Pinnacle Studio 10.5 general problems

[Akumasama79]

Hello everyone, and first of all excuse my very rough english.
I tried to search in the first 2 pages but couldn't find anything concerning my issues with this software, hence the thread you're reading right now.
Before I go into details of my problems, I'll give you my configuration, both software and hardware.

Hardware
Athlon XP 3200+
2x 512 MB DDR Ram
2x SATA HDD (no Raid)

Software
Windows XP SP2
Pinnacle Studio Plus 10.5 (the CD doesn't include 10.5.2)
Pinnacle MediaSuite for Studio 10
Premium Pack Volume 1 & 2
RTFX Volume 1 & 2
Hollywood FX Volume 1 & 2

Not many people have all these softwares at the same time, and those who do probably didn't have the time or attention to notice the problems I noticed, that's probably why I couldn't find anything related to these issues on the official Pinnacle Database.
Mind that I'm writing from italy, so I don't knwo if my problems could be related only to the italian version of the software.
These are the problems I'm experiencing:

1) Studio Plus is composed by 2 CD and 1 DVD, it's updated to version 10.5. The first CD installs Studio, the second a few additional softwares (like Instant DVD recorder etc), the Bonus DVD installs a whole load of plugins: Adorage, Herogylph, Bravo Pack 1 & 2 etc. The problem is this, these plugins remain "locked" in the Studio program. If I don't install them they don't appear in the list, if I install them they remain locked and it asks me to buy them. In one of the first email I sent to Pinnacle support, they told me they should all be unlocked. Where is the problem? They have to be locked or unlocked? And if they have to be unlocked, how can I do it?

2) MediaSuite (which is considered to be the 4th CD of Studio pack, as it's marked with a 4 on the CD) installs quite a few more things, among which there are a bunch of new customizable menus for Instant DVD Recorder. During the installation, though, wether I select custom or standard the software tells me he won't install the additional menus for Instant DVD Recorder because there is no Instant DVD Recorder installed on the PC (and of course this is completely a lie, read point 1)

3) Hollywood FX Volume 1 & 2 do not work. The effect I get from both CD is a little window-promt with the message "Loading the installation program, please wait", with a loading bar that goes from empty to full. Once it's full the prompt window disappear and one would expect the real installation window to appear, while instead nothing happens. I've been trying this on three different PCs (2 I have at home and 1 I have at office), same exact result. Of course the Hollywood FX transitions in Studio remain locked, and it asks me to buy them to unlock them. What is happening?



Now you may wonder why the heck I'm here boring the hell out of you. I've been having these problems since the last 2 months, since when I finally received the CD I ordered MORE THAN 1 MONTH BEFORE that day.
I've been contacting the Email Support Service several times, and the employee kept on insisting that the problem were my "Dirty Windows Registry", the thing sounded kinda fishy because when the Software Package arrived, I did a complete format of the PC, and installed Studio before any other kind of software (except of course video, audio and chipset drivers).
Still... Since the PC was kinda clean, it wouldn't have take me a lot to format and reinstall again, no? So that's what I did, same problem.
Then the support service told me the same thing, and asked me to use the "Pinnacle Registry Cleaner", I used it selecting to clean EVERYTHING (and it seems to me it didn't really clean a lot, because when I tried to install again it didn't ask me to insert the installation code again, meaning he was storing them somewhere on the HDD). Nothing changed.
I did several other formats and Registry Cleaner things trying each time different setups.
Custom Installation, Basic Installation, Complete Installation...
With 10.5.2 patch right after, or not installing it until later...
Many many tries (I'm not a complete dumb in informatics, after all), but still the same results.

Now the thing is getting worse because:
* I have 2 threads on the Pinnacle Official Forums (I could link but they are in italian so you probably wouldn't be able to understand) but no moderator/employee is answering me, and it's been like that for a lot of time

* Last time the email support employee contacted me he asked me to wait a few days while he was looking for more detailed informations. More than 1 month passed since then, I tried recontacting him several times, but got no answer from him.

* Tried to contact Support Service once again (sending new support requests from website, instead of replying to the emails I have in my mail folder) a few times, got the automatic reply "you will receive answer within 24 hours" but got no reply after that.

I'm starting to get VERY pissed, I paid a lot of money for all these software, what can I do to make it work? Do you have something to suggest me? Something to try? Something to do? Please... I really have no idea what more could I do...

