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Convention Events and Programming => Fan Creations => AMV => Topic started by: HeavenscloneX on April 14, 2006, 09:34:06 am

Title: AMV problems
Post by: HeavenscloneX on April 14, 2006, 09:34:06 am
This is strange, it's never happened before.

I used Sony Vegas as my editing software for making AMVs, and now everytime I try to throw  one of my anime clips into the project, only the audio from the video appears!  I'm pretty computer savy, but I have no idea how to fix this.

Must make Elfen Lied AMV...
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Sasu-kitty on April 14, 2006, 10:17:43 am
Sony Vegas is a program I'm not too familiar with, but it could have gotten bugged or something and not allow video importing.

I'd try doing what all people do to fix software problems:

Uninstall and reinstall.

If that doesn't work, find a troubleshooter online.
Title: AMV problems
Post by: HeavenscloneX on April 14, 2006, 10:50:34 am
I've already checked FAQs and troubleshooting online.v.v

I've also reinstalled many times.

I'm wondering if I should use a different program instead of figuring out how to fix this.  What do you guys use?
Title: Re: AMV problems
Post by: Xaam on April 14, 2006, 11:02:55 am
Quote from: "HeavenscloneX"
This is strange, it's never happened before.

I used Sony Vegas as my editing software for making AMVs, and now everytime I try to throw  one of my anime clips into the project, only the audio from the video appears!  I'm pretty computer savy, but I have no idea how to fix this.


Hmm...the way you've worded this vaguely implies that you've used different programs in the past. If so, my expert suggestion is to revert back to said programs because Vegas disagrees with you.
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Sasu-kitty on April 14, 2006, 11:03:50 am
I'm learning to use Adobe Premier Pro, but I'm not too great with it yet
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Pie Row Maniac on April 17, 2006, 01:30:37 pm
Are you using footage you ripped from a DVD or downloaded clips? If it's downloaded footage, it could be a number of problems. What format are they in?
Title: AMV problems
Post by: HeavenscloneX on April 17, 2006, 04:17:44 pm
They are in AVI.  And yes, they are downloaded.  I fixed my problem via different means.

I used TMPGEnc to convert the AVI to MPEG, and then I am able to import the MPEG properly into the video editing project window.

Still wish I had a reason as to why the AVIs weren't showing the video clip and only the audio clips.
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Pie Row Maniac on April 18, 2006, 09:20:50 am
Depends on how the AVI files were compressed. If they were compressed using Xvid or Divx, you are almost guranteed problems if you try and edit with them. If I may suggest something, I would convert them to Huffyuv format. Huffyuv is a lossless format (meaning the quality should stay the same after compression) but ends up making the filesize extremely huge and is also harder to work with because of how much memory they take up to play/edit. Because of that, there is a method of editing that makes things easier when dealing with files like that, using an awesome program called Avisynth (unless you want me to explain, I won't go into details). If you're fine with the MPEGs you've made though, then never mind :P
Title: AMV problems
Post by: HeavenscloneX on April 18, 2006, 01:31:07 pm
I'm fine with MPEGs, but I am a little curious about what you are talking about.  I don't mind if you go into more detail.
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Pie Row Maniac on April 18, 2006, 02:32:55 pm
Alright. Basically, Avisynth is a plugin that allows you to alter your video in different ways using coding. For instance, Crop(0,0,0,0) will crop portions of the clip off, depending on the numbers you put in instead of zeros. Using this program, you can also smooth your footage, sharpen it, stretch it, shrink it, adjust the brightness and color value, increase/decrease the frame rate, etc etc. You get the idea.

Here's the process I was talking about:
1) Load your Avisynth (.avs) file into a program called VirtualDub
2) Make an AVI called the same name as your .avs file. This will be a low-quality file and will be what you'll edit with. I'll explain in a bit.
-Jump ahead in time-
3) After you're done making your video in your editing program, close the program. Take any and all low-quality AVI file you made to edit with and place them in a new folder.
4) Fire up your program again and when it asks you for the files you just moved, refer it to your AVS files.
NOTE: I've only done this trick with Premiere. I'm unsure how this would work with other editing programs like Vegas or FCP. There might be plugins for programs besides Premiere so that they accept .avs files but I can't say for sure.

This is my first time explaining the process to anyone, so I'm sorry if I missed a step or confused you at all. :P

This guide explains things better and expands a ton more as well:
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/guides/avtech/

Hope any of this helps.
Title: AMV problems
Post by: HeavenscloneX on April 20, 2006, 04:34:11 pm
Thanks for all that.

I actually have a new problem now (since I haven't used Vegas for awhile).  How is one supposed to get the text to appear over the video?  When I put the text over the video, it just goes to black with the text instead of appearing in the video.
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Cherry on April 20, 2006, 10:44:59 pm
Hmm i have a random problem with Premiere D=
Actually i used version 6 in the past, but not Premiere Pro...

