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1995-07-28
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SmartVid for Windows v1.02.006
Release Notes
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This software is supplied under the terms of a license
agreement or nondisclosure agreement with Intel Corporation
and may not be copied or disclosed except in accordance
with the terms of that agreement.
Copyright (C) 1994 to 1995 Intel Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES FROM v1.02.005
1) Added option to attach the Indeo palette during AVI to MOV conversions.
See palette notes below.
CHANGES FROM v1.02.003
1) Added an error message if a compressed audio format is used. SmartVid
only supports WAVE_FORMAT_PCM audio in AVI files and 'raw ' or 'twos'
audio in MOV files.
2) Added support for AVI files with odd sized JUNK chunks.
3) Fixed problem with converting the same MOV file twice.
4) Added clipping region support in AVI to MOV conversion. If the
AVI video stream width and height are different from the AVI file
width and height, a rectangular clipping region will be added to
the MOV file. These clipping regions are supported only on the
Macintosh. QuickTime for Windows does not support clipping regions.
MOV to AVI conversions do not support clipping regions since the
MOV clipping region may be an arbitrary shape. AVI files only
support rectangular clipping regions.
CHANGES FROM VERSION 1.02.002
1) Changed method of determining free disk space so that it is compatible
with Windows NT and Windows 95.
2) Fixed the AVI -> MOV conversion so that the number of samples times
the sample length is equal to the trak length. This was accomplished
by padding the last entry in the 'stts' (time-to-sample) atom with
extra time.
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DESCRIPTION
SmartVid is a codec independent, bi-directional video file converter
which converts between the Microsoft Video for Windows AVI format and
the Apple QuickTime MOV format. SmartVid is run from the DOS command
line with the options described above.
SmartVid was designed to convert a file regardless of the video codec
used to compress the image. It simply copies the data streams without
attempting to decompress the images. As a result, some of the video files
may not play on the target platform if the video codec is not supported
on that platform.
SmartVid does not, however, support all audio formats. The only format
that is supported in both AVI and MOV files is PCM. This is represented
in AVI files as WAVE_FORMAT_PCM. In MOV files, it is represented as either
'raw ' or 'twos' complement audio.
SmartVid always creates MOV files with the 'raw' audio format and AVI files
with WAVE_FORMAT_PCM audio. It will also properly convert 'twos' complement
audio to WAVE_FORMAT_PCM. Both 8 and 16 bit samples are supported.
However, MOV files support fractional audio sampling rates (22254.545 for
example). Fractional audio rates are not supported in AVI files. A
warning message is displayed (if the Warning flag is set) indicating that a
MOV file contains a fractional audio sampling rate. SmartVid will then
truncate the audio sampling rate. This should have no audible effect.
PALETTES
The usual or default behavior under, Video for Windows, when playing back
Indeo video compressed files is such that the Indeo video driver will assert
its own palette prior to playback, without the playback application
overriding the driver with its own palette. When video files are played in
this situation, the best playback performance will be achieved.
The QuickTime for Windows default behavior is to assert the QuickTime
for Windows palette. This palette is significantly different from the Indeo
video palette. Therefore, Indeo video Movie files viewed with this palette
have very poor image quality. There is also a playback performance
degradation when using other than the Indeo video palette. The Indeo video
decompressor will check the palette it is going to dither to. If it
determines that it is the Indeo video palette, it can use an optimized
dither algorithm. Otherwise, the decompressor will use a general purpose
dither algorithm.
If you want to override QuickTime for Windows' default behavior, you need
to attach the Indeo video palette to the movie file using the Option Attach
Indeo Palette menu item. The QuickTime for Windows Movie Player will
recognize this attached palette and asserts it for playback. Therefore,
your Indeo video compressed Movie files will playback with optimal image
quality and performance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
IBM compatible PC running Microsoft Windows 3.11 or later.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
USAGE
I. Converting Video Files
To convert a video file using SmartVid for Windows, first open the
source file by selecting the File-Open Source menu item. This will
create an Open File dialog box. Select the source file you wish to
convert and select OK.
To begin the conversion select the Convert-Start menu item. This will
open a Dialog Box prompting you to enter the destination file name. To
use the default name, select OK. If you wish to use a different name,
enter that name in File Name section and select OK.
If the filename that was specified already exists, SmartVid will ask you
to confirm the destination file name. If the file name has the same
extension as the source file (.avi if the source file is an AVI file)
SmartVid will output an error. If you really want to create a
destination file with the same extension as the source file, rename the
destination file after the conversion.
Once the destination file has been selected, the conversion will begin.
As the conversion progresses, status messages will be displayed in the
SmartVid window. A graph of total progress will be displayed under
these status messages. Any error or warning messages will appear in the
appropriate pop-up window.
When the conversion is complete, close the source file using the
File-Close menu option.
If you wish to stop the conversion at any time, select the Convert-Stop
menu item.
II. Source File Information
To determine the vital information about the source video file, select
the Convert-Info menu item at any time during the conversion process.
This will open a window which contains the source file name, the source
file type (AVI/MOV), the video format and length, and the audio format
and length.
III. Conversion Options
There are two conversion options which may be selected. The first
option (Options-Silent) prevents the output of any warning or error
messages when selected. It only displays the conversion status messages.
The second option (Options-Warnings) enables the output of Warning
messages when enabled. Warning messages appear in a separate window
and provide notification of any characteristics in the source video file
which may cause problems with the destination file. The conversion will
still be performed if any warnings are encountered, but the destination
file may exhibit unusual behavior.
The third option (Options-Attach Indeo Palette) is only available in
AVI to MOV conversions. If selected it will attach the Indeo palette
to the new MOV file.
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KNOWN OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS
1) SmartVid maintains the audio/video interleaving rate during the
conversion. However, AVI files have better playback quality if the
audio and video is interleaved every frame. MOV files, on the other
hand, perform better if the audio and video data is interleaved every
.5 sec. Therefore, converted video files may drop more frames than the
source video files. To improve playback performance, re-interleave
the converted files at the appropriate rates.
2) Does not support the use of color palettes. SmartVid will convert the
video and audio data, but not the palette data. A warning message will
be displayed if the source file contains palette information and the
Warning flag is set.
3) Only audio and video data streams are supported. If another type of
data stream is found, the program will halt.
4) Some of the MOV files do not have proper audio and video sync when
played under QuickTime for Windows. However, several MOV files
created on the Macintosh show similar characteristics. This symptom
exists only under QuickTime for Windows v2.0. It is not apparent
under QuickTime for Windows v2.0.1 or on Macintosh systems.
5) If the audio or video data streams have different durations than the
duration specified for the entire file, SmartVid will prompt the user
which duration to use. If silent mode is selected, SmartVid will use
the duration of the entire file as a default. This may crop one or
more data streams. Therefore, if the audio or video streams seem to
end early or last too long, use the Warning flag and select the
appropriate duration.
6) Does not convert copyrighted AVI files. SmartVid displays an error
message and exits if the Copyright flag is set.