topic Camera file naming convension filename modification in Z Series

Camera file naming convension filename modification

Bouvrie — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:06:16 GMT

I'd like to have the camera app on my Xperia ZL append date and time to the filename of recorded media (pictures, videos). I had this mod on my previous phone (i900) that changed the SNC00001.jpg, SNC00002.jpg, etc. to 090323_224107.jpg, 090323_224537.jpg... <date_time.jpg> etc. Can this setting be tweaked somehow on the Xperia phone, possibly with an updated camera app release?

The procedure of having to manually keep a copy of the most recent item on the storage to remember the last ID, is cumbersome, not to mention the fact that save for the EXIF information, data about when the file was created is lost the moment one copies the file to the PC (creation date will be the date of copying).

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

Rickard — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 14:50:15 GMT

It's not possible to change the filename used by the camera but i can forward the feedback.

One solution may be to use a software in your PC that renames files using the EXIF-information. I haven't tested any such software but google for exif file renamer and you'll find several softwares that can do this.

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

Bouvrie — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 19:31:59 GMT

One solution may be to use a software in your PC that renames files using the EXIF-information. I haven't tested any such software but google for exif file renamer and you'll find several softwares that can do this.

Yeah, though this isn't a structural solution, it's just a way to fight the symptoms of not having unique filenames across camera sessions. Usually I record photo's and video then when the storage is full I move the files onto my PC for later processing. When I use the camera again, I'll have duplicate filenames which prevents me from moving the files to my PC unless I either put them in a different folder, OR if I rename either batch of files' filenames. This is quite a hassle without reason.

I don't see why filenames should have an arbitrary, meaningless technical number (like they have now) when they could be uniquely identifyable across sessions by means of a date+timestamp in the filename. It's a common system used in many other camera apps these days too, it's a shame that the otherwise OK camera lacks this functionality IMO.

In user experience terms, it feels like I took a step back in functionality, coming from my old 2008-era Windows Mobile phone to a 2013 Android phone. At least the Xperia ZL has a dedicated 2-way camera shutter, which is why I love the phone so much when compared to common Android phones that lack hardware buttons!

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

xerpburp — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 08:15:54 GMT

This issue presents a huge problem. The file names are scattered all over the place because the xerpia doesn't use dates.

This is a must for categorization.

Fix this, please! I changed from Samsung (who used dates in the file name) because of the camera... but this presents a huge problem when filing chronologically (which is like the best way to file)...

I have hundreds of photos that are now tangled up in random order because of this.

Get it done in the next update, please.

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

Sara_D — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 04:18:21 GMT

I'm using another camera app from google play (though xperia default camera is way better than the app) just because Xperia default camera filename is not having date and time. Hope Sony will fix this problem in the next update.

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

karthikg2007 — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 15:19:38 GMT

Yes, this is a real problem.. I moved from a iPhone 5 to Xperia Z1 and take a lot of pictures.. Now its difficult to manage them using the current naming given by the default camera app!

Please SONY fix this with 4.3 or Kitkat software for Xperia Z1

Thanks in advance.

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

Harris_Burgh — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:52:40 GMT

Becuase of how the Sony names picture files, I end up with duplicate names. For example, if I take 30 photos, move them to my pc and delete the photos from my phone, the names start back over at 1. So, when I go to put the new set onto my computer, it has trouble becuase of the duplicate names. I have to rename them all just to introduce the new set of files. This needs to be fixed ASAP and sent out as an update! Please!

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

Mikeyh — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 21:26:51 GMT

i'm just xperiencing.... this problem myself trying to catalogue the wifes photo collection. how frustrating to have the stock camera restart the number sequence once the folder is cleared out... seems to be a major step backwards from older handsets??

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

onedutch — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 12:35:53 GMT

Dear Richard,

Could you make sure that in the upcomming update it is fixed? PLease add Created Date in the Filenam, it's a HUGE step back in time... EXIF is useless, everytime you use the option to move files to your SD the created date is altered...

Unbelievable...

Regards,

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

Chugal — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:02:22 GMT

I agree to all of the previous posts, the current naming behaviour is massively annoying please improve this!

