DSC-M1 Videos and Windows Media Player

bigduke6 · Dec 15, 2004

I understand Windows media Player should be able to play the MPEG4 videos straight out of the M1 but I haven't been able to. I downloaded the latest version (10) and the codec pack on Microsoft's website but still no luck. Can anyone tell me what codec I should download or provide any other help.

Thanks

ken94628 · Dec 15, 2004

i use the software that came with the m1 on my pc and imovie on my apple both work good

karlviehe · Dec 19, 2004

Bigduke -

Where did you find the mpeg4 codec on the MS website?

I looked for it, but couldn't find it....

The DSC-M1 files play with Quicktime player, but pretty poorly, especially in full screen ( certainly less than VHS quality, nowhere near DVD quality )

The files will not play with Realplayer.....

Best regards,

KWV

bigduke6 said:
I understand Windows media Player should be able to play the MPEG4
videos straight out of the M1 but I haven't been able to. I
downloaded the latest version (10) and the codec pack on
Microsoft's website but still no luck. Can anyone tell me what
codec I should download or provide any other help.

Thanks

--
kwv

bigduke6 · Dec 20, 2004

KWV -

I downloaded and installed the codec pack from Microsoft's website and assumed that it included an MPEG4 codec. I later learned from an expert that Microsoft doesn't support the MP4 format and Windows Media Player won't play M1 videos no matter what codecs are installed.

I can use RealPlayer so not sure why you're having problems there and, of course, QuickTime works.

Sorry to hear you're not happy with the quality of the video, I've found it varies somewhat from computer to computer depending on the monitor etc. The video looks best to me when its played on a television where it appears to be VHS quality.

Certainly not DVD quality but substantially better than the video I've seen from any other still camera, although my experience in these things is limited.

Regards, Bigduke6

Mie Abdul · Dec 20, 2004

I installed mpegableDSdecoder and now can play the M1 mp4 files in WMP9.

bigduke6 said:
KWV -

I downloaded and installed the codec pack from Microsoft's website
and assumed that it included an MPEG4 codec. I later learned from
an expert that Microsoft doesn't support the MP4 format and Windows
Media Player won't play M1 videos no matter what codecs are
installed.

karlviehe · Dec 21, 2004

Bigduke -

Thanks for the info...that was my understanding about Windows Media Player...no support for mpeg4.......more Microsoft arrogance.....

I'll try the TV viewing.....

Have you tried burning the video to VCD? The program does not recognize my DVD/CD burner......called Pixela yesterday ( the software supplier)....was on hold for 40 mins....no answer, so gave up.........may try again this morning... Sont seems to provide NO support for the software.....

Overall, the camera is very well designed.......my sense is that even the viewing on computer is more a software issue....

Thanks,

KWV

bigduke6 said:
KWV -

I downloaded and installed the codec pack from Microsoft's website
and assumed that it included an MPEG4 codec. I later learned from
an expert that Microsoft doesn't support the MP4 format and Windows
Media Player won't play M1 videos no matter what codecs are
installed.

I can use RealPlayer so not sure why you're having problems there
and, of course, QuickTime works.

Sorry to hear you're not happy with the quality of the video, I've
found it varies somewhat from computer to computer depending on the
monitor etc. The video looks best to me when its played on a
television where it appears to be VHS quality.

Certainly not DVD quality but substantially better than the video
I've seen from any other still camera, although my experience in
these things is limited.

Regards, Bigduke6

--
kwv

karlviehe · Dec 21, 2004

Where deos one obtain mpegableDSdecoder ? Sounds like a good resource....

Have you found any program that will permit real editing with the M1 files? ( I've heard ULEAD V. 8 has good mpeg4 support )

Thanks

KWV

Mie Abdul said:
bigduke6 said:

KWV -

I downloaded and installed the codec pack from Microsoft's website
and assumed that it included an MPEG4 codec. I later learned from
an expert that Microsoft doesn't support the MP4 format and Windows
Media Player won't play M1 videos no matter what codecs are
installed.

Click to expand...

--
kwv

Mie Abdul · Dec 21, 2004

I did include the link in my first message, but strangely it disappeared when I posted it (even when I previewed it). As a matter of fact, while typing this, I can see the address in my first message included below. Once I click Preview or Post, it disappears again. What kind of problem is this?

Try again:
http://www.mpegable.com

I haven't found any editing program for mp4 yet. But then again I haven't really been looking because I don't have the M1 yet - planning to buy it next month. Actually what I'd like first is a program that can join several mp4 files into 1. Right now I'm just using WinZip to join my P9 mpg files.

