Blackout Preview Window? Audio OK, No Video!

VgasLvr wrote on 10/4/2009, 9:35 PM
I recently purchased VMS 9 Platinum Pro, updated to 9.0B, and wanted to get busy editing some AVI movies from my VADO HD mini-cam for starters, but can't get to 1st base. After importing the AVI when attempting to edit, the Preview Window is BLACK, no video! What in the world is going on with that? Audio is there, but no video whatsoever.

I have since used my Mac, and QuickTime Pro to export/port to the web the clips I wanted to do on the PC, and can verify that they are aok fine clips, with audio and video, clear as a bell, but so far non-visible video with this software from Sony. I have no idea what to do to correct the problem.

I went through every possible Preference Setting, hit every button, queried the Help Topics to death, and there's no mention of this anomaly, nor how to remedy the issue.

What is going on with this situation, is there something really stuupid, dumb, that I've missed in setup of the program? It seemed to install fine, upgrade aok, no noticeable defects I can see, but with things like this I can't even begin to use the edit video functionality.

I haven't bothered to try editing anything else until and if I get this part handled, as you may imagine! I am not frustrated just yet, figuring I am just missing the keys to the highway, some preference or other that is basic to the program isn't set up right.

I'm using Vista 64-bit Ultimate, with the computer specs listed here. This is my 1st Sony editing software purchase, and I would certainly like to be able to use it, but as yet I am stuck in 1st gear, so to speak.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Comments

Eugenia wrote on 10/5/2009, 2:27 AM
Turn off the trimmer window.
VgasLvr wrote on 10/6/2009, 1:05 AM
Trimmer Window 'On'?

Sorry Eugenia, that doesn't help. I don't have the window ON!

Anyone else have any answers for this problem? I converted the movies to WMV files and the Vegas software can then see the files fine, audio and video. But why should I have to convert anything before this software can see my clips? That is BS!

Thanks for any potential answers to come, because this just should not be happening from what I have read so far here. Vado HD AVI should be visible to the VMS software 100%, plain and simple, and right now there's a bug that makes the viewer window black, and that's just not right.
Eigentor wrote on 10/6/2009, 4:39 AM
I've been researching the compatability of VMS9B with Vista64/W7. There does seem to be some issues. I recommend doing a search "Vista" of this forum and you'll see some. Maybe one of them will help you; on the assumption that the OS is your issue.
I want to upgrade if I can. So far my only issues have been pilot error.
musicvid10 wrote on 10/6/2009, 8:01 AM
You may have a codec issue.
1) Download MediaInfo.
2) Provide all of the information about one of your "Vado" files.
3) If possible, upload a short clip of your raw video somewhere. 10 seconds is enough.
VgasLvr wrote on 10/8/2009, 4:51 PM
Thank you for the comment, it's appreciated. I can't imagine that the Vista OS 64-bit/Win7-64-bit would be a deal killer here, but will do what you suggested. I have been away for a couple days, and had no occasion to render any more videos, as I handled them all on the Mac/QuickTime Pro/iMovie HD etc, without issues. These are simple Windows AVI clips, nothing complicated about them at all fyi.

If the program can't deal with normal AVI then it's useless to me on the Windows side, I mean, that is just nutz! QuickTime/Perian v1.13/QuickTime Pro and the Mac have no issues seeing any of them that I have made thus far with the Vado HD camera, so if the Mac can see the files aok fine, I cannot fathom what in the world on the Sony side of things is causing a difficulty.

I wish this was Pilot Error as you comment, but it's not. This is a Sony issue, plain and simple, even if the Vista OS 64-bit has something to do with it...this is standard issue Vista OS, nothing special about it, the same thing that millions and millions of people use every day.
musicvid10 wrote on 10/8/2009, 5:41 PM
"simple Windows AVI clips" can use any of a number of codecs.
If the vfw flavor of the codec used by these clips is not installed on your system, then the audio, or video, or both may not show up in Vegas.

Once more:
1) Download MediaInfo
2) Post the file information from MediaInfo here
3) If you can, upload a short clip of the video somewhere, and let us take a look at it.

It's amazing how much one can find out just by having this much information.
Also, if you have recently upgraded to Quicktime 7.6.4 and iTunes 9, you will want to roll back to 7.6.2 to open certain kinds of files. This is discussed in detail in the Vegas Pro forum. Do a search.
VgasLvr wrote on 10/9/2009, 1:30 AM
Where do I download 'Media Info'?

Here somewhere? Please educate me a little since I am totally
new to Vegas products, and what is required here. I'd be happy to
upload a 1-minute clip or so of the video so you can "take a
look at it" FWIW.

I'll do that at a common site like Putfile.com or maybe even
one of my own web sites.

But first things first, let's do what you want with the file, and file typing
etc...I just don't know what you are talking about yet, or where to get it
find it, use it etc?

Thanks!
musicvid10 wrote on 10/9/2009, 8:07 AM
MediaInfo is a freeware, open-source utility that gives you information about your file codecs, along with a lot of other information. GSpot is another utility that gives even more detailed information. Neither are associated with Sony Vegas in any way. MediaInfo is available by typing "mediainfo" into a google search or at mediainfo.sourceforge.net

There is more explanation about codecs, file types, and problems related to the video or audio not opening in this thread:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=660127&Replies=3

Once we get the issue solved with your Vado HD files, I'll add a reference to it in that thread.
It looks like the Vado HD was actually released after Platinum 9, so one can hardly fault Sony for not supporting it out of the box.

UPDATE: Poking around the web a bit (I've got too much time on my hands), I found that installing this codec "should" let you open your files in Vegas. I tested with some of my own files (not from the Vado camera) and it works. Also lets you encode x264 AVIs directly from Vegas (yay!).
http://sourceforge.net/projects/x264vfw/
VgasLvr wrote on 10/9/2009, 6:17 PM
Thank you, so very much! Now *that* is appreciated...it works a treat, and now the VMS can "see" my Vado HD movies, both with sound and video, so all is well now.

You hit it right on the button didn't you? I am impressed...! I do a bit of problem solving over at the EVGA.com forums, since I'm experienced and pretty well versed in the hardware end of computing...it looks like you do some problem solving here musicvid!

I am very impressed with the VMS program, after using it for a couple videos just now, as it certainly offers a ton of variety and effects, editing being the key operative word with the program. I have a lot to learn, so will be hanging around these forums quite a bit as I get my feet wet and use the more advanced features of VMS.

Very nice things can obviously be made with VMS...so next it's get a little more into it with my more advanced camera, an AVCHD camera, and that presents another whole bunch of possibilities and editing scenarios.

Again, thank you so much for figuring out the path to take for this problem I encountered with the Vado HD, as I would have been still frustrated and disappointed but for your posts here.
musicvid10 wrote on 10/9/2009, 6:46 PM
Glad it worked for you. We aim to please . . .
BENJI wrote on 10/9/2009, 7:21 PM
hI BUDDY,
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOUGHT IT FOR TWO MONTHS. EVEN UN-INSTALLED AND RE INSTALLED THE PROGRAM.
Bottom line, I ended up importing my fils into Windows movie Maker. Changed the format again in the (Save to Computer) AVI and exported it to Sony Vegas, or in my (E Floder, storage for my films and clips.)
Hope this will help you?

Benji