Serious issues with PowerDirector 5

Frank

Newbie Joined: Dec 10, 2006 03:55 Messages: 4 Offline

Solved by

Dec 10, 2006 04:07

Hi all,

As much as I like the intuitive handling of this application, I am very much annoyed by serious issues with the Cyberlink PowerDirector 5.0.1227 (the most recent patch level). I use the software to mix together about 50 small MPEG1 videos (I recorded with my digital camera), a few titles and some sound files in WAV-format. (I also tried MP3 files, same problem with those).

My problem is:
At some point in the middle of the project the application just crashes without any error message. When I reopen the project it loads all the media files. At the point where the time line should be created the application crashes again. This happens with almost every video project I start (except the very tiny ones).

Now for the strange things:
I suspected an error in the PDS file. This I made backups of the PDS file regularly so I would be able to open older versions of the project in case of crash. But, whenever a crash within a new project happened, the old backup files (which were created at a point where everything was still fine) could not be opened either! I doubt that the PDS files are corrupt as they seem to be just simple plain text XML files.

I have no clue what causes the error. I tried reinstalling the application; no success. I tried launching the project file from a different computer; no success. Same error.

It is extremely annoying when you put hours of work into a video project, then it crashes, and then you cannot even open old backup files anymore. It is very strange that CyberLink doesn't come up with a solution for this common issue.

Any clues about how to solve this issue?

Thanks,
Frank

Dafydd B

Senior Contributor Joined: Aug 26, 2006 08:20 Messages: 11973 Offline

Dec 10, 2006 06:07

Quote: Hi all,

As much as I like the intuitive handling of this application, I am very much annoyed by serious issues with the Cyberlink PowerDirector 5.0.1227 (the most recent patch level). I use the software to mix together about 50 small MPEG1 videos (I recorded with my digital camera), a few titles and some sound files in WAV-format. (I also tried MP3 files, same problem with those).

My problem is:
At some point in the middle of the project the application just crashes without any error message. When I reopen the project it loads all the media files. At the point where the time line should be created the application crashes again. This happens with almost every video project I start (except the very tiny ones).

Now for the strange things:
I suspected an error in the PDS file. This I made backups of the PDS file regularly so I would be able to open older versions of the project in case of crash. But, whenever a crash within a new project happened, the old backup files (which were created at a point where everything was still fine) could not be opened either! I doubt that the PDS files are corrupt as they seem to be just simple plain text XML files.

I have no clue what causes the error. I tried reinstalling the application; no success. I tried launching the project file from a different computer; no success. Same error.

It is extremely annoying when you put hours of work into a video project, then it crashes, and then you cannot even open old backup files anymore. It is very strange that CyberLink doesn't come up with a solution for this common issue.

Any clues about how to solve this issue?

Thanks,
Frank

Hi Frank,
Try,
Open PD
Edit/Preferences/General/Untick Rich Video/Click OK.

These video files are they from a digital video camera or a still camera with video sequences? I'm asking just to clarify and to know what the format is. I realise you've mentioned mpeg... I just wonder if it's a QT formated file (mov).

After you've done the above - drag the pds file into the media pane - it should then input the contents of the file and construction in both the pane and the time-line.

I also think you may have a corrupted file in amongst the group or the name of the file is too long...something simple.

I'm just guessing.... and offering suggestions.

Dafydd

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Dec 10. 2006 06:08

wabru

Newbie Location: Belgium Joined: Nov 06, 2006 05:18 Messages: 9 Offline

Dec 11, 2006 08:56

Quote: My problem is:
At some point in the middle of the project the application just crashes without any error message. When I reopen the project it loads all the media files. At the point where the time line should be created the application crashes again. This happens with almost every video project I start (except the very tiny ones).

Same problem.
I am carefull. After i burn a backup, I read it at ounce to make sure it is ok. But I was not carefull enough.
If I modify anything(even the lenght of 1 small video) and burn a new backup, this last one cannot be open.
I had to start again from a backup older. I did the same job, same videos, same audios and it works

So I do'nt understand.
As I encountered same error in five projects among a lot of project, I could notice a différence. For the five, I used the "magic tools" ans not for the others.
Now I do'nt use magic tools and I do'nt have error anymore.
What a pity.
Sorry for my poor english, I am french speaking.
Regards.

