Solution for Transfering Photos from iPad to Computer and Back

When transferring photos between your mobile devices like iPad and iPhone or to your MacBook Air and back, you need to consider the amount of time and bandwidth or data transferred via the cloud.    As an alternate solution, one should consider one of the excellent apps available to do this efficiently and seamlessly.

How It Can Be Accomplished with PhotoSync

PhotoSynch is such an app available for the Mac and also the iPhone/iPad devices.  PhotoSync allows synching photos in both directions without hassle, using an easy-to-use interface, which allows transfer of all photos or a selection of photos. 

* This transfer from device to computer and computer to device can be accomplished via a wireless connection or 3G/LTE. The device to device transfer is available using bluetooth and wifi.
* The number of photos you plan to transfer can be limitless, but I haven't tried that yet.
* You can share photos to other sites such as Facebook, Dropbox, Picasa, and others like Google Drive (the new Google Docs).

* It also has Web Browser viewing capabilities where you can view your photos in a web page from a computer on your same network.
* Transfer is done in the background, allowing iPhone and iPad users to continue with phone calls or games.
* You can select the size to send, which computer to use as your default storage.

* You can setup defaults in the settings of the app for quick transfers and also choose to send to a certain folder or to iPhoto on your computer directly when receiving or sending photos.

Support for Mac and Windows Companion App

The iPad/iPhone app is relatively inexpensive for your iPad/iPhone and comes free for use on your desktop or Mac laptop (Mac OS X10.5 or higher Intel and PPC supported).  There is also a Windows PhotoSynch companion app that works for those using a PC as their default computer (Windows XP SP 2 or higher, Windows Vista or higher, Windows 7).  Location services needs to be enabled in order to use the app successfully.

For those who don't want to use a cloud server or have limited wifi capability or your internet connection is down this is a great solution as it offers a means to transfer photos and videos between devices and computers using a local network. I give PhotoSync a thumbsup rating of 5 stars for all my fellow travelers and photographers.






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Where do my devices live?

When I turn on my MacBook Air occasionally it comes up with the message that it's IP address is being used by another device or something to that effect.  Thought I could check the IP address for all the devices around here and see if there is a conflict.

 It was necessary to look up the IP Address for all my mobile devices, computers and gadgets, as well as the ones my husband has.  Now, that is a lot of IP Addresses.

How to Find IP Address for future reference 

To find the IP address for your computer, select System Preferences, Network.  Select the Wi-Fi Connected on the left hand side and you should see the IP address listed in the first section under the words Status: Connected.

To find the IP address for your mobile devices, select the Settings icon and then click the blue arrow next to the Network name the device is connected to and you will see the IP address listed under DHCP tab.

To find the IP Address for the Airport Express and Airport Extreme devices, run Airport Utility from your computer and then on the left hand side, select or highlight each of the devices one at a time and then on the right hand side you will see the name of the device, the IP Address, version and Airport ID.
 

For most users that is probably the extent of their devices.  But we have others around here including our Disklavier Piano which connects to iPhone/iPad apps, our computers and to its own remote device.  We also have some cameras that we have been testing.

To find the IP Address for the piano, run DKVBrowser and the IP address will appear on the opening screen as you connect.  If you are already connected and running the piano, you can find the IP address under  the DKVBrowser menu> Preferences.

 To find the IP Address of the IZON cameras, click on the blue arrow next to the camera icon in the camera screen, which will bring up the IZON Settings page for that camera, scroll to the bottom of the screen to the Advanced Section and click the arrow next to the Configuration Data.  The IP address for that device (icon camera) will be listed next to IP address.

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A StarTrek Transporting of Photos/Videos using PhotoSync App

Some iPad 2 users are looking for ways to transfer their videos captured with their iPhones to iMovie app loaded on their new iPad 2.  One solution is to sync the video to iTunes from their iPhone and then resync to their iPad 2.  Another solution requires the purchase of the camera connection cable.  With the cable one can connect the iPhone to the iPad and transfer the videos directly. 

I decided to try out using an app called PhotoSync as it is advertised to wirelessly transfer photos and videos between the two devices, as well as your computer.

The user can easily transfer from the devices to their computer over Wi-Fi.   You can download selected videos and photos to and from your Mac using the FREE companion PhotoSync app available for Mac OSX . (A Windows Companion is also available for Windows XP SP2 or higher).   I am always amazed at how these wireless transfers seem to be magic and feel as though I have witnessed a StarTrek transporting.   PhotoSync preserves the Exif data, GPS data and file data for photos and videos, as well as support for RAW images and photos/videos. 

