Sony software - problems over less than a dollar extra ?

[Andy]

I bought a HD SONY video camera and it requires a minimum of XP Sp3.

They decided to not include a CD containing the software needed for the camera to transfer data to a computer.

I believe a CD with 200 Mbs of data is less than a dollar.

I have tried 3 times to download it from their site.

It stops because of a lost connection each time.

I have a 36 Mbps connection.

If I want to use an AC adaptor to power it when transferring movies from the camera to my laptop, that Puppy will run $150.

A call to the SONY service department went thru the previous method and Harold told me to "Grab a cup of coffee."

I used to think of Sony as a good company that made good products.

I don't feel that the 1st part is true anymore.

Andy

 

[Paul]

I bought a HD SONY video camera and it requires a minimum of XP Sp3.

They decided to not include a CD containing the software needed for the camera to transfer data to a computer.

I believe a CD with 200 Mbs of data is less than a dollar.

I have tried 3 times to download it from their site.

It stops because of a lost connection each time.

Does this happen with any other web site ?

Sometimes the ISP is at fault.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hart_v._Comcast

You can search for excessive RST packets, with a packet sniffer.
Seeing one RST is not enough, because the server at the other
end is allowed to send those if it wants. (It is a legitimate
part of the protocol, if used properly.) It's when all your
traffic is affected at random by them, you begin to suspect
the ISP is doing it. That's what happened to me. Three months
worth of random RST packets, causing connections to drop. I
don't torrent, so there's no excuse for it. The dropped
connections were to web sites.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireshark

Paul

 

[Andy]

Does this happen with any other web site ?



Sometimes the ISP is at fault.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hart_v._Comcast



You can search for excessive RST packets, with a packet sniffer.

Seeing one RST is not enough, because the server at the other

end is allowed to send those if it wants. (It is a legitimate

part of the protocol, if used properly.) It's when all your

traffic is affected at random by them, you begin to suspect

the ISP is doing it. That's what happened to me. Three months

worth of random RST packets, causing connections to drop. I

don't torrent, so there's no excuse for it. The dropped

connections were to web sites.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireshark



Paul

I posted 2 messages at Sony's website.

So I will will wait a while and see what happens.

If I return it for a refund at the retailer, I will make sure they know the details as to why I am returning it.

I prefer a win-win for everyone.

Take care,
Andy

 

[Andy]

I posted 2 messages at Sony's website.



So I will will wait a while and see what happens.



If I return it for a refund at the retailer, I will make sure they know the details as to why I am returning it.



I prefer a win-win for everyone.



Take care,

Andy

I have not seen that at other sites.

But the article was very interesting.

I still occasionally get that very annoying Comcast Constant Guard popup box in both Windows and Linux.

Andy

 

[Paul]

I have not seen that at other sites.

But the article was very interesting.

I still occasionally get that very annoying Comcast Constant Guard popup box in both Windows and Linux.

Andy

Do you have a Linux LiveCD in your collection ?
(They're big enough now to be LiveDVDs, but you
get the general idea.)

http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php (Try Mate 32 bit)

I'd write down the Sony URL, boot a Linux Mint Mate
DVD, go to the lower right hand corner, click the menu,
look for "Firefox", start Firefox. Type in the Sony
info, do the download.

Once you have the file in hand, transfer it to another
storage device. The Mint DVD will allow access to
any FAT32 or NTFS partitions you might have, and then
you can copy the downloaded files to some place
convenient.

Even if you can't figure that part out, sometimes
you can plug in a USB Flash drive that is already
formatted, and copy the file onto that.

*******

Why did I suggest that ?

It's probably easier than trying to remove Constant Guard.
Who knows what problems that would cause you.

I don't know how invasive Constant Guard is. Or
whether it would interfere with something like WGET
just as easily as Internet Explorer or Firefox in
your Windows. Switching OSes might be the easiest
way to eliminate Constant Guard as the problem.

Paul

 

[Andy]

Do you have a Linux LiveCD in your collection ?

(They're big enough now to be LiveDVDs, but you

get the general idea.)



http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php (Try Mate 32 bit)



I'd write down the Sony URL, boot a Linux Mint Mate

DVD, go to the lower right hand corner, click the menu,

look for "Firefox", start Firefox. Type in the Sony

info, do the download.



Once you have the file in hand, transfer it to another

storage device. The Mint DVD will allow access to

any FAT32 or NTFS partitions you might have, and then

you can copy the downloaded files to some place

convenient.



Even if you can't figure that part out, sometimes

you can plug in a USB Flash drive that is already

formatted, and copy the file onto that.



*******



Why did I suggest that ?



It's probably easier than trying to remove Constant Guard.

Who knows what problems that would cause you.



