.avi files inserted to Overlay Track

[Winifred]

When I place an .avi file onto the overlay track it will only play the sound and not the video. The screen just remains black with the sound coming through. Would appreciate any help regarding this. Thanks.

[Ron P.]

Welcome back Winifred..

You place an avi onto an overlay track, what flavor of avi? Is it DV, Xvid, DivX, or some other? There are around 800 different video file codecs that use the avi wrapper. Do you have the codec installed for the type of video file? With the video file in the timeline or library, right-click on it select properties and post them here please.

Also have you manually updated DirectX? This can fix issues in VS that arise. There's a sticky topic at the top of this forum, with a link to download DirectX. This must be done manually as it is not part of the normal windows updates.

What version of VS are you using? Checking your latest post, you were using VS9. Your system specs show you're running Win7, and VS9 certainly is not compatible with Win7. You might also check the playback setting in your Preferences (press F6 on your keyboard to open the Preferences dialog).

[Winifred]

Hello Ron

Nice to be back. Had no problems I suppose, but don't do anything too technical! I upgraded to VS Pro X3 when it was released having also used VS10 and 11. Glutton for punishment!

I downloaded a program called Smilebox (as a 14 day trial) from which you can make cards and insert pictures and videos in them. You can then save the project to an .avi file at 4.3 aspect ratio (there is no other choice). I then wanted to insert it onto the overlay track in VS and stretch it out to fit my 16.9 project. I have done this in the past with acceptable results - but only using mpeg files. I did this to make a different introduction to my youngest granddaughter's first birthday party video, as I am running out of ideas.

Anyway here are the properties of the .avi file

File:
File Format Microsoft AVI files
File Size 17,093 kb
Frame rate 24.390 frames per second
Duration 80.525 seconds
Data Rate 211.16 kbps

In the meantime I will see which version of DirectX is running.

Thank you for your time.

Winifred

Video:
Compression Mpeg4s Decoder DMO
Attributes 32 bits, 640 x 480
Total Frames 1,964 frames

Audio:
Compression PCM
Attributes 44.100kHz, 16 bit, stereo
Total Samples 3548944 samples

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Winifred

I don’t know what is happening to the Avi files created by Smilebox.

If you need some inspiration as to introductions to your videos, have you tried the “Instant Project” options using X3.

Right icon immediately above timeline, give it a go.
Simply select a “Project” then “Insert”

They use sample clips provided by VS, but you can replace these with your own images, right click a clip and select “replace”, browse for your own image.

[Winifred]

Hi Trevor,

Yes I've tried the instant project. Thing is I wanted a really babyish first birthday theme. I do have Roxio Photoshow and they have good titles for birthdays etc., but again the aspect ratio is 4.3, I have sent a ticket to them to see if there is a way of altering it. Smilebox was just something totally different and would have been good if it had worked. Never mind.

Ron mentioned the most up to date version of DirectX, I have DirectX 11 is that the latest do you know?

Many thanks for your help.

Winifred

[Ron P.]

It's really difficult to tell if your DirectX is up to date by just looking at the version number. DirectX doesn't alter the numbers with their updates. If you have not manually downloaded and installed the updates from MS's directX webpage, then it probably is not running the most current.