tom95521

Hi Lin, The Add audio or Voice icon was turned off in the settings/preferences/toolbars. Now it works. Thanks, Tom

I bought a Blue Yeti usb desktop microphone for Christmas but just now starting to test with PTE. I found the microphone icons under Project Options and Slide Options. The record window is modal and I can't preview the slideshow. http://bluemic.com/yeti/ Just a simple watch the slideshow while talking. I'm sure I have missed something? Thanks, Tom

You can create a slide style with slight pan/zoom. Not completely random. Tom

Test of PTE video encoding on my Dell XPS 8700. 1920x1080 low quality 2:26 slide of 15 Mbit video Input media file size 156 MB Output file size 48 MB Old System Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 Ghz 10:31 7 fps Dell XPS 8700 Intel Core i7-4770 3.4 Ghz 3:09 23.3 fps So at least 3 times faster video encoding than my old system. Tom

Hi Eric, 3 Kbps is low for audio. Usually 64 kbps or higher. Is this an avi or mp4 you are creating? Tom

Looks good. I am still waiting for my Dell XPS 8700 to arrive. If the article below is correct this might be the last Windows PC I will purchase. Seems like Android is taking over all devices including desktop PCs. I have purchased a small Android mini PC for testing (AMP). http://www.amazon.com/MINIX-Quad-Android-Bluetooth-Google/dp/B00EE4LHX2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389655806&sr=8-2&keywords=minix+x7 http://windowsitpro.com/mobile/planning-post-pc-world Tom

It would be fantastic if some time in the future PTE supported variable VBLANK on newer GPUs and monitors so we could have for silky smooth pans and transitions. http://www.anandtech.com/show/7641/amd-demonstrates-freesync-free-gsync-alternative-at-ces-2014 and http://www.anandtech.com/show/7582/nvidia-gsync-review Tom

You could use screen recording software like Camtasia (many others). Another option is to capture from HDMI output of graphics card using a hardware device. Elgato makes a Game Capture device that converts the HDMI to H.264. Tom

I wanted a full size tower case for future hard drive expansion. Like many others on this forum I have purchased many computers. This is probably about computer number 15 for me (not including mobile devices). Starting with a Tandy TRS-80, then a kit built Heathkit H89. I had to save for a few months to buy the optional $250? 5 1/4" 100 KB floppy drive. My first computer with a hard drive was a 286 clone with a whopping 20 MB hard drive. Then a few 386, 486, and almost all the Pentium versions. Also a couple of Mac Minis and Macbook Pro. I don't believe I have ever purchased an AMD CPU computer. Apparently they have some really nice CPUs with integrated GPUs that are used in the latest gaming consoles. I have always wondered how PTE would run with a newer AMD processor since the GPU has a very high speed bus with CPU and memory. Another thing to put on my wish list. Looking forward to CES announcements. Tom

I only use left, right, and scroll wheel. Never really cared for the uber fancy models. I probably would not bother with a new computer except I need to be able to encode multiple video streams in parallel. I have an i7 ivy bridge LT but I don't want to leave it on 24/7. Tom

Costco has a Dell XPS 8700 on sale so I decided it was the best deal at the time (90 day return policy to local store). Medium performance graphics card GeForce GT 635 with 1 GB GDDR5 (maybe only GDDR3). When not creating PTE slideshows the computer will be on 24/7 and capture data from 8 IP cameras. $750 (no monitor) http://www.costco.com/Dell-XPS-8700-Desktop-%7c-Intel-Core-i7-%7c-1GB-Graphics.product.100082459.html Not as powerful as Eric's or Lin's new computers but good enough for my requirements. Tom

Google is using their own free VP9 4K video codec to compete against the H.265 with their YouTube service. There are many patents involved with H.264 and H.265 so theoretically it is more expensive to license H.265. It will be interesting to see what future graphics cards use for their 4K hardware codecs. Whatever they support will become the standard 4K codec. I have been reluctant to buy a 4K UHDTV until all this gets sorted out (this year I hope). It should be an interesting CES this year. I think ffmpeg will eventually support both of these formats in the future. H.265 is supposed to be really slow encoding. http://www.techspot.com/news/55192-youtube-to-showcase-4k-streaming-using-vp9-codec-at-ces.html Tom

