Author Topic: What is Son2XTF and How do I use it?  (Read 18262 times)

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Offline RGecy

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What is Son2XTF and How do I use it?
« on: April 07, 2009, 01:19:26 PM »
What is Son2XTF and How do I use it?

Son2XTF is a piece of software that converts the Humminbird .son recording files over to a public format called XTF or eXtended Triton Format.  This format has become widely used in the Side Scan Sonar industry for recording Side Scan and Bathymetric data.

When Humminbird found that there was a large number of users who wanted to view their recordings on the PC, instead of releasing their proprietary recording format, they decided to convert the files over to XTF.  There are several FREE viewers on the market that will read the HB XTF format.  One is Matt Norwoods SIView which can be found in the Software Download Section of this site.  The other is Deep View which can be found at Deep View FV Download.

Son2xtf works with most of the files generated by a Humminbird side imaging unit during the recording process.  For example, if you create a side imaging recording named 'R00001' on your unit, the following files from your SD card are required to create an XTF file:

  RECORD\R00001.DAT
  RECORD\R00001\B002.IDX
  RECORD\R00001\B002.SON
  RECORD\R00001\B003.IDX
  RECORD\R00001\B003.SON

To use son2xtf, simply double click on the son2xtf application and use the windows interface to select your recording file for conversion.  Once you have selected the file for conversion you will see that it has a start time and end time.  You can change these fields if you only want to convert a certain portion of the recording or if you want to split it up into smaller files.  You can also adjust the Output file name and location if needed. 

Next, click Convert Recording to XTF and the process is done.  As for viewing the file, again, this can be accomplished by one of the FREE viewers listed above.

Good Luck,

Robert Gecy


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1. Can I use son2xtf with non-side imaging recording files?


No.  Son2xtf only exports the side imaging sonar data and supporting
     information necessary for post-processing side imaging data.

Q2. I don't have an XTF viewer.  Will Humminbird provide one?

At this time, Humminbird has not created a software product for
     viewing sonar recording files or XTF files on a personal computer.

     A very basic free viewer is available from the Triton website at:
     http://www.tritonimaginginc.com/site/content/public/downloads/Viewers/XTF/

     Commercial 3rd party side imaging data processing products are also
     currently available.

Q3. I don't use a Microsoft OS, but I would like to use son2xtf.
     What can I do?


We are currently exploring options for releasing versions of
     son2xtf for Linux and Mac OS X.  Please contact us if you require
     a different OS platform and we will see if we can help.

Q4. I cannot make this work.  Who should I contact?

Please contact Tom Vickers at tvickers(at)johnsonoutdoors.com
     for assistance.
« Last Edit: April 10, 2009, 11:03:42 AM by RGecy »
Humminbird Guru and Forum Administrator


Offline scottkh

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Re: What is Son2XTF and How do I use it?
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2009, 01:49:39 PM »
I really appreciate all of these information provided here.  It has help me a lot since the 10.4" screen on 1197 is smaller than most computer screens.

This link for basic XTF viewer seems dont work -
http://www.tritonelics.com/site/content/public/downloads/Viewers/XTF/

Are you referring to this site?
http://www.tritonimaginginc.com/

Offline RGecy

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Re: What is Son2XTF and How do I use it?
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2009, 02:16:07 PM »
Yes.  Sorry, I didn't check the link. It was in the HB son2xtf FAQ and just assumed it worked.

Its working Now!

Robert
« Last Edit: April 10, 2009, 11:04:39 AM by RGecy »
Humminbird Guru and Forum Administrator

Offline dawgmanx2

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Re: What is Son2XTF and How do I use it?
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2009, 10:06:58 AM »
I just read a post that said to contact you if you need a different OS platform.  I run a MacBook with Mac OSX Version 10.5.5 is there anything I can use to playback recordings without running windows through my Mac?

Thanks;

Barry

Offline ruiner

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Re: What is Son2XTF and How do I use it?
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2010, 05:13:05 PM »
Hi,

I would be interested of running it on Mac OS X as well. Is there any solution existing yet? Since it is freeware app, how about releasing the source code under GPL or similar, and I for example could make Mac OS version out of it?

Br,
      Kari

Offline RGecy

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Re: What is Son2XTF and How do I use it?
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2010, 07:50:55 PM »
Kari,

The code would reveal the HB file structure, so it will not be released. 

As I understand it there is a program out there that emulates the Windows Environment and allows you to run Windows programs. This is the only solution I know of that may work.

Robert
Humminbird Guru and Forum Administrator

Offline ruiner

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Re: What is Son2XTF and How do I use it?
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2010, 03:24:37 AM »
OK, I get that. How about separating the decoder as separate closed source library and compiling it for Mac, Linux and Windows for (C or C++)? An other option (and perhaps better) could be Java binary which could be run on any environment.

Those wouldn't expose the proprietary file format and still would make it possible to create applications for multiple platforms. I think Java might the easiest and best option for that. You wouldn't have to worry about your selves with the different platforms and community would be able to create programs for what ever platform one desires. The key is to separate just the proprietary part as binary which can be used on any platform, after that it is up to who ever to take advantage of it.

File decoder shouldn't need to be hardware or operating system specific so I think that should works. Just leave file output and input operations out of it and that should be fine.

How does that sound?

Br,
        Kari K


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