Converting Solitaire to Windows Movie Files

[bvolcjak]

Is it possible to convert edited Solitaire presentations into Window Movie Files?

[jeffphilips]

I assume you mean .wmv, yes you can. You need windows media encoder. It is a free download. If you are familiar with the encoder, then just pick the settings you want. If you are not, I can guide you through it, if someone else doesn't.

[TimKennelly]

Bill,

As Jeff mentioned, it's just a matter of moving the presentation over to a PC (or Mac).

Whether you do this directly with firewire, ethernet or physically with Disk Transfer, etc you then just bring the AVI file into WME (free) and process it.

[bvolcjak]

Ok, I'm really green at this and I'm moving on multiple tracks. First I need to know to know what WMV and WME are respectivly.

Secondly, I need to know if they are used for the Solitaire platform exclusively or if they can they be used for others as well.

For example, would WMV and WME receive data (a video presentation) from any DVD, even one that contained video footage that wasn't edited in a Solitaire?

Is it easier to down load your edited presentation directly from the Solitaire via a firewire or a burned DVD?

[TimKennelly]

Bill,

WME (Windows Media Encoder) transcodes (creates) the footage into WMV (Windows Media Video).

WME is PC software that is used to create WMV out of other formatted footage so is not exclusvie to Solitaire footage.

If you have the option firewire as that gives by far the superior orginal footage in the form of AVI files on the PC to encode to WMV files with WME software (free download and use).

It is also faster to firewire as that is real time transfer and a burned DVD requires Add Film and burn time to degrade the footage and then change it into a format that WME can handle in the PC (I do not believe WME can directly access MPEG-2 files on an inserted DVD, not sure, never tried as I don't see any reason to use a method that is slower and significantly would degrade the starting footage as well.)

I think you would have to search out another piece of software to convert the DVD MPEG-2 video files prior to using WME on them although as mentioned I have never gone that route so am not positive about that.

[bvolcjak]

Tim,

What sort of language / encoding does the Solitaire utilize to perform all of its magic?

[TimKennelly]

In VxWorks land (Solitaire Operating System) we call it NativeDV, but it is the same as Microsoft AVI, so when you transfer it over to a PC regardless of whether a direct connection via firewire or ethernet or remotely on a DVD using Disk Transfer it is a Microsoft AVI file on the PC.

This woulld be considered the industry standard video format and is the least compressed (best quality) format commonly used.

[bvolcjak]

Tim,

Thank you for your responce. I'm down loading part one of a 2 hr. program into my Solitaire as I commmunicate with you. I'll basically assemble edit 2 mini DV tapes, burn everything and give it to our IT guys.

Hopefully, they'll be able to down load / transcode (WME to WMV) and do their thing. I really appreciate your feedback. Its just invaluable.

[bvolcjak]

I apologize Jeff. Thank you so much for your comments and time. Much appreciated.