VS2022 - just extraordinary - M2T movie clips (Sony Cam Standard) cauidng project to crash ?

[jowauk]

I am a very regular user of Corel VS for many years. Decent PC - Dell with 32GB RAM Intel i7 Quad Duo (8 threads) and Windows 10.

Yesterday I worked on a project all day. It contains MIXED media content, as most of my projects do. 10 mins total running time, but quite a complex combination of tracks and overlays (which I use in a majority of projects without issues).

Yesterdays work was totally OK and got me to a 95% completion stage. Before signing off I rendered the project sucessfully with no issues apparant. How wrong was I ?

Today when I return to finalise the remaining edits, somehow my VS no longer understands M2T clips. AND VS2022 has just CRASHED and disappeared offscreen three or four times TODAY, and yet yesterday handled ALL my project activity totally normally. No issues at any point. Today I load the SAME project and suddenly M2T files are NOT being handled by VS2022 ???? Overnight - talk about taking 10 steps BACK !!!

ALL of my LIBRARY M2T clips can still be SEEN in the LIBRARY thumbnails, AND in the project timeline the thumbnails are showing correctly where they were placed yesterday, but NOW when selected to preview they PLAY a BLACK screen only, BUT at the RIGHT clip duration ????? So one that is 18 secs long plays BLACK screen for 18 secs, whilst another that is 12 secs plays for 12 secs BLACK SCREEN.

Yet yesterday there was NO issues at all - a pretty FULL day playing with the project flow and placing/replacing M2T clips all over the 10 mins project. AND the majority of my other recent projects contain SOME M2T clips without any issues during build/edit/render.Generally my projects will contain Video clips MP4, MOV, M2T plus static images PNG and JPEG, plus seperate AUDIOS/backing tracks/voiceovers etc. ALL of the problem clips are M2T and were created using a SONY Z7 series camera - and yet ALL of my historic VS projects also contain these file types without ANY ISSUES. I have been using VS2022 since the beginning of 2022 and have had NO ISSUES. I used VS2021 before that - overall using VS for 8-10 years across many versions.

Its as if Corel has CEASED supporting M2T files overnight. YET the clips uploaded for this current project were totally OK yesterday, and can be SEEN with the CORRECT THUMBNAIL in the Library view.

Today whilst trying to work out what the hell has happened overnight I tried to upload some FRESH M2T clips (originating from my Sony Camcorder) and VS2022 refused to upload them with a message saying UNSUPPORTED FILE - incredible since almost ALL of my hundreds of projects contain clips of this file type, and my current project happily uploaded a dozen or more M2T clips without issue for THIS LATEST project. After a fairly full day of editing ALL looked good and no probs. The render processed totally as expected. BUT when I opened the project again today to finish off the final tweeks, I immediately ran into this MAJOR issue.

Have COREL suddenly ceased to recognise this file type ???? Without telling anyone ??? Has anyone else seen any evidence of this ??

Any help or comments appreciated as THIS looks like a BIGGY issue just now.

[Vicky V]

Not that I'm an expert, but here try the following after checking for this:

Did your PC updated the system over-night?
Did you install anything right after working on this project?
Did you update drivers or anything BIOS related?...

If not, then try this. Go to your DOCUMENTS Folder Corel VideoStudio Pro folder name 25.0 Clear all proxy files for video, audio, color correction etc.., Once cleared go ahead and empty your recycle bin. It has worked for me in the past, so hopefully this will help you!! Btw VS will re-generate the NEW proxy files on the next project reload. You have nothing to loose and this has nothing to do with messing with anything within the main VS folders in your C drive "programs". "I'm not asking you to reset that folder, but to simply delete the proxy files". I had a similar issue in the past, you don't have to try this, but like I said it worked for me. And lastly.., check for transitions between clips, these two in particular seems to create conflicts "Flashback" and "Album". One last tip thou. Check for time speed-up clips in between clips, that feature also behaves kind of funny sometimes.

[Ken Berry]

I suspect Vivky may be referring to the 25.0 folder in C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\25.0. I would leave that alone since removing all those files is likely to screw up your project anyway.

Instead I would go to C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Ulead Systems\Corel VideoStudio Pro (x64) and rename the 25.0 folder there to 25.0_OLD. Then restart VS 2022. It will take some time to rebuild databases etc, so be patient. When it reopens see if it will now recognize the m2t files.

This process, by the way, is how you reset VS. In case you are wondering, a long time ago Ulead Systems was the original developer of VideoStudio.

[lata]

Wow -- Very annoying
First thoughts.....what has changed overnight with your computer, something must have changed.
Has Video Studio updated, installed a service pack??

