Picture Freezing

[Steve B]

Hello. This is the first time I have posted on any board of any sort so please forgive and correct any breaches of protocol. About 18 months ago, I was looking for a programme to edit material shot directly to mini discs on a Canon DC420 and that would run on Windows XP. After a few false starts, I downloaded a free trial of VideoStudeo ProX6. To test it. I produced a short DVD with clips taken at random from one of my mini discs. It worked perfectly, even for a 71 year old on his first effort at editing. (OK, some of your more expert members would not think it perfect but it suited me!) I therefore purchased it along with a free wedding template. It was then several weeks later that I revisited it (important family events) and tried to produce a DVD containing both still pictures and video clips from another mini disc. I found that, in all the video clips, the picture froze after about 8 seconds, the sound continuing. Suspecting a problem with the second disc, I returned to the first one and reproduced my test DVD. The problem remained. Over the past few months, I have tried several things, including deleting the wedding template and uninstalling and reinstalling Video Studio, but the problem remains. I read a thread from another member describing similar problems but, in my case, there is the tantilising fact that it worked once! Please, is there someone out there who can help?

[Ken Berry]

Welcome to the forum! And don't worry about age -- a few of us here are of similar age to you! And as I say to people, it's better to be over the hill than under it!!

Since the video comes from a mini disc, I assume that the format is standard definition mpeg-2 Upper Field First. But could you please right click on one of the clips in the X6 timeline or library window and copy ALL its Properties here. That way we will have a clear idea of what we are dealing with.

Can you also tell us if you have installed Service Pack 1 for X6? You can find it here if you haven't: http://www.videostudiopro.com/en/suppor ... sion-tab=1

Can you also tell us when the video freezes: 8 seconds into a playback of a clip, or of the entire project or final video? If it freezes in a clip preview, have you actually rendered the project to a new video clip, and if so, does that also freeze?

[lata]

Hi Steve

When you say a Wedding Template, I assume that to be a DVD Disc Menu template, is that correct

Or is it an Instant Projects template that can be added to the edit timelines?

I doubt if either is causing the problem, but would be nice to know what you are using?

[Steve B]

Gentlemen, Firstly apologies for a late reply to your kind responses and comments. Video auditing has to take its place with grandchildren, visitors and classic cars. Goodness knows how I ever found time to work!
Firstly to answer Ken.
Clip Properties (wow, here I go into the unknown) :
FILE
File Name: -10-28\090718_102448_importmpg
File format: PAL DVD
File size: 27,904 KB
Duration: 32.160 seconds
VIDEO
Video type: MPEG-2 Video, Upper Field First
Total Frames: 804 frame(s)
Attributes: 24 bits, 720x576 16:9
Frame rate: 25.000 frames/sec
Data rate: Variable bit rate (Max 9200 kbps)
AUDIO
Audio Type: Dolby Digital Audio
Total samples: 1,543,680 samples
Attributes: 48000 Hz
Layer: None
Bit rate: 256 kbps

I do not think I have installed Service Pack 1. That will be the next job after these notes. However, my time slot is running out (son and wife visiting from the States) so again it might be some time!

Freezing does NOT occur in clip playback - only in project. Sorry, should have said that.

Now to answer Trevor:

The wedding template was a freebee offered by Corel when I purchased VideoStudio. So far as I know, it was not DVD disc specific. Like you, I do not believe it had any effect on my problem but mentioned it for completeness (40 years working as an engineer, some of them with scientists, leaves its mark!). I think it was an Instant projects template added to edit timelines.

Again, thank you for your time and interest.

Regards
Steve

[Ken Berry]

Those properties are much as I expected and bog standard for that type of camcorder.

But I am afraid I can only restate the question I asked above:

If it freezes in a clip preview, have you actually rendered the project to a new video clip, and if so, does that also freeze?

[lata]

Hi Steve

Maybe I should have read all your post, Mini DVD gives it away, so yes we would expect those properties, as Ken says bog standard Pal DVD, although Video Studio will limit to 8000kbps, not a problem.

Can I ask, did you import the disc contents to your hard drive, then use those files to edit in Video Studio.?
I am sure you did, but just to be clear that you are not reading the files from the actual disc?

[Steve B]

Gentlemen
Again, thank you for your continuing interest.
Firstly to answer Ken,
1 I have now installed Service Pack 1. For completeness, I tried again to reproduce my trial video. The problem remained.
2 I am sorry you have had to re-state your question - clearly I did not fully understand it. In particular, I thought I understood the expression 'rendered the project to a new video clip' but clearly I didn't. Please let me try again. When I preview the clip from the library, it does not freeze. However, when I place that clip on the storyboard and preview it on 'project' as opposed to 'clip' it does freeze. If this still does not make sense, please forgive - you are dealing with a raw newcomer here.

And now to answer Iata
You might have solved the problem. No, I am reading files directly from the mini disc rather than importing to the hard drive first. It is 18 months ago that I made that first, successful, trial video and I cannot remember importing first. However it is worth a try - thank you.

Again , thank you both

Steve.

[Ken Berry]

Just a quick one. What you describe doing -- looking at the clip in Clip and Project mode, is not actually rendering anything. It is just previewing it, although in Project mode it is something like a temporary render for the purpose of showing you the effect of any edits you are doing. An actual render results in a new clip being created from the project. And that is what I wanted to know: whether you had actually produced a new clip of the project and whether that played OK. There are a number of video formats which play slowly or erratically or otherwise misbehave in Project preview mode, but which nonetheless render correctly in a new clip, and play perfectly. That is all I wanted to know.

[lata]

Hi Steve

You mentioned that clip playback was ok, smooth
Project playback is poor, stutters or freezes.

What you describe seems to be a Smart Proxy issue, however this process is usually needed for AVCHD type files that can be quite demanding on the pc.
You are working with Mpeg2 standard definition so should not have a problem.

First try importing all files from the disc to your hard drive, you should then be able to relink to those files.
Or import to a new project.

[Steve B]

A long time since I last posted. I might be nearer a solution but not out of the woods yet.
I tried IATA's suggestion of transferring files to my C drive and then making a new project. I used material from the same DVD that I used for my initial, successful trial. Sadly, after rendering and on project playback, I still have the picture freezing problem. However, quite by chance, I unearthed some information that could have a bearing on the problem.
Most of my material is shot on -RW DVD's that I configure in the 'VR' mode. This way, I can perform a limited amount of editing on the camera (deleting rubbish files etc.). On one occasion, being unable to get some -RW discs, I used some -R discs. When I used these in a project, I did not get the freezing even though I imported directly from the disc. Of course, this might be a red herring and the fact remains that my original, successful project used files from a -RW disc. There might be some subtle difference in my procedure between then and now but I cannot think of any.
Thank you for your continuing interest and advice
Steve