-Mie

karlviehe said:
Have you found any program that will permit real editing with the
M1 files? ( I've heard ULEAD V. 8 has good mpeg4 support )

Thanks

KWV

Mie Abdul said:

bigduke6 said:

KWV -

I downloaded and installed the codec pack from Microsoft's website
and assumed that it included an MPEG4 codec. I later learned from
an expert that Microsoft doesn't support the MP4 format and Windows
Media Player won't play M1 videos no matter what codecs are
installed.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
kwv

bigduke6 · Dec 21, 2004

KWV -

I haven't tried burning a VCD yet although I plan on trying soon. I bought Ulead and it works with both the MP4s straight out of the M1 and Quicktime .MOVs Ulead seems like a decent editing program but it took an excessive amount of time to output the final video once I was done editing that I got discouraged and haven't used it much.

Quicktime Pro has some good, but very basic, editing capabilities so I'll stick with that for now.

The included software was worthless. Strange how Sony can spend so much time and effort engineering an incredible device like the M1 and then throw some piece of junk imaging software in the box with it.

I'm going to take a closer look at mpegableDSdecoder this weekend (thanks Mie Abdul) I assume this would allow you to use Windows MovieMaker as well as Media Player

Regards, BigDuke6

Scott Aronian · Dec 21, 2004

karlviehe said:
Where did you find the mpeg4 codec on the MS website?

I looked for it, but couldn't find it....

The DSC-M1 files play with Quicktime player, but pretty poorly,
especially in full screen ( certainly less than VHS quality,
nowhere near DVD quality )

The files will not play with Realplayer.....

Best regards,

KWV

This quote from Microsoft's web site says it all, "Windows Media Player does not support the playback of the .mp4 file format." When the MPEG-4 file format based it's architecture on Apple's QuickTime, Microsoft decided not to support playback in Windows Media Player, and instead produced the Windows Media 9 codec. WM9 is an excellent codec but it is proprietary so Sony used MPEG-4 in the DSC-M1.

Since the full size MPEG-4 files are a true video format, playback looks best on an interlaced video monitor or TV. MPEG-4 can require a bit more CPU speed than MPEG-2 (DVD) for playback from a computer. Most computers less than a couple of years old should have no problem playing back from QuickTime.

tameside · Dec 22, 2004

I don't accept this,

I have Sanyo xacti C4 and it bundled Ulead explorer8 and DVD movie factory with mpeg 4 codec/plug-in, Idon't know if this did something to Windows media player but the mp4 files are superb, in fact I have to say that they are undeniably excellent, smooth excellent colour rendition and the sound is the very best, being hiper critical there's a tinge of "pixelation" from about a foot from the tv, further distance nonoticeable.

initially on both quicktime and realplayer I kept getting horizontal line flicker, sound a bit hissy/weird and average colur, very annoying. I was thinking what have I bought then once played under windows media player it all fell into place, got to say mightily impressed by sanyo, stills are very good as well, not quite v1 but ok for snaps.

Could you give me a link to a file and I'll see if I can play it, then maybe help you aquire the ulead s/w

Scott Aronian said:
karlviehe said:

Where did you find the mpeg4 codec on the MS website?

I looked for it, but couldn't find it....

The DSC-M1 files play with Quicktime player, but pretty poorly,
especially in full screen ( certainly less than VHS quality,
nowhere near DVD quality )

The files will not play with Realplayer.....

Best regards,

KWV

Click to expand...

This quote from Microsoft's web site says it all, "Windows Media
Player does not support the playback of the .mp4 file format." When
the MPEG-4 file format based it's architecture on Apple's
QuickTime, Microsoft decided not to support playback in Windows
Media Player, and instead produced the Windows Media 9 codec. WM9
is an excellent codec but it is proprietary so Sony used MPEG-4 in
the DSC-M1.

Since the full size MPEG-4 files are a true video format, playback
looks best on an interlaced video monitor or TV. MPEG-4 can require
a bit more CPU speed than MPEG-2 (DVD) for playback from a
computer. Most computers less than a couple of years old should
have no problem playing back from QuickTime.

ianz28 · Dec 22, 2004

While I can't promise you that the MPEG4 will play on this player / codec this is an excellent piece of software under continuous development. (requires some computer know how). I would also like to warn that downloading and installing many codec's and codec packs has a strong potential of negatives to computer performance and video playback.

However, this software installed on a clean system with the installation of all the recommended codec's has allowed me to watch all movies I have downloaded from the internet with perfect sound. And the player has tons of features as well. I use it exclusively over M$ (Microsoft) WMP.

http://www.inmatrix.com/

bigduke6 said:
I understand Windows media Player should be able to play the MPEG4
videos straight out of the M1 but I haven't been able to. I
downloaded the latest version (10) and the codec pack on
Microsoft's website but still no luck. Can anyone tell me what
codec I should download or provide any other help.

Thanks

bigduke6 · Dec 22, 2004

Scott Aronian said:
Since the full size MPEG-4 files are a true video format, playback
looks best on an interlaced video monitor or TV. MPEG-4 can require
a bit more CPU speed than MPEG-2 (DVD) for playback from a
computer. Most computers less than a couple of years old should
have no problem playing back from QuickTime.

