Ashish Gupta elaborates on the features and capabilities of how various multimedia applications can be used on the Palm handheld computer

though not exactly a workstation for graphic artists, the Palm handheld computer is a powerful device to view images and movies. Here are some of the tools that will enhance your multimedia experience on the Palm.

TealMovie
A handheld multimedia system, TealMovie—from TealPoint Software—enables any PalmOS handheld to become a high-quality video and animation device. Offering features previously unavailable, TealMovie supports smooth playback up to 25 frames per second, high-quality full screen colour or greyscale imagery, WAV file playback, and synchronised sound playback capability. TealMovie also fully supports external VFS-compatible expansion devices, including Memory Stick, Compact Flash, MemPlug SmartMedia and SD and MMC flash cards. The Windows converter program easily creates compact TealMovie-format files from standard AVI, QuickTime, and WAV files.
In addition to providing entertainment, TealMovie also extends the usefulness of Palm handhelds for sales, marketing, training, service, and maintenance operations for a wide range of industries. Sound playback is available on all Palm handheld models above Palm III.

TealMovie files can be easily created by using the TealMovie Encoder, which runs on Windows. This encoder supports AVI and WAV files, and supports automatic scaling, cropping, sound compression, and filtering.
The TealMovie website has many free movies you can download and view.

FireViewer Suite
FireViewer is the industry standard graphics program for the PalmOS platform. No matter what the imaging requirements are, FireViewer is capable enough to meet them all. View huge images, videos and Web pages in 16 bit colour! It supports all Palm graphics modes—1 bit, 4 bit and 16 bit grey and colour, plus 256 colour. The 360-degree drag enables one to easily move large graphics over 32,000x32,000 pixels or 40 feetx40 feet in any direction simply by dragging the stylus. Drag-and-drop JPEGs, GIFs, TIFFs, BMPs, RLEs, PNGs, AVIs, MOVs, and HTML files onto FireConverter so you can convert, Hotsync, or view images and videos and simple Web pages on the Palm handheld. Removable storage support for PalmOS devices includes the m500 series and the Sony Clie. Navigate through server-based documents by using image maps and hyperlinks. Zoom in and out of large images with zoom levels from 1 percent to 99 percent, choose the one that is right for you.

FireConverter is the desktop program that allows you to put images, videos, and HTML files on your Palm handheld or memory card. FireConverter’s newly enhanced compression algorithms allow you to store more images, text and video in less space. Convert large images from popular graphics formats and also convert AVI and MOV files into FireViewer videos. FireConverter now supports Windows Explorer (right click an image to open FireConverter), and an Internet Explorer toolbar button.

FireConverter converts JPEG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, RLE or PNG files into FireViewer images and converts standard AVI and MOV files into FireViewer format. Convert websites or HTML documents in a flash, and sync them up every day. Now FireConverter also lets you convert images by ‘drag-and-drop’ on your Windows desktop. The files are saved in the new, super-compressed FireViewer image format.

BackDrop EZ
Backdrop EZ is an application that allows you to install an image as a background screen, similar to the wallpaper on desktop PCs. The background image stays in place while other applications run, and you have full control over which programs are displayed. Backdrop EZ reads images in the FireViewer format, which has several utilities for converting from popular formats such as BMP, GIF and JPEG.

M. Play
This is a graphical midi player for the PalmOS devices. Use M.Play to playback your favourite midi tunes. It offers full colour support with 3D playback controls and selectable playlist. M.Play automatically detects and switches between colour and non-colour PalmOS devices. You can also use MPlayEdit to create and manage your own custom midi playlists for playback on this program.

This is an easy-to- use standalone Windows wizard (Win 9x/NT). So, if you can view it on your PC, you can view it on your Palm handheld computer. The only constraining factor being the free space available on your handheld device. But if you really must have an extremely large video file on your Palm handheld computer, the 1 GB IBM MicroDrive will serve your need. That means you could actually carry along a high quality full-length movie on your Palm handheld computer.

Ashish Gupta is the Founder and President of The Indian Palm User Group. He can be reached at ash@notcomguys.com (Most applications mentioned in this and following articles are available for download from www.palmgear.com . If you still have trouble finding any application feel free to e-mail the author)