Hi Kit -

You are using version 2220 - right? I know one member (Jaime) uninstalled this and went back to the previous 1930 build, but for different reasons.

You say you having troubles burning to a folder or disc. You didn't say exactly what was happening for you, so I'm just guessing.

Are you able to Produce a file (.mpeg, .wmv, .avi etc)? If so, you could insert the produced file in the timeline and burn your folder or disc from that. This often resolves burning issues.

Cheers - Tony
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I am using version 2220. When I try to burn, I get the input stream error - couldn't find files or not enough memory.

I'll give "produce" a file a try. I assume I produce the file with the titles and then place the chapter marks and create the menus again? Then I burn to a folder? In case that doesn't work, how do I download the 1930 build? Thanks for your help!

Hi KitR

I have PD8 loaded on a desktop that all my kids use. It is not very stable. I have to remove/reload all the time.

I also have PD8 loaded on my laptop that only I use. It is very stable.

I am guessing that any instability might have something to do with my kids and not the PD8 program... Just a hunch.


Brady

The following seems to be working for me with PD8 build 2220.

1. Use "Edit" to put the movie together including titles.
2. Use "Produce" to make a .avi file of the movie.
3. Go back to "Edit" and remove the original video clips and replace them with the .avi file I just made.
4. Use "Create Disk" to add the menus and burn.

I am doing the create disk to folder now. I'll make a DVD and try it out....

After going back to V.1930, support sent me a link to 2220c. I did a complete uninstall, clean up and then installed this version. I have had no problems since. I suspect my trouble was because, for me, 2220 was an update instead of a full install. Just curious as to what processor your computer has. __________________________________
CORNBLOSSOM

I have found the program to be unstable and inconsistent.

I am particularly frustrated with the Menu Designer application. For example, I can launch the program, load a previous project, and have it work as expected. If I edit the menu, the chapter menus will stop working properly until I quit out of the program, and start over.

I have multiple crashes daily... lockups, etc. (i7 processor and Radeon 5850 card).

The program has really poor documention, and no support mechanism.

The application is a major disappointment. Really a shame, because it looks like it has great potential.

I am using 2220c, it is stable, almost no trouble.
Every version of 8 for me has been a blessing.
My laptop is only Core2Duo 1.6/1.6, 5,200rpm Vista.
Almost every day I use CCleaner and defrag 1 a week.
POWERDIRECTOR 8 ROCKS! 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

I should've been more specific...

My COMPUTER doesn't crash... it's very stable.

It's only PowerDirector 8 that crashes. (With Windows 7).

I've downloaded Elements 8, hoping that it would be more stable. It is.

But it doesn't support Crossfire, or take advantage of the quad core the way PowerDirector does.

Elements = Stability + Slow + Weak Support (Haven't tried Elements, but Adobe is legendary for their poor support).

PowerDirector = Speed + More Functionality (if it works) + Buggy + Poor User Interface + No Support

No good choices!

I was able to make the video by "producing" an .avi file first and then replacing the video clips with the .avi file in the editor. In both the bad (input stream error, couldn't find file or not enough memory) and good case (described in first sentence) I didn't pick a menu template, I just used whatever came up. In the bad case the background of the menus was black. In the good case the background was a fancy one with video in a small box on the left. It is possible that PD8 was choking on the menu with the black background.

In any case, the video has been made in time for Christmas. I won't be playing with PD again for at least a couple weeks. I'll have at least one other issue to work at that time.

In response to Jaime's question about what processor I'm using:
I'm running Windows 7 on an AMD Phenom 9600 2.3Ghz quad core.

Customer Support is here:
http://www.cyberlink.com/prog/support/cs/index.do

ALL:
The forum is NOT a place to compare, denigrate, advertise or to promote other company's products.
I have a firm line when it comes to comparison posts - this isn't the place for them.

I'm quite happy with what Barry has posted above re: CCleaner, because it isn't a rival software and helps a video editor.

OK, I realise this might not be appreciated here, however it is what you agreed to when you joined the forum.

Dafydd
[Moderator]

Sorry Dafydd... I'll be more mindful of what I write.

It would be really nice if CyberLink had a public web page with lists of known issues and work arounds for each version of their software products. It would be updated daily. That would be much more efficient for a customer to see if an issue they were having was already known and if they should report it or not. The work arounds would hopefully exactly address the issue and be more reliable than what individuals in a forum might suggest. It would make me much happier with CyberLink and I think would gain them a lot of respect. Of course it would take some guts for CyberLink to list bugs for all to see.

There is an internal R&D list of bugs which I suppose could be called a "to fix" list. I don't have the list.

I'm not sure maintaining an online list would be a very productive use of time.

Dafydd
[Moderator]

PS, Thanks Michael

I spent about 4 hours getting my video ready to burn. Then I spent at least that many very frustrating hours over a couple days trying to find a solution to not being able to burn it. The suggestions of the technical support people was very time consuming and irrelevant to my problem. A bug list might have reduced my frustration to 15 minutes. How many of CyberLink's customers experience the same thing. How valuable are customers to CyberLink? You can guess what I will say next time someone asks me to recommend DVD authoring software. I think it would be very worth CyberLink's time to support such a list.

KitR
Make your suggestion to:
http://www.cyberlink.com/prog/support/cs/index.do

As previously stated, I have made the issue known to R&D and the fix is being worked on.

If you want the "c" build then approach the above location.

When was the last time you cleaned your PC as mentioned by Barry above?

Dafydd
[Moderator]

I have copied your comments to various heads of departments in CyberLink.
I've also chased R&D again on this issue.

I just wanted you to know "someone" has taken notice of your comments and I've made sure they're read.

Dafydd
[Moderator]

Kit -

I don't disagree with you completely about the list of "fixes &/or workarounds", at all. I think you're referring to bugs, where my slant is solutions & possibilities.

That said, I see that contributions of users in this forum contains a wealth of useful information. The tricky bit is finding it!.

Forget it - I'm off track, so I'll start a new thread...

Personally, I don't see PowerDirector, primarily, as DVD Authoring software (just as it isn't primarily for image editing, even though PhotoNow does a basic job). PD is for video editing - the DVD authoring is subsidiary.

Cheers - Tony
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NA -

Get it right, man. Cyberlink doesn't censor these posts. Dafydd, the moderator, does. Dafydd IS NOT CYBERLINK, just as you aren't. It's fair enough to raise issues - it's not fair enough to spew out untruths or baseless perceptions.

It is true, however, that people here try to help each other. Most of them do it with a spirit of collegiality (shared power & authority). We are in the same boat. Sure - sometimes it leaks a little - but we're STILL ALL IN IT.

Cheers - Tony
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I don't care if i get blocked and this reply will be blocked or edited anyway but i think the moderator here is very negative on this site. Anything said against Powerdirector is heavily censored or removed. Why is this? Whatever happened to debates? Who cares if we compare other products? Surely that's what forums are all about.


Is there a body above this website where we can complain about the moderator and his heavy heavy censorship ......