I also edit motion transport video (AVCHD) although using mts as the extension, then updates to m2t after rendering. using MTS and have ongoing projects which are still intact today, can still import MTS into Video Studio - Version 25.2.0.566 being the current version.
Can you rename one of your files to use .mts try importing to Video Studio

Do you have k-lite codec pack installed?
https://kb.corel.com/en/127597
Links on that knowledge base do not work, try this one.

https://codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

ok
Using windows explorer I would create a copy of your project file VSP to play about with, keeping one copy to use when this gets fixed.

If trying the reset suggested by Ken does not help I would do a full re-install using the cleanup tool to remove the program, keep a copy of the 15.0_OLD folder, you can always use that again after reinstalling. Renaming back to 25.0.

I have uploaded one of my files to the One Drive folder for you to try on your system, assumption is that this wont import either, needless to say works for me. Download expires on 30th Oct.

00033.MTS

[OBB]

Not sure if this will be relevant or not but I think there is something going on with Corel. I too am having a similar issue using VSX8 & VSX9.

Until about 2 months ago, I had never ever had an issue with video files from either of them. And then I suddenly started having issues importing & rendering any videos that I’ve shot from either of 2 my Sony cameras. One is a Sony NEX7 that shoots in standard HD (AVCHD) & the my other Sony is the A7R-IV that shoots in 4k HD (AVCHD & MTS).

And then what was even odder I found if I use a video from my iPhone they seem to import, edit & render without a hitch. But, when I try to import (the same footage) from either of the Sony’s, I can import them into the timeline but then everything comes to a grinding halt.

They just sit there in the timeline and you can’t do anything, the program simply freezes. I even tried making some small 5-10 second clips (thinking maybe file sizes were too large maybe) but same result. Although on one short clip (from the A7RIV in 4k) I did manage to do some test editing, scrubbing was almost impossible and it was painfully slow and as soon as I went to render the file it just spit back some odd “ZEROSUM” check-error and then just terminated the program.

And why I’m saying this may or may not apply here… Is,… A few days ago? I suddenly got prompted by Corel what I was doing some simple image editing. From both Corel Painter as well as Corel’s Coreldraw X8 Suite? I had to verify my credentials… And I have never ever had to do this ever! And now that I verified both programs? They run so slow it’s almost irritating… things I could do in 10 seconds before suddenly take 30-60 secs to apply simple changes…

So, I don’t know… something is going on somewhere… It’s not me…. Either Corel is getting into the “subscription” bandwagon …OR… Windows is forcing it …OR.. BOTH…

I just don’t get it really, I’ve used Corel products since before they were bought out by Corel back in the late 90’s… I don’t understand who or how what entity is messing up one or the other…

…Just my 2 cents….

[jowauk]

Thanks for your various responses.

My VS2022 is version 25.2.0.566 and is the latest. It is set to AUTO CHECK FOR UPDATES but I don't know WHEN this version became available.

NOTHING else has been upgraded/updated between when I started the project - went to bed - late the following day reopened the project and very quickly started seeing issues with M2T files.

TREVOR I have downloaded your file and tried to uplaod it to MY LIBARY and the upload FAILED - see the attached screenshot.

I will play with workarounds to AVOID the use of M2T and get to an end-point with my current project which needs to be my No 1 priority - then I will try the various suggestions offered on the Board/Forum (for which I thank you all).

Very frustrating - brick wall.

[OBB]

Yes, this has gotten beyond frustrating...

This morning, I took a couple small 10-30sec clips of my dog & I playing Frisbee...

I moved them from the camera (Sony A7R-IV) first in 4K (raw .mts) into a usual folder... Before I put them into VideoStudio? They play back just fine via WMP (or any player for that matter). But after I put import them into VideoStudio to atttempt editing? Nope... The raw files will load into the timeline (via drag & drop or import) But after that? VS locks up & all files associations & extensions change from their original to .wpl (windows player legacy ? )

After this? I tried using my smaller (NEX7) camera and wound up right in the same boat...The extensions of any/all of those files suddenly turn into .wpl files and won't even re-open back into any player after sticking them into VideoStudio.

And then after all of that? I find nothing other than to purchase a legacy-style codec...

Handbrake can't even undo it...

WTF COREL ! ?

[Ken Berry]

OBB -- It is probably time for you to consider doing a reset as I outlined above. To be frank, I had not heard of the .wpl codec or format before this, so can understand your worry now that it has sprung out as your sole option!

