Horrible video quality

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:12 am

I recently upgraded to DMF4 and I use a PVR350 to record shows and movies from digital cable. I have never had any problem until the update. Now, I record the program and it plays back fine on WinTV2000 and WMP. However, when I import it into DMF, the colors are completely "washed out" and dull. Mostly pastel pinks, yellows and oranges.

Is there some setting I need to change? I have updated Movie Factory and installed the patch for the PVR350, but the problem persists.

Any ideas?

maddrummer3301 · Post by **maddrummer3301** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:21 am

Hi,
I would re-download the latest update again and re-install the update again. It's possible you have a bad download (corrupted file(s)).
The Re-Boot the computer after installing the updates.

Also, change your working folder or delete everything from the old working folder.
Clean out all temp files in your home/users/directory.

* Corrupted downloads have been reported before.
Make sure to download the correct operating system patch for MF4.

Hope this helps,

MD

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:59 am

That didn't change a thing, even with newly recorded material. Thanks for the reply, though!

maddrummer3301 · Post by **maddrummer3301** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:50 pm

One can only make helpful suggestions. Haven't read any postings related to your problem.

Suggestions:
Maybe re-install MF4 original then the updates etc.
Re-Install latest version of directx 9.0c
Check video card settings and recent drivers.

E-Mail tech support.

Confusing how it worked before and after an update it's doing this.
I've haven't encountered that problem nor has anyone posted that problem related to the latest update.

Hope this helps,

MD

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:30 pm

I'm just a little confused reading your post. You said you upgraded to v4, then updated. When did the colour start being a problem, after UPGRADE or after UPDATE?

Something I would check, is whether either process changed your default system (PAL/NTSC). Also in MSP there is an option to apply colour filters, which for me has caused similar problem. I only have mf4 that was bundled with msp8, so not sure of all options in full version, maybe something similar?

Regards,
Greg

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:12 pm

I've done some checking about and found that this problem exists for me on Nero 7 and WinDVD as well. I assume this is something on the PVR350 end. I found a tip online that WINTV2000 files will play on WMP when they won't play elsewhere. I selected overlay, but that didn't help at all. This is quite annoying!

In the interest of full discloure, I am quite an idiot in these matters, so don't assume I know anything.

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:47 pm

Wolf wrote:.... In the interest of full discloure, I am quite an idiot in these matters, so don't assume I know anything.

By your definition, we are all born idiots. It took me more then a year to learn how to walk, to speak took even longer, putting up with everything life will throw at you, well..., I'm still trying to cope with that

When exactly do you notice the color change? Do you have any video filters active in MF4?

When you play the originally recorded file, you stated it is ok. What format is it in?

How do you go about importing the recorded file into MF4?

Can you please copy your project settings here?

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:02 pm

I actually kept plugging until I was able to burn my project in nice quality. I went into Hauppage/Primary and selected "Overlay" again and restarted. That allowed my video files and live TV to be played nicely in MF4, but then WINTV2000 suffered the previous fate of MF4! The video THERE went to pot. Sooooo, after burning the DVD, I switched it back to "Allow VMR" and WINTV2000 cleared up and the video sucked in MF4 again. dang....

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:34 pm

Thanks for all the replies. I noticed this problem when I upgraded to MF4 from MF2 SE. I don't know how to check for video filters.
The files play fine in WINTV2000 and WMP. I import the files from My Videos when I click on the film icon in MF4.

Here are my project settings:

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 7000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Do not convert compliant MPEG files

Two-pass conversion

Auto repeat when disc playback ends

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:37 am

It's obviously a compatibility problem WINTV2000/MF 4. Since I don't use WINTV2000, I cannot help any further.

Hopefully some other user of this software combination can offer an insight here.

maddrummer3301 · Post by **maddrummer3301** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:00 pm

Heinz,
>>It's obviously a compatibility problem WINTV2000/MF 4. Since I don't >>use WINTV2000, I cannot help any further.

He's also having the same problem with Nero and another program.
I would think that any ulead product would give him trouble with this condition because they all preview using the "Direct_Show" driver.

I would suspect something with the Video Card drivers or Directx interface.
Never easy is it, windows, gotta figure it out yourself.

Is WINTV2000 running a background program?
Is the videocards memory writing video data to another program and busy with that in the background?
Are you also using a WebCam operation at the sametime as trying to run video programs?

It sounds to me like there is a "Video_Overlay" feature that's active on his desktop that's interfering with other video programs.

MD

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:00 pm

Woo hoo!! Fixed it. I took maddrummer's hunch and updated DirectX and played with drivers until I found the right one. Everything is running well now. Thanks for the help!