ITP
From DpWiki
Introduction
History
The Nikon WT-1 was the first commercially available wireless image transmitter and provided the Nikon D2H with the ability to transmit images over an 802.11b wireless network. Pixagent's ITP 1.0 (and it's sister product PocketITP) was released as a freeware product shortly after this transmitter was announced and provided photographers with a number of powerful workflow features. This was quickly followed by ITP 1.1 which added an assisted configuration system to help generate .WT1 files to configure the WT-1 in a programatic method.
Canon later released their 802.11g WFT-E1 transmitter and Nikon added the WT-2 alongside its new D2X DSLR. ITP 1.2 was released to add support for these new transmitters so that users of these devices were able to take advantage of its powerful features.
Following the success of its predecessors, a commercial version of ITP was released (ITP 2.0 Professional) offering powerful new features and even easier setup procedures. A freeware version (ITP 2.0 Standard) was offered alongside this commercial product with many of the features of its larger brother for those with more modest requirements.
Features
While wireless transmitters offer many new capabilities, it can sometimes be difficult to make the most of them. ITP offers a host of powerful new features to both simplify the setup process and unlock all of their potential.
Assisted Camera Configuration
To simplify the setup process, ITP has the capability to assist in the process of configuring the Nikon WT-1, Nikon WT-2, Canon WFT-E1 and WiPics transmitters. Since it has access to many of the settings needed to configure these cameras, it can automatically prepare these settings so that the user doesn't need to manually dial them in. Once all of the necesary settings have been entered, ITP can also generate the settings files used by these devices so that the user can quickly and easilly upload them into the cameras in a few easy steps.
Adapter Management
To simplify the setup process, ITP can automatically add a second fixed IP Address to a specified network adapter so that the user doesn't need to worry about complex TCP/IP settings. This removes the burden of one of the most complicated processes in the setup of these cameras from the user and makes it easier to use the same adapter for both the camera and normal networking tasks.
Automated Processing
If desired, users of the professional version of ITP can configure the server to automatically trigger processing of images as they are received. This allows repetitive processing tasks to be performed in parallel with image capture so that photographers can spend more time shooting and less time in front of a computer.
Card Synchronization
Available only in the professional version of ITP 2.0, this feature allows computers to switch seamlessly between wireless and wired methods of transferring images. When a memory card is inserted into a computer running this software, ITP will automatically correlate the images on that card with those already received over the wireless connection. Asside from increasing the efficiency of retreiving images from the camera, this also ensures that images will be organized in the same manner regardless of how they arived on the computer.
Live Image Review & Analysis
The professional version of ITP provides users with the option of displaying full-screen images the moment that they are received. This allows photographers to immediately review the images that they have shot on their colour-managed monitors. To make this process even easier, ITP also offers a number of analysis modes that allow photographers to rapidly identify common problems at a glance, so that they can correct them on the spot.
Live Slideshow
Extending the live image review subsystem, ITP 2.0 Professional users can also configure the server to display a slideshow composed of the images received through the system. This slideshow is automatically updated as new images become available and can (optionally) be configured to show new images right away. Using a large monitor or HDTV set, this system allows photographers to show off their work as it is being captured to maximize their sales and add extra value to their services.
Intelligent Overwrite Protection
To protect against accidentally overwritting existing image files, ITP will automatically rename files with conflicting names. In order to deal with situations where uploads fail and are restarted, however, this system has an intelligent mechanism that will detect this behaviour and allow those files to overwrite the original. This mechanism protects images without cluttering up the host machine's file system.
Automatic Directory Generation
To aid in keeping image files organized, ITP has the capability to automatically build directory trees based on a number of variables. When this system is in use, a directory structure will be dynamically built as files are uploaded so that the photographer's image library is organized the moment the files hit their computer.
Batch Renaming
In addition to using variables to assemble directory structures, ITP can also use them to automatically rename images as they are received. This allows photographers to change cryptic filenames generated by their cameras into a more elegant format in a simple and transparent manner.
Control Centre Interface
Pictured above, ITP's Control Centre provides a centralized location to administer the most commonly used features within the package. It presents these settings in a visual manner, allowing users to get ITP up and running the way that they would like quickly and easilly.
Automated Support
If photographers do run into problems setting up their transmitter, ITP offers an automated support subsystem to get help from Pixagent. In addition to sending the request the user enters, ITP will automatically send a transcript of its settings so that they can be reviewed by support staff. This allows problems to be solved with much less effort so that photographers can be up and running as quickly as possible.
Availability
ITP 2.0 Professional is a commercial product and may be purchased from Pixagent at this location. If desired, there is a free 30 day demo of the professional feature set available - simply download ITP 2.0 and follow the provided instructions. When the demo period expires, you will have the option to either purchase a licence or continue to use ITP 2.0 in its Standard mode.
Compatibility
Currently, ITP runs on computers running Microsoft Windows (Windows 98 or later) with a sister product called PocketITP providing similar functionality on the Windows Mobile platform. Development of an OS X version of ITP is in progress and will be available in the near future.
System Requirements
- .NET Framework version 1.1
- Windows 98 or later.
- 6.3MB of HDD space.
- 15MB of free RAM.
See Also
- PocketITP, a version of ITP designed to run on Windows Mobile-based handheld devices.
- Wireless image transmitters, Devices used to provide digital cameras with the capability to transmit images over a wireless network.
- Nikon WT-2/2A, Nikon's 802.11g wireless transmitter that adds wireless functionality to the Nikon D2X or D2Hs.
- Nikon WT-1/1A, Nikon's first-generation wireless transmitter opperating with the 802.11b protocol. Adds wireless functionality to the Nikon D2H, D2Hs or D2X.
- Canon WFT-E1/E1A, Canon's 802.11g wireless transmitter that adds wireless functionality to a number of their cameras.
- WiPics, An aftermarket transmitter manufactured by Dice America that connects to any digital camera using Compactflash memory cards.
- WiFi, A set of wireless networking protocols used by the majority of these transmitters.
- 802.11b, The first popularized iteration of the IEEE 802.11 protocols. It opperates in the 2.4GHz ISM band and provides a theoretical bandwidth of 11mbps.
- 802.11g, The successor of the 802.11b protocol that adds faster coding methods to extend theoretical bandwidth to 54mbps. 802.11g devices are both backward and forward compatible with 802.11b devices so they can interoperate with one another.
External Links
- http://www.pixagent.com/itp20, ITP 2.0's main website.
- http://www.pixagent.com/itp20/screenshots.html, ITP 2.0 Screenshots.
- http://www.pixagent.com/, Pixagent's website.
- http://www.pixagent.com/itp20/download.html, Download and try ITP 2.0.
- http://www.pixagent.com/itp20/buynow.html, Purchase ITP 2.0 Professional.
- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/..., Download .NET framework.
