Dear Sir,
I am intrested your answer to Wanda. In case you wouldn't turn the page back, I set a new thread here.
/1/ My experience with the update MF4 is very bad. Once I install the latest update, then in joining (16:9) clips, the image will be deformed into 4:3, it is to say the face will be stretched long. It is terrible. So, I have to give up that UPDATE.
I have reported this point to the technical support department of Ulead, they also acknowleged this problem, but seems not any action was taken till today.
/2/ In your answer to Wanda, you said,
"When using MF4 many people think it's in the burning part of the program when it may be in the video/audio conversion process.
So, you must determine if the error is showing up before the burning process such as saying "Converting Title 1 etc"."
This is particularly important for me. You may know, the tenacious problem in my DMF4 is that I cannot treat smoothly the edited-ready film into the last stage (either burning in DVD disc or save temperately in computer as a Video file). The common error message is that “refer xxxxxxx but xxxx could not be …” I have asked helps on this forum. Then I checked my memory, it is perfect.
I finally found, my DMF4 just cannot work with big project, MORE PRECISELY, THE CHAPTER longer than 5~6 minutes. So, I have to cut my story in very small pieces then finally transform them into Video file.
I noticed, the problems really occurred in the stage of “converting titles”. Since you mentioned to notice the moment of error occurring, I am eager to know, do you have special experience with the problem of “converting titles”?
Thanks you!
Zaroy
Message to maddrummer
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heinz-oz
You seem to have a memory problem. Not neccessarily your RAM but your virtual memory. It doesn't matter how much RAM you have on your system, a swap file will still be needed to utilize the physical RAM efficiently.
Another area where your problems could be rooted is the temp files.
Having said all that, please let us know how much free space is on your HDD, when did you defrag it last, what are your virtual memory settings for Windows?
Another area where your problems could be rooted is the temp files.
Having said all that, please let us know how much free space is on your HDD, when did you defrag it last, what are your virtual memory settings for Windows?
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heinz-oz
Here it goes:
Hope that helpsIf not already done, log in with administrator rights
Click "Start" >"Control Panel" > "System"
Select tab "Advanced" and click on "Settings" in the Performance section
Select tab "Visual Effects" and select radio button "Custom" and in the list below tick options "Smooth edges of screen fonts" and "Use drop shadow for icon labels on the desktop" These settings are only cosmetic and can be omitted. However, I find it easier to look at my desktop this way. At the very least, you should select the radio button "Adjust for best performance"
Select tab "Advanced" and make sure the radio buttons for Programs are selected in both cases. Click on "Change" in the virtual memory section.
If you have more than one physical hard disc drive, select one other than the system drive or partition as destination for your swap file. If you set a different drive to the system drive, make sure you leave 172 MB swap file on the system drive. Without this you can end up in serious trouble in case of a fatal error in the system. Windows needs this on the system drive to write a memory dump to.
You do this by selecting the radio button "Custom size" for each drive that has a swap file on it.
The C: drive, if you don't have another HDD fitted: set Initial Size and Maximum size to about 2 x the physical RAM fitted to your system, click "Set" and "OK"
The C: drive, if you do have an additional HDD fitted, do as above but set min/max settings to 172 MB, click "Set" and "OK", select the other HD and proceed as above, setting the swap file to 2 x RAM for min/max settings, click "Set" and "OK"
Click "OK" on the next two windows also and close Control Panel.
Reboot your system.
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maddrummer3301
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: US
Hi,
You can E-Mail anytime. I have MF4 working. If there are any bugs then I report them to ulead.
If your using the standard workflow in MF4 then that's most likely where your problems are creaping up.
In order to use VideoStudio 9 or MovieFactory 4 you need to know exactly the "Source" video material you are working with. Mpeg files are extremely complex video files. Mpeg is the standard for CD and DVD video.
In VideoStudio 9 all the experienced users tell you Not to go directly from the timeline to the burning module. In VS9 you should only be working with dvd compliant files in the burning module. Not that you can't, it's just probable to errors.
THE SAME IS TRUE for MF3/4. You should have dvd video mpeg2 compliant ready to burn files before going into the last phase of burning.
If you have imported non-dvd compliant files, edited video or joined video(s) then they need to made into a mpeg2 dvd compliant file.
To do this in MF4 you use the "Export" Icon (3rd down on the left of the screen). Using the "Export" features you can create the mpg2 dvd compliant file on the harddisk. Then import that new file into the timeline and burn that new dvd compliant file.
