If everything else checks, remove all but the necessary peripherals and try it . If it works then install them one at a time until the problem returns.

I had problems with available system resources because of a USB multifunction device. ( HP office jet)

Thanks Edward, you nailed it as usual!!

thanks,
Mike m

The normalize function isn't a good tool for volume increases because if the audio has clipped digitally even once, it won't work at all. You're better off using a compressor function and raising the volume level, although that requires quite a bit of work to
set levels for all of the tracks you're working with.

I really wish these DVD editors had some functions to rate the
audio tracks in 2 levels: short time Peak counter/rater (1/20 second), long time peak counter/rater (1 second) and full track counter/rater.

24p Standard footage playing choppy in Preview Window
 

I captured some 24p (standard) footage and found it played back choppy in the preview window.... 9 fps to be exact (@ full size/best). I thought 24p standard was still 29.97 frames a second...what would cause it to play choppy? I opened up a new project using the 24p template and it seemed to play fine.
?! Any ideas?! ....keeping in mind this is 24p standard.

two questions
 

1. In my film I wish to freeze my last clip. How do I do that?

2. I have a firewall and antivirusprogram. Is it a good thing to shut it down everytime I work in Vegas? (Sometimes I have forget to shut it down but no problem in Vegas.)

Because you have unlimited tracks in Vegas you can sort audio that requires the same kind of treatment on separate tracks, and even channel some of those track to different buses. Then you can apply FXs on both track and bus level. Have a look at the audio signal flow diagram in the manual.

What you also can do is to set up the default track FX and/or create FX packages with typical presets that you normally will use, and then just select/deselect them as required.

In detail:
Drop Graphic Dynamics on an audio track. Select and tweak some different presets and save them. Rightclick the track header, click on Set default track porperties, and then OK. Next time you create an audio track it will have Graphic Dynamics selected and you can just pick the appropriate preset.
OR:
Set up a collection of audio FXs and tweak them for one typical use you may need (music, voiceover, etc). Save as FX package. Next time you can just selct th package and it will replace the FX already on your track and install itself, tweaks and all. Repeat for other typical uses.
Of course you can still fine-tune the tweaks after that, but you will have a relevant starting-point.

Thanks to all for the inputs. Vegas looks like it will be my choice. It has more tools than I will ever be able to use, but it's a little daunting coming from a Pinnacle Studio 8 background.

To slow down, freeze, or reverse, use a Velocity Envelope.

When capturing or printing to tape, it would probably be a good idea to shutdown the firewall and antivirus programs. For normal editing it probably won't matter (and *may* not matter on capturing or printing either - only tests will determine that).

Personally, my editing and internet computers are two separate machines. My editing computers never see the internet so they have no need for a firewall or antivirus program.

Check out EndItAll. This progam allows you to setup which processes should be shutdown or killed. I have it setup for editing, so when I start editing, I close/kill everything I won't need.

Very Cool
 

Mark,
Kudos, you did a smokin' job with what looks to be the same tools we all have. Once again great job. I would also like to get additional info on you PS training disks. Please email me off the boards with info:

me1313@mindspring.com

Thanks,
Wade

Vegas/DVD Architect--no commentary track/options
 

I will eventually be using Vegas 4.0 to edit 24p or 24pa footage and will need to output to dvd w/ 5.1 sound and include a commentary track. For that reason, I was leaning toward DVD Architect; however, it's my understanding that multiple audio tracks, for a director's commentary track, isn't possible in Architect. Ouch!
Now what authoring program should I purchase? Isn't there an available plug-in for Architect to enable a commentary track? I guess it's on to other 5.1, AC3 encoding software that has multiple languages capability.

Correct. DVDA does not currently offer multiple audio tracks. If the video is short enough - it could be included twice. Otherwise you'll have to look at another product that does offer this feature.

Hope I didn't stump EVERYONE. *yikes*

How?
 

<<<To slow down, freeze, or reverse, use a Velocity Envelope.>>>

I know how to slow down and reverse but how do I do to freeze a videoclip with Velocity Envelope?

I want to freeze a videoclip and then have a text rolling there.

ZERO percent as the speed is Freeze Frame. Right-click the node, choose "Set to..." and type in 0.