Hey. I notice I'm not th only one with problems. Try this, it works for me every time....

1) Load Powerdirector
2) hit ctrl-alt-del
3) click on TASK MANAGER
4) click on the PROCESSES tab
5) locate PDR.EXE and RIGHT-CLICK it
6) set priority--->ABOVE NORMAL
7) you may close the task manager window now by clicking the X in the upper right corner

This hasn't failed me yet! I used to close all my applications and let the computer encode a video overnight for 14 hours and find that sometimes the produced AVI would be scrapped....until I tried this fix. I actually now use it when burning DVD's and such since I would sometimes get coasters (bad CD/DVD burns). I only signed-up to this forum to help spread the word. The rest is up to you guys. Please try it and POST YOUR RESULTS!! Thanks!