Example:
1- Import 4 video mpeg2 files (hopefully all the same video properties).
2- Highlight all of them and "Join" them together on the timeline.
3- Export them to 1 dvd compliant mpeg2 file on the harddisk.
4- Delete the 4 files from the timeline and import the new video (the 4 videos now combined into one file).
If there is a problem with joining the videos it will showup right then (instead of the burning module when you can't tell what's going on, that's the error "Problem converting xxxx bla bla bla".
The Burning Module:
When you burn a dvd the program is Multi-Plexing the video, audio & menu's into a dvd folder structure. It's always best to create dvd folders on the harddisk first before burning a dvd.
Then you test the video created on the harddisk by using the "Ulead Dvd player", Power_Dvd or Win_Dvd. Within the software players you use the feature "Play dvd from harddisk folder" or similar wording.
If you have a dvd compliant video on the timeline, then create a simple menu with NO "MOtion Menu's" and to the burning module. (Fast & Simple)
UN-Check the burn disk and click on the drop-down arrow on the right side to display additional burning options.
CHeck ON "Create Dvd Folders" and create the dvd folders on the harddisk. Creating dvd folders on the harddisk is the SAME file structure as on the DVD except it's on the harddisk.
When you use this method and working with dvd compliant file you will see MF4 fly through the process. It will start to create the dvd file structure immediately on the harddisk. Very fast, No converting video title's etc.
As a test make a simple slide show and export it to an mpg2 file (that's what MF4 is doing anyway in the last stage).
When you export the slideshow to mpg2 file after the file is created on the harddisk then delete the slideshow from the timeline and import the mpeg2 file (now the slideshow in the proper dvd compliant video format). Create chapters, a simple menu and burn to the harddisk.
After dvd folders are created on the harddisk you can use MF4 or Nero to create a dvd-video disk from that harddisk folder (The VIDEO_TS folder). Personnally I like to use "Nero" because it has a "Verify" feature to check and make sure the data was written to the dvd correctly.
When burning a dvd folder to dvd you must tell the software program to create a dvd-video dvd, otherwise you may end up with just a dvd data dvd (may play on the computer but not in a consumer dvd player).
From the MF4 launcher screen click on the "Fit To Disc" and select "Burn Dvd folder". Within that burnign module navigate to the VIDEO_TS folder on the harddisk. Highlight the "VIDEO_TS" folder and click "OK" to load it it and burn it. I recommend to burn dvd-video disks at a Maximum of 4X for reliability reasons. Set that Manually under "Burning Options".
If your having problems with your chaptering it's possible you source material is corrupt and now being recorded properly.
However you are recording the mpeg2 video files originally you should use settings such as have GOP's = ON, P=4, B=2.
I haven't come across the chaptering problem you are experiencing with MF4 EXCEPT when I've had "Corrupted" video files.
You mpeg2 file probably have corruption or are not being written correctly and the program is getting lost. Have you tried playing these mpeg2 files on a dvd player from start to finish without problems?
Also, problems like "Dvd Shrink", Dvd Decryptor, Nero's fit to Disc CHANGE the video's. It's a ONE time change and they aren't technically editable anymore. These programs change technical settings in the video's files.
The proper method to use dvd shrink or similar programs is create your dvd on the harddisk using the "Standard DVD Authoring Method". Then use Dvd_Shrink to resize the content to fit on a 4.7gig dvd. Not the reverse of that.
If you plan your project properly you don't need these shrinking programs. You can use them, but after shrinking or modifying a dvd then try importing those modified video files and working with them or editing them (very hard for any software program to do).
Hope some of this information helps you,
ps - I've just increased my virtual memory settings and it works! I remebered to put up milk..........
MD
You can E-Mail anytime. I have MF4 working. If there are any bugs then I report them to ulead.
If your using the standard workflow in MF4 then that's most likely where your problems are creaping up.
In order to use VideoStudio 9 or MovieFactory 4 you need to know exactly the "Source" video material you are working with. Mpeg files are extremely complex video files. Mpeg is the standard for CD and DVD video.
In VideoStudio 9 all the experienced users tell you Not to go directly from the timeline to the burning module. In VS9 you should only be working with dvd compliant files in the burning module. Not that you can't, it's just probable to errors.
THE SAME IS TRUE for MF3/4. You should have dvd video mpeg2 compliant ready to burn files before going into the last phase of burning.
