Flickering Transitions with v7.5

[eborpeter]

There are a lot of interesting changes with version 7.5, but this is no use if I cannot produce a satisfactory sequence.

I have produced many sequences (including some quite complex ones from v4.0 onwards) and shown them at camera clubs and other venues.

It will be a shame if I have to give up v7.5 because it cannot produce the basics right.

When I started again using v6.5 with the same image files, the same music files, the same simple treatments of the images, the sequence was incomparably smoother.

Why?

[davegee]

Post a short backup in zip which highlights the problem?

Dg

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Hi Eborpeter

It could be a hardware problem, letting us have your system details would help.

Yachtsman1.

[Barry Beckham]

Peter

As Dave has said, a sample will help, but just to say I have found exactly the reverse of what you describe, so I am sure it's something simple that can be addressed. I am also a long time user of PTE and I find that it has become better at the core job or making slide shows.

In the meantime, have a look at updating your graphics card drivers, that sometimes helps, but a sample for us to see how your show works at our end may show up the problem

[davegee]

Barry,

This is just another example of how anyone (first time poster) can post an uncorroborated statement here which can be quoted (out of context) elsewhere.

DG

[PGA]

Dave,

What are you suggesting: that we ban first time posters? (said with tongue firmly in cheek!)

Let us consider the available facts, meagre though they are.

The poster is using v6.5. That was released in August 2010. As the user hasn't upgraded his PTE to keep it current, it is likely he hasn't upgraded his PC either. Yachtsman1's suggestion of providing some details of the PC's specification is certainly going to help assess the capacity of the system. If my presumption that he hasn't upgraded his system is correct, he could well be running an XP system.

PTE v7.5 isn't just an evolution from the previous versions. As Igor has himself stated here on the forum, Wnsoft are going through a phased programme of rewriting every piece of PTE code using tools and libraries that will allow them to port to other platforms in the future. That tells us that large parts of PTE v7.5 are actually a totally new product which just happens to have very similar functions in-built when compared with earlier versions.

The original poster, unknowingly, is comparing apples and oranges.

How do we move forward on this? The PC spec would allow the forum experts to assess the machines capabilities. A sample sequence would allow other forum users to check it out on a wide range of hardware/software combinations.

The ball is back in the original poster's court to provide us with additional information.

PGA

[davegee]

Dave,

What are you suggesting: that we ban first time posters? (said with tongue firmly in cheek!)

PGA

Not at all, BUT there are other forums where a new member's first x number of posts are "vetted" before going on line.

This would in most cases deter spammers/intruders (not that I believe that it is the case here).

I this case, the way I read it, the OP has made the assumption that it is the software that is causing his "problem" and not the possibility that his system is in some way "not playing ball" with his software.

Perhaps he could be persuaded to re-phrase his post to take this possiblity into account before proceding. Perhaps he could, as someone suggested, be persuaded that giving some details of his system in his original post would benefit him. Perhaps he could be persuaded, as someone else suggested, that posting an example to illustrate his "problem" would be to his advantage.

Be are, I believe, saying exactly the same thing in our different ways?

However, with regard to Spammers, Intruders and First Time Posters "an ounce of prevention..... etc".

DG

[Igor]

Please let wait for the sample project (or better two EXE files in both versions).

I admit that a project with complex slide animation, masks can show different performance in another version.

Please do not be so serious!

[eborpeter]

Thanks all for your offers of help. I am sorry if my query caused any upsets. I will endeavour to offer helpful hints to others in the furure from my own successful experiences.

My PC is an HP s5653uk using Windows 7 (64bit)

Processor Intel i5 CPU 650 @ 3.2 BHz

Memory (RAM) 3 GB

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce G210 (512 MB Dedicated)

Hard Disk 700 GB (93 GB unused)

I update the PC Systems automatically.

The PTE file I am having problems with is a straightforward sequence with simple dissolves. The slides are set on a self designed background using shadows - both of which only show with vertical slides.

I may have set something silly in one of the menus, but I haven't found it yet. It's annoying that it seems to work with PTE 6.5.

How do I send a short example? The reply form says I am permitted a max of 3.13 MB. Even a zip of a short extract comes to over 20 MB!

(Incidentally, I have downloaded PTE 7.54 and created a smooth running exe file from an old sequence. The 1 minute fun sequence consists of 10 slides , nearly all with several obects being panned, zoomed, rotated or involved in 3D motion at the same time.)

Eborpeter

[davegee]

Hi,

All that would be required is two slides and one transition which is showing the problem on your system. A "Backup In ZIP" would be the best option which would allow us to see the construction of your Slides, Transitions.

If it is still over 3Mb then people are using DropBox, YouSendIt or MediaFire.

Upload your file to one of those and provide the link here.

DG

[PGA]

The nVidia GeForce G210 is a very, very low spec graphics card. See here: http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/mid_range_gpus.html

It scores only 178 on their scale of measurement. I have the same card in my desktop system but with 1GB of memory on board it and I get flickering transitions some of the time, too. However, I build on the desktop ready for playback on a laptop connected to my digital projector. The laptop has a nVidia GeForce GTX460M with 1.5GB of dedicated memory which scores 1334. I have no problem during playback on that.

I think your problem is that your graphics card can no longer cope.

regards,

PGA

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Just searched NVIDIA's site & couldn't find a 210 :blink:/> Mine is the 220 on my desk top, rated around 300+ on Peter's link site, no flickering transitions.

NVIDIA site here. http://www.geforce.co.uk/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt-220

Yachtsman1

[PGA]

Eric,

Yours is a GT220. We're talking about a 210 (no prefix or suffix) See here: http://www.geforce.co.uk/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-210

PGA

[Guest Yachtsman1]

I know you say you update your PC systems, but did you update the GT210 driver, check here http://device-driver.org/topic/nvidia-drivers.php?tid=bNiGeFor01&q=1&src=b&ta=336067466&kw=4692547576

Yachtsman1.

[eborpeter]

I had a think. PTE displays 'on the fly' using the images and often complex instructions stored in the exe file.

Therefore one should minimise the work to be done, to give the best displays.

I realised that the photo background I was using (one of my own) was itself over 2 MB making each final image over 6MB.

When I replaced it with a plain colour background, the sequence ran quite smoothly.

When I reduced the photo background to about 280KB and replaced the plain colour background in the sequence, it still ran well.

It still does not explain how PTE 6.5 managed the job originally, but then PTE 7.54 is capable of doing a lot more!

Thanks for all your comments.

P.S.

My PC 'Performance Information and Tools' tells me my NVIDIA Card is a GeForce 210, but I will check for any new drivers again as suggested.

I do have a much higher spec laptop which I use for presenting my shows,