Question For Ken Berry: Adding Clips To VS DVD Authoring

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:38 pm

Ken,

After opening the DVD authoring module of Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus, I can click the button at the top left of the interface to browse to video files on my hard disk and import them into the DVD authoring module's timeline.

Something appears to have gone terribly wrong on my computer.

After I import any video clip into the DVD authoring module, I am unable to play it in the video window at the top right of the interface. That window -- here on my computer -- remains black and the controls greyed out.

I'm curious to know if you have this working as expected.

Thanks,

Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:43 pm

I've read through some recent posts and it could be that I need to update my DirectX.

I'll give that a try.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

Post by **Ken Berry** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:12 pm

Jerry -- sorry not to have gotten back to you earlier, but I am currently travelling in Europe and my access to the internet is at best erratic...

Yes, some strange things have occurred with VS, possibly as a result of recent updates of XP and Vista. But most of them seem to be cured by installing the latest (still November 2007?) update patch for DirectX, which, moreover, is designed to update both DirectX 9.0c and 10...

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:21 pm

Thanks, Ken. When I get back home this evening, I'll give that a try.

If this turns out to be the fix, I'll be happy.

On the other hand, I can't quite understand Microsoft's DirectX implementation because I have my Windows XP Home updated via "live update" with all patches and updates recommended by Microsoft.

It seems very strange that so many people have found it necessary to re-install the very DirectX components that -- as far as I know -- have been included in the Microsoft service packs and updates.

Microsoft can be quite puzzling. On the other hand, perhaps the installation of Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus blows out some of the components.

Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:09 am

Installed the latest March 2008 DirectX components from Microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... layLang=en

Now I at least have *some* stability.

And the video previewing is working in the DVD authoring module.

Still, the behavior is far from perfect... slow... some workflow actions can cause crashes...

This is not even close to the performance I get on my Apple Macintosh.

Still, I can at least get some functionality out of my Windows tools now.

Looks like Microsoft, Corel, and Cineform should merge.

Then maybe the three of them could get their act together.

Jerry Jones

Post by **lancecarr** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:28 am

I'd be happy if Microsoft merged with it's own DirectX team and included it as part of the regular updates!

For some reason the DirectX site stands totally alone and only by manually seeking an update does it occur.

I get better notification of DirectX updates by watching Ken's posts!

Post by **Ken Berry** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:46 am

Thanks Jerry, and especially for the info re the latest update for DirectX. I know Microsoft announced that in fact in future they would only be doing about 4 DirectX updates per year, so I knew one was due or even overdue. But what with travelling etc, I haven't had time to check. Good to know that now our advice to people should be 'the update of March 2008'...

Post by **lancecarr** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:19 am

You see?
Now I know to go and update...works every time!

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:50 pm

lancecarr wrote:You see?
Now I know to go and update...works every time!

But aren't the DirectX components included in the normal Microsoft Windows Update?

If not, shouldn't Microsoft make them available in that manner?

What I don't understand is why Microsoft somehow seems to think that a dreadfully poor customer update service is "good" business.

Let me be specific.

I have instructed Microsoft's automatic update service to keep my computer up-to-date on everything.

Yet... this so-called "service" fails to keep my computer up to date, forcing me -- the customer -- to go searching on Microsoft's horrible Web site for the myriad patches and fixes that are scattered in various locations.

Am I the only one who find this process unworthy?

Apple does not do this.

With my Apple computer, all drivers, updates, patches -- everything -- is *automatically* updated; I'm so happy with how it's done I can't even begin to explain how much better my experience has been on the Apple platform.

Much better customer service.

With Microsoft, I've been forced to hunt down DirectX updates.

I've been forced to hunt down .NET FRAMEWORK updates.

Corel's latest DVD update to the Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus product adds what -- in theory -- would seem to be a powerful AVCHD/Blu-ray upgrade; but the problem is that this is easily the most unstable version of VideoStudio I have ever tested... even with the new DirectX updates.

This product will be my last Corel product.

And this Windows computer that I'm still using will be my last Windows computer purchase.

Jerry Jones

etech6355 · Post by **etech6355** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:29 pm

Jerry,
Good luck with the new Mac.
What one OS doesn't do the other can so it's the best of both worlds.
First thing drove me crazy was no right clicking, learned to just use a 3 button mouse or hold down the "Control" key and click on the mac mouse.
I admit I didn't fall short of support since almost everyone in the family has switched to the mac's.

(They all lost weigh to!, their wallets were about 10 pounds lighter!)
Leopard is nice.

I don't think MS installs the DirectX updates automatically because sometimes an automatic reboot can be performed installing directx, along with other issues. Like all the software on the computer would also need to be updated (their patches & updates).

I think the DirectX requirement is expected to be in the software distribution of the software you are installing. Usually a requirement when using the latest video drivers for your video card (although I use ones that work, I don't update my video drivers unless necessary).
In the case of MF6+ HD-Add-On pack the correct DirectX update is distributed with the MF6+ HD-Add-On pack when you install it.

Anyway, good luck on your new purchase.