The Pretec 1.3 megapixel camera review

[Jason Dunn]

One of the reasons why I haven't finished the review is that I was unable to get satisfactory results from the camera, and the results were so poor I was suspicious of something being faulty. I've since learned from HandHeld Canada that Pretec is holding off on shipping the cameras in order to work out some last minute issues. I've contacted them for clarification as of last week, but haven't heard back yet. I'm going to wait until I get a clear idea of what is going on before proceeding with the review. Thanks for your patience!

[Bob Anderson]

Problems, eh?

This doesn't really surprise me. In an earlier post on this subject I had made the mention that manufacturers are trying to make things that can make our Pocket PCs "jack of all trades... master of none" and the early signs of problems with this camera seem to point to that issue.

I'm certainly glad they (Pretec) are going to "address" the issues before shipping the product (which is a breath of fresh air - instead of the usual approach of sell it and then patch it.) I can't imagine that the results people will get will make it a worthwhile investment. (I'll wait for Jason's review to cast my final opinion...)

Another example of this new "slam every gadget together and call it awesome" is the new Sony dv camcorder that has bluetooth! OK... bluetooth is cool, but on a mini-dv camera? All you can use the bluetooth for on that device is to link to a dial-up modem to transmit still shots (from what I've read.)

This isn't a rant about adding technology to things... but c'mon... are the marketing people pushing engineers to add bluetooth to something just so they can charge extra and use the bluetooth logo on the box? Is Pretec making this camera just so they can say "megapixel camera and Pocket PC" in the same advertising brochure?

If the manufacturers would build solid, reliable, and *usable* products, we'd all be better off, including the manufacturers!

OK... enough of my rant. I want to see Jason's review, maybe I'm being overly cynical right now :?

[Jason Dunn]

Another example of this new "slam every gadget together and call it awesome" is the new Sony dv camcorder that has bluetooth! OK... bluetooth is cool, but on a mini-dv camera? All you can use the bluetooth for on that device is to link to a dial-up modem to transmit still shots (from what I've read.)

Yeah, the IP-55 MicroMV. I spent all Sunday swearing at the damn thing, only to find out after hours of frustration that it's not SUPPOSED to be Firewire compliant. It only talks to the crappy MovieShaker software they include, which has an AVI export limit of 9 minutes (2 gigs). :2gunfire: This camera is going to get flamed in my book... :twisted:

[brntcrsp]

Is Pretec making this camera just so they can say "megapixel camera and Pocket PC" in the same advertising brochure?

That doesn't quite make sense. So far there are no CF cameras for Pocket PC that potentially take megapixel quality images. Cramming more megapixels, wouldn't necessarily be a slight of marketing's hand, but rather designers pushing the hardware to it's limit.

If there are problems with the camera, it's more likely to be because the development track was too aggresive.

I do agree with your sentiments about adding bluetooth to a video camera though. With transfer rates measured in kilobytes, how would anyone imagine that you could do any sort of data transfer from that device?

[sycamore]

I contacted them via e-mail last Thursday and they said it would be at least a month before it's available. :cry:

As far as whether it's feasible to create a good, functional mega-pixel camera for the Pocket PC... why not? We have the means, the technology, and the market. What's surprising is that there aren't more out there already, or more using the latest non-CCD technology...

[Wes Salmon]

Just as long as they have it all worked out for my wedding next year, I'll be happy. No disposable cameras on every table for me, no sir!

[Perry Reed]

I like my HP camera with my Jornada, and I'm all for higher resolution, but you know what would really be nice??

A flash.

Nothing fancy, just let me take photos inside when the lighting isn't real good.

[veroi]

I have a PRETEC 1.3 Mega pixel unit bought via Mobile Planet, I can tell you that I am not impressed with the camera. Just to give an example my previous camera for PDA was a CASIO JK 710c module an at 350,000 pixeks the CASIO beats the Images produced by a PRETEC.

[Jason Dunn]

I have a PRETEC 1.3 Mega pixel unit bought via Mobile Planet...

Are you SURE it's the 1.3 and not the 0.3? I was told that the review unit I had was the first one ever released to the public...? :?

[Paul P]

Problems, eh?

Another example of this new "slam every gadget together and call it awesome" is the new Sony dv camcorder that has bluetooth! OK... bluetooth is cool, but on a mini-dv camera? All you can use the bluetooth for on that device is to link to a dial-up modem to transmit still shots (from what I've read.)


