Ulead Movie Factory Stops Resoponding at Finish step

[paulwill]

I have been using Ulead Movie Factory 1, but I would like to use 2. The problem is that, every time I set up my dvd with chapters and stuff, when I get to the final Finish step, the program stops responding. I'm authoring an MPEG 2 file I captured with my Adaptec VideOH PCI card. The cursor turns into an hourglass and just sits ther, and I have to re-boot my machine. I'm using the evaluation version. I've re-installed XP and I still get the same behavior. I have a Pentium 4 1.8 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, and about 30 GB of free HD space. Has anyone else encountered this problem? Can anyone suggest a solution, cuz I'd really like to use this program?

[Specialist]

Suggestion:

Start with a very short clip encoded by Ulead DVD MovieFactory and not some other device.

Then attempt a burn to determine if the software installation was successful.

If you can burn the file successfully, then it's likely the program installation was successful.

At that point, the Adaptec device's source MPEG files would become my focus of inquiry.

What are the attributes of the files produced by this device?

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[jet757f]

I have had this happen also with Movie Factory 2. It would seem like it had frozen so I would reboot. Finally I decided to wait and see what it would do it I just let it take its time even though it seemed like it wasnt responding. As it turns out if works fine, but just does go through a slow process where it seems frozen. I have learned to just let it do its thing and I have been making some decent DVDs!!!!

[paulwill]

I've tried waiting, jet757f, but I don't think I should wait over a half hour! I have a pretty fast machine. It may be the way my clips are encoded.

[paulwill]

I spoke briefly with Ulead tech support today. The guy made no attempt to troubleshoot my problem, and simply told me "sounds like our product won't work with your system, so don't buy it". I'm bummed, cuz I really like the product. I've read that my Adaptec VideOH! PCI card was not compatible (at least as far as capturing) with Ulead, but I have used Movie Factory 1 successfully. I'll post with more details of my clips later...

[paulwill]

If anyone can help, the properties I have set for capturing with Snazzi Movie Mill are:
MPEG 2
NTSC
VBR, 8 MB Bitrate, 15 MB Peak Bitrate
Frames/GOP = 15
I/P Distance = 3

[painkiller]

I, too, had this problem when I attempted to insert more than one video clip. It would get to the 97% point, then just sit there.

In my case, I found that one of my video clips was not, in fact, a bonafide mpeg2 file. Once I removed that clip and tried again, it finished the process and burned the +RW.

Might I suggest you try another mpeg2 file? That was processed with a different app? TMPGenc perhaps?

[paulwill]

Thank for you help, guys. I believe my problem lies in the MPEG2 files I'm creating. I will look further in to setting up my capture app (Movie Mill) to make completely compliant MPEG2 files, cuz I don't want to have to run them through TMPGEnc for 2 to 8 hours at a time. I supposedly have a 'real time' capture card.

[paulwill]

WOW! I've fixed my problem and I can finally use Ulead DVD Movie Factory 2! I re-installed it on my D drive, and it works! Weird, huh? Just goes to show you, you never know what will work!

[paulwill]

Darn! That didnnt fix my problem

[paulwill]

There is something about my system that's tripping Ulead up. I've installed the program on another machine running Window ME and used the same files, and it worked fine! Can anyone help ?

[mmmbeer]

<I spoke briefly with Ulead tech support today. The guy made no attempt to troubleshoot my problem, and simply told me "sounds like our product won't work with your system, so don't buy it".>
That is a typical response you'll get from them. Their tech "support" is long distance, keep you on hold forever to be told something you already suspect. I was told by a tech that he was tired from the night before (already grrrr at that point) and that their encoder really wasn't that good. He told me to use an outside encoder. Now that's what I call 0 faith in their products. I wasted 45 bucks on this POS program and it can't encode anything in a reasonable manner. Using TMPG to encode, then MF2 to burn only has given me good results with SVCD's but I would never use MF2 for anything else after talking to those bums.

[paulwill]

Well, this is really freaking me out. I LOVE Ulead DVD Movie Factory 2 - when it works. It HAS worked for me on occassion, typically when I only include 1 video file. I also have an old version of Movie Factory 1, and that one seems to work better, but it sometimes exhibits the same behavior, and the last time I used it, it gave me an error message saying something like "this engine could not render your dvd".

[mmmbeer]

MF2 is great if you want pixelated boxes and audio synch problems up the wazoo. I'll only use it to burn, and it's a shame to even do that as I have Nero and it could do just as good of a job. They really have a huge problem with actually making products that work.