Using PhotoSync with Bluetooth or WiFi if available, one can also transfer photos and videos directly from device to device.  I was able to transfer video and photos from iPad to iPad and iPhone to iPad and iPad to iPhone in a snap.  The transfer rate is 2.5MB/sec depending on your network and device.  Also supports DropBox and Flickr accounts and transfer to iPhoto and Aperture.

If you are looking for an easy and fast way to transfer instantly to your devices and computer without using iTunes or cables, I highly recommend getting the PhotoSync app from the iTunes App Store.  You only need purchase once and use for all your devices.  Click here to access PhotoSync website Tweet

Establishing Internet Connection with Disklavier and Airport Express Device

I have decided to post some of my notes on how I established a network connection between my Macintosh and my Disklavier Piano using an Apple Express device with my existing Apple Airport Extreme Base Station that was running my home network.  The actual connection between the piano and the Apple Airport Express device is accomplished by an ethernet cable.  The Apple Airport Express device is setup to participate in my home network and is plugged into a socket near the piano.  The Apple Airport device can also be used to stream my iTunes library through the speakers on the piano, as an extra feature.

What is Needed:
(1)  An Apple Airport Extreme Base Station setup as WIFI Airport Network (WDS  Main Base Station) for your home network.
(2)  Macintosh computer running Mac OS X 10.4.10 or higher
(3)  Airport Utility Software V5.2.1 or higher)
(4)  Apple Airport Express device hooked to Mark IV Disklavier via ethernet cable connected from piano to Apple express device.   Apple Airport Express is then plugged into wall socket near Disklavier or into the AC adaptor underneath the piano.
(5)  Disklavier owners must upgrade their pianos to the most current operating system:  Version 4.0 for Mark IV models which is available through a local Disklavier dealer or by calling Yamaha Piano Service at (800) 854-1569 (ext. 22).

STEP 1:    If you ALREADY HAVE an Airport Extreme Base Station hooked to your computer for your home network, then  GO TO  STEP 2.

Otherwise, hook up Airport Extreme Base Station to your cable modem via ethernet cable and plug into wall socket.  Run Airport Utility  software.   The Airport Extreme icon should appear on the left hand-side of the Airport Utility window.  Select the icon representing the Airport Extreme Base Station.  Select the "continue" button and go thru the assist options to set it up or you can use the "manual  setup" button at left to set it up.  Note:  If device  icon does  not show  up, run  "Rescan" or  you  may  have to  select it under your Airport  icon in  menu bar for it to be recognized.

The  first screen that appears has four tabs across the top:  Summary, Base Station, Wireless, Access Control. 

Review info in  Summary Tab:  Base Station Name, Base Station Status, Version, Serial Number, Airport ID, Ethernet ID and Wireless Mode, Network Name, Wireless Security, Channel, Wireless Clients,  connect using, and IP Address

PLEASE take note of the Airport ID for this Main Base Station as it will be needed when setting up the Airport Express device.  This Airport ID can  also be found on the  Airport Extreme  base station as well.  You will also need the Airport ID for the Airport Express device as well and it can be found in the summary for that item as well or physically on the unit.

Select Base Station  Tab:
Enter a name for the Base Station or leave default name.
Enter a Base Station Password.
Select Remember this password in my keychain.
Left all other  options as default.


To sign up for the radio service, go online at

Select Wireless Tab:
Initially used
Wireless  Mode:  Create a Wireless Network
Network  Name:  Leave same or enter your own  network name
Radio Mode:  802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)
Channel:  Automatic
Wireless Security: None
Wireless Password:  blank
Verify  Password:  blank
Select Access Control Tab. 
I did NOT change any settings.

At this point I made sure that the main base station Airport Extreme still worked with  my other computers.

STEP 2:  
Plug the Airport Express into a nearby wall socket.
Do NOT attach to the Mark IV Disklavier.  
Run the Airport Utility program.
Select the icon that represents the Airport Express device.
Select Manual Setup button.  

Review the Summary Tab and note the Airport ID  for the Airport Express device as this will be needed  when modifying the settings for the  Apple Extreme  in  the next step (3).

Select Base Station Tab:
Enter a  Base Station  name or leave default if you wish. 
Leave password "public" that is assigned to  this Express device or enter a new one if you like.

