DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus=Bug Factory...?

[CBC]

Just purchased, downloaded and installed to my Vista Ultimate 64-bit laptop. So far, this is what I've run into:

I added a couple videos (DIVX), chose a menu template, and used the preview feature -- worked. Can't get past this step though, clicking 'Next' doesn't do anything. No error message -- just nothing happens. Should go to the encoding/burning step, but doesn't.

Attempted to import a 15-minute Media Center TV recording (DVR-MS), was prompted to convert the file. The conversion process appears to be working, the progress bar moves to the end (after 30 minutes). The process never completes though, and after 90 minutes I clicked 'Cancel'; the progress bar goes away and then MovieFactory crashes.

Hate to say it, but you get the impression you're using a beta version of the product and they should've done more testing prior to release.

[DVDDoug]

Just purchased, downloaded and installed...

Sorry to hear you didn't download the trial version first.

These highly-compressed formats seem to cause some users trouble. (Even MPEG-2 can be a bit trouble-prone). Ulead claims that MF6 can decode DivX, but I would not be surprised if some DivX files cause problems. (There are variations of each format.) And, these highly-compressed files also seem prone to corruption... A "bad" file might play OK, but cause trouble when you try to edit or convert it. Or, you can sometimes have two files with the same properties, but only one will cause probems.

All of these lossy formats are designed as playback formats. They were not designed to be edited or converted. But, Ulead claims Movie Factory can handle DivX and DVR-MS*

You can try using a 3rd-party program to convert the file to something less-compressed. If your goal is to make a DVD, you can try converting it DVD-compatible MPEG-2 with SUPER (FREE!!!). Take a look at some of the Movie Factory project templates to see what resolution and framerates are allowed for DVD. (It depends on the video standard where you live... PAL or NTSC.)

...you get the impression you're using a beta version of the product and they should've done more testing prior to release.

FYI - The problems with highly-compressed file formats are not new to version 6.


* File Format Support:

Import
- Video: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DV AVI, AVI, DivX, HDV, WMV-HD, WMV-SD,
ASF, DVB-T HD, DVD-Video, DVD+VR, DVD-VR, DVR-MS, DAT, MPV,
QuickTime (MOV, QT), Ulead VideoStudio project (VSP)
- Audio: CDA, LPCM, MPEG Audio (MPA), Dolby Digital, WAV, WMA,
Ogg Vorbis Audio (OGG), MP3

Export
- Video: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DV AVI, AVI, WMV-SD, ASF, QuickTime
(MOV, QT)
- Audio: LPCM, MPEG Audio (MPA), Dolby Digital Stereo
- Image: BMP, JPG
- Disc: DVD (DVD-Video, DVD+VR, DVD-VR), miniDVD, VCD, SVCD
- Media: CD-R/CD-RW/DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+RW, DVD+R/-R
(Single/Double Layer)/DVD-RAM (CPRM)

[CBC]

Thanks for trying to guess what's going on. I tried with DVD compliant MPEG file, and a VCD compliant MPEG. Same results, can't click past the 2nd step. Your guess was a good attempt, but I believe it has nothing to do with what I'm running into.

The same files I have previously burned to DVD with excellent results using the DVD burning feature within Windows Media Center. While MCE produces DVD's with really good video quality, you can't modify menu's, etc, or save .iso files.

Would be nice if the program gave you an error message of some sort indicating why it won't move along...

Just purchased, downloaded and installed...

Sorry to hear you didn't download the trial version first.

These highly-compressed formats seem to cause some users trouble. (Even MPEG-2 can be a bit trouble-prone). Ulead claims that MF6 can decode DivX, but I would not be surprised if some DivX files cause problems. (There are variations of each format.) And, these highly-compressed files also seem prone to corruption... A "bad" file might play OK, but cause trouble when you try to edit or convert it. Or, you can sometimes have two files with the same properties, but only one will cause probems.

All of these lossy formats are designed as playback formats. They were not designed to be edited or converted. But, Ulead claims Movie Factory can handle DivX and DVR-MS*

You can try using a 3rd-party program to convert the file to something less-compressed. If your goal is to make a DVD, you can try converting it DVD-compatible MPEG-2 with SUPER (FREE!!!). Take a look at some of the Movie Factory project templates to see what resolution and framerates are allowed for DVD. (It depends on the video standard where you live... PAL or NTSC.)

...you get the impression you're using a beta version of the product and they should've done more testing prior to release.

FYI - The problems with highly-compressed file formats are not new to version 6.


