Pinnacle 11 (update 11.1.1) AVCHD PIP Trans Error on render

gtink

I apologies for the length of this post upfront…

However, I am sure others will run into this problem and hopefully someone will have some answers.

Problem:
I built a 28 minute summer 2007 video from many, many AVCHD clips (HDR-SR7 Camera) and Jpegs (Cannon Digital Rebel XT) with Pinnacle 11.1.1 (latest updated version) Ultimate which included PIP, Complex Transitions of both main video stream and PIP using Hollywood FX Volume 1 and Premium Pack Volume 1 for cool Title’s (water skiing)

After spending 40 + hours and weeks building the above movie (Needless to say I was VERY excited to see the final product) I choose “Make Movie” and pointed to Disk Type “AVCHD” Video Quality “Best Quality” I go to Settings and choose the radius button that says build disk image but DO NOT burn.

Off to the races….
My Dual Core 3.0 GHz procs and 4 GB mem spent hours churning on the video.

Exact steps:
First the program Renders all the transitions. (Success)

Then Pinnacle starts “Writing the frames”…
Each frame has to be processed which chews up enormous amounts of CPU time (My computer does 9 AVCHD Frames/sec. (For those that want to compare.)
About ½ way into the video (Several hours of computing)
Failure hits… Error message”
"Export error: Real time" and points to the folder with the Aux files.

I have spent HOURS and HOURS trying to figure out what is causing this failure. I have logged many tickets with Pinnaclesys.com
This exact issue is on:
Reference #
071225-000074

Here is what I have found:
Root cause (at least what I have found to be root cause):
Using AVCHD with PIP Where PIP has a slow motion effect.

How to reproduce:
Have two AVCHD clips in Main window. Keep this short so that you can reproduce the error FAST. Each clip can be around 10 - 15 seconds.

Add a PIP clip between the two Main clips in the upper right hand corner (The location and size of the PIP does not matter.) I have only tested with AVCHD, though other formats may fail as well...

So the timeline will look something like this...

00:00 00:05 00:10 00:15 00:20 00:25 <--Time line in seconds
-Main Video #1 AVCHD---|-Main Video #2 AVCHD---|
---Nothing---|----PIP AVCHD --------|---Nothing---

No sound effects needed; no voice over’s required to cause error.

First, Make a AVCHD DISK (choose make image and NOT burn to disk. Both fail, but it will save you a little time...

Make image, and you will have SUCCESS...

Now, Add ANY transition effect (to make sure you see the Same error I see I want you to use the same ones I use...)

First add effects at the beginning and end of each clip and between clips on the MASTER view only... NOT the PIP. Choose Hollywood FX for Studio, first one. The paper plane.

Now remake the AVCHD image.

Again, Success...

Now, Add a transition to the Beginning and end of the PIP as well.

Again, try to make image (avchd)

Failure with Writing the Frames when it gets to the Main Video split that is in the middle of the PIP...
"Export error: Real time"


I have informed Pinnacle that I can repeat this failure @ any time. However, if anyone in this FORUM sees the exact same problem please log it with Pinnaclesys.com so we can get them to fix it.

Now for the work around…

Once the error has occurred, I have only found ONE way out of it.

Once you delete the EFFECTS on the PIP, which is NOT enough, you must also delete the AUX files. Ohh by the way, this is also NOT ENOUGH to allow you to make a AVCHD video on the same content…

After deleting both the Effects on the PIP, and The AUX files you MUST choose a different FOLDER to make the AVCHD image in on the next go. Why? I can only guess Hidden Files. But I have show hidden files on my windows explorer and I see nothing… So I am not sure why, I just choose a different dir and it once again works.

I have not had this problem with the Sony Vegas software, but I find Vegas rather complex compaired to Pinnacle.

The other issue I have with Vegas, it will NOT make a AVCHD image so that Sony Motion Browser will see it and move the image back to my HDR-SR7 camera... So, right now I do not have a Blue-ray burner and use my HDR-SR7 as both my camera and my player/burner. Hense the reason I like Pinnacle so much.

Regards,
Greg

gtink

Another Work around, just don't use PIP right now.

I have also been able to use PIP (But do NOT add any Voice overs)... Create your entire video, encode it in Mpeg-2 HD or AVCHD or HDDVD stream format.

Once complete, start a new project with the above stream and add music and voice overs...

Only need to do the above if you want PIP. I hope Pinnalce fixes the issue soon.

If you have the same issue I have mentioned above, please log a support ticket with Pinnaclesys.com.

Regards,
Greg