28 replies to this topic

[outerbank]

Okay, here's the update on the problem that my old computer takes a very long time to open and save productions (.dmsm files) in VideoWave.  As posted under C2011, Sales Questions, my Dell computer has been in the repair shop for the past week to determine why it takes so long to open and/or save .dmsm files.  The service tech has checked the DMA settings.  DMA is enabled.  He has checked the HD and found it to be properly operating (it's not about to go bad).  To reiterate, virtual memory is set at 1024, or equal to the 1GB of RAM that's installed on the Dell computer.  The service tech has yet to determine what is causing VideoWave to take so long to open/save .dmsm production files.  I'm beginning to suspect Norton Internet Security after visiting the following website: http://thepcspy.com/...ws_down/.  This site shows tests of a number of programs that could be on a computer and their effect upon a computer's performance.  Quite revealing.

The service tech indicated that he should have an answer by this coming Monday afternoon.  Will advise.

[gi7omy]

"...the 1GB of RAM that's installed on the Dell computer..."

From System Requirements:

"...For video editing and conversion and DVD playback Intel Pentium 4 2GHz processor or AMD equivalent and 1GB RAM. Multi-core processor with at least 2GB RAM recommended...."

It will work on 1 GB - but as you found out, it will be SLOW

[outerbank]

To be somewhat more definitive, can you provide an estimate of how slow opening and saving a .dmsm file in VideoWave might be considering the 1GB of available RAM?  In postings elsewhere after describing this problem, some responders indicated that opening and saving a file in VideoWave should take just a few minutes. Hopefully, they were made with the recognition that the computer has 1GB of RAM. In my case, slow means about one hour to open and/or save.  This is for a VideoWave project consisting of about 340 digital images (including several color panels with text, plus text within a number of images); a slow dissolve transition from one image to the next and a music track in which the length of the slide show is fit to the length of the music track.  The duration of the completed project (slide show) is about 38 minutes.  

If the amount of RAM is the problem, then I need to advise the tech service person that is working on the computer so he doesn't continue to look for some other problem.  The reason for pursuing an answer to this problem is that I just purchased a new more powerful computer and am considering upgrading to Creator 2011 using this computer.  But before I do, I want to make sure that the same problem doesn't exist with this new computer.  I've been looking at several other software programs.  One describes a feature that is attractive.  For example, when a change is made to a project this software makes the change without redoing the entire project such as how Roxio Creator does.  However, I'm not anxious to go through another learning curve that certainly will be required with different video editing software. It was painful enough learning Creator 2009.  

Thanks.

[sknis]

outerbank, on 31 January 2011 - 07:44 AM, said:

To be somewhat more definitive, can you provide an estimate of how slow opening and saving a .dmsm file in VideoWave might be considering the 1GB of available RAM?  In postings elsewhere after describing this problem, some responders indicated that opening and saving a file in VideoWave should take just a few minutes. Hopefully, they were made with the recognition that the computer has 1GB of RAM. In my case, slow means about one hour to open and/or save.  This is for a VideoWave project consisting of about 340 digital images (including several color panels with text, plus text within a number of images); a slow dissolve transition from one image to the next and a music track in which the length of the slide show is fit to the length of the music track.  The duration of the completed project (slide show) is about 38 minutes.  

If the amount of RAM is the problem, then I need to advise the tech service person that is working on the computer so he doesn't continue to look for some other problem.  The reason for pursuing an answer to this problem is that I just purchased a new more powerful computer and am considering upgrading to Creator 2011 using this computer.  But before I do, I want to make sure that the same problem doesn't exist with this new computer.  I've been looking at several other software programs.  One describes a feature that is attractive.  For example, when a change is made to a project this software makes the change without redoing the entire project such as how Roxio Creator does.  However, I'm not anxious to go through another learning curve that certainly will be required with different video editing software. It was painful enough learning Creator 2009.  

Thanks.

Hey outer, I'm not sure where you get your information from.  In all Creator and Easy Media Creator projects, if you save or resave the project, it should be less than or about one minute even with 1G memory.  As we've told you in the past, all you are doing is saving a roadmap to the resources that you are using in that project.  You are NOT saving the entire project; just making changes to the roadmap.  If you do a lot of editing, just clear the proxy files and they will be rebuilt almost immediately.