Scott -

If the video from the M1 is converted into another format does it become de-interlaced? I would like to make a VCD or combine the MP4s into a .MOV using Quicktime Pro and then play this on my television. Would this conversion lessen the quality by effecting the interlacing? Alternatively, could the video be de-interlaced to optimize playback on a computer monitor?

Thanks for you help - BigDuke6

Scott Aronian · Dec 22, 2004

bigduke6 said:
Scott -
If the video from the M1 is converted into another format does it
become de-interlaced? I would like to make a VCD or combine the
MP4s into a .MOV using Quicktime Pro and then play this on my
television. Would this conversion lessen the quality by effecting
the interlacing? Alternatively, could the video be de-interlaced
to optimize playback on a computer monitor?

Thanks for you help - BigDuke6

Each video editing software package handles de-interlacing, format conversion, and resizing with varying results. Cutting and pasting clips together with QuickTime Player won't alter the quality. The area of video compression can be very complicated and for editing I like working with Adobe's After Effects, It does the best job of mixing clips from different sources. It handles the MPEG-4 files from the Sony DSC-M1 very well, although QuickTime is really doing the decoding for After Effects.

Since MPEG-4 uses square pixels (640x480) and MPEG-2 uses rectangular pixels (720x480) some resizing is necessary if you are going to edit and transcode to MPEG-2 for DVD. After Effects handles this very well. I don't have much experience producing MPEG-1 for VCD, but I suppose After Effects could handle this as well. You could also try the DIVX codec http://www.divx.com/ which attempts to apply enough compression to fit a movie on a CD-R while maintaining the quality of a DVD.

There's a lot of experimentation to be done and some of the software suggested by others sound worth trying.

tameside · Dec 23, 2004

bigduke6,

Why don't you vist ulead, purchase either video 8, $99 or dvdmoviefactory3 $50, specify mp4 and you will be able to do all you want, trim/edit/transitions/chapters etc, incl. vcd/svcd/dvd. if you want also get photoexplorer8 mp4 and you will be able to convert to your hearts content. Personally go for video studio 8, because you can also add photos/stills to the beginning of your movies and at the dvd chapter/start-up menu, its also more comprehensive. Problem with adobe is; 1 its expensive and 2 its complicated. ulead is easier and the results will be excellent, trust-me, I use it and love it, all there products are quick/easy and great results everytime.

bigduke6 said:
Scott Aronian said:

Since the full size MPEG-4 files are a true video format, playback
looks best on an interlaced video monitor or TV. MPEG-4 can require
a bit more CPU speed than MPEG-2 (DVD) for playback from a
computer. Most computers less than a couple of years old should
have no problem playing back from QuickTime.

Click to expand...

Scott -
If the video from the M1 is converted into another format does it
become de-interlaced? I would like to make a VCD or combine the
MP4s into a .MOV using Quicktime Pro and then play this on my
television. Would this conversion lessen the quality by effecting
the interlacing? Alternatively, could the video be de-interlaced
to optimize playback on a computer monitor?

Thanks for you help - BigDuke6

karlviehe · Dec 23, 2004

bigduke -

I couldn't agree with you more...what a waste the Pixela software is..... I'll give a try with Quicktime Pro....

Will it permit burning the Sony mpeg4 to DVD?

Pixel ( after a 40 minute wait the first, no answer...8 min wait the second time) told me the Windows Movie Maker would work.... Wrong!!!!

The supplied Pixela software will not burn to DVD..... I was told by Pixela that only a CD-R ( not CD+R)...but I haven't even got that to work....

Regards,

Karl

-----------

bigduke6 said:
KWV -

I haven't tried burning a VCD yet although I plan on trying soon.
I bought Ulead and it works with both the MP4s straight out of the
M1 and Quicktime .MOVs Ulead seems like a decent editing program
but it took an excessive amount of time to output the final video
once I was done editing that I got discouraged and haven't used it
much.

Quicktime Pro has some good, but very basic, editing capabilities
so I'll stick with that for now.

The included software was worthless. Strange how Sony can spend so
much time and effort engineering an incredible device like the M1
and then throw some piece of junk imaging software in the box with
it.

I'm going to take a closer look at mpegableDSdecoder this weekend
(thanks Mie Abdul) I assume this would allow you to use Windows
MovieMaker as well as Media Player

Regards, BigDuke6

--
kwv

karlviehe · Dec 23, 2004

Tameside -
Have you used the ULEAD VS 8 witht the Sony mpeg4?

Have you been able to burn to a DVD using VS 8 ?

