MSP8 - complaints, complaints...

[chtchege]

Well, I like MSP8 - its interface, buttons etc. are just great. I love the possibility to see DV timecode in the source window. There are some other features I like (I still use non-HD camcorder, so all this new stuff about proxies etc isn't for me yet). Now the complaints:
1. The user manual is poorly written, with lots and lots of info missing
(I would like the following to be present in a decent Software User Manual: product folder structure, i.e. purpose for each folder, what goes where etc). Just a few examples of ambiguities: chapter about 5.1 surround sound - nothing is clear, e.g. section about saving the surround sound - what surround sound do they mean? Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 or Dolby Surround? If 5.1 is the case, then how come the output is only possible in WAV or WMA? As I know, WAV format has nothing to do with AC3. There's a phrase that MSP8 will create 5.1 sound even out of two audio channels, but nothing is written about where this newly created 5.1 sound will be output - in final DVD, MPEG etc.,
2. While I can associate various programs with various file extensions, I cannot make similar association between file types and folders. In fact, as I found out, if I, for example, have inserted a video file from, say, e:\video capture, then from now on MSP8 will use this folder to store everything - my voice-overs, images, WAVs etc. I would prefer to have several folder settings for different file types, like in Microsoft Word.
3. I already complained about the fact that I could not select different file format for my voice-overs in version 7 - if my project has 48kHz/16 bit stereo as main sound format, then my voice-overs will be made as 48kHz/16 bit stereo, even if I use mono microphone for then. This behaviour hasn't changed from version 7 to version 8. So in order to correct this, I have to open the audio clip in audio editor, change its parameters, save it and then get an invitation to re-link the audio file.
4. BTW, I've experienced a strange bug with these voice-overs - if my timeline shows waveform instead of filename, then when I open the voice-over clip and change its parameters, I cannot save it - Audio Editor says it cannot save the file. So in this case I need to save it under a different name, then delete the original voice-over clip, clear the undo history, delete the original voice-over file, re-name the new voice-over file and then put it as clip on the timeline (if the timeline shows filenames, instead of waveforms, then I CAN save the file from the Audio Editor). This has been happening since version 7, I really hoped this would be eliminated in version 8...
5. Again about voiceovers - when I open the initial dialogue to start the recording, it always suggests putting the voice-over on A1 track, normally occupied by the audio of my video clip. It would be nice to change the default track for voice-overs.

[walter.mittwoch]

I'm using MSP7.3 and think about upgrading to MSP 8, but I fully agree with point 2,3,5 from "chtchege" which would be very important points for me and for the decide to upgrade.

Hope SP1 is fit for this.

Best Regards
Walter

[Terry Stetler]

1. Dolby Digital = AC3 (AC3 is DD's old name). Dolby Digital 5.1 = DD surround (L, C, R, SL, SR).

MSP8 can export 5.1 mixes + DVD compliant video as either LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation = same as *.WAV files & supports up to 8 channels), MPEG or embedded DD (video + DD).

This is all consistant with the DVD spec.

2. It's called a "working folder". I prefer not to scatter my sources all over the place. Different strokes.

3. My daddy always told me to use the right tool for the job. If you're working in stereo or 5.1 projects then get a stereo microphone.

4. Agreed this cna be annoying if you work in waveform mode, but why not just save it with an incremented filename then use the Replace With menu item? It's a LOT easier than your workflow.

5. Click on "A1" in the Voiceover dialog and you can choose whichever track you want

[chtchege]

1. Dolby Digital = AC3 (AC3 is DD's old name). Dolby Digital 5.1 = DD surround (L, C, R, SL, SR).

MSP8 can export 5.1 mixes + DVD compliant video as either LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation = same as *.WAV files & supports up to 8 channels), MPEG or embedded DD (video + DD).

This is all consistant with the DVD spec.

Well, I haven't yet worked out how to save 5.1 sound made by MSP (as stated in the user's manual). 'cause I tried to do what is written in the manual: I changed project parameters (to Surround sound, etc), then did "generate audio file" - well, I obtain one simple WAV stereo file.

