Windows Movie Maker problems

Michaeljcox24 · 7 Nov 2011 at 15:00

recorded some fireworks in 1920 x 1080 on my mobile in Sat night, its an S2, so file format is MP4.

Wanted to create a film to upload to YT, but when I import the file, the preview screen is blank.

However, there is audio, and the 'timeline' preview film strip contains all the thumbnails.

Have tried converting original file to AVI and WMV, but preview is still blank.

Any ideas lads? I'm stumped.

Smit · 7 Nov 2011 at 16:32

Would appear that you are missing codecs. Audio with no video usually means the video codec is missing.

Does the video play on your computer at all? Or is it just Movie Maker that isn't displaying the video?

Michaeljcox24 · 7 Nov 2011 at 18:59

just movie maker mate. works fine in media player

kedge · 7 Nov 2011 at 21:59

What version of windows are you using?.

Some video file types (format) info here about windows live movie maker.

Windows Live Movie Maker Help Center - File Types

MPEG‑4 video files that contain AAC audio can be used if you're using Movie Maker on a computer running Windows 7.

Some MPEG‑4 video files can be used when you're using Movie Maker on a computer running Windows Vista if the necessary audio and video codecs are installed.

Failing that you could try converting your files?, this is what i do because windows 7 live movie maker does not play avi files only the audio is heard, and i have tested many codecs and none work for windows live movie maker.

You could try sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 trial?. there are other converters that will let you upload to youtube within the application, designed for it really.

Avidemux is a free video editor, is really good.

Avidemux - Main Page

mrk · 7 Nov 2011 at 22:39

My Movie Maker has stopped displaying video inside the playback screen as well recently, nothing has been changed. You can still create the video and publish it but the saved video doesn't have any video either, just audio. Media Player does not complain about missing codecs. The Source file plays fine in /everything/.

Seems isolated to Movie Maker only so I just use other editors instead.

Michaeljcox24 · 7 Nov 2011 at 23:23

Which other editor? Vegas pro like the other lad said?

mrk · 7 Nov 2011 at 23:25

I have Adobe Premiere

Movie Maker is just easier to quickly bosh a movie out of course, hence why I liked it for quick gaming videos and phone conversions!

Michaeljcox24 · 8 Nov 2011 at 08:30

mrk said:
I have Adobe Premiere Movie Maker is just easier to quickly bosh a movie out of course, hence why I liked it for quick gaming videos and phone conversions!

Exactly. Very easy interface can't be bothered to spend hours watching tutorial videos just for a 5 min clip of some fireworks

kedge · 8 Nov 2011 at 09:36

Michaeljcox24 said:
can't be bothered to spend hours watching tutorial videos just for a 5 min clip of some fireworks

No need to complcate things mate, it's very easy to convert video files. MP4 video files are not compatible with windows movie maker. Download the converter it is free and easy to use. Some free converters have an option to convert into youtube video files. I like WinFF.

Format factory or WinnFF is easy/simple to use.

Format Factory - Free media file format converter

WinFF - Free Video Converter

kedge · 8 Nov 2011 at 09:39

Michaeljcox24 said:
Which other editor? Vegas pro like the other lad said?

I use sony vegas movie studio HD platinum trial version it comes with DVD architect studio 5, they look complicated to use but they are quite easy really, it does it all for you if you want. Use the freeware for quick jobs.

Michaeljcox24 · 8 Nov 2011 at 