ulead crashes when editing a new project

[cleo_26]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum, and I would like your help please

I have been using VS 11 plus for about a year now, and have made 2 videos that worked fine from a DV camera.

I have just bought a new panasonic SDR-H250 Hard Disc camera and tring to make a video for my friend of their wedding. The clips will play fine when I click on clip, but when I click on project to view them together, it crashes. (ulead has encounted a problem and needs to close). And I cant move the error message aside and keep working.

It will also crash if I change anything, like the playback speed, then the individual clip will not even play, ulead crashes.

I tried working on my previous projects that I had created and they work fine. I also tried inserting a clip from my new files into my old project and that project crashes when it came up to the new clips. I have also tried creating a project with some other files from the DV camera and they wont work either.

I am getting frustrated, as I can't see what I have done to cause this. If anyone has any suggestions, it would be great.

Thankyou

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the Forums,

First we are going to need some more information. Please view This Thread, it provides a guideline to the specific information needed to help you.

We need the video clip and project properties, which should match.

Also I noticed that you are running XP on an unknown PC. Could you please complete that information in your profile?

[2Dogs]

I note that at the highest quality setting, the H250 uses a bitrate of 10,000 kbps.

Perhaps you could shoot some test footage at the other two camera recording quality settings to see if the resultant clips give rise to the same problems.

I would also suggest that you open an new blank VS project and try importing just one small test clip. It's generally less frustrating and quicker to resolve problems with short projects before moving on to a full DVD length opus.

Good luck!

[cleo_26]

I have updated my profile. Here is the info you requested.

Describe your problem:
As above. VS crashes when I am trying to edit a new project. It will play individual clips, but when I click on play project, it crashes. Previous projects created from files from a mini DV camera work fine. New projects with most of these mini DV files work fine. It appears to be only files from my new hard drive camera and one older file from a mini DV camera that don't work.

Properties of your source files (format, file size, where did you get it?):
--------------------------------------------
File is from Panasonic Hard drive camera
File: Eden Trip.mpg
File format:PAL DVD
File Size:35,710 kb
Duration:33 secs

Video:
Video Type: MPEG-2, Upper Field First
Total Frames: 840 frame(s)
Attributes: 24 bits, 704 x 576, 4:3
Frame Rate: 25 frames/sec
Data Rate: Variable bit rate (max 9542 kbps)

Audio:
Audio Type: Dolby digital audio
Total Samples: 1,612,800
Attributes: 48000 Hz
Layer: None
Bitrate: 256 kbps
--------------------------------------------
File captured mini DV by VS10 using firewire
File: honeymoon.mpg
File format:PAL DVD
File Size:969,310 kb
Duration:3578.800 secs

Video:
Video Type: MPEG-2, Video
Total Frames: 89,470 frame(s)
Attributes: 24 bits, 352 x 288, 4:3
Frame Rate: 25 frames/sec
Data Rate: Variable bit rate (max 1700 kbps)

Audio:
Audio Type: Dolby digital audio
Total Samples: 171,782,400
Attributes: 48000 Hz
Layer: None
Bitrate: 384 kbps
-----------------------------------------------

What devices are involved and their mode of connection?:
Original mini DV files were captured by firewire using Ulead VS10,
New files off panasonic H250, were uploaded from camera using panasonics software, then imported into VS11+ library

Project Settings (important):

Project using Hard Disk Camera
PAL (25 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 704 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 9542 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)
-------------------------------------
Project using Mini DV Clips
PAL (25 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 352 x 288, 25 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 1700 kbps)
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)
-------------------------------------


Output format (file, DVD, VCD, SVCD): N/A - Not Ready to output

PAL or NTSC: PAL

Error Codes (if any): Ulead has encountered a problem and needs to close

Product Version: VS11+

[cleo_26]

Just adding to that, sorry guys.

I just tried a new project with a file from the mini DV camera, which the file is .mpg. It also has the same problem with crashing. The only file that works in a new project is actually an avi file. All the others that I am having problems with are .mpg, whether they are from the mini DV camera or the hard drive camera.

Where I was getting confused is that a previous project that I have made using one of the .mpg files is working fine.

Sorry to complicate things.

[2Dogs]

I have updated my profile.

Thanks! It will save you time!

Properties of your source files
--------------------------------------------
File is from Panasonic Hard drive camera
File: Eden Trip.mpg
File format:PAL DVD
File Size:35,710 kb
Duration:33 secs

Video:
Video Type: MPEG-2, Upper Field First
Total Frames: 840 frame(s)
Attributes: 24 bits, 704 x 576, 4:3
Frame Rate: 25 frames/sec
Data Rate: Variable bit rate (max 9542 kbps)

Audio:
Audio Type: Dolby digital audio
Total Samples: 1,612,800
Attributes: 48000 Hz
Layer: None
Bitrate: 256 kbps
--------------------------------------------

This looks fine. You might have had problems with this in VS10, since it uses Dolby audio, so you would have required the Dolby plug-in - but that shouldn't be an issue with VS11. One anomaly however is the frame size - PAL DVD mpeg-2 resolution is 720x576, whereas your footage is 704x576.

