videostudio crashes CONSTANTLY with uncompressed AVI

stannmaple · Post by **stannmaple** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:51 am

I was running videostudio 10+ on XP. I ran into a problem where it started crashing for no reason- it would give no error, no message- nothing, it would just disappear off the screen. It usually did this when I tried to render, but not always- sometimes when I would just play the movie in the timeline- other times when I would just insert the movie into the timeline. So, I wrote on this forum and found out the way to completely uninstall videostudio- erase any trace of it from my system. I did that, reinstalled, the problem was the same, so I reformatted the hard drive, wiped out EVERYTHING- reinstalled XP, reinstalled video studio and it worked great... until I got some more of my programs installed. (quicktime, SUPER, and others) So, I uninstalled AGAIN, and reinstalled, same problem. I finally took the plunge and upgraded to the NEWEST videostudio (it was about time anyway) - X2... same problem immediately!
As far as I can tell (though I have not tested other files extensively) this happens most often when I'm dealing with uncompressed AVI (no DV- no codec- uncompressed mainly output from virtualdub) I used to do this all the time with NO problems (for years) but now all of a sudden, it crashes. I've tried multiple files and it always crashes. All the files play from the library in videostudio just fine. They also play in virtualdub, windows media player, media player classic etc... I'm at a complete loss here. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Dann

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:51 am

Your computer specifications look a bit on the low side for editing uncompressed avi which uses a massive 65 Gigabytes of hard drive space per hour.

You could try increasing your RAM from 512 to at least 1GB but more preferably 2GB. If your not sure what RAM to install or how much it costs then try this online tool to identify the RAM. You can then hunt around the internet for alternative sellers.

Ram Upgrade Advisor

Next I would check your Hard Drive for bad sectors - this is a lengthy process best done overnight:
Start | Run | chkdsk /R
You will have to reboot your computer for it to do its job.

You have Super and also Virtual Dub - have you tried to convert the uncompressed avi into something a bit more eco-friendly - preferably DV (Digital Video) - this uses 13 Gigabytes of hard drive space per hour but is also a LOT less strain on your processor and the hard drive read/write heads.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:05 pm

Could also be a conflict with another software since you say you could do this in the past, and it worked after an OS install, but before loading other software.

stannmaple · Post by **stannmaple** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:44 pm

Hey guys!
Thanks for the quick replies! I apologize, I need to update my system info. I've since switched over to a Dell Dimension E520 which I believe has at least 1 GB of RAM- maybe more... I'll have to check. Nonetheless, more RAM is certainly something I could use, so I will likely end up purchasing some of that. However, I'm fairly certain this is not causing the problem. I have never had any problem with this software until I reinstalled XP (I've done this 3 times in the last week or so... I'll get to that) and I've always used uncompressed AVI. I could definitely convert to DV, but I would prefer to use uncompressed if possible.

The reason I reinstalled XP the first time is because there were several glitches within my system including a problem with Adobe Encore. I reinstalled the OS to hopefully fix this problem and it did, but with it, came the problem of videostudio crashing- EVERY time I render a file. So, I reinstalled XP AGAIN, and had the same problem. Then I reinstalled a THIRD time and video studio worked great! Rendered complete files with no problems. I was relieved... until I installed a couple more programs (interestingly enough they were all programs I originally had on my PC when videostudio worked fine) and then it started crashing again. I would have to guess it IS something to do with another program interfering like Jeff mentioned, but how do I know which one and how do I fix it? (I've tried uninstalling all programs I put on since videostudio, uninstalling videostudio, and reinstalling- no luck)

The harddrive error is a possibility too. The problem is I have almost 3 TB of hard drive space currently. It would probably take an eternity to check this. I'm tempted to reinstall XP AGAIN, but I'm REALLY tired of doing that, and I have no guarantee I won't run into the same problem. I really appreciate all of the help. Any idea how long it would take to check all my drives with this much space? I might give that a shot! Any other ideas are welcome. Thanks again!
Dann

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:42 pm

I would have to guess it IS something to do with another program interfering like Jeff mentioned, but how do I know which one and how do I fix it?

You need to get your computer to a state at which VS worked. Try a System Restore to the point at which you had reinstalled the OS and VS and it worked. Now install your other apps, one at a time, testing VS after each one.

stannmaple · Post by **stannmaple** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:45 pm

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the response!
I'm sorry for my ignorance, but can you tell me how to do this? Thanks!

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:52 pm

System Restore? Go to Start>Help & Support and type in System Restore in the Search box. Choose Run the System Restore Wizard.

stannmaple · Post by **stannmaple** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:54 pm

I've got another update. It appears videostudio is very SPECIFIC with which files it crashes on. Here is what I'm trying to do (and have had great success with in the past) I take the file into virtualdub and crop it down using "null transform" I chop off all 4 sides by about 9 or 10. Then I take it into videostudio which will automatically resize it to fit the screen. Then I render at 720 X 480. I noticed as I was messing with it though, if I DON'T crop the file, then save as uncompressed AVI, videostudio will render it with no problems. Could this be a setting I could adjust in videostudio that would make it work? I used this technique for a long time prior to the re-installation of XP. Thanks!

stannmaple · Post by **stannmaple** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:20 pm

Thanks Jeff,
That doesn't sound too complicated... I'll give that a shot. One question, if I "roll back" the system, can I "roll forward" to where I am now?

One more interesting bit of information. If I crop the file in virtualdub, then import the file into videostudio and click "change the project settings to match the video clip" THEN render an MPEG file at 720 X 480, it does not crash. Any idea what might be causing this? I would say it's just the way videostudio is designed except for the fact that I had success with it many times in the past NOT changing the project settings. Either way, it's a nice workaround... Thanks again for the help!

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:44 pm

Have you tried using the Crop Video Filter in VS?

Yes, you can "undo" a System Restore.

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:38 pm

It appears videostudio is very SPECIFIC with which files it crashes on.

I think this is generally true! It seems that it's usually a bad (or slightly corrupt file that otherwise plays OK), or it's a format (or format variation) that Video Studio doesn't "like".

Generally, the more-compressed files tend to cause the most trouble (DivX, MOV, MPEG-4, etc.). Most people who are experiencing crashes or other "strange problems" are using these highly-compressed formats. (I've had some problems with some MPEG-2 files also.)

Not too many people use uncompressed AVI, so I have no impression of how "trouble-free" or "trouble-prone" it is.

DV/AVI seem to be the most to be the most trouble-free format.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:56 pm

Not too many people use uncompressed AVI, so I have no impression of how "trouble-free" or "trouble-prone" it is.

I do use uncompressed AVI fairly regularly, as they are what Digital Juice produces, although typically only 15 or 30 second clips. With that said, I have not had any problems with them.

stannmaple · Post by **stannmaple** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:08 pm

A crop filter in video studio you say? There is SO much in the program that I have not used- or even know about! I'll have to give this a shot. This could save me a LOT of time!

I've had trouble with other file formats like quicktime or xvid, but I've never had the whole program just disappear from the screen until now.

This gives me a lot of options to work with. One more question... is there a way to set it so my DEFAULT project properties are AVI 720X480 etc so I don't have to change it every time I start the software? Thanks again for th all the help!

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:35 pm

If you have your Preferences set to change the Project Properties to that of the first clip you place in the timeline, then VS will automatically change the Project Properties to that of the first clip.

stannmaple · Post by **stannmaple** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:14 pm

You guys have been great!
I think I'm well on my way to being trouble free with videostudio. Thanks!