Hi,

I just ploughed my way through this thread and would like to add my 2 pen'orth in the hopes of finding the answer to this little mystery.

Clearly, something is wrong within your computer. It isn't the speakers. At least one of your sound cards works fine. It isn't inherently PD9. You should not have to convert your files nor play with the de-noise facility.

It could be that PD9 is asking for something translated incorrectly from your computer, and that is, I think, where the problem lies. Can you try the following:

Go into Device Manager and disable one of your sound cards.

Reboot, do whatever you need to get the sound working. Don't worry if there is no sound, it will be due to one of the system settings, which will depend on the device driver, and will be manageable, even if fiddly, and is a much easier problem for anyone to help you sort out.

Then check to see the general behaviour of non-PD9 sound programs, as well as the timeline crackle.

Go back into Device Manager, enable the sound card and disable the other - repeat the performance.

(During all this, don't forget to swap any dedicated physical sound connections).

That should keep you busy for a bit, and I think you may get some helpful info.

I'll be waiting....

Denbigh.


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Good Morning Denbigh, okay I will try that in a while.

Currently 0730 friday and am converting a huge batch of Michael Jackson mp4's to .avi's as I thought it best to totally stick to what PD9 uses best. And on the WAV audio files I'm convinced the sound is a better quality that mp3's..

However, I will try your instructions as per the sound cards and report back later today, maybe in 2 or 3 hours.

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

The only DOWNSIZE to using a .wav file is.... that a .wav file is a lot larger. __________________________________________
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yes, i found that out yesterday ! lol

5 gig's of mp3 music scores and loops turned into 20 gigs of WAV files... Yikes !

But I'm totally convinced that the 'upper' end of the music quality is much better than MP3's..Just an observation.

But I've got plenty of room on my HD and at least I can now use PD9 with no issues with what I'm using.

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

Hello Denbigh, I'm back and have done as you asked.

Here is my summary :

Firstly can I say that for a week or so PD9 has been crashing now and then on start up, and doesn't fully open, ie, you get the PD9 woman in the middle of the screen and then it crashes and you have to restart. It always starts up okay on the 2nd attempt.

But what I wanted to point out, as I thought maybe it might be a piece in the puzzle is 'When PD9 crashes when you click PD9 shortcut it knocks out the Volume of the computer in the system tray. ie, when it crashes the Volume slider in the system tray goes from full to ZERO !

The 1st couple of times it happened it took me ages to find why I had no audio !! But now I'm on to it ! lol

Anyway, on to your tasks Denbigh.

I went to Device Manager and disabled Realtek audio and set the default to SB 5.1, re-booted and played the MP3 in VLC NO Problem. Then I played the MP3 in PD9 on the timeline and.......It Crackled !

I tried the same converted file as WAV and the WAV played perfect on the PD9 timeline.

The MP3 also played fine in Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10 HD and also played fine in TrakAxPC Pro.

Soo, I went to Device Manager again and 'Enabled 'Realtek' and disabled SB5.1 and set the default in Control Panel to Realtek and then re-booted. I also changed over the speakers from SB5.1 to Realtek.

I then played both the MP3 and the WAV in VLC and no problem. I tried the files in Sony Vegas and they were fine with no crackle.

When I tried the MP3 in PD9 on the timeline it once again crackled but when I tried the WAV it was perfect in PD9 on the timeline.

HOWEVER, when I tried TrakAxPro PC there was NO audio whatsoever. I tried EVERYTHING and the programme just had No audio and the Audio track marker wouldn't move when I pressed play !

But everything else was fine with audio including Sony and PD9.

Soo, I enabled SB5.1 from Device manager and still no sound on TrakAxPc Pro.

Soo, I set SB5.1 VX as the default once again, changed the speaker jack over and rebooted...

and Voila ! Sound was back in TrakAxPC Pro..

But....the MP3 on the timeline of PD9 STILL CRACKLES. LOL

Anyway, thats it I guess. But now I have an added mystery as to why TrakAxPC Pro has no audio with Realtek and why PD9 sometimes Crashes whilst initialising !

Ahh, the joys of computing !