File captured mini DV by VS10 using firewire
File: honeymoon.mpg
File format:PAL DVD
File Size:969,310 kb
Duration:3578.800 secs

Video:
Video Type: MPEG-2, Video
Total Frames: 89,470 frame(s)
Attributes: 24 bits, 352 x 288, 4:3
Frame Rate: 25 frames/sec
Data Rate: Variable bit rate (max 1700 kbps)

Audio:
Audio Type: Dolby digital audio
Total Samples: 171,782,400
Attributes: 48000 Hz
Layer: None
Bitrate: 384 kbps
-----------------------------------------------

This footage has been captured at approximately half the frame resolution - 352x288 instead of 720x576, and the video bitrate is only 1700kbps. Compare that with the 9542 kbps of your hard drive camcorder. I suspect you inadvertently captured to SVCD format. Are you sure you captured by Firewire and not by USB?

What devices are involved and their mode of connection?:
Original mini DV files were captured by firewire using Ulead VS10,
New files off panasonic H250, were uploaded from camera using panasonics software, then imported into VS11+ library

I wonder if using the Panasonic software is causing a problem. When you hook up the camcorder to your pc, is it connected by a USB cable? Does your pc see the camcorder as a hard drive? If so, it might be possible for you to copy files from the camcorder using My Computer or Windows Explorer into a working directory, and see if they behave any differently to the ones imported using the Panasonic software. (sort of clutching at straws with that, but might be worth trying)

Project Settings (important):

Project using Hard Disk Camera
PAL (25 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 704 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 9542 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)
-------------------------------------

Everything appears to be in order. Your project properties match the source file properties - although the resolution is 704 x 576, which as mentioned does not match PAL DVD resolution of 720 x576.

Project using Mini DV Clips
PAL (25 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 352 x 288, 25 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 1700 kbps)
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)
-------------------------------------

I would have expected the field order to be lower field first, rather than frame-based. The latter might play back OK on a pc, but for playback to a TV thru a set top player you'd normally go for lower field first for video captured from a miniDV camcorder - but see my comments about the frame size and video bitrate above!

Maybe there's a problem dealing with the higher bitrate - is your hard drive defragmented? I see that you are using a laptop, so the drive will be 5400rpm, 4200rpm even, and it may be more important to make sure it's running properly.

I'm not sure how VS will deal with the 704 x 576 frame size. I would expect it to "pillar-box" the video by adding 8 pixel wide black bars either side of the video. That probably wouldn't be too bothersome for footage played back to a TV, since it would fall within the "overscan" area.

[Ken Berry]

Just to correct one point, 704 x 576 *is* most definitely a part of the DVD-compatible PAL frame sizes. It may not be overly common, but it *is* part of the DVD standard.

Other than that, though, I agree with 2Dogs's advice. I myself was struck by the fact that you were capturing mpeg-2 format from a mini DV camera, and moreover mpeg-2 with rather low quality settings which also makes me suspect you are using USB. Moreover, capturing from a mini DV camera will definitely give you lower frame first, so even if you changed the Field Order, you would end up with a problem since you cannot mix lower frame first and upper frame first video in the one project...

[2Dogs]

Just to correct one point, 704 x 576 *is* most definitely a part of the DVD-compatible PAL frame sizes. It may not be overly common, but it *is* part of the DVD standard.

It's been a while since I did anything in PAL!

Are you up late or getting up early Ken?

Checking the specs on an A100 equipped with a T2250 cpu, I see that it has a 5400rpm SATA hard drive, which should be fine for video capture and editing. It also has a Firewire port - of the same miniature variety as found on most camcorders, as opposed to the larger style which is more common on a desktop machine or cardbus adapter - so there's no reason why cleo_26 shouldn't be able to capture full resolution footage from the miniDV camcorder.

[Ken Berry]

I think you will find that 704 x 480 is also part of the NTSC DVD standard!

But yes, no reason why capture should not be via Firewire... and in DV format to start with!

[cleo_26]

Other than that, though, I agree with 2Dogs's advice. I myself was struck by the fact that you were capturing mpeg-2 format from a mini DV camera, and moreover mpeg-2 with rather low quality settings which also makes me suspect you are using USB. Moreover, capturing from a mini DV camera will definitely give you lower frame first, so even if you changed the Field Order, you would end up with a problem since you cannot mix lower frame first and upper frame first video in the one project...

I actually recall that the files captured from the mini DV were not Mpeg-2. I think they were avi. We had to reinstall everything on the laptop a while ago, and now the files are Mpeg-2. I have no idea why they changed or how. But that shouldn't be a problem, VS should be able to play mpeg-2.