Instead I would go to C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Ulead Systems\Corel VideoStudio Pro (x64) and rename the 25.0 folder there to 25.0_OLD. Then restart VS 2022. It will take some time to rebuild databases etc, so be patient. When it reopens see if it will now recognize the m2t files.

This process, by the way, is how you reset VS. In case you are wondering, a long time ago Ulead Systems was the original developer of VideoStudio.

[lata]

Jowauk
I don’t understand why the download failed, first you should download to your hard drive, then import to Video Studio.
The sample is a mts video, standard MTS, same as your m2t and should open with video studio.
I realise you wish to complete your project before resetting or re-installing Video Studio
Did you try installing K-lite??

OBB.
Afaik .wpl are files associated with Windows Media playlists, so not direct video files.
You need to import video files from a folder within windows explorer.

Can you confirm your video files are motion transport files using the extention mts or m2t....

[jowauk]

Trevor YES I performed precisely those steps. Of course, like my original M2T files, they should open with VS. And indeed previously DID open with VS, and WERE used previously (4-6 weeks ago) in a different VS project.

So I also do not understand.

No I did not try installing K-lite - this issue concerns a fundamental capability in VS and I do not YET want to start finding a path around the fault.

Yes MY files use the extention .m2t - that being the file format created by my Sony Z series camera, and which I have successfully used for years without ANY issue.

The strangest aspect here is that my m2t files (many of) CAN be seen in the VS Library showing a CORRECT thumbnail from the actual m2t clip. BUT that Library clip cannot PLAYED (plays BLACK) BUT does show the CORRECT clip duration and plays for that duration - just plays BLACK. Those m2t clips CANNOT be moved to the timeline with my NEW CURRENT project. AND any that ARE in the timeline present as NOT FOUND now (altho they DID play correctly on FIRST move to the timeline on the FIRST DAY of my work with the current new project.

"motion transport files" - I am unfamiliar with that term but suspect it reflects .m2t and .mts - if so YES I can confirm THAT is what they are showing as. I would add that my VS has worked for YEARS making use of .m2t files from several generations of Sony Cameras. Never ever had an issue with uploading .m2t clips from my CF card in the camera into folders in my project storage and from there upload into VS without fault.

I HAVE noticed that when trying to UPLOAD .m2t files whilst examining this ISSUE, when I try to ADD a new clip, VS shows all the "file types" it is looking for and .m2t is no longer in that list presented, SO the .m2t clips are NOT being shown for selection ??? I am having to AMEND the upload filter to look at "ALL FILES" in the target folder, and only then will .m2t files be offered for upload. BUT then when one of the .m2t files is chosen, I get the SAME error as is shown against YOUR .MTS file when I tried to upload it per your suggestion.

So I remain baffled.

THANKS for your assistance.

Regards

John

[Ken Berry]

One thing has not been suggested here. I suspect it may not make much of a difference, but given how desperate things have become, it is at least worth considering. I used to have a similar problem, though not exactly the same, and instead of playing black, my clips played pink of all things! We tracked it down to Preferences > Performance and unticking the box beside "Enable hardware decoder acceleration" fixed it. Why it suddenly happened when before I could play clips normally, was never explained. But I could live with that. So see if unticking that decoder box changes things, or even the encoder acceleration. You could also change the Type box below those acceleration boxes just in case that has been accidentally moved away from the type of GPU your computer has (e.g. Intel) to something else (e.g. NVidia or AMD)...

[jowauk]

Ken both "encode" and "decode" options are set to OFF and therefore the "Type" option is greyed out.

FYI I DO have Samrt Proxy enabled but that appears to be working totally fine and I regularly have to manually REMOVE older clips from the Proxy storage folder to trim drive space usage for projects that are now OFF my main suite and archived.

Many thanks anyway - Regards John

[Ken Berry]

Since they were probably not ticked all the time, this probably will not work. But I wonder if you could try ticking both (or one at a time) and matching Type to whatever your GPU might be. It shouldn't take much time and that way you would know you could at least exclude this as a possible cause.

You never indicated whether you had tried resetting your VS as I outlined a couple of times above...

[jowauk]

Ken I will attempt the encode/decode ON during tomorrow when I have completed the edit I am finalising today. Don't want to screw anything else if I can help it.

Same with REST of VS - I cannot risk finishing up with a VS that is WORSE than what I currently have. I am doing workarounds - the nature of this ISSUE is totally baffling. I will update again once each step done.

Regards

John

[jowauk]

I am attaching a screenshot that shows BOTH .m2t and .mts files are NOT being shown in the filter list when trying to ADD a new clip to a project.

Seems to be the core of the problem is represented here ?

Regards

John