3D-Album Home

Shann · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 10:52 pm Post subject: Slow presentation

I have been building a movie for my son that is stationed in Afghanistan and over the course of his year tour I will be adding pics that he sends me,so far I have approx. 30 - 40 pics added.When I first started building this it worked great,I'm using the National Day style..but as I add more pics the program starts slowing dramatically,also I have 3 music files playing in the background,all 3 play great the first time through but when the music file start up again they stick and don't play all the way through..If anyone has any problems like this what did you do to fix? Thanks,Shann

rsnow · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 8:51 am Post subject:

It would help to know which versions of 3D-Album and VAC you are using. Also, what your computer configuration is, amount of ram, cpu speed, etc.

Shann · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 2:35 pm Post subject: Solved My Own Problem

I fixed the problem with too many pics slowing down my presentation.The fix wasn't difficult to figure out..So rather than wait on an answer,I replaced my 2-3D 8 MB graphics card with a 128 full open gl 2-3d graphics card..TA-DA...PROBLEM SOLVED,MY PRESENTATION IS RUNNING GREAT..By the way I'm running a pentium 4,OS is Win. XP pro, 1.7GH prosessor,512MB ram.. My VAC is 3.1 with upgrade and 3d DVD suite with latest upgrade.The graphics card didn't come cheap but was well worth the price,now with over 100 pics it's still running smooth..
Shannon

rsnow · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 6:16 am Post subject:

Great! I am glad you got it fixed. Although I have found from my own experience that upgrading to 128 MB graphics card that supports Open GL has solved most of my problems, some folks don't like that to be the first recommendation given to them. Especially if they have just recently bought a new card but not one that meets that criteria.

Charles J. Hentz · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:21 pm Post subject:

OK, so I'm a newbie and will also need a new graphics card. I'm assuming this gives the VAC a better rendering so the mpeg2 file for later DVD burning is better? So if I'm putting together a 500 photo mixed presentation using several styles, what is the least expensive graphics card I should be looking at? I've heard the ATI 9800 PRo is excellent but I can't put down $400 for one. This is just a 'hobby' for me mostly, so I'd like to stay under $200. So where is the 'sweet spot' most bang for the buck? Will performance be fairly close between differnt open GL 128 MB cards? I need to make a decision soon I think. TIA Charlie

Frogprintz · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:49 pm Post subject:

Charles,

I believe I'm the one who recommended the ATI Radeon 9800 Video card to you, when you posted a question under the Video Production topic . However, I recommended the "All-in-Wonder" model, which is a CAPTURE card as well as graphics display. It sells for app. $400. This card is GREAT, if you want to capture video from an outside source, such as a videocam, DVD, VHS Tape, 8mm, 16mm, etc.. It also has 256 MB of on-board graphics RAM.

If you wish something less expensive, w/128 MB on board ram, but WITHOUT the capture capability, the 9600 Radeon PRO model is a good choice. You can buy this card for app. $129 to $199. Less, if you buy from Frys, PC Connection, etc.. You can get the specs on this card from ATI's website @ www.ati.com

There are also a host of other Open GL cards w/64 to 256 MB of on-board RAM that can be purchased for less than $200. Shop around on the internet. Go to PC Connections website. Visit your local discount retailer. Maybe others on this forum can also recommend cards and prices that are known to work well with 3D Album.

As to your desire to build a 500 + picture album, I can't advise. I for one, have never built an album of this size. At most, all I have done is app. 50 pictures, and I do a LOT of commerical work, it is my business. The reason for not doing 500 + pictures is not necessarily technical limitations. It is primarily because my intended audience would get bored after more than 50 pictures. The whole impact is lost, when overwhelmed with this many pics (unless you are making a documentary like some of the PBS 90 minute programs). That may be different for you, especially if you are building a "book of memories." If I were you, I would build a 10 album series w/ 50 pics each, rather than 1 album with 500. Just thought I would pass my expereince on to you.

One thing to remember though, video production, with all the hardware and software needed for a "first class presentation," is NOT cheap. This truly is a "You get what you pay for," endeavor, even for hobbyists. If you try to just "get by as cheaply as possbile," you will always be disappointed when you compare your work with what can be done for a few dollars more. And ... technology is constantly changing and improving. You will always be between a rock and a hard spot if you try to play catch up.

I wish you success.

Charles J. Hentz · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:33 am Post subject:

Again, thanks. I did get your info on the other post but initially the site said I couldn't respond so I posted here (said I had posted earlier and had to wait awhile! I guess it thinks I'm being a 'pain' also Wink

Anyway, I didn't realize that the All-in-Wonder also had capture card. Actually, I got confused and thought that all the graphics cards functioned as capture cards. So, if I use the All In Wonder 9800 strictly with the 3D Album VAC the capture card part of the All In Wonder doesn't come into play, just when I'm using it for other purposes, correct? Also, I plan to get a MiniDV camcorder this summer. Since it is already digital, I assume it would be in mpeg2 and I wouldn't need to capture it again ? I guess that's another subject to learn about. I appreciate all the time and knowledge you've imparted and feel badly about asking all these questions so if you know of a good site that I could 'bone up' on this video stuff, I'd appreciate it. I guess it's one thing to use forums like this for solving specific problems, but I think I really should be getting some outside knowledge rather than burdoning you. But just the same, thank you SO much. It has helped me tremendously!

Charlie

Frogprintz · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:06 am Post subject:

Charlie,

Video creation, capture and playback can be pretty tricky stuff at times. The biggest surprise to most novices is the varying quality and the cost in time and money to obtain an excellent result.

I suggest you get a book. Most any book store has lots of books on the subject. Even the "Dummy" book line has fairly good information on what you need to produce a decent presentation. It defines the terminology and hardware/software requirements for generic video capture and conversion without referencing any one specific software application. This is a good beginning for novices. It will make your learning curve shorter when trying to interpret someones forum comments when you need help with 3D-Album. Too often, other users and even moderators, assume you know more than you actually do. They will use unfamilar terminology and provide incomplete instruction, thinking you will fill in the blanks. As we all know, this can be very frustrating at times.

Like you, my experience comes from much research and experimentation. Some of that experimentation has been costly. I have many, many CD/DVD drink coasters lying around my house to testify to the failures. Fortunately, I have been intimately involved with computer technology since 1975, when I saw it emerge from a non-PC electronics hobby kit to the desktop it is today. This background prepared me for future surprises and costs, so I'm not surprised by much anymore.

Hang in there. Watch your nickels and dimes. Buy wisely. Do your research. Ask tons of questions. Stock up on No-Doze, and keep producing. Very Happy