4.5 won't accept my cineform HDV files

bjrohner wrote on 1/3/2008, 9:32 AM
For a year or two, I've been rendering everything in VMS as Cineform 720P HDV files on the chance that I may want to use these files eventually to make actual High definition movies.

I used these files in Architect directly to make my SD movies. Since I upgraded, none of my old saved architect creations will now work and any new creations state that the video stream attributes could not be determined. It will read and play the audio portion. I just did an update from b to c which had no effect.

Before I start trying to roll back to earlier versions, I am hopeful that someone has a better solution.

Thanks Bob

Comments

SonyRFKJ wrote on 1/3/2008, 12:44 PM
Bob,

What versions of VMS/DVDAS did you upgrade from?

When you say that none of your saved creations work, do you mean that you have projects saved in a previous version of DVDAS that don't open in DVDAS 4.5c? Or is it that you're no longer able to preview the videos in the Explorer, but the projects themselves open just fine?

Did you upgrade VMS as well? Does VMS still open the rendered files?

Thanks,

Robert
bjrohner wrote on 1/3/2008, 1:27 PM
I upgraded to VMS Platinum Edition 8 in August - taking VMS from 7.0 to 8.0 and DVDAS from 4.0 to 4.5, I believe.

The rendered video files both old and newly created are fine. If necessary, I can run the cineform files through VMS and convert them to Mpegs to make the movies in DVDAS. But this should not be necessary. It would mean reworking several hundred movies and adding a considerable amount of storage load.

In other words, everything works great just like it always has except the Architect Software just doesn't know what to do with the cineform video (Video: Stream attributes could not be determined). The audio attributes are recognized.

Perhaps it is a codec problem

Bob
SonyRFKJ wrote on 1/3/2008, 2:36 PM
If you create a new Cineform file with VMSPE 8, does it also not open in DVDAS?

That's odd. What does your workflow look like when you create Cineform files? Please be as specific as possible; I ask because I'm able to open Cineform files in DVDAS without issue.

Thanks,

Robert
bjrohner wrote on 1/3/2008, 3:50 PM
Robert

There's nothing wrong with the cineform files - they play - they work in vms - the older ones have been used many times in Architect. I just tell the vms program to make movie - 720p cineform intermediate - it does and can be played back.

Like yourself, I have always been able to open these files in DVDAS until now.

I tried loading 4.0 and reloaded 4.5 with no luck. Going to try and reload VMS8.0 next to see if it is some common codex file or something.

Bob
bjrohner wrote on 1/4/2008, 5:51 AM
Robert

Reloading the VMS had no effect either. You should know that I just used add/remove to remove the old VMS & DVDAS programs. I did no other cleaning. Perhaps I need to clean out the codec somehow.

I did notice an error code: ""Error Occured during this command (ID:6612)
An error occurred opening a codec."" This shows up when I try to drag a Cineform HD
file out of explorer using the DVDAS software

Suppose I should contact Cineform?
MPM wrote on 1/4/2008, 12:47 PM
I'm really guessing here in case it's of help or interest...

In Vegas Pro 7 & 8 the main cineform file: "cfhd.dll" is updated & it's default location changed -- if they're not 100% compatible, that may be your problem. Generally it's hard to get Windows to replace a file with an older version, plus uninstall routines leave registry entries behind along with the occasional file. If you search your hard drives for cfhd.dll, then check the versions by right-clicking and selecting properties, you should be able to easily verify if more than one version is present. The original is located in the set-up folder in the cineform.cab for Vegas Pro 7/8 -- open the cab with WInzip if necessary.

With VPro 7, the file is located in the System32 folder inside of the Windows installation folder (i.e. c:Windows\System32). With VPro 8 it's in the Vegas folder. I'd guess that you'd need the original older version in the System32 folder & registered as the default in Windows -- Google for instructions and utilities, batch commands etc to register a .dll file in Windows, and check out RegDrop.exe. But that's just a guess -- something to try that'll only take a few minutes max (plus whatever time's spent searching).
bjrohner wrote on 1/4/2008, 5:06 PM
MPM

You're right about the versions. It appears I have: 1.10.9.95 - 2.1.1.117 - 2.5.14.125

You would think that they would have to be 100% compatible without causing some really large problems. I'm going to do some more research tonight and call cineform Monday if I have to. I'll post back here anything I find out for your reference.

Thanks
Bob
SonyRFKJ wrote on 1/5/2008, 8:49 AM
No need to call Cineform; I think this is our problem. I finally saw the error this morning and will try to get it fixed for both Pro and Studio versions. No promises, though.

Robert
bjrohner wrote on 1/5/2008, 9:23 PM
Robert

Thank you for hanging in there on this problem. It's why I moved to Sony to begin with.
The forums here can only be described as awesome. I'll be watching for the repair.

Good luck

Bob