Previewing mpg files

MikePH · Post by **MikePH** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:18 am

I wonder if anyone else has experienced this with VideoStudio X2: I can't preview mpg clips properly. When I click on them in the library I see only the first few seconds while the timecode very rapidly speeds to the end of the clip. If I add them to the timeline the same thing happens but. if I then play them as a project, the playback is normal. This happens with ALL mpg clips (whether self-rendered or not) but it doesn't happen with any other type of file. I can preview .avi, .mp4, .wmv etc etc without any problems at all.
I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling VideoStudio to see if there was some corruption in the installation but the issue remains. It could be that I need to make a completely clean installation but I don't know how.
I can edit mpg files within a project but I just can't preview each file. I can edit and preview them with other editing applications: it's just with VS X2 (which I prefer to use) that the problem emerges.
I would welcome any suggestions.

mitchell65 · Post by **mitchell65** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:17 am

I think this problem is a bit beyond me but to save our experts time I know they will ask you to fill in the details on your System and to give full details of one of the offendinding clips by right clicking it in the timeline and clicking properties. Then copy out all the details shown. Also they will probably ask for details of where the files come from and how you capture them from the camcorder. Add any other details you can think of. You can't give them too much information. This willsolve your problem quicker, hopefully

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:59 am

Thanks Mitchell! And just to explain to MikePH, the reason we need to know is that you just say they are 'mpg'. That could be mpeg-1 (standard def), mpeg-2 (standard def or high def HDV format) or even one of the mpeg-4 (mp4) varieties which does not use .mp4 as the extension but .mpg. And each of those will behave very differently in different circumstances.

That being said, though, your computer should have the relevant codecs installed, either as part of Windows or as a result of X2 installation. Unless you have installed a mega codec pack... You haven't, have you???!!!

MikePH · Post by **MikePH** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:12 pm

Thanks for rapid input. I was obviously not specific enough about the clips. The offending items are MPEG-2 (in both SD and HD forms). As I said, I have no problem with any other type; mpeg-4, avi, wmv, mpa etc etc.. As I also said, this problem occurs with ALL mpeg-2 files, whether generated by VS or created elsewhere. I have not downloaded or changed any of the relevant codecs. Also the clips can be previewed and edited in other applications (indeed they can be edited in VS X2 without any problem). It is only when I try to PREVIEW them that the glitch occurs.
I think it is fair to say therefore that the issue does not lie with corruption in the files themselves. For instance, I can play them perfectly in Media Player.

mitchell65 · Post by **mitchell65** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:34 pm

I can see why you are finding this a bit frustrating but the preview on VS is not one it's strong points. As you say you can edit the clips OK and that you can at least preview them by choosing "Project".
However I see you haven't filled in your "System" nor given the experts the full project details etc of the clips. I don't want to carp on about this but I am certain that people like Ken Berry would not ask for this sort of detail unless it was really necessary. He and many others give us all the benefit of their extensive knowledge and experience completely frre of charge so it is a very small price to pay to produce the necessary detail. I often can't see how knowing what processor you have can help answer a particular question but it happens time and ttime again.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:59 pm

Many preview issues are resolved by updating your DirectX. It's worth a shot.

skier-hughes · Post by **skier-hughes** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:04 pm

It sounds to me like VS cannot pick the correct decoder to allow you to preview the files.
Has this always been the case?
I'd re-install VS.
Has it just started happening?
Think about what changes you've made to the system, installing other programmes etc, or uninstalling. Maybe use system restore back to when it last worked, or if this isn't possible you again my have to re-install VS.
It's possible there is a way to enable which codec VS uses or the priority order in which this codec gets used, in which case one of the others may be able to tell you how to do this with VS. Nero is a devil for doing this, as is itunes/quicktime.

MikePH · Post by **MikePH** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:02 pm

Thank you all for your comments. I've updated DirectX to no effect. I've removed and reinstalled VS several times. I probably need to completely remove everything from the registry etc but I'm not sure where "everything" is.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:30 pm

Clean re-installation instructions here

MikePH · Post by **MikePH** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:29 pm

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I managed to solve the problem by following Steve's instructions. For good measure I also deleted the MPEG folder foung in Program Files/Common Files/Ulead Systems. This was rebuilt on reinstallation of X2. One happy side effect was a much better handling of AVCHD files. I have just bought a Panasonic HDC-HS300 and was very disappointed with VideoStudio's rendering of AVCHD projects. There were loads of artefacts and motion blur. Reinstalling cleanly has improved these filles considerably. The one downside is that I can now see the transition blips that everyone has been talking about re AVCD production on X2.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:49 pm

And you didn't see the blips before reinstalling?

MikePH · Post by **MikePH** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:15 pm

I honestly don't know. The first files were so full of other blips and artefacts that it would be hard to tell.