HELP?? Need advice from Camera Savy people

A call to the help line while you're sitting in front of your computer with the camera sounds like your best option.

 

If you having problem viewing the video taken from the digital camera on your computer, it's mean your computer do not have the proper video Codec. Download and installed the Vista Codec Package.

In additional, you might want to invest on a multi-format digital memory reader. Managing your digital photo should be easy. You just need to insert the Memory card from the digital camera into the multi-format memory reader and you should be able to access all picture and video files stored in the memory card.

For photo management and editing software, try Picasa. My wife love this program and it's free too. You can manage, edit and sharing your photo collection.
Picasa - free photo editing and photo management software

 

The help lines can be frustrating, but they may be able to walk you through things carefully. If you're frustrated, chances are that other people have had the same issues, and the phone support staff should be prepared (if not fed up) to deal with your problem.

Personally though, I agree that you shouldn't need "special" software in order to get your files off the camera and watch videos or look at pictures. Some of the manufacturer software really is just plain buggy, so it may not be something you're doing wrong.

Having said that, I've always felt that Canon makes nice software for their cameras, and makes nice cameras with the kind of features you want. I have also always thought that Kodak does a particularly poor job at making software for their products, and I generally wouldn't look to Kodak for a camera in the first place. That doesn't mean I think you should get rid of your camera though. There's got to be a way to make it work for you, and it really should be just as easy as you want it to be!

Without having your computer and camera in hand (or you on the phone) it might be hard for any of us to troubleshoot your setup.

The first thing I'd look for is that the files coming off the camera are of a "known" type (e.g. Something.jpg or Something.tif or in the case of video Something.mov or .avi or whatever). If the files don't have an "extension" (the dot followed by three letters) then you computer might not know how to open them. If they're in a proprietary format coming off the camera then you may be forced to use the Kodak software to convert the files to a usable type... another thing that makes me avoid specific products!!

Good luck sorting that out!

 

It's the same timeless struggle many others have had. The format is not supported out of the box. There is some dependency that you hopelessly cannot identify.

Filename extension reveals a major clue. With that, we can hunt down the support addin/codec/executable you require.

Please tell us what the last 3 characters are in the filename.

.

 

I agree. .MOV files, for instance, are not natively supported in Windows Vista. However, if you install Quicktime (from Apple's website for free), you will be able to play these. I also recommend Picasa (from Google for free) for managing your photos. It is very easy and intuitive and with Quicktime installed on your machine you will be able to play your movies (again, assuming they are .MOV format) right within Picasa.

 

Sorry. I have a MAC.

 

Somehow, I knew that sooner or later the word Mac would pop up in this thread. :deadhorse:
The world really is predictable!!

 

Hey. I have a Sandisk card reader. It reads like 8 or 12 cards. I stick them in whatever slot they fit in and the computer does the rest. Whatever program reads them pops up. What can I say?

I also have a Nikon Coolpix. Like it a lot.

My miniDV is a Canon.

 

I think I'd just wander on down to that BestBuy with the camera card, and try it on the many display units in the store. Also, their Geek Squad people can be very helpful.:smash:

 

Maybe just nothing? Or is there some voice in your head that forces you to post in this thread?


Seriously now, back on topic: Kodak Easyshare records videos in the Quicktime .MOV format.

You can to two things to view them: download Quicktime from Apple - QuickTime - Download

Or download a tool that converts it to a more standard format, like here
RAD Video Tools (Audio & Multimedia - Video Tools)

 

Why don't you just use the card reader built into the Mac?

 

In principle, having to deal with MOV files isn't a real issue, but I can understand that you don't feel comfortable with that.

I guess for any camera that you intend to buy, a quick Google search should reveal details specifications about what file formats are exported. Even the box of the camera will list that kind of information in most cases. You can always ask a sales person of course, but they usually won't know and will tell you whatever they think you want to hear. At least, it gives you a better position if you want to return it afterwards: you can say that they provided you with false information

 

Personally, I've always been partial to Canon. However, like Mac vs. PC for computers, there are several good brands and camera brand choice really comes down to personal preference and past experience.

For specifications, price ranges, detailed reviews, and excessive amounts of information about most digital camera models check out this site:

Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ

I can't guarantee it, but most likely as long as you have quicktime installed, and the camera you purchase uses the ".mov" quicktime format, you will not need to install the software CD that comes with the camera.

 

WOW! Awesome pictures! If you want to step up to a better class of camera, a digital SLR (DSLR) is the way to go. But it will cost you (probably $500 minimum plus more if you want additional lenses). I would recommend going to the library and leafing through "Popular Photography" as they frequently have camera reviews. Online there is dpreview.com that is extremely thorough. With DSLR you will not have any file compatibility problems as they shoot JPGs which any computer can read without a problem. They will not shoot any movies.

Outside of a DSLR, you can get some very nice "point and shoot" cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony and the like. But the best one I have found for $300 is a Panasonic TZ5. You can find it at Costco (online - in store only has the TZ4), Circuit City and other places on sale at this price. It is a 10 MP, 10x optical zoom with a Leica lens. It also shoots movies (.MOV) in high definition. However, this will result in the same file issue you mentioned -- but is easily remedied by simply downloading & installing Quicktime. It also uses and SD card so you can plug it right into your PCs card reader. It is a great camera and I cannot recommend it highly enough, unless you go the DSLR route. In that case, go to a good camera shop and try some out to see what you like. The Canon Rebel, Nikon D40x, and some of the cameras from Pentax and Sony are worth considering at an entry-level price point.

 

In terms of camera shopping, here's a funny trick you can try: go to Flickr: Camera Finder and check out populatiry of cameras, grouped into high, mid, and low-end graphs. Click on the name of a camera and you'll get more info about it, as well as (this is cool) lots of pictures taken by other flickr users with that same model of camera.

That way you can quickly get a sense of the quality of optics, which is especially important when you're buying a camera with integrated optics (i.e. built-in lens, rather than removable). Some low end cameras have poor optics and some have very nice optics for what they are, and that more than any other factor (other than your thumb on the lens) will affect the quality of the photos you get.

I understand your tech-phobic reaction to a product not working out of the box with your computer, but try to stick with it and don't let that influence your decision too much. Get the camera you want, and then find a way to get the technical stuff working (or find a friend, local kid, geek squad, etc. to help you get it working).

 

Nice pictures!
I certainly agree with TimBikes here: if you are serious about photography, consider an entry level (Nikon or Canon) DSLR. The difference is simply fundamental:
* Much quicker and reliable focussing, means that you get the picture almost the instant you press the shutter. Makes a huge difference when taking sports pictures or pictures of children!
* Better lens
* Larger sensor, meaning less noise and more dynamic range, simply meaning better pictures (forget about the megapixels: low noise and high dynamic range are more important...).
* Better low light and bad weather capabilities.
* Better handling and ergonomics
* An SLR system grows on you: you acquire more and better lenses, flash systems, ...
Of course, there are some disadvantages:
* Larger and heavier than a typical compact digicam
* More expensive (perhaps above your price point)
* No movies. I repeat: no movies.
If you have a friend that owns a DSLR, ask if you can borrow it. You will determine for yourself whether you like the form factor and handling of a DSLR or not.
And, last but not least: like TimBikes and Danny Hamilton pointed out, dpreview.com really is the source on the web for deep information about virtually any digicam around. Those guys are really good. There are also plenty of forums on this site where you can post questions about specific cameras.
Enjoy photography!