Wimbleball Reservoir, or Wimbleball Lake. Is an interesting place for tourists to visit, but it is also very interesting for engineers and scientists, as there is a lot of interesting things going on to make it work.
Please find the below map that shows interesting features. You can click on markers to reveal extra facts and figures.
When I download a video from Google Photos the video is audio only, no visual element is included.
I upload a working video (.MOV) from my Apple iphone, and when I then downloaded that video to my PC, I only get the audio.
By "working" I mean that I can use the .MOV file on my PC, watching it in media player, or editing it in Movie Maker.
Google support forums have lots of people with this problem, but no solution is offered. After using google support for first time owing to a problem. I now have two problems as they terminated our conversation without a solution. They have said they will email. . . but we'll see.
Immediate Work Around
If you just need a quick fix then you can use an online convertor to change .MOV to MP4. You can then use the MP4 files in you editing software.
More Detail
After 1 hour on chat with a two google support staff, I narrow problem to:
"So problem videos use hvc1 codec. . . . and working videos use avc1 codec. I upload an avc1 codec video to google photos and it downloads as hcv1."
I found a handy little program called GSpot that analysis video files and this told me about the different codec that were being used before and after download.
When I transfer a video using a USB cable, it arrives on PC as avc1 codec. This works perfectly. Please note where the video codec name comes back as H.264
When I download a video from google photos, the video codec is different and is Named as "unknown".
Fix 1 - Change Video Storage Format on Iphone
This fix will not help with videos already stored on Google Photos. But it will fix onward compatibility problems.
On you iphone navigate:
Settings
Camera
Formats
Select: (Compatibility)
If I do this then I find I can download videos from google photos and work with them on the PC.
Fix 2 - Pending
Hopefully Google Support will get back with a proper fix.
Chat transcript for case: 7-7409000033723
17 Jan, 00:46 (Pacific Time)
00:46:26 Maze: Maze joined the conversation
00:46:26 Dorky Thorpy: Dorky Thorpy joined the conversation
00:46:28 Maze: 7-7409000033723
Hi Dorky Thorpy. Thanks for being a Google One member. My name is Maze. How are you today?
00:46:37 Dorky Thorpy: Good thanks
00:46:44 Dorky Thorpy: You?
00:46:54 Maze: I'm glad to hear that, Dorky. I'm doing well, thanks for asking.
00:47:02 Maze: Before we proceed, may I confirm that you're contacting us about the email rollingreenhills@gmail.com, is that right?
00:47:11 Dorky Thorpy: yes
00:47:44 Maze: Thanks for confirming your email. I can see here that you have a concern with the download videos from Google Photos as it is playing as audio only, am I right?
00:47:54 Dorky Thorpy: yes
00:49:07 Maze: I'm sorry to hear that and I totally understand. No worries, I'll do my best to help you and if we can't find a solution, I will collect feedback for our developers and give you an external resource that you might be able to use.
00:49:21 Maze: May I know what device you are currently using?
00:51:27 Maze: Just checking, are we still connected?
00:51:30 Dorky Thorpy: I am downloading videos from google photos to a windows 7 PC. I can play the video OK straight in google photos. And I can take them straight off iphone with USB cable. It is download from google photos that is problematic, audio only.
00:52:13 Maze: Is it happening on all the videos?
00:52:28 Maze: Or there's only a certain video that having this kind of issue?
00:52:51 Dorky Thorpy: I have downloaded a zip file, with 5 videos in and they all show same problem.
00:53:11 Maze: And can you tell me the file type of video that was saved on Google Photos and if it is changing after downloading on your computer?
00:53:43 Maze: Is it possible if you can try to download the 1 video and tell me if it is the same issue?
00:53:54 Dorky Thorpy: They are both .mov (quick time).
00:54:31 Dorky Thorpy: Yes I have downloaded a single video (this arrives unzipped) and I have the same issue.
00:55:23 Maze: Can you please try to go to this link https://photos.google.com/unsupportedvideos?
00:55:36 Maze: Then, select 1 video to download.
00:55:42 Maze: And let me know how it goes.
00:57:43 Dorky Thorpy: Tried both, and neither play.
00:57:44 Dorky Thorpy: TITLE.doc [Compatibility Mode] - Word_2023-01-17_08-56-21.jpg
00:57:52 Maze: Checking.
00:58:39 Maze: Is it still downloading as mov file?
00:58:57 Maze: And can you also please try downloading 1 video via phone device?
00:59:07 Dorky Thorpy: No they downloaded oK, but wouldn't play as per screen shot.