If you have imported non-dvd compliant files, edited video or joined video(s) then they need to made into a mpeg2 dvd compliant file.
To do this in MF4 you use the "Export" Icon (3rd down on the left of the screen). Using the "Export" features you can create the mpg2 dvd compliant file on the harddisk. Then import that new file into the timeline and burn that new dvd compliant file.
Example:
1- Import 4 video mpeg2 files (hopefully all the same video properties).
2- Highlight all of them and "Join" them together on the timeline.
3- Export them to 1 dvd compliant mpeg2 file on the harddisk.
4- Delete the 4 files from the timeline and import the new video (the 4 videos now combined into one file).
If there is a problem with joining the videos it will showup right then (instead of the burning module when you can't tell what's going on, that's the error "Problem converting xxxx bla bla bla".
The Burning Module:
When you burn a dvd the program is Multi-Plexing the video, audio & menu's into a dvd folder structure. It's always best to create dvd folders on the harddisk first before burning a dvd.
Then you test the video created on the harddisk by using the "Ulead Dvd player", Power_Dvd or Win_Dvd. Within the software players you use the feature "Play dvd from harddisk folder" or similar wording.
If you have a dvd compliant video on the timeline, then create a simple menu with NO "MOtion Menu's" and to the burning module. (Fast & Simple)
UN-Check the burn disk and click on the drop-down arrow on the right side to display additional burning options.
CHeck ON "Create Dvd Folders" and create the dvd folders on the harddisk. Creating dvd folders on the harddisk is the SAME file structure as on the DVD except it's on the harddisk.
When you use this method and working with dvd compliant file you will see MF4 fly through the process. It will start to create the dvd file structure immediately on the harddisk. Very fast, No converting video title's etc.
As a test make a simple slide show and export it to an mpg2 file (that's what MF4 is doing anyway in the last stage).
When you export the slideshow to mpg2 file after the file is created on the harddisk then delete the slideshow from the timeline and import the mpeg2 file (now the slideshow in the proper dvd compliant video format). Create chapters, a simple menu and burn to the harddisk.
After dvd folders are created on the harddisk you can use MF4 or Nero to create a dvd-video disk from that harddisk folder (The VIDEO_TS folder). Personnally I like to use "Nero" because it has a "Verify" feature to check and make sure the data was written to the dvd correctly.
When burning a dvd folder to dvd you must tell the software program to create a dvd-video dvd, otherwise you may end up with just a dvd data dvd (may play on the computer but not in a consumer dvd player).
From the MF4 launcher screen click on the "Fit To Disc" and select "Burn Dvd folder". Within that burnign module navigate to the VIDEO_TS folder on the harddisk. Highlight the "VIDEO_TS" folder and click "OK" to load it it and burn it. I recommend to burn dvd-video disks at a Maximum of 4X for reliability reasons. Set that Manually under "Burning Options".
If your having problems with your chaptering it's possible you source material is corrupt and now being recorded properly.
However you are recording the mpeg2 video files originally you should use settings such as have GOP's = ON, P=4, B=2.
I haven't come across the chaptering problem you are experiencing with MF4 EXCEPT when I've had "Corrupted" video files.
You mpeg2 file probably have corruption or are not being written correctly and the program is getting lost. Have you tried playing these mpeg2 files on a dvd player from start to finish without problems?
Also, problems like "Dvd Shrink", Dvd Decryptor, Nero's fit to Disc CHANGE the video's. It's a ONE time change and they aren't technically editable anymore. These programs change technical settings in the video's files.
The proper method to use dvd shrink or similar programs is create your dvd on the harddisk using the "Standard DVD Authoring Method". Then use Dvd_Shrink to resize the content to fit on a 4.7gig dvd. Not the reverse of that.
If you plan your project properly you don't need these shrinking programs. You can use them, but after shrinking or modifying a dvd then try importing those modified video files and working with them or editing them (very hard for any software program to do).
Hope some of this information helps you,
ps - I've just increased my virtual memory settings and it works! I remebered to put up milk..........
MD
Hello,
I have tried playing the “swap file”, however, the problem is still there. My computer has following partitioning:
C: [HP_Pavilion]
D : [Papa]
E : [HP_Recovery]
Space available is 90944 MB, I have checked the RAM of this machine is 504 MB.
