VSP X4 Audio disappears

[rickasaurus]

Hi, I am using VSP X4 on Dell laptop running Windows 7.

When editing the timeline, select and play an individual clip, the audio works fine, on every clip. However, when I play the project, the audio is missing on some clips. If I render the project, the audio is missing on those clips.

When I switch to sound mixer view, some clips show the sound wave, others give the message "loading wave data", which never loads.

I imagine if it was a codec problem, those clips would not play the audio at all. Am I right?

What could be the problem?

Thanks

Rick

[Ken Berry]

Well, Rick, you won't be surprised when I ask the obvious question: what is the format/properties of the video you are dealing with? Are the problem clips the same as the others? Where did they all come from? What format are you trying to produce from them?

[rickasaurus]

Hi Ken, Thanks for your quick reply. I thought I might be asked that question, however I thought it may be possible there was a simple answer!

Unfortunately, the video I am trying to produce has a variety of formats in the clips. There are avi, wmv, MTS and mpg (mpeg-2).

I realise you may need more information on the properties. However, I think the origin of the problem may not be related to those formats.

For example, the mpeg-2 files I am using are produced by the Panasonic HD Writer, as conversion from AVCHD from my Panasonic video camera. I have used these mpeg-2 files from the HD writer extensively in the past, on earlier versions of VSP, without any problems at all.

Now, if I take as a test, only a short 10 second clip of the mpeg-2 file, it will play fine when the clip is selected in the timeline, but when I change to project (only that one clip in the project) and play it, there is no audio (nor is there any audio if I render it). If I click on audio mixer view, it will not load the wave data.

If I split the audio out, it will play the audio track when selected, but still will not play the audio when in project view.

For your info, here is the property data for the mpeg-2 clip I did the test with:

MPEG-2 video, upper field first
5352 frames
24 bits, 720x576, 16:9
25.000 fps
Variable bit rate (max 9400kbps)
audio 32,000Hz
Layer: none
Bit rate 256kbps

(is there an easy way to copy the file properties?)

I just want to stress again, I have used this same MPEG-2 file type numerous times, with lengthy productions, without problems on previous VSP versions.

Oh! I wish I could go back to Media Studio Pro!!

Ken, if you need more info, please let me know. BTW, I installed SP2, but that made no difference.

Regards,

Rick

[rickasaurus]

Additional info:

If I put two MPEG-2 clips in the timeline (both the same format), it will play both of them correctly when individually selected. When I try to play the project, occasionally it will play the first clip audio, but not the second. Mostly it will not play the audio in either.

If I add a music track, that plays fine. If I select sound mixer view, the system hangs on "loading wave data". Then VSP X4 needs to be restarted.

Hope this helps

Rick

[rickasaurus]

Well, in the absence of a solution, I did a work-around, as I needed to get the job done. I downloaded a trial version of another video editing software which I used to edit the files which VSP was unable to edit. That software did it all easily, including all the different formats, with no problems at all.

So I used that product to create the production in several segments, rendering each in mpeg-2 format.

I then went back to VSP (only because of familiarity with it), which I then used to do the final compilation, titles, etc. With now only 3 or 4 files in the compilation, all the same format mpeg-2 files, VSP was able to handle it OK.

I have to say, I am quite disappointed with VSP. Having used Media Studio Pro for a long time, I have found that VSP (up to and including the current version) has nowhere near the reliability. Crashes are frequent, which I never had with MSP. VSP seems to be very heavy on resources.

Anyway, I am close to giving up on VSP, especially after this experience!

Rick