00:59:33 Maze: Okay, do you have VLC media player on your computer?
01:00:02 Dorky Thorpy: yes i'll try that
01:00:13 Maze: Let me know how it goes.
01:00:33 Maze: As mov is a video format that was developed by Apple.
01:01:02 Dorky Thorpy: 0130_Message.jpg
01:01:10 Maze: Checking.
01:01:25 Dorky Thorpy: Same message for 0128
01:02:00 Maze: Is it downloaded as .mov format or hvc1.?
01:02:22 Dorky Thorpy: In downloads folder it is : .MOV
01:02:46 Dorky Thorpy: But message in screen shot (from VCL) says hvc1. . .
01:03:26 Maze: That's right. Can you try to convert this video file to mp4?
01:03:44 Dorky Thorpy: how do I do that please
01:04:30 Maze: You can go to www.google.com.
01:04:42 Maze: And search for .mov converter to mp4.
01:06:19 Dorky Thorpy: Yes that work for 0130
01:07:17 Maze: Okay, it means that it was not supported by the Windows Media Player.
01:07:34 Maze: Because of Apple restrictions with the file type.
01:08:07 Maze: As the .mov file developed by Apple.
01:08:16 Dorky Thorpy: But why can I take videos off of phone with uSB cable, they work ok then.
01:09:23 Dorky Thorpy: Code I not download a codec pack or something, is that a good idea ?
01:10:12 Maze: Apologies, as this restrictions are set by Apple but I can recommend you to contact Windows to better assist you with this matter.
01:11:02 Maze: As we don't have tools and resources for this information regarding with Apple restriction and Windows media player.
01:11:45 Dorky Thorpy: This is clearly a google problem. I upload videos that work to google photos, and then when I download them, they don't work anymore. It is not an apple restriction, because I can play the videos when I take straight from device when I use USB.
01:14:35 Maze: I do understand. However, once you upload to Google Photos it will only copy the file type from your device and that's the reason why it is working properly. The file type is working properly it's just that your Windows Media Player doesn't support this file type.
01:15:40 Dorky Thorpy: So my phone is running a newer version of .mov?
01:15:59 Dorky Thorpy: If that is case how come, I can get file with USB and it works OK.
01:16:57 Maze: Do you mean that you are downloading the videos on your USB from Google Photos, is that right?
01:19:33 Maze: Because if the download file is the same format from the Google Photos, there's no issue on your file, it is just the media player that you are using.
01:19:56 Dorky Thorpy: No. I take video from phone to PC, with no issues.
01:20:23 Dorky Thorpy: I take .MOV from phone with USB = Good
01:20:42 Dorky Thorpy: I take .MOV from google photos download = Bad
01:21:35 Maze: It is only with the file format that is accepting by your media player.
01:21:42 Maze: But there's no issue with the file.
01:22:21 Dorky Thorpy: So the upload / download to google photos, is changing the video somehow. How do I stop that happening.
01:23:17 Maze: I'll be needing to check on my resources more about your issue. Can you give me 4-6 minutes?
01:23:51 Dorky Thorpy: Yes that is fine.
01:25:01 Maze: Thanks and I'll be right back.
01:29:42 Maze: Thanks for patiently waiting, Dorky.
01:30:31 Maze: Windows Media Player can play MOV files, but you need to download and install the 3ivx codec software.
01:31:30 Maze: As if you are unable to play it properly with the particular file type on your Windows device, it's because you do not have the program that runs that type of file installed on your computer.
01:33:16 Maze: Not to rush you, but are you still there?
01:33:28 Dorky Thorpy: Working
01:34:02 Maze: I'm glad we're still connected. Please take your time and keep me updated.
01:39:43 Maze: Just checking, are you still working on it?
01:40:17 Dorky Thorpy: Hmmm. So even if I open the download video from google photos with itunes it doesn't work then either.
01:41:06 Dorky Thorpy: Have downloaded and installed 3ivx and that didn't work.
01:41:34 Maze: Can you send a screenshot of the error message?
01:42:18 Dorky Thorpy: itunes - plays with sounds only, same as media player
01:42:33 Dorky Thorpy: 3ivx - same error messages as before
01:43:20 Maze: Can your tell me the OS version of your computer as well?
01:43:50 Dorky Thorpy: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
01:45:16 Maze: Thank you! I am going to consult it to our higher tier.
01:47:41 Dorky Thorpy: Analysis of Video Downloaded from Google Photos
01:47:41 Dorky Thorpy: Program Manager_2023-01-17_09-46-55.jpg
01:47:54 Maze: Checking.