Bittenbender

Newbie Joined: Nov 06, 2006 18:53 Messages: 1 Offline

Dec 11, 2006 21:53

I too was having the crash, crash, crash, issue on my desktop PC. What I discovered was that after installing Power Director on my laptop it worked fine (after I restarted the project.) So I moved the entire Cyberlinks folder to my external hard drive and reattached it to my desktop. When I launched Power Director from the external drive...no more crashing. The difference is that the laptop is running Power DVD 5.0. The Desktop runs Power DVD 3.0. Both Power Director and Power DVD live and in the same folder. I'm thinking that they must share DLL's and the DLL's from Power DVD 3.0 are not compatable with Power Director 5.0. Note that I did have to restart the project because the version that was created when crashing was corrupted. I hope this helps someone. Dianne

Frank

Newbie Joined: Dec 10, 2006 03:55 Messages: 4 Offline

Dec 15, 2006 08:00

Quote:
Hi Frank,
Try,
Open PD
Edit/Preferences/General/Untick Rich Video/Click OK.

These video files are they from a digital video camera or a still camera with video sequences? I'm asking just to clarify and to know what the format is. I realise you've mentioned mpeg... I just wonder if it's a QT formated file (mov).

After you've done the above - drag the pds file into the media pane - it should then input the contents of the file and construction in both the pane and the time-line.

I also think you may have a corrupted file in amongst the group or the name of the file is too long...something simple.

I'm just guessing.... and offering suggestions.

Dafydd

Hello Dafydd,

the video files have been generated by Cyberlink PD! :

I usually use PD to merge two or three videos from my Digicam (Quicktime Format *.MOV) to a short video sequence in MPEG1 format. This works well with PD. I then want to make a DVD from the 1-year collection of MPEG1 videos I created with PD. That's where the software crashes.

I also thought about the corrupted file, that's why I saved different versions of the video project. (I assumed that it has problems with importing or mixing MP3 sound files, maybe when they have different BIT-compression, but I am not sure.) Last time PD crashed when I added a MP3 file to the project, but it also crashes just during clipping or editing the time-line. As I said, even the backup copies of my PD-Project didn't work anymore after the crash.

P.S.: Is there a known issue with QT video files?

Regards,
Frank

Dafydd B

Senior Contributor Joined: Aug 26, 2006 08:20 Messages: 11973 Offline

Dec 15, 2006 08:19

Quote:
Hello Dafydd,

the video files have been generated by Cyberlink PD! :

I usually use PD to merge two or three videos from my Digicam (Quicktime Format *.MOV) to a short video sequence in MPEG1 format. This works well with PD. I then want to make a DVD from the 1-year collection of MPEG1 videos I created with PD. That's where the software crashes.

I also thought about the corrupted file, that's why I saved different versions of the video project. (I assumed that it has problems with importing or mixing MP3 sound files, maybe when they have different BIT-compression, but I am not sure.) Last time PD crashed when I added a MP3 file to the project, but it also crashes just during clipping or editing the time-line. As I said, even the backup copies of my PD-Project didn't work anymore after the crash.

P.S.: Is there a known issue with QT video files?

Regards,
Frank

Hi Frank,
I located an issue with *.mov files sometime ago that's why I asked. In a test I carried out in your version of the program it would crash. The source of the cause I narrowed to the *.mov compressed file. I also located a workaround.
1. Not to include the *.mov file in a mixed timeline
2. To create an mpeg file from the mov without any additions or editing.
3. Avoid the mov file in the media pane when working (I'm almost sure I did this one) when the tasks needed to create the mpeg are complete.

There was something about the compressed QT file that caused an issue. I haven't had any problems with later builds. I can not state that this is the solution in your case and file compression in digi-cams are a variable.

Dafydd

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Dec 15. 2006 08:21

Frank

Newbie Joined: Dec 10, 2006 03:55 Messages: 4 Offline

Dec 16, 2006 13:27

Quote:
Hi Frank,
I located an issue with *.mov files sometime ago that's why I asked. In a test I carried out in your version of the program it would crash. The source of the cause I narrowed to the *.mov compressed file. I also located a workaround.
1. Not to include the *.mov file in a mixed timeline
2. To create an mpeg file from the mov without any additions or editing.
3. Avoid the mov file in the media pane when working (I'm almost sure I did this one) when the tasks needed to create the mpeg are complete.

There was something about the compressed QT file that caused an issue. I haven't had any problems with later builds. I can not state that this is the solution in your case and file compression in digi-cams are a variable.

Dafydd

Hi again,

unfortunately, all of this doesn't solve the problem. I also still do not understand why after a crash all backup PDS files (which had no issues being loaded before the crash) won't work either. I am a software developer myself and I say that it just is not a sign of good quality when an application crashes without even an error message. In my opinion CyberLink PowerProducer would be a neat application with an easy-to-use interface, but it just will not work when you have to edit movies with >20 clips (no matter what video format). It is good for creating a 5 minute video clip, but it has not the quality to produce a DVD.

