Why can't I see anything in the preview window?

The Voice wrote on 12/27/2010, 5:15 PM
I've just installed Movie Studio HD Platinum and imported a couple of clips. When I play them, I can hear the sound, but nothing appears in the preview window. If I drag a clip into the trimming window, I can see it fine. Any thoughts on what's wrong?
I'm using an AMD Phenom II X6 1055T with 8Gb RAM on Windows 7.

Thanks

Comments

Eugenia wrote on 12/27/2010, 6:18 PM
Turn off the trimming window from the EDIT menu, then the preview will show up. Just trim your video files in the timeline, by selecting one of them, putting the cursor where you want, and hitting S.
The Voice wrote on 12/28/2010, 3:33 AM
Thanks Eugenia, but no luck. I still can't see anything in the preview window.
MSmart wrote on 12/28/2010, 9:15 AM
In the track header there is a circle-slash icon, is it activated? That is to say, is the video track muted?
Markk655 wrote on 12/28/2010, 12:40 PM
Try right clicking in trimmer window. If I recall, there is a contextual menu item which mentions "preview". Check oruncheck as appropriate, also do a forum search as the same answers were discussed a short while ago.
musicvid10 wrote on 12/28/2010, 3:55 PM
If it is not the trimmer, then it is the split screen button on the preview.

Turn it off.
The Voice wrote on 12/28/2010, 4:09 PM
Musicvid, I can't see a split screen button. What does it look like?
musicvid10 wrote on 12/28/2010, 4:30 PM
This can also be found in the Help section that came with your program.
;?)

MSmart wrote on 12/28/2010, 4:37 PM
Split Screen View is not available in VMS.
musicvid10 wrote on 12/28/2010, 4:51 PM
Really?
Then OP should upload a screen shot. Track muted, levels / opacity pulled down, something really obvious I would think . . .
The Voice wrote on 12/29/2010, 10:33 AM
I think it should be something really obvious too, but can't work out what it is. (I don't have the split screen button you refer to) 'Help' was where I went first and it didn't... well... help. Any more thoughts from anyone?

Thanks for the thoughts to date.
musicvid10 wrote on 12/29/2010, 10:42 AM
Upload a screen shot of your Vegas window somewhere so we can look at it. Also post your media file properties as reported by MediaInfo. Also your Vegas version (10?) and your Quicktime version. Without this it's a blind guess.
The Voice wrote on 12/29/2010, 12:22 PM

As requested...

Screenshot: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6313918&l=aaeed7e9b4&id=676765683

Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum Version 10.0 Build 179
Quicktime version 7.6.9 (1680.9)

MediaInfo example:
General
ID : 0 (0x0)
Complete name : C:\Users\Owner\Pictures\Picture Package\2010\2010-11-18 Red Sea\Video 1\00365.MTS
Format : BDAV
Format/Info : Blu-ray Video
File size : 20.5 MiB
Duration : 13s 950ms
Overall bit rate : 12.3 Mbps
Maximum Overall bit rate : 13.7 Mbps

Video
ID : 4113 (0x1011)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Codec ID : 27
Duration : 13s 913ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 11.6 Mbps
Maximum bit rate : 12.0 Mbps
Width : 1 440 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan order : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.248
Stream size : 19.2 MiB (93%)

Audio
ID : 4352 (0x1100)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : 129
Duration : 14s 16ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 256 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -67ms
Stream size : 438 KiB (2%)
musicvid10 wrote on 12/29/2010, 12:44 PM
A picture is worth a thousand words.

Your preview device is set for External Monitor.
Depending on the settings in Options->Preferences->Preview Device, the preview either will or will not also show up in the Vegas preview pane.
You should "Default All" there.
If you are not using an external display monitor for preview, then the button should be turned off, or press Alt+Shift+4.
Post back if you still have problems.

The Voice wrote on 12/29/2010, 1:11 PM
Clicked on the icon but it doesn't make any difference (I'd tried it before with no luck). In the Preferences dialogue box under Preview Device tab, it is currently showing as Windows Secondary Display, The other option is OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394/DV, but that option shows the following in the Details field:
'Hot pluggable device
Device unavailable' so I've left it on Windows Secondary Display.

MSmart wrote on 12/29/2010, 2:38 PM
What does it say for Display adapter?

Do you have a second monitor connected to your PC?

I know you just installed VMS, but you may want to launch it when holding down the Ctrl and Shift keys to reset to defaults.
The Voice wrote on 12/29/2010, 3:09 PM
1 - 1920 x 1080 (60)

I only have a single monitor

But you are the legend... Ctrl Shift has done the trick! Who knows what was wrong, but the preview's working now. Thanks very much for sticking with me!!
photoguy42 wrote on 1/21/2011, 3:58 PM
I'm having the exact same problem as The Voice; it sounds as if I have the same computer setup too.
What do you mean by "launch VMS with the ctr and shift keys held down"? At what point when I'm reinstalling VMS do I hold down the Ctr and Shift keys?
Thanks.
musicvid10 wrote on 1/21/2011, 5:37 PM
"At what point when I'm reinstalling VMS do I hold down the Ctr and Shift keys?"
No, it said absolutely nothing about reinstalling the program.

To "launch" a program is to start it by clicking on a Windows icon.

That means to hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you start the program. It is not rocket science.