CompuServe Thread

#Initial 4.06 Comments

12 messages in this thread
#121732From: Greg W. RodenrothSep 8, 1995 12:19 AM
Yo Chuck…Got another problem for you to solve. In the Files\Files mode, you can't reliably copy files, or at least, I can't. And I've tried every combo I can think of. Video A to Video B, Video B to Video A, Audio to Video B, Video B to Audio, Audio to Video A, and Video A to Audio. And I tried it while standing on my head. I get a variety of errors. The first error was that the info copied over and showed it to be there, but when you played the clip, nothing was there. The second error I got was that the previous files that I had copied would assume the icon identity, of the last file I copied. I would go to play these files and they would be okay, but they would have the wrong icon. Sometimes I'd go to play these files and they wouldn't play at all. The third error type I ran into was that Icons already existing on the drive would either have mystery icons, which would crash if you touched them, or another type of icon which I can't identify. Either way, they wouldn't play. Fortunately, I didn't lose any vital clips. Also, I have a question about Reorganization. I had a drive with 8 minutes available, but would have 27 minutes if I reoranized. So I did the smart thing and reorganized. It took the drive 15 to 20 minutes to do the job. But when it came up, I had gained a couple of minutes, not the full 27 I wanted. The drive said I now had 10 minutes available, 27 minutes if I reorganized. Once again, I reorganized. It took another 1 to 20 minutes. I gained only about a minute. I then reorganized again. This time I gained about 13 minutes. That was close enough, although I did try one more time. I gained nothing. What gives??? It took 15 to 20 minutes each time I reorganized. Why didn't I get it all back at once. Regards GMAN
#121751From: Norman AustinSep 8, 1995 9:29 AM
PMFJI Greg, I also copied clips in the files/files mode and my project was destroyed. Some clips would get stuck on one frame and sit there stuttering until the full length of the clip had played. I stepped through one clip one frame at a time and discovered that the one frame that the clip always stopped on would be repeated for ten frames (five clicks) as I stepped through going forward and 34 frames (17 clicks) as I stepped through going backwards. I don't know what the hell this means, but I do not have a backup of this project and must completely re-shoot it. I originally copied these files because I noticed that whenever there was a transition from clip to clip on the same drive, for an instant, whatever was next in line on the other drive would peep through. I reasoned that this would go away if I had each clip playing from alternating drives, but….! I'm using two Micropolis 9gig drives, one an A/V and one a non-A/V. Anyone else seeing this peeping through of video before a transition from two clips on the same drive? Regards, Norman Austin 70743,1535
#121927From: henry tellerSep 10, 1995 12:33 PM
Greg, I'm not sure whether this is a 4.06 problem or not, but I've been on the Micropolis forum several times and the word is out on Micropolis. Seems they have been getting a bad batch of bearings for their drives and some of those drives are acting so bad, that the users refuse to buy ANY MORE Micropolis drives. I would contact your dealer and see if he has any further input. The 9GB ones were specifically mentioned, although it seems to be effecting other ones as well. Hank Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and Service under all circumstances
#122097From: Mark A. Reilly_PRE!Sep 11, 1995 8:01 PM
Hank, Just read your comment relating to the 9GIG Micropolis drives with respect to "bearings" problem. I went over to the Microp board to check on this. Unless I'm not reading the threads right, the 9GIG is practically the only drive which does not seem to be affected by the "bearing" problems. I only saw one guy mention a "noise" that he heard on his 9GIG, but no specific mention of "bearing" problem was mentioned in the sysop answer. I will say however that, based on the other threads there, I don't think I could recommend the 4221, 3221, 3243 ?, or whatever else they're making at the moment. Just curious where you saw this info? (I sell a number of these drives on RAID 0,1 & 5 systems and I'm using them in my Flyer). Thanx, Mark
#122111From: Sam KanterSep 11, 1995 8:56 PM
Mark, According to Sam Sawyer at Micropolis, it was the 2 and 3G drives that had a bad bunch of bearings. He said there was no problem with the 9G and that it was very reliable. I then reminded him that my 9G had DIED and that I was awaiting a replacement!
