In the attachment, the tracks on the Timeline are .axp files. Why, in the first clip,  do I get the green colour ; why in the monitor window do I get the anticlockwise arrow; and why does the image sometimes appear horizontally stretched? Is there a fix?

Thanks.

• The green clip thumbnail is typically caused by a failure to decode the first or last video frame in the clip; it could be a glitch (that may go away if the clip is edited) or due to the properties of the source video file
• The grey circular arrow thing indicates that Studio was unable to generate a preview for that frame (I don't know why Pinnacle chose a circular arrow as to me it suggests "repeat" or "try again" rather than "something is broken"

What does MediaInfo (text view) show about the source video file - is there anything unusual about it?

Regards,
Richard

Thanks Richard.

MediaInfo information 

Darcon:

MediaInfo information

I did ask for you to post the output of MediaInfo's text view as that contains much more information about the video and audio streams' properties.

What CPU and graphics (whether built-in or a separate card) are you using - and what is Studio's hardware acceleration set to (on Studio's Control Panel -> Export and Preview page)? If you are still using the system listed in your profile (with Xeon E5-1650 CPU) - that system doesn't possess any H.264 hardware encoders that are usable by Studio 21; however it might still be able to use a H.264 hardware decoder in the graphics card. If you have Studio's hardware acceleration set as "Cuda" or "Intel", try setting it to "None" (that setting also has the side-effect of making Studio use software for H.264 decode too).

HTH
Richard

Thanks Richard.

Apologies for not providing the text version from MediaInfo. See the attachments. Hardware acceleration has always been set to "None". Still using Xeon E5-1650 CPU. Have used H.265 for creating VLC videos without problem. The problems arise in importing these videos back into Studio for editing and linking together.

To me the video file properties don't look unusual; video bit rate is quite high but in my opinion not excessive for 60fps video.

• Try deleting the render files in case the issue isn't with with the source files, but is actually a problem with one of the render files, or there's some glitch where Studio changes from previewing straight from an original source file to using one of the render files
  
• Try changing Studio's hardware acceleration to "Cuda" - although you haven't got an Nvidia graphics card, from what I have observed here, Studio will still use a software H.264 codec, but it appears to be a different one or have slightly different properties than when the hardware acceleration is set to "None".
• If the problem does appear to be connected to particular source files, try processing them using HandBrake (the extra decoding and re-encoding might lower the video quality slightly, but may smooth out any irregularities...)

Regards,
Richard

Thanks Richard.

Points 1 & 2 did not seem to solve the problem. I'll try Handbrake tomorrow and see what happens.

Am I correct in assuming that I should get a video card with more oomph? I'd rather not have to  get a new desktop. Can you suggest a video card please?

Fingers crossed Richard; I re-encoded one such video with Handbrake and it seems to have fixed the problem. I only have about another 10 videos to do!! I'll let you know the success rate later in the week. I have reverted to "None" Hardware Acceleration.

Thanks for your help.

Darcon:

Am I correct in assuming that I should get a video card with more oomph?

I am not certain whether "more oomph" would solve the issue... Studio 21 doesn't have any support for the hardware acceleration features of AMD graphic cards (only Nvidia (Cuda) and Intel - I think AMD support was introduced in 23 or 24). Decent Nvidia graphic cards are scarce and expensive at present so IMO not the time to be going out and buying one

Could you borrow a card from another PC or from a friend? Even an entry-level Nvidia card such as a GT710 might allow you to test the performance/behaviour with Studio able to use hardware video acceleration (provided that the card does actually have the hardware video encoder - some don't (e.g. GT1030)).

Alternatively you could try an upgrade to Studio 25 (though be prepared to invoke the 30-day money back guarantee if you find it doesn't help (or doesn't work properly on your PC))?

Regards,
Richard

Thanks again Richard.

As I'm currently in a project, I'd prefer not to try PS 25 at present. 

Hi Richard,

You suggestion to re-encode using Handbrake was spot on; much appreciated advice.