1src Forums - Sony updates Image Converter 1.5

eltaino

10-28-2004, 02:34 PM

Hi folks, long time no see. :p

Today, Sony Japan released the long awaited update to Image Converter. It can be found here: http://www.nccl.sony.co.jp/download/C-W017-006-01/index.html
According to the website, the new version adds support for multiple video formats (including wmv and the windows media center edition format), improved user interface, support for splitting files in time intervals, and support for simultaneous conversion when recording in Giga Pocket or Do VAIO. The update requires the cd-rom that came with the clie, and I can confirm that the update works with the U.S. TH55 cd-rom. It's an excellent update, but I warn you that the entire program is in Japanese. It cannot co-exist with older versions of Image Converter, as it makes you uninstall them first. I'm not sure if Sony USA will release the English version of the patch or not, but I've translated the installation instructions, and you can find an excellent translation of the program by jackho here: http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72066

winexprt

10-28-2004, 02:42 PM

I'm not sure if Sony USA will release the English version of the patch or not, but if you guys want, I can do a rough translation of the text.

Thanks very mucho! ;) That would be MOST helpful. :) This sounds like a really great, important upgrade to have. I really want it!

eltaino

10-28-2004, 02:48 PM

Ok, I'll do a quick translation now.
Keep in mind, folks, that Image Converter Prefs Editor may no longer work (I haven't tried yet) with this new version.

meir87

10-28-2004, 02:50 PM

When I try to install it seems to have an error (which I obviously can't read).

jjesusfreak01

10-28-2004, 02:54 PM

This will depend on the reg files, but it will probably work with ICprefs, of course only with the types it already supports.

Edit: To view the japanese sony website, worldlingo works best.

meir87

10-28-2004, 02:59 PM

If this is anything like IC2 I think you are going to have to upload your already installed directory for it to work on a non japanese OS. Thanks for your help.

eltaino

10-28-2004, 03:03 PM

Ok, first the instructions page (http://www.nccl.sony.co.jp/download/C-W017-006-01/index.html):

NOTE: This update requires the CD-ROM that came with your Clie.

This update is supported on: PEG-UX50,PEG-NX80V,PEG-NX73V,PEG-NZ90,PEG-NX70V,PEG-NX60,PEG-TH55,PEG-TH55DK,PEG-TJ37,PEG-TJ25,PEG-TG50.

For PEG-NX80V,PEG-NX73V,PEG-NZ90,PEG-NX70V,PEG-NX60,PEG-TG50 users, please update your Movie Player.

Make sure Quicktime 6.0 or higher is installed.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- You need at least 36 MB of free space for installation
- Make sure Clie Palm Desktop is installed
- You need the CD-ROM that came with your Clie.
- You must uninstall Image Converter 1.0/1.1
1. Download Image Converter 1.5 from here: http://www.nccl.sony.co.jp/download/C-W017-006-01/inst_IC1500JP.exe
2. Uninstall older version of Image Converter via Control Panel.
3. Insert the Clie CD-ROM.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Run the file that you downloaded in step 1.
- The installer will check to make sure the CD-ROM is inserted.
6. In the installation, press enter twice or click the highlighted button that has "(N)" on it twice to goto the next screen.
7. After the files have been copied, press enter to finish the installation.
8. The Image Converter 1.5 icon will appear on your desktop.

eltaino

10-28-2004, 03:07 PM

Well let me know if it still gives errors after going through those instructions. As for uploading my image converter directory, are you sure that would work, since there would be registry entries as well as .dll files copied to the windows directory?

meir87

10-28-2004, 03:09 PM

That worked perfectly. Thanks!

There is a lang.dtd file in C:\Program Files\Sony\Image Converter 1.5\MovieConverter\Data which I believe can be translated if you would be so kind :).

tsensei

10-28-2004, 03:24 PM

There's a thread already started on IC 1.5 ... and someone has already translated part of the software.
see this thread http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72066

eltaino

10-28-2004, 03:26 PM

Here are the translations. I don't know why the bottom of the pictures get cut off :/
Main screen:

eltaino

10-28-2004, 03:29 PM

Ok, cool. Looks like jackho's ahead of the game and has done an awesome job translating. :)

eltaino

10-28-2004, 03:41 PM

I'm going to translate the other dialog boxes anyway... Bored in class. :p
This dialog box pops up when you press "Add to list"

eltaino

10-28-2004, 03:51 PM

This dialog box appears when you press "Conv. settings" or "MQV settings" in jackho's translation:

meir87

10-28-2004, 06:47 PM

Does this require the UX codec to play video on the TH?