So you can't directly connect to your computer say using a 3COM USB adapter? If the only option is to link to a dial-up modem, then that's pretty limiting I agree. I am not sure about this camera, but if you can transfer media via bluetooth on to your computer, I think it's a great feature (hopefully at a MUCH faster rate than iPaq has shown).

[Sven Johannsen]

I have a PRETEC 1.3 Mega pixel unit bought via Mobile Planet.

I second Jason's question. Mobile Planet has not even listed the 1.3 MP camera for pre-order, though they have had the 0.3 for some time. That is essentially the HP camera with software that is not hardware specific.

Jason, do you have access to the HP camera? I still wonder if it would work with the Pretec software.

[brntcrsp]

... but if you can transfer media via bluetooth on to your computer, I think it's a great feature (hopefully at a MUCH faster rate than iPaq has shown).

Bluetooth is not really the fastest data transfer protocol around. The following was found in a cached InformIT (Jennifer Bray) article:

One big factor that affects the data rate on Bluetooth is the packet type. Single-slot packets use just one 625-microsecond slot and can carry up to 27 bytes, offering a data rate of 108.8 kilobits per second in each direction. Five-slot packets can provide up to 339 bytes in 3125 microseconds, which improves the data rate to 433.9 kilobits per second. Data is moving nearly four times as fast because the device is spending more time transmitting packets and less time retuning the radio between packets.

[Jason Dunn]

Jason, do you have access to the HP camera? I still wonder if it would work with the Pretec software.

No, I never bought/received one.

[JonnoB]

I like my HP camera with my Jornada, and I'm all for higher resolution, but you know what would really be nice??

A flash.

Nothing fancy, just let me take photos inside when the lighting isn't real good.

I agree. The HP Camera is great outdoors or indoors when lighting is excellent. It is not a professional camera by any means, but for the casual shot, it is good enough and convenient. With a flash option (battery conserving) this would improve the useability just enough to make me not carry a regular camera on most occasions when needed.

[[Cruzer]]

I like my HP camera with my Jornada, and I'm all for higher resolution, but you know what would really be nice??

A flash.

Nothing fancy, just let me take photos inside when the lighting isn't real good.

I agree... "WHEN" a CF camera comes out with a flash. I will defently buy
one. I used to have the casio one and it worked great but needed a flash
badly.

RC

[Gerard]

Yeah, unfortunately there has been a lot of confusion amongst forum members all over on that model spec issue. Seems people are jumping to conclusions about the 0.3MP being the 1.3MP CF camera based on too-quick readings of the literature, or perhaps wishful thinking. HandHeldCanada has not yet shipped the better model, period, as far as I can tell.
As for holding off, I'm glad to hear an explanation, and a good one. Better to fix it in-house before dumping it on eager users. That is something Compaq/HP could learn from.
So my humble but cool Casio JK710-DC will have to keep slaving away... that's fine. It works great.
As for this spouting off about cramming too many features into a PPC... Gee, you mean if I want to (and do) use my Pocket PCs as principal computing devices instead of mere accessories I should be spanked? I get the feeling sometimes that there is some residual Palmishness floating around in arguments like that. I want a single, reliable computer that can do it all, period. It's getting closer all the time. Got audio capture as MP3 now, and finishing touches are going into audio editing... got all the connectivity I could lust after... got image and video capture, but want better low-light and finer resolution... got lots of graphics programs, and Jason is tinkering further with Pocket Artist... got HUGE storage on my Accurite HD... got a couple of Stowaways for my two PPCs.... even have a few Clik! drives around! Sounds sort of like a notebook PC? Well heck, it is sort of a notebook PC! And throw in a proper high-res digital camera with unlimited video, a few more applications, and a stable device, hey, I'll be selling off the stinky old PC!
Oh, and stick a cellphone in there as well. I don't ever want to own one as a standalone, but a CF card cellphone will be just fine. Oh wait, they've made one of those now! Life is good.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a shiny new 3870 to unpack and bring up to speed. :)

[Master O'Mayhem]

Yeah, the IP-55 MicroMV. I spent all Sunday swearing at the damn thing, only to find out after hours of frustration that it's not SUPPOSED to be Firewire compliant. It only talks to the crappy MovieShaker software they include, which has an AVI export limit of 9 minutes (2 gigs). :2gunfire: This camera is going to get flamed in my book... :twisted:

