davegee

It is working now - it appears that they listen to Ken. DaveG

You are right Ken - maybe later? Is there an alternative to Mediafire - they don't seem to be all that reliable? If anyone wants it I am prepared to e-mail. It is 970Kb. DaveG

I have uploaded a brief demo of the use of a mask to maintain the size of a show across varying sizes of monitor resolutions. Feedback would be appreciated from anyone with a monitor resolution GREATER than 1280x1024. http://www.mediafire.com/?g18y1mlmzzb Options settings: Screen: Fullscreen 4:3 ratio – Disable scaling of main images Mask is 3500x1500 with 1024x768 cut-out. Set at ORIGINAL in COMMON MODE in O&A. Example 1 – This is what happens when zooming with the above settings (without mask). Example 2 – Mask applied with guide lines for 1280x768; 1680x1050; 1920x1080 monitor resolutions. If your monitor is 1024x768 you obviously will not see these! I am only able to check up to 1280x1024 and on this size of monitor only the guide lines at the extreme left and right are in view because of the show being 4:3 and not 5:4. Example 3 – Same as Example 2 but without the guide lines. Example 4 – This shows a slightly different method of transitioning between a 3:2 landscape format image and a 3:2 portrait format image using a mask. The mask is not essential unless the transition is combined with some PZR effects. Example 4 is not for the faint hearted and some AV purists will be outraged. However, it does show what is possible with such a versatile programme as PTE. DaveG

I just tried it again from scratch to prove (to myself) that it works. I created a 4:3 Fullscreen show on my 1024x768 monitor. In SCREEN make sure that you tick DISABLE SCALING. When you add the mask in O&A set it to ORIGINAL in COMMON. You can then copy and paste the mask to all images (making sure that it does not "attach" itself to another image). You will not be able to see the mask in O&A or when you run PREVIEW on a 1024x768 monitor. Create an EXE file. Run it on a 1280x1024 or similar monitor and you will see a black mask surrounding a 1024x768 cutout. Any zooming of the images will be contained within the mask. You seem to be suggesting that you are transferring the PTE file? Why? Just create the EXE file and transfer that. DaveG

Two things come to mind: Firstly, if everything that needs to be said about a presentation has already been said then it is sometimes better to not add needless comments about the same things. Secondly, "if you can't say anything that's nice, then please don't talk at all that's my advice" as the words of the song go. I can't remember the song title or singer(s) but I have always thought it to be a nice sentiment. ....and with all of the needless quoting that still goes on it (very often) makes "much ado about nothing". DaveG

I too, had absolutely no stuttering whatsoever and enjoyed the show. The scrolling was as smooth as silk. It could be that computer specs have a lot to do with it, however if that is the case I am surprised that Igor noticed the "problem"(?). There are ways, even in "Fullscreen Mode", to maintain your 1024x768 images at original size on all monitor sizes and not see the desktop as I have indicated in another thread. DaveG

Good advice from JPD - this has been mentioned a few times. The advantage of the mask, however, is that it allows you to "stroke" the cutout (not everyone likes this!!) and any zooming etc is contained within the stroke line(s). Without using the mask, if the image is "stroked" and zoomed, the stroke line is lost in the zooming. Another advantage of the mask: Make the mask 2000x1500 with a 1024x683 cutout. Disable scaling of images and make your mask "original" size in O&A. Now your 1024x683 show will remain that size (with a black surround) even on a 1920x1080 monitor. DaveG

Create a 1024x768 black mask in PS with a 1024x683 cutout. Save as a PNG 24 file and put it over your 1024x683 image in Objects and Animations. Make sure that it is not "attached" to your original image in a parent child relationship. Be aware that if you are going to zoom any image in a 1024x768 show by, for instance 200%, it needs to be twice as big. E.g. if you want to zoom in to a 1024x683 portion your start image shoud be 2048x1386. DaveG

Barry, Take a look at this page and click on the rules for the JESSOPS competition: http://www.pagb-photography-uk.co.uk/ DaveG

Barry, If, as seems 99.99% likely, all/most PAGB / WPF competitions in 2009 will be projected on 1400x1050 (Canon) projectors then it seems to me that the obvious thing to do is for me to get a 1050 PIXEL HIGH NATIVE RESOLUTION monitor. (1400x1050 is not available, it seems). Maureen, I know, is very busy at the moment, but if she reads this she might be able to give us an informed view of what the Digital AV world seems likely to be doing in the next couple of years. I suspect that they too will be adopting the 1400x1050 standard. DaveG

How about this one, Ken: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/s...resolution.mspx Note: Flat-panel monitors support only a single resolution. If you change the default resolution of a flat-panel display, text will appear blurry. If you have a flat-panel monitor like the ones in the image below, the default resolution provides the sharpest image for the size of your monitor screen. DaveG

Hi Ken, Try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_resolution An example of pixel shape affecting "resolution" or perceived sharpness: displaying more information in a smaller area using a higher resolution makes the image much clearer. However, newer LCD displays and such are fixed at a certain resolution; making the resolution lower on these kinds of screens will greatly decrease sharpness, as an interpolation process is used to "fix" the non-native resolution input into the displays native resolution output. DaveG