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

Wow! Certainly a mystery. It IS worth sorting this, as not only are WAV files larger than MP3, the conversion from analogue to digital, first by the recording onto the CD, then by your choice of what mp3 bitrate to use, then finally by converting the mp3 to wav - each step loses fidelity. No matter what your subjective response is, the fact is that the wav is not 'as good as' the previous version. It can be that your ears prefer the slightly degraded wav version, in the same way that some recordings which up the bass are preferred to a more faithful rendering.

Anyway, back to the central issue: those tests would appear to have eliminated the sound card and the sound card drivers from the problem, as BOTH cards, with the 'other' disabled, support the same problem in PD9.

I have no instant theory or method to push things forward. I must think about it. In the meantime, one or other of our forum helpers may have an idea.

For anyone jumping in recently, I would like to emphasize that the downloaded version of PD9 is NOT corrupted, as it has been installed on another computer which then has no 'crackle' problem. So the problem just HAS to exist between the PD9 calls and the driver. I note that PD9 seems to install the C 4.2 run-time environment, and that seems to be the only remaining layer. Seriously interesting. i7 980x; W7 Pro; 12GB; Nvidia GTX 285; 2x300G Velociraptors in Raid 0; 2x1.5TB Barracuda in Raid 1; 2TB WD Studio Ed.II (eSATA); NEC SpectraView Reference 2690 + MultiSync EA232

OK, had a little think, and would like you to try something else. It should take less time than I am taking typing this...

What I want you to do is to disable any loaded services belonging to other audio programs. What follows will strip your booted computer of any startup applications or services...

Close everything.

Click the (Windows) Start button, and in the 'Search Programs and Files' box, type MSCONFIG. This will bring up the System Configuration app.

Now, assuming that 'Normal Startup' is enabled, you should select instead 'Diagnostic Startup'. Then close the System Configuration app with OK. You should then reboot the computer. If the Normal Startup radio button is not enabled, but Selective Startup is enabled, you will need to follow instructions at ** below.

Now try PD9, it may ask you if it should Launch RichVideo, reply YES.

Now see what happens as far as the crackle is concerned.

I'll be waiting....

**[Don't bother reading this if you don't need to] You will need to make a note of what items are already disabled. Dont bother with what is enabled, but just the disabled services and startup items. You should click on the respective tabs to check them through. I would fire up a text app, Word or Wordpad, to save your list (using Alt+PrtScr, you can save screenshots of the listings if you feel lazy). These can then be used to reset things back to how they were after. i7 980x; W7 Pro; 12GB; Nvidia GTX 285; 2x300G Velociraptors in Raid 0; 2x1.5TB Barracuda in Raid 1; 2TB WD Studio Ed.II (eSATA); NEC SpectraView Reference 2690 + MultiSync EA232

Hi Denbigh, gosh that last message with tasks sounds a bit heavy and beyond me ? lol

I'm kinda thinking that I don't mind using wav files rather than mp3's. I've certainly got the disc space for them and I hear what you say about audio quality but I'm convinced that the wav files sound heaps better than the MP3's from whence they came.

I do get Rich Editor on PD9 when previewing files on import.

I think that I'm kinda scared that if I go ahead and follow your instructions I might end up with a heap of computer problems ? [ I'm not an expert but sometimes my 'have a go' attitude sometimes gets me into trouble with my pc ! lol

I've tested a helluva lot of different theories with PD9 and my PC this week and although I'm now not using MP3's then I've got a system that is working with Everything except PD9 AND MP3's and I've sorted that by converting the MP3's to WAV's.

And...I've finally managed to persuade my other half to swop our speakers systems over !

So I've now got 5.1 surround sound and he's got my M-Audio 2.1's !! lol [ It's a week's trial so I'm covered ! lol ]

Anyway Denbigh, I will re-read your last message with your tasks a few times and try and assess as to whether it's something I could do without messing my pc up !

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

G'day all,

I've been watching this thread with interest, as I have exactly the same problem as described by the OP.

One of the comments about codecs got me thinking, and I went and had a look at what I've installed over the last couple of years.

I found a program called K-Lite Codec Pack (mine was the 64bit version), which has a whole heap of different codecs in it. I uninstalled it, re-booted, and voila - the crackly mp3s are now working perfectly!

