Quote: I'm new to the forum and wonder if anyone can help with this problem.

I've produced a 5 minute video with soundtrack and burned to DVD in AVCHD format as my standalone blu-ray player is able to play this format.

Menu works fine, playback begins, then about 30 seconds in the screen goes blank, I can still hear audio. Picture will then reappear for a bit, then go blank again.

I'm going to experiment tonight/this weekend to see if I can narrow it down to any particular source files, but thought I would post in the meantime to see if anyone had any thoughts on this.

Incidentally, when importing the video files I'm told they need to be converted from NTSC to PAL, which I did. I can't see any settings on my camcorder (Sanyo Xacti HD2000 (I think!)) to change the recording format, but the output setting on the camera is set to PAL.

When producing the movie to hard disk, playback is fine, but ultimately I want to be able to burn to playable discs. PD8 is the best all-round package I have seen for this, but I just want it to work properly!

Thanks for taking a look.

Hi Bjorn,
I want to know more. I'd like you to use the information I've given below and present all the data requested.

1. I have the same camera
2. I don't alter mine from NTSC to PAL - I retain full quality throughout.

I'd like to know your set up please and every selection.

********************************
You can not pinpoint the issue BUT you can give more detail of content and provide a visual image as well as a diagnostic of your set up. Please note that 3 (x100kb) images/files can be attached to your reply.

http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/7958.page
Subject: PowerDirector - information we request and tasks to carry out.
PART A - name it
PART B - provide it
PART F - use them
PART E - an alternative
PART D - presentation is important

********************************

Dafydd
[Moderator]

Hi Dafydd, thanks for your time.

I've attached my PC specs, there should be no issues there.

I did as suggested and changed the TV format setting to NTSC, put all the files on the timeline, applied no effects or transitions, and successfully burned an AVCHD disc to play in my blu-ray player.

Now that I've added transitions and a music track to project, it renders fine but won't burn to DVD.

Is there a way to capture PD8 settings so you can have a look, or do you want to list me step by step what I'm doing? I had done that eralier but then it seemed to be working so I erased it all! I haven't got time now until Sunday to do it again but will if necessary.

Thanks a gain for your help.

HI Bjorn,

Thank you for the diagnostic.
Please can you add your card info to the Compatibility list: http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/8445.page

"wont burn to DVD" Are you getting a message at the burn disc stage or is that still the same display problem with some clips seen and others not?

Information is vital to assess a problem as are images. Often an annotated (lots of labels and arrows pointing things out) image is the quickest way to show a problem. For example a screen shot of your whole timeline with sufficient clarity to read the selected length of the clips and the transitions will help if you could pinpoint the place of the problem etc etc.

Dafydd
[Moderator]

Hi Dafydd,

I've attached a text file listing the steps taken during testing this today.

I also have some screen shots but they don't conform to the file size limit so I haven't attached them at this stage.

The issue seems to be burning to disc when effects (in this case simple transitions) have been added. I'm not now even getting to the stage where I have a playable disc that intermittently shows a black screen.

Thanks again for your help, let me know what else you need.

I've added my video card details to the card thread, btw.

UPDATE TO TESTING

I've been playing about some more with this in an effort to pinpoint where it is going wrong, and can provide the following info:

1) Manually deleted all temporary files and restarted PD8
2) Completed an AVCHD disc burn, however, progress jumped from areound 28% to 99% - played disc in blu-ray player and it quit to menu after 3rd scene
3) Repeated step 1 above
4) Completed an AVCHD disc burn, again progress jumped, but this time when disc was played it quit to menu after 2nd scene - inconsistent
5) Repeated step 1 above
6) Changed disc format to DVD and completed successful burn which played back with no issues in blu-ray player - however this isn't what I want.
7) Removed all transitions, burned AVCHD disc which again plays back with no issues

It really looks like I have a problem burning AVCHD with transitions.

UPDATE

I've now had a degree of success.

1) Disabled shadow files in preferences
2) Copied all clips to same drive that PD8 is installed on, so not taking source files from external USB drive
3) Put all clips on timeline, applied fade to all clips, added music track
4) Successful burn, disc plays in blu-ray player
5) Length of movie approx 5 minutes

BUT, just when I thought I'd cracked it, I went and made the movie I actually want, with a couple of chapters so that I essentially have 2 versions of the clips - 1 with just transitions, the other with music and rearranged clips, trimmed clips, etc.

Burning fails...

I've got to go to bed now, but will keep trying tomorrow, Any help in the meantime is much appreciated.

I need to go look at the zip. I just want you to know I'm reading and thinking. back soon.
Dafydd

Thank you Dafydd.

If it helps, my last minute test last night was to succesfully burn unaltered clips with transitions, followed by unsuccesfully burning trimmed clips with transitions, so I think I may have narrowed it down to the root cause. Would that make any sense?

Also, I guess I should change the subject of this post as it seems to have developed into something different!

Hi Bjorn,
I have been chatting to Adrian as he has the 1010 as well.

1. We'd like to know is it 1080i footage or 1080p?
2. Can you delete all shadow edit files please?

Dafydd
[Moderator]

1. We'd like to know is it 1080i footage or 1080p?

I would have to check when I get home this evening, but am pretty sure it's 1080p (which I beleive is the 60fps option) In the meantime, I'd be interested in what impact that might have.

