Time to replace VS9?

[Trikie]

As a very non-techy computer user I bought VS9 for very basic editing. i haven't done very much - a couple of mini-DV tapesworth every 6 months or so. I copy the finished result back to the camcorder and then to DVD via a separate DVD recorder - despite advice from this forum I couldn't master the seemingly complicated VS method of creating chapters.

I've just started editing another couple of tapes and the programme has crashed 8 times in 2 hours. Is the latest programme easier to use and, more importantly, less prone to crashing? Will I still recognise the basic features or is it a complete new learning curve?

[DVDDoug]

I haven't upgraded from VS10 yet, but I know there have been some major changes and I suggest you download the trial version and decide for yourself. (But, from what I understand, the trial version doesn't come with Movie Factory so you can't fully try-out the DVD making capabilities that come with the purchased software.)

a couple of mini-DV tapesworth every 6 months or so...

...I've just started editing another couple of tapes and the programme has crashed 8 times in 2 hours.

Most crashes seem to be related to the video file. Is your current project DV/AVI from the same Mini-DV camera? (DV/AVI is usually fool-proof... The more-advanced more-compressed formats tend to be more troublesome.)

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Trikie

The editing techniques used in the latest versions haven’t changed that much.
Additional templates, HD capabilities but it does the same things.
So the workflow is very similar, however to complete your work using X3 you have to Share Create Video file, something you should be doing with VS 9 anyway.

Creating Main and Chapter Menu’s are just the same so if you don’t understand the process with VS 9 you wont see any change with the latest versions.
But we can help you out with the menu process.

If you are still using Mini DV and running XP then I don’t see any problems in continuing with VS9. but give the X3 a trial run,
unfortunately you would have to use VS 9 to burn your discs.

Working with Dv-Avi files are probably the best and easiest for VS to cope with. See my quick guide

If you are having problems with VS crashing I would cure that before updating, just in case it’s a PC problem and not VS.
First uninstall Video Studio 9 and perform a Clean Install, this includes manually removing files left over after uninstall.
If you do not know how ask..

[Trikie]

Thanks Trevor

Sounds like my best bet is to soldier on with VS9 after reinstalling it. Can I take you up on your offer with removing the leftover files.

Doug, yes, its DV/AVI - the crashes happen when I am capturing from the camcorder.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Trikie

Maybe after sorting your crash problem you could download the trial of X3 to give it a run
OK
Can you give a bit more info on your capture process.
From a Mini DV type camera you should use firewire to capture selecting DV as the capture format.
Can you confirm that you are using Firewire (IEEE / I –Link)

[Trikie]

Hi Trevor,

Yes, Firewire and DV as the capture format. Camcorder is now a Sony but I also had crashes with a Panasonic.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

There is a program called Win DV
Many on the forum prefer to use this to capture DV-Avi

http://windv.mourek.cz/

Give it a try, if you have problems using this program then we can probably rule out VS 9 as being the culprit and look further for the reasons for the crashes.

[Trikie]

Thanks, I will.

Persevering this evening, just had first crash after capturing about 10 minutes video in 3 batches.

Interestingly the "Report this error" message was followed by one saying "Dr Watsons DeBugger has encountered a problem and has to close" To the best of my knowledge I haven't installed Dr Watsons DeBugger and wonder if it's part of VS9.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Dr. Watson is an application debugger included with the Microsoft Windows operating system
Certainly is not part of the Video Studio installation.

I think you may have other issues regarding the crashes other than VS9

Do you have Anti Virus or Spyware programs installed?
Is the pc up to date with Windows Auto Updates?

[dmz]

FWIW - I have used VS since VS8. I am now on pro X2 on a windows 7 64 bit machine (with all the latest X2 fixes). I can say that X2 is great and not a big stretch to come to terms with. However, from what I have read I wouldnt touch X3 with a ten foot pole.

[Trikie]

Hi,

Yes, Zone Alarm and Avast plus Microsoft Security and yes to Windows Auto updates. Crashes only happen when capturing with VS9.

[Black Lab]

However, from what I have read I wouldnt touch X3 with a ten foot pole.

Maybe you should actually try X3 before making such a statement. The OP is using DV-AVI files, and I have found that X3's handling of such files is no different than any previous version.

[Trevor Andrew]

Trikie

The thing is that when we capture DV-Avi via firewire the process does not recode the video, it literally transfers the footage to the pc,
what you have is what you get Dv-Avi. So VS 9 is doing little to capture its just the interface, and again to have problems with this process is unusual.
As mentioned Win DV is used by many on this forum,

So I assume you have tried other software to capture your camcorder footage and was successful.
So we can rule out a hardware problem (Firewire card or cable), which takes us back to VS 9

Have you re-installed VS or at least repaired the software.
Have you applied the patch for VS 9. UVS9Full_Patch1_5in1.exe

Do you have other Ulead or Corel products installed?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Trikie

I earlier mentioned a clean install of Video Studio 9
These notes may help