Export slow and stalling out please help

[Kellylc]

I have a brand new SSD drive, lots of disk space a great mother board and ram and a brand new install of windows 10 pro. This export should be screaming and instead it's slow as cold tar. Excuse me but can we rule out that the problem is the computer and focus on the problems of the software here? The computer is good, fast, works well for everything else. Somewhere in this software there have to be settings or something that impact the export performance and operations. That's what I need to understand and not go off on a some wild goose chase regarding my hardware and operating system performance.

This editing project is minimal, it's only a few short audio clips with one static image for the video.

When I export video file (because I don't know how to just export an .mp3 on this version 7.25vp) it plods along until it reaches about 99.6% complete then it stalls there while the "video position" starts slowly going up. I don't have the patience to sit around for 3 hours while it tries to do a 15 minute video export that only has one picture and some voice clips. 

So how does this software operate? does it export the audio first and then the video data? In previous versions a similar export with audio mostly only the audio would race to 99% in about 7 seconds then it would pause at 99% or so for a few moments and boom it would be finished. I have used video pad for years.  Not so with the 7.25 upgraded version. Something is whacky! Can we get tech support to the bottom of this now please?

So what can I do to get these voice clips edited together? I wouldn't even add the image except that my previous experience with past vp editions is that they require some kind of visual image in order to export a video even you just want the audio file. Is this not the case with the 7.25vp professional?

I wonder also how to tell the track that the content ends at about 0:14:52.485. In previous versions I could pull the right edge of the track over to the final point but this version insists on having blank space out there. Is that messing it up?

This whole project is less than 15 minutes long and there is no video really it's just an image, ONE image. I should add no transitions no effects nothing, just one image. So it's not like it's got a whole ton of data to process. ten minutes later it tells me that the video position is something like 00:04:35.000 seriously!!!!????????????? WTF!

what I have tried so far...

Ok I changed the compression from 264 to mpeg and after 5 minutes of exporting the export reached that 99.5% barrier and the video position is continuing to count up way beyond where the video and audio ended. It apparently thinks this is a file with something else out there beyond the end point? ?????

second attempt: I closed the project and reopened it, then I removed the last audio clip and the image entirely. I deleted the video track. I only left the other audio clips that extend to 0:09:33.978 on the timeline and I am now exporting... 3 minutes of exporting it reached 99.5% and now it's continuing to extend the video position far beyond the end again with no finalization in sight.

third attempt: I opened a new project, only imported the audio file I want to edit, I didn't make any edits I just did a test export. it reached 99.5% in 24 seconds and then continued to spool on as if there was something else beyond oblivion.

So it appears this version 7.25 just doesn't know when to stop and finalize.

attempt 4: I hid the video track on output so only the audio track should be exporting. again as before it continues to spool far beyond the end of the audio data.

The inability to export renders the program useless.

Please advise.

[borate]

Something isn't right for sure.

An audio clip can be exported as a WAV.  Right-click it in the bin or on the sequence and SAVE AUDIO CLIP AS NEW FILE.  It likely will go to the Music folder on the PC.

A track ends where its final clip ends, irrespective of how much zoom is applied to the sequence display.  Click the <--> at the bottom-right of the window to display the entire sequence.

Yes, an image - even a blank - is required.  Otherwise VP doesn't know where to stop an export.  To see if there's a 'phantom' video clip, switch to Storyboard mode.  Only your single clip should be shown.

Some general tips...

• Clear Unused Cache Files, under OPTIONS|DISK tab and try another export.
• During export close all other programs

The best way to troubleshoot this is for you to share the project.  Here's how... http://nch.invisionzone.com/topic/23659-tips-for-getting-help-on-this-forum/

If the material is sensitive you can link to it in a personal message to me.  Click the envelope at the top-right here.  Be sure to FILE|SAVE PORTABLE PROJECT AS, not simply Save Project.

[Kellylc]

how's this? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I8HHLrMV3urp6iaIus_Sfx52ze1ILEiu/view?usp=sharing

 

btw I don't see any wav export option anywhere

 

ok attempt 5 it exported, the only thing different is that it was in storyboard mode??

 

attempt 6 was also successful I put it back in timeline mode to see if that made any difference.

 

I have no idea why it's working now and wasn't before.

So,.... Now I'll go thru the file, cut out the parts I want to remove and see if I can actually generate the audio file I want next.

[Nationalsolo]

Hi Kellylc

I'm using an old Vista PC with VP 7.25.....

A 23 minute audio clip with a few still images added to the timeline .....audio file processed in 11 seconds.

