emails up to about 10 meg so if the zip file is larger, it would be much better to use your own site and a link or use one of the available free upload sites with an appropriate link. You might try: http://www.mediafire.com/ Best regards, Lin

Hi, I'm a little confused. Are you creating DVD's or trying to play the file on your computer? Normally, to create a DVD you use Video Builder and do not choose a codec. If you are using other software, which are you using? Have you actually created the DVD's and played them on a stand-alone DVD player attached to a television, or are you playing the DVD's on your computer? The "best" way I've found to create and burn a DVD is to simply use Video Builder, choose NTSC or PAL, etc., according to your geographical need and take the defaults. Unless you are using third party software to burn an AVI or MPEG to DVD, there should be no choice of codec. Only when you create a "custom AVI" should you need to choose a video codec. On the other hand, if you are trying to burn an HD MP4 to a standard DVD blank and using another software product such as Pinnacle that's another issue entirely. If you could clarify, it would be easier to offer suggestions. Thanks, Lin

Hi Geoff, It's actually "Youtube" not "Utube". Of the last 81 thread titles under the PTE title, five are about Youtube - that's hardly being "bogged down" or "overloaded" don't you think? If one counted by category responses rather than by thread titles then a discussion about "projectors versus monitors" might be the top contender lately, but this is what a discussion forum is all about. Many of the new people who come to the forums are quite interested in Youtube and Vimeo and these are two of the main additions to the latest released version 5.6, so naturally are of interest to many. There is no need to start a discussion about whether or not Youtube or Vimeo for that matter are of interest, if they were not then the developers of PTE would not have included them. Also there is no reason to choose whether to support Beechbrook Cottage "or" Youtube/Vimeo, there is plenty of room for both. Youtube and Vimeo do not support executable files and Bill doesn't host videos so it's definitely not an "either/or" situation. It's up to the individual to decide how to create their slideshows and where they may wish to post them. Remember that many people who create shows wish to share them with a large audience and there is still a rather strong reluctance on the part of many out there toward downloading executable code regardless of how "safe" we know it is. This is perhaps why video and sharing sites such as Youtube, Vimeo, Facebook, are so popular. A video displayed on Youtube will be avable to literally millions of viewers each day. An executable posted on one's own site or on Beechbrook will be available only to those who know about one's own site or Beechbrook - and were there to be even a fraction of as many visits and downloads from Beechbrook as from Youtube or Vimeo it would totally overwhelm Bill's bandwidth. The newcomers to the forum ask questions about issues which concern them and hopefully get an unbiased answer to their questions or they are referred to technical support when members can't provide adequate solutions. I suppose my point is that we really don't need a special category yet for Youtube and Vimeo, but if interest gets truly overwhelming it would be something for Wnsoft to consider. Best regards, Lin

I uploaded the identical 1600x1200 MP4 to both Youtube and Vimeo as a test. This video has only one zoom and no pan or rotate but does use some fast sequences and some animation via mask movement. The result was that Youtube displays it with full HD capabilities at 1600x1200 resolution. If given time to fully buffer or at least buffer half way through the less than 2 minute run time, the Youtube version looks nearly perfect. Vimeo, on the other hand, does not indicate that it is an HD video at all. At this time (more than an hour after conversion) Vimeo displays the file in the correct aspect ratio but only at low quality. Full screen version at Vimeo is not great at all. Interestingly, none of my MP4 players will play the file correctly at 1600x1200 HD conversion. Media Player Classic Homecinema clips off the bottom one inch or so but renders the zoom correctly, however it totally looses sync with sound and picture on the second portion with the bullets, etc. Kantaris Media Player incorrectly "steps" the zoom in big "jumps" rather than smoothly zooming in. However it does render the proper timing on the bullet holes and sound. The interesting thing is that apparently the MP4 itself is created correctly because the conversion to Flash at both Youtube and Vimeo renders the show correctly! So we are left with the issue than as of right now, there are things in our video creations which "may" confuse all current MP4 media players even though the actual MP4 file is created correctly - it may not play back correctly on our players. The fact that the conversion to Flash renders a file almost identical to the executable means that the original MP4 is "correct" even if we can't display it correctly! Here are links to Youtube and Vimeo for those interested: http://vimeo.com/3094970 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k67RtpsOc8 Lin

Hi Guys, Please read this from Brian: http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9412 Lin

Hi Guys, Please read this from Brian: http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9412 Lin

Hi Guys, Please read this from Brian: http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9412 Lin

Hi Hilary, Just for clarification: Are you saying that the "Preview" with full screen sound timing is different than the created executable or that the mini-player sound timing is different than the created executable. Either way, could you be specific in describing "not the same?" This will help the development team in determining the origin of the problem. Would it be possible for you to post a zipped PTE example file which shows the issue? Thanks, Lin

Hi Ralph, A little "Jimmie Bond" ending with a "hot" finish for this: http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sample/jimmiebond.zip (about 12 meg) Lin

Hi Peter, The operant word is "recognize." When you click on "add a mask" the formats are "bmp, jpeg, jpg and png." You can add a gif "if" you already know the file name or write it down, but the program doesn't "recognize" gif files in that it doesn't automatically "display" gif files in the folder or on the drive even though it will let you use one if you type in the name. Best regards, Lin

Suggest recognizing .gif as a valid format for masks.... Right now only jpg and png are automatically detected. Sometimes a GIF file can be advantageous because with masks color is not needed - just B&W and even though one may "detect" no color in a PNG visually, there may still be a good deal of RAM tied up with color unless the file is desaturated. Gif files only having 256 color possibilities are almost always smaller and "sometimes" make a great mask. I think the majority of JPD's recent masks are gif files... Best regards, Lin

Hey Ralph, LOL - see if you like the latest "Bond, James Bond" ending...... http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sample/bondending.zip Lin

Hi Pedro, theDom (Dominick) has done this in many different ways - perhaps a trip to his site for one of his templates would help - at least have a look: http://www.thedom.fr/shop/ Best regards, Lin

http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sampl...oitautoshow.zip Just messing.... Lin

Hi Davy, A very enjoyable visit to an historic place! Thanks, Lin

Thanks! I'll let you know how it works out.. Lin

Hi Eric, Ken, Thanks - I'm looking for some really good HD video to extract frames of flames from - something which shows the tops of the "licking" flames and preferably with a black background. I may have to build my own "bonfire" and take my own photos. Actually, the one in the demo is very close to the original flames in the video I extracted frames from to sequence for this test. Here's the video I used to extract frames: Lin

Hi Tom, Here's the link to the zipped PTE file. Run it in the Preview mode (full screen, normal Preview) then create an exe file and run that. The exe file drops "lots" of frames. http://www.lin-evans.org/demo/flamesjan30.zip Best regards, Lin

I put the actual flames animation on Youtube as an experiment using 1600x1200 with double pass and 10,000 bitrate. It looks very much like the actual MP4 which was about 130 meg. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8TSSf2_H9M...re=channel_page Use the "Pause" after starting to let the buffer run ahead at least three inches before watching. I'm still playing with your concept of the mask so haven't put that one up yet for consideration. Best regards, Lin

Thanks, that saves me the time of hunting down a suitable image to experiment with. Most of mine are wildlife, landscape oriented, etc. Best regards, Lin

Some more interesting observations come from experimentation. I learned that PTE 5.6 can sequence frames (images) much faster in Preview mode than in the executable. See my notes here: http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9392 In this case, the created MP4 at 1600x1200 is considerably better than the created executable because the executable is dropping many frames. Though I'm not certain this method is any improvement over what you have begun, it's more like what you would see of a video taken of flames. If you want to see the MP4 it's about 60 megabytes and you can download here: http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/mp4/flamesvideo.zip The zipped PTE file is here: http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/mp4/flamesjan30.zip The PTE file only has a couple sets of the sequence while the MP4 has 1001 frames. The executable made from the PTE file drops too many frames to be useful. I think that the method you are using could really be put to good use with an animation such as a candle flame. It "may" prove to be the best way to do this for the image you used as a sample "if" it is possible to rework the PNG file to eliminate the static "column" which doesn't move and detracts from the realism. I think it might be easier simply to rework both the jpg and flames to make it realistic, but it would need to have no really large, static columns of fire. If you can link me to the jpg "without" the flames I'll give it a try. Best regards, Lin