According to your guidance, I set them as below
C: custom size
Initial size (MB): 172
Maximum size (MB): 172
D: custom size
Initial size (MB): 1100
Maximum size (MB): 1100
E: system managed size
Paging file size for all drives
Minimum allowed: 2 MB
Recommended: 754 MB
Currently allocated: 2026 MB
For the MB allocated, I have also tried another combinations, but didn't change the situation. I copy them here to have your judgement, if I was wrong somewhere. The process will collapse at the same chapter when converting title.
Any comments? I do appreciate your help, please design another scheme to reveal and correct my symptom.
Thanks
Zaroy
I have tried playing the “swap file”, however, the problem is still there. My computer has following partitioning:
C: [HP_Pavilion]
D : [Papa]
E : [HP_Recovery]
Space available is 90944 MB, I have checked the RAM of this machine is 504 MB.
According to your guidance, I set them as below
C: custom size
Initial size (MB): 172
Maximum size (MB): 172
D: custom size
Initial size (MB): 1100
Maximum size (MB): 1100
E: system managed size
Paging file size for all drives
Minimum allowed: 2 MB
Recommended: 754 MB
Currently allocated: 2026 MB
For the MB allocated, I have also tried another combinations, but didn't change the situation. I copy them here to have your judgement, if I was wrong somewhere. The process will collapse at the same chapter when converting title.
Any comments? I do appreciate your help, please design another scheme to reveal and correct my symptom.
Thanks
Zaroy
hi, Maddrummer,
for your latest response, I tried the "export" function. The problemtic Chapter (duration 5'41") could not be exported, the error warning is the same as in the stage of "converting titles". By the way, all of my clips are in mpg form.
I agree with you, this may be solved by playing setting of my computer, but how?
Now, only I can do is to make every chapter short. it is very not convenient.
for your latest response, I tried the "export" function. The problemtic Chapter (duration 5'41") could not be exported, the error warning is the same as in the stage of "converting titles". By the way, all of my clips are in mpg form.
I agree with you, this may be solved by playing setting of my computer, but how?
Now, only I can do is to make every chapter short. it is very not convenient.
-
heinz-oz
-
maddrummer3301
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: US
Hi,
It's been my experience that the mpeg file your dealing with is corrupt.
Even after you burn it to dvd it's very possible after playing for sometime the dvd player may display "Cannot Play This Disc". That may very well happen to your video(s). Something your doing in creating these mpeg2 videos needs to be corrected.
You never posted how you created your source videos or their video properties.
To attempt to correct the mpeg2 file that's giving you a problem you
can highlight it on the timeline. Go all the way to the end of the video, back up about 5 to10 frames (more if possible). Then use the "Fast Export" feature (NOT the fast export dvd compliant), just the fast export. You need to make a small change to the file (the end) for the program to maybe correct it.
Or, without any chapters export the file out again using the "Custom" settings and have MF4 smart-render the file which will correct time-stampings and other things in the video.
It's worth a try, a corrupt mpeg2 file is hard to repair. Programs such as "VideoRedo"/"Womble" can repair them (maybe).
MD
It's been my experience that the mpeg file your dealing with is corrupt.
Even after you burn it to dvd it's very possible after playing for sometime the dvd player may display "Cannot Play This Disc". That may very well happen to your video(s). Something your doing in creating these mpeg2 videos needs to be corrected.
You never posted how you created your source videos or their video properties.
To attempt to correct the mpeg2 file that's giving you a problem you
can highlight it on the timeline. Go all the way to the end of the video, back up about 5 to10 frames (more if possible). Then use the "Fast Export" feature (NOT the fast export dvd compliant), just the fast export. You need to make a small change to the file (the end) for the program to maybe correct it.
Or, without any chapters export the file out again using the "Custom" settings and have MF4 smart-render the file which will correct time-stampings and other things in the video.
It's worth a try, a corrupt mpeg2 file is hard to repair. Programs such as "VideoRedo"/"Womble" can repair them (maybe).
MD
Hi, Maddrummer,
Thank you for spending so much time to help.
/1/ the configuration of my hard disk is as below.
C: used 29.9 GB free space 88.7 GB
D: used 11.3 GB free space 48.6 GB
E: used 6.28 GB free space 1.30 GB
/2/ I use Sony Handycam DCR DVD203. To make a movie, I use the software provided by Sony to download all the clips from handycam to my computer via USB. All are in .mpg form. Then drag and drop them into DMF4’s timeline, joining, enhancing with music, titles, etc. I guess this process is the same as all other users.
