Video Studio Pro X7 and DVD-RAM VRO Files

[plasmavideo]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the boards (actually returning after a long time - since Ulead days).

Anyway, I recently upgraded to VS X7 Pro from X5, and have a dilemma.

VS X7 will not import VRO files from my Panasonic DVD-RAM discs using the capture from digital media option. When I try to import, I get a No Valid Content message. I cam import fine using the same disc on my other computer which still has VSP X5 on it, and Corel DVD Movie Factory (and other apps) on the same computer with VS X7 on it. I've tried logging in with a full administrator account, thinking it might be a Windows 7 rights and permissions thing, but with no luck. The same thing happens at work with an install of VSP X7 on an editing computer there, so it's not apparently related to this computer.

Is it some kind of new DRM thing? The discs are just VRO files from a desktop Panasonic recorder. No broadcast DRM flags are set on the recordings, so I'm trolling for answers. BTW, it imports standard DVD VOB (Video_TS folder) files without issue, so it's VRO related.

Anyone else notice this?

Thanks.

Plas.

[Shim]

Can you view the VRO file within windows explorer?

If so you should be able to copy the VRO file to a folder on the computer and rename the .VRO to .mpg.

It should then open with VS X7 as an mpg file although without the ability to select chapters.

I still use Vista with VS X2, and as you suggest earlier combinations have the ability to import VR-RAM direct from disk (incl chapters) into VS.

If you cannot access the disk contents from windows explorer then maybe the optical drive does not support ram disks or even the version of windows.

[plasmavideo]

Hi Shim, and thanks for your reply.

The drive is DVD-RAM capable, and other applications on the same computer open or convert the VRO files fine. I had tried as you suggested, and copied the file folder to the hard drive. From there, I tried both the digital media import from that folder with no success, and renaming to mpeg. If I try to open the renamed file in VS7, it basically makes the app unresponsive or very sluggish, so my guess is that VS7 has lost the ability to work with VRO files, as they are "not exactly standard mpeg".

It's a shame, as I have to use other apps to open and save the VRO files and then import them in VS7 for the project. VS5 worked perfectly with them. Either it's a bug, or it's an overzealous DRM thing.

BTW, this is with both Windows 7 Pro and home premium we've tried this on. I might install it on an older Vista machine and see if it's any different, although I take it from your post that you se the same thing with your VS7 on Vista.

I must say that VS is the almost perfect app for cutting out commercials and making smooth transitions between segments using their smart render output. I record shows on the Panasonic desktop recorder, and then use the DVD-RAM disc to transfer them to the PC for editing.

[plasmavideo]

New development. Not only do I get the No Valid Content on DVD-RAM discs, but also on DVD-RW discs, so I cannot import footage from my desktop recorder or a camcorder disc.

This is really a disappointment. Ver 5 did these tasks flawlessly. And yes, I have the service pack 1 installed.

[aljimenez]

I also have one of these recorders but have not used them in a while. Is it possible for you to share a short file from them so it can be tried and perhaps even shared with Corel so they can possibly fix it?

[Shim]

Not 100% sure on this, but did Corel drop support for “MPEG Audio layer 2” audio at some point?

Maybe that could be the issue?

Although some (Panasonic?) DVD Recorders will probably have options to record audio as “Dolby Digital Audio”, as opposed to “MPEG Audio layer 2” or indeed other audio standards.

[Ken Berry]

No it didn't drop support for that. Mpeg Layer 2 is the only audio format in HDV format, and VS still edits that, and its audio, with no trouble.

[plasmavideo]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I visited here first before contacting tech support in case there was something simple I overlooked.

I sure can record a short VRO file and put it on Dropbox for testing.

The Panny audio is AC3. I think it's the same on the DVD-RW recording from a Toshiba.

It's not a huge deal. It just means I need to use another app to grab the VRO stream and convert to mpeg. There are several freeware apps and commercial apps that do it without transcoding, but as Video Studio and Movie Studio used to do it in one step, it would be nice if that could continue. I'm almost willing to bet it's an overzealous DRM issue, but if so, why it's locking things down so tight is beyond me.