Mediatab files too large?

[David12846]

I have used Movie Maker (Version 2.1.4026.0) to edit about 50-60 movies. I
have saved the completed movies and the MSWMM files to an external hard
drive. I opened Movie maker this evening to import and edit another movie. It
said my Collections file was corrupt. I copied the Mediatab files from my
on-line backup service back into the Moviemaker sub-directory. There were
four MEDIATABn.DAT files, where n was 0, 1, 2, and 3. Each MEDIATABn file was
between 50,000 and 60,000KB. I was then able to start Movie Maker and "my
Collections" were listed.

While using Movie Maker (removing/editing clips, jumping ahead a few clips,
etc), the program would freeze. Eventually I would get a message "The
operation completed successfully", and then I could continue.

I have a few questions (sorry).

A) Is there a KB limit to the size of the MEDIATAB.DAT database?
B) If there is a size limit, can I move the MEDIATAB.DAT files to someplace
else, and move it back into the Moviemaker sub-directory IF I need to work on
a particular movie again?
C) Since I've saved each MSWMM file, do I really need to keep files in "my
Collection"?

In advance, THANKS !!
David

 

[PapaJohn]

A - I'm not aware of a size limit for a collection database... I've built
them up to about 11,000 clips
B - yes, you not only can put them someplace, but you should be backing them
up if they are important to you.... note that when putting one back, check
the numeric suffix of the current collection file and rename the one you
want to use to that number.
C - once the clips are in a project the clips in the collection are not
needed.

See my website's Manage Your Files > Collections page for more info...

 

[David12846]

PapaJohn - Thanks for the information ! Your website has tons of information!

I was able to copy the MEDIATABn.DAT file back into the proper
sub-directory. I successfully imported another mpg file, edited it, then
saved the resulting movie file. I then closed Movie Maker. I did this for a
couple of movies. Each time I closed Movie Maker, I copied the new
MEDIATABn.DAT file to another directory just in case.

Now I'm running into the "Corrupt Database" message again. I close Movie
Maker and delete the newly created database. I then copy the previous
MEDIATABn.DAT file back into the sub-directory.

I then started Movie Maker again, and I don't get the "Corrupt Database"
message. I re-import the previous mpg movie into "my collections", close
Movie Maker, and open it back up.... and the "Corrupt Database" message
appears again. (

I'm wondering if Movie Maker just doesn't like the movie "History Of
Christmas Customs". Maybe I'll try importing a different movie, or maybe I'll
put THIS movie into it's own MEDIATAB file and see if I can open Movie Maker
without the error message appearing (I would think it SHOULD open ok).

I wish there was a way to move files in "my collection" into separate
databases.

 

[PapaJohn]

If your .mpg files are MPEG2... they might be what's doing it.

I've never seen a utility that could move files from one collection database
to another.... I use MM2 to built separate databases that can be imported
into MM2.1 in a couple seconds as needed.
--
website references are to www.papajohn.org

PapaJohn (MVP)

PapaJohn - Thanks for the information ! Your website has tons of
information!

I was able to copy the MEDIATABn.DAT file back into the proper
sub-directory. I successfully imported another mpg file, edited it, then
saved the resulting movie file. I then closed Movie Maker. I did this for
a
couple of movies. Each time I closed Movie Maker, I copied the new
MEDIATABn.DAT file to another directory just in case.

Now I'm running into the "Corrupt Database" message again. I close Movie
Maker and delete the newly created database. I then copy the previous
MEDIATABn.DAT file back into the sub-directory.

I then started Movie Maker again, and I don't get the "Corrupt Database"
message. I re-import the previous mpg movie into "my collections", close
Movie Maker, and open it back up.... and the "Corrupt Database" message
appears again. (

I'm wondering if Movie Maker just doesn't like the movie "History Of
Christmas Customs". Maybe I'll try importing a different movie, or maybe
I'll
put THIS movie into it's own MEDIATAB file and see if I can open Movie
Maker
without the error message appearing (I would think it SHOULD open ok).

I wish there was a way to move files in "my collection" into separate
databases.

 

[David12846]

All my mpg files are MPEG 1.

I was able to import the "problem" mpg into a NEWLY created collection,
closed WMM and opened WMM back up with no problem. Maybe I'll just have to
resort to having multiple collections and move the MEDIATABn.DAT file to a
separate sub-directory after closing WMM.

I hope later I don't find out the clips I need are in multiple MEDIATABn.DAT
files [sigh]. I keep the original mpg files anyway.

David (in Upstate NY)