Movie Studio Platinum 17 - Nothing shows in the preview window

Paul-Taylor wrote on 1/14/2021, 7:57 AM

Hi all

I upgraded yesterday, partly because in MSP 13 one clip I added to my timeline was not showing in the preview window.

Now, with version 17, I have found that nothing shows in the preview window.. I've tried all kinds of files, even just still JPEGS which would work fine on Version 13, none of them will show in the preview window of version 17.

Is there any hope of getting a solution from Magix themselves? do they help people? does anyone have any other ideas? What are magix like at giving refunds in cases like this where the software is not useable and there seems to be no way of getting clear information on how to resolve it. I don't meant to sound defeatist but I hav already put a day into this and it is n othing but frustration, out of the frying pan and info the fire. The issue I had with V13 was just a one off thing, whereas v 17 is totally useless to me so far.

Thanks

 

Paul

 

Comments

Paul-Taylor wrote on 1/14/2021, 9:02 AM

After a lot of messing around, repeating and re-trying many of the same things, I've something new to report.
When I have the playhead paused, and I then adjust the size (height OR width) of thepreview window, I get the relevant image. As soon as I press play though, the image disappears and is replaced again by a black screen.

j-v wrote on 1/14/2021, 9:33 AM

If you want help from us on this userforum you have to provide info about the machine you are working on, the files you are working with and your used settings for VMS Pl 17, starting here: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/important-information-required-to-help-you--110457/

met vriendelijke groet
Marten

Camera : Pan X900, GoPro Hero7 Hero Black, DJI Osmo Pocket, Samsung Galaxy A8
Desktop :MB Gigabyte Z390M, W11 home version 24H2, i7 9700 4.7Ghz,16 DDR4 GB RAM, Gef. GTX 1660 Ti with driver 566.14 Studiodriver and Intel HD graphics 630 with driver 31.0.101.2130
Laptop  :Asus ROG Str G712L, W11 home version 23H2, CPU i7-10875H, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 with Studiodriver 580.97 and Intel UHD Graphics 630 with driver 26.20.100.7985
Vegas software: VP 10 to 22 and VMS(pl) 10,12 to 17.
TV      :LG 4K 55EG960V

My slogan is: BE OR BECOME A STEM CELL DONOR!!! (because it saved my life in 2016)

 

Paul-Taylor wrote on 1/14/2021, 10:02 AM

Hi,

OK, here is some info. Not all of it is relevant because I am stopped at such an early stage.

Machine:

Myu CPU is: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8550U CPU @ 1.80GHz   1.99 GHz
Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 8GB
Windows: 10 Pro 20H2

I have just installed Movie Studio Platinum 17, Build 204.

GPU acceleration is on, with the graphics card selected.

I have for a couple of years now downloaded videos from youtube using Any Video Converter, and then converted these to MP4s. I generally like to cut up videos from youtube into smaller sections so that I can import smaller videos files into my project that are easier to work with. I use AVCs snip function to do this before converting them. These have always worked find in version 13 (except one single clip a couple of days ago, which prompted me to upgrade).

I have also just identified that (in V17) if I change the size of the preview window while the playhead is paused, I can see the relevant still image. As soon as I play the playhead, it goes back to a black screen.


Footage I've tried
- AVC downloaded and converted files,
- files that are downloaded via AVC, but not converted, and
- some footage from my phone (all mp4).

None of these work. I've also tried a jpeg still image. This also does not show in the preview window. So far, in V17, I have tried quite a few things from different sources (many of which I know will work fine in V13), and I have been unable to get anything to show in the preview window of V17 (except when it is paused and I adjust the size of the preview window).

Here are some details from MediaInfo for a video file which I've imported into a project on  v17 and V13.

On V17 with these videos...
When I try to import the converted video, I can do so, and I can put it on the timeline, but (like everything so far) it does not show on the preview window.
When I try to import the raw downloaded video file, it just says "Warning: An error occured while opening one or more files. The reason for the error could not be determined. Details>> says: "....Berlin in July 1945 (HD 1080p color footage)-R5i9k7s9X_A.mkv could not be opened."

On V13 with these videos...
I can import and add the converted video and it shows on the timeline.
When I try to import / add the original AVC downloaded video from youtube, the Add Media dialogue box / window does not even see the file, so I cannot add it.

Here are the media info details for each one.