2. It's called a "working folder". I prefer not to scatter my sources all over the place. Different strokes.

Normally I have at least two working folders - one for captured videos and another for everything else (voice-overs, images etc). It's just logical - you can use captured video in different project, but all the voice-overs are for a specific project. I would really like to have such a functionality in MSP, i.e. to define several working folders.

3. My daddy always told me to use the right tool for the job. If you're working in stereo or 5.1 projects then get a stereo microphone.

Why? I can only speak in monophonic . Well, seriously, normally I put my voiceovers on the central channel, while keeping the original audio (from DV files) intact (they'll go to L & R channels).

4. Agreed this cna be annoying if you work in waveform mode, but why not just save it with an incremented filename then use the Replace With menu item? It's a LOT easier than your workflow.

Well, I won't normally need waveform visualised, filenames are quite sufficient, but sometimes, when I slice my voiceovers or if I need to shift them along the timeline in order to avoid intermixing with something important in the original audio, I turn the waveform display on and sometimes forget to turn it off before opening voiceover files in the Audio Editor. Then problems begin (files won't be saved etc)... Since there's no explanation to this effect, I suppose I can define it 'a bug'.

5. Click on "A1" in the Voiceover dialog and you can choose whichever track you want [/quote]
I do just this, but it would be nice to define just one default track for voiceovers. Just a suggestion...

[Devil]

1. Dolby Digital = AC3 (AC3 is DD's old name). Dolby Digital 5.1 = DD surround (L, C, R, SL, SR).

MSP8 can export 5.1 mixes + DVD compliant video as either LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation = same as *.WAV files & supports up to 8 channels), MPEG or embedded DD (video + DD).

This is all consistant with the DVD spec.

Well, I haven't yet worked out how to save 5.1 sound made by MSP (as stated in the user's manual). 'cause I tried to do what is written in the manual: I changed project parameters (to Surround sound, etc), then did "generate audio file" - well, I obtain one simple WAV stereo file.

2. It's called a "working folder". I prefer not to scatter my sources all over the place. Different strokes.

Normally I have at least two working folders - one for captured videos and another for everything else (voice-overs, images etc). It's just logical - you can use captured video in different project, but all the voice-overs are for a specific project. I would really like to have such a functionality in MSP, i.e. to define several working folders.

3. My daddy always told me to use the right tool for the job. If you're working in stereo or 5.1 projects then get a stereo microphone.

Why? I can only speak in monophonic . Well, seriously, normally I put my voiceovers on the central channel, while keeping the original audio (from DV files) intact (they'll go to L & R channels).

4. Agreed this cna be annoying if you work in waveform mode, but why not just save it with an incremented filename then use the Replace With menu item? It's a LOT easier than your workflow.

Well, I won't normally need waveform visualised, filenames are quite sufficient, but sometimes, when I slice my voiceovers or if I need to shift them along the timeline in order to avoid intermixing with something important in the original audio, I turn the waveform display on and sometimes forget to turn it off before opening voiceover files in the Audio Editor. Then problems begin (files won't be saved etc)... Since there's no explanation to this effect, I suppose I can define it 'a bug'.

5. Click on "A1" in the Voiceover dialog and you can choose whichever track you want

I do just this, but it would be nice to define just one default track for voiceovers. Just a suggestion...[/quote]

I'm sorry, but I get the impression that you're nit-picking over minor details with easy workarounds. Surely, you are trying to find a pinprick of missing paint while forgetting the big picture. For example, with point 3, how would it be possible for the system to know what kind of or numbers of microphones are plugged into a sound card or a USB port? No software in this world is perfect; you cite Word as an example. I can assure you I swear many times more frequently at the very primitive Word than I do at MSP (not the least because it doesn't remember the last directory used).

[pakman]

I downloaded the trial of v8. I am getting an error when I try to capture from my DV camera. The error is:

"Failed to build a preview graph"

Has anyone seen this before and if so, what can I do to fix it.

Thanks

PAK

[Terry Stetler]

First of all are you using the "MS IEEE-1394" device control? Don't use the TI IEEE-1394 device control.

Other causes can be a bad IEEE-1394 cable, a DirectX vs display driver error etc.

[pakman]

I am using the MS-IEEE-1394 setting...I also tried without device control.

I also tried a different camera with the same results.

I know the cable and camera are fine because the same equipment still works with ver 7.

Any other thoughts?