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

Bouvrie — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 08:25:49 GMT

I really doubt this will get "fixed". In terms of consumer satisfaction, Sony is at the very bottom of my list.

It's even more frustrating when I keep resorting to my old Windows Mobile phone from 2008 (6 years ago!), because:

It does filenames as you'd expect (after a tweak, but at least it's tweakable).
Its smaller size is more comfortable in my hand.
All its advertised functions work.
I have it in my posession. I sent in my Xperia ZL to be replaced for the Nth time now a month or so ago, still haven't heard back from Sony.

Sorry for the rant, but I'm kinda fed up, having bought a phone to replace my "productivity unit", only to end up half a year later with still no working phone.

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

jibberish — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 22:04:51 GMT

Same here- im a massive sony fan boy but might have to switch my phone to a SS galaxy for my next upgrade because of this. that will mean my smart phone and tv both being samsung because of sonys inability to provide the funtionality i want.

If samsung ever deide to make game consoles, sony might be screwed!

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

avanzado — Mon, 12 May 2014 11:24:26 GMT

I can't belive my eyes. This is a popular problem that should be fixed by Sony. It's clear that the way Sony manage Filenames does not help users to short and manage their media files created by the Xperia cam, so, Sony, please, fix it to help your users. Thanks

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

earlinlayo — Sun, 18 May 2014 05:47:29 GMT

There should be a setting to change file naming convention. It is really cumbersome that a lot of pictures have the same name especially the BURST feature, file saving is really crappy. i have about 100 pictures with the same name DSC00001.jpg.

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

Vane — Wed, 21 May 2014 20:25:35 GMT

This problem still exist in Xperia Z2. Nobody cares about a real camera issue for a camera replacement smartphone.

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

altr33 — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 23:35:56 GMT

i can't believe this topic was brought up almost a year ago and sony still has not fixed the problem. not even a simple apology of how slack the process of fixing (if any) on their part.

anyways i too have been mindf*%ked as to why sony has let it happen for so long but after some searching around i came across an app called DSC Auto Rename. just go to google play and type in and install. works really well and should fix all the above problems..

hope this helps

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

Bouvrie — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:26:42 GMT

Which Xperia do you have altr33? I tried DSC Auto Rename (based on the description it's a better fix than EXIF rename tools which only target the photos, NOT the movies) but my Xperia ZL reboots as soon as it tries to rename something?

On Windows, I found the freeware "Advanced Renamer" to work nicely in tackling this Sony shortcoming, but this problem should still be fixed straight in the phone, in the camera software!

*edit*

Got DSC Auto Rename working, turned out I had too many files on the device to be renamed, causing Android to kill the non-responsive app. The filenames resulting from the app are exactly what I was looking for. However, the app's service sometimes seems to fail on me (perhaps due to memory management?), meaning files aren't always renamed.

Still, it's the best workaround-solution available until Sony gets this fixed!

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

espagne1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 09:43:18 GMT

I had the same frustration, but I have found a perfect solution:

A simple app called "DSC Auto Rename" by Ciubex

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ro.ciubex.dscautorename

Works perfect!

Save your pictures to your internal memory, because once on the external, it can't change anything anymore. What a wonderfull latest Android update (not!!). After the app has changed the name (I set it to 3 seconds) to the exif information-name, I move my pictures to external.

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

mozziehd — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 22:30:02 GMT

I have the same issue with Microsoft OneDrive camera auto backup : (on a Z3 compact)

Once it has saved a photo with a name, it won't save it another one with the same name to the cloud, even if does not exist there ! (not a good app too)

Generally phone software is poorly designed, (Sony PlayMemories has other problems)

So I can't have all my photos saved

Same problem if i delete one on the phone, the new one with the same name will never be saved ^^ !

Please SONY, simply NEVER re-use the same photo number, like in your real digital cameras. Please be consistent !

Thanks if you fix this.

Re: Camera file naming convension filename modification

JakubHajek — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 17:30:55 GMT

This is so far the most annoying thing with my 3 months old Xperia Z3, Sonys "flagship". I switched from SG3+Blackberry to Xperia and if this is not fixed I will buy Samsung again, or LG, ignorance of this kind when Sony does not fix such a thing for 3 years is unbelievable.