I don't know how invasive Constant Guard is. Or

whether it would interfere with something like WGET

just as easily as Internet Explorer or Firefox in

your Windows. Switching OSes might be the easiest

way to eliminate Constant Guard as the problem.



Paul

The Sony program only installs to a Windows O.S.

It seems like a real retarded way to do things.

:-(

The Constant Guard shows up sometimes in Linux.

It's a real PITA sometimes, there is a way to stop it from showing up but I think I accidentally uninstalled some add or plugin.

I am trying to see if Linux will be able to download movies and pics from the SONY camera.

Mageia recognizes the camera when it is hooked up, but I see no .jpg or .mp4 or .mp3 files in any of the directories.

I can view the movies and pics on my TV, but see no way of transferring them without buying a Blue Ray DVD recorder.

I have had a good weekend.

How about yourself ?

Andy

 

[Paul]

The Sony program only installs to a Windows O.S.

It seems like a real retarded way to do things.

:-(

The Constant Guard shows up sometimes in Linux.

It's a real PITA sometimes, there is a way to stop it from showing up but I think I accidentally uninstalled some add or plugin.

I am trying to see if Linux will be able to download movies and pics from the SONY camera.

Mageia recognizes the camera when it is hooked up, but I see no .jpg or .mp4 or .mp3 files in any of the directories.

I can view the movies and pics on my TV, but see no way of transferring them without buying a Blue Ray DVD recorder.

I have had a good weekend.

How about yourself ?

Andy

But isn't Constant Guard installed in your WinXP OS ?

Or is this a feature on the Comcast end? If so, they
wouldn't need you to install anything.

My idea of using Linux, was so you could avoid the
stuff you'd installed in Windows, and maybe, just
maybe, the download you wanted would complete.
If it's a hardware problem with your broadband
equipment, I would have expected more than Sony site
to be affected.

1) You do the download step in Linux, and save the
file for step (2). You use Linux to boot the
computer, so client-side Constant Guard would
not be a problem (whatever that is). Since the Linux
LiveCD has no persistent storage of its own, you
need to transfer the file to a safe place for
step (2). That can include things like a USB flash
key.

2) Restart out of Linux, boot back into WinXP, then
run the Sony .exe file you downloaded in step (1).

And yes, it was a good weekend.

I frequently use more than one OS, for a particular
reason. Such as potential malware in my downloads.
This is not guaranteed to work (some day, there will
be cross-platform malware), but it's better than dumping
toolbars into my WinXP all the time. My record
to date - "zero toolbars", and proud of it
This is why I do so much extra work, so I can
be the only person in the world without a toolbar
clogging the computer

There was a time, when I had occasional problems
on downloads here. I fondly remember visiting the
Apple website with a dialup modem, and for some
reason, just visiting Apple, caused the modem to
hang up. That was a hilarious bug. I am easily
amused. Now, with ADSL, that is mostly a thing of
the past. This is why I have to suspect whatever
you're using for Firewall, or cruft from your ISP,
as somehow related to the problem.

You should also be researching "resumable downloads".
Some of the download methods, you can pick up where
you left off, when a connection drops. So there
are means, if you know a situation will be difficult,
where you can try over and over again, until the
download finishes in increments. But I haven't needed
to research that topic in years - and I can download
4+ GB things without worrying about the transfer
stalling.

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/wget-resume-broken-download.html

"wget resume download

After reading man page, I found the -c option. It will
continue getting a partially downloaded file. This is
useful when you want to finish a download started by a
previous instance of wget, or by another program.

wget -c http://ftp.ussg.iu.edu/linux/ubuntu-releases/5.10/ubuntu-5.10-install-i386.iso
"

That's the sort of trick people use, when their broadband
or flavor of transport used, is unreliable. There are
download managers that do that sort of thing too... but
those sometimes have toolbars

HTH,
Paul

 

[Andy]

I bought a HD SONY video camera and it requires a minimum of XP Sp3.



They decided to not include a CD containing the software needed for the camera to transfer data to a computer.



I believe a CD with 200 Mbs of data is less than a dollar.



I have tried 3 times to download it from their site.



It stops because of a lost connection each time.



I have a 36 Mbps connection.



If I want to use an AC adaptor to power it when transferring movies from the camera to my laptop, that Puppy will run $150.



A call to the SONY service department went thru the previous method and Harold told me to "Grab a cup of coffee."



I used to think of Sony as a good company that made good products.



I don't feel that the 1st part is true anymore.



Andy

 

[Andy]

But isn't Constant Guard installed in your WinXP OS ?



Or is this a feature on the Comcast end? If so, they

wouldn't need you to install anything.



