DataVideo HDR-1 standalone H.264 recorder codec issues with Vegas 15 and 16

[George Dean]

Larry, I’m going to start with an assumption, you have Vegas 12 and 14, along with Vegas 15 and 16 still installed on your computer, so you can make a side-by-side comparison and not working from memory….correct?

Can you post a screenshot of your source media specs using Mediainfo in the Text mode?

Best Regards……George

[Larry Brewer]

George,

Yes. I have all 4 loaded and did back to back trials on a windows 7 PC, Intel i7 4790, 8 thread, 32GB ram.

The info you requested looks like this..

General
Complete name : F:\XXXXXXXXX\HDR1 records\022519 am pgm2\022519 am pgm1 am\022519-1111.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size : 4.93 GiB
Duration : 58 min 15 s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 12.1 Mb/s
Description : AverMedia_HDR-1_001.900.Z03
Encoded date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
Tagged date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
Writing application : Lavf53.3.0
Comment : Quality_FINE

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings : CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, RefFrames : 2 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 58 min 15 s
Bit rate : 12.0 Mb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 59.940 (59940/1000) FPS
Minimum frame rate : 59.940 FPS
Maximum frame rate : 60.000 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan type, store method : Separated fields
Scan order : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.096
Stream size : 4.87 GiB (99%)
Encoded date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
Tagged date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 58 min 15 s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 128 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 53.3 MiB (1%)
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1
Encoded date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
Tagged date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00

[George Dean]

Larry, your source media looks good with 2 exceptions…..

Frame rate mode : Variable can the DataVideo HDR-1 record ‘Constant Frame Rate’. Most NLE, including Vegas, do not prefer variable frame rate. I have gotten success in the past with some variable frame rate source, but it is always easier on the NLE to either record Constant Frame Rate, or convert the source before placing in Vegas. I know you say it works in 12/14, but variable frame rate just isn’t the best if we can get constant.

Scan type : Interlaced
Scan type, store method : Separated fields
Scan order : Top Field First
Is there a specific reason you are recording ‘interlaced’ as opposed to ‘progressive’? There is nothing wrong with interlaced if you are going to render your deliverables in DVD, or Bluray, or for some other reason. If you are publishing on the web, viewing on a PC, or showing on a flat screen TV, you are better off with progressive.

Have you open Vegas 14 and Vegas 16 at the same time so you can quick switch between them, even size them so you can view them at the same time and then went through the Preferences settings, as well as, the project settings to determine if there is anything different? Although Vegas Pro 14 was distributed from Magix, it is pretty much the same as Sony Vegas Pro 13. In Vegas Pro 15/16, Magix has made considerable changes. Hopefully for the good, although I’m sure you don’t feel that way at this time!!!

Best Regards……George

[Larry Brewer]

Frame rate mode : Variable… No the HDR-1 cannot be switched to CBR (constant BIT rate) it always records VBR (variable bit rate)

Scan type : Interlaced… I’m recording the output of a switcher that is 1080i. 1080i because the cameras the client uses are 1080i

I’ve checked the project preferences and they are the same. I’m thinking there is a codec in VP-12 and VP-14 that is missing in VP-15 and VP-16. This would most likely be due to the Magix influence. The Main Concept AVC/AAC avc, mp4 render option is missing from the version 15 and 16, but is present in the version 12 and 14. It seems an unlikely coincidence that the the problem follows the absence of that codec, and the successful renders follow the presence of that codec. Now to get that codec into versions 15 and 16. If you’ve got suggestions on how to do that I would appreciate help in that direction. Thanks!

Larry Brewer

[George Dean]

If that is the case, there is an easy fix. Go Option > and then while holding down the ‘Shift’ key, click on Preferences. This will expose the ‘Internal’ tab, top right, click on it. At the bottom search type in ‘Main’ that will bring up the ‘Enable Legacy Mainconcept’ change the ‘FALSE’ to ‘TRUE’, click on ‘Apply’ then ‘OK’ and you are all set. I don’t think you have to re-start Vegas, but maybe.

Best Regards……George

[Larry Brewer]

Thank you for that helpful information. I had once known about the “internal” tab and the settings it had hidden from the users. But had long since forgotten how to get there.

Unfortunately, it didn’t fix the issue. I did restart Vegas 15 after making the change, but still no dice. The Mainconcept render option did appear in list where it wasn’t before.

I wonder if just returning the render option to the render list is all that would be required. After all, the problem is my ability to play these files that’s compromised. Do you know where I can find the folder that has all the codecs? Is there such a folder?

thanks,

Larry BBrewer

[George Dean]

Hi Larry, I didn’t think that would do you. Before you start messing around with the codec hack, can you record a short segment (not to large in size) and upload it to a sharing site that I can download it and duplicate your issue? Maybe it’s not Vegas 15/16, rahter something in your system. I have Vegas 13/14 trial and Vegas 15/16.

Best Regards……George

[Larry Brewer]

try this link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gfVeYNNEMObW3JZoE8gn1vh6pAbxY5mP/view?usp=sharing

just tested this in 15 and 16 and it will not play. 12 and 14 plays just fine.

Larry Brewer

[George Dean]

Hi Larry,

I have good news and bad news!!

The Good, you are not going crazy (you knew that), and I’m not going crazy (I wasn’t sure of that)!!

The Bad, your sample does the same for me as it does for you.

Actually this may be good news, because we have now determined there is nothing in your system that is causing it, unless we beat the odds of probably a million to 1 that both our systems are screwed!

I’m thinking maybe this should be posted in the Vegas Creative Software Forums. I can do it if you prefer, but it would probably better if you do. What do you think about that?

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/vegas-pro-forum/

Best Regards……George

[Ole Kristiansen]

Go to your C-drive – Programs – Vegas – Vegas Pro 16 – FileIO Plug Ins – Rename so4compoundplug to REMso4compoundplug – Vegas pro 16 – will then use compoundplug.dll and you can play your footage !