DMF6 cannot create DVD files

Dale77 · Post by **Dale77** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:39 pm

I've been successfully using DMF4 for years.
I recently installed DMF6 on my Vista machine and when trying to create DVD files, I cannot get it to move from "step 2" to "step 3."

(Step 2 is for previewing the project; step 3 is where you burn the disc or write DVD files to a folder).

I click on the "next" button, and nothing happens. I've uninstalled & reinstalled the software, installed the patches, still doesn't work. Any ideas?

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:32 am

What format are your audio/video files? Are these the same kinds of files (from the same source) as you were using with MF4?

Post by **Ron P.** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:32 am

Go HERE and download the latest MS Direct-X drivers. The most current is dated March, 2009. These updates are not part of MS auto updates. You must manually download and run them.

They seem to fix several issues that are possibly broken by various windows updates..

Dale77 · Post by **Dale77** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:10 am

DVDDoug wrote:What format are your audio/video files? Are these the same kinds of files (from the same source) as you were using with MF4?

They are mpeg2 files created by the mainconcept encoder in sony vegas--same as I used in MF4.

Dale77 · Post by **Dale77** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:53 am

vidoman wrote:Go HERE and download the latest MS Direct-X drivers. The most current is dated March, 2009. These updates are not part of MS auto updates. You must manually download and run them.

They seem to fix several issues that are possibly broken by various windows updates..

Thanks for the suggestion!
I downloaded, extracted & installed the directx files, but DMF6 still does nothing when I click on the "next" button. Cannot get from "step 2" to "step 3."

Post by **Ron P.** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:39 am

I've noticed that you're using a dual boot machine, have you tried this using WinXP? Just trying to eliminate some possibilities, such as Vista. It should not be a problem with Vista but until it's tried and eliminated we don't know..

I don't think the video file being encoded by Main Concept should have any bearing on the program advancing to the next step, but try using some different formats, just in case..

From Corel's KB:

1. If the Next button is grayed out in Step 1 ("Select Source and Import"), make sure that one has more then one clip in the timeline at the bottom, and that the checkbox "Use First Clip as Introductory Video" is unchecked. An introductory video is the video that is placed before the disc¡¦s menu comes up. If you have an introductory video, the process will not let you continue if you only have one clip because there would be no clips appearing after the menu.
2. If on Step 2 ("Select a Template to Create Menu") clicking on the Next button does not work, but no error message appears, the issue may be related to having installed a trial version of VideoStudio or DVD MovieFactory over a purchased version of the program. These programs use the same common shared CD/DVD burning engine and will occasionally replace pre-existing versions. If the trial runs out, one may see symptoms involving the next bottom.

Is your version a purchased upgrade/full version or an activated trial version?

Did you do a simple or clean removal/re-install? For instructions on doing a full/clean install go HERE

Dale77 · Post by **Dale77** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:24 pm

vidoman wrote:I've noticed that you're using a dual boot machine, have you tried this using WinXP? Just trying to eliminate some possibilities, such as Vista. It should not be a problem with Vista but until it's tried and eliminated we don't know..

I don't think the video file being encoded by Main Concept should have any bearing on the program advancing to the next step, but try using some different formats, just in case..

From Corel's KB:
1. If the Next button is grayed out in Step 1 ("Select Source and Import"), make sure that one has more then one clip in the timeline at the bottom, and that the checkbox "Use First Clip as Introductory Video" is unchecked. An introductory video is the video that is placed before the disc¡¦s menu comes up. If you have an introductory video, the process will not let you continue if you only have one clip because there would be no clips appearing after the menu.
2. If on Step 2 ("Select a Template to Create Menu") clicking on the Next button does not work, but no error message appears, the issue may be related to having installed a trial version of VideoStudio or DVD MovieFactory over a purchased version of the program. These programs use the same common shared CD/DVD burning engine and will occasionally replace pre-existing versions. If the trial runs out, one may see symptoms involving the next bottom.
Is your version a purchased upgrade/full version or an activated trial version?

Did you do a simple or clean removal/re-install? For instructions on doing a full/clean install go HERE

1. The reason I purchased DMF6+ was so that I wouldn't have to boot this machine into XP (I've gradually been updating all the software & hardware that wouldn't work with Vista...so now there's no reason for me to boot into XP. When booting into XP, all the restore points created in Vista are lost). DMF6 is advertised as being Vista-compatible, so I wouldn't think that is the problem.

2. I tried using the sample video file included in the DMF6 program...still doesn't work.

3. The "next" button is not greyed out...but nothing happens when I click it. The version I installed is a purchased downloaded upgrade. But I may have had a trial version on this computer at one time...I don't remember...so I did a "clean removal/re-install" as per the instructions given...
Still the "next" button in step 2 is not working.