My idea of using Linux, was so you could avoid the

stuff you'd installed in Windows, and maybe, just

maybe, the download you wanted would complete.

If it's a hardware problem with your broadband

equipment, I would have expected more than Sony site

to be affected.



1) You do the download step in Linux, and save the

file for step (2). You use Linux to boot the

computer, so client-side Constant Guard would

not be a problem (whatever that is). Since the Linux

LiveCD has no persistent storage of its own, you

need to transfer the file to a safe place for

step (2). That can include things like a USB flash

key.



2) Restart out of Linux, boot back into WinXP, then

run the Sony .exe file you downloaded in step (1).



And yes, it was a good weekend.



I frequently use more than one OS, for a particular

reason. Such as potential malware in my downloads.

This is not guaranteed to work (some day, there will

be cross-platform malware), but it's better than dumping

toolbars into my WinXP all the time. My record

to date - "zero toolbars", and proud of it

This is why I do so much extra work, so I can

be the only person in the world without a toolbar

clogging the computer



There was a time, when I had occasional problems

on downloads here. I fondly remember visiting the

Apple website with a dialup modem, and for some

reason, just visiting Apple, caused the modem to

hang up. That was a hilarious bug. I am easily

amused. Now, with ADSL, that is mostly a thing of

the past. This is why I have to suspect whatever

you're using for Firewall, or cruft from your ISP,

as somehow related to the problem.



You should also be researching "resumable downloads".

Some of the download methods, you can pick up where

you left off, when a connection drops. So there

are means, if you know a situation will be difficult,

where you can try over and over again, until the

download finishes in increments. But I haven't needed

to research that topic in years - and I can download

4+ GB things without worrying about the transfer

stalling.



http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/wget-resume-broken-download.html



"wget resume download



After reading man page, I found the -c option. It will

continue getting a partially downloaded file. This is

useful when you want to finish a download started by a

previous instance of wget, or by another program.



wget -c http://ftp.ussg.iu.edu/linux/ubuntu-releases/5.10/ubuntu-5.10-install-i386.iso

"



That's the sort of trick people use, when their broadband

or flavor of transport used, is unreliable. There are

download managers that do that sort of thing too... but

those sometimes have toolbars



HTH,

Paul

My apt. complex has an open network(free) for use by it's residents which uses Comcast as the ISP.

Other apt. dwellers use a cable modem, DSL, or their own wireless network for Internet access.

---------------------------

In regards to Sony issue, the download failure only occurs at their company website.

Maybe they are using one T-1 line for all their customers.

I have made posts at some Linux sites to see if they can access the stored images and movies on the Sony camera.

One poster was able to do that for an older Sony camera.

Not answering posts at the company website can't be good for their business.

Andy

 

[Andy]

My apt. complex has an open network(free) for use by it's residents which uses Comcast as the ISP.



Other apt. dwellers use a cable modem, DSL, or their own wireless network for Internet access.



---------------------------



In regards to Sony issue, the download failure only occurs at their company website.



Maybe they are using one T-1 line for all their customers.



I have made posts at some Linux sites to see if they can access the stored images and movies on the Sony camera.



One poster was able to do that for an older Sony camera.



Not answering posts at the company website can't be good for their business.



Andy

Previous post was referring to Sony not answering posts at Sony's own website.

Andy

 

[Paul]

My apt. complex has an open network(free) for use by it's residents which uses Comcast as the ISP.

Other apt. dwellers use a cable modem, DSL, or their own wireless network for Internet access.

---------------------------

In regards to Sony issue, the download failure only occurs at their company website.

Maybe they are using one T-1 line for all their customers.

I have made posts at some Linux sites to see if they can access the stored images and movies on the Sony camera.

One poster was able to do that for an older Sony camera.

Not answering posts at the company website can't be good for their business.

Andy

My camera has a 32GB SD chip. I unplug that, use a USB2 to SD
adapter, and I can read the files off the FAT32 partition on
the SD chip.

This is an example of the adapter type here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208470

The SD slot is on the side. On the camera, you press a little
button next to the SD chip, and it ejects slightly. Then you
can pull it out and transfer it to the card reader thing.

By reading the SD chip directly, I don't need to use the
Canon software at all. (The card reader behaves like a
disk drive, and uses the Windows USB mass storage driver.)

The only tiny remaining detail, is finding a CODEC for the
movie format used. I can't play the movie just anywhere,
so that requires a bit more work. JPG still pictures
on the other hand, they're viewable on any computer I have here.

Paul

 

[Paul]

The video camera may have built-in flash memory, as well
as room for an external flash chip to plug in.

It's possible, when the camera ships, the 200MB of files
are stored on the flash memory inside the camera. It's a long
shot, but have a look.

