Instability of VS X7

[Winifred]

This edition of Video Studio is crashing in the Share tab during rendering of a project to MPEG2. Also when I bring in videos for editing it sometimes shows on the preview screen with margins all round the video. When I try project properties to correct it I get an error message. I've just opened a project and Project Properties worked for once! Its showing as AVCHD in the project format box and in the existing profiles it has the following:
MPEG Transport-Stream Files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(HDMV-PAL), 16:9
H.264 Video
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 17408 kbps)
Audio data rate: 192 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Does all the above look correct. Plus next time the letterbox style video is showing in the preview screen and I can't access Project Properties is there anything else I can do to fix it.

Thanks for any help.

[lata]

Hi Winifred

A couple of things going on here:-
The margins and Project Properties error, could be I have experienced that.
Please go to Settings - Project Properties

Select each option in turn, start with DV- Avi, then HDV, DVD and so on.
For each selection view the lower panel, (Existing Projects Profiles) there should be entries for each.
If you see a blank panel – press OK, do you see an error massage, if yes what is it?

Secondly
No those properties look wrong / different as expected for that video type.

Try these tests

1 / Go to Preferences (F6) – tick Show Messages when inserting first video….

2 / Settings -- Project Properties – set DV-Avi, this is to reset the existing properties.
3 / Start a new project – File New Project

4 / Insert one of your original video files to the timeline – you should get a message asking to match the Project Properties.
5 / Choose Details to view the properties, the right hand panel shows the Video properties.
6 / use your mouse to select all text in that panel, Ctrl+C will copy those details, Ctrl+V will paste
Please paste those details to your post..Thanks
7 / Now select YES, your project properties will be changed to match your video files properties.

Let me know if you have problems with the above procedure…..

[lata]

Oh

can you tell us where your video files came from, maybe a camcorder, what type?

[Ken Berry]

Can you also tell us what you are trying to produce: a standard definition mpeg-2 to burn to DVD or a high definition mpeg-2 to burn to Blu-Ray; or something else?

As it is, what is strange about the properties you provided is the frame size of 720 x 576. That would normally be associated with standard definition video, whereas the rest of the properties clearly *do* belong to AVCHD high def video. However, the latter would normally have a frame size of 1920 x 1080; 1440 x 1080 or 1280 x 720.

As for the letterboxing, do you know if any of the video you are including in the project is 4:3 when the project properties are 16:9 and the other video is also 16:9...?

[lata]

Hi Ken

From Winifred’s post, and reading between the lines, I think the letterboxing may be the “Improper Argument”, as you know it has been a problem with my pc for a long time, the life of X7, seems associated with Instant Projects, maybe graffiti being imported from earlier versions.

Anyway just waiting for Winifred to reply to confirm that…………

But certainly the properties do look strange?

[Winifred]

Hello Ken/Trevor

I did all you asked - on the DV/AVI option "Encountered Improper Argument" error.

Here is details of video properties as in instruction 6:
MPEG Transport-Stream Files
24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(HDMV-PAL), 16:9
H.264 Video
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 17408 kbps)
Audio data rate: 192 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

All my files come from either my iPhone or my camera (or a mixture of both). The camera is a Panasonic DNC-TZ30. I sometimes use a camcorder which is a Sony HDR-SR7E but I haven't used this for some time.

The iPhone is .MOV and the camera is .mt2ts files. The camcorder is .mpg

I usually produce I think mpeg-2 standard but not 100% sure what it outputs to. I just click on the DVD button in the share option and the MPEG choice. Maybe that's why VS crashes in as much as I try to render 1920 x 1080 to 720 x 576. I'm afraid though I get lost at a certain point as I'm not technically astute. It all happened automatically in X5 I never had any bother.

Yes I do incorporate 4.3 into the timelines as I use Smilebox/Kizoa for their slideshows and they only output to 4.3. However, I always distort the clip to fit the screen, it's always worked in the past.

As regards Trevor's comments I do use instant projects and Fast Flick quite a lot.

All these problems are very recent so I don't know what has happened to cause it.

Thank you very much for your help.

[Winifred]

Hi both again,

Just did a couple of test videos one with X7 using the properties as in my last post, it only gets to 58% rendered and then does not respond and I have to close the program down.

I then tried the same with X5 which seems to default to project settings:
PAL (25 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 16:9

This works fine with both the .mov files and the .m2ts files.

I don't think X7 will render in 1920/1080 only in the 720 x 576. Plus the defaulting to the letterbox size with some projects.

Regards

[lata]

Hi Winifred

There is quite a bit going on here, I don’t understand why you are having problems rendering your projects.
I think we need to discus your workflow, you do seem to be mixing / using quite a few different formats.

Are you aware of crashes happening with a particular video file?

Thanks for the properties of that video file, that seems to be bog standard AVCHD, suitable to burn a AVCHD or Bluray disc.
Do you always convert to create a standard DVD (Mpeg2 files)

Workflow….
1 / Once you have matched the Project Properties same as video properties edit your project
2 / you should render the video to same as project properties, that will create a MTS file of your project.
3 / To convert the mts file, start a new project –add the new video file to the timeline then Share – Mpeg2 the MPEG-2 (720 x 576, 16:9, 50i, 8Mbps) option.
That will render the MTS to Mpeg2, the file is suitable to burn a DVD Disc.

