WME 9 closes to desktop

[Tiribulus]

Hi folks,
Does anyone know of a reason why Windows Media Encoder 9 closes to the desktop whenever I try to load a source file? This is on three different machines, 2 running 2K and 1 running XP. I open it, choose convert a file and no matter what file I try to load with whatever ext be it a DVD rip, Happauge capture or even the clock.avi file that comes with windows, it sits there for a second and shuts itself down leaving me staring at a desktop. The same files will open in it fine on my machine @ work. The only things the 3 machines have in common is that they're all on my network and they all use AMP processors on Abit boards. I need to make a training presentation for work and this is driving me nuts. Any help will make you my hero.
Thanks,
Greg - Detroit

[SeeMoreDigital]

Tiribulus

This sounds to me like you're suffering from codec clash. This sometimes happens with WinMedia Encoder 9.

If you are a compulsive computer fiddler. Like most of us are, your PC (or PC's) soon get filled up with all sorts of crap.

Most recently I had a problem when I started experimenting with RealMedia9, using Helix Producer as a GUI. I found that right after I installed the 'Elecard Mpeg2 Player', I could not encode WMV9 (.wmv) files using M$ own WinMedia9 Encoder. It did'nt matter what I tried to do, the encoder just would'nt work!

However, the VCM (.avi) version of the codec still functioned. Have you tried this?

[Tiribulus]

I have tried to open avi files and they actually won't work either. Could Power DVD's codec be doing it do ya think? All three machines also have that on them. Even if I skip the wizard and disply the properties panel and then try to manually type the path to the file, it locks and then shuts down as soon as it sees the filename.
Thanks for your response BTW.
Tiribulus

[SeeMoreDigital]

I would'nt think so.

I have CyberLink's PowerDVD XP 4 on my PC and it works, no problem!

What other stuff, codes etc do you have installed. I have heard that some 'codec packs' can make WME9 go a bit mad!

[Tiribulus]

Gimme tonight to run AVI codec and find out what codecs I have on these machines. I started learning video "play" 8 or 9 months ago and have installed untold numbers and versions of codecs on these machines in that time which I can hear you thinking... there it is right there and you're probably correct. I'll screenshot AVI codec's findings and post that so you can see if you see anything obvious. If not I'll probably just start uninstalling ones I know I don't use.
Thanks again, I consider it no small thing when someone takes the time to help.
>>>--Tiribulus-->

[SeeMoreDigital]

Tiribulus,

If you have, as you've said, installed 'untold numbers and versions of codecs' then you could be fiddling about for hours and still not get to heart of the matter.

If it's possible for you to do so, I would format the drive(s) and create some partitions. Perhaps one or two boot partitions. And another for your data.

[Tiribulus]

Get this boss,
Reinstalling Power DVD actually allowed me to source the files. However, now when I try to encode any mpeg2 it autoselects 2 pass, greys out the option so I cannot unselect it. Then after the first pass it runs for like 10 seconds on the second pass and stops with everything looking like it worked. It comes up with the final results screen but the file is 1 second long!!!!! Do you have any idea what the hell this is all about?
Tiribulus:confused:

[Atamido]

I had a similar problem where WME9 would crash if I tried to load a source file. It turned out that it worked fine if I just dragged the file onto the window instead of using the Open dialog. Weird.

[Tiribulus]

Thanks for your response,
I can load the files now, but read my last post if you would for the new issue of the encoder making 1 second files. Runs for like 7 or 8 minutes on the first pass, 10 seconds or so on the second pass and then it finishes with the results screen which shows a really small 900k or so file that's 1 second long. Will not let me select single pass. It's greyed out.
Thanks,
>>>--Tiribulus-->:confused:

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi Tiribulus,

I'm sorry to say, what you are describing sound very familiar!

I'm lucky that I have some 'source' files on my PC that I specifically use for testing purposes only. That way I knew for sure that something was wrong with the encoder and not the source file. As the source files had been used many times at different bitrates etc to test the WME9 codec.

I stuggled for hours trying to get to the heart of the matter. But in the end I got thoroughly frustated, formatted the PC and started again.

After looking back at my records, I can actually confirm that WME9 has catastrophically failed to respond on no less than 5 occasions. And there does'nt seem to be any pattern to it either (apart from one occasion when I installed the Elecard Mpeg2 DS filter).

I just don't understand it... I have a fully paid up version of WinXP. So one would assume there's no risk of any sugar being thown in the engine - so to speak. Even all my applications and software are installed in a precise order!

It's a strange one indeed but at least you've made me happy..... I thought it was only happening to me!

Sorry, I can't be any more help Tiribulus. Sounds like a format and re-installation job to me.

[Tiribulus]

The "sugar in the gas tank" thing had occurred to me as well, but it does this on the 2000 machine I primarily do my encoding on too. I understand what you're saying, but there has to be an answer though. It is reassuring to know that others have had this issue too. I may just give up on Windows media. The encoder is painfully slow anyway. I may play with it a little more, but for a few reasons it's just not worth a reload on that machine to me at the moment. Thanks for your time. If I learn anything new I'll let you know. The quality can be good which keeps me intrigued. Oh well we'll see.
>>>--Tiribulus-->:D

[SeeMoreDigital]

Tiribulus

Please don't give up on WME9 altogether. Although it's slow to encode, it is, in my opinion, the most accurate encoder available at the present time.

Many people on this forum have interests with regard to generating encodes (using codecs such as DivX, Xvid, RealMedia etc), that are as close to say a DVD source as is possible.

My interest lies with creating encodes at low bitrates, as I've always liked to see how far a technology can be pushed!

With that said, if you are having problems generating WMV9 files using Microsoft's Windows Media 9 Encoder (i.e producing files with an .wmv file extension). All is not lost, as you can still generate WMV9 files using Microsofts WMV9 VCM software, which will generate files with a .avi file extension instead.

Sure it takes just as long to encode the files but you have the added advantage of being able to incorporate an Mp3 audio stream to the video file (instead of an .wma stream) and it would also seem that WMV9 .avi files run more smoothly on lower spec PC's. Which is something that the boffins at Microsoft are investigating.

So don't give up... Happy encoding... And good luck my friend.

[Tiribulus]

You're not gonna believe this, but I chose the "progressive download" vid quality option in the compression tab in properties and was allowed to select single pass. I encoded a 90 second file with some other custom settings (aspect ratio, audio bitrate ie) and it worked. Good quality, but the original capture wasn't as good as it could've been. Anyway, yes very slow, but at least I generally know what was wrong. With some more research we'll see what happens. The interface is quite nice and the encoder itself is powerful, but slow.
Thanks again, I'll let ya know what happens,
>>>--Tiribulus-->:D