VSX5 Unspecified Error during rendering

[SheilaN]

I am using VSX5 and have been since October. I have the SP2 update installed. I just started having a problem receiving "unspecified error" during rendering.

I have a dvd of video footage that I imported into corel initially. When it came time to put into timeline, I kept receiving an error message the "the parameter is incorrect." That was my first problem. I used Prism Video File Converter to convert the .vob files to .mpg files to insert into my library. All of this worked fine, or so it seemed, until I went to share - create video file. Around 53% of completed rendering, I received "unspecified error" and dump file. Then correct is closed by windows for an unexpected error.

I have searched the forum and found the "browser manager" issue. This is not my problem - although I did have this once. I also followed the instructions to reset the library and reset corel to factory default settings. I opened the same project and received the same "unspecified error" and dump file.

Should I start the project over? Is the project damaged in some way by the unspecified error message? I'm not sure what else to do at this point.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you
Sheila

[lata]

Hi Sheilla

First the problem may be a corrupt original video file given that you had problems importing the files from disc.

You have used another program to convert Vob to Mpeg.
Simply renaming the files extension from Vob to Mpeg may have worked and allowed you to import to Video Studio.
So it is always in the back of my mind that the problem is with the original video files.
I have to ask – do you have import problems with all discs or just this one, is the disc copyright protected?

Ok,
You have added the clips to the timeline and I assume applied some edits, added sound or title clips.
The render fails at 53%
What is in the timeline at 53%, have you applied filters/audio/titles to that section .
---------------------
Use the Project Preview Range and render to 50%, does that complete without problems.
Then Render from 50% to the end. Does that fail

When you render choose Same as First Video clip will use your video files properties.

[SheilaN]

Hello Trevor,

The original footage is from a mini dv camera. The footage is burned onto a dvd using a dvd burner. I don't know the specifics, as someone else does this. Usually, she just copies the dvd and gives to me. This time, she used freemake video converter and not sure exactly what she did to make a copy. My experience with freemake is it converts, not just copies, like Roxio disc copier for example.

I have not had this problem with other dvds that I have received from her, but she previously did not use freemake to make the copy. I was wondering if there was a problem with the original video files myself, since I could not import into VSX5 like I am normally able to do.

I did add transitions and titles. However, where it stops, at 53%, it has gone through a few transitions points and titles that I have in the beginning, well before the 53%. I will have to look and see what is exactly at that 53% point, I think it is the start of another clip. When the camera footage, the minidv tapes, are downloaded, there are two tapes. When she (the person actually downloading the footage from the tapes from the camera to the burner) gets to the end of the first tape, she pauses the dvd burner, inserts the next tape and un-pauses the burner and continues the burning process. When the dvd burner has completed, it breaks the footage into four files. The breaks usually are always in the middle of continuous footage. I think that is what is at the 53% point.

I will try the project preview range as you suggest and render to 50% and see what happens and then render from 50% to the end and see what happens. I will let you know how that turns out.

The interesting thing is, after I reset VSX5 to factory defaults, I inserted the files again and did no editing, no transitions, no titles. I went to share, create video file, and selected same as project properties, (only because, I get the message when I insert the first clip into the timeline asking if I want the project properties to be the same as the file I'm inserting and I say yes). It rendered all the way to the end with no error messages. Perplexing.

thanks you,
Sheila

[SheilaN]

I just look at the footage that did render, and where it stopped. At the 53% mark, where it stops and I get the unspecified error and dump file, there is a transition I put there at that point.

[SheilaN]

Hi Trevor,

I cannot figure out how to use the Project Preview Range to render to 50%. Please tell me the steps I need to take to do this and to render to the end.

thank you,
Sheila

[lata]

Hi
Sorry don’t have to much time to explain……..

Project Preview Range

First press F1 for help and search for Previewing.
also
View my guide second description
http://lata.me.uk/corel/bluebar/blue_bar.htm

The Preview Range is indicated by the red bar, once set, Share Create Video File—Same as Project properties—opens the Create Video File window, choose Options - set Preview Range instead of Entire project.

[canuck]

When she (the person actually downloading the footage from the tapes from the camera to the burner) gets to the end of the first tape, she pauses the dvd burner, inserts the next tape and un-pauses the burner and continues the burning process. When the dvd burner has completed, it breaks the footage into four files. The breaks usually are always in the middle of continuous footage. I think that is what is at the 53% point.

As far as I know you cannot pause a DVD while it is burning and resume at some later point. I have never heard of this. In fact I don't understand at all the process you are describing

But if this some new process ....

[SheilaN]

Hi Canuck,

It is probably an old process. We video tape our church service with a Canon GL2 camera which uses mini dv tapes. The end result is to make DVDs of this footage available to those that want copies, or sick and shut in members. Because the service will not fit on one tape, we use two. The camera is taken to a local television station, hooked up to their dvd burner via a/v cable. Their dvd burner appears to be older equipment, it has screen to watch the footage as it is being downloaded. It also has a slot for a VCR tape, which makes me think it is older equipment. It has a remote control. The tape is downloaded in real time. At the end of the first tape, the pause button on the remote control is pushed and the second tape is put in the camera. The pause button on the remote control is pushed again, along with the play button on the camera. I don't know how it works, but it does. Perhaps the dvd is not created until all the footage is downloaded somewhere in this burner, prior to the dvd being burned.