* File Format Support:

Import
- Video: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DV AVI, AVI, DivX, HDV, WMV-HD, WMV-SD,
ASF, DVB-T HD, DVD-Video, DVD+VR, DVD-VR, DVR-MS, DAT, MPV,
QuickTime (MOV, QT), Ulead VideoStudio project (VSP)
- Audio: CDA, LPCM, MPEG Audio (MPA), Dolby Digital, WAV, WMA,
Ogg Vorbis Audio (OGG), MP3

Export
- Video: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DV AVI, AVI, WMV-SD, ASF, QuickTime
(MOV, QT)
- Audio: LPCM, MPEG Audio (MPA), Dolby Digital Stereo
- Image: BMP, JPG
- Disc: DVD (DVD-Video, DVD+VR, DVD-VR), miniDVD, VCD, SVCD
- Media: CD-R/CD-RW/DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+RW, DVD+R/-R
(Single/Double Layer)/DVD-RAM (CPRM)

[heinz-oz]

Welcome to the club of ULEAD/Vista beta testers.

[Kaledi]

I've Vista Ultimate 64bit and MF6plus and have found it significantly more stable than MF5plus in XP pro.
That said, I haven't found Vista itself particularly stable; I randomly (occassionally) get random hangs that either lock the computer for a minute or 2 or else long enough to require a hard reboot, but I have not seen these symptoms whilst using MF.
Have you tried repairing your installation of MF6? When I have encountered persistent problems with Ulead software in the past I've reinstalled the software (without uninstalling first, so it repairs) and this has usually done the trick

[CBC]

Thanks for trying -- gave it a go, repaired the install -- no change, same issues. Then tried a complete uninstall and reinstalled -- same thing again.

I've Vista Ultimate 64bit and MF6plus and have found it significantly more stable than MF5plus in XP pro.
That said, I haven't found Vista itself particularly stable; I randomly (occassionally) get random hangs that either lock the computer for a minute or 2 or else long enough to require a hard reboot, but I have not seen these symptoms whilst using MF.
Have you tried repairing your installation of MF6? When I have encountered persistent problems with Ulead software in the past I've reinstalled the software (without uninstalling first, so it repairs) and this has usually done the trick

[srsmedia]

You're not alone in your woes. I purchased DVDMF6+ to replace my old faithful but painfully outdated DVDMF2, and have suffered the same fate. Constant random hangs and crashes, all requiring a 3-finger salute to remedy.
Just simple, basic authoring that was a snap in DVDMF2 will have you pulling your hair out in DVDMF6+. I have yet to complete a project at all with the new software, er- crashware...It just stops responding whenever it feels like it, no matter what I am doing with it at the time...Totally useless.
I have contacted Customer Service for a refund...We'll see how that flies...

[htchien]

Always the old question - what DivX version do you use? Is the DivX codec pack you use compatible with Vista 64?

If you check the following link, you will see they did not list Vista as a supported platform for the DivX codec pack:

http://www.divx.com/divx/system_requirements.php

DivX for Windows
Minimum System Requirements

* Windows 2000/XP

Recommended System Requirements

* Windows 2000/XP

So I guess it will have some issues on Vista with the codec, not DVDMF itself.

For DVR-MS, it's possible something is not right in the DVR-MS file. Maybe you can try to find some tool to repair it.

See if this link would help:

http://thegreenbutton.com/files/15/dvrms/default.aspx

H.T.

[rasta]

Sorry to hear you didn't download the trial version first. Sad

is that available? where?

Thnx.

[htchien]

Sorry to hear you didn't download the trial version first. Sad

is that available? where?

It will be available soon. You can keep an eye on http://www.ulead.com/dmf/trial.htm

H.T.

[CBC]

As I mentioned, all the files convert and burn properly via Windows Media Center.

The DVD and VCD compliant MPEG's do the same thing in DVDMF6, something you omitted in all that 'quoting' of yours...

Always the old question - what DivX version do you use? Is the DivX codec pack you use compatible with Vista 64?

If you check the following link, you will see they did not list Vista as a supported platform for the DivX codec pack:

http://www.divx.com/divx/system_requirements.php

DivX for Windows
Minimum System Requirements

* Windows 2000/XP

Recommended System Requirements

* Windows 2000/XP

So I guess it will have some issues on Vista with the codec, not DVDMF itself.

For DVR-MS, it's possible something is not right in the DVR-MS file. Maybe you can try to find some tool to repair it.

See if this link would help:

http://thegreenbutton.com/files/15/dvrms/default.aspx

H.T.

[CBC]

Just a FYI... Never could get it to work. Attempts to obtain support were unsuccessful.

Finally just requested a refund, to which there was also no response. If anyone runs into something similar, here are the steps to obtain a refund through your bank.

1) Send a final email with the phrase "this is a final 'good-faith' attempt to obtain a refund for a disputed charge appearing on my credit card account. Should I not hear back within 3 business days, I will request a 'charge-back' through my financial institution. (cc the message to yourself)
2) Wait a few days, contact your bank -- explain you'd like to dispute a charge, provide some initial details. They will (and are required by law) immediately credit your account pending research, send you a form to fill out and mail in. They may or may not ask you to provide that final request refund email.

Would much rather have had a working product, or some assistance from support... but... oh well