[jtoolman2000]

I can only answer the ? on the HFX "Locked" effects. Yes, they are not included. Quite a Scam don't you think. COnsider that after effects usually sells for more than the complte sutdio program, you can see how obvious that is. But they don't make that point OBVIOUS to you when you intall this.

[Akumasama79]

Hmm I don't remember all the names of the packages that gets installed from the -I think- Bonus DVD.
You said "HFX Effects", what did you mean actually? The Hollywood FX Transitions? (they are organized in 2 groups, representing the 2 CDs "Hollywood FX Vol. 1" and "Hollywood FX Vol. 2").
These are not included in the Studio Plus 10 software, they are 2 other CDs you have to buy separatedly. I have them both, but they don't seem to be installing (actually I don't even think they should install anything, they should only "unlock" the transitions which, I think, are already present in the software and installed with Studio Plus v10 CD 1), and this is problem number 3 from my opening post in this thread.

Or maybe you were talking about the Bonus Effects you install with the Bonus DVD? (third disk of Studio Plus 10 package).
I can't remember the names of them all, but I think I can remember a few names among which:
1) Adorage
2) Heroglyph
3) Bravo Pack Vol 1
4) Bravo Pack Vol 2
5) few more I can't remember the names

You can select not to install these, if I remember correctly they are on the Bonus DVD.
They are locked on my installation, and they ask me to buy them for... I don't remember, roughly 39€ each I think.
From one of the first answers I received from the Technical Support, they told me that they should be "unlocked" with my setup.
Now we can come to two conclusions:
A) The guy who answered me was wrong, and they should remain locked
B) He was right, and they should be unlocked but then how can I do it?

I wouldn't be so surprised if it was number 1), seen the incompetence of the local italian Pinnacle email support.
But if this is the case, then what use is to install them, since I can't use them? Maybe I should just avoid to install the whole content of the Bonus DVD to keep Pinnacle Studio Plus 10 lighter, and more free from useless stuff I will never use?
Or maybe there is something, from that DVD, that I should install?

I'm listening for suggestions, and to understand if they should be unlocked or locked. If they should be locked even in my situation, then I think one of my problems is already solved, yai!!

[harley2ride]

It sounds like your transition effects are only trial versions which would require you to purchase them. Where did you buy the software? Was it from a reputable dealer, or from ebay? Is this a full version with installation keys included?

[Akumasama79]

It sounds like your transition effects are only trial versions which would require you to purchase them. Where did you buy the software? Was it from a reputable dealer, or from ebay? Is this a full version with installation keys included?

Actually the transitions are all unlocked, the above effects I spoke about (Adorage, Heroglyph etc) are all special effects, not transitions.

I'm not an expert so I might be wrong... but I think things should be this way.

The only transitions which are still locked are the one from the two Hollywood FX packages.


I bought everything directly from the Pinnacle Online Store (only to see the items shipped one month and a half AFTER I successfully placed my order ).
The problem is that I'm REALLY angry now. 380€!!!

And the support service WON'T EVEN ANSWER ME NOW, I'm tempted to take a lawyer but I'm not much into these things, and they are an important society, they could probably take a better lawyer than mine and prove me wrong even if I'm right...

[xxiangg]

I had much better luck with Pinnacle Studio on an intel machine than on an AMD
machine. I have used it for years. I hardly had any problem with the software on
intel machine. But I had tons of problems on AMD machine. So I now strictly use
it on an intel machine. I do not know if it is software or hardware problem. But I am
know their combination has problems.

[JohnP]

Try a post on this board, the mods have good knowledge of Studio
http://www.simplydv.co.uk/simplyBB/viewforum.php?f=16&sid=35864bb7240ad8db71ac1ff5806f5557

[Akumasama79]

Try a post on this board, the mods have good knowledge of Studio
http://www.simplydv.co.uk/simplyBB/viewforum.php?f=16&sid=35864bb7240ad8db71ac1ff5806f5557

I will try John, thank you very much for the nice suggestion

[DarrellS]

Pinnacle Studio SUCKS. Not only is it crappy software but they spam your e-mail 10 times a month trying to sell you some other piece of crap software.
This has been going on since at least my first version, Studio 8 and from what I've read in their forums, it's been going on since day one. Their support is non existent and the only help you can get is from someone in their forum that has gotten around one of many bugs.

If I need to use transitions, I'll use my old copy of Videowave III or 4. At least I can do something in those programs without them crashing everytime I click a button and they don't refuse to edit files because they don't like the frame size or frame rate. They don't have all the fancy transitions of FX but unless you pay an arm and a leg, you don't get them in Studio either.