Sheila

[SheilaN]

Hey Trevor,

I was able to figure out how to use Project Preview Properties with your help. Thank you. I did the render to 50% and it completed. When I started the render at 50% to the end, it stopped at 9% of that render and gave me the unspecified error. It would seem that it does not like the transition I put in. I don't know why that is. Could it be something is wrong with the original video file like you were thinking? I have not had this problem with transitions before. I have them set a 3 seconds.

Thanks
Sheila

[Terfyn]

Hi Sheila
This camera that is used for the church service is giving you too many problems. Did you not download using FireWire from that camera and could you not go back to that process? There are too many steps between record and the final DVD, so too many places for errors to occur.

Is it worth having another go to get them to replace the camera with a SD based one?

I, like many of the users of this site, subscribe to other sites for camcorders and editing and a large number of posts on these sites relate to DV cameras and FireWire or the movement of video through other links such as DVD. I use DV very occasionally with my Canon HV20, it took a new cable and careful choice of drivers to get it to work. Now I'm content and leave well alone!
This process of producing a DVD via old equipment would seem to produce files that VS does not like. It probably works for DVD players but not as a transfer medium for an editor. Canuck's point about pausing and restarting is IMO very valid. I don't think you can stop the recording in a raw state and then restart as if nothing has happened The machine will probably put some sort of "closure" at the point where the pause is placed.

With VS you can of course download two tapes, get the video split into scenes in the "Capture" process and create a complete project from as many scenes as you like BUT this is all before the rendering stage. You stand a better chance if you capture the raw footage yourself like you used to do. In short try to reduce the steps between camera and VS.

I appreciate that your technical problems stem from a complicated (and maybe a political) process to get the video to the folk who cannot get to church. You are dedicating a great deal of time and work (and now frustration) to help others. I don't know your relationship with the "power that be" in your church but, if it were me, I would be putting pressure on to get them to update their equipment and give you the chance to do the job they ask you to do.

[SheilaN]

Hello Terfyn,

I agree, I agree, I agree. This has been very frustrating! There is one person "in charge" of the camera, who downloads the footage and edits a version (of 59 minutes) at the television studio for broadcast on their local station. My part is to edit the full service for dvd and a separate shorter edited version for our church's website. It was working fine using the firewire, until my camera started making the static noise that you all helped me with in the beginning. Since I cannot get the church's camera to download the footage, the dvd was the next alternative. I agree, too much happens before I get the footage that I have no control over. There are a couple of us involved with this ministry who have plead our case for a new camera. I did learn this evening that those in charge of the funds are going out this week, in search of a replacement camera, using an SD card or hard drive. Either one will eliminate this video tape frustration!!!

However, for this immediate problem, I took out the transition, where the rendering was getting hung up and causing the unspecified error. The project rendered all the way to completion. I'll just have to live with the abrupt change between clips, not having a transition and being smooth from one clip to the other.

Thank you,
Sheila

[lata]

Hi Sheila

Good news---At least you found the culprit in the transition, are you able to use another type of transition or does all transitions fail.
If so try cutting a few frames from the ends of the video clips may cure the problem. Then test render from 50% to 65% to cover that area.

One other solution to the capture and conversion of the footage would be to save the original footage as DV-Avi, if you saved them to a “USB Memory stick” you could transfer and edit the originals on your pc. Rendering the final project would take a little longer as you would be converting DV-Avi to Mpeg2

A 16 Gb would allow for approximately 80 minutes of footage.
You say longer than an hour using two tapes, a 32Gb would certainly be large enough. Just a thought……..

And I am glad you managed to complete the project

[Terfyn]

Again great news. The only sad part will be that your newer system will work so well that we will no longer hear from you.
My set up is (at the moment - touch wood!) fairly stable. Only last weekend a Vintage Tractor Rally literally drove past our back door. I grabbed the camera, filmed 82 tractors, titled and trimmed the video, created a DVD and downloaded to YouTube all within the day. IMO this is how it should be. A parade of 82? tractors on video is quite booring but my grandson loved it he even made his other grandmother watch it with him! What she said or thought would probably be unprintable.
Good luck with the new system.

[lata]

Hi Terfyn

My grandson is 18 months old, has just arrived, guess we are baby sitting today, keeps you fit
He just loves tractors can you post the link, cheers

[Terfyn]

Sure:- Lleyn Vintage Tractor Rally 2013 on YouTube. In truth it is just a parade of tractors passing our door and there are a vast range of tractor rallies on YouTube. We did not realise it was happening until a lady in a yellow anorak was located on the corner outside our house. I grabbed my camera and waited! If it was not for my Grandson, I would probably not have filmed it.
I do recommend it for insomniacs who are boored with counting sheep.

One thing you will notice, the YouTube picture breaks up and goes pixelly. When I loaded the video, YouTube claimed the picture were wobbly - which they were not in the original - and requested that I agree to a fix, this I did and the YT system re-rendered the original. This resulted in the effect you see. This was my first YT attempt but I will not make that mistake again.