Yuriv

10-29-2004, 04:44 AM

Wow,
This one awesome update for Clie users! Being able to feed compressed audio directly into IC is a HUGE improvement over the last version. I can handle the Japanese thanks to Jackho's language patch (thanks so much Jackho!), but still hope that an English version will be appearing soon.
Now we just need a new version of ICPrefs and everything will be perfect (one that allows you to specify resolution if possible :)).

Meir87 - if you have a TH55 and install this program with the TH55 CD in the drive, "High Quality" will be the highest quality setting available, meaning that the UX file (Avx MQTParwer) is not needed at this time.
However, if the new ICPrefs unlocks the "High Quality plus" setting for TH users, you would need the UX file to play movies encoded at this setting.

jackho

10-29-2004, 05:21 AM

Yuriv:

I was checking Sony JP's site everyday for this IC update, and I know many people here needs this too, so I posted it immediately after I got it.

"New" ICPrefs (maybe v3?) supports 4 different resolutions: 160x112 (LP1), 176x144 (LP2), 320x240 and 480x320. Of course, 480x320 is for MP4 (IC2) only, as such MQV file can't play.

BTW, I want to know TH's user can play 480x320 MP4 file or not? Or using 320x480 instead? I need to confirm it....

Keep reading on my thread (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72066) about IC 1.5 in video forum, I will post the progress and news of ICPrefs.

tsensei

10-29-2004, 05:59 AM

BTW, I want to know TH's user can play 480x320 MP4 file or not? Or using 320x480 instead? I need to confirm it....

Yes TH 55 can play 480x320 resolution (MP4 file)

jackho

10-29-2004, 07:21 AM

Thanks.

BTW, I made screenshot translation of IC 1.5 (should be also applied for IC 2). Try to have a look on it.

Yuriv

10-29-2004, 09:21 AM

Hi Jackho,
Its good news that there will be different resolutions to play with in ICPrefs.
I know nothing about programming, so I am not sure whether this would be difficult to implement or not, but it would actually be great to have a slider option that would allow you to set resolutions yourself (ie, 320xXXX).
Failing that, it would be GREAT if you could include a resolution of 320x208, as pretty much any video aspect ratio (such as 2.25:1 or 1.85:1, which accounts for the majority of DVDs) could be encoded in such a way that it would show up truely full screen in FMP with no distortion. I would do this myself if I could, but have to depend on you as I do not have the skills.
PM me if you want more explanation of why I feel that this resolution is so important, especially to users of the TH, NX, NZ, and UX series.
One way or the other, thank you so much for all of your hard work! People like you and Cliepet are credits to our community!

jackho

10-29-2004, 10:51 AM

Yuriv:

Did you try that resolution can be played on CLIE (I mean MP4 format, not MQV)?
Just simply to change keys (using regedit) in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Sony Corporation\Image Converter 2\2.0
(example using Super-high quality profile)
SH_HEIGHT to 320 (decimal)
SH_WIDTH to 208 (decimal)

If it can, then that is possible to let users to enter resolution in ICPrefs.

Even it can, it is just for TH, as NX/NZ users can't play MP4 format, and MQV format are fixed in that 3 resolutions I said in previous post (except the 4th resolution 480x320).

Yuriv

10-29-2004, 08:43 PM

Ahh, that's the rub Jackho!
I wanted that resolution for MQV, as I haven't even considered playing with MP4 files. Why is MQV limited to the file sizes that you mentioned? I would assume that an MQV file, like any regular AVI or MOV file, would be able to work in any combination of resolutions that are divisible by 16.
I'm afraid this registry editing is beyond me. Have you tried MQV files in other resolutions and had them fail?

idahoski

10-29-2004, 10:28 PM

Looks like there is an English version. I just can't get it to download, but here is the info

http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/perl/swu...=EN&mdl=PEGTH55

[Filename Version Size Last Modified
INST_IC1500US.EXE 1.5 13.9 MB 10-29-2004

jjesusfreak01

10-29-2004, 10:32 PM

Its on an FTP server. Sometimes my computer requires a reboot before it will download from an ftp. This is caused because I often close too many background programs.

jjesusfreak01

10-29-2004, 10:47 PM

I just did some FTP surfing on the Sony FTP site, and found that the file that the image converter update is in is completely empty. I rarely try this, but it is always fun to see what Sony has on thier FTP site.