When I worked in a Library we purchased many flat bed scanners. Epson makes some nice LED scanners (almost instant start) that are not too expensive.Ink jet printers are almost free until you run out of ink. If vuescan works it might be cost effective to purchase instead of a new scanner. I like their licensing, install on up to 4 computers you own and lifetime upgrades for pro version. Tom

Hi Judy, I had to google the names to figure out where they are.Maybe there should be a new EXIF tag for air temperature since there is already latitude and longitude. Stay cool,Tom

You should be able to see properties for the .exe file? I have used Vuescan by Ed Hamrick. It's a great program and works with almost all scanners. Tom

Hi Eric, Did you right click on the application .exe and use the compatibility option to set it to Windows XP SP3? You can also install a virtual XP operating system if that doesn't work. Since Windows XP support will be gone in a few months this might not be worth the trouble. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7 Tom

Hi Lin, Ken, There is a reason Lin is an expert in snow slideshows and snow globes! At least the amount of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere is gaining about 60 seconds each day since Winter Solstice (just a rough guess). In a few months it will be Spring and we will all be taking photos of flower, birds, and the bees. For future slideshows I think I will resize the images to 3840 x 2160 instead of 1920 x 1080. The slideshows may be 4 times as large but I might buy a 4K TV next year and could use the higher resolution. Next on my very long tech wish list is a 4K video camera to go along with the already on wish list 4K TV. I like the video from the GoPro but it only shoots 4K at 15 fps. Maybe the next model will be faster. Thanks, Tom

Short sleeve T-shirt weather here in Northern California. A balmy 54 deg. F (sorry Lin and Ken). The theme is rust which is common around salt water like the Pacific Ocean. 16:9 4MB about 1 minute http://sdrv.ms/1cxG1Qf 720p Video http://sdrv.ms/KcnIFq Tom

Now that most new operating systems default to only running signed executable files it would be nice if PTE had a converter so that when a slideshow is published using the 'Executable file for PC' method we can later convert it to 'Safe Executable file for Internet'. This would be great for older slideshows (version 6 and 7). This might also stop some false positive AV scans on older slideshows. Tom

The video about half way down the web page looks great even at 1920 x 1080. http://www.costco.com/Hisense-55%22-Class-4K-Smart-LED-Ultra-HDTV-55T880UW-.product.100087504.html?catalogId=10701&keyword=4k+55&langId=-1&storeId=10301 4K streaming videos will be more efficient using H.265. I hope ffmpeg and PTE 9? support H.265 encoding -or- maybe YouTube will re-encode to H.265. Tom

My prediction is 4K UHDTV will be the new 'normal' HDTV resolution as prices drop. Looking at the screen on a 55" model at our local Costco the increase in detail was amazing. Need to have a powerful graphics card to drive 3480 x 2160 (or create MP4 video). I am sure PTE slideshows would look fantastic. Tom

If I create a shortcut by right clicking on .exe it works for me (Windows 8.1). I can also create a copy of the shortcut and I can still see the custom icon. I created the png icon in Irfanview in case it matters. Tom

I remember those lyrics from a long time ago. "Low bridge, everybody down. Low bridge we are coming to a town". I didn't realize it was about a mule towing a barge on a canal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Bridge_(song) Thanks, Tom

Hi Judy, Interesting. It sounds like a great opportunity for Igor. You must be bilingual. I am always impressed by anybody who can speak more than one language. Thanks, Tom

I only use the English language but I was wondering why 2 of the most high tech countries in the world do not have translations for PTE (Settings, Language)? Is English really such a universal language? Japan and China must really have a lot of camera enthusiasts? Just curious... Thanks, Tom