I found a thread with the same problem as mine. Yet it's still unanswered..

http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/7920.page

Dear "blankname" newbie:

Two things:

1. Make sure that you have set the snapshot resolution to "High resolution". This is done by clicking the icon that looks like a box-in-a-box (under the preview window.

2. Better assign yourself a real name in your profile, or about 900 people are gonna show up here to tell you to create one and lock your posts!!!

899 to go! HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Quote: Dear "blankname" newbie:

Two things:

1. Make sure that you have set the snapshot resolution to "High resolution". This is done by clicking the icon that looks like a box-in-a-box (under the preview window.

2. Better assign yourself a real name in your profile, or about 900 people are gonna show up here to tell you to create one and lock your posts!!!

Yes. I've been using "High Preview Resolution".

Quote: 899 to go!

Sorry but what do you mean..?

Unfortunately the forum software does not force people to register with a name. Without a name the moderator cannot address peoples inquiries. It would be better if the forum software stopped people registering without names but it doesn't.

You have put a name in so no more problems. My youtube channel====> http://www.youtube.com/user/relate2?feature=mhsn

Quote: Unfortunately the forum software does not force people to register with a name. Without a name the moderator cannot address peoples inquiries. It would be better if the forum software stopped people registering without names but it doesn't.

You have put a name in so no more problems.

This is the first time that I registered a forum without the need of giving a name. In fact, I didn't even know my post being posted without a nickname. That's odd.

But then I found it's cool that I can change my nickname in any minute..

Is my problem because I'm using a trial version of PD8? Thanks.

Please post your dxdiag so we can view your computer specs. The quality in the preview screen is very dependent on your graphics card.

Robert Intel i7 930, 16GB ram, Radeon HD 5770 1Gb,Ver. 14.12 Win7 64 bit
Intel i7 7700 HQ, 16 GB ram Nvidia GTX 1050Ti 4GB dual drives 1 TB SSD + 1 TB HDD Win 10

PDtoots

My notebook is a ThinkPad X61t tablet pc.

----
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 12/24/2009, 13:43:47
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: LENOVO
System Model: 7764CTO
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU L7500 @ 1.60GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2006MB RAM
Page File: 1967MB used, 2045MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A02&SUBSYS_20B517AA&REV_0C
Display Memory: 358 MB
Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
Shared Memory: 358 MB
Current Mode: 1400 x 1050 (32 bit) (50Hz)
Monitor Name: ThinkPad Display 1400x1050 (DPMS)
Monitor Model:
Monitor Id:
Native Mode:
Output Type:
Driver Name: igdumdx32.dll,igd10umd32.dll
Driver File Version: 8.15.0010.1825 (English)
Driver Version: 8.15.10.1825
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/16/2009 18:26:08, 536576 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6942-11CF-3B73-BF00ACC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2A02
SubSys ID: 0x20B517AA
Revision ID: 0x000C
Driver Strong Name: oem1.inf:Intel.Mfg:i965GM0:8.15.10.1825:pci\ven_8086&dev_2a02
Rank Of Driver: 00EC2001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeWMV9_B ModeVC1_B
Deinterlace Caps: {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
D3D9 Overlay: Supported
DXVA-HD: Not Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

I burned DVD with PD8. The videos (avi file and win7 sample video file "Wildlife.wmv") clips look good but the photo (even without making any effects, no slideshows) look burred. Same on my notebook and TV.

Or does this have something to do with aspect ratio, etc? My project is 16:9. I just imported the photos and dragged them to timeline.. nothing really changed. sigh.

When I tried to press "Edit Image" button, it popped up a window with error message.

Hi excited.ferd -

If you have a look at this graphics card comparison, http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_list.php - you'll see where yours fits. It's not one of the greats!

Your system looks like it might have difficulty with video editing, which can be a very taxing activity. Still - it's only displaying still images with no transitions.

Have you tried producing a slide show to see how the quality of the images appears? That might be worth a try.

Santa's on his way, so keep your fingers crossed... you might score a new PC!

Cheers - Tony
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Quote: Hi excited.ferd -

If you have a look at this graphics card comparison, http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_list.php - you'll see where yours fits. It's not one of the greats!

Cheers - Tony

Thanks. But the same software being installed in another notebook (ThinkPad SL510) results the same thing...

===
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: LENOVO
System Model: 28475GB
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T6670 @ 2.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2042MB RAM
Page File: 1585MB used, 2500MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode
Card name: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4500 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9553)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9553&SUBSYS_212917AA&REV_00
Display Memory: 1017 MB
Dedicated Memory: 252 MB
Shared Memory: 765 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ThinkPad Display 1366x768
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: LEN40B0
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (59.973Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atidxx32.dll,atidxx64,atiumdva.cap,atiumd64,atiumd6a,atitmm64
Driver File Version: 8.14.0010.0678 (English)
Driver Version: 8.634.0.0
DDI Version: 10.1
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/29/2009 21:47:52, 3105280 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
====

Is it really hardware related..?

Quote: Hi excited.ferd -

Have you tried producing a slide show to see how the quality of the images appears? That might be worth a try.

I just created a 3D slideshow with 5 or 6 hi-res photos. The photos in the flying frames of that video is even more blurr, to an extent that I can't really see my face clearly!

OK Ferd -

I didn't know what the other PC was like. I gather you produced the slide show on the i7 machine? Yes? No? It certainly looks more capable.

Maybe it isn't completely hardware related, though I stand by my previous comment.

I would certainly be doing a complete uninstall/re-install on the machine that gave you the error message about PhotoNow.

Use something like Revo Uninstaller to completely remove PD, PhotoNow & and all registry entries.

Something is badly wrong somewhere, but I can't see it yet.

Cheers - Tony
Visit PDtoots. PowerDirector Tutorials, tips, free resources & more. Subscribe!
Full linked Tutorial Catalog PDtoots happily supports fellow PowerDirector users!

Quote: OK Ferd -

I didn't know what the other PC was like. I gather you produced the slide show on the i7 machine? Yes? No? It certainly looks more capable.

Maybe it isn't completely hardware related, though I stand by my previous comment.

I would certainly be doing a complete uninstall/re-install on the machine that gave you the error message about PhotoNow.

Use something like Revo Uninstaller to completely remove PD, PhotoNow & and all registry entries.

Something is badly wrong somewhere, but I can't see it yet.

Cheers - Tony

Thanks for your idea about completely uninstall PD. I'll do it right away.

Trial version of PD8 normally doesn't have the problem I described, right?