Yuriv

10-29-2004, 11:41 PM

Jackho,
I have done a bit of experimenting with IC 1.5 and MQV resolutions, and have found that (as you said) they are VERY limited. I guess that I will have to either play around with MP4 or accept image distortion in full-screen playback. (The LP1 and LP2 settings are FAR too low quality to be acceptable IMHO.)
BTW, I had no idea registry editing was so easy!

jjesusfreak01

10-29-2004, 11:54 PM

I will be updating to 1.5 when the english version is "really" available. I think 4 different settings is definitely enough, since I will probably be looking to the forums to help me decide what my registry settings will be for those 4 settings.

sonicxracer

10-30-2004, 02:44 PM

The english update is on the official sony support site now, but just when you go to click the agreement, and download the file, the page won't load. So I'm bummed, but I guess we are closer! Hopefully it will be back on their servers soon...

Jordanski

10-30-2004, 08:24 PM

I tried to download the file from the USA web site and had the same problem. I emailed Sony and got a very prompt reply. However, they told me that everything was fine. Perhaps a few more folks need to contact them to convince them that there is a problem with the update site.

IsLNdbOi

10-30-2004, 08:36 PM

I just sent them an email about it too.

jjesusfreak01

10-30-2004, 08:42 PM

I posted their reply somewhere on 1src, but i'll summarize it here. They forwarded the problem to the webmaster, but they do not have any direct control over it and do not have the file. They can plead to their higher authorities, but they cannot do anything diectly to get it, and they told me to wait patiently.

IsLNdbOi

10-30-2004, 08:57 PM

Thanks jjesusfreak01.

jackho

10-31-2004, 02:43 AM

Yuriv:

You still didn't tell me can you play that specific resolution in CLIE. If not, then ICPrefs will not allow users to enter resolution (just fixed selection on that 4 resolutions).

Yuriv

10-31-2004, 04:13 AM

Hi Jackho,
Sorry for not be specific enough! The resolution that I specified (320 x 208) does not work on MQV files at all, and it screws up the aspect ratio when used for MP4. Basically, my suggestion of this resolution was based on a misconception of how FMP/Movie Player treats video files.
I have since installed the MP4 codecs, and have to say that I would recommend all TH users go with MP4. It is easy to do (even with IC1.5) and the results for widescreen videos looks amazing. The screen is used from side to side with no stretching of the image at all - the 320x240 limitation in MQV just cripples the format too much when doing anything but 4:3.
That being said Jackho, good luck with ICPrefs v3. It will still be a welcome and valuable tool for myself and the clie community.

jackho

11-01-2004, 02:10 AM

Yuriv:

Sorry I can't fully understand your post. Of course MQV should not be worked, but you mean MP4 also hasn't good result? Then I think that 4 fixed resolutions should be enough in ICPrefs.

I'm lazy, so I don't know when ICPrefs can be done... (I've just got CCNA exam passed and now preparing for CCNP, so maybe not much time) But I will try my best.

cktlcmd

11-01-2004, 04:56 AM

Hi, I hope you guys won't cricify me for posting this question here, but this would be my first try to use the Image Converter program:

On the TH55 Clie CD, we have 2 image converter for PC: Image converter (PAL) and Image Converter (NTSC). What is the difference between PAL and NTSC? Do I have to install both of them so that Image Converter would work on my computer? What are they? Does the Image Converter Upgrade pertains to both programs or just one? If so which one?

unemi

11-01-2004, 05:37 AM

sonicxracer

11-01-2004, 06:22 AM

ckt -

NTSC is the video format type and works for US and Japan... PAL is for Europe and the other countries. (I'm 99% sure).

Good luck!

susans

11-01-2004, 07:10 AM

ckt -

NTSC is the video format type and works for US and Japan... PAL is for Europe and the other countries. (I'm 99% sure).

Good luck!

That is correct. (I'm 100% sure)

jackho

11-01-2004, 07:33 AM

It should depend on your source video format, if your files are already in NSTC format, then use NTSC IC.

And, you can try to change to NTSC or PAL using regedit to change NTSC_PAL key (0 for NTSC, 1 for PAL). But I'm not sure for that as I haven't tried this option yet.

cktlcmd

11-01-2004, 10:53 AM

Thanks very much for the response everyone.

Agy

11-01-2004, 04:24 PM

This is the answer that i got from SONY

Thank you for contacting Sony Online Support.

The SONY support and driver FTP server is temporarily off line for system and driver updates. Although we have copied your letter to the web master, we can only apologize for any delays you may encounter while the site is restructured.