2. Can you delete all shadow edit files please?

I was constantly doing that last night from within PD8 last night. Is there anywhere else I should be deleting them from?

Hi Bjorn,

On the 1010 the 1080p is 30fps and the 1080i it's 60 fields per second. Adrian and I think you have 1080i and where you trim is causing the problem - a known trim problem for interlaced video. What's the result if you use the split option to segment the clips instead of the trim?

Dafydd
[Moderator]

Hi Bjorn,

I've tried attaching 3 .png files from gspot, mediainfo and super but they won't load so ..... maybe I'll try later?

The 1080i from the HD1010 is not fully analysed by gspot, seen as progressive by mediainfo and progressive PPF by Super.

There are a number of posts on other forums about PPF and how it can be interpreted as interlaced.

I've never had much luck with 1080i from the sanyo - Mplayer home cinema won't play it but Splash lite will.

Cheers
Adrian Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. (see below)
Confucius
AMD Phenom IIX6 1055T, win10, 5 internal drives, 7 usb drives, struggling power supply.

Just spent another evening of testing, without the desired end result. Here's what I've done tonight:

1) Put 4-5 clips on the timeline. Instead of using trim function, I split some clips as suggested by Dafydd. Successful burn.
2) Thinking this was the, albeit not ideal, solution, I wanted to put the theory to the test, so used the trim function on the same clips, in the same project. Succesful burn!
3) Then I thought perhaps chapter markers were the problem. I added a second chapter to the existing project. Didn't burn.
4) So, I removed the 2nd chapter marker. Successful burn.
5) Again, wanting to prove this theory, added second chapter marker. Successful burn!
6) Started original project from scratch, with 1 chapter, splitting clips instead of trimming them. Was hopeful seeing as this worked in step 1 above. Didn't burn.
7) Put all clips on timeline, applied fade transitions throughout, no splitting clips or trimming. Successful burn.

I just can't seem to get any consistency here and am at a real loss. I appreciate you guys trying to give this some thought though!

I have captured the video using the Xacti setting "Full HD 1920x1080 60fields/s"

Adrian, thanks for analysing those clips, perhaps I'll do the same with some of mine, although I fear I'd be getting in to realms that I don't fully understand! All I want to do is put this 5 minute movie together before moving on to this summers holiday video...

Bjorn,

What build of PowerDirector are you using please - this info is important. I don't see it mentioned in your previous posts.
http://www.cyberlink.com/prog/support/cs/product-update.do
Please use my instructions: http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/8670.page#36709

Adrian created a sample 1080i from his 1010.
1. I placed 5 of the 19 second clips in the Video track
2. I trimmed just one portion of a 19 second clip - the third clip to a 01:05 clip
3. I added 2 chapters
4. I added the Fade transition to the beginning and end of every clip.
5. I created a dvd disc using all the default choices
6. I burned to a folder
7. success. No problems encountered.

At the moment I cant replicate the issue.

The standard advice is uninstall/re-install PD incase there has been a clash of programs.

I'll try again, if you can replicate the issue consistently. I realise that is one of the problems and I'm quite prepared to move this issue to CyberLink's support on the data provided so far. However I'd like you to try and come up with a consistent set of actions we can all follow.

Dafydd
[Moderator]

I'm using build 8.00.2220

I would re-install if it came with an uninstaller...

In your step 5, did you create a DVD or an AVCHD DVD? I have been able to create DVD OK.

And, like I say, I've been able to create AVCHD discs OK too, just without any trimming or transitions.

I'll try and spend some more time on this later in the week, in an attempt to replicate the issues consistently, documenting each step.

I may also try the new Pinnacle Studio, though I suspect it's my source files.

I tried doing something completely different tonight, different clips (just for a change of scenery!) but again was unsuccesful.

If it helps, when I tried to produce rather than burn disc, I got the "unable to stretch media files" error. Are there any clues in that?

Hi Bjorn,

Go to Start menu - you can uninstall PD that way - you shouldn't need to clear out everything at this stage. Then just reinstall.

Any error you get please take a screen shot image of it.

I'll repeat my tests.

Stick at it.

Dafydd
[Moderator]

Hi Dafydd,

For some reason, I don't get the option to uninstall by going through the Start menu, and trying to uninstall through Add/Remove programs fails as it can't find an uninstaller.

I had this issue when trying to uninstall the trial version to do a clean installation of the full version and ended up clearing out the registry the long winded way. Maybe this has something to do with it?

I appreciate the effort you're making to help me out here!

Hi Bjorn,
I have asked R&D at CyberLink to take a look at the issue (this topic) - it's pretty unusual. The latest information might have a bearing on the problem. You'll need to try a complete uninstall etc as you did before, with the trial.

I'd like to monitor your progress, so please keep posting.

Bjorn, you added your graphic details to: http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/8445.page
Please can you edit the posting and add details of your OS and monitor spec. I think the additional information will help all members.

Can you also add your camera here please?
http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/8727.page

Thank you,

Dafydd
[Moderator]

Just a quick thought/question: If I install on an external hard drive, that should be like a clean install, shouldn't it? So anything installed on my main drive won't interfere with it.

What about my product key though?