Topic: .Dat file conversion question

[Fay]

First I want to thanks "Martin" for HumViewer.  It is great.
 
Second, what is the best way for me to convert the HB  ".DAT" files to a format that I can send to people
that don't have HumViewer so they can watch recordings?  Fay

[sonar2000]

Fay.
It will depend on the viewer they want to use.
Each has its own file format.

Here is the list I have for our viewers..

Humviewer.....none needed
SIView and DeepView.......sonar2xtf
Yellowfin.........HBSI Converter

http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?action=downloads;cat=2

All available here on the forum...

Chuck

[Rüdiger]

Hi Fay

Not the type of file is the problem, the size of these files is to send seriously.

mvh
Rüdiger

[sonar2000]

Rudg is exactly right on file size..

Not only do you need to have the correct file type but then to send it is a problem with the internet
limiting the amount you can send in one at one time..

Chuck

[Fay]

I had hoped there was a way to convert to a .wmv file or something that any windows user could open.
Fay

[sonar2000]

Fay, if you have a windows system or a program like "paint"
, then you can open the wmv file and save it as almost any other kind of picture file..

Chuck

[Fay]

Chuck, I can't find a way to convert the HB format to something that someones window
file can open.  I was hoping that I could convert the .DAT file to .mpg or .wmv or something
that any windows pc could open.  I've been on the web looking for a free "convert" file but
nothing seem to work.      Fay

[sonar2000]

I dont thinnk you can get a "windows" program to open a recorded file. A picture (snapshot) but not a recording.  That has to be done by the recording viewer program or thru a converter for the particular viewer.
Humviewer, YellowFin, SI View or DeepView..

Chuck

[Fay]

Thanks Chuck, I have tried a lot of "converter" programs and none seem to work with my
recordings.  I plan to keep looking though.     later - Fay
   

[sonar2000]

OK...can you be specific with the program you are trying to watch the recording with..
Are you using one of the recommended ones we have here or is this a different program..
We will get to the bottom of this...
Chuck

[Fay]

Chuck, I can view my recordings just fine in "HumViewer".  I was just trying to convert to
a format that anyone with a pc could view.  I have friends that don't have "Humviewer" or
a clue how to download it to play my recordings on their pc.    Fay

[xSilmarilSx]

It's a long shot buy google the software "FRAPS"

It will make a video from everything you see on the desktop..

[Fay]

I downloaded "Fraps" and gave it a shot but it didn't want to do it for me.  thanks anyway -Fay

There seem to be a lot of "converter" programs that say they will convert .dat but I'm not having
any luck with them. 

[sonar2000]

Remember the .dat is only a pointer to the record containing the recorded information.
When you convert a .dat file it is only the pointer that is converted and not the record containing the recorded data.

when you record... the unit stores a pointer ".dat pointing to the record that will contain the actual recording data.

These are a sequential numbering system starting with R0000x and continuing until you have recorded  99,999 recordings.

Look at it this way


R00001.dat
R00002.dat
R00003.dat
Record R00001
Record R00002
Record R00003

If you look at each record you will see it has stored the following
R00001
contains B000.son, B000idx, B001.son, B0002.idx, B002.son, B002.idx and B003.son and B003.idx
And this is for each record.
A viewer has to be able to read these files and thus the converter program to format it to the viewer needs.

Only programs designed to view sonar data will display this recorded data but it must have a converter to format the data.

see if this link helps.
http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?topic=937.msg4806#msg4806

does this help any?
Chuck

[Fay]

wow Chuck.  No wonder it is so hard to convert.  I think you have made a good case for me
to stop trying to convert the HB files.  I have a feeling there are ".dat" files and then there are
HB ".DAT" files.  I was sure hoping I could find an easy fix.  Thanks again for taking the time to
help me and others.  later - Fay

[sonar2000]

Fay, not sure why your friend had problems installing Humviewer but for folks to view your recordings see if you can help them get the viewer installed.
It does install pretty easily.
If they have trouble then post their problem here and we will see if we can help them get it working..
It is nice if others can see what you are doing when you go out and record.
They can see all the fish they are missing..

Chuck

[Fay]

Chuck, I am one year younger than you  and some of my fishing friends are in mid 70's
and low 80's.  Lucky for me I had to learn how to use a computer the last five or six years before I retired.  They had never seen a computer at work,  so just doing e-mail for them is a challenge.
Downloading and installing software is not going to happen, I don't think.  Who knows though
it sure shocked me to find they had a computer at all.  One thing for sure, they love to fish and
maybe this will take them a little further into the computer age.   I had one of them here today
and showed him a recording of our closest artificial reef.  He loved it.   later- Fay

[sonar2000]

I thought computers were plug and play devices.
They sure can be demanding. Especially on old brains..

The only thing that comes to mind is maybe a video out recording and then they can view that with any computer..But then you need a camcorder..

Chuck