Select Wireless Tab: 
Change the Wireless Mode to "Participate in WDS network". 
You should notice that a new tab labeled WDS then appears above in the row of tabs. 
Wireless Security should be NONE. 
Do NOT enter passwords. 
Channel  should be automatic

Select WDS Tab: 
WDS  Mode:  Select WDS remote.
Enter the Airport ID for the Main Airport Extreme.

Then  select "Update" button.
Your icon should have green indicator as well as the light on the actual physical base station should be green as well.


STEP 3:  Now MODIFY the setup of the Airport Extreme in the following manner to set the Airport Extreme up as a WDS Main by following the steps below.

Select "Manual Setup" button. 

Review the info in Summary Tab.

Select Wireless Tab:
Change the Wireless Mode to "Participate in WDS network". 
You should notice that a new tab labeled WDS then appears along the row of tabs.

Select WDS Tab:
Make sure the  WDS main is selected in the WDS Mode.
Allow wireless clients should be checked.
Select the + button  to add the Airport ID for the Airport Express  device that you  obtained in Step 2.  Enter the Airport ID and a description name.
Then select update.  
If all goes well, you will get a message that this change has been successful. 
Your icon should have green indicator as well as on the light on the actual physical base station should be green  as well.

STEP 4: 
Shutdown your Disklavier. 
Unplug the Express device and move it near your Mark IV disklavier plugging it in a wall  socket (the light should turn green).
Connect the ethernet cable from Mark IV Disklavier to the Airport Express. 
Now reboot or turn on your Mark Disklavier. 
Try connecting to the Disklavier Radio.

Note:   Suggest selecting NONE when  entering  a Wireless Security Password.  
REASON:  I first set this Airport Extreme up to work with  my computers and initially set it up with  recommended WPA password.  But one of my older Mac's could not access the internet or email  using the WPA password security, because it was running an older system software.  So I then changed to WEP password and all the other computers on my network  in house worked fine, but my  main Mac did NOT work correctly with this WEP password, nor did the Express hooked to Disklavier Mark IV.  This is key and when I got up this morning I decided to remove the password and changed that option to "NONE".   There are two passwords that are actually entered when setting up these devices one is password for network and the other is password to change the actual settings.  I still have a password setup for the change of settings options for the  Base Station.  In  other words, it is OK to put in a password for the BASE STATION tab options, but use NONE for the WIRELESS tab Security password. Tweet

The Many Avenues to Controlling My Mark IV Disklavier

My Mark IV Disklavier,  a real, concert-quality piano that can also play itself is accessed by a physical Pocket Remote Controller (PRC-100), a wireless remote with dedicated buttons and a full-color LCD touch screen or by the Tablet Remote Controller.  Tablet Remote Controller (TRC-100), a 10.4-inch, portable, color, touch-screen control panel is the ultimate luxury item, the TRC provides song control features, play list management, and portable viewing of Karaoke song file lyrics, all with customizable visual environments and graphics.  Both remote controllers use the 802.11b wireless specification to communicate with the piano from anywhere in the home, whether or not there is any line of sight.

In addition to these physical devices, Yamaha introduced the Virtual PRC interface which allows total control from a networked computer.  The Virtual PRC interface was introduced in one of the latest versions of the system software for the Mark IV.   I use an Apple Airport Express connected via ethernet cable to the underside of the Mark IV to connect the Virtual PRC interface to my Mac home network.

I also use an excellent software package written by Kevin Goroway called dkvBrowser.    This software can be found at dkvBrowser Sourceforge.   DkvBrowser is an application that can be used instead of the PDA (PRC-100) or Tablet or Virtual PRC-100 that is normally supplied with a Yamaha Disklavier Mark IV.   It can be downloaded at sourceforge.net.  There are Mac and PC versions built and ready to run, but it can run on any platform that supports Java and can access the Disklavier either wired or wirelessly.  It is licensed under GNU General Public License and offered as donation ware.  DkvBrowser offers multiple features, too numerous to mention here, but outlined on the sourceforge site.   The biggest features are the ease of transferring midis to your piano via your computer, as well as ease of editing the names of albums and song titles.  

In addition to these physical and virtual devices to control my piano, there is also an app, Yamaha Disklavier Controller App, for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad in the Apple App Store.

