i can't get anything to really work...

[ogi]

I can't get MF4 to import from a DVD which I copied straight from an 8cm mini dvd which came from my camcorder. I want to edit and create a DVD from multiple clips yet every time I try to import the files it locks up. I need serious help with this software and being that I have no idea what is wrong, tech support is always busy, I usually work during the day and I reside in Hawaii (where the time zone makes it hard to contact anyone) I seem to have either wasted my money or bought something totally incompatible with my pc. No other software I have ever had has been this difficult. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks

[bryave]

I guess they don't support such media or either you need an updated firmare of your device from their website. Why don't you try checking its system properties in MovieFactory's website: http://www.ulead.com/dmf/sysreq.htm ^_^

_______
†bryave

[lancecarr]

Try copying the VIDEO_TS folder from the DVD on to your hard drive and then import from there.

[heinz-oz]

It would help to know what the system is you try to do this with

[heinz-oz]

Before you try anything else, what format is your camera clip in? DVD-RAM, DVD-VR? any other? what?

[keithm]

Heinz_Oz how come you have proclaimed how we are all wrong when saying MF4 sucks but your signature says you use MF3! Have you actually used MF4 for any length of time (or at all for that matter?).

[maddrummer3301]

Could you post more precisely how your importing the dvd?
What model recorder and format is the video material in?
That would be a dvd-r or maybe a dvd-rw disk?
You did finalize the dvd in the recorder first, yes?

Ve Vill Help U if possible.

MD

[cluster222]

I think you have the same problem than I... I'm doing a trial before I give any money first and the result is not that good.

I have a Sony CamCorder and the MF4 software correctly reads 8cm DVD-R, DVD-RW in Video or VR Format.

1st problem. When multiple sequences or titles are on the disk, even if you select only a chapter, the Whole title is imported!

I have spent over 4 days doing a nice sequence of 15 minutes combining about 7 small sequences, adding effects, transition, using muti-cut, chapters and finally got to build a menu after I joined all the sequences together (now I have 4 sequences only).

The menu simulator work fine, so I decided not to burn a DVD, I was not confident to burn it first, so I decided to make an ISO file on the disk.

After 50 minutes, the system crashed... So I rebooted and tried again... Crashed again on the 4th on 5 steps...

So I decided to make a Video Directory and the same happend but quicker! It also crashes on the 4/5 Step but this time after 15 minutes only.

The system I am using is really fast and got a lot of RAM, there is no other DVD software installed, nor any CD-Burner stuff, only a MS Office...

I am sure there is a problem into the software when it tries to rebuild the resulting file from misc MPEG-2 files it has produced on the disk. What is really strange is that when you just preview the sequences in the main software part, it just work fine as expected.

Any clue?

[maddrummer3301]

>>to build a menu after I joined all the sequences together (now I have 4
>>sequences only).

There is one thing that is important with MF3 & MF4.
Before you go into the "Menu Creation" screen it's best to have the
material already rendered and dvd compliant. The only time you will
get a windows fault after the menu screen is if you have loaded a
background audio track(s) or pictures/videos that MF3/4 doesn't recognize.
(Providing the material is dvd compliant, if you haven't already rendered
the videos they need to be rendered which takes forever in the disc
creation screen and you get the windows protection fault ).

That is also one reason I believe they added the Export feature.
I have gotten the transistions to work along with joining but that is
a step by step process. If you add things by "Enhancing" such as
transistions etc and have Joined the videos neither exporting
or letting the rendering be done in the disk creation screen works.

Maybe to help you as a work around don't join the videos until you render
each one out individually. So while on the timeline add the transistions to
the clips BEFORE you join them.
Don't join the clips before going into the enhance video module.
AFTER adding the transistions hold down the <CTRL> key and click on
each clip so they are highlighted.
Then fast export dvd compliant video.
(Make sure the "Project Properties" match the source video's, very important or the audio will be changed to the "Project Properties" settings.)
Or, join the raw videos first into one mpeg2 file. Load that back in and add
the transistions. Then export that out again and reload that video back in
so when you go into the "Menu Creation" screen the video is dvd compliant.

After I finish working with the exporting and joining I'm sending that
information to tech support programmers.

Hope this helps,

MD

[heinz-oz]

Heinz_Oz how come you have proclaimed how we are all wrong when saying MF4 sucks but your signature says you use MF3! Have you actually used MF4 for any length of time (or at all for that matter?).

