Program doesn't create avi file

[digicamhelp]

I used to be able to create an AVI file using an earlier version of Pix2Exe and Windows XP. I am now using the latest version of the program and Microsoft Vista. When I try to save an AVI nothing happens. Nothing is saved, even though the program indicates that it has been saved (the save process is much too fast). I have no problem previewing it.

Please advise. Thank you.

[Guest Techman1]

Welcome to the forum!

What parameters are you selecting when you create the AVI file? What Codec are you trying to save your file with? Provide Screen shots if you can, so we can see the different Codec's installed on your PC.

I am not running Vista currently, so I may only be able to help to a point. I know others are running it here, so I'm sure someone will be able to help you if I can't.

Regards,

Fred

[digicamhelp]

Thanks.

I don't know much about this stuff, so I just leave everything at the default settings for creating an avi file, same as I did when using Windows XP.

Since I first posted, I did a Vista update. Now the file saves, plays correctly, but the image is totally black. Any other suggestions. Thanks again.

[Guest Techman1]

Typically if the show plays and is black then you are creating a temporary AVI file and you must leave PTE open to see it play completely. Try leaving PTE open and don't click on the "Finish" button. Minimize PTE and then try to play the AVI file again. Does it show correctly now?

Let us know,

Fred

[digicamhelp]

OK, I just tried again and discovered that Vista obviously doesn't like the Pix2Exe video codec. When that codec is used, the resulting file is only about 17KB. There is obviously nothing in the file.

I next made an AVI file with Microsot Video 1 and it saves normally and in a normal file size. It runs, but it's still black.

I then tried with Cinepak and it works.

To be honest, I don't even know what a codec is so I obviously don't know which one I should use. All I do know is that I never changed a setting when using Pix2Exe on an XP machine and my AVI files were just fine.

If you could suggest recommended settings, it would be greatly appreciated. I want to create a DVD for television viewing, one that will also play on PC and Mac computers. Don't want to use a lot of compression as I like top quality images.

Thanks for sticking with me on this Fred. I very much appreciate the help.

gail

[Guest Techman1]

Gail,

Just try to create a DVD-Video Disc AVI file. Same section, but just select the button for this. See below:

Don't click on "Finish" after it creates it, minimize PTE and then try to play it again. See if you can view the actual slideshow by double-clicking on the newly created AVI file.

If this doesn't work, someone that is running Vista will have to try to help. I'm not sure why you can't view the AVI's being created.

Regards,

Fred

[nobeefstu]

gail

See this Post/Topic:

(You can ignore the Movie Factory reference ... as this does not relate to you.)

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index....ost&p=44486

Heres a link to download Xvid v113:

http://www.divx-digest.com/software/xvid.html#downloads

There are other codecs available ... but you must decide freeware vs shareware.

**Remember ... both you and your intended users pc must have the same codec installed when playing/using the stand-alone AVIs ... otherwise the AVIs wont play because it needs to be decoded by the same codec to play in Win Media Player.

------------

OK, I just tried again and discovered that Vista obviously doesn't like the Pix2Exe video codec. When that codec is used, the resulting file is only about 17KB. There is obviously nothing in the file

Thers is no issue with Vista and the PTE Codec. Its just your using it to create a stand-alone custom AVI which is not the intended purpose of the PTE Codec. The PTE Codec (gives high quality reproduction) is for importing the Custom Avi to another third party video software. It creates a Temp Avi ... and PTE must remain open while the file is in use in the other software. Read Fred's comments.

Note:

I want to create a DVD for television viewing, one that will also play on PC and Mac computers. Don't want to use a lot of compression as I like top quality images.

There is no need to create a Custom AVI to burn a DVD ... just use Video Builder. Even if you may not have purchased the Deluxe edition yet ... you can still create a DVD using the Video Builder which contains a "Created with Trial Version of Video Builder" banner. Just click - Burn DVD Video Disc/OK and not the Load a Key button to perform the trial

[Ken Cox]

GAIL

"To be honest, I don't even know what a codec is "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codec

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=wh...earch&meta=

KEN

[digicamhelp]

Just try to create a DVD-Video Disc AVI file. Same section, but just select the button for this. See below:

Don't click on "Finish" after it creates it, minimize PTE and then try to play it again. See if you can view the actual slideshow by double-clicking on the newly created AVI file.

Unfortunately it still doesn't work. That's the program default setting and I've tried many times.

I just found a few free programs that came with my new computer that make videos from stills; not as fancy or sophiticated as I used to be able to do when using Pix2Exe with XP. But then, the dvds I make are not fancy or sophisticated; the are simply a way to look at family photos and videos on the TV.

To everyone else, thanks for the information.

[Ken Cox]

Gail

"I then tried with Cinepak and it works."

if you have a saved avi made with "cinepak", why dont you import it into video buider deluxe

or

another authoring suite like example Nero express and make your dvd ?

btw

cinepak =

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&c2co...on&ct=title

dont give up now

ken

[alrobin]

Gail,

Why are you trying to create an "avi" file? Why not go directly to a "dvd" like nobeefstu suggested? "Avi's" are a bit dated, anyway, and were only used with PTE originally in order to create an intermediate format that a 3rd party program like Nero, etc., could use to produce a dvd. Today we can go directly to a dvd with VideoBuilder. This is the best way to share slideshows with people without pc's or with macs.

