What AVI codec are you using? What operating system do you have?

Dave T2

WinXP Home. Please tell me what I click on to find the type of AVI codec I am using. Thanks.

When you go to Render (Make Movie) you should have an option on what codec. Normally it would be DV AVI, but if you are getting 4 minutes on 3gig, you must be using another one.

IT could be that you are running into the 4gig file size limit. If you are running XP, you have the option to format your harddrive as FAT32 or NTFS. If you use FAT32 you are limited to a max file size of 4 gig. NTFS has no practical file size limits.

Just guessing right now though.

Dave T2

Thanks for the info. I checked the HD - it's NTSF, not FAT32.

The only choices for a codec are (with AVI):
Default Template (not compressed)
NTSC DV
NTSC DV widescreen
PAL DV
PAL DV widescreen

I'll try with the Default Template - it's the only other possible choice. Failing that, I guess I'm stuck with the 4.3 gig file. I had heard that there was a wall that you hit while making AVI files as far as size is concerned. I guess I just hit it. Will post how it went later today.

The default template will give you a very large file. You would be better using one of the DV templates (NTSC if you are in the US). These are better file sizes and have a high quality compression.

If you are using NTFS format, you should have no file size concerns. Do you have only one harddrive?

Dave T2

Yep, the default template gave me a 34 gig file with a whopping 20 seconds of video. I had originally been using the NTSC DV format (I'm in Canada) when I was hitting the 4.3 gig wall and posted the first message here. There are now no other choices.

I have 2 HD's:

C: NTSC 100 gig (52.2 gig free)
D: FAT32 12 gig (6.3 gig free)

I only use the D drive for backing up stuff.

I don't know why I hit the 4.3 gig limit when my HD is NTSC, but I'll have to live with it. Many thanks for your help!

Gerry

Be sure that you are not rendering to your FAT 32 drive. Or, that it is not using it for temp files. This might screw with the max file size.

Dave T2

Just to clear things up:

NTSC: What I've been making the videos in.
NTFS: My HD.

I've been jumping back and forth in my postings with NTFS/NTSC, just to add to (my) confusion. Sorry about that.

>Be sure that you are not rendering to your FAT 32 drive. Or, that it is not >using it for temp files. This might screw with the max file size.

Nope, all the work is done on the non-FAT32 C: drive.

Just one more thought. Is is possible that because your system drive is FAT32, that the software is assuming all drives are FAT32? Have you considered changing your system drive?

Just an idea, no basis or experience for it.

Dave T2

The system drive is the C: drive - the NTFS one. The FAT32 drive is the D: drive, where only my backup files are. WIN XP, all my programs, and the place with the rendering is done is on the NTFS drive.

Thanks for all your input, but it appears that I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get rid of that one 7 minute song in the soundtrack - allowing me to render the video in 3 or 4 pieces. Each one can separately be uploaded to a VHS tape, but it will sort of appear to be one large video file. No one will know, except me. Ummm, and you.

sorry, I got confused. Good luck!!

Dave T2

Try this: Under the Options menu, go to Preferences, and make sure that "Strictly conform to AVI2 specifications" is UNselected. Quit out of Screenblast/VF, then reopen it.

Rerender your video, and post again to let us know if that worked. I had this problem when I was new to Video Factory, and I think that is what solved my problem.

Also make sure "Create an OpenDML (AVI version 2.0) compatible file" in the Advanced Render options IS checked otherwise this will limit your filesize regardless of filesystem.

~jr

>Try this: Under the Options menu, go to Preferences, and make sure that "Strictly conform to AVI2 specifications" is UNselected. Quit out of >Screenblast/VF, then reopen it.

>Rerender your video, and post again to let us know if that worked. I had this problem when I was new to Video Factory, and I think that is what >solved my problem.

Thanks, Klavisha! But I checked and this "Strictly conform......" was already unselected. So it made no difference.

>Also make sure "Create an OpenDML (AVI version 2.0) compatible file" in >the Advanced Render options IS checked otherwise this will limit your >filesize regardless of filesystem.

And also thanks JohnnyRoy, but checking in the [Make Movie] [Save to HD][Advance Render] [Custom][Video tab] shows that the "create OpenDML..." was already checked.

Nothing seems to be working...sigh....

Gerry

Is it at all possible you've maxed out your hard drive?

(Do I understand you to say your video files are on the same drive as your OS and programs?)

Intensive programs often use a large portion of your hard drive as a "scratch" area -- writing and reading temp files. If you've less than, say, 10 gig space left, there simply may not be room for the program to temporarily store pieces while it's rendering.

It's always a good idea to keep your video files on a separate drive -- a drive dedicated exclusively to these files with no programs or operating system on it. Doing so remedies a world of problems!

You can pick up 60 - 120 gig drives now for under $100 at places like Best Buy. They're surprisingly simple to install.

It's a 100 gig HD with 52 gig free space. Lotsa wiggle room. The OS (WINXP home) and everything else is on the C: drive. I have a 12 gig D: drive that I only use for backing up data files. So for the purpose of rendering video, please consider the D: drive as "not even there".

Gerry:

I realize this was discussed (and checked and answered by you) above, but this thread on the Vegas forum last year dealt with the same issue (but it was a 4:42 problem...):

http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=97685

Good luck

Frenchy

Someone can check my math on this (please) but I think there's something else going on. The file size is 3.1 G which corresponds to approx 15 min of video.
I'm getting my numbers from KB articles 469 and 507 (AVI files use approx 3.6 MB space per second of video) .

The problem then is why is there only 4:43 min of playback for a 15 min file.

Sorry I don't know why this is. You may also want to post to Vegas Video forum

Suzan

Oops. As you can see was typing when Frenchy posted his answer -- the link is great.

From Dave's (SonyEPM) last post seems to say that Quicktime 5.02 and Real can't handle more than approx 4:12 min of OpenDML avi even if you have "Strictly Conform to AVI 2" off and "Create an Open DML (AVI version 2) compatable file" on.

Gerry, what player are you viewing this file on?

Suzan

Suzan, that viewer would be Quicktime 6.4 Viewer. When I click on an AVI, that's what opens. When I click on an MPEG, Windows Media Player automatically opens.

Regardless, the client has seen the product, done as 5 x AVI clips, all strung together on a video tape, and they were as happy as a clam.

Gerry, at least your client was happy with your product. Nevertheless this is frustrating. When I had the problem last year, my video stopped at 4 min 42 sec, played on Windows Media Player. The .avi file, however, was 11 GB (approx 52 min. video) acc to its properties, so it appeared that the entire file was there, it just wouldn't play. One suggestion made at that time was to reset all preferences to the default in Screenblast/VF.

If you find the solution on the Vegas forum or elsewhere, please repost for us here.