[arttam54]

READ THRU CAREFULLY BEFORE DOING ANYTHING!!This cures many Studio 10.7 patch situations. First be sure your processor handles SSE2 instruction sets, have at least 1.5 Ghz (Intel prefed) this software is CPU intensive my Dual Processor Athlons at 1800 Ghz run at approx 93% (both) during capture/rendering process from DVD source to MPG2 capture, setup on FRESH OS install (FORMAT NTFS ONLY!!) It will install with FAT's but will be limited to 16 minutes of MPG2 capture so remember NTFS only.
Install original software to OS drive 20GB or larger 20+MB/sec Read/Write or better. Use second drive for capture. If no preview in capture, close Studio software the remove reinstall capture device drivers, restart system, restart Studio (Full Versions!) software, check that preview is there (must have live inputs received [source active, pause active ok]) Select capture device, if already selected deselect then reselect if preview fails. Halt nets. all virus/off/ startup mins. except pinnacles stuff /run no background rendering / dedicate this system to this setup profile only... If you install other like or other non like programs they may conflict with your Studio install and negate you efforts. You may try patches but on my dual processor server bios 1.6 system 10.7 doesn't pass 3d servers test but version 10.1 from package passes 3d server tests (Pinnacle can't or won't help). Everytime I chatted and ask instruction specific questions I got disconnected. I believe this forum to be more helpful.
This package was probably written in a programming enviroment not a brass tacks business language like "C++++++++Whatever" microsoft version that has propritary routines that run smoother/faster (Darn them!) If you will increase you motherboard memory (1GB at least) and have DDR memory be sure to add exact like memory chips to obtain interlaced speeds (Max read/writes)Replaced your Video card with ATI or Nvidia of 512 MB or better (suffer now instead of later) even if in the end you stop using Studio and go with another program these suggested upgrades will help all with Video Packages. If you decide to replace you hard drives, and there ide's get a 64 bit controller to run HD's and put it in a 64 bit slot try slot 1 then 6 check with benchmark software to insure better than 20MB/sec (30/MB Preferred)ransfer rates. Start Studio software, start capture with task manager open watch CPU loading, ensure loads due not exceed 97% ever (have disk cache on automatic) with 5GB free on OS drive and 12GB on second drive. A audio board upgrade really won't help with capture unless the present board is really cheap or really old (90's). Make a complete system backup recovery disk with bootable, floppy or jump drive or cd when you get a sucessful working setup. Good luck! I have no luck with audio sync using transitions, so I use Nero Ultra for this. Studio 10.1 is where I'm ok. Also make sure to have all machine updates for you hardware installed before installing Studio Package. I love and I hate it but I'm a machine person with a lot of background in system resolutions. Be commited or this easy to use software can drive you nuts....ask others for help on this forum and Pinnacle's Forum. There are many interactive elements that could foil your Studio install so try this outlined method to help isolate overwrites and device overtaxing. OH click ONE OPTION ONE TIME AND WAIT a reasonable amount of time before you decide it's not working. If you fail the 3d server tests in the NTSC data rates (realtime frames per second)chat with Pinnacle for possible solutions, some video boards can pass with show warnings and stoppers, ask what video cards work best.
Or you can just get a Sony Liquid Media Center and forget about this stuff (suffer baby suffer the cost not the stress) Some other considerations: defaults of system bois are the safest place to start, they can be easily adjusted after you get a good 3D server test (if you don't have Pinnacles 3D server test software you probably don't have the full package) make sure also our Hard Drives are on one channel, one master/one slave usually Primary Channel and the CD/DVD drives on the Secondary Channel no mixing or you have slow hard drives PIO is not ok for FAST Hard Drive data rates. Your going from DMA 5 or 6 (look in device manager)
I hope this will relieve some of the undeserved comments the Studio package gets but perhaps they should make their package not so easy to overwrite important drivers (I think they could take a lesson from the well written adn hard to erase viruses which are mightly steadfast and bulletproof mostly. GOOD LUCK! I still use this package in my Island Media Services business sucessfully. Nero ultra 6 or 7 for easy slideshows (output DVD-Rom book type is most readable, and have alot of effects and never on same machine as studio. OH YEAH DO DVD-RW Backup of all projects EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. Your friend in pain Richard Williams.

