Toronto, ON - February 20th, 2005 - We are happy to announce the release of a public beta for version 1.2 of ITP! This new version brings the same powerful features that Nikon users have been enjoying for the last year to photographers using the new Canon WFT-E1 wireless transmitter. The assisted configurator system now produces configuration files for both the Canon WFT-E1 and Nikon WT-1 - simplifying the process of getting these complex devices to work on your system.
Like it's predecessor, ITP 1.2 assists users in the creation of configuration files for their wireless transmitter. ITP will fill in many of the details automatically, reducing the number of variables that photographers need to worry about when setting up the camera. Due to the complexity of IP networking, many users struggle to set up their wireless transmission equipment for the first time. Since ITP has access to most of the critical data that is necessary, photographers can have their WFT-E1 and WT-1 transmitters up and running in much less time than manually entering the values.
In addition, ITP will also manage your library of wireless profiles and allow you to rapidly switch between different networks with only a few clicks. In addition to keeping all of your profiles in a centralized location, this system also handles loading the files onto memory cards to reduce the need to shuffle files back and forth. This allows you to quickly and efficiently work in a variety of environments without having to figure out new settings every time you switch. Additionally, since ITP places both WT-1 and WFT-E1 configuration files on your cards, you can also seamlessly work in mixed environments with a single user interface.
This version is being released in a beta form to get it out to Canon users as soon as possible. Please note that the core functionality has not changed, so the beta status will not affect the stability of the server itself. The configurator UI and profile generator may not have the fit and finish of a final version, however they will allow the many photographers who are picking up their WFT-E1s to quickly get going. We hope to get to a release status within the week, and if you register with us you will be informed of its availability.
ITP 1.2 Feature Summary:
- Assisted WFT-E1/WT-1 Configuration (New in 1.2) - Users can now create and manage their .nif and .wt1 configuration files for Canon's WFT-E1 and Nikon's WT-1 right inside of ITP! Since the server knows many of the settings already, it simplifies this task by automatically filling in many of the fields for you. Additionally, when you are finished ITP will do a quick audit of your settings and provide you with warnings for many common mistakes so that they can be caught without having to upload the settings and figure out the hard way. This system is especially valuable to those without extensive networking experience, as it reduces the number of variables you need to worry about.
- Intelligent Overwrite Protection - The server can be configured to automatically rename different files that are uploaded to the name of an existing file. This protects your files from being accidentally overwritten, and can be especially useful where multiple photographers may be uploading to the same path. However, this is taken a step further in that the server will automatically compare the new file with the older ones and if it is a retransmission attempt, will replace the older file. This allows you to have the protection without the clutter that a simpler system would create.
- Automatic Directory Generation - Using the variables functionality, the server can be configured to automatically generate directory trees based on features like the date and the login name. This is entirely transparent to the user, and as far as they are concerned they are uploading to a simple static path. This allows the server to automatically create chronological directory trees and make tasks like archival considerably easier.
- Batch Renaming - The server can automatically replace the DSC_ portion of the filename using the prefix feature. This prefix, like most other features in ITP, can contain variables such as the username - allowing multiple shooters to upload to the same directory and still keep their files separate.
- Simple and Intuitive User Interface - Since this package is designed for photographers the UI has been designed to simplify the administration tasks as much as possible. New users can be added quickly and easily, and it is easy to control where their files are sent. Most features can also be fully configured on a per-user basis, so you can adjust ITP's behaviour to suit your needs.
- Lightweight and Efficient - This package has been designed from the ground up for this task. Features that were unnecessary were not implemented, the memory footprint was carefully designed and ITP is capable of adapting itself to various system bottlenecks. This framework allows the same core server code to run on both full Windows computers and PocketPC PDAs - allowing maximum flexibility in deployment.
- Multithreaded - File storage and networking components run in different threads, connected by a memory buffer. This eliminates many bottlenecks, allowing every facet of the server to run at the highest rate possible and providing a more responsive set of controls to the user. This also allows this package to make full use of multiprocessor systems.
Pricing and Availability:
As before, ITP 1.2 is being offered as freeware to the public.
Commercial versions with additional automation features will follow
shortly, however all current versions of ITP and PocketITP are free for
anyone who is interested. For more information and to download ITP
1.2 please visit the following website:
http://www.pixagent.com/itp12/
ITP is currently only available for Windows (98, ME, NT, 2000, XP and 2003) and PocketPC* (PocketPC 2002, WM2003) platforms. A Mac version is planned, however it will be produced after the commercial version is released in order to make enough money to purchase an Apple machine to do the development on.
Background Information:
ITP 1.0 was released on October 4th, 2003 in order to provide an easy
to use FTP server for users of devices like the Nikon WT-1. It was
tested specifically with preproduction WT-1 devices by Nikon staff in
order to be certain things would function optimally when the transmitter
became available to the public. In addition to a basic FTP server, ITP
offered many features that were specifically tailored to the photographic
workflow allowing users to instantly organize their images right out of
the camera.
This release was followed shortly by PocketITP 1.0 (October 22nd, 2003) that offered the exact same features as ITP 1.0 but on the PocketPC platform. PocketITP uses the same engine as it's bigger brother, and as such the only change is a user interface necessitated by the smaller format. This release allows Photographers to work with packages like Idruna's Pocket Phojo to wirelessly edit their take in the field without the need for a bulky laptop. In addition, it allows users in hostile situations to easily keep a second version of all of their images stored in a safe place in case something happens to the original (water, impact, overzealous security, etc...).
Over the last year, we have assisted many people in setting up their WT-1s and as such have seen many issues that people have had problems with. We released ITP 1.1 in an effort to help remove many of the stumbling blocks that caused people problems - making their experience with setting up the WT-1 much easier. Our system is so effective that it has been recommended by Nikon's support divisions since it was available.
With the release of the Canon WFT-E1 we aim to bring these same advantages that we have provided to Nikon users to those using Canon equipment. Our goal is to make the setup and use of wireless transmitters as simple and intuitive as traditional photographic equipment. We continue to strive to improve our products and will be releasing major revisions within the next month.
Contact Information:
Thomas Sapiano
E-Mail: tsapiano@pixagent.com
Website: http://www.pixagent.com/itp12/