Pre-converted file:
General
Unique ID                                : 150790310882567898136671585187383991125 (0x717128524317FD37CE1E84BFB3CFDB55)
Complete name                            : D:\Video Footage & Photos for Videos\Video\Old war & Tyrants\Pre converted\Berlin in July 1945 (HD 1080p color footage)-R5i9k7s9X_A.mkv
Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 4
File size                                : 148 MiB
Duration                                 : 7 min 4 s
Overall bit rate                         : 2 932 kb/s
Writing application                      : Lavf58.29.100
Writing library                          : Lavf58.29.100
ErrorDetectionType                       : Per level 1

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4
Format settings                          : CABAC / 3 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 3 frames
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration                                 : 7 min 4 s
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 25.000 FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Title                                    : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Writing library                          : x264 core 155 r2901 7d0ff22
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No
Color range                              : Limited
Color primaries                          : BT.709
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : Opus
Codec ID                                 : A_OPUS
Duration                                 : 7 min 4 s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Bit depth                                : 32 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No


The Converted file...
General
Complete name                            : D:\Video Footage & Photos for Videos\Video\Old war & Tyrants\Berlin in July 1945 (HD 1080p color footage)-R5i9k7s9X_A_x264.mp4
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media
Codec ID                                 : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size                                : 195 MiB
Duration                                 : 7 min 4 s
Overall bit rate                         : 3 847 kb/s
Writing application                      : Lavf58.29.100

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4
Format settings                          : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 4 frames
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 7 min 4 s
Bit rate                                 : 3 713 kb/s
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 25.000 FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.072
Stream size                              : 188 MiB (96%)
Title                                    : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Writing library                          : x264 core 157 r2970 5493be8
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / lookahead_threads=2 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=22.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 7 min 4 s
Duration_LastFrame                       : -12 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 44.1 kHz
Frame rate                               : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 6.48 MiB (3%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 1


What is very notable here is that from footage on my phone, to still jpegs, to unconverted and converted footage, nothing shows in the preview window (unless I pause play and adjust the preview window).

 

Again, does Magix itself help with this product and / or do they give refunds?


Thanks


Paul

 

 

 

 

 

 

vkmast wrote on 1/14/2021, 10:19 AM

Regarding refunds: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/support/article/revoke-order-return-right-of-withdrawal--1515/

Ask Support: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/support/interview/

j-v wrote on 1/14/2021, 10:38 AM

@Paul-Taylor

- If the listed and used GPU is the Intel 620 which drivers are installed for that one?
Latest and best are version 27.20.100.8935 dd. 14 dec 2020
- What are your used project properties when the prevew is black?

met vriendelijke groet
Marten

Camera : Pan X900, GoPro Hero7 Hero Black, DJI Osmo Pocket, Samsung Galaxy A8
Desktop :MB Gigabyte Z390M, W11 home version 24H2, i7 9700 4.7Ghz,16 DDR4 GB RAM, Gef. GTX 1660 Ti with driver 566.14 Studiodriver and Intel HD graphics 630 with driver 31.0.101.2130
Laptop  :Asus ROG Str G712L, W11 home version 23H2, CPU i7-10875H, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 with Studiodriver 580.97 and Intel UHD Graphics 630 with driver 26.20.100.7985
Vegas software: VP 10 to 22 and VMS(pl) 10,12 to 17.
TV      :LG 4K 55EG960V

My slogan is: BE OR BECOME A STEM CELL DONOR!!! (because it saved my life in 2016)

 

Paul-Taylor wrote on 1/14/2021, 11:53 AM

Thanks J-V

I checked the driver and it was 27.20.100.8477... I then tried to update and it said that it already had the latest drivers.

Another things to mention is that I normally use a USB dock (to plug the laptop into 2 larger screens) and displaylink software / driver for that I don't know if that overrides / replaces the graphics card when it is pugged in, but I've updated that now too.

... I've now tried while not plugged into the dock. The preview window works. I've then plugged into the dock, but the screen set up has changed. I think I need to restart the machine and try to get that set up again.

But this is encouraging.. that it worked when not plugged into the dock.. and I think it is likely that this is all connected to graphics devices and drivers etc... so thanks for pointing me in that direction....I'll let you know how I get on.

Paul-Taylor wrote on 1/14/2021, 12:48 PM

OK, so the problem does seem to be linked in some way to my use of the USB Dock and perhaps the displaylink software / driver I use with that, which I have updated.

If I am not plugged into the dock then I start MSP, everything displays in the preview window, although it is a lot more jumpy / pausy than it used to be with MSP 13.

If I then plug into the dock, it actually seems to display ok on the other screen, and the footage seems less jumpy. I can add footage to the project, and indeed the troublesome footage that prompted me to upgrade in the first place. So I've done that and then saved and exited.

I've then started MSP up again while connected to the dock, and gone into the same project that was playing ok before I closed it, and I have the same "no display" issue again.

I've done the above to things twice and I get thesame result eachtime.

So, it seems like MSP will display media in the preview window, as long as it is not FIRSTLY asked to do it when I an connected to the dock.

I wonder if there is some sort of compatibility issue between DisplayLink and MSP.

I can see that just editing on the laptop screen itself might form a workaround, but I'd much prefer not to. The laptop screen is only 13inch, It is very useful for me to have two screens active and available all through the day (especially for watching tutorials etc. in relation to this, while I try and use it), and also my storage is connected to and accessed through the dock.

If also noticed that I have MSP open and I unplug from the dock, MSP closes.