I looked at the size of a couple of files dmsm files are typically a couple of hundred KB and the dat files are somewhat smaller.  I can't see why creating or editing a 200kb file should take so long.

Have you ever tried "Soluto".  It is primarily designed to speed up the boot time of your computer by making some programs/application/services not run at boot but run only when you need them to.  It is the same as Windows msconfig and setting what starts at boot.  This is a little easier to determine what is running and what can safely not run at boot.

Before you load your anti-virus, try downloading and trying something like "Vipre" anti-virus.  It doesn't slow down my computer to any extent and that is what they advertise.  You don't have two anti-virus running together now do you?  What do you use for anti-malware?

If the repairman can't solve your issues, try my suggestions.

[outerbank]

I'm not sure what you are specifically referring to when asking where I get my info from.  Much of what I have learned about Creator 2009 has come from people on this forum.  With all due respect, at times the responses are confusing and sometimes they seem counter-productive.  What I am attempting to do is sort out why my old computer is taking so long to open/save .dmsm files in VideoWave. I don't want to have the same problem with the new computer and C2011.  If I appear confused it's because of gi7omy's response that 1GB of RAM may be the cause of the slow open/save operation.  This caught me off-guard because in previous posts, responders seemed to indicate that the open and save operations are relatively short, just for the reasons you described.  And I accepted this as fact.  However, gi7omy's comment introduced an entirely different factor, which had not been raised by others on the forum.  No I have not used either Soluto or Vipre.  Will mention this to the tech service guy.

[gi7omy]

My comment was more in the line of the bare minimum spec is just that - a bare minimum. It's similar to MS. I recall a laptop (brand new) with Vista installed and running on 'bare minimum' of RAM - it took 10 MINUTES after switch on before you could open an app on it.

Slowness in handling .dmsm files is another matter but it's possible the system resources are being stretched running the OS which would account for sluggish behaviour, especially if you are running Vista or Windows 7

[outerbank]

Not running Vista or Win 7, but Win XP SP2 (see profile). Relayed the info about Soluto to the tech service guy.  He is familiar with this utility.  Says that he uses something else to get the same info.  As to the possibility of Norton Internet Security interfering with open and/or save functions while in VideoWave, tech guy says that he has Norton pretty much disabled while performing these operations.  Still slow.  Checking on malware, but doesn't believe anything is on the computer.

Boy is this going to cost me, if and when he sorts out the problem.

[sknis]

Have you installed XP -SP3?  I'm even sure what improvements were made in that SP.  

Trash Norton entirely !  Why didn't he remove it to begin with.  What is "pretty much disabled"?

I hope you hold a little back until he gets it fixed to your satisfaction.  I also hope he is a local and not one of the "Crew" type repair services.  One charged a friend of mine almost $300 to remove a virus and he didn't.  He forgot to clear the restore files so it kept coming back !  

Edited by sknis, 31 January 2011 - 03:27 PM.

[outerbank]

The tech service guy is local.  In fact, he is a two person operation. Not sure I comprehend your sentence about improvements made in that SP.  Were you trying to say that you don't know what improvements are in SP3, or something else?  My understanding is that SP3 contains a roll-up of all the updates to when SP3 was released, plus what appears to be some ancillary functions.  Since I was diligent in downloading and installing important updates from the time I bought the computer, and because of the apparent risks of updating to SP3, I decided not to do it.  I do recognize that I forego receiving future security updates, other than Microsoft' malicious software update.  

Moreover, I really don't understand how not updating to SP3, if that's what you are inferring, would impact the operation of VideoWave.  After all, Creator 2009 existed long before SP3 became available, and C2009 was installed on my computer prior to the release of this update.  As to Norton being pretty much disabled, that's my description.  Removing Norton entirely is the next step.  Although quite frankly, I don't hold much hope this will be the solution.  I'm beginning to believe that the VideoWave program is damaged in some manner since all other functions within Creator 2009 operate without any problem.  Nor are any other of the other programs installed on the computer negatively affected.  

In any event, thanks to all for the suggestions.  If the problem isn't resolved by today I'm pulling the plug on continuing to pursue a solution.

[ogdens]

If you decide to get Creator 2011...for new computer

Roxio has a 30-day money back guarantee* for  products purchased  directly from Roxio through our online store or over  the telephone with  our Inside Sales department. Shipping charges will  not be refunded.