But onto the problem:  I have a video that i downloaded, its Xvid, and i know ive read about problems with Premiere and Xvid but ive never really seen a solution or at least one that i understood or worked for me.  But when i import the movie, if i double click the file name and have it play it plays perfectly.  On the other hand if i add it to the sequence, no video shoes up just a black screen o_O  I was considering just converting the whole video file using WinAVI Video Converter or something to see if that would help... but im not even sure if that would help me at all.  Any suggestions would be muchly appreciated!
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Pie Row Maniac on April 24, 2006, 01:34:48 pm
Quote from: "Cherry"
Hmm i have a random problem with Premiere D=
Actually i used version 6 in the past, but not Premiere Pro...

But onto the problem:  I have a video that i downloaded, its Xvid, and i know ive read about problems with Premiere and Xvid but ive never really seen a solution or at least one that i understood or worked for me.  But when i import the movie, if i double click the file name and have it play it plays perfectly.  On the other hand if i add it to the sequence, no video shoes up just a black screen o_O  I was considering just converting the whole video file using WinAVI Video Converter or something to see if that would help... but im not even sure if that would help me at all.  Any suggestions would be muchly appreciated!

Don't be so afraid of converting :P

Convert the clips to format that would work with Premiere. MPEGs are one format that do the job fine, but the video quality will degrade. A trick you could do is convert your clips to a much lower-quality version (it could be an MPEG if you want), edit using those, then when you're done editing move them into a new folder. When you open Premiere back up, it'll ask for the low-quality files. When it does this, click on the original files. Now you have the higher quality files as the edited clips in your timeline.

Since Xvid is so unpredictable when it comes to Premiere, I recommend converting the Xvid files to Huffyuv before going through this process. Huffyuv makes the filesize huge but it's a LOT less wonky than MPEG4 type formats like Xvid.
Title: AMV problems
Post by: HeavenscloneX on April 25, 2006, 03:00:12 am
My AMV is finished!  I was finally able to get everything worked out, and it has already been mailed. XD XD

Thanks everyone.
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Cherry on April 25, 2006, 10:52:06 am
Yeah  i converted it into MPEG1 and MPEG2, only to have premiere hate both of those too @_@;
Now it somehow says that instead of being over an hour long the clip is only something like 24 minutes long, and just flips through random frames or so it looks.  The Audio doesnt even match up to the video at all either when in a sequence.  But like before the video will play perfectly if i just play it in the tiny preview window o_O;
I'm about ready to just give up on trying to figure this out >_<;;
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Pie Row Maniac on April 27, 2006, 10:39:44 am
Quote from: "Cherry"
Yeah  i converted it into MPEG1 and MPEG2, only to have premiere hate both of those too @_@;
Now it somehow says that instead of being over an hour long the clip is only something like 24 minutes long, and just flips through random frames or so it looks.  The Audio doesnt even match up to the video at all either when in a sequence.  But like before the video will play perfectly if i just play it in the tiny preview window o_O;
I'm about ready to just give up on trying to figure this out >_<;;

Alright I'm just going to flat-out say it since I've been nice so far:

GET THE DVDS THEN RIP THEM
A lot less headache than using downloaded footage ;)


That is all
Title: AMV problems
Post by: HeavenscloneX on April 27, 2006, 04:25:58 pm
Blunt and to the point, lol.

What if Cherry doesn't have access to the DVDs?
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Cherry on April 27, 2006, 08:14:16 pm
Which i dont @_@
Oh well i guess my AMV dreams will be put on hold for now xD;

The only place in my town that rented a large quantatiy of anime dvds closed recently, so im out of luck unless i want to buy a whole bunch of dvds @_@;

But thanks for the help anyway guys!! I appreciated it =D

Although ill still fiddle with it im sure ;>_>
Or just find something else to do/use for an amv~
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Pie Row Maniac on April 28, 2006, 10:02:56 am
How comfortable are you with purchasing them online? To be honest, you're more than likely to find better deals on the net than anywhere else.

Some recommended sites:
Deep Discount DVD (http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com)
DVD Aficionado (http://www.dvdaficionado.com/)
Best Prices (http://www.bestprices.com)
Ebay (http://www.ebay.com) (muahah)
ADV Films (http://www.advfilms.com)*

*Sometimes ADV has a blowout sale where they get an overstock of some animes and sell them for dirt cheap. I got all of Azumanga Daioh (not the thin pack) for less than $40.
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Cherry on April 28, 2006, 07:36:13 pm
Yeah its not that im the one with the problem of purchasing them online... its more the fact that i dont have a VISA card, arent old enough to get one, and my parents would never let me use theirs xD;

Believe me, once i get old enough, there will be online shopping for anime goods done quite frequently =D
Title: AMV problems
Post by: Jamiche on April 29, 2006, 12:45:01 am
Depending on where you are and the availibilty, both Netflix and Blockbuster online have a great selection of licensed anime for rent, and the rates are pretty reasonable compared to a video store.