TrackVision.net

Tony K · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 1535 Location: McLean, VA

Even though we have done no specific testing or development for MAC, we have at least one user [Axis on the forum] who is running TrackVision on a MAC under Parallels, and reports that its working very nicely.

We've exchanged email on this, because I was surprised that everything ran so nicely under Parallels. Axis mentioned that Bootcamp was not nearly as successful, but Parallels delivered "a more stable XP platform than many PCs could manage". OK, that not saying a lot, but it IS a data point for MAC users.

I'm posting this today because we have found another MAC user in the fold. His first-time experience with TrackVision under Bootcamp was less smooth than what we had heard about the Parallels experience, but it worked once a few little codec wrinkles were sorted out.

While we are largely MAC illiterate here at TrackVision, and can't provide any useful MAC specific support, it appears that users are running under both OS X XP environments, with Parallels appearing to be the most robust.

Its a small sample so far, but there may be other MAC users out there who will come out of the closet now that this is a live topic. That would be great news.
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Tony Kelly
TrackVision
944SuperCup Series

fast_ian · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 550 Location: Campbell, CA

And that second user is me!....

As stated in my 'posterised output?' thread, I went with Bootcamp because I thought a 'true' PC (rather than a VM) would be a better bet when it came time to connect the Traqmate to the USB port - And in fairness to Bootcamp, that always worked OK. Further, installing Windows Media Player 11 (and the Divx codec) allowed everything to work as it should.

But, given the positive experiences reported here I downloaded Parallels and installed the VM environment - Very nice, and now all the Trackvision movies run fine with Media Player 9 in the VM (go figure!) - Very, very cool as rebooting gets to suck in a hurry.....

However, and the reason for posting this tale, is that, at present anyway, connecting the Traqmate appears to install the correct drivers (even in the usual brain dead Windows fashion of requiring two installs)

But, when I "Autoconnect to Traqmate" the Traqview S/W sees it (on com3 FWIW) and then crashes the VM in the classic "blue screen of death" fashion - I'm trying to capture that console log right now and will report back with details of progress.

So, for now anyway, I'd have to say "beware".....

Cheers,
Ian

daps · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 7

Hi!

I'm totally new to this forum so bare with me please.

I'm after a product that does what trackvision does, it's the perfect tool for our situation.

What I'm wondering is, will it work on a MAC running OSX or does this software have to be running windows?

Can someone confirm this please?

Apologies, i'm a newbie.

Thanks in advance.

Tony K · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 1535 Location: McLean, VA

Hey daps, I'm guessing you're an Aussie, right?

TrackVision is a Windows product - we do not have a native MAC version. However, we are seeing MAC users running TrackVision under Parallels on OS X. No guarantees, mainly because we have not tested or QA'd the product in this environment, but as more MAC users check in we will be more confident that it works.
_________________
Tony Kelly
TrackVision
944SuperCup Series

daps · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 7

fast_ian · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 550 Location: Campbell, CA

Dude! - Don't do it! Smile

[Buy one of those peecee thingies!.....] - Bite the bullet and go straight to your choice of Intel Mac.....

Given that you're using FCP and G5's I'm assuming you want 'more' than a simple streaming video..... And, although I haven't got all the pieces in place yet my experimenting so far confirms:

1. FCExpress does what I want to two incoming video/audio streams - This editted file (with PIP, split screen, audio mix etc) is exported in a format palatable to Trackvision [I'll probably also archive the master back to DV tape and/or a DVD at this point, so worst case, TV can import this DV......]

2. TV (under Windows XPHome) runs *screamin* fast under Parallels - And thus far anyway has been rock solid - I've managed to crash it by connecting and disconnecting a datalogger, but never with TV - And even then, it reboots *way* faster than a real peesee [Plus, I guess I've crashed *real* pc's by screwing around with H/W, so that's no biggie Smile

]

3. Previous experience tells me you'll have much less pain by keeping it all on one machine - Even using Bootcamp (my initial choice to solve this 'issue') and rebooting between the two got old in a big hurry......

Just my 02c of course, as usual, ymmv,

Cheers,
Ian

daps · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 7

Good man, that's what I wanna hear.

BTW Ian hello!

I'm been doing a bit of research and thinking and you're right.

I'm gonna stick with the macs Very Happy

If things go well I'll look into getting Mac Pro tower Very Happy

I'll keep you updated and can you keep me updated too please.

fast_ian · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 550 Location: Campbell, CA

daps · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 7

Tom W · Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 83

Another Mac user... just getting started and not sure if my problems are Mac related or operator error.

I have a Mac Pro running OS 10.4.9 with the latest version of Parallels. I have 3 Gb of RAM and 1.5 Tb of disk space. I have a 1 Tb RAID for fast video storage and a seperate 250 Gb HDD for the OS and programs. The system is ready for video (I use FinalCut Express HD on the Mac side).

I've got TrackVision partially operational. I can load and see the demo video but get nothing from the demo data. (does the data logger matter in the demo?)

I have video from a ChaseCam and data from a Traqmate of my own. I can get the video to display but get nothiing in the data window. Both otherwise run fine (I can see and run the traqview v1.3 software and can run the MPEG2 video).

Any suggestions?
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Tom
964 Track Fun (The Turtle)

fast_ian · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 550 Location: Campbell, CA

GregD · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 6:30 am Post subject:

fast_ian · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 550 Location: Campbell, CA

Tony K · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 1535 Location: McLean, VA

Now THATs some serious video processing! Impressive, and definitely an unlimited class revenue engine. I've got a serious case of Megaflops and polygon rate envy. Confused

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Tony Kelly
TrackVision
944SuperCup Series

Tom W · Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 83

Ian: Thanks for the tip on the demo. I'll try it.

I have set the Traqmate import to the correct logger - that's why I wondered if it was an issue for v1.3 versus v1.2. So, the Traqmaste portion still doesn't appear to work.

I've not downloaded anything from the traqmate to my computer. I'm using a loaner Traqmate from the shop that takes care of my car. They've done the download and sent me a disk with the data. I've taken it from there. (I'll be adding AIM or MoTeC data logging to my car this winter.)

Greg: Hey, I just wanted a computer that would get the job done sooner than later. Smile

Rendering the video files goes a lot faster now than it did on the old G4. This Mac run XP in a VM faster than my new dual core Dell runs it natively at work.
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Tom
964 Track Fun (The Turtle)