01:49:02 Maze: I am already connected to our higher tier.
01:49:24 Dorky Thorpy: Analysis of Video taken with USB to PC - This plays OK
01:49:24 Dorky Thorpy: Program Manager_2023-01-17_09-48-06.jpg
01:51:42 Maze: I'm already explaining the said concern to our higher tier.
01:54:38 Dorky Thorpy: So problem videos use hvc1 codec. . . . and working videos use avc1 codec. I upload an avc1 codec video to google photos and it downloads as hcv1.
01:56:04 Maze: So it means that the file format was changed, it that right?
01:56:40 Dorky Thorpy: Yes still .MOV. But requiring different codec.
01:57:15 Maze: I'm advising our higher tier about this matter.
02:00:43 Maze: Did you change the file type?
02:01:06 Maze: Can you tell me how did you upload the videos on your Google Photos?
02:01:07 Dorky Thorpy: No i didnt change anything.
02:02:13 Dorky Thorpy: The photos were backed up, from my iphone.
02:02:25 Dorky Thorpy: using google photos app
02:03:58 Maze: Informing it to our higher tier now.
02:08:20 Maze: Can you confirm if you are having issue when downloading the video back to your iPhone device?
02:08:57 Dorky Thorpy: When I take video from iphone with USB cable there is no issue.
02:09:17 Maze: How about from Google Photos app directly?
02:09:58 Dorky Thorpy: If you look at the hcv1 codec analysis in screen shot from GSpot it say it is "unknown". So google photos downloads are using an unknown codec?
02:10:28 Dorky Thorpy: You can watch videos OK directly in google photos app.
02:10:28 Maze: It is to set aside the issue.
02:12:29 Maze: Are you able to do it?
02:12:44 Dorky Thorpy: Do what?
02:13:08 Maze: To download a video on your iPhone device.
02:13:34 Maze: As it is different from playing it from your Google Photos app.
02:13:54 Dorky Thorpy: Ok ill give it a try
02:14:15 Maze: I appreciate your patience with this.
02:14:47 Dorky Thorpy: No worries, well done for sticking with it.
02:14:56 Maze: Please take your time and keep me updated.
02:19:13 Maze: Not to rush you, are you still working on it?
02:19:32 Dorky Thorpy: yes still investgating
02:20:00 Maze: Thank you and I'll wait for your update.
02:25:44 Maze: I hope I didn't lose you. Are we still connected?
02:25:48 Dorky Thorpy: So I can download, and view in iphone photos app, but when I connect USB the video does not show in data folder. . .
02:26:22 Maze: Can you send a screenshot of it?
02:27:43 Dorky Thorpy: I guess you can always email me if we get disconnected, there are a lot of people with this problem on the forums, and no one have provided a solution.
02:27:43 Dorky Thorpy: IMG_2275[1].PNG
02:28:03 Maze: Checking.
02:33:44 Maze: Waiting for our higher tier update.
02:39:53 Maze: As per our higher tier, you need to contact Windows support to further check with them correct extension or player that will support the file type to be able to work properly.
02:42:16 Maze: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
02:44:16 Maze: I'll be sending you an email about what we have discussed today as your reference. Should you have additional concerns, you can simply reply to the email so I can assist you personally.
02:45:14 Maze: It was a pleasure chatting with you today! Google loves customer feedback, so you can also click into a quick survey about your overall support experience at the end of this chat. Thanks again for contacting Google One Support Team. Have a great day!
02:45:18 Maze: Maze left the conversation
02:45:18 Maze: Thanks for chatting! Let us know how we did:
https://support.google.com/googleone/contact/survey_transactional_short?ctx=chat&caseid=AEvjbGWTDsr4q87iz5JGxg_qWteWrlxNNCtBFZhYqeHTRCBOdD3CMCFoN-A=
02:45:19 Maze: Maze ended the conversation
What are the major difficulties in heating and cooling an old
house?
Older houses will tend to have thinner insulation, they could be draughty, and are likely to have less efficient heating systems.
This means that as you try to heat you home the heat is escaping, and so you need to pay for more and more heat to keep the house at a comfortable temperature.
It is the opposite in the summer. The cold air escapes, and heat from outside can get in easily.
What technologies exist to bring more sustainable
options?
There are many many ways in which you can make an old house more sustainable follow the 3 steps below to upgrade you old house:
Be Lean - Install Insulation and Draft Proofing. Ventilate using heat recovery where possible. About 300mm / 12" of insulation is good in a loft. It is often harder to put extra insulation in walls and floors, but insulation can be "blown" in to these spaces. Blown EPS Beads are a good choice and perform very well. Draft proofing can work too, but some air flow is required to prevent mould growth, and other damp related issues.