[arttam54]

READ THRU CAREFULLY BEFORE DOING ANYTHING!!This cures many Studio 10.7 patch situations. First be sure your processor handles SSE2 instruction sets, have at least 1.5 Ghz (Intel prefed) this software is CPU intensive my Dual Processor Athlons at 1800 Ghz run at approx 93% (both) during capture/rendering process from DVD source to MPG2 capture, setup on FRESH OS install (FORMAT NTFS ONLY!!) It will install with FAT's but will be limited to 16 minutes of MPG2 capture so remember NTFS only.
Install original software to OS drive 20GB or larger 20+MB/sec Read/Write or better. Use second drive for capture. If no preview in capture, close Studio software the remove reinstall capture device drivers, restart system, restart Studio (Full Versions!) software, check that preview is there (must have live inputs received [source active, pause active ok]) Select capture device, if already selected deselect then reselect if preview fails. Halt nets. all virus/off/ startup mins. except pinnacles stuff /run no background rendering / dedicate this system to this setup profile only... If you install other like or other non like programs they may conflict with your Studio install and negate you efforts. You may try patches but on my dual processor server bios 1.6 system 10.7 doesn't pass 3d servers test but version 10.1 from package passes 3d server tests (Pinnacle can't or won't help). Everytime I chatted and ask instruction specific questions I got disconnected. I believe this forum to be more helpful.
This package was probably written in a programming enviroment not a brass tacks business language like "C++++++++Whatever" microsoft version that has propritary routines that run smoother/faster (Darn them!) If you will increase you motherboard memory (1GB at least) and have DDR memory be sure to add exact like memory chips to obtain interlaced speeds (Max read/writes)Replaced your Video card with ATI or Nvidia of 512 MB or better (suffer now instead of later) even if in the end you stop using Studio and go with another program these suggested upgrades will help all with Video Packages. If you decide to replace you hard drives, and there ide's get a 64 bit controller to run HD's and put it in a 64 bit slot try slot 1 then 6 check with benchmark software to insure better than 20MB/sec (30/MB Preferred)ransfer rates. Start Studio software, start capture with task manager open watch CPU loading, ensure loads due not exceed 97% ever (have disk cache on automatic) with 5GB free on OS drive and 12GB on second drive. A audio board upgrade really won't help with capture unless the present board is really cheap or really old (90's). Make a complete system backup recovery disk with bootable, floppy or jump drive or cd when you get a sucessful working setup. Good luck! I have no luck with audio sync using transitions, so I use Nero Ultra for this. Studio 10.1 is where I'm ok. Also make sure to have all machine updates for you hardware installed before installing Studio Package. I love and I hate it but I'm a machine person with a lot of background in system resolutions. Be commited or this easy to use software can drive you nuts....ask others for help on this forum and Pinnacle's Forum. There are many interactive elements that could foil your Studio install so try this outlined method to help isolate overwrites and device overtaxing. OH click ONE OPTION ONE TIME AND WAIT a reasonable amount of time before you decide it's not working. If you fail the 3d server tests in the NTSC data rates (realtime frames per second)chat with Pinnacle for possible solutions, some video boards can pass with show warnings and stoppers, ask what video cards work best.
Or you can just get a Sony Liquid Media Center and forget about this stuff (suffer baby suffer the cost not the stress) Some other considerations: defaults of system bois are the safest place to start, they can be easily adjusted after you get a good 3D server test (if you don't have Pinnacles 3D server test software you probably don't have the full package) make sure also our Hard Drives are on one channel, one master/one slave usually Primary Channel and the CD/DVD drives on the Secondary Channel no mixing or you have slow hard drives PIO is not ok for FAST Hard Drive data rates. Your going from DMA 5 or 6 (look in device manager)
I hope this will relieve some of the undeserved comments the Studio package gets but perhaps they should make their package not so easy to overwrite important drivers (I think they could take a lesson from the well written adn hard to erase viruses which are mightly steadfast and bulletproof mostly. GOOD LUCK! I still use this package in my Island Media Services business sucessfully. Nero ultra 6 or 7 for easy slideshows (output DVD-Rom book type is most readable, and have alot of effects and never on same machine as studio. OH YEAH DO DVD-RW Backup of all projects EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. Your friend in pain Richard Williams.

oops (so I'm not a proof reader) default system BIOS setups are a good starting point and 30MB+ TRANSFER RATES are best
Richard at arttam54@hotmail.com

[jtoolman2000]

To touch on the previous questions concerning HFX transitions and or any of the additional Effects such as Adorage and many others. NO, they are NOT unlocked. You will have to unlock them by purchasing individual serial # for each of these babies. Considering that there are a ton of them included in all those disc they give you, you might end up in the poor house before you are done.