No video import, just audio

[Cathleen]

I saw a recent post on this same topic, and PapaJohn said to use VirtualDub
to convert the black-screen video. But when I try to do that on my .WMV file,
VirtualDub tells me "ASF files are not supported." I'm not sure what that
means...or how to get my .WMV files converted into something that will
actually work in MovieMaker! Any help would be greatly appreciated....

 

[PapaJohn]

I don't know what post you're referring to, but VirtualDub doesn't handle
WMV or ASF file types...

my website's section about Importing Movie Source Files has info about the
various file types and conversions...

 

[Cathleen]

Thanks--it was a post from early Feburary from someone named Nicole, but
anyway.... I just went to your website and read the stuff on codecs, and I
downloaded GSpot and ran it on the file in question. It comes up with "Codec
Status Undetermined," so now I'm stuck again. I'm guessing I'm missing the
necessary codec, but I'm just not sure--any suggestions?

Thank you!! I'm so new at this!!

 

[PapaJohn]

where did the file come from?? is it small enough (under 10 MB) to email a
copy?

 

[Cathleen]

It's only 8.7 MB. I pulled it in from our new DV Camcorder--a fairly basic
Panasonic model that records to Mini DV tapes. I will email it to you--I see
an email address on your website. THANKS VERY MUCH!!!!

 

[PapaJohn]

while I'm waiting for it, what's the camcorder model number?

 

[Cathleen]

PV-GS90P/PC. I sent the video a while ago, so hopefully you've gotten it by
now....

 

[PapaJohn]

thanks... nope, not here yet

 

[Cathleen]

That's odd...i sent it to (e-mail address removed). Is that correct?

 

[PapaJohn]

yes... but sometimes larger emails take time to go through...

 

[PapaJohn]

just to let you know it didn't show up in my overnight mail...

 

[Cameron]

PapaJohn, perhaps you might be able to help. I have an Elmo SUV-Cam that
records in the MS proprietary asf format. I've been trying for OVER A YEAR to
get this file into some format that my XP SP2 Movie Maker can import and
edit. No luck. I have downloaded (in the past) the codecs they say are needed
but in most cases, as found with most people doing this, the codec does not
work.

I can play the asf video file (vid and sound) on a VLC Media Player, but
even checking "auto download codecs" in Movie Maker fails. Every single time.

I spent over $1,000 for this waterproof micro video camera system and have
never been able to do anything with it other than record raw data and upload
raw data as is to YouTube. That is unacceptable.

I know that all the info says Movie Maker works with asf files, but I have
to say that it does NOT. Sure I use Japanese OS (required for my life and
business here in Japan), but I simply cannot believe they would remove that
codec from the software.

I was also very disappointed to find out that MS used Copyright laws to
force all the other video editing companies to remove the codecs for asf file
editing from all of their software. I like MS in most cases, but is yet
another frustrating example of how they want to control this part of the
market to the point where they have controlled me right out of being able to
use my camera!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If you have a workaround, would you also please reply to camswitzer at yahoo
dot com because I hardly ever use my msn hotmail account. Thank you.

Cameron

 

[PapaJohn]

Can you send me a copy of one of your raw asf files right from the
camera?... my mail is limited to 10 MB but you should be able to work with
that.

use papajohn ..... at... chartermi.... dot... net

 

[Cameron]

John, Thank you very much for your help. My XP SP2 Movie Maker will now
accept and allow me to edit the ASF file format for my other video camera
that I have not been able to do for over a year.

For anyone interested in knowing what happened:

1) John replied to me and I sent him a sample ASF file.
2) He found he could work it on his XP Movie Maker 2 but not his Vista.
3) He downloaded the following codec: Sharp G.726 Audio Codec found at:
http://www.wmplugins.com/ItemDetail.aspx?&codec=45
4) And it worked.
5) He then sent me back the sample I sent him which he converted into a wmv
format that Movie Maker saves as to show me.
6) I found the codec, installed it both of my XP computers and it works like
a charm now.

The funny thing is that I tried installing this codec on both computers over
a year ago when I was having trouble, but it did not work.

I guess if it doesn't work once, you need to do the same thing again, but
after someone else does it!

Thanks, John. I really appreciate the time you took to help me out with this.

 

[PapaJohn]

Glad to help Cameron... the sample clip made it lots easier to do the
detective work. I'd not have guessed you needed that audio codec.

 

[PapaJohn]

just one follow-up note... the Sharp audio codec didn't work successfully on
my Vista Ultimate SP1 system.

 

[John]

I have been reading your work with great interest.

I am working arduously with mpeg 2 files from a sony handy cam and i have
found it both exciting and irksome.

I successfully converted to avi as you suggested using virtualdub-one night
but now I keep getting the same message( Cannot start video compression. The
source image format is not acceptable. Error code -2.

Incidentally I have also tried to convert mpeg2 files to wmv using encoder
9. With my luck it worked like a dream one night but now it just crashes at
every attempt.

Tonight I used the microsoft check for preferred decoders and I choose the
recommended one relating to cyberlink.

I am a very patient guy but my wife is cracking up and the hours I am
clocking up.

Your wisdom is greatly sought-and will be appreciated.

 

[PapaJohn]

If you're using the Panasonic DV codec for compression... it only works if
the input file size aligns with DV... 720x480 for NTSC, so you need to apply
the resize filter to make it that size.

If you're using regular VirtualDub, it doesn't work with MPEG2 files... use
VirtualDub MPEG... there's a link on my website's Setup Movie Maker > Other
Software page.

Thanks for the good comment...

 

[PapaJohn]

My response to your email bounced, saying your mailbox is full... so I hope
you're checking here... I'm glad I responded here; my email simply said you
should check here.