Do you have any problems in doing that?

Improper Argument is a different kettle of fish…

I have had problems with this since the release of X7, trying to get Corel to replicate the problem is difficult.
Recently they did take control of my pc to investigate the problem, just waiting for them to find a fix?

There are a few other posters with this error, but only a few, welcome to the exclusive club………..

It does seem to be associated with Instant Projects, maybe importing from earlier versions, that pops up when first displaying the Instant Projects library.

I have my own fix for the problem, a temporary fix. This involves deleting/ moving the templates from C:\Users\User Name\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\VSPTemplate
I created a new folder called “My VSPTemplate”, simply moved the contents over as a backup.

Then resetting the program to its factory default by re-naming the 17.0 folder.

This will re-set the entire library, so first you may be best to backup the library. Settings – Library Manager

Can you tell me, are you using the Ultimate version of either X5 or X7, I assume you do not have X6?
If yes have you installed graffiti?

I mention graffiti as its those files that seem to be a problem, at least for me, I have not used Fast Flick but could also be causing this Improper Argument.

In a nutshell that’s the problem I have.

If you need further info on how to proceed with the above I will write up the instructions in detail.
I think it best to fix the Improper Argument first, Unfortunately I don’t think it is the cause of your crashes, but you never know?

[Winifred]

Hello Trevor

I carried out the instructions you sent me and it worked fine for the MTS files. Yes I do always convert to Mpeg as my family do not own blue ray players.

However, for the .MOV files the share step crashed again. Would I be best converting these files before I use them? They've always behaved before this has come totally out of the blue (is it because I've got the new iPhone 6 - could that be something to do with it).

The Improper Argument is working ok now as VS is asking me about changing the video properties etc. but a fix from Corel would be good. The only graffiti I can see is in the FX Boris Graffiti - is that what you mean?

The other program I have is VS Pro X5 which takes all the punishment I throw at it!

If you could write up the instructions for me in detail on how you manage the Improper Argument I would be very grateful.

Many thanks for all your help.

[lata]

Hi Winifred

I am working on more details regarding the improper Argument, if the program is working and you can set your project properties correctly then there is no rush, but I will get some details on how I clear the error, unfortunately means resetting the program, that will affect the library, your VSP projects will be ok?

Your Mov files….There was a fix provided by Corel for some Mov problems, however the Corel Knowledge Base is not working well, most links I try just do not work.
I have provided the details below, downloading the file and replacing may help, I would advise you make a copy of the original, just in case you need it again.

I cannot say that this will cure your problem, but worth a go.

Quote……….
When trying to import .MOV video files from a Panasonic GH3 or GH4 camera, it may cause Corel VideoStudio Pro X7 / Ultimate X7 to close unexpectedly or when trying to play back the video or import into the timeline the video may appear to be blank.

Details:
Windows event viewer will show the faulting module cause is ulmp4lib.dll.

Resolution:
With VideoStudio Pro X7 \ Ultimate X7 closed download and install the following hotfix.

If you have installed the 32 bit version of VideoStudio Pro X7 / Ultimate X7 follow these steps:

1. Download and save the hotfix to your computer.
ftp://coreluserd:Qgo69iX7@cfs2.corel.co ... H3/x86.zip
2. Extract the zip file into a new folder.
3. Copy and overwrite the ulmp4lib.dll file to the following location:

Windows XP / Windows Vista / Windows 7
C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio Pro X7

If you have VideoStudio Ultimate X7 the folder name is:
C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X7


If you have installed the 64 bit version of VideoStudio Pro / Ultimate X7 follow these steps:

1. Download and save the hotfix to your computer.
ftp://coreluserd:Qgo69iX7@cfs2.corel.co ... H3/x64.zip
2. Extract the zip file into a new folder.
3. Copy and overwrite the ulmp4lib.dll file to the following location:

Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8
C:\Program Files\Corel\VideoStudio Pro X7

If you have VideoStudio Ultimate X7 the folder name is:
C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X7

[Winifred]

Hello Trevor

Many thanks for all your help.

I've clicked on the 64bit link you sent me but a dialogue box appears asking me to log in with username/password. I tried my Corel identity but nothing happens except the box reappears. I clicked to "log on anonymously" which then fills in the required fields, but again nothing happens.

Regards

[lata]

Hi Winifred

Sorry about that, there does seem to be a lot of problems with the Corel Knowledge Base.

I have sent you an e-mail with a link to download those files.

Lets hope they fix your Mov problems.

[Winifred]

Hello Trevor

Just thought I would let you know that the hotfix has worked fine. Many thanks for all your help.

Regards

Wyn (Winifred)

[lata]

Hi Wyn

Thanks for the feedback, good news that the hot fix did the job.

As for the improper argument, I have provided some details on my Quick Guide (link below)

I am still having problems, if I don’t use Instant Projects then it seems ok.

Any way have a read, maybe you will recognise some of those images.

[Winifred]

Hello Trevor

Many thanks for the link and yes I recognise the images. VSX7 now seems to be working properly so for the time being I will leave well alone. I do not intend to use the instance projects and will use Smilebox/Kizoa instead (just find these useful for intros and endings) and I don't intend to open FastFlick while using VSX7. I now use FastFlick as a stand alone program and save the instant project for use within a VSX7 project.

Again thank you for all our help.

Regards

Wyn