Where did I claim that? All I did is ask for more detail. I still use MF3 because it does what I want to do
If your mind is made up, or maybe you are even right in your claim that MF4 sucks, move on. I know people who use MF4 successfully, maybe they have the wrong system?
I don't claim I'm right or I know it all, because I know I don't. I'm just trying to help. If that offends you, don't read on.

[maddrummer3301]

Heinz,
I think the one post you made saying how come so many people are using the product without problems and it's working on their system may have turned a hair or two.
Not me, I know what you meant. Maybe there should be a sticky post on the MF forum like on the VS forum telling people to post as much information about their system(s) and exactly what they are trying to do.

I think if you use/try MF4, record some dv.avi's type-2 into it, add transistions and other effects you will experience what some posters are having trouble with.
Especially with the "Joining" of any clips to get only 1 thumbnail on the menu screen. Most of the errors are in the re-rendering stages and not with the dvd creation process. Joining with transistions isn't working properly.

I am using MF4 successfully making dvd's.
But, there are many don't do this, and don't do that with this program. Making slideshows isn't a problem at least for me. Importing or recording compliant mpeg2 material and burning isn't a problem. The importing of dvd material still has some bugs. Mainly with the rewritable media and -VR formats.

MD

[heinz-oz]

MD, I'm sure you are right there. Don't forget though, that comment I made after someone, don't know anymore who, objected to me even hinting that there may be a system issue involved, even though more often than not, that seems to be the case. At least with the problems I had in the past with MSP, that was the case. There have also been numerous incidences on other forums (this is not the only one, as you probably know) where people solved their problems by changing hardware and or software mix.
I can't see the benefit to anyone coming here for help, being told right away "the program sucks". It may well be that it does, one of the reasons, but certainly not the only one, why I will not upgrade in a hurry. That doesn't help the poor sod who bought the program and now finds it doesn't work the way he/she expected. IMHO, before we blame the software, any software, we have to make sure that it is not something created by our particular system.
I have said it many times, and I repeat it here again, I don't claim to know it all, far from it. I don't come here, read the posts and try to help, in an endeavour to offend some recalcitrant who only seems to come here to tell people how smart he is, because he worked it out, "the program sucks".
I still come here, inspite of these elements, in an endeavour to, first of all, learn for my own benefit and, if I can, lend a helping hand to someone in need.
If someone posts here like: I have been trying to burn a DVD with MSP4 and it doesn't work, why? I will not be the one telling him/her: "Well, you should have known better, this program sucks! Use program xyz to do this as a work around and then use program ffy to do that and in the end use something else to burn it to disk.
In cases like that, I will always ask the person to supply more detail, because that is what is needed to start with.
If that then makes somebody, who so far did not have an input here, jump in my face because of what I may have said in some other post, who cares.

[maddrummer3301]

>>I still come here, inspite of these elements, in an endeavour to, first of all, learn for my own benefit and, if I can, lend a helping hand to someone in need.

I believe that's what forums are for. Yesterday I had a problem with a piece of software and scanned a forum using the search feature.
Fixed the installation in about 5 minutes. Without people posting such valuable information on that forum I couldn't have easily fixed the problem. Also, on the other hand the post I read was a fix that worked for someone else. It wasn't the remedy for everyone.

VideoStudio 9 has a new update. Like you I'm waiting to see how the updates work before installing it. My system is working good. I remember the update for VS8 and after that nothing but audio sync problems. The fix was in VS9.

I'm almost ready to send to tech support some MF4 bugs in the program.
MF4 should be able to work with dv material. It does, but the JOIN button
seems to be a downhill event. Once you hit that JOIN feature the program is using processor cycles and not-reponsive. It's not locked though, if you wait long enough it will come back. But, if you click in the MF4 window it starts a cycle. So, you can't click in the MF4 windows until it returns full focus but you don't know when it's back unless your watching the processor usage.
That's why people are saying the program is sluggish. They are correct. There should be a message_box that say's working.

Overall, MF4 is a large suite. For dvd creation great product. Editing is
where the bugs are at and editing mpeg's is hard for a program.
The dv editing should work, does until you hit that damm join icon.

MD

[heinz-oz]

Exactly my sentiment, MD, MF 4 surely has some problem. After all, it is primarily an authoring suite, not editing. I use MF3 purely for authoring my rendered video to DVD, all editing is done in MSP 7.3. Works for me.