Computers being computers, I can't guarantee that this will work for you but it's a worth a shot. I suppose it might be possible (rather than uninstalling the whole program) to go through and individually disable codecs until you found the one that was causing dramas.

Good luck, let us know if that works for you too.

Hi Sherubber,

Exvkg96 has given you a really potential brilliant solution! However, it is like a shot in the dark and Denbigh has given you a really solid way to resolve your issue. Selfishly, I hope Exvkg96' solution doesn't work and you follow the instructions from Denbigh. In Denbigh, you are being proffered assistance from a PHD in this stuff. He doesn't post that often on this forum. Please follow up on it, if possible. You can make a restore point before you start. It will undo any mistakes, or changes, you may make.

So much effort has been put into a true and full resolution of this problem that it would be a service to us all if you will follow the problem to ground. I know I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

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Hi all -

I've been following this lengthy thread with interest too. The only feeble thing I could have suggested when it was first raised was the conversion idea (FormatFactory).

That, however, wouldn't really chase down the problem on your system with your PD.

Note to ExVKG96 - I've used the 64-bit version of K-Lite for the last couple of years & never had a single issue with it, in PD8 or PD9. Never a crackly mp3. It just exemplifies the idea that PD can behave so differently (even on similar systems) when one of the variables is changed. It can't be geographical location - I live just down the road!

SheRubber - I'm with Pax. I hope you can take up Denbigh's suggestions so all the interested readers of this thread can benefit.

Cheers - Tony
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@exVKG96 Hi, I run a 32 bit system but I did a system search for codecs and didn't find the one you mentioned. I did however find an awful lot of codecs for both my Sonne DVD Creator and also Real Player.

Soo, as both are free I uninstalled one at a time, rebooted and tried PD9 after each uninstall and both times PD9 'still' crackled on the timeline with MP3's.

I did have ffdshow installed on my pc and I'm not quite sure what it is / for so I uninstalled that and it made no difference to PD9.

I have looked in Device Manager and Audio Codecs and I can't see anything 'suspect' there [ lol ] there's just a bunch with the PowerDirector Power Codec thingy so I left it alone.

But I did see 2 things in Device Manager 'Sound' called 'Legacy Audio Drivers and Legacy Video Capture Devices and I don't recognise the name although it could well be something that I truly need on the system for something I've got installed but cannot be sure.

Soo, I'm kinda thinking that I could go on uninstalling and rebooting and rechecking PD9 but its going to end up with a fresh windows install at this rate...le sigh

I'm still thinking about doing what Denbigh asked but the fact is it worries me that I may do something wrong and end up with a trip to the computer shop for repairs...

I will re-read what Denbigh is asking..

and talking about that I did kinda do a little bit of it this morning and I opened up Glary Utilities and when to Start Up Manager and disabled maybe 4 or 5 different start up items there that I felt I didn't need.

And the only 'AUDIO' start up item I have in the system tray is from Creative SB 5.1 that I'm using so I figure I need that..Oh...and it didn't make any difference to the crackle on the PD9 timeline..

Will re-read Denbigh's message..

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

Hi again Stephanie,

This K-Lite Codec Pack (if you have it), will be found in the list of programs installed. Depending what version of windows you've got, you'll need to go into control panel, programs, add/remove programs.

Worked for me, but as I said earlier, computers being computers, what works on ain't necessarily going to work on t'other.

But good luck - hope you find a solution soon.

Hi exVKG96..I've looked in the control panel add/remove and did a pc search but I haven't got the codec pack you mention. But I googled it and it seems to be quite popular. I was sorely tempted to actually install the pack hoping it 'might' fix the PD9 problem ! lol

I'm actually wondering 'if' I need a new audio codec pack but I have no idea which one is best ? I tried the ffd show but it didn't cure PD9 crackle. Anyone know which codec pack is best for audio on XP Home SP3 32 bit ?

And to Denbigh, I haven't completed your task fully, apart from disabling the system tray start up items that are audio related.I will attempt tomorrow but I'm rather worried I might mess up the system.

