JEB

Hi, I know this is an old topic but I need to get up to date. The reason? My trusty eight year old Mac is on its last legs and I need to consider its replacement. I am unlikely to replace it with another Mac as I believe that a PC may be adequate for my purposes now. On discussing a possible build the question of the need for a dedicated graphics card has risen its head. My understanding, based on debate from several years ago, was that a dedicated card was a priority. However I am being told that integrated graphics have moved on considerably. What is the current thinking. Keep in mind I'm talking PC not Mac. Thanks John

Dave, Please see my response to your latest post in a DUPLICATE original posting within the GENERAL section of the Forum. CONFUSION REIGNS John

Dave, i want people to play MP4s from the DVD. I don’t understand what you mean by being able to transfer to USB for playing on a TV MEDIA PLAYER. I am guessing now but is a TV Media Player like Windows Media Player or VLC on a computer but on a Modern TV ? If this is correct then I think you are saying that both methods may be a possible way of viewing dependant on the users hardware. To make myself clear the user may be able to play it like a conventional DVD or play it through a Media Player. Presumably they would have to load the DVD into a computer then copy the MP4’s to a USB stick, plug that into their TV and then play it through the aforementioned Media Player? Surely not! Apart from my ignorance of this subject I think we are getting into a further mess here. I am responding to this within the GENERAL section of the Forum though previous responses have all been in the TROUBLESHOOTING section. For some reason two versions of my original post exist. I don’t know how this happened but I recently posted in the GENERAL area version requesting the Moderator to remove this version and somehow your last post was directed there! John

Hi, Views and advice please. Firstly, is it worth purchasing software for burning MP4’s to DVD or perhaps using one of the “free” offers? Secondly, have you any suggestions in either the free or paid for categories? (Perhaps more importantly, which should I avoid?} I would like to be able to create my own menu page using my own image. I have an occasional need to make multi copies. I would prefer a Mac option though I do have Parallels and also run Windows but when Igor comes up with a Mac version of PTE I’ll be “pulling down the blinds”on Windows. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks John

Thanks that's what I thought Dave. All this talk of streaming and USB made me wonder if I was totally out of date. I'm going to make a separate post on subject of burning/menu software. John

MODERATOR Should this not be removed from here as another copy exists in Troubleshooting. John

Hi, Confusion strikes again I'm afraid. I accept I should start with an MP4 file. If I don't use a DVD/BR disc how do I provide people with a copy of my show? I can't believe that I give them a USB stick or expect them to download it from some source. Am I missing something? Cheers. John

Hi Dave, “ ......it requires that you keep up with it” In truth that’s the bit I find harder the older I get. john

It's a bit of a mess isn't it? we thought we had problems with Betamax and VHS ! John

Hi, To answer Wideangle first, yes I have tried opening the other show first and have the same issue. Since making my initial post I was influenced by Barry's initial reply in particular his thoughts on MP4. I have been making MP4's for my own use more frequently in the past year or so as I bought a blu ray player. I have just been conscious of the fact that some folks may not have the ability to play MP4 on their TV, but then perhaps they have a PC or if they are very lucky a MAC! I'm only talking about twenty or so people and most of them are photographers so are probably fairly up to date. Thank you both for your input. I find this forum is a great place for clearing the mind. Cheers John

Hi, I am having a problem with Video Builder. I am trying to make a DVD with two shows. I open up the first show go to Publish Show select DVD Video Disk which places the current .pte file in the timeline. I then try to navigate to the folder that contains the second .pte file but it can't be opened. Am I doing something wrong? It is some time since I did this so quite likely! Added screen grab below. On reflection as my objective is to create a DVD with both shows on it. Would I be better creating two MP4 files? As I want to be able to burn multiple copies of a DVD containing both shows for people to view on TV what is considered the best way forward. I need to keep in mind that not every recipient will necessarily have the most up to date TV. I for instance will have to upgrade my own TV when the valves blow!! Only kidding but it is old. John