Be Green - To reduce the carbon emissions associated with heating you home, opt for some renewable. Solar Panels on the roof, can generate green electricity, or make hot water for showers.
Be Clean - Opt for electric heating. Burning gas or oil to keep you home warm will reduce local air quality. Electric heating might include air source heat pumps or ground source heat pumps.
How can you install ductwork and other airflow mechanisms without ruining an old home?
Duct work can be installed in lofts and in crawl spaces with little effort. But in reality there is no need for ducting at all. Modern technologies such as heat pumps deliver heat to rooms through very thin tubing, and cause very little disruption.
Electric under floor heating is invisible if installed sympathetically. Although it is an expensive way to heat a home, it can be affordable if yu home is well insulated.
Some houses in Europe are built to a passivhaus standard meaning they require heating for only a few days a year. Even in very cold regions.
What are low-budget DIY projects you can do? (Sealing old doors, double glazed windows, that kind of thing.)
A new set of window may look good, but they are one of least cost effective sustainability measures you can buy.
Choose insulation and draft proofing first. Draft proofing strips can improve airtightness around old doors, but are seldom needed on new doors.
Upgrading loft insulation from 50mm to 270mm, pays for itself in 4 years. In terms of carbon emissions the payback is just 6 months!
The TMARS 419L Mechanical Dropper is a cheap Mechanical Dropper Seatpost. I purchased one about a year ago, and although it worked OK, I returned it as it was an annoying bit of kit.
The thing works. But it does not go up and down very much, and owing to he design, it can mean that you can no longer drop you saddle low enough, this inability to lower the saddle far enough is just as annoying whether the post is extended or lowered.
Unfortunately I returned it without taking any pictures so this review is stock images only. Sorry
TMARS 419L Mechanical Dropper
Good Points
The seat post is cheap, and it works. It takes a bit of getting used to.
Lowering to Saddle
In short you have to depress the remote lever, which allows you body weight to push down (drop) the saddle.
Raising the Saddle
When you raise the saddle, you have to keep weight on the saddle whilst against pressing he remote lever. The return spring is very strong. If you press the remote lever whilst hovering over the saddle "wham" it will shoot up and hit you in the crotch.
These points are not bad. Its just how the thing works.
Bad Points
There were three points for me that meant that I did not keep this TMARS Mechanical Dropper seat post:
1 - Minimum Height
On my bike if I drop the standard seatpost all the way down, I am happy. I can get back over the rear wheel, and all is well. But I I use the TMARS 419L Mechanical Dropper, i found that now my saddle (at minimum height) is 3 inches higher, because of the various collars, and wires and clamps between telescopic section and top of seat tube.
Clamps and Cable Fitting Prevent Full Lowering
2 - Maximum Height
Conversely it also means that if you currently use less than 120mm on a stand seatpost, then your saddle will be too high when this seatpost in fully extended.
3 - Side to Side Play
The seatpost has a lot of side to side play. The nose of the saddle will move approx 5 - 8mm in either direction. This is an annoying sensation.
The Alfine 11 is probably the best hub gear you can get for under £500. The Alfine 11 Pros and Cons are numerous. Perhaps when you are reading about Afine 11 Pros and Cons below, you may think of some extras! Well we would love to hear about them, please leave a comment.
These comments relate to the SG-S700 model (pre-2019) the SG-7000 models may be different.
Up Front Summary
In short I have found the Alfine 11 to have more cons than pros. When I first reviewed this Alfine 11 out of the box, and perhaps for the first 1 or 2 years it was beautiful, but after this honeymoon period the skipping problems (in gear 5, 6 , 7) become more prevalent, the oil change process is poorly designed, and the seals are over simple and prone to leaking.
In short I would not recommend an Alfine 11 even though a derailleur system requires more cleaning, and higher frequency of chain / cassette replacement this does not outway the poor reliability, and tricky servicing of the alfine 11.
For me the worst of all cons is the skipping in gear 5, 6, and 7. I don't mind that the hub requires servicing, or needs oil leaks fixing. But after you do all of this it should work well. But no matter how much I fiddle around with the indexing the gears still skip, this spoils the ride. And for me the ride is a valuable de-stress mechanism.
In my experience, the Alfine 11 lasts 2 years before it starts becoming very annoying. And to spend £400 on bike part that only last two years is not a good return on value.