I will sell my PowerDVD license on eBay and go look for a tool that works, because I am tired of working 3 hours on a DVD project, then lose everything (even the backup project files) to an application bug CyberLink isn't able to fix, although a LOT of people are complaining about frequent PD crashes.

Regards,
Frank

Frank

Newbie Joined: Dec 10, 2006 03:55 Messages: 4 Offline

Dec 16, 2006 13:30

Quote:
Hi Frank,
I located an issue with *.mov files sometime ago that's why I asked. In a test I carried out in your version of the program it would crash. The source of the cause I narrowed to the *.mov compressed file. I also located a workaround.
1. Not to include the *.mov file in a mixed timeline
2. To create an mpeg file from the mov without any additions or editing.
3. Avoid the mov file in the media pane when working (I'm almost sure I did this one) when the tasks needed to create the mpeg are complete.

There was something about the compressed QT file that caused an issue. I haven't had any problems with later builds. I can not state that this is the solution in your case and file compression in digi-cams are a variable.

Dafydd

P.S.: I did NOT use *.mov files in my project, but MPEG1 files which were created with CyberLink PowerProducer.

Dafydd B

Senior Contributor Joined: Aug 26, 2006 08:20 Messages: 11973 Offline

Dec 17, 2006 04:36

Quote: Hi again,

unfortunately, all of this doesn't solve the problem. I also still do not understand why after a crash all backup PDS files (which had no issues being loaded before the crash) won't work either. I am a software developer myself and I say that it just is not a sign of good quality when an application crashes without even an error message. In my opinion CyberLink PowerProducer would be a neat application with an easy-to-use interface, but it just will not work when you have to edit movies with >20 clips (no matter what video format). It is good for creating a 5 minute video clip, but it has not the quality to produce a DVD.

I will sell my PowerDVD license on eBay and go look for a tool that works, because I am tired of working 3 hours on a DVD project, then lose everything (even the backup project files) to an application bug CyberLink isn't able to fix, although a LOT of people are complaining about frequent PD crashes.

Regards,
Frank

Hi Frank,

When you took your issues to Technical Support what advice did they give you? I don't see any mention in your postings that you've contacted them.

They will require some basic information.
1. List your data in numerical bullet points
2. Provide data on the number, mb, format of video files used.
3. provide the pds file
4. provide a DXDiag.txt file
5. Build and version numbers of the PD5

If you provide the data in a logical manner you are helping the situation be resolved.

I read that you have referred to PowerProducer for editing video and something about PowerDVD!? Please note that PowerProducer is a specialist DVD writing software and PowerDVD is the Video Playing software. PowerDirector is the specialist video editing software.

PowerDirector 5 Premium is a specialist video editing software and has an integrated DVD writing capability which uses the timeline in PD5P.
PowerProducer 4 is a standalone specialist DVD writing software used for single and multiple video files placed on a disc.
PowerDVD 7 Delux, Standard and Max are three versions of the specialist video playing software.

Early versions of PowerDirector had PowerProducer Express as the writing to disc tool. I think you are referring to that feature when you mention PP.

Contact Tech Support.

Best of luck.

Dafydd

This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at Dec 17. 2006 05:10

Rolandx

Newbie Joined: Nov 23, 2006 13:33 Messages: 7 Offline

Jan 20, 2007 05:50

I have the same problems. At the startup when the Timeline loads the data, the program hangs, not always, lets say 50%.

The program hangs frequently when capturing, also when stoping capturing a scene. I have had this 6times on 1 hour of work.

The program crashes 80% when burning (the progress indicator hangs at 70% sometimes at 29%)

I bought a update PD5, it's pitty of the money. The other programs of the suite (I have not updated the whole suite) are they interfering with this update?

Dafydd B

Senior Contributor Joined: Aug 26, 2006 08:20 Messages: 11973 Offline

Jan 20, 2007 07:36

Quote: I have the same problems. At the startup when the Timeline loads the data, the program hangs, not always, lets say 50%.

The program hangs frequently when capturing, also when stoping capturing a scene. I have had this 6times on 1 hour of work.

The program crashes 80% when burning (the progress indicator hangs at 70% sometimes at 29%)

I bought a update PD5, it's pitty of the money. The other programs of the suite (I have not updated the whole suite) are they interfering with this update?

Contact Tech Support