/3/ I don’t think there is any corruptive clip. The proof is that if I divide this 5’45” Chapter into 3 short chapters, then I can smoothly go through the procedure (save in computer as a VIDIO_TS).
Ulead Technical Support dept. also suspected corruption, but they checked my “raw materials” of clips (upload to their FTP), finding nothing wrong. Unfortunately, they cannot reproduce the situation I met. This is all of my grievance. I just wonder is this problem so unique that not second user encountering it?
Presently, if I encounter difficult at the last stage in making a movie, I have to divide it into small ones, for example, “2005-Xmas_A”, “2005-Xmas_B”, “2005-Xmas_C”. Further in each of these movies, if there is some chapters cannot pass the stage of “converting titles”, I have to further divide it into several short chapters.
Note: If I use the stratagem of short chapter, it is still not being able to save as a whole movie as “2005-Xmas”, there would be an “Empty” error-warning, it is to say, one pop-up window with only a “!” in a yellow triangle but without any letters in the place they supposed be.
It is really very frustrating!
Thank you for spending so much time to help.
/1/ the configuration of my hard disk is as below.
C: used 29.9 GB free space 88.7 GB
D: used 11.3 GB free space 48.6 GB
E: used 6.28 GB free space 1.30 GB
/2/ I use Sony Handycam DCR DVD203. To make a movie, I use the software provided by Sony to download all the clips from handycam to my computer via USB. All are in .mpg form. Then drag and drop them into DMF4’s timeline, joining, enhancing with music, titles, etc. I guess this process is the same as all other users.
/3/ I don’t think there is any corruptive clip. The proof is that if I divide this 5’45” Chapter into 3 short chapters, then I can smoothly go through the procedure (save in computer as a VIDIO_TS).
Ulead Technical Support dept. also suspected corruption, but they checked my “raw materials” of clips (upload to their FTP), finding nothing wrong. Unfortunately, they cannot reproduce the situation I met. This is all of my grievance. I just wonder is this problem so unique that not second user encountering it?
Presently, if I encounter difficult at the last stage in making a movie, I have to divide it into small ones, for example, “2005-Xmas_A”, “2005-Xmas_B”, “2005-Xmas_C”. Further in each of these movies, if there is some chapters cannot pass the stage of “converting titles”, I have to further divide it into several short chapters.
Note: If I use the stratagem of short chapter, it is still not being able to save as a whole movie as “2005-Xmas”, there would be an “Empty” error-warning, it is to say, one pop-up window with only a “!” in a yellow triangle but without any letters in the place they supposed be.
It is really very frustrating!
-
maddrummer3301
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: US
Hi,
What happens if you put the mini-dvd (finalized) into your computer dvd reader and use the import dvd/dvd-vr disk module of MF4?
Have you tried this?
Using MF4 click on the import dvd top icon and navigate to the dvd drive and select the video folder on the dvd.
Does it work? If the movie and or chapters showup you need to click in the checkbox to select what video to import.
MD
What happens if you put the mini-dvd (finalized) into your computer dvd reader and use the import dvd/dvd-vr disk module of MF4?
Have you tried this?
Using MF4 click on the import dvd top icon and navigate to the dvd drive and select the video folder on the dvd.
Does it work? If the movie and or chapters showup you need to click in the checkbox to select what video to import.
MD
-
heinz-oz
-
maddrummer3301
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: US
Heinz,
>>>/2/ I use Sony Handycam DCR DVD203.
That camcorder records direct to mini-dvd.
Doesn't have a firewire port (I don't believe).
They do have a USB port to access the contents of the dvd via the USB 2 port using the "Sony" software. I'm pretty sure you must use the "Sony Software" to access the mini-dvd via the USB port and retrieve the video data files.
Or, import the dvd the standard method using VS or MF importing module.
If there are 5.1 audio tracks on the dvd then maybe SOL.
MD
>>>/2/ I use Sony Handycam DCR DVD203.
That camcorder records direct to mini-dvd.
Doesn't have a firewire port (I don't believe).
They do have a USB port to access the contents of the dvd via the USB 2 port using the "Sony" software. I'm pretty sure you must use the "Sony Software" to access the mini-dvd via the USB port and retrieve the video data files.
Or, import the dvd the standard method using VS or MF importing module.
If there are 5.1 audio tracks on the dvd then maybe SOL.
MD