Post by **Ron P.** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:40 pm

Do you have Roxio Easy Media Creator Suite, or Nero's InCD installed? These may have installed a nasty Packet Writing utility, that tend to hi-jack DVD burners, not allowing other programs like DVD MF to have access.

With Roxio's EMCS, you can internally disable this "drag-n'-drop" utility, however with Nero's InCD you will need to un-install it through the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs.

Dale77 · Post by **Dale77** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 12:14 am

vidoman wrote:Do you have Roxio Easy Media Creator Suite, or Nero's InCD installed? These may have installed a nasty Packet Writing utility, that tend to hi-jack DVD burners, not allowing other programs like DVD MF to have access.

With Roxio's EMCS, you can internally disable this "drag-n'-drop" utility, however with Nero's InCD you will need to un-install it through the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs.

Thanks Vidoman for all your help.

I do have "Roxio Easy Media Creator" on my system--I've never used it--it must have been pre-installed on this Dell machine--however "Disable system autorun" is checked so unless I start it it does not seem to be running (it disappears from Task Manager when I exit the program).

I also have nero Burning ROM, which I use to burn DVDs. Actually for years I have used Ulead DMF to create the DVD files, and Nero to burn the discs (I can use multiple burners with Nero, don't think if I can do that with DMF). It has never been a problem up until version 6. I don't see an option in Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs to remove Nero InCD; it simply says "Nero 8." Nero 8 does have the capability to create data cd's & data dvd's.

I've noticed that with DMF6, when you start a new video project, a window pops up which requires you to "select a burner." I don't think DMF4 works that way. You can create the DVD files without having to select a burner.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:59 am

Dale77 wrote:......... When booting into XP, all the restore points created in Vista are lost). ......

That should not happen. This sounds to me like you haven't set up dual booting correctly. As for converting from XP to Vista you are the first person I have heard doing this, everyone else I know has bought a computer pre-installed with Vista and then do their best to find the XP drivers to either replace Vista or create a dual boot!

You could try creating a dual boot using my method:
Creating a Dual Boot Vista/XP System
Paying particular attention to Dual Boot the Steve Jones Method.

Dale77 · Post by **Dale77** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 6:57 am

sjj1805 wrote:
Dale77 wrote:......... When booting into XP, all the restore points created in Vista are lost). ......
That should not happen. This sounds to me like you haven't set up dual booting correctly. As for converting from XP to Vista you are the first person I have heard doing this, everyone else I know has bought a computer pre-installed with Vista and then do their best to find the XP drivers to either replace Vista or create a dual boot!

You could try creating a dual boot using my method:
Creating a Dual Boot Vista/XP System
Paying particular attention to Dual Boot the Steve Jones Method.

I don't have time right now to try your method (it's 1:46 AM here now)...but when I configured my dual-boot system around 2 years ago, the restore point issue was a well-documented fact:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926185

I'm not converting from XP to Vista...Conversely, I started with a machine preloaded with Vista, but I had many programs (& some hardware) that wouldn't work with it...so that's why I created a dual-boot system...so my old programs, which only worked in XP, could still be used on this new machine. But the drawback of booting into XP was that all the Vista restore points would be erased by XP (there were some work-arounds but they had some drawbacks). So I began to acquire newer versions of the software so that all my software would be compatible with Vista.

I'll definitely look into your program tomorrow when I get a chance...perhaps the restore point issue has been resolved.

Thanks for your help!

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:13 am

I was unaware of that restore point issue because my system of multi-booting was developed several years ago.

Although I am biased because I "sort of invented" the system I am sure if you take a look at it you will immediately see its benefits and power.
**Very Handy** when another operating system refuses to start because you can still access your computer and its hard drive(s) from the other operating system. With a conventional multi-boot there is the danger that a corrupt boot sector will render all available operating systems useless.

Dale77 · Post by **Dale77** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:52 pm

Steve,

Yes, your dual-boot method (using two separate hard drives) would be the way to go--I think that would avoid the Vista restore point issue. I'm thinking of deleting the XP partition from the hdd of my main editing computer. I have another machine running XP where I have DMF4 installed.

I just wish I could figure out why I can't get DMF6 to work on Vista. Could be a conflict with Nero. But I have both Nero & DMF running on my XP machine with no problems.

I noticed that you have Nero7 as well as several versions of DMF on your computer. Do you have them both on the same hard drive?

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:18 pm

Since you can't get Movie Factory to work... I've been experimenting with the trial version of DVD Lab ($100 - $250 USD) for a couple of weeks. I'm probably going to buy it. (I don't have Vista, but it's supposed to run on Vista.)

It's only a DVD authoring program, but since you already have an editor, and encoder, burning software, etc., that should not be an issue.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:26 am

Dale77 wrote:.......I noticed that you have Nero7 as well as several versions of DMF on your computer. Do you have them both on the same hard drive?

They all reside happily on the same computer at the same time.
Just ensure that you haven't installed Nero InCD
See this post for further information:
DVD Burning / Playback issues