Alfine 11 Pros
Here are some good points that would perhaps encourage you to get a bike with an alfine 11 hub gear. Please note that this is quite short list!
Mud
My typical riding involves cycling 10 to 20 miles along country roads that are covered in mud, and animal dung. Even with full mudguards (plus additional mudguard flaps), you end up with a lot of mud going on drive train. The alfine 11 is quite good in that all of the gears are hidden away in a clean oil bath, so mud and grit does not go on them.
Alfine 11 Covered in Mud
Of course the chain, chain rings and sprockets are still exposed, but you could run a full chain guard to prevent mud going on them. Mud on you drive train shortens its life span.
Noise
The alfine 11 is very quite. This is a major pro for me. There are no freewheel noises when you coast, and the gear changes are (unless skipping) just a little click.
Shift at Standstill
Unlike derailleur gears you can change gear without pedalling. This is quite handy, but of course most derialler uses shift before they stop.
Alfine 11 Cons
Moving in to the 3rd, 4th and 5th year of riding, this hub has become more and more troublesome.
Skipping
The nail in the coffin for me is the skipping gears in 5, 6, 7. This happens when pedalling hard up a hill, and there is a horrible crunching noise, and the gears slip. If you are "floating" in the saddle at this point, then you drop down on saddle with a bump, and hurt your testicals. It is also a shock, and as you are normally pushing your self to get up the hill, it can be stressful.
Forums are FULL of people trying to fix this, but in reality the variety of things that people claim to work suggests that the problem is hard to diagnose, and often something one has to live with. From memory things that people have tried include:
Changing Oil
Adjusting Bearings
Replacing Cables
Adjusting Indexing Away from Recommended Yellow Lines
Different Oil (Rohloff for Example)
Cleaning Hub Shift Arm Assembly (Small Parts Kit)
Use of Cable Length Tool - TLS700
All of these thing may work. The derailleur alternative I know I could get to work 100% perfect, but with this hub, it relies more on the manufactured system, so harder to fix when it malfunctions.
TLS700 Cable Tool - One of many "cures" discussed.
Oil Leaks
I keep this bike in a shed. But if you put it in a car, or keep it in your flat, then the oil leaks will not please you. For me, I had the bearing cone come loose (???) and this causes seal to move position and all of oil run out on to chain, trousers and shoes. I investigate this in the below video:
Chain Length
It took me about 3 year to figure out the correct chain length. This is my fault really. You can either use sprockets with odd number of teeth, or a half link chain. For example, your eccentric bottom bracket or horizontal dropouts do not have enough travel.
In short you can only really diagnose chain length with very careful measuring (???) or trial and error. A worst this costs a new chain (half link) or but and extra sprocket (23 tooth) to experiment with. We explore this more in the below video:
Sprocket Life
If you are not using a full chain cover, then mud and grit will still go on the chain, chainwheel, and sprockets. You are saving wear on a cassette (as the most likely alternative) but not the rest of the running gear.
Conclusions
Please see the summary at the top of page. There are many Alfine 11 Pros and Cons. I wouldn't recommend a 700 series Alfine 11.
Who are the Five Best Marvel Characters? - Spoiler Warning!
When given this question to write on I didn’t know whether to do, strength, villainous, powerful or famous so I’m going to do one from each category as well as my personal favourite.
Hulk
According to Google the strongest marvel character is Hulk however I believe Thor is stronger both physically and emotionally, since Thor knows who to place his blows on they turn out to be stronger because the hulk attacks random things. Also Thor has defeated hulk in a fight.
Loki
My favourite villain is Loki because of his backstory, however the funniest villain has to be the grandmaster. The most villainous would have to be Thanos though, wiping out half of the universe is unparalleled. He also threw his daughter off a cliff so not much of a family man.
Wanda
The most powerful is definitely Wanda, although she is rivalled by Thanos when he has all the stones, she inslaved an entire town and created a massive false reality, although before her death she did become a good guy after being the main villain in Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness and WandaVision.
Cap
The most famous avenger would have to be Captain America although Tony Stark is quite close behind. Steve is the first super soldier/avenger in the mcu and was therefore famous enough before he went into the ice. He was also famously known as the captain of the avengers.
Nat
My personal favourite used to be Natalia Romanova (Natasha Romanoff), before her death in endgame, however recently my favourite character has been Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. As I like his personality although my top five favourite characters would be; Nat, Peter, Loki, Wanda, and Thor. Although if there were six spaces Tony Stark would be on there, even though I was on team cap in Captain America; Civil War.
