Query about geotagging (& Sony GPS-CS3KA)

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Level 1

1 points

Query about geotagging (& Sony GPS-CS3KA)

Hi All,

I'm looking at purchasing a Geotagging device, and as I have a Sony camera I was looking at also getting the Sony GPS unit GPS-CS3KA. My query is whether there is a Standard in Geotagging that all devices use? Sony only advertise on their site that it works with their Picture Motion Browser in Windows, but I would assume that once the unit has tagged the photos this would work in iPhoto '09 as well? Does anyone have any experience with this particular device? I like how it tags the photos without have to use any software to do it (Though I have read the recent Geotagging thread which shows other devices that work in the same way)

Many thanks for any advice anyone can offer,

Colin

iMac 24" 2.66GHz 4GB, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on May 25, 2009 4:33 AM

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Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

May 25, 2009 8:16 AM in response to ukcolinr

Yes - there is a a standard for metadata stored in the JPEG - google EXIF and IPTC

ANd yes if the geo tagging is included in the photo when it is imported to iPhoto it will work

BUT - the Sony does require software to add the data and their software only woeks on a pc

Once the images and data are on your PC, the supplied image tracker software synchronizes the photos with latitude, longitude and time reading from the GPS-CS3KA unit.

I believe that HougahGeo - http://www.houdah.com/houdahGeo/ - may work with the Sony unit on the Mac

You also might look at the other units people are using - I like the ATP Photo Finder - http://photofinder.atpinc.com/ - that works totally independent of the computer

LN

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Answer 2

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

May 25, 2009 11:25 AM in response to ukcolinr

Hi Colin,
For Geotagging, for the actual device itself there are usually two things you need to consider. One is what format does the device save your logs (e.g. GPX, NMEA, a proprietary format, etc.) and can that format be easily converted to other formats as needed (GPS Babel tends to be the app of choice for conversions between formats). And two, how easy is it to get the log files off the device and onto your Mac.
Beyond that everything else tends to be bells and whistles, for example, don't worry about the software that might come with a device as they are just giving one of many to choose from. You can try out many different apps that are free, shareware, and commercial.
That said, the device you are looking at appears to Geotag photos directly on a memory card, so you don't need a computer to do it. Kind of neat. But again, the two things you will want to investigate with this device is can you easily download the logs from the device to your computer? And in which format are the logs.
While the internal tagging to the card may work great, you may A) run into issues where you need to retag or otherwise fix the tagging (e.g. you accidentally had your camera time set wrong so all the photos are tagged incorrectly) or you simply want to plot your route and see where you walked/drove/biked that day on a map.
Apparently the Sony one connects via USB and mounts as a USB drive so you can get to the log files. No idea which format they are in. I do like that you can use a AA battery in it so you can use a rechargeable AA or grab an alkaline one at a store in a pinch. Non-replaceable built in rechargeable batteries are always kind of scary since you KNOW you will forget to charge it up before a big day out.
I don't care for its price. It is a bit more than most other Data Loggers with really the only additional item being having the ability to Geotag photos directly on SD or Sony memory sticks. But if you want to geotag photos from a camera that uses different types of cards (like Compact Flash in many dSLR cameras) you won't be able to insert hose cards and will be back to geotagging on the computer anyway. If your camera uses Sony Memory Sticks (you do have a Sony, so I guess that would be a yes) or SD cards, then you should be all set.
Other than the price, I don't see anything particularly concerning with the Sony and it will probably work great.
Good luck,
Patrick

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Answer 3

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

May 25, 2009 12:02 PM in response to PT

PT

That said, the device you are looking at appears to Geotag photos directly on a memory card, so you don't need a computer to do it. Kind of neat.

I do not think so - Check the Sony page

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1055 1&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921665751075

the line

Once the images and data are on your PC, the supplied image tracker software synchronizes the photos with latitude, longitude and time reading from the GPS-CS3KA unit.

leads me to believe that it requires a PC program to sync photos - depending on the format of the Sony data it may or may not work with third party programs like HoudahGeo

Of course teh line

Built-in dual card slots for MS/SD memory cards

Built-in Memory Stick Duo and SD card slot offers easy data-matching process (Photo data and GPS log data)
may contradict the earlier line - or may mean that the GPS log is recorded on a removable card (which would be a nice feature)

And there is nothing in the system requirements that indicates any Mac compatibility of any sort

Supported Format(s) : GPS Image Tracker/Picture Motion Browser, Pentium III 500 MHz or faster(Pentium III 800 MHz or faster is recommended), The USB connectors must be provided as standard. CD-ROM drive, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional/XP Home Edition/XP Professional, Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, SP1 *64-bit version

And I agree on the price - it is much more expensive than the ATP and most others that people are using here and may not even have as many features - not sure

LN

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Answer 4

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

May 25, 2009 2:48 PM in response to LarryHN

Built-in Memory Stick Duo and SD card slot offers easy data-matching process (Photo data and GPS log data) may contradict the earlier line - or may mean that the GPS log is recorded on a removable card (which would be a nice feature)

This is the site I found a little bit of info on this device...

http://scilib.typepad.com/techreviews/2009/02/sony-gpscs3ka-next-generation-gps- logger-finally-announced.html

where he says after playing with the device "The external memory cards you insert cannot be used to store logs, only for geotagging digital camera photos"

And there is nothing in the system requirements that indicates any Mac compatibility of any sort

Same site he says, "It mounts as a USB drive, like the CS1, and the USB drive is Mac-compatible, so you can download the logs (processing the logs on the Mac is left to you; no Mac software is provided). See my posting Sony GPS-CS3 is a Mac compatible GPS logger for more information."

And I agree on the price - it is much more expensive than the ATP and most others that people are using here and may not even have as many features - not sure

Ya, if the slot allowed you to log directly to memory cards, that might be worth a little extra money, especially if you travel extensively for long periods away from a computer. But since it doesn't, I probably would opt for one a lot less in price unless the Sony proves to have some other features we are not aware of to make it worth extra.

Cheers,
Patrick

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