[grandpabruce]

outerbank, on 01 February 2011 - 07:11 AM, said:

Moreover, I really don't understand how not updating to SP3, if that's what you are inferring, would impact the operation of VideoWave.  After all, Creator 2009 existed long before SP3 became available, and C2009 was installed on my computer prior to the release of this update.

Wrong.  SP3, for XP, was released in April, or May, of 2008.  Creator 2009 was not released until late August, or early September, of 2008.

[outerbank]

Okay, I'm wrong about when Microsoft SP3 was released.  Are you suggesting that not updating to SP3 is causing the problem with VideoWave?  If so, wouldn't this problem have surfaced with users of C2009 prior to its release?

[outerbank]

Let me correct my last comment. Why didn't the problem appear at the very outset of loading C2009 on my computer?  This problem is a recent event.

[sknis]

outerbank, on 01 February 2011 - 01:44 PM, said:

Let me correct my last comment. Why didn't the problem appear at the very outset of loading C2009 on my computer?  This problem is a recent event.

Is that a new piece of information that you are now providing?  I don't rememebr you ever saying that it worked correctly and now it doesn't.  How long ago did it start?   Did you change any hardware between the time it worked and when it didn't.  Do you remember adding any softwware  or tweak your computer settings. Are you saving the files to your system drive or another hard drive or a remote drive/ USb connected hard drive?

I'm not sure if that will help in determine what the problem is but at least we know that something caused it to change.

Edited by sknis, 01 February 2011 - 02:19 PM.

[outerbank]

Spent quite a bit of time browsing the forum specifically looking for anything related to VideoWave.  Found the following:

Posting by Ryan;  date of post 26 August 2009 @ 11:57 PM
Subject of post: Slide Show Too Slow

This person appears to have had a similar if not identical experience as myself.

Recommendation is made to go into Media Manager and turn off catalog; all the image, video and music files.  Is this a possible source of the problem?  Does having catalog turned on have an affect on opening and saving VideoWave files? Just discovered this post last night.  Haven't been able to inform the tech service person because of a blinding snowstorm last night and this morning.  Called his store but no answer.  Had to remove a 4 foot high snowdrift from in front of the garage door and in front of the front door.  The city has yet to plow the street.  Can't go anywhere.  he's most likely in a similar situation.  The snow fall was 20" in our city.

[outerbank]

Here's some additional info about this post.  It is under "Audio/Video Capture & Output, page 7.

[myguggi]

outerbank, on 02 February 2011 - 12:49 PM, said:

Here's some additional info about this post.  It is under "Audio/Video Capture & Output, page 7.

Why don't you simply supply the link to the post?

[outerbank]

I have another question as it relates to why VideoWave on my computer takes so long to open and/or save a .dmsm file.  According to the gurus, opening and/or saving a file should only require a few minutes because all VideoWave does is create a pathway to the source files that are used for the project.  I hope this is the correct description of how VideoWave functions.  Can the path taken to get to the source files influence how long open and/or save take?  That is, I did not copy the images to a "Flow" folder as outlined by Jim Hardin in his informational piece "Video Workflow Strategy".  Instead, the digital images remained in the folder into which they were downloaded to.  This folder is under the My Pictures folder.

[myguggi]

outerbank, on 02 February 2011 - 06:31 PM, said:

I have another question as it relates to why VideoWave on my computer takes so long to open and/or save a .dmsm file.  According to the gurus, opening and/or saving a file should only require a few minutes because all VideoWave does is create a pathway to the source files that are used for the project.  I hope this is the correct description of how VideoWave functions.  Can the path taken to get to the source files influence how long open and/or save take?  That is, I did not copy the images to a "Flow" folder as outlined by Jim Hardin in his informational piece "Video Workflow Strategy".  Instead, the digital images remained in the folder into which they were downloaded to.  This folder is under the My Pictures folder.

No, the path has no noticeable effect on the save or load time of the dmsm files.

A Videowave dmsm project file is just a text file containing the list and path of videos, photos and audio files used in your project. In addition it contains the instructions of making transitions, effects, etc.  If you change the extension from dmsm to xml you can actually examine the file using Word, an XML editor or any text editor.

[outerbank]

Thank you, I didn't think the path to the source files mattered much.