[Solved] Just when I thought it was all going so well.

[Hafoi Bin Ereafower]

Harumph - - after my "it's ok" thread (W8 that is) something was bound to go wrong.

 

Decided to have a bash at making a little film by stitching together some small (about 2/3 mins long) video clips taken on my 3 year old Sony Cam Corder.

 

I'd done this loads of times on my old Acer with it's Vista OS - - just attach the camera with it's USB cable, loads up to "my doco's" automatically on the Acer then it's just open Movie Maker and browse for the clips and bung em in - and I was away - terrific - easy enough for even me to understand.

 

Same thing happens with the new Samsung and W8 until - - I ask Movie Maker to play the imported clip - I just get sound - no picture.

 

Strange thing is (and I've tried several different clips) the clips will play ok in both Media Player and Photo Gallery but not Movie Maker is this a fiendish Microsoft plot to derange the elderly or is there a simple answer to all this.

 

The clips when transferred in to MM look grey with no colour to them although they've got the wavy line which denotes sound - which is a clue I suppose and according to the "properties" box they are MPG files.

 

Is there something I just need to have a "twiddle" with to make em play properly ?

 

Regards, H.B.E.

[KenB]

Hi

 

Nev is usually the one who picks up sound / video problems.

He, or somebody else, should be along soon :)

[RandyL]

If you go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-live/movie-maker-file-types-faq and click on Video files you will see a list of supported files and formats.

 

At first glance it appears to support mpg but look at the Notes at the bottom and you will see this...( I highlited relevant sections)

 

•Video files that use digital rights management (DRM) can't be used in Movie Maker.

 

•Support for using MPEG‑2 and Microsoft Recorded TV Show video files in your movie is available only if your computer is running one of the following editions of Windows: Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Vista Home Premium, or Windows Vista Ultimate.

•AVCHD video files that contain Dolby Digital audio can be used in Movie Maker if your computer is running one of the following editions of Windows: Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows 7 Ultimate.

 

•MPEG‑4 video files that contain AAC audio can be used if you're using Movie Maker on a computer running Windows 7.

•3GPP and 3GPP2 video files that are often recorded on a mobile phone can be used in Movie Maker if the file contains MPEG‑4 video, AAC audio, and if Movie Maker is installed on a computer running Windows 7.

 

3GPP video files might contain AMR audio and 3GPP2 files might contain AMR or QCELP audio instead. In these cases, the video will often play, but the audio won't. Files that contain H.263 video might not play in Movie Maker without installing additional codecs.

 

•Some MPEG‑4 video files can be used when you're using Movie Maker on a computer running Windows Vista if the necessary audio and video codecs are installed.

 

Notice that Windows 8 is not listed but Vista is for MPEG-2 and MPEG-4. You may need to convert those files in a different program first.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, which version of Windows Movie Maker are you using? If Movie maker came with your Windows 8, it should already be the latest version.

For MPG4 I found I had to download and install Windows Live Movie maker, in Windows 7, I assume it will be the same in W8.

 

If you are using the older version the latest can be downloaded from here:-

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/movie-maker#t1=overview

 

So, Assuming you do have the latest version of Movie Maker, I can only think Randy may be right and a conversion to a different format is worth a try.

 

If you haven't got a video converter installed, two different converters I use are AVC, and Adapter

 

AVC can be downloaded from here:- http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/

Don't be put off by the banner announcing Any Video Converter Ultimate, that is the advert for the paid for version, the free version is the download button.

 

Adapter can be downloaded from here:-

http://www.macroplant.com/adapter/?utm_source=Adapter+(PC)&utm_medium=desktop+app&utm_campaign=Adapter+(PC)+1.0.3.0

 

Try converting from the MPG4 to either AVI, or WMV format.

 

One other aspect to consider, you may not have the right codec installed, though if you have an up to date version of Movie Maker it should be there, however have a quick look at this:-

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/codecs-frequently-asked-questions

 

Unfortunately, the page recognises my computer as a Windows 7 one, but it should help you understand and may find the right Codec.

 

Nev.

[Hafoi Bin Ereafower]

Thanks Randy, well that explains it then - W8 does not support the format the video clip is in (with regards to vision that is)

 

Short rant - - - For a mere mortal existing in the normal world why oh why does a large - supposedly sophisticated corporate, launch "a new improved version" which make's it difficult for an existing user of their products to do things they've always done - - - - there I feel better now !

 

Plastic Nev, thanks to you too for supplying a solution - I'll give the converters a go and report back on the results.

 

When I first had the problem I did download the latest version of Movie Maker and got no joy - so that's not the problem it looks as you say more likely to be the format.

 

Thinking about it I'll dig out some old clips and see what format they are in - - reason is - it's just occurred to me that when I had the problem with lost photo's these were clips I'd "Recuva'd" from my Cam Corder's memory - would they have had their format changed in being "Recuva'd" ?

 

H'mmmm - if that's the case it's my fault anyway so I'll just have to crawl on my belly up to the throne of Microsoft and beg forgiveness - - ** HUM !

 

Regards, H.B.E.

[RandyL]

As Nev said this might also be a codec problem. Although MPG may be supported in Windows Live Moviemaker the codecs used to compress the file may not exist on your new computer. At least not as far as Moviemaker is concerned.

 

Microsoft dropped native support in Windows 8 for some things like the ability to view DVD's in Windows without a third party program. Costs and hassles with supplying codecs and decoders due to licensing.

 

The problem with codecs is it's hard to figure out exactly which ones you need and getting them from unknown sources on the internet can be very dangerous.

 

My Sony is so old it uses high 8 millimeter. My only option is to connect it via cable to a VCR or DVD burner. To edit I have to burn a DVD on my stand alone DVD burner/player then put the DVD in my computer, locate the VOB file and use a free program to convert it to WMV. From there Moviemaker will accept it.

 

Since your Sony is newer I doubt it is 8 millimeter. Some come with software for editing or converting. Sony support might have some info on this. Check the Sony site to see if such software is available for your model and number. For that matter if there is software available for it maybe the codecs will install along with it.

[Plastic Nev]

The only other option that may work for you would be to install a third party video editor, there are plenty about, however you may have to get a paid for one as the freeware I found were not very good, worth a look though, just type "Video editors for Windows 8" Into google.

The choice is very wide.

 

Nev.

[Hafoi Bin Ereafower]

On the basis that I wouldn't know a codec from a format if they smacked me in the face I went for the simplest option which was to download a converter.

 

Downloaded AVC and went to work on a couple of clips which I knew previously wouldn't work in Movie Maker - I wanted to stick to Movie Maker because it's a bit like me - simple.

 

Annnd like me the conversion was simple - swopped them over to WMV and bingo - - - I've got sound and vision - terrific !

 

Thanks to Randy and Plastic Nev for their advice.

 

Now - what else can I ask you - - - I know "why does the screen go slow and" - - - - best start a new thread !

 

Thanks again, H.B.E.

[RandyL]

I'm glad you found a solution. I probably would have done the same thing. I hope it was the free version of AVC that did it for you. Good luck and thanks to you too.