I have discussed many of the attributes of the Yamaha Disklavier Controller app and its operation on previous blogs.  I assisted Kevin Goroway in testing his software dkvBrowser with my Mac and Mark IV, as well as documenting his software and providing a downloadable manual in PDF form on the dkvBrowser Sourceforge site.   Yamaha has provided documentation for the Virtual PRC, PRC-100 and Tablet Controller on their site.   There are also two forums online that provide answers and discussions at the dkvBrowser Yahoo Group and Disklavier Yahoo Group forums.  If you own one of the Disklavier pianos, you will find it worthwhile to join these groups and participate with the members who add to discussions and help others with questions.  I will continue to post blogs on occasion, to offer detailed solutions or comments on the Disklavier and its many devices as related to Mac computers and apps.

 

UPDATE 2/19/2021:  The DKVBrowser discussion groups are now being conducted at Google Groups.  You can search by "DKVBrowser" to find a place to join for current information. 

The DKVBrowser software written by Kevin Goroway has been revised to meet the needs of users for their Disklavier Mark IV pianos recently.  The software had not worked on my latest Mac laptops due to system updates that were not supported by DKVBrowser.  The software had recently not worked on the latest Windows computers due to changes in system and other updates.  At some point the underlying architecture of DKVBrowser (Eclipse RCP) became unsupported/incompatible.

A new version is currently being tested by members who are part of the Google Group who post info about DKVBrowser and Disklavier.   

I was successful in loading the new DKVBrowser 3.0.2 onto a Mac laptop running High Sierra and one running Catalina.  I have been testing the Mac version of this software and find that it is running successfully for most functions.  It is nice to have the DKVBrowser to run playlists, play tunes at scheduled times and to have all the easy editing techniques and features that Kevin has shared with us.  I certainly hope many will consider the Donate button to show appreciation for his generosity and talents in keeping a means to play our beloved Disklavier Mark IV.

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Testing Stealth Mode for Wifi Network on Mac

Note: A solution for my vunerable wifi network connected to Disklavier piano without password protection.

Sometimes it is necessary to have an insecure wifi network to connect to other devices in your home. This leaves your network for your computers vunerable for others to use as a free wifi hotspot in your neighborhood. I have been testing the 'stealth mode' option available on my Mac as a means to run my wifi network, but make it 'invisible' to others nearby.

It seems to be working. My wifi network is NOT showing up as an option on my iPhone or iPad. However, I am able to connect to this so called invisible or stealth network as I know the exact name that I have assigned to that network. I merely go into the system preferences on my iPhone or iPad and select wifi network and 'Other' and type in the exact name of the network to connect.

Here are the steps to setting up or creating a closed network:

To set up your wifi network on your Mac to 'invisible' or stealth mode it is necessary to run the application called 'Airport Utility'.

Select the network from the left hand column that you wish to put into stealth mode or to make invisible to others. Select 'Manual Setup'.


Select the 'Wireless' tab and click on 'Wireless Network Options'



A dialog box will appear, click on 'Create a closed network' and 'Done'


Select 'Update' to save changes.

At this point I also rebooted my Mac to make sure that all the changes took effect, not sure if that was necessary. When I checked my iPhone and iPad the network was NOT visible. I selected Other and typed in the exact name and was able to connect without a problem.

Next notify the members of your family that you have made some changes to the network, so that they don't panic when they are unable to connect via wifi using their iphones, ipads and computers in your home. Tweet

Airport Express or Airport Extreme?

        Cons to getting an Airport Express:

           1.  Airport Express will only handle 10 wireless connections at a time instead of 50 for the Extreme. However, 10 is more than enough for the typical household. So, the limit of 10 is not really a disadvantage. 

           2.  The USB port on the Airport Express can be connected to only a printer, whereas the USB port on the "Extreme" can also handle a hard drive for a central backup drive for several household computers. But, if network backup capability is not needed this is not really a disadvantage.

        Pros for getting an Airport Express:

          1. The Airport Express is less expensive (i.e. $99 compared to $179).

          2. The Airport Express has an additional feature called "AirTunes" which is not included with the Airport Extreme. This "Air Tunes" feature allows you to play iTunes music from any Mac thru your home stereo system (or whatever).  There is also an App for the iPhone which makes the iPhone a remote control for song selection, volume, etc.  However, you need a single audio cable connection running from the Airport Express (audio output jack) to the home stereo system (any audio input). This would be an easy connection if the Airport Express were in the living room. But the ethernet internet cable (and USB printer cable) also needs to connect to the Airport Express. So, to use this "Air Tunes" feature you would need to route an audio cable thru the wall (or floor) into the living room (or buy a 2nd AirPort Express).

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