Check the manual, and see if they really meant for
every customer to be doing that download. If there
is little emphasis on downloading, they may have used
some other trick.

Paul

 

[Andy]

The video camera may have built-in flash memory, as well

as room for an external flash chip to plug in.



It's possible, when the camera ships, the 200MB of files

are stored on the flash memory inside the camera. It's a long

shot, but have a look.



Check the manual, and see if they really meant for

every customer to be doing that download. If there

is little emphasis on downloading, they may have used

some other trick.



Paul

I ejected the Lexar 32 Gb SDHC memory card from the camera.

It fits in a slot on my laptop.

Linux doesn't see it, so I will try Windows.

Andy

 

[Andy]

I ejected the Lexar 32 Gb SDHC memory card from the camera.



It fits in a slot on my laptop.



Linux doesn't see it, so I will try Windows.



Andy

Windows sees the memory card, but all I see is a jpeg picture.

I spoke with a Sony "out of country" rep.

They could provide no alternate download web site.

They would not connect me to a supervisor.

I think Sony may have designed their camera to only work with their software.

I am considering contacting Target corporate headquarters about the problem when I return the camera for a refund.

Take care,
Andy

 

[Paul]

Windows sees the memory card, but all I see is a jpeg picture.

I spoke with a Sony "out of country" rep.

They could provide no alternate download web site.

They would not connect me to a supervisor.

I think Sony may have designed their camera to only work with their software.

I am considering contacting Target corporate headquarters about the problem when I return the camera for a refund.

Take care,
Andy

When you "saw the jpeg picture", did you have test recordings
of both still photos and movies in there ? Did you perhaps
delete the content recently ? Or, did the recording go
to a tiny built-in flash, and not get transferred to the
32GB plugin one ?

On my camera, separate folders are created on a new day,
for the recordings. So they don't all appear at root
level. The JPEG and AVI container formats, are stored in
different folders. They don't jumble them together as a
rule.

Paul

 

[Andy]

When you "saw the jpeg picture", did you have test recordings

of both still photos and movies in there ? Did you perhaps

delete the content recently ? Or, did the recording go

to a tiny built-in flash, and not get transferred to the

32GB plugin one ?



On my camera, separate folders are created on a new day,

for the recordings. So they don't all appear at root

level. The JPEG and AVI container formats, are stored in

different folders. They don't jumble them together as a

rule.



Paul

I talked with a store manager at the Target where I bought the Sony camera and he gave me a 1 800 number.

It's in Manilla, Phillipines. I talked with 2 representatives and then asked to talk to a supervisor. I was put on hold and waited 10 minutes.

I don't know if I want to mess with going up the chain of command at Target to get hold of someone who is willing to help.

I have done so with other large companies, but it's a lot of work.

It seems like Target would want to help customers with product issues.

Target carries only Sony branded HD cameras.

I liked the quality of what I saw when I connected it to my HD TV.

I would like to get working like it should.

So I may take the camera back and get a refund.

Then maybe I could find another brand that provides High Definition videos and pictures and doesn't charge $150 for an AC adaptor.

Take care,
Andy

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

[]
I looked to see what software Andy is posting with, that is adding extra
lines in between every line it quotes, leading to the above. The header
includes "User-Agent: G2/1.0"; it also looks as if Andy might be posting
via Google Groups rather than with a conventional news client.

Does anyone know if "User-Agent: G2/1.0" means it is Googlish? Either
way, is there a setting that can be changed to fix it?

 

[Nil]

I looked to see what software Andy is posting with, that is adding
extra lines in between every line it quotes, leading to the above.
The header includes "User-Agent: G2/1.0"; it also looks as if Andy
might be posting via Google Groups rather than with a conventional
news client.

That's precisely what it means. "User-Agent: G2/1.0" is the name of
Google's groups web interface. It just means that Andy is using Google
Groups to post.

Does anyone know if "User-Agent: G2/1.0" means it is Googlish?
Either way, is there a setting that can be changed to fix it?

Google's usenet interface is really messed up. There's no for the user
to fix it other than using a decent news client with a good news
service... IOW, to ditch Google.

 

[Andy]

That's precisely what it means. "User-Agent: G2/1.0" is the name of

Google's groups web interface. It just means that Andy is using Google

Groups to post.







Google's usenet interface is really messed up. There's no for the user

to fix it other than using a decent news client with a good news

service... IOW, to ditch Google.

It is google that is posting the extra lines.

One of those things that happens with free stuff.

There are 2 groups that complain.

Not bad for 10 or so groups.

Andy

 

[Nil]

It is google that is posting the extra lines.

One of those things that happens with free stuff.

There are 2 groups that complain.

Not bad for 10 or so groups.

The rest of them are thinking it.