Unfortunately, the SONY Online Support and Services Center does not have these files locally and can not send or receive attachments through our e-mail response server. We have not been informed when the site will be reactivated and can only recommend you bookmark the site and try to obtain the file again later.

Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance.

The Sony Internet Support Team
Online Support and Services Center
CBAB
Ranganath

IsLNdbOi

11-01-2004, 04:45 PM

jjesusfreak01

11-01-2004, 04:55 PM

That's the exact reply I received from them too.
Me three, but I emailed first, so they copied it for you. I am just kidding, it said "me three" was too short to post.

Mouse

11-01-2004, 09:35 PM

I've been hangin' around the boards for a while, but this is my first post.

Just a quick note, I just downloaded the IC 1.5 update from Sony's website.

Steve :rolleyes:

freelancerx

11-02-2004, 02:53 AM

Image Converter 1.5 English Version is ready for download...
Check link below
:) :)

http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?template=EN&mdl_id=1017&upd_id=1684&PASSVAL=ALLOS

Amnion

11-02-2004, 06:00 AM

I've gave it a try.
But i get an error in every conversion: It say's that there not enough space on my Disk. But there are over 4 GB free!

It is not usable any more!

jackho

11-02-2004, 06:22 AM

Remember to check your QuickTime 6 installation as stated in d/l page. Try to upgrade or reinstall it. IC 1.5 uses QT 6 for conversion engine.

Amnion

11-02-2004, 10:19 AM

I'm using Quicktime 6.5 so thats not the problem. The conversation starts normaly, but aber 1-2 Minutes it stops with the error text above. A video is there and it's playable, but it's not complete.

Agy

11-02-2004, 03:40 PM

I am getting the same error!!

there is not enought free space on the memory card/media the remaining files will be converted at the next conversion.

ps I do have quick time 6.5

Honeyryder

11-03-2004, 03:45 AM

Hi Guys

Have been reading the threads re. the 1.5 version of Image Converter with great interest. I have downloaded the update from the Sony US site, which warns that the downloads are only for Clies bought in the US or Canada. Needless to say, the update isn't yet available on the Sony European site. Before I wreck my TH-55 do any of you know whether it is okay to download this update. Any European users downloaded this patch successfully?

Cheers.

atatarak

11-03-2004, 03:51 AM

I second that. Has anyone with a EU TH-55 tried this with success?????

Yuriv

11-03-2004, 04:02 AM

Honeyryder:
There is no way that this update could "wreck your TH55" - It is a computer program, not a palm program. The worst that could happen is that: 1) yo would try to install it, the install program would check for your CLie CD version and refuse to install because your CD is not the US version; or 2) the output MQV file just wouldn't be compatable (which I doubt).
Agy, Amnion
Regarding the disk space issue, what does IC1.5 report as the free capacity of your disk (there is a gauge at the upper right of the IC1.5 window)? My harddisk is partitioned into C and D drive, and IC1.5 defaulted to the C:, which has very little space free - once I changed the disk assignment it all worked fine.
I love this update!

Amnion

11-03-2004, 05:15 AM

This update is horrible!

The upper right status reports exacatly remaining disk space. I've tried it with all of my drive. They have all enough space!
I'm speaking about a 2 minutes movie! I also tryed to convert directly to the TH-55 connected as a drive. With no success. :<

So the update i working in no way for me!

jackho

11-03-2004, 05:37 AM

Then you need to try to re-install both QTand IC. This is similar troubleshooting in old version IC...

atatarak

11-03-2004, 05:58 AM

Ok, I installed the new IC and I have QT 6.5.1.

With avi files it works fine. With mpeg files it hangs! :confused: :mad: :mad:

Agy

11-03-2004, 11:22 AM

Agy, Amnion
Regarding the disk space issue, what does IC1.5 report as the free capacity of your disk (there is a gauge at the upper right of the IC1.5 window)? My harddisk is partitioned into C and D drive, and IC1.5 defaulted to the C:, which has very little space free - once I changed the disk assignment it all worked fine.
I love this update![/QUOTE]

I will give it a try thanks for the tip cheeers!

tsensei

11-03-2004, 01:32 PM

HI everyone,

I have a European TH and I've installed successfully the IC update. :cool:
All works fine and I have not the disk space issue. (I've tried with mpeg)
I have just one question : Why can't I get the Super quality movie option ?
(I had it with the IC 1.1 given in the installation CD)

Thanks for the help
;)

Cyker

11-03-2004, 02:39 PM

I have a TH55/E1 and can confirm that IC1.5 US works with it ;)

It's actually pretty much the same as IC1.1 except it looks a lot different and can convert WMVs ; The quality does not seem significantly different to me.