Thanks,

KWV

tameside said:
Why don't you vist ulead, purchase either video 8, $99 or
dvdmoviefactory3 $50, specify mp4 and you will be able to do all
you want, trim/edit/transitions/chapters etc, incl. vcd/svcd/dvd.
if you want also get photoexplorer8 mp4 and you will be able to
convert to your hearts content. Personally go for video studio 8,
because you can also add photos/stills to the beginning of your
movies and at the dvd chapter/start-up menu, its also more
comprehensive. Problem with adobe is; 1 its expensive and 2 its
complicated. ulead is easier and the results will be excellent,
trust-me, I use it and love it, all there products are quick/easy
and great results everytime.

bigduke6 said:

Scott Aronian said:

Since the full size MPEG-4 files are a true video format, playback
looks best on an interlaced video monitor or TV. MPEG-4 can require
a bit more CPU speed than MPEG-2 (DVD) for playback from a
computer. Most computers less than a couple of years old should
have no problem playing back from QuickTime.

Click to expand...

Scott -
If the video from the M1 is converted into another format does it
become de-interlaced? I would like to make a VCD or combine the
MP4s into a .MOV using Quicktime Pro and then play this on my
television. Would this conversion lessen the quality by effecting
the interlacing? Alternatively, could the video be de-interlaced
to optimize playback on a computer monitor?

Thanks for you help - BigDuke6

Click to expand...

--
kwv

ianz28 · Dec 23, 2004

I forgot to mention that it's free! You can help the developer if you choose later for the full pro version (19.95). But, it does everything already for free.

ianz28 said:
However, this software installed on a clean system with the
installation of all the recommended codec's has allowed me to watch
all movies I have downloaded from the internet with perfect sound.
And the player has tons of features as well. I use it exclusively
over M$ (Microsoft) WMP.

http://www.inmatrix.com/

bigduke6 said:

I understand Windows media Player should be able to play the MPEG4
videos straight out of the M1 but I haven't been able to. I
downloaded the latest version (10) and the codec pack on
Microsoft's website but still no luck. Can anyone tell me what
codec I should download or provide any other help.

Thanks

Click to expand...

tameside · Dec 24, 2004

KWV

Can you post a file, providing it's .mp4 can't see a problem, know I haven't burnt a sony file but have completed succesful sanyo xacti mp4.

have you tried the free download of studio 8, not sure the demo version will allow import of mp4 but worth try.

karlviehe said:
Have you been able to burn to a DVD using VS 8 ?

Thanks,

KWV

tameside said:

Why don't you vist ulead, purchase either video 8, $99 or
dvdmoviefactory3 $50, specify mp4 and you will be able to do all
you want, trim/edit/transitions/chapters etc, incl. vcd/svcd/dvd.
if you want also get photoexplorer8 mp4 and you will be able to
convert to your hearts content. Personally go for video studio 8,
because you can also add photos/stills to the beginning of your
movies and at the dvd chapter/start-up menu, its also more
comprehensive. Problem with adobe is; 1 its expensive and 2 its
complicated. ulead is easier and the results will be excellent,
trust-me, I use it and love it, all there products are quick/easy
and great results everytime.

bigduke6 said:

Scott Aronian said:

Since the full size MPEG-4 files are a true video format, playback
looks best on an interlaced video monitor or TV. MPEG-4 can require
a bit more CPU speed than MPEG-2 (DVD) for playback from a
computer. Most computers less than a couple of years old should
have no problem playing back from QuickTime.

Click to expand...

Scott -
If the video from the M1 is converted into another format does it
become de-interlaced? I would like to make a VCD or combine the
MP4s into a .MOV using Quicktime Pro and then play this on my
television. Would this conversion lessen the quality by effecting
the interlacing? Alternatively, could the video be de-interlaced
to optimize playback on a computer monitor?

Thanks for you help - BigDuke6

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
kwv

karlviehe · Dec 25, 2004

BigDuke -

I downloaded the trial version of Ulead V. 8...but it does not seem to recognize the Sony mpeg4 files.....

You say it does read the files with your purchased version ( the trial version my be disabled a bit). What do you think?

Are you doing anything special?

Best regards,

KWV

--

bigduke6 said:
KWV -

I haven't tried burning a VCD yet although I plan on trying soon.
I bought Ulead and it works with both the MP4s straight out of the
M1 and Quicktime .MOVs Ulead seems like a decent editing program
but it took an excessive amount of time to output the final video
once I was done editing that I got discouraged and haven't used it
much.

Quicktime Pro has some good, but very basic, editing capabilities
so I'll stick with that for now.

The included software was worthless. Strange how Sony can spend so
much time and effort engineering an incredible device like the M1
and then throw some piece of junk imaging software in the box with
it.

I'm going to take a closer look at mpegableDSdecoder this weekend
(thanks Mie Abdul) I assume this would allow you to use Windows
MovieMaker as well as Media Player

Regards, BigDuke6

--
kwv

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