tom95521

I suppose if someone renamed the zip file after it was created by PTE and then extracted it could cause a problem? I think the player should automatically look in the current working directory for the .pteshow file without having to know the name of the folder? It's just something that I think software should be able to figure out without requiring a folder in a folder. I must confess that the smallest things bug me when most people hardly notice them. Tom

Hi Dave, Extracting a zip file is an extra step that most of us do without thinking but I know computer users (not PTE users) who would not be able to do this.. When I zip files together it does not create a folder in a folder. I don't understand the technical reason why PTE does this. Tom

A few things that make me think twice before using this feature. It's requires more effort and technical knowledge to unzip the file and then open the slideshow folder and then open another slideshow folder before playing the slideshow. I have mentioned to Igor I thought this folder in a folder was just an extra step that should be eliminated. Another problem that is more specific to your question is that the Google Chrome download manager was detecting the files as malware and blocked the download even though the player is a signed app (problem not limited to safe executable for internet). I have not tested this for a few weeks so maybe Google no longer blocks the slideshows. I have had issues in the past with dropbox and PTE slideshows. They were scanning my PTE files (OK), blocking sharing (OK), but not telling my why or what files were causing the problem (NOT OK). The error message said over quota which had nothing to do with the problem. I dropped them. Personally I would like to see a PTE player application we could install on our PC and then just send data slideshows (like adobe acrobat reader). Then all of the AV scanners should not have a problem with the files (since there is no .exe code in the file). The problem with this method is sharing slideshows with relatives that have no idea how to install the player. Who knows, maybe 4K video will be common in the future and the .exe slideshow format will gradually fade away? Tom

Hi Lin & Eric, A steadicam device is probably a better solution than stabilization software. I don't know how to force electronic shutter in the FZ150 except to use video capture which limits me to 1080p. Maybe I will use the mechanical shutter and hope it doesn't wear out. I will disable OIS in the camera when it's on the tripod. Thanks, Tom

Hi Lin, It would be so easy for the camera to make the blur optional. My made in China intervalometer should be here soon. I definitely need to get a fluid head for my manfrotto tripod for smooth video pans! Also testing Mercalli video stabilizer software for hand held video using a camera pistol grip. Too much fun. Tom

I tried the FZ150 miniature video mode today. It has an integrated tilt-shift (blur) feature that can be adjusted but not completely eliminated (as far as I can tell). A couple things I have noticed. It takes a long time to capture video. Approximately 10 minutes for every 1 minute of video. Also it is important to have a steady tripod. And smooth pan is very difficult. I think it has potential for clouds and looking down long sections of road where there is a lot of motion. Tom

No. I was not aware that the FZ150 camera included time lapse conversion (jpeg -> video) software. As soon as I read the words Motion JPEG I thought of a codec. I am not sure I want to load more software on my PC, even if it comes with the camera. Like Lin said, there is plenty of software that can do this including most video editors from Adobe, Corel, etc. Since PTE is already using ffmpeg/x264 it should not be too hard to add this to the video converter. If I do time lapse often I might buy dedicated time lapse conversion software. Thanks, Tom

Please add option to convert jpeg images with numerical filename sort into video. I think video converter utilizes ffmpeg which supports command line option to join jpeg images. Yes, I know I could do this in PTE by importing all of the images and setting no transition and 1/30 second duration and then publishing as video, but that's not as easy as a dedicated time lapse converter. Also it would be nice if you could extract 1/N frames from normal speed video to create time lapse video. This is also a feature of ffmpeg command line. Thanks, Tom

Hi Eric, The FZ150 does have a video miniature effect mode that speeds up video 10 x normal. Probably better for shutter too since it's electronic. I should have the intervalometer in a week or two. Youtube has plenty of examples. Tom

Hi Eric,It looks the same to me. On the amazon.com site it mentions the FZ-150. http://www.amazon.com/JJC-TM-D-Multi-Function-Control-Panasonic/dp/B00I42JRZU Tom

Hi Jim, Yes. Importing video in PTE 8 makes it much easier to create time lapse. Tom

Hi Lin, Ordered the intervalometer for my FZ-150. Also AC battery adapter so I can really long time lapse. FFmpeg command line will do what I want until I get more experience. http://andrius.miasnikovas.lt/2013/01/quick-tip-easy-time-lapse-videos-with-ffmpeg/ Thanks, Tom

And for those of who prefer Twitter you can follow @wnsoft. Thanks, Tom

Hi Eric, You can buy a intervalometer type device for your FZ-150 camera. I might buy one myself since it's higher quality than my security camera. Here is one that is not too expensive. http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Control-PANASONIC-MagicFiber-Microfiber/dp/B0049IOPFK/ Just have to figure out how to join all the .jpg files into a video. I think I can do it with ffmpeg command line and probably Quicktime Pro.Not sure if I want to buy/rent Adobe. It would be nice if PTE had a multiple jpg to video converter. I know I could make separate slides with short duration but the slideshow would be very big. Tom

Nice slideshow. To give you and idea of cloud speed I have a security camera pointed at the sky. The camera is set to output 5 fps but the computer software captures every 2 seconds. Tom

My best guess as to why 512 is the maxium internal mask size is that it requires more computer resources (cpu, gpu, ram) for larger masks. Rendering all those pixels together in real time is hard work. Publishing a slideshow as a video has the advantage of rendering slower than real time without causing a problem. If you create a mask file 1920x1080 it has almost 8x pixels than a 512x512 mask and may cause slower PCs to hesitate. You may not notice it on the latest intel/amd cpus with fast graphics cards. Tom

No. I have not experienced this problem. What version of PTE? Are you using Publish Show -> DVD to create the DVD? Problem on more than one version of PTE? If you play the DVD on the PC does it sound the same as the PTE slideshow? Have you tried another DVD player? Tom

Nice slideshow. Hard life. I would not want to be shot and hung at the same time (actually neither)! I also like the Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings version. Nobody can sing like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. Tom

Good news! Will there be 2 slideshow player engines? 32 bit and 64 bit? Thanks, Tom

Let me be the first to volunteer to beta test the Mac version. Thanks, Tom

Eric, You sure know your way around sailboats. Lin, If I remember that day correctly we had at least 4 to 6 hours notice before the tsunami hit the west coast. Not sure what the guy on the boat was planning to do but he should have taken his boat out to sea hours earlier or not been on the boat. Tom

Hi Eric and Jeff, Enjoyed the video from the IOM. Now I want to have scallops for dinner. I really like to watch changing weather (wind/rain). Clouds are fascinating to watch using time lapse photography. So now my ideal retirement location would have fast internet, lots of winter storms (no snow), temperature range 0-23C, and not too crowded. A bonus would be watching boats entering the harbor. Tom Depoe Bay

My first choice would be Isle of Man (low taxes, no national debt) but since I'm a US citizen and only 1/2 Irish I don't think I could immigrate there. My second choice and probably where i will end up is about 200 miles to the North somewhere along the coast of Oregon. I have to live close to the sea for some unknown reason. My brother moved to Albuquerque and I have visited Los Alamos but I think it's too dry. I can handle earthquakes and tsunamis but forest fires scare me to death. Tom

Hi Jeff, Sorry. This might help. Download and unzip the transitions. You go to Project Options and then Transitions (2 steps I forgot to include in the screen captures). Tom

Nice slideshow. I did not know about Inscription Rock or El Morrow. It's amazing how people 150+ years ago were able to travel long distances without modern transportation like cars, planes, etc. Lin leaving Colorado? I am thinking about leaving California when I retire. Tom