[paulwill]

The DVD's that I have successfully authored using Ulead MF have actually looked as good as the capture MPEG2 files - I have a real-time capture card. Usually, I just created VIDEO_TS folder and burn them with Nero. I think they're both great. In fact, I LOVE Nero for all dvd, svcd, vcd and cd burning.

[mmmbeer]

Myself and I am no expert by any means, use TMPG to encode and Ulead to burn nothing else. I have done very high quality svcd's (mostly old sci fi) and have had good results. I just don't EVER let Nero or Ulead encode or they end up looking like a badly dubbed foreign flick. I have tried MF2 on 3 different machines, 3 different burners with every possible setting and they all come out the same. Synch dissolves within minutes to an unwatchable coaster. Shoot me a privvy if you want some extra tips.

[Specialist]

Actually, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 has an excellent encoder.

One simply needs to learn how to use it properly - preferably on a stable computer.

On my Windows 2000 workstation, here's how I enabled ADVANCED encoding options:

1. I clicked on MY COMPUTER;

2. Next I clicked on my C: drive;

3. Next I clicked the Documents & Settings folder;

4. Next I clicked the ALL USERS folder;

5. Then I checked my TOOLS menu and made sure that my hidden files and folders were checked as visible in the Windows FOLDER OPTIONS menu;

6. Then I clicked the APPLICATION DATA folder;

7. Then I clicked the Ulead Systems folder;

8. Then I clicked the Ulead DVD MovieFactory folder;

9. Then I clicked the 2.01 folder;

10. Then I clicked on the DVDMF i-n-i file;

11. Then under the [VIODRIVER] heading, I typed ADVANCE=1.

Now Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2's COMPRESSION tab features a new button called ADVANCE.

An amazing new set of MPEG encoding options appear.

Ulead developed the MPEG encoder using the Main Concept SDK.

So this zipped Main Concept PDF file explains how many of the advanced options work:

http://digitalvideo.8m.net/mc-adv-doc.zip

Those of us who've been playing around with the options have discovered the quality settings can be bumped up significantly.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[midnight messenger]

I too am having a similiar problem. I am using Adaptec Video Oh, USB version, and Ulead DVD Movie Factory 2.0. When I get to the last page, I get a runtime error and then I can't get to the last page after all. It doesn't always happen. I haven't found a sure cure, but at least I found a way to make it work most times. Just before I get to the last page, I go to project settings, and direct it to the working directory, even if it is already set for that. Then I save the project. If I don't save the project, I get a runtime error. If I am working on a current project that I just opened, I have to use 'save as' and give it a different name. If I simply use 'save' I get the runtime error.
Now after I create the VOB files and stuff, when I close the window, it reveals that there was another window underneath that says 'this program has performed an illeagal operation'. but that doesn't seem to be a problem. I close that window, burn my disk and the files are just fine. Hope this helps!

[Specialist]

The Adaptec Video-Oh! devices seem notorious for generating complaints when used with Ulead products.

If anybody is interested, I'd be willing to volunteer my time to test the video/audio captured by this device.

Mail me a CD with some sample clips:

Jerry Jones
PO Box 2304
Boise, Idaho 83701

...and I'll do some testing.

Let me know if you're interested.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[paulwill]

Thank you, midnight messenger. Amazingly enough, I did the things you suggested, and it worked. However, I also have a new HD and new install of my OS, so it's hard to say if that was what fixed it, but thanks for your input anyway!

[paulwill]

Well, well, well. I'm getting the same behavior again. Clearly, the working directory, and the contents of it has something to do with it. I know this because, the first time I tried Ulead to author a dvd, it worked. The second time I tried, it hung at the final step. So, I removed the VIDEO_TS foldere, and when I attempted to launch the program, it just hung up on THE VERY FIRST screen. When I put them back, it at least launched properly.

I see that a patch has been released, maybe that will correct this programs wacky behavior.

It's gotta be a good program. After all, Rudy Sarzo, bass player from Quiet Riot, endorses it

[Specialist]

You may wish to check and see if you have applied the latest update for Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2.

Ulead posted a new one recently at the following link:

http://www.ulead.com/tech/dmf/dmf_ftp.htm

Hope this helps,

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[midnight messenger]

You know what paulwill, I just bought a DVD recorder It solved all my problems. I returned the Adaptec. But seriously, the difference is you can't do DVD authoring. If you just want to archive old tapes which is what I'm doing, it's the way to go. Adaptec VIDEO OH only has GOOD, BETTER and BEST for capture quality, however the stand alone recorders have a 1 hour mode that records in pristine quality. Just a thought.