[digicamhelp]

Gail,

Why are you trying to create an "avi" file? Why not go directly to a "dvd" like nobeefstu suggested? "Avi's" are a bit dated, anyway, and were only used with PTE originally in order to create an intermediate format that a 3rd party program like Nero, etc., could use to produce a dvd. Today we can go directly to a dvd with VideoBuilder. This is the best way to share slideshows with people without pc's or with macs.

Forgive my ignorance but what is video builder? I did a search and only came up with this, which doesn't tell me much. http://www.videobuilder.com/vb/cnsm/cnsm_main.aspx

I do appreciate everyones help but the fact is that I've made two dvds in the past three-four years. Going forward, if I make 1 or 2 a year, it will be a lot. My grandson enjoys watching videos I take of him and his baby sister. The videos are simple things I take in with the built-in video capabilities of my Canon digital cameras. But I do have hundreds of photos that I need to get into a slideshow that will play on a dvd.

Get me a new camera and I'll play with it for hours each day for weeks before taking what I consider a photograph. I'll read the manual 3-4 times. But ask me to look up what codec means and I'm really not interested because I just don't have the time, particularly in light of how little I do this.

I've been using Pix2Exe for years and I've seen it mature. How wonderful the improvements and sophistication for regular users. But if it no longer meets MY needs, then I will look for something much simpler. I have Roxio Basic DVD and Windows DVD maker on my new notebook and I think they will serve my needs.

Again, I sincerely appreciate everyone's input.

Thanks every so much.

gail

[Ken Cox]

GAIL

SEE

http://www.wnsoft.com/

http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/index.html

PicturesToExe Deluxe

VideoBuilder in PicturesToExe Deluxe allows you to quickly and easily burn DVD-Video discs from your slide shows

KEN

[alrobin]

Forgive my ignorance but what is video builder?

Gail,

As Ken indicated, Video Builder is the name of the DVD program that is bundled into the software package when you purchase the new "PTE Deluxe". It also includes the latest PTE v.5. So you probably have it already in a separate folder in the PicturesToExe folder. You have to purchase a new registration key in order to use it, however.

If you enjoy using PTE, there is no need to stop, just because it now contains a lot more new features (after all, the main program is free for all former users of PTE v.4.). Most of the basic operations of the program are still the same, or at least similar.

Note: I should have said "when you download the new 'PTE Deluxe', not "purchase" it. If you purchase the entire deluxe package, you should receive the registration key for Video Builder at the same time as the regular key for PTE. If you already have PTE, you can upgrade to "PTE Deluxe", and just pay for the Video Builder portion.

[digicamhelp]

GAIL

SEE

http://www.wnsoft.com/

http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/index.html

PicturesToExe Deluxe

VideoBuilder in PicturesToExe Deluxe allows you to quickly and easily burn DVD-Video discs from your slide shows

Okay, now I think I'm catching on. Sorry to be so slow.

I'm actually using the Deluxe version. What I'm trying to do is not only burn a photo slideshow into a dvd, but use menus, chapters and sub-chapters. Pix2Exe doesn't recognize my digital camera avi files so, as far as I know, I can only accomplish my goal with a program such as My DVD.

You have to purchase a new registration key in order to use it, however.

Now I'm catching on ever further. I'll read more about it and see if purchasing the new registration key will be worth it for me. I do really like the program.

[digicamhelp]

Does the full version let you to use avi and video files created with, say, a digital camera? Or does it only give you the ability to create an AVI video file, not use them from other sources like you can with jpegs?

[Ken Cox]

as yet only stuff from p2e program

avi's from your camera will not be accepted with videobuilder

they can be difficult to encode can even with 3rd party software --in the past i have to run avi's from my daughters HP camera thru another program and convert them to mpegs in order for nero to accept them

it is a jungle out there:)

ken

[alrobin]

Gail,

See the correction above to my previous post - didn't want you to think you had to pay for still another key if you had purchased the whole "PTE Deluxe" package. If you simply upgraded to PTE v.5 from v.4, you would have received the software for VB, but not the license to use it.

Re the avi's, Video Builder is designed to accept version 5 slideshows or video files such as "avi". However, I'm not sure if it will accept all "avi" files. Ken says "no", and he is usually right. However, you could try it (there is a free trial period for Video Builder). It does accept avi files created in VB itself, and it will also create avi files of your PTE shows to use with other third-party video programs.

[nobeefstu]

Gail,

Does your DV camera allow you to save the DV data to an AVI type-1 file ?

Type-1 files store the interleaved data as one stream in the AVI file.

If you can try and load it into Video Builder ... but if you see a big Red X its not compatable.

I believe AVI type-2 files wont work. Type-2 files split the interleaved data into separate audio and video streams.

I recall awhile back that a pte user was able use AVI type-1 files in Video Builder.

When I find the Post ... I will add the link here.

** See Ken's post below for the link

Edited :

Ken ... great find ... thats the post !

[Ken Cox]

Stu

this one?

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index....amp;#entry42516

forgot about that thread

ken

[alrobin]

Thanks, Ken, for the reminder. I had forgotten about that thread, too - after all it was way back in June!

[Ken Cox]

good thing STU has decided to rejoin the forum to keep us old canucks on our toes eh

the other one i forgot about was the network problem at at a school -- Brian had to jog me

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7240

too much too little time

ken