Serious problem - Crash on main DVP file and backups

[mmpo]

I have sent this to Support, but from experience know that it would take about 2-3 days to get an simple answer like. - Please send the DVP file to us - off-course without a link whereto and no options to attach a file in the support form. or Please supply more details of the project, etc.wasting another few days of our valuable time. Thus no firm answer within a week or so.

I have a serious problem in MSP8. I've been working on a project this morning for about 4 hours. Decided to restart the PC. After trying to open the project again, it stops after all the plug-ins window, giving an error report. The worst of all - the earliest backup (created by MSP in the back-up folder) that opens correctly is about 3 hours ago. From backup 42 - 64 doesn't open (at 10 min. increments - make your sums).
How do I recover this work. -Deadline!!! This is the second project with the same behaviour. I've formatted the drive after the previous problem, re-loading ALL my programs, but the problem is still there. Hotfix installed already.

How do I recover this work and how do I avoid this from happening again! I thought that the idea of auto back-ups was to avoid loss of work, but clearly it doesn't.

[Devil]

Try opening a new project and put in a colour clip as a placeholder. Then Insert your old project.dvp file. It may work or not (50-50 chance). Then delete your placeholder, if it does.

Until this problem is sorted, I recommend you do a Save As with a new project name every so often (say 30-60 minutes) with a new name or after a complex job. Open with the new name to check. This may seem complicated but it is a temporary measure and can be a lifesaver. (Read into this sentence what you will!)

[mmpo]

Tried that. Get a message: The file cannot be inserted. The main timeline is zero. This is problably because I've not inserted anything in the main timeline yet. I usally create the parts of the video in different timelines then add them all to the main timeline (normally after rendering it first) to compile my complete video. Now, obviously, I can't access the file to put anything in the main timeline.

As predicted, I received a mail from support - surprisingly quick- suggesting that I must purge temp files, remove and re-install the program and install hotfix. As I understand my message to them (same as the first in this thread) I've done just that, even more, formatting the drive as well.

Seems like they don't have answers to their problems???

[Devil]

Oops!

You should always have something in the Main TL, even if it's just a colour clip as a placeholder. Good point, though, I'll try using a blank Main TL in my beta tests.

[mmpo]

Got the project done by copying each timeline into a new dvp project's main timeline. I had far less problems, although I still had one or two crashes. Here are some of the problems I picked up over the last few weeks that I'll be sending to support. Maybe there's some cures / workarounds out there.

Project settings: PAL DVD 720x576, Lower field, Dolby Sound.

1. Program crashes when working on different time lines in a project. Less problems when putting each part of the project in a seperate DVP but that defeats the object of multiple timelines (which are very handy if it should work right).
2. After crash dvp (and backups do not open, losing a lot of time to revert to older backups).
3. After crash , if opening, the project has problems. Eg. All thumbnails in storyboard is white with a cross. Clicking on any of the crosses, crashes the prject again. - Thus not usable.
4. When inserting a sub-timeline into the main timeline (or another external dvp project) all sound settings are defaulted to normal thus causing background music, etc. being to loud during voiceovers. (Workaround was to render each project and insert as new videoclip. Wastes time as it needs to be rendered everytime a change is made).
5. When cutting a sound clip, all manual settings are lost - clip back to normal sound and settings have to be done again.
6. The smartsound feature is great as I have several libraries. The sound clips unfortunately goes "bonkers" when creating the final clip - plays fine on preview. Eg. Skips sound from time, leaving gaps, not ending when it should, etc. - Pitty! (Workaround: Created soundfiles in smartsound itself and inserted as wav. Everybody don't have the complete program).
7. Entering the text feature sometimes causes crashes.
8. Double clicking on text to edit sometimes causes crashes.
9. Sometimes crashes during rendering.
10. Overwriting existing file in export causes sound and transition problems.
11. Replacing a mask with another in overlay sometimes cause crashes.
12. Sometimes crashes while saving - Think it's when it co-insides with backup saves.
13. Scrubbing the timeline sometimes crashes ( or takes a long time to recover)

[Devil]

You seem to be plagued with crashes. I've been using MSP8 since the first beta and have not had many crashes, except when deliberately doing someting outrageous. Unfortunately, you have not seen fit to fill in the system details in your profile, as requested, so this gives us no clue as to the cause, nor do you tell us what else you may use your computer for.