Hi, I am having a problem with Video Builder. I am trying to make a DVD with two shows. I open up the first show go to Publish Show select DVD Video Disk which places the current .pte file in the timeline. I then try to navigate to the folder that contains the second .pte file but it can't be opened. Am I doing something wrong? It is some time since I did this so quite likely! Added screen grab below. On reflection as my objective is to create a DVD with both shows on it. Would I be better creating two MP4 files? As I want to be able to burn multiple copies of a DVD containing both shows for people to view on TV what is considered the best way forward. I need to keep in mind that not every recipient will necessarily have the most up to date TV. I for instance will have to upgrade my own TV when the valves blow!! Only kidding but it is old. John

Hi Dave, Thank you very much. I have now had a chance to look at a few of the sequences you directed me to. I now have a much clearer understanding of the definition of Photo Harmony. For a long time now I have been reading far too much into the printed definition. This is an old problem of mine I'm afraid, I should have known better. I have spent most of my AV activity in producing documentaries so have ignored the true artistry of Photo Harmony. I think I am in a much better position to recognise the difference between Photo Harmony and "pictures to music" something I see quite a bit of and have been guilty of producing myself. I have been too guilty of letting the narrative tell the story and the images just support the narrative. Looks like I'm going to have to put a different hat on when taking images for Photo Harmony. Thanks a lot for clearing that up. John

Hi Lin, Nice of you to reply with such a detailed explanation as ever. Perhaps I shouldn't have used the term "Action" as I do have some idea of what is involved in PT in creating them. To be honest, I was being lazy at the time I made this post, putting off going into PS knowing that I had forgotten all I ever new about the subject and thinking wouldn't it be great if PTE could do this! I do take your final point about 'all-in-one". However....................! Kind Regards John

Hi Dave, Thanks for your reply. I will probably do as you suggest. This is just out of curiosity. It seems to to be quite a tight definition. Presumably this is because it is being set as a examination exercise. Probably not surprising that there are no examples readily available. Kind Regards John

Hi, I know the definition of Photo Harmony as given by the RPS and others (not just music to images) but I can't find any examples. Can anybody point me as to where I could actually view a sequence that meets the RPS definition? John

Hi, Clearly NOT! John

Hi, I agree totally with this. Every time I am offered an update my heart flutters. Excitement at something new or dread I'm not sure! Cheers, John PS Delighted this has been raised. Often thought I should raise it but didn't want to appear negative.

Hi, I wonder if there is any appetite for the inclusion of an option within OBJECTS and ANNIMATION / Properties for creating a sketch/painter effect along the lines of those actions available for Photoshop? It seams to me that we now have so much ability to perform "actions" on images that sketch/painter effect may be possible and useful. Just a thought. John

Thank you folks, Jill, you are the firs person I can remember to get one up on Barry! Thank you all. I've been putting off for ages to ask this question. Cheers John Barry, only kidding as I know you can take it!

If I recall correctly at one time it was possible to move the order of slides in the timeline view by clicking on a little slide number tag and dragging it to the required position. I can't remember but perhaps you also had to hold down the alt key? Perhaps this is still possible but I don't see the tags. I have searched “preferences “ looking for an option to switch this on/off without success. I am running the latest version of 9 Regards John

I would second this, strongly! john

Hi, Can somebody advise me as to what are the optimum video specifications for PTE. I know nothing about this and have the opportunity of getting video from a friend from his drone. It appears to have a vast range of video capture options. I have received a short clip in MP4 which is most impressive but as I have the opportunity of specifying what I want I need to know what I want! Regards John

I also have this problem. I thought perhaps it was my lack of control over my Wacom but clearly not. john

Lin, thanks for your reply. Yes I did mean PO / Audio. I tend always to change audio volume in Timeline by dragging and never use the PO option. As dragging in Timeline can be a bit of a hit or miss at times I wondered about using the PO method but as that gives no visual indication it defeats the purpose as far as I'm concerned. I can't understand the reasoning for this but I'm sure there is a very good reason. Regards John