print to tape, dropping frames......

Bugsupstairs wrote on 7/30/2003, 4:24 PM
ok, Every once and a while I can print an entire project to tape. Usually I get random dropped frames( I assume that is when the video and audio cut out). But the dropping never happens in the same place twice. I usually cancel the print and restart. Everything will be fine for about 10 minutes and then I will lose a second or two of video. Last time it dropped within 20 seconds of starting the print. I have everything else closed, screen saver and all other utilities from the tool bar are turned off.

Does anyone else have this problem?

windows xp
pentium 4 2ghz
256 ram
160gig storage (40 gigs free)
defraged 5 minutes ago :)

Comments

Grazie wrote on 7/31/2003, 1:37 AM
Dropped frames while PTTing is a real nusance. Dropped frames at indeterminant times is a real headbanging experience. I know! I've been there. I can only speak of my own experience and the solutions I've stumbled across PLUS much patience from th folks here AND on the VideoFactory forum. [ You may wish to do a search here and on the VideoFactory forum for "Grazie" and PTT etc etc . . ]

1 - What pc are you using? I'm using a superb Dell laptop with WIN-ME, so take what I say in light of this.

2 - Fan/s turning ON/OFF - Yes, don't laugh! I tracked down a direct Drop Frame/s OR BLUE FLASH to cammy PTT when the fan/s switched ON/OFF. Solution: Fangui software for Dell Inspirons. This s/w keeps the fan/s on full, regardless of laptop temperature. Result: No callout by BIOS to whatever giving the required DV flow a hiccup.

3 - Power Managment - Maybe not relevant for non-laptop pcs, but with this Dell, there is a complex system fopr preserving the batteries - Power Managment. Solution: Keep the power management system to show "ALWAYS ON". Result: No more callouts from this system to go look at the status of the batteries.

Now, if none of the above is relevant to your own hardware/software, do the usual:

1 - DMA ON

2 - Defrag - Yup you've done it

3 - Consider a separate Video Drive. Having your system and video project's "Content" - AVIs, graphics, audio etc etc - on the same drive may provide a potential area of "confusion" for an already over working single HD.

4 - Closing other Apps. - Yes, I've read this before and I've done this myself. In the past I've reduced everything down to systray. Sometimes it would work other times it wouldn't. Now I leave my apps as I would when working outside of Vegas 4.0c. No problem - touch wood - so far!

5 - Make sure your Windows Temp directory is squeaky clean - ie empty of old mouldy stuff!

Okay, others may jump down my throat here, but you have a rather nifty cpu. I've got a 1ghz and 256 RAM PIII. A lower spec than yours. Perhaps you need to "assist" your 2giga speedster with a larger amount of ram - 256? I'm not sure . . Since I've just learnt and appreciated the value of more RAM, making page-filing less of an issue, this again could be in your way. I'm not sure 256 is enough. Hmmm... How did you end up with a 2ghz with only 256 ram? - As I say someone else may think I'm barmy. Oh yes what IS the speed of your RAM?

Okay . . I'm wandering . . . But, intermittent Blue Flash while PTTing is truly infuriating, I hope my feedback gives you some food for thought AND you get sorted!

Regards,

Grazie
Chienworks wrote on 7/31/2003, 6:59 AM
Grazie, regarding your first #3, Windows 98SE (and possibly others) enable power management in all installations by default, not just in portables. (WHY? I dunno. Go ask Mr. Bill.) It doesn't have much to do in non-battery operated systems, but it's still there running and hogging resources. Generally one of the first things i do when someone askes me to "fix" their computer is to disable power management and this usually helps.
DGrob wrote on 7/31/2003, 7:14 AM
"160 G storage" . . . 7200 rpm? One drive for your OS and another for video storage? Firewire PCI and/or PCMCIA? A little more info please. Like Grazie (and with his assistance) I've been through this before. Have you looked at SF knowledge base:

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/support/SupportProduct.asp?FamilyID=30&Family=Vegas&TopicID=89&DetailID=879

Hang in there, there is/are a solution(s). DGrob
Grazie wrote on 7/31/2003, 9:02 AM
Kelly . . I've tried it both ways, "PM - ON" and "PM-OFF" , that's the one in msconfig> Startup. But, until I went to the actual "Power Options" and selected "Always On", I'd get Blue Flash. Apologies not Power Management, Power Options - THAT is the power Options for both mains AND batteries.

Hiyah Grobbie, me boyo!! Howzit?? - So far so good .. lots of projects . . lots of PTTing no BFs.....

Grazie
DGrob wrote on 7/31/2003, 10:27 AM
Howdy Grazie! "BFs"???? So far, so good since our last exchange. Although my PTT ritual has taken on a decidedly mystical, superstitious look (I wear the same clothes, unwashed, same time of day, same day of week, firewire cable arranged to resemble yinyang, crystals hanging over the Dell, etc.) I've been PTTing all over the place. Hope it's holding true for you as well. Didn't I see a post about upgrading from you not too long ago? DGrob
Chienworks wrote on 7/31/2003, 10:38 AM
Grazie: yep. Agree completely. I'm just pointing out that it's something to consider for both desktop and portable PCs. :)