#122433From: Mark A. Reilly_PRE!Sep 13, 1995 11:40 PM
To Sam or any of you other NYC guys: Any interest in doing a 50th wedding anniversary at Tavern on the Green, NYC? Late Oct on a Sunday.. 4 hours aquisition & some editing .. willl need to send her a demo tape.. I have her info if anyone is interested. I sent her a wedding demo tape of mine, she said it was "fantastic" but that she didn't need all that good hard editing kind of stuff (also didn't want to pay my price for 2 camera job…. said she only wants 1 camera – sorry, I always go 2 cameras .. I believe in Murphys Law. (she also wanted to know if I really had to use a light… naturally I told her not to worry and that shooting in total pitch-black darkness would be just fine.. we of course would just strap on the "usual infrared nite-vision lens goggles" for a really fine video… no I didn't really say that). I'm on Long Island and don't really care to trek into the city unless I'm getting paid for it. .. 4 hours becomes 7 hours for me.) Anyway, since this is really an "Initial 4.06 Comments" thread, here's my take: Intial 4.06 software seems solid. Found some problems in the sequencer when I used the edit-to-music feature after it locked the croutons to the "time-base" for the sake of the audio. The automatic feature that tells you how many frames you're off for a proper sequence transition (even a dissolve) kept fighting with the edit-to-music feature. I the human, took care of it. I can live with this. Seems that just the fact that you can play a 2 frame still or clip makes this product a whole different animal than what it was in any previous version and I have yet to find the program time base go off from the music-video split second timing that I have done (even when I play from the middle or end of the project). Really doing some fun stuff with this thing. Newtek, this is very good! Still experimenting with the CG over clips & stills, but so far OK. Slow-mo rexx crouton did not work for me inside the program (only generated 2 frames for a 1/2 slow-mo thing.. however, did work for me when run from a shell.. and it looked good enough that Sony probably lost a sale on an EVO9820. (Hey $5K savings right there). Newtek, this is good! Still have occasional video (not audio) studder (HQ5 only). Only it seems more drive related than sequencer related. Weird part is that I almost only seem to get it when I create multiple clips from what I call the "bulk" make clips panel, say 20 clips at a time. Out of 20 clips perhaps 2-3 have some studder.. usually can be edited out so not a problem. If I record those clips "1 at a time, at the same time, at the same spot on the drive (or so it would seem) " alas, no studder. Hmmmm … still seems like a software issue. Newtek, investigation possibly required here. Lastly, I am able to do things on this Flyer now that would take at least 10 times longer on the TAO editor (or perhaps not even possible) so that finally I feel that this Flyer system is actually starting to put out… so much so that next week will be adding 2 more Microp 9GIGS to the already existing 2 Microp 9GIGS. Gee, that's about 2 hours & 12 mins of HQ5… I hope that someone has tested more than one drive on each leg out there. Hmmmm ..we'll see how it goes. Well Newtek, looking good but we're still putting this thing through the paces. Hope that 4.07 is out before I find something that I don't like. Promise I'll let you know. That's it for now. Mark
#122463From: Norman AustinSep 14, 1995 9:28 AM
Mark, PMFJI, but which Micropolis drives do you have? I have two Micropolis 9gigs, one A/V and one non-A/V and the A/V drive failed the drive speed test for HQ5 that came with 4.06. None of the drive was HQ5 capable, although I have been using HQ5 with it and individual clips play fine. The non A/V drive tested 81% capable of HQ5, and when I've had problems with the stuttering, it is usually with the non A/V drive. Something's screwy. Regards, Norman Austin 70743,1535
#122491From: Sam KanterSep 14, 1995 1:08 PM
Mark, First, I might be interested in doing the anniversary party if the price is right. What was your price (that they considered too high)? Th That would give me an idea if I can come to a reasonable fee for a one-camera shoot. Re 4.06 — Which Micropolis drives do you use and which are you getting? are they A/V or non-A/V? You should be aware of a firmware update that I'll be receiving (any day now) for the A/V model that should offer improved performance.
#122256From: henry tellerSep 12, 1995 6:08 PM
Hi Mark, Just checked the postings. Here is all I found about the 1991 concerning the Flyer/Firmware. ***
#121997From: Greg W. RodenrothSep 11, 1995 12:05 AM
" I don't know what the hell this means, but I do not have a backup of this project and must completely re-shoot it." What happened to your source tape? Can't you simply redigitize the footage? Regards GMAN
#122084From: Norman AustinSep 11, 1995 6:23 PM
Greg, I recorded everything directly to the Flyer, so as to have a higher quality initial output. I know better now, but, as "they" say, hindsight IS 20 20. Regards, Norman Austin 70743,1535
#122060From: RAD Moose @ NewTek, Inc.Sep 11, 1995 5:02 PM
Sounds like more fodder for the Test gang to me. Most of the copy problems you describe I have encountered and reported, and they are working to correct those. Chuck.