PluralEyes DOA

johnmeyer wrote on 8/30/2013, 3:38 PM
Based on all the stellar recommendations in this forum, I purchased PluralEyes. However, after installation, I cannot load any type of video file. I've tried HDV files from my Sony FX1, and AVCHD files from my Sony CX700. I even tried old-fashioned DV files from my Sony TRV-11. In all cases, PluralEyes refuses to load the files. They show up on the timeline, but only one second is shown, and there is an error message under the file name on the timeline. That error message reads:

"Error: unable to read media properties."

What have I done wrong? This software appears to be non compos mentis.

I've opened a support ticket with them, but I thought I'd ask the question here, in case someone else has had this problem. I'm running Win XP Pro 32-bit.

Comments

johnmeyer wrote on 8/30/2013, 4:00 PM
I was able to install the older (version 2) Vegas plug-in, and that works. My problem is with the Version 3.2.1 standalone.

[edit] I just had a chat with Red Giant support, and PluralEyes 3 doesn't run under Windows XP. I have written to them and asked them to change their installer so it doesn't let the program be installed on an operating system that doesn't support the program. Allowing that to happen is poor programming practice.

[edit #2] One last issue.

I installed PluralEyes 3 under Windows 7 and ran it with Vegas version 11. I had a two-hour shoot, with multiple clips from two cameras. With PluralEyes 3, the audio was out of sync by as much as one second, and the final clip completely failed to sync (it was left as an orphan at the end of track one).

By contrast, the older PluralEyes 2, which I installed on Windows XP and used with Vegas 8, worked perfectly, getting the audio sync just right, and handling the final clip as it should.

So, it appears that the newer version has bugs or problems that were not in the earlier version. I see no reason to upgrade to PluralEyes 3.
The Kid wrote on 8/30/2013, 5:59 PM
I have had the same problem with PluralEyes3 that you have had with the sync being everywhere and files being orphaned. this was a wedding with two cameras and the audio was clear on both. This was with Vegas 12 and Windows 8 64 bit
johnmeyer wrote on 8/30/2013, 7:12 PM
I have had the same problem with PluralEyes3 that you have had with the sync being everywhere and files being orphaned. this was a wedding with two cameras and the audio was clear on both. This was with Vegas 12 and Windows 8 64 bit It looks like another case of a software company "losing the recipe" after selling the company. Fortunately, now that I've discovered that the previous version (v.2) works just fine, I see no reason to fret about the shortcomings of the newer version. In fact, I'm not sure what advantages the newer version has, other than working under Win 7. I sure don't see how they justified advancing the version number.
richard-amirault wrote on 8/30/2013, 9:02 PM
I didn't buy Ver. 2 (but did download the trial) I just got the latest version when they offered it free with certain Rode mic purchases (like buying PluralEyes and getting the mic free)

It may not be better than Ver 2 but it certainly is better than not having it at all. I'll work with it. My first use was with a three camera SD shoot. Worked well except for one section from one camera ... oh well.
musicvid10 wrote on 8/30/2013, 9:13 PM
"I installed PluralEyes 3 under Windows 7 and ran it with Vegas version 11. I had a two-hour shoot, with multiple clips from two cameras. With PluralEyes 3, the audio was out of sync by as much as one second, and the final clip completely failed to sync (it was left as an orphan at the end of track one)."

I use PE2 religiously, so pardon any ignorance. Is your OOS result in the middle of an event, or near one end? On the orphaned clip, is the gain approximately the same as the reference? Did you try a cursor or "try really hard" sync?
Byron K wrote on 8/30/2013, 10:46 PM
There have been other threads about similar issues, I've had problems w/ Ver 3 just hanging and taking forever to synch up multi-cam clips. I've resorted to just using Ver 2.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=863971
johnmeyer wrote on 8/31/2013, 2:24 AM
Did you try a cursor or "try really hard" sync?I did eventually try that with v.3 using Vegas 11 under Win7. It took about 5-10 times longer, but it did line up the clip that it previously had orphaned. However, it still did not get the sync exactly correct on the same clips where it failed before.

Version 2 got everything right.

The one thing I wish it had was a quick way to "slip" the video relative to the audio. I guess I'll have to write a script to do this. The reason for needing this is the issue discussed many times before of having sound recorded at various locations in the auditorium: if you sync the audio (which is what PluralEyes is doing), the video will not be synced because the speed of sound causes a one frame loss of sync for every thirty-seven feet (for 30 fps video). I've always had to deal with this prior to using PluralEyes. I was just hoping the developers would have included this in the product.
VidMus wrote on 8/31/2013, 2:46 AM
I am using version 1.2.4 (4857) with Windows 7 64 bit and I have no problems at all.

It also works with Windows 8.

I have no reason to upgrade.
bsuratt wrote on 8/31/2013, 10:15 AM
V2 works consistently for me. Considered upgrading to v3 but saw no real value to do so..