But then again my other halve's nephew does manage a computer shop ! lol

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

Hello exVKG96..I installed Format Factory the other day and it asked during installation if I wanted to installe the 'inside codecs' to system ?

Well, I just had no idea and clicked no but I've been wondering just what they are and I've just found this info :

Warning! Format Factory installs "K-Lite Codec pack" that might cause problems with other video software on your computer.

I guess this seconds why your PD9 was crackling ! lol

I wonder what they would do on a 32 bit system ?

Regards,

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

Hi

Actually, K-lite codec pack is the least likely source for your problem.

I did tell you that if you do what I suggested, it would take just a few minutes. It is perfectly safe, believe me. All that procedure will do is to NOT LOAD UP loads of stuff during the boot - hence diagnostic boot.

Jumping around, trying this and that, is not a systematic way to find a solution. I am a sort-of computer expert, and the last thing I would suggest is something irreversible. Don't try guess-work, systematically work through the problem. I have read so many threads where everyone suggests this and that, but it is generally (not always) not the best way.

I gave you the procedure for both cases: where you are NOT a computer geek, and your startup is straightforward, and where you are a CG and have had occasion to fiddle with your startup.

I am NOT suggesting editing your registry, looking for particular signatures or such...

If you want the problem solved, keep going in my direction, if not...

Denbigh i7 980x; W7 Pro; 12GB; Nvidia GTX 285; 2x300G Velociraptors in Raid 0; 2x1.5TB Barracuda in Raid 1; 2TB WD Studio Ed.II (eSATA); NEC SpectraView Reference 2690 + MultiSync EA232

Okay Denbigh..giving it a go now..

Stephanie Just Love What You Do !

Hi Denbigh, sorry for the delay but I've been offline all afternoon re-installing windows.

Last night I disabled all the start up items but before I got any further I was suffering conflict after conflict and then I couldn't get the items to load again at the start and then my printer failed to respond and various other problems, some that I've had a while.

I thought extremely careful about this and decided to totally re-install windows and then install the programs STARTING with PD9 so I can test the audio without any other programs installed and a fresh set of drivers and codecs.

Soo, I backed up everything on a terrabyte external drive and also created a theme file for the pc and also a bookmarks file too.

XP is up and running and all the updates have been installed to the system.

[ Gosh, doesn't the basic XP look dull ? ]

I'm currently transferring all my music and photo files back onto the pc but won't install any programs until I've installed and tried PD9 !

I'm hoping that the mp3 audio on PD9 might be perfect ? We shall see..

And if PD9 is perfect then I will install my programs back one at a time to see if I can find a culprit.

Regards,

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

Wooot Woooot Wahhhhh !!! NZ calling Cyberlink...Do you hear this ?? LOL

>does major dance round design room<

I've just installed PD9 onto my machine again after reinstalling XP and all the drivers and XP updates etc..

And PD9 is the 1st program to be installed back in...

And I had 'specially' saved an MP3 File on the desktop...

And....I started PD9 up and loaded the MP3.....

Tried it in the library first and it played real sweet...

Soo, wanting to bide my time I went into the lounge for 5 minutes...

I didn't really want to test the timeline again !!LOL

But, I came in here and imported it to the timeline and pressed play...

Wait for it.....

It Played Sweet and Beautiful and get this....CRACKLE FREE !! LOL >fanfare<

Soo, now I'm gonna reinstall programs one by one and keep checking on my PD9 Timeline with MP3's.

I now suspect it 'may' be something like my Magix free programs...the last one I installed was Magix Guitar Backing Maker....It needs audio and Magix are pretty invasive when you install them...But then again..so is Real Player..

But I'll be checking them after each install, one by one...

I'll give you a report in the morning...I'm convinced I'm a gonna reinstall one of these programs and get the Crackle !! But at least then I will know..

Crackle on the timeline....Can you hear it ? Not on this computer ! lol

I will report back when I've reinstalled my programs one by one and let you know if one of them makes the crackle again on the PD9 timeline.

Regards,

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

Hi Stephanie

One of the best threads I've read in ages - the suspense is killing me

Professor Plum in the library with the candlestick....

We should take wagers which program is causing it - Real Player methinks. Happing editing

Best Regards

Neil
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