Drop outs with Ulead AVCHD Codec

[philip_l]

Hi

Video source: Panasonic SD9 Camcorder
OS: Windows 7

I have found when converting video from VideoStudio X2 Pro some clips show drop outs, the drops are around a random 10% block of the video within the frame that gets stuck for a couple of frames.

The drop outs appear in the same places in each clip that is affected. I've managed to troubleshoot this, details below:

1) The AVCHD file copied from the camera card plays without the drop-outs on the PC, either directly or when watching from within VideoStudio and from the camera.

2) When converted to a different format via the Share option in VideoStudio (can use custom or preset video types) the drop-outs appear. Any destination codec seems affected.

3) I tried the Neoscene codec, when converted via VideoStudio to the Neoscene format the drop-out is there.

4) When converted by Neoscene's own interface outside of VideoStudio, so I assume using it's own AVCHD decoder, no drop out!

5) I can add the Neoscene encoded video to VideoStudio and export it using share to any format, no drop outs.

The above is repeatable on different computers.

My conclusion is that there is a problem with the AVCHD codec that VideoStudio is using, it is flawed in someway when decoding and passing to another codec for re-encoding.

Anyone seen this before?

I also have the issues as reported (blip) when using the AVCHD video with smart rendering around transitions.

So all in all very disappointed with VideoStudio

Is it possible to get VideoStudio to use a different codec than it's own for AVCHD?

Regards

Phil

[philip_l]

Hi

Some more info:

The problem only happens when VideoStudio has the first patch applied, without the patch no drop-outs, however without the patch VideoStudio randomly freezes after encoding a clip!

Nice one Corel, will this product ever get fixed?

Regards

Phil

[philip_l]

Hi

I seem to have fixed this issue. There are two versions of the H264 decoder, one must be used for previewing in VideoStudio, the other used for decoding prior to encoding. The one used for decoding prior to re-encoding is an older version!

This is what I did:

1) In Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\MPEG took a copy of H264VDec.dll as a backup, this is the older version of the library (version 2.0.1.4)

2) Take a copy of the newer file from Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\Filters\H264VDec.dll (this is version 2.0.1.7) and copy it into the folder in 1) replacing the older version there.

This resolved the drop-out issues.

Not sure if this also helps with blips around transitions, not tested yet.

Regards

Phil

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Philip

And welcome to the forum

I don¡¦t use HD that much, a Panasonic TZ5 is the nearest for me, but found your findings very interesting.
I¡¦m sure the guys that use HD will be giving the H264VDec.dll a looking at.

Thanks for the information

[Van Rouge]

This inability to render high definition video appears to be a feature of VS.

[Ken Berry]

Just for the sake of clarity, VS renders HDV high def video just fine. It is AVCHD high def video that causes problems... as per this thread.

[mitchell65]

Hi

I seem to have fixed this issue. There are two versions of the H264 decoder, one must be used for previewing in VideoStudio, the other used for decoding prior to encoding. The one used for decoding prior to re-encoding is an older version!

This is what I did:

1) In Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\MPEG took a copy of H264VDec.dll as a backup, this is the older version of the library (version 2.0.1.4)

2) Take a copy of the newer file from Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\Filters\H264VDec.dll (this is version 2.0.1.7) and copy it into the folder in 1) replacing the older version there.

This resolved the drop-out issues.

Not sure if this also helps with blips around transitions, not tested yet.

Regards

Phil

I have just completed the following:
Completed the file updatenig as outlined by Philip_I.
Taken new clips indoors on a vey sturdy tripod to ensure no camera shake. Played clip (2mins) and steady as a rock. Then in VS x2 I split the clip into five and put a three D transition between each split. (5 different transitions) Produced a BluRay folder from this project and played the resultant M2TS file back on my PC. Result, NO BLIPS AT ALL.
Have now burnt a DVD from the Blu-Ray folder and played it through ny BluRay player onto a HD 1080 TV. Result NO BLIPS AT ALL. Seems like Philip_I has solved the problem. Brilliant but why didn't Corel find this I wonder. Will do another couple of new checks just to make sure and come back tomorrow.

[mitchell65]

Just to add a follow up. I have completed another two trials with different clips and different transitions (although I rarely use any transitions other than crossfade!) Result of Tests: NO BLIPS AT ALL. Have given up all thoughts of updating to X3 as the only thing I needed it for was to cure the blip problem and Philip_I seems to have cured that. Thanks Philip_I.

[alpine]

Very interesting! Thanks Philip_I

[alpine]

Just tried this with a short AVCHD file where one of the transitions consistently caused my media player to hang.
Sadly, the hang still occurs.
Philip_I, had you done anything else on the machine, such as installing the trial copy of the new version?

[Black Lab]

But it sounds like your problem is different than the "blip" problem and that's why this didn't fix your problem.

[mitchell65]

Just tried this with a short AVCHD file where one of the transitions consistently caused my media player to hang.
Sadly, the hang still occurs.
Philip_I, had you done anything else on the machine, such as installing the trial copy of the new version?

This does indeed seem to be an unrelated problem. Suggest you start a new Topic for it and complete your System details and give full details as requested in the "Please read this first before posting" sticky at the top of this Forum.

[alpine]

No, it's the same problem, out of sequence frames at entry points of smart rendering transitions.

[mitchell65]

No, it's the same problem, out of sequence frames at entry points of smart rendering transitions.

Sorry I thought you said the file with the transition would hang in your media player. The blips we all get or got were "shudders" just after a transition. It didn'tmake the player hang.

[aljimenez]

Don't do this in the Ulead Common directory change if you have installed X3. X3 appears to change the MPEG file to much newer version... Al