I see that VideoFactory 2 has been released. The information I've seen states that if can output projects larger than 4 gigs to tape. Before I update my version 1, how does it accomplish outputing projects larger than 4 gigs to tape. Will it output from the time line or does the print tool process multiple

Is there any improvement in printing to tape?
What is this about being able to transfer to tape from the time line?
Will MPEG be built into VF2?
Will you be printing information on the minimum requirement for running and playing back AVI files? (E.G. I may need to up-grade to a Ultra-DMA 66, 40g hard drive on my P3 400hz 256 RAM computer.)
I am interested in the Make-Movie feature.

As I have not been able to play back rendered video without the sound stuttering I’m reluctant to invest more at this time without some answers to the problems I have been experiencing.

However, I am impressed with VF I would just like to make it work.

If you are "only" using a 400 Mhz P3, upgrading to a faster processor, you will see noticable improvement. This isn't the fault of Video Factory or any editing software. Regardless what you use, you are putting a big demand on your PC asking it to do real time video editing. I'm using a 1200 Mhz AMD processor and rendering time is very acceptable, much faster than on my "old" 400 P2 clunker. If you are upgrading your IDE drive, spend the few extra bucks and get a Ultra 100 instead of a Ultra 66. Don't forget the 80 wire cable.

I AM psyched! I'm on vacation just a few miles from your factory (Oconomowoc, WI). I wish I could drive over there and play with 2.0 right now. I'll be back home in two weeks and can't wait to try it.

Many thanks to marketing and engineering at SoundForge: Your list of 2.0 improvements is 98% of everything I asked for on the wish list I sent to you a few months back. That, indeed, is cool.

John

I'm disappointed in VF2.

I haven't installed yet, but I've read the manual from cover to cover.

They've taken away the Trimmer window which I liked and found very easy to use. I'd rather select the sections I want to include on the timeline than have to delete the sections I don't want from the timeline.

They give us a coil as the binding of the new manual so it can lay flat, but they reduced the manual from 120 pages to 66, with a resulting loss of detailed instructions.

They reduced the instructions on how to Edit to a few paragraphs.

I found no info on preparations for installing the upgrade, although I saw a comment in this forum to be sure to uninstall VF1 before installing VF2. I had wanted to test out FV2 before giving up VF1.

I found no info on how to bypass the 4 gig file limit, neither in the manual nor in the PDF file.

The addition of dozens of transitions and effects seems like an attempt to emulate competitors on the market rather than really useful. The new look reminds me of the video editing program that I quit to come to VF.

Now thatnks to Adaptec's GoBack I'm ready to tackle the Install.

You can't judge a new version just by "reading the manual" cover to cover. You do need to install it, and work with it for awhile. As far as the manual itself while smaller than the version one manual, IMHO it is better written, being less wordly and therefore easier to understand for "newbies" who are most likely to read the manual more completely then someone who's already familiar with Video Factory.

The online help is more extensive and the new automated "show me" feature provides the right balance of hand holding for inexperienced users while encouraging others to try features they may not been aware Video Factory can do. You also get a bonus of ripping audio tracks directly from your CD's and a means to burn VCD Video directly from Video Factory.

I too used version one quite a bit (almost a year off and on) and with version two needed to relearn a couple things. While a couple old features are gone, on balance the new features and more options (once you know where to find them) make it a solid upgrade well worth the small upgrade price. :-)

Hello,

I have both 1 and 2 installed on my computer without any problems.

And I can't find the scrub control in version 2, It looks like they removed alot of functions in version 2

I goofed. (First time this year.)

I was too hasty in my earlier comments. The installed program is much better than it reads.

There is no need for me to repeat all my positive findings. I agree with the comments by User WFG.

The only area (so far) I would like an explanation is in how exactly VF2 overcomes the 4 gig limit. I will be making large projects and want to know what to expect and look for: multiple files? linked files? etc? etc?

I thought you would like it, after you tried it. :-)

I haven't done a "big" continious video in version two, but in version one apparently there is an undocumented "feature" where if you render a file larger that 4GB under Windows98SE, VF just creates additional files seamlessly without your intervention.
So if you are rendering a video you name "A" and it is over 4 GB the excess becomes A-01, A02, A03 and so on, don't know if they changed how this is done in vesion two.

As I've said in other threads I output to AVI first to correct some problems in my source MPG files. So far in my largest successful experiment to date I've created in excess of 35GB of AVI from one big MPG source file, then loaded this string of AVI files back into VF for the final rendering as a nicely corrected MPG. While an extra and very time consuming step this does allow applying of any filter without introducing any serious transcode errors and if you break the files into bite size pieces based on scenes, you can get very finicky with how you apply adjustments to each which to my way of thinking is what editing is all about anyway. :-)

Being totally unable to resist further nitpicking, I drop each AVI onto the timeline indvidually, add the next one, get the crossfade or transitions set and maybe chop a frame or two out before doing that, then proceed to the next drop of an AVI file, and on an on until they are all on the timeline. The result being a highly adjusted and corrected video ready for final rendering to my preferring MPEG format.

For me, my final output so far is always MPG with a limit of just under 700MB so I can get the final onto a CD for play on my DVD player. So to finish, I just render again as a NTSC video.

All of these steps are beyond what most would want to go throught I guess (wink) but it nice to know you can do it in Video Factory without it complaining or hanging.

In all hopes of clarity, I just got Videofactory 1 and I will get the 2 upgrade immediately. Win98se 566 Celeron 256meg. I have not yet installed videofactory 1 and I see some ppl have read the 'manual' for it (v2 i mean).

?I order the package to get the manual for v2? i like taking manuals with me to read is the reason. is the manual for 2 definately included in the v2 'upgrade package'?

?should I install and use the VF1 once before the upgrade install? What do you recommend as an install sequence?

Was there a patch or bug-fix to install on Version 1.

The list of improvements is just swell. well worth it!

Thanks for the user forums.

You don't need to install version one to install version two, it has its own serial number. You will need to register online to activiate the newer MPEG-plug in. A spiral bound 66 page manual comes with version two. Very good online help built into the program with many color illustrations plus in version two there is a new feature called "show-me" that also adds animated show-me tutorials that show the major features of the program by highlighting the controls on the screen then walking you through what does what. Great for newbies. I've used a lot of video editors, and I think version two of VF has one of the slickest and at the same time cleanest interfaces you can find. Lots of power, but still easy to use. :-)

Questions for WVG,

I've been outputting WMA video, but I see you prefer MPEG video output from your AVI files.

Which "flavor" of MPEG do you use? Advantages?

How many minutes of video do you get in a 700 MB file?

Thanks