Create Disk>DVD Option disappeared (MPEG-2 codec expiry?)

howie · Post by **howie** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:14 pm

I've been using Video Studio 9 quite merrily for the last month or so, to capture content from a DV camcorder, edit it, and then output it as a DVD.

However, all of a sudden, when I go to 'Tools>Create Disk' there is no longer any 'DVD' option in the 'output disc format' dropdown box. All I have is a 'VCD' option which is no use.

My first inclination is that this is somehow related to the fact that I have been getting a pop-up dialog whenever I start VS9 informing me that I'm running a trial version of the MPEG-2 codec. It is now telling me that this 30 day trial period has expired.

This is something of a surprise, because when I bought the product (bundled with a PC video card) there was no indication that this was a trial version. Also, just today, I have successfully registered the product with Ulead - and still the problem of not being able to output to DVD persists.

From 'Tools>Product Codec Information' I've tried selecting the MPEG-2 codec and clicking the links on the dialogue to both activate it and buy it - but to no avail. The 'buy' link doesn't work, and I've tried entering my VS registration code in the activation box, but this isn't recognised.

Any suggestions?

I'm running Video Studio v9.00.0100 SE DVD, running on Windows XP.

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:26 pm

Welcome to the forums,

This is yet another twist on the SE versions available. The SE versions are crippled, do not contain all features, and are generally tweaked by the hardware manufacturer to work with their products.

The new twist..a trial period on the MPEG2 codec? That's a new one, I've never seen anyone impose a time limit/trial period on the codecs. On the SE versions the Dolby Digital audio codec is not available, because it is fee based. Ulead must pay a fee to Dolby to use their technology, and Ulead is not going to include that in any free version.

While it is possible to register your SE version, this merely makes it qualify for upgrade pricing, nothing more since Tech support is provided to purchased products.

What is the make/model of video card that your VS 9 SE DVD came bundled with?

Again this is the first time I've heard of a trial version for the MPEG2 codec...

howie · Post by **howie** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:47 pm

Thanks Ron, and thanks for the speedy response.

The card is Pyro Basic DV PCI 1394/Firewire Card by ADS Tech (www.adstech.com).

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:00 pm

Are you sure you have VideoStudio 9.0 because the ADS Website lists VideoStudio 6 as its 'Free' Product.

If so they have an update patch for VideoStudio 6 on their website

It seems strange that they have given you a time limited copy of VideoStudio as it certainly does not say so on the ADS website.
Perhaps you need to contact the ADS Technical support.

(Copy and paste the following into your web browser)

Code: Select all

http://www.adstech.com/KB/(iqt3gf45rp3yes55apnoxd2i)/KB_DisplayTopTenQuestions.aspx?productId=API-310&productName=PYRO%20BasicDV%201394

Post by **Ken Berry** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:02 pm

Although VS installs an mpeg-2 codec (which is also used for making DVDs), I too am sure that it is not time-limited.

However, you will recall, Ron, that just a few days ago, we had a case of someone who had a similar problem. However, it related to a trial codec from another company which had somehow erased or overwritten the Ulead one. I will try to do a search for it when I get the chance, but am awfully busy this morning... (Visitors from out of state staying a few days...)

The solution would be to identify the codec and remove it, then reinstall VS so that the Ulead codec is reinstalled.

Howie, can you tell us exactly what the error message said... Maybe there is a direct indication of the full name of the codec...

howie · Post by **howie** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:16 pm

I can confirm that it's definitely VS version 9.

It isn't so much an error message which is generated - more the fact that the list of output options is now limited to only show VCD instead of DVD.

I can e-mail through a screen grab of the codec information screen - unfortunately this doesn't contain any additional information other than that which I have already described.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:23 pm

Rather than email your screen grab, if you trim it to a sensible size to fit this forum, place a copy on the internet - I use ImageShack

You can then post the picture in this forum.
ImageShack makes it easy for you as it generates the BB code.
Otherwise you enclose the web location like this

Click here <<==

howie · Post by **howie** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:46 pm

Thanks for the pointer. Here's the screen grab:

[/img]

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:57 pm

yes i see what you mean and I haven't seen that one before or heard of any other forum members mentioning it.

1 possible solution that may or may not work is to download and install the 30 day free trial, that will obviously install a working MPEG Codec.
If that fails then as I mentioned before, you will need to contact the tech support for ADS who 'sold' you the item.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:06 pm

It stumps me too -- the title on the dialogue box says "Installed codecs from Ulead". But this is most definitely the first time I have heard of this in the more than five years I have been on this board...

Do you have GSpot or Sherlock on your computer? If not, a Google search will find them. They are both free codec identifiers. When you run the program, select Video, and it will list all your codecs. See if there are any listed mpeg-2 codecs, and who their manufacturer is (the Ulead ones will be identified as such, or since VS10, though perhaps VS9, an InterVideo codec was also used...)

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:10 pm

I done some checking and Lead Multimedia do offer Trial versions of various codecs, MPEG-2, MJPEG, H263, and AC3 to name a few. This could be where the manufacturer obtained the MPEG-2 codec.

It doesn't show the year, however This Article talks about Ulead going to the MPEG.now codec.

So as I see it you could recontact the retailer or manufacturer to inquire about the trial MPEG-2 codec and see if they would be able to do something different, which I doubt. You could purchase the MPEG-2 codec from Lead Multimedia, which will cost you $40 US, which your VS9 should see it and use it.

Or you could purchase a full version (VS11 is entering the birth canal, and should crown within a week). Until then maybe Download the trial version of VS10+, as it does not have such a MPEG-2 trial.

howie · Post by **howie** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:55 pm

Thanks all for the pointers. I'll contact ADS directly, and whilst I'm waiting for a response, I'll pursue the Sherlock route.

If all else fails, I guess I'll have to bite the biscuit and purchase the codec from Lead, upgrade to VS10 or wait for VS11.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:52 pm

If you can locate the Lead codec on your computer, simply delete. It is totally unrelated to, and independent of, Ulead... just as Ulead's Video Studio is really independent of it...

howie · Post by **howie** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:07 am

I've now installed Sherlock, and there is no evidence of the Lead codec.

I've also received an unsatisfactory answer from ADS:

"The device is advertised as coming with the Special edition of the sofware, which indicates that it is not the normal full version. If you would like the full version of the software, you would need to purchase it from Ulead as they are the software developers. We are the hardware company and only have this version of the software available."

However, there was never any indication of this on the packaging or the pre-sales information provided by the vendor (Amazon.co.uk): http://www.amazon.co.uk/ADS-FireWire-Vi ... 208&sr=1-1

I find the whole experience hugely frustrating, because between the hardware supplier (ADS), the software supplier (Ulead) and the vendor (Amazon) the fact that this is a trial offering of the VideoStudio software has never been communicated to me as a purchaser.

I could pursue further, but feel that I'll just be passed onto the other parties by any of those who I approach (as ADS have just done).

Whilst I could bite the bullet and purchase the codec, upgrade the version of VS, or repeatedly re-install the trial version which I have been duped into purchasing, I feel an important issue of trust and principle has been breached.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:26 pm

The ad does say VideoStudio 9 SE, so I don't think you can really blame anyone. Amazon and ADS fully disclosed which version was included.

ADS Tech PYRO Basic DV PCI 1394/FireWire Card with Cable and Ulead VideoStudio 9 SE Software for Mac/Windows''