editing Sony Vegas 10/is it me or the system?

[Libby]

I already finished the 12min project I started and editing was a devil in and of itself.

A problem I had was when I would send the finish to Sony dvd archetech...then I would get a flash that read 'Sony is not working at this time' and shut itself off. I would have to open it up again and try to finish the project again...to the same note.

Sometimes I would have to do the whole thing all over again...(I edited the thing so many times I knew what went where )..When it finally worked I made three dvds...but now I cannot make another fourth one because that same notice comes up.

So I would have to make the short all over again.

What was happening was...I made this short...made a dvd...didn't like it because I saw some things I wanted to change ... went back in changed it...made a dvd... didn't like that one again...So this scenerio went on and on...drove me mad..because I was forever finding little things wrong. ANYWAY...I got something I liked together and the thing didn't work for a while.

So, is it me? My computor? Or does Sony Vegas kind of suck?

 

[Cracker Funk]

Wait, what? Surely, you are saving the project as you go along, and before you export to DVD. I'm sorry, but I have a difficult time believing that not only does Sony freeze up (believable) but it erases your project file (difficult to believe). I'm not gonna doubt you if that's truly what you're saying is happening, but if that is truly what's been happening, heck, you could email yourself a copy of the project. Project files are tiny. You shouldn't have had to re-edit the darn thing.

EDIT: Sorry, I never answered your question -- Sony Vegas doesn't suck. Sounds to me like you've got a computer that needs some upgrading, and the problem is compounded by you being maybe a tad green (but that's just a guess). What are your computer's specs, and what type of footage are you editing?

 

[Libby]

I do save it...the first one I did saved and I can pull it out..but the last one no. My guess is it is me because I am GREEN. The freezing I can deal with because I can go back to it later but when I have to start all over again...

Anyway...

Its an HP/Windows Vista...does that help??
I do have a lot of junk on it and want to delete a lot of crap - like Flipshare and some other things I don't use anymore. I have tried but they are still hanging around...so I don't know if I need to purchse some dvd that will 'cleanse' it all out.

 

[Dreadylocks]

No need to waste DVDs to see if you like your finished product. Just do a render instead. Then you won't need to leave Vegas so hopefully it won't freeze up on you.

I also don't understand what the problem is unless you aren't saving the project after you make your edits and before you send it to DVd Architect.

Also, if you're having trouble getting rid of programs and have filled your comp with too much crap. I would suggest putting all your files you want saved on an external, make a list of any programs you actually use and need to reinstall, and then do a complete system restore to factory settings. I do this 2-3 times a year and it really helps my machine run better. Not to mention it forces me to organize all my files so they doesn't get out of hand.

 

[Cracker Funk]

Hey, I hope you didn't think I was making fun of you by calling you "green". I honestly only meant that as an insight that I can see you're kind of a beginner in this thing. That's great, seriously. Everyone is a beginner at some time, and being a beginner is kind of an awesome thing, because that just means that you've jumped into a world of discovery -- something that most people don't do. Most people don't become beginners, they just stick with what they're comfortable with.

Anyway, no, your description of you PC's specs doesn't help figure out what's going on. I was asking about real specifics. Like, what kind of processor, how much RAM, your hard drive, etc. (you can find a lot of this by going to your menu, then right-clicking on "my computer", and selecting "properties").

You talk about having a lot of junk and crap. That will definitely slow down a computer. It's a major hassle, but completely re-installing Windows can be a terrific breath of fresh air for your computer, and you can get it running with the bare minimum of software that you want.

I still don't really understand why you can't open a project that has been saved. I can't understand why you would have to edit the entire thing over, from scratch.

 

[Libby]

Okay maybe this will help - and no I don't get offended by being called green because I am...if I were years in the business and you called me green - I still wouldn't be offended...

Anyway here are the specs...I hope...:
Windows Vista
Intel (R) Core 2 duo cpu
T 6600 @ 2.2GHZ
4 GB Ram
NVIDA Geforce 9300 m gs

Is that it???

 

[Libby]

It has been suggested to get an external. So I would hook that up - put all the stuff I want to keep in that...then clean out my computor?

What would I be looking for in an external? Before I didn't want to invest so much all at once but now I am more into it.

Thanks.

 

[Libby]

...as for Sony Vegas..here is something it does...

I am working on something. I keep going back and forth moving things around. Adding subtracking video footage. I change things, move things and keep playing it back...then it stops. I have to sign off and sign on. Sometimes it comes back sometimes it doesn't. Now, when I am in the middle of working on something I haven't saved it because I am still in the middle of it. But if I were leaving it for a while then I would...if that makes sense...like if I were going to go off for a while...but I don't generally save it if I am just fooling around with things.

As for dvd arch. I have hit save and it takes about 20mins for a 12min short. Then I will send it to dvd arch where it will take another length of time...then Sony will come up with a message stating it isn't working at this time.

I am sure its me.

 

[Cracker Funk]

Hmm, that's a decent computer. Not a supercomputer, but it should do the trick. You didn't mention how much storage you have (the size of your hard drive), but I suspect it's probably of decent size.

An external hard drive is great for backing-up your data, and/or if you want your data to be somewhat mobile. If you want more storage capacity for a working project, I think an internal hard drive is the way to go. Either way, whatever you're trying to achieve, extra storage space is so cheap these days. Internal or external, you can get a TB for close to or less than $100. As far as what you should look for, personally, the only thing I know that's important is that you get 7200 RPM, instead of 5200. Though, if you're getting a new, really large disk, I think they're pretty much all 7200.

 

[zim9000]

Hey there, ive been messing with vegas 10 trial, on Vista myself. Ive got a couple questions. One, is do you know how many Processes you have running in the background of your computer when you are working with Vegas? To check, hit CTRL + ALT+ DEL, then click Start Task Manager, then the Processes tab on the top. It will show your current amount of processes on the bottom left of that window. How many do you have running? Mine is 49 as an example and thats with Opera browser open with 3 tabs and Avast anti-virus. If you have a lot more then that, it could be your problem. Going with the whole, "junk" that is preloaded with your computer possibly.

Another thing, double check Where you are saving your project file, by doing a Save as. Make sure its not on a jump drive or something that you may take out or move to different ports. Or that its saving to something with a small amount of storage.

If you have Aero running, the thing that makes all your window borders and what not transparent, turn it off, as I myself had issues with them both running.

And lastly, when you originally finished your project, or at any point, did you Move your original video files to a different location? The files that you added to your project to trim and put together? Once you make a project with those files in there location, they need to stay there. Otherwise when you open your project file, Vegas will try to open those videos and wont know where to look. Hence giving you and error or telling you to point it to them.

Hope this helps.