It took 6 seconds to create a copy wav file of the audio in the bin and on the desktop and exporting the project  took 15 mins (.avi   mpeg4 (Native)  No hangups in the export queue

Sounds like a there is a problem. Try reinstall and check what background jobs are running. What does the task manager show for the CPU usage with PC at rest?   MIne is 2%.     98% when exporting.

BTW to there is no  wav export option per se......just right click the audio track and select the top option...Save Audio Clip as New File.

Nat

[Kellylc]

thanks Nat I just learned a new trick    Save Audio Clip as New File.

I'm going to go ahead and take the time to do my edits and then see it will export them next. I'm not concerned about the computer processing and cpu, I think that's all just a distraction and whatever issues are software and software settings related.

The thing now is a mystery because it just started working and the reason is unclear what was wrong in the first place. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it keeps working.

[Nationalsolo]

Hi

Your file downloaded OK and loaded to VP with no problems.

12 min audio with one png image.

This exported in 2 mins as an.mp4 H264  with resolution matched to content of 600 x 800 and default quality. No problems experienced here and no glitches with the export.

Nat

[Kellylc]

😃 tks for your help testing

[borate]

Export here, using default 1422 x 800 Mp4 settings, took 70 seconds on a PC comparable to your own.  The image needs a background.

[Kellylc]

yes, ok,  I'm not concerned about the image at this time it's just a place holder, once I get the audio I'll do the visuals.

[borate]

If the export issue persists suggest that you use this tool to completely uninstall the program.  Take care to uninstall ONLY Videopad.  Then install the latest version.

For licensed users upgrades are free for up to six months.  After that, VP will continue to fully function but a fee will be required in order to register the newest.

[Kellylc]

is there a newer version than 7.25?

[borate]

7.25 is the current release.  But it won't hurt to download it anew as subtle issues are occasionally remedied.  At least that's the case with beta test versions.

[Kellylc]

ok, so do I understand correctly that I can do that right up to 6 months from now?

[borate]

From NCH...

Please be aware if you purchased more than 6 months ago you may need to purchase an upgrade to use the current version. For upgrade pricing go to https://www.nch.com.au/upgrade/index.html with your old registration ID number and Key.

If you want to try the current version with the option to restore your older version, please backup your Program Files sub folder containing the software for Windows, or copy the app from your Applications folder to a backup location for Mac OS

[Kellylc]

ok I just did my edits, and went to export the track which is 1:08:43.579 long. it's been 30 minutes the export has reached 99.5% and the video position is at 1:22:25.000 and rising. I am canceling the export. another failure to finalize the export. I am creating a portable back up now to share for help. I did all the audio splicing but the export failed. I don't really want to try to add video until I get the audio all exported in one final clip. That's the aim of my current export to get all the voice track audio in one file and one piece.

As before I had only one image and the storyboard view says there is only one item.

fyi, I purchased yesterday August 19, 2019. I have the older version "5.something" on an external drive from the old computer. This computer has been upgraded so that it will do video editing better than the old computer. There is no interference from the old version because it's not even on this hard drive.

Here is the portable file that just failed to export. Just ignore the music. For now I am only trying to get the voice affirmations on one file.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BhA9zMGKrtdxUrfpgoYeTucT2kNLUUIv/view?usp=sharing

But something is still wrong with the export. It's only randomly and for an unknown reason still not working.

I will try to export again with low resolution because I'm not interested in the image quality right now. So ok, on this resolution it reached 99.5% in two minutes but it's still not finalizing. Maybe I'll just sit with this attempt for a few minutes and see if it eventually finishes even though it's well over 02:40:00.000 now...03.......04 hours.... it's not stopping....

sigh

 

 

 

[Kellylc]

i tried 2 more times to export a .mp4 and both failed. I am trying to export a .wmv now

2 more attempts failed at exporting .mp4 and they all fail the same way.

[borate]

It is unclear why the audio files are Mp4, which is a video container.  That appears to be causing the hang.

After audio was converted in Wavepad to Mp3 files, a new project was begun.  (If an Mp4 is opened in Wavepad it will query whether it should be loaded into WP or VP.)

In that program you can combine and tweak audio to your heart's content.^_^

Those files and the .png video were imported.  Project loads in about two seconds and exports in less than 30 at lowest resolution.

Suggest that you create your audio in Wavepad, which was designed for the purpose.  Then export it as Mp3 and import to VP.

An alternative method that succeeded here was to...

1  Place the three "audio only" Mp4 files on the sequence.  The images will be shown in Video track 1

2.  Right-click on each audio clip and UNlink from video, then delete all video

3.  Place the still image on the timeline

4.  Export.   Takes much longer than the Mp3 route, above.

[Nationalsolo]

Hi

From Borate....

" It is unclear why the audio files are Mp4, which is a video container.  That appears to be causing the hang. "

These files are video files..... Theydownloaded OK from server but the   vpj  file just stops trying to load  15ab voice track only.Mp4. so presume others are the same. Perhaps the vpj file is faulty.