BTW jackho, did you see my other post in your ICPrefs thread? Any word on that?

austinpowers@jp

11-03-2004, 10:32 PM

This program is seriously trying my patience. I also cannot get it to work, but not for any lack of memory messages. The program fires up just fine. It converts and transfers jpg files just fine. But everytime I choose any type of movie file (avi, mpg, mov, wmv, etc) it just crashes. I get the polite little crash box stating "ImageConverter.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience." Very sweet, but it's starting to really piss me off. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling. I've tried uninstalling QT6 and reinstalling. I've tried turning off virus checkers, firewalls, etc, etc, etc. Same result everytime. All I want to do is create video files to watch on my MS. Is that so much too ask? I'd sure appreciate if somebody has some useful assistance. I've almost given up on it. Thanks...

tsensei

11-04-2004, 02:40 PM

austinpowers@jp, maybe it has something to do with the codecs installed on your pc.

austinpowers@jp

11-05-2004, 04:01 AM

Good suggestion. That's about the only thing I haven't looked at. I'm a bit uneducated on it, so will have to search through some threads to learn what I need to know. I guess I assumed Sony would install whatever I needed when it installed the prog. I think I may have even installed Xvid for some reason, but don't remember why....I see it in my program list. Oh well, I'm too beat to figure it out tonight. Thanks for the suggestion.

Jinja

11-05-2004, 04:06 AM

Can anyone confirm if IC1.5 works with mp3 audio?

Yuriv

11-05-2004, 04:54 AM

Jinja,
I haven't installed the English version of IC 1.5 yet, but have been using the Japanese version for a while already. It works smooth as silk for me with MP3 audio tracks.
Waiting anxiously for a new ICPrefs!

bakerybob

11-05-2004, 05:38 AM

For older Clies (like my NX80) this update requires you to install the previously updated Movie Player - but this means that I can't watch movies from Compact Flash using the player from the UX, right?
I tried keeping the UX player on my Clie, but no movies would play correctly - it crashed every time. Installing the official updated Movie Player from the Sony website fixed this. I wonder why...

jackho

11-05-2004, 09:37 AM

No. Just keep using that UX's MoviePlayer.prc w/ updated codec is ok. You can install the update patch first, then re-install (or place on MS) UX's MoviePlayer.prc to play MQV in MS or CF.

Actually that update patch is for codec only, not for MoviePlayer program itself. And your problem is also problem of codec (e.g. AvxMQT Parser.prc, AvxMPEG4Decoder.prc), not MoviePlayer program's problem.

Ion Control

11-05-2004, 09:45 AM

tsensei,
Could you provide a larger view of your avatar and explain what program(s) it is? Looks nice :)

softech

11-05-2004, 10:17 AM

so, for those who has the new version working or not, can you tell us what OS version is that with what service pack?

thanks

softech

11-05-2004, 10:44 AM

I was trying to install it, it asks for original CD before installing, is that normal?

tsensei

11-05-2004, 11:53 AM

so, for those who has the new version working or not, can you tell us what OS version is that with what service pack?

thanks

I'm using XP Pro, SP 1 and it works perfectly

tsensei

11-05-2004, 11:57 AM

I was trying to install it, it asks for original CD before installing, is that normal?

Yes it's normal, but don't know why ... Perhaps it has something to do with the Super Quality option : with my TH I don't have it.
Does anyone tried IC 1.5 with the UX ? Do you have the 784 kbps option for encoding ?

tsensei

11-05-2004, 11:57 AM

tsensei,
Could you provide a larger view of your avatar and explain what program(s) it is? Looks nice :)

Take a look at this thread http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70915

jackho

11-06-2004, 06:45 AM

Yes it's normal, but don't know why ... Perhaps it has something to do with the Super Quality option : with my TH I don't have it.
Does anyone tried IC 1.5 with the UX ? Do you have the 784 kbps option for encoding ?

As I know that even UX's users still can't get SH option in IC 1.5.

I think IC 1.5 setup checks CD file because it can prevent (actually not, if you get a image of CLIE CD, at least w/ Version.txt under ImageConverter folder) non-CLIE users to use it.

I read posts in 1src that someone cracked MQV libraries (working w/ Kinoma Player) for other palms, maybe Sony want to stop this...