I can confirm that it is not possible to insert a dvp where there is nothing in the Main Timeline. I suggest it would be good practice, if you wish to conserve the integrity of an insertion, if you do a temporary insertion of the sub-TLs into the main, just for placeholding. When you are ready for the final edition of the main TL, replace the temp ones by the definitive virtual clips.

I think you can be optimistic re your crashing plague. Just be a little patient for a wee while. There is no need to send your list to Ulead.

[mmponline]

Devil

First of all, sorry for not supplying my system details. Pure stupidity not seeing the profile option. (Wondered all the time how you guys got your photo and everything displayed. -Stupid me!) I've updated it now...

The purpose of my list was two-fold. 1 to try and get some help from you guys out there and 2 as a "help" to Support for possible SPs in the future.

Please don't get me wrong: Although I'm not happy with MF5 (awaiting a SP) you will see that I use a lot of Ulead products. Simply because of the ease of use, integration between applications, etc. My "complaints" are to seek help. As normal, these problems always occur with deadlines on your doorstep and then one tends to get desperate.

The problem of sound diverting back to standard when a timeline is inserted on the main timeline) no.4 on my list) is a problem to me, as this defeats the whole purpose of using multiple timelines. I've even changed my soundcard last night, seeking a cure, with no luck. The use of virtual clips (at this stage) seems to be of no use.

[Devil]

I agree that your #4 is a nuisance as is a virtual clip without audio always has an audio track added.

When I have a complex sub-TL, I always create a new file from it and add it to the main TL, rather than use a transferred virtual clip. Why? Saves a lot of time because rendering a virtual clip can take up to twice as long as rendering the sub-TL.

Personally, adding background music is usually the last thing I do and only on the Main-TL, so that it can over-ride transitions between virtual or inserted clips. However, I appreciate that everyone has his personal MO. I must admit that being able to cater for the different ways of working must be a royal headache for the software writers ("what if someone tries to do it this way or that...?")

[Gorf]

...I must admit that being able to cater for the different ways of working must be a royal headache for the software writers ("what if someone tries to do it this way or that...?")

Here's how to get a developer to write software the way you want (and a few ways to make sure you don't get what you want).

It's the must-have reference for anyone who reports a bug or makes a feature request. It's by the author of a Mac application, and a non-video one at that, but it's still relevant.

[Devil]

...I must admit that being able to cater for the different ways of working must be a royal headache for the software writers ("what if someone tries to do it this way or that...?")

Here's how to get a developer to write software the way you want (and a few ways to make sure you don't get what you want).

It's the must-have reference for anyone who reports a bug or makes a feature request. It's by the author of a Mac application, and a non-video one at that, but it's still relevant.

[mmponline]

Is there any way to recover DVPs that crashes? I lost a lot of work I'd like to recover.

[mmponline]

Personally, adding background music is usually the last thing I do and only on the Main-TL, so that it can over-ride transitions between virtual or inserted clips. However, I appreciate that everyone has his personal MO. I must admit that being able to cater for the different ways of working must be a royal headache for the software writers ("what if someone tries to do it this way or that...?")

I do with music as well. But the problems is when you have background sounds with a voice over in your timeline. Those settings are defaulted as well, so the voice "dissapears" into the ambient sounds. This should be corrected, I think as it serves not much using virtual clips, if you have to redo the sound in the min timeline. I do sub-timeline rendering now (with sound, music everything) and then bind them together on a totally new project. Only because the multiple timelines doesn't work as it should. Then MSP8 will really be a song!

Let's hope for improvements in SP1. Soon!?!?!