These all play as videos in VLC but load OK  into VP by drag and drop. There are no audio files in the download.

Obviously with a ? duff vpj file I have no idea how they are arranged and edited on the timeline.

Unless I am mistaken ALL the clips taken together total 5 hours+ which makes for a VERY long export.

It might be why the vpj file is stopped (or terribly slow)?

Nat

[borate]

15 ab voice track only.mp4 is 55 minutes long and seems to hang, but after a few minutes eventually loads into VP.

There's no point in having Mp4 clips if they are to be used strictly for audio.

As noted earlier, when audio is Mp3 the project, at its current stage, loads instantly and exports quickly.

[Nationalsolo]

Hi Kellylc

Although the audio from a video Mp4 can be extracted using VP, it's a roundabout way and you end up with (after some time) a wav audio file. If you are just interested in the audio from it as an mp3 file then you could use YTD. (Google it) You can simply open the converter option and drag and drop your Mp4 file (video) directly into the title box. The output is an mp3.

Nat

[Kellylc]

I don't really understand why the .mp4 format doesn't manage audio, I thought that it handled both but clearly it doesn't always.

My approach to this project reflects a lack of confidence in vp's ability to actually combine elements of audio and visual and me trying to work around doing it all at the same time and breaking it into what I hope are more manageable bite sized steps to reach the final intended outcome.

Step one, I try to bring together the separate audio elements and get them into one edited file.

Step two I try to create the visuals and edit that together into one file.

Step three I take the audio file and the video file and combine them.

Step four I add background music to the combined file.

...so I end up exporting 4 times and creating three component files before the final 4th one.

If I really had confidence in the program I would simply create all the tracks and do one export all at the same time. But it's failed on me so many times I don't dare any more and I have fallen back on this step by step approach to try to get the outcome I want.  Sometimes it's been the only way I have managed to get the outcome after multiple attempts and multiple failures.

I am used to having to try over and over to get it to work. I don't like it but it's all I know how to do at this point.

Because of the problems with this project I have decided for now to not use the longer affirmations 15ab track at all and just use the other two voice tracks and that keeps it to about 14 minutes long.

I did manage this morning to create a visual track with multiple transitions which surprisingly exported including the shorter 9 minute voice track. I have learned that transitions are treacherous and really slow down and sometimes fail but this time the transitions are just simple fades. Now that I have that video file with the image fades I can reuse it without having to make all the transitions because it's already in the video as one piece not a bunch of separate images.

My thinking is that now I can use that video file in the image track and then add the master attractor audio at the end with a duplicate of the first video and then see if I an get one file with both voice segments combined with the visuals.

Then if that works I will see if I can add the music background.

Again I would prefer to just do this all at the same time using the tracks and only do one export. Perhaps I will risk an attempt at that next and see if I can just eliminate all this step work.

I wish I understood what is actually making the export hang up at 99.5%

I have found that this issue of hanging at 99.5% is something that has been encountered by others on this forum at least a year ago I found a thread here where someone was having the same issue. There is something that causes this that has not been fully explained or perhaps is not fully known? I don't know. But something in how this exports has a glitch at that point and I do not definitively know why it occurs and how to prevent it.

I can change file formats and get quicker exports but why doesn't the program accommodate all of the different formats to begin with? Why are we having to dance around the file formats to do an export and have it output ? Shouldn't it export all the formats into the format you tell it you want to create?

If you use whatever format in a track and then export to .mp4 shouldn't it just work?

Why 99.5%? what is the exporter doing at that point that it's so format sensitive and glitchy?

[borate]

VP handles Mp4 seamlessly in most cases.  Your initial project, linked above, loads the Mp4 files with no video.  Yes, you have a slide on the video track, but the video from the Mp4 files has somehow been removed.   VP likely sees the missing AVC video as an open-ended track, and thus won't complete the export.

Method 1.  If those Mp4 files are instead loaded into a new VP instance, UNlinked from audio, then video is deleted and a slide placed on the video track, export quickly completes.

Method 2.  An alternative would be to prepare the audio in Wavepad, save as Mp3 and import to VP.  Lock the audio track (lock icon at the left), then add/edit video.

If you plan to use images from the three Mp4 files after isolating the audio track via one of those methods, first lock the audio track so it won't be disturbed.

Then position the scrubber (red line) and right-click the file in the bin.  OVERLAY AT CURSOR.  Do this for each A/V clip that you import.  Note that this will place the clip on the 2nd video and audio tracks.  Simply mute the audio track (speaker icon at left).  Now edit the video.  In this case video track one can be deleted, but it's not necessary.