Black frames

Jakub wrote on 10/16/2025, 6:44 AM

Hey everyone,
any bigger nerds here than me?

I’m having some issues with my setup:
CPU: i9-13900K
RAM: 128 GB
GPU: RTX 4070
Drives: RAID (3 disks) + system drive C (Windows).

When I render, I keep getting black frames in the final output.
I partially fixed it by rendering directly to drive C that reduces the chance of black frames by about 70 %.
However, all my project files are stored on another SSD that’s part of the RAID array.

I’m trying to figure out whether this is due to bad render settings or the RAID setup itself.
On my other (weaker) machine i7-10700KF, 32 GB RAM, RTX 3080, single SSD — it doesn’t happen at all.

Any ideas or similar experiences? Thanks in advance!

Comments

RogerS wrote on 10/16/2025, 7:38 AM

Is this with VEGAS Pro 21 and if so what build? Does changing decoding to legacy AVC (assuming source files are AVC) help at all?

I found 21 black frame free up until build 208. I don't have a raid system though so have no idea about that.

Jakub wrote on 10/17/2025, 12:17 PM

I found out that the issue mostly occurs with videos from my friend, who uses an iPhone 13 mini.
With other videos for example, from my drone or iPhone 15 Pro Max it doesn’t happen at all.

I’m using VEGAS Pro 21, build 315.

EricLNZ wrote on 10/17/2025, 7:53 PM

If it works okay on your weaker machine it does suggest it might be your RAID setup which may not be providing the file to VEGAS fast enough?

RogerS wrote on 10/17/2025, 8:05 PM

21.315 has a lot of decoding issues. I'd recommend legacy AVC, going back to build 208 or updating to VP 23.

Jakub wrote on 10/20/2025, 8:40 AM

@EricLNZ I’ve been thinking about that too. After further investigation, I noticed that the black frames only start appearing after applying color grading.

@RogerS Do you mean this?
 

RogerS wrote on 10/20/2025, 8:47 AM

Yes, that's what I meant. Enabling legacy AVC decoding. However if it's only an issue that appears when adding the CGP you might also have to disable the GPU in preferences/ video? Worth testing both. Personally I stayed on 21.208.

Jakub wrote on 10/20/2025, 9:11 AM

@RogerS
I tried that ChatGPT actually recommended it but rendering takes quite a long time, even though these are short baking videos (up to about two minutes).
When acceleration is disabled and I render using the processor, the black frames still appear sometimes just one per video.

I just don’t know how to roll back to an older version I’ve never done that before.

On her iPhone, I set the video format to “most compatible,” so I’ll see if it helps once I get the next batch of clips.

RogerS wrote on 10/20/2025, 9:15 AM

ChatGPT is using responses by me and others as the basis for its recommendations.

To roll back you just go to windows add/remove programs and uninstall your build. Then install a previous build and activate using your serial number.
https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-where-can-i-download-vegas-pro-and-other-vegas-software--104782/

One thing to be aware of is that projects created in VP 21.300 and newer will not open in 208 or older.

The iphone compatible setting gives you AVC vs HEVC media. Both should work in VEGAS.

john_dennis wrote on 10/20/2025, 10:31 AM

@Jakub said: "any bigger nerds here than me?"

I'm likely a bigger nerd than you.

You have not posted a Mediainfo report or sample file for the potentially offending iPhone video. A real nerd would have flooded the thread with reams of data (errrr, minutiae).

SWAG

Variable frame rate could be part of the problem with cell phone video. Conforming to constant frame rate with Shutter Encoder or Handbrake might make a difference, but we won't know because of the shortage of real data about your assets.

/SWAG

Why do you feel the need to run a RAID array? Redundancy, Performance, etc.

Do you have an offline backup scheme for your precious (errrr fragile) RAID array?