Umm.. i think this might answer you. http://sonystyle.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/sonystyle.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=d4nzf2mg&p_lva=&p_faqid=3593&p_created=1010480062&p_sp=&p_li= BTW my DCR-PC120BT works fine with adobe primier 6.0 , Avid DV express. Also i can connect via Bluetooth to my T68i and connect over GPRS

[JonathanWardRogers]

I've had one on order from HandHeld Canada (http://handheldcanada.com) since they've been available for pre-order. I used to own the Casio CF camera (back when I had an E-115), and loved it. It was by no means the greatest quality camera, but it was OK. Plus, it is one of the most useful accessories to own for your PPC. Have trouble remembering where you parked? Take a picture. Need to remember something you see on a poster? Take a picture. Haven't been taking notes during a meeting (or a class if you're in school)? Just snap a quick shot of the board. With the CF camera and my cell phone, I can videoconference using MS Portrait (assuming they make it work with the Pretec <fingers crossed> ) from anywhere.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. This accessory is worth it just because of how useful it is. Throwing in mega pixel capability will make it even more useful. So even if you can't take professional quality pictures with it, there are many other reasons to buy one.

Jon

[GregWard]

Actually I was waiting for a six megapixel version with built-in studio flash and the ability to screw on my Nikkor lenses. But then I still want it in a portable package and for c. £100 (maybe £110 at a pinch)!!!

Oh well - never mind - the technology will get there eventually. By which time I'll want sixteen megapixels of course. :D

[Gerard]

smartypants. ;) I just want a pocket tricorder, 'kay? It may not take pictures, but heck, it'd see through mountains, so who needs a camera?

[Jason Dunn]

Umm.. i think this might answer you. http://sonystyle.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/sonystyle.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=d4nzf2mg&p_lva=&p_faqid=3593&p_created=1010480062&p_sp=&p_li= BTW my DCR-PC120BT works fine with adobe primier 6.0 , Avid DV express. Also i can connect via Bluetooth to my T68i and connect over GPRS

That URL was just a link to the explanation that iLink is the same as Firewire. What was I going to learn from that? :-) Is your DCR-PC120BT a MicroMV camera?

[veroi]

All of the paperwork that came with the camera states 1.3 Megapixel, while the quality indicates less than 300,000 pixel quality. I can tell you that they have issue several soft patches with no luck.

[Waltzgon]

Besides the quality, if they could ship with a good image editing software for pocket pc that will cause me to buy their hardware. Because even the cheapest image editing software cost about $25.

[Gerard]

Check out PQView, which is free for personal, non-business use:
http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=23389&sectionId=0&catalog=30
Allows basic cropping and size changes, darkening and lightening, and saving as a compressed JPEG (a bit lossy, but sometimes very useful).
Photogenics Personal Edition is a bit pricey, but offers for a lot less a lot of the same tools as the Pro version:
http://www.idruna.com/

[cpoole]

Well I was hopeful that this would be a great product. I have been watching the Pretek site for quite a while now. Perhaps they can get this product fixed up to an acceptable level. At least they did not dump it on the market and patch it later.

Rant on... :x I purchased the Dazzle Video Creator II a while ago. On the fly hardware mpeg2 compression. This was potentially a great product that was pushed out into the market before it was ready. The software has been patched a few times but many of the problems remain. It seems that many companies hope that fantastic sales will provide enough money for the required software patches. The sales don't materialize due to the problems with the product so it dies a slow death. Rant off... :) Jason... are you including the DVC II in you book?

Back to the camera... I have been saving the cash for this camera for a while so I suppose can wait the 2, 3, 4... 8... 12? weeks until it is ready for market.
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Hmmm... now where did I put that link for that new DVD player?

[Jason Dunn]

Jason... are you including the DVC II in you book?

Yes, they're sending me an eval unit. I'll take it for a spin...although I'm getting SO much stuff, it will be hard to test everything really thoroughly.

[Master O'Mayhem]

That URL was just a link to the explanation that iLink is the same as Firewire. What was I going to learn from that? :-) Is your DCR-PC120BT a MicroMV camera?

No its Mini DV i have a micro MV IP7BT camera at work i will try with premier and other editing tools with it. should be able to use generic camera controls for sony From your post it seemed that you didnt know the difference... btw i thought the IP55 was only in Japan.

[Grey]

Jason do you have a 3900 to test the camera with as well? The Jornada camera has problems with the 3900, that it doesn't have with the 31,36,37, or 38. Seems that HpCompaq has change the way the Packs work on the 3900.

Grey