HI KEN, NOW GIVE US A LINK TO A DISCUSSION ON THE PROS AND CONS OF USING MONITORS AT HIGHEST RESOLUTION AS OPPOSED TO A LOWER RESOLUTION? DAVEG

Hi Barry, I also liked the show. Regarding the resolution issue, I personally cannot understand how anyone can run a monitor at anything LESS than its full resolution. All that interpolation going on BEFORE even starting the show. I notice that you have stopped offering two options of resolution - maybe you should think about this again? What will you do when everyone upgrades to 1400x1050 projectors - will you offer a third option? I try to remember to put a little note at the BEGINNING of my humble efforts saying: "THIS SHOW IS OPTIMISED FOR 1280X1024". This way the viewer knows what to expect. Keep up the good work. DaveG

Some things to consider: With a monitor as large as 1920x1200 if you intend to fill the screen with your PTE creations (and I am a fan of FILLING the screen) your images are going to be 2.3M (ish) pixels. Convert that into a JPEG and you are going to be looking at LARGE JPEGS. So you will need a MIGHTY powerful graphics card, especially for those PZR effects. The next generation of projectors (I hate the word Beamer!!) is going to be 1400x1050 for some time so that could be a consideration. Why have bigger than 1050 pixels high if you are not going to project at that res? If you are lucky (wealthy) enough to own a 1920x1080 projector then you will find that the aspect ratios do not match up anyway. If you decide on a 1200 pixel high monitor and make your creations at a lower res then you are faced with a small (ish) show in the middle of the screen. BB has gotten around this with an elegant solution and it is worth a look. I am going with a 1050 high monitor for the time being. DaveG

Try downloading SONIC STAGE and use that to convert to WAV. It is an excellent and versatile converter and it will give you a data base of all converted files. DaveG

If you can channel your cassette output through something with an OPTICAL DIGITAL output such as a MD Deck then EDIROL make an OPTICAL TO USB adaptor which I use to eliminate MOST problems. Tape noise has to be dealt with by either Audacity or Audition noise filters. DaveG

The desktop problem is easily solved - take a look at some of Brry B's recent shows. DaveG

Opinions wanted on an idea for Igor to consider. We have Fit To Screen and View In Window. What about a third option IF IT IS POSSIBLE? The third option would be to fit to screen on monitors of the desired resolution and less and view in a window on monitors which are above the desired resolution. My example: If I make a show (no PZR) with 1280x1024 images then my third option would fit to screen on monitors UP TO 1280x1024 and view in a 1280x1024 window on monitors above 1280x1024. Maybe it is asking too much of IGOR but if it is possible is it what you guys would like to see? - I certainly would. DaveG

I can see where you are coming from, Ken. I looks as though 1400x1050 will be the new standard for Digital Projection in competition work over the next few years so I am now in the market for a new monitor which will be 1050 high. I may be wrong but I don't think that there is a 1400x1050. (Before anyone jumps in - I insist on running my monitor on ITS maximum resolution so a larger res monitor running at 1400x1050 won't do for me). Once I have the monitor, which could well be a wide screen, I will then have to think about upgrading my shows to that res. DaveG

Sorry, I did not want to bring the old arguement up - the point I was making is that it was / is a redundant step in Almark's Action. This is basic stuff - it does not need to progress into a full scale debate. Just look at what happens when you alter settings in "Image Size" with Resample turned first "OFF" and then turned "ON". "Bigger is better"? - That depends on whether your Graphics Card is up to it and whether or not you are using PZR, surely, Ken? DaveG

Hi Almark, Just one point - there is absolutely no point in converting to 72ppi as part of this process. The end result is exactly the same if left at 300ppi or indeed if changed to 3000ppi as long as you do not resample during the process. If you enter photographic competitions you will find that the 300ppi JPEGS are specified as a requirement, but this is for a reason and, I believe, to prevent confusion at the printers if your image finds its way into a catalogue. So, perhaps it is better to leave your images at 300ppi when saving as JPEGS? Otherwise, I applaud your initiative. DaveG

Stu, Old habits die hard!! There's more than one way to skin a cat!! Etc, etc, etc DaveG

Set the time for all slides to a high value (minutes) and "Permit control of the show" in Advanced Options.

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify, what we are talking about here is images and not PTE shows. (I said it was off topic). For some reason, the Laptop does not allow me to use the Function control to set "Projector only". The main problem is a rule that insists that there shall be no compression or interpolation of an image anywhere in the computer projector chain. This makes sense because as an author I would not want my images altered any way prior to or during judging. If anyone out there is using a similar setup - laptop with 1400x1050 projector and has managed to solve the problem of having the laptop at THE SAME RES AS THE PROJECTOR, I would welcome some input. I realise that this is not possible with a laptop whoes max res is 1024x768 so it looks as though a new laptop is required. Thanks in advance. DaveG