I did change the setting to Lower frame first on a previous project that has worked from the file off the mini DV camera, because it didn't look right when I converted to DVD. That project still works fine it I open it.

Also, my husband assures me that the files from the mini DV camera were captured by firewire, as it was the only way to do it at the time.

Also, why is it a problem to mix UFF and LFF in the one project? I do have them in separate projects though.

We have recently upgraged our security software to Trend micro 08, and it has caused a number of issues with the computer since we upgraded. Is it possible that this could be causing VS to crash? Just a thought. Although it doesn't explain why previous projects are working.

[Ken Berry]

Yes, VS can play and deal with mpeg-2 videos. But that is not quite the point, which is, rather, that from a mini DV camera you should be capturing (via Firewire) in DV/AVI format. You set that on the capture page, though why it seems to be defaulting to mpeg-2 is anybody's guess if you haven't manually changed it. Normally, with a mini DV camera connected to the computer via Firewire, VS automatically defaults to DV capture.

Anyway, DV is better quality than mpeg-2, and certainly better than the very low quality settings of the ones you gave us the properties of. The idea is is that you capture in DV format, edit in DV format, and only after editing is complete, do you convert it to (better quality than you have) mpeg-2. DV is always lower frame first, so your resulting mpeg-2 should also be LFF.

Why can't you mix Upper and Lower FF in one project? Because, essentially, the images are broadcast in different ways. If you mix them in one project, which is then rendered to either Upper or Lower FF, then the other one in the project will be broadcast incorrectly. The result will be that, for those clips, there will be jagged edges on straight lines and in panning and zooming shots or any fast motion, and often the video will also look jerky. It's a big no-no of video editing.

Don't know anything at all about Trend. But generally, because video editing is a fairly resource intensive process and demanding of computer resources in particular, we generally recommend you disconnect from the internet and thus can safely turn of your anti-virus while editing...

[cleo_26]

Yes, VS can play and deal with mpeg-2 videos. But that is not quite the point, which is, rather, that from a mini DV camera you should be capturing (via Firewire) in DV/AVI format. You set that on the capture page, though why it seems to be defaulting to mpeg-2 is anybody's guess if you haven't manually changed it. Normally, with a mini DV camera connected to the computer via Firewire, VS automatically defaults to DV capture.

I can't do anything about that now though, the camera is broken, which is why we bought a new one. I dont have the footage either, so I can't recapture it. I was only new to video editing when I captured that, so I may have done something wrong. But that doesn't explain why VS won't let me edit it, or edit the MPEG-2 files from the new hard drive camera.

Why can't you mix Upper and Lower FF in one project? Because, essentially, the images are broadcast in different ways. If you mix them in one project, which is then rendered to either Upper or Lower FF, then the other one in the project will be broadcast incorrectly. The result will be that, for those clips, there will be jagged edges on straight lines and in panning and zooming shots or any fast motion, and often the video will also look jerky. It's a big no-no of video editing.

Thanks, I am still learning.

Maybe I will try defragmenting the computer, and reintalling Video Studio.

[2Dogs]

We have recently upgraged our security software to Trend micro 08, and it has caused a number of issues with the computer since we upgraded. Is it possible that this could be causing VS to crash? Just a thought. Although it doesn't explain why previous projects are working.

I'm not a big fan of Trend Micro, and prefer to use AVG free myself. In the past, Trend has reported many instances of spyware on my pc, which were actually bogus, intended to convince me of my need to buy Trend products.

It would still be helpful if you actually answered some of the questions we've put to you, otherwise there's not much chance of sorting out the problem, other than through chance.

So, when you connect your H250 to your pc, what cable do you use?

You also wrote that you use the Panasonic software to transfer the files from the camcorder to your pc. I asked if your pc identified the camcorder as a hard drive, and wondered if you could copy files from it using My Computer or Windows Explorer. Is this the case - can you transfer the files in that way? With those files, do you get the same behaviour with a VS project - i.e. crashing?

[cleo_26]

Ohh, Sorry for not answering your questions, there were quite a few replies at once, i must have missed them.

When I connect the H250 to the PC, I use the cable it came with, which plugs into the USB on my PC.

I cant remember if the PC sees it as a hard drive. I think it does. I have just lent my camcorder to my brother, so I cant try what you are suggesting yet. I will as soon as he brings it back.

I hope it doesn't make a difference, though, cause I just deleted them all off the camcorder before I gave it to my brother. Oops! Maybe I should have left them on there and checked that VS could edit them before deleting.

[cleo_26]

I have defragmented the computer and created a dedicated video editing hardware profile (as described by another post). I thought that I only needed to create a new user account, I didn't realise that I needed a separate hardware profile.

Anyway, that done, it all works now!!!

Thanks all so much for your help.