Joe Webb

I am sitting here on the fence looking at all this frantic activity. Stunned by all the technical knowledge! I am one of the many waiting for version 5, knowing that it is going to be great. I visit the forum maybe every 2-3 days (not even bothering to log on!!!). Many people have, rightly, thanked Igor and his team for their great work. But all of you should also be thanked. I don't have the experience to do what you are doing to test the beta version but I know that that I will benefit greatly from all you work. So, on behalf of all fence sitters, thank you to all who contribute to this discussion. Joe.

The results you achieved also sound right to me: i.e. that the extra optical zoom gave better results than the 8 mp enlarged. Assuming that the camera is well held to eliminate any camera shake, I would always opt for the 12x optical zoom. For example if you take the 8mp image and enlarge the central 50% the resulting image will contain only 4mp (less than the P850). This is the same effect as using a digital zoom in-camera. As to the "follow up" question: The first thing to remember is that these are lens adapters, this is not the same as changing to a different lens on an SLR. Lens adapters are usually of a lower optical quality than the original lens, so both will result in some loss of quality. However I would expect that the drop in quality would be much less than the extra enlargement needed to compete with a tele adapter. Which would drop more quality, tele or wide? I don't know (!) but I would have a guess.... We know that the weak area of a lens is usually the outer edges, with lower edge definition and possible distortion. Given that the wide adapter would make more use of the edges, it seems logical the wide would show a greater drop in quality - unless someone knows better...... The best advice must surely be to use the original lens as much as possible only adding an adapter if you really need it to achieve the desired shot. Best wishes, Joe.

Like others I am delighted and very thankful to Igor and his team, not only for a wonderful product but for the way they are willing to develop it to meet our needs. I believe that the best way to show our support is to actively promote PTE to new users. I am happy to say that I do this on a regular basis and in addition to the quality of the programme, there are 3 great selling points: Free upgrades for life, the fact that Igor welcomes our views and the support and help available through the forum. SO HELP THE TEAM BY PROMOTING PTE and we all win! As for a delay is the launch of version 5, of course we all want it today but we know it will be worth the wait. As for the proposed price increase for the new version - even $47 is low for a professional licence, why not $50. Thank you again Igor and best wishes for version 5. Joe.

Hi Jean Like Jeff, I also use a mini-disk recorder (a Sharp) but with a Sony microphone and I agree completely with Jeff regarding the quality of the microphone - it makes all the difference. I started by using the "budget" kind and the difference in quality when a good microphone is fantastic. Transfering to digital/computer is very easy - a simple line in connection a good programme is all you need. I use "Audio Cleaning Lab" and "Music Studio" both from Magix. Importing is very easy with either. These programmes don't cost the earth - and the money saved can pay for the microphone!!! Best of luck - and enjoy.

Hi Alan, Congratulations again on your show but what most people don't know - is the hugh amount of work you did as a member of the Technical Team for the event. Alan did most of the preperation and (with Kieran) worked hard to keep the Championship running over the two days. The fact that the event ran so well is largely down to you. On behalf of all the entrants (even the also rans, like me!!) - THANK YOU.

Hi Paul, I second what Hawk said but it is not only the programme that is great - so is this forum. What other programme provides this kind of help and a direct input to future versions of the programme. AND ALL FOR ONE SMALL PAYMENT!! If you haven't got it yet - do it now. Good luck.

Thank you Granot, I hope Igor is listening(!). My thanks also to you, Al, I have downloaded your Adjustor and will give it a try over the next few days. Thank you again and best wishes.

THUMBNAILS EXPLAINED Like others, I come to PTE as an AV worker - from using two slide projectors to show a sequence of photographic slides with sound (music and/or commentary). Traditionally the slides would have been placed in sequence on a light box on which you could see each slide and get a better "feel" for the order in which they would be shown. With the light box you could easily check for interesting dissolves or better arranging of colours etc. By asking to see thumbnails I would be looking for a replacement for the light box inside PTE. It would be used in place of the Slide List and so could be position there - as others have said it is easier to use than a list of file names! At the moment I use Photo Album 4 to arrange the slides (and batch rename them), once saved they are then imported into PTE in the correct sequence. Having this option in PTE would make the programme more "complete" and eliminate the need for additional programmes. Hope that helps, best wishes.

Hi Tim, Why not send an e-mail to Igor: igor@wnsoft.com I'm sure he will sort you out. Best wishes.

Hi folks, I have had PTE for about nine months but (to my shame!) have only started looking at the forum in the last month. Please allow me a moment to say something that I'm sure you have all said before: I think PTE is great but of course there are changes I'd love to see, I think the idea of the forum is fantastic and all credit to Igor for both the programme and the forum. That said, as a newcomer, I do find it difficult to find my way around and I particularly like the idea of FAQ's and the option of going directly to help of individual themes like sound etc. It's ok for you "old hands" but I am sure there are many like me who are afraid to post because we know you must be sick of the same questions over and over again or we could be stepping on somebodys toes(!). Igor, given your immediate response to these suggestions by Truelight, it is clear that everything I was told (by Alan Lyons, hello Alan) about the forum is true. Perhaps when you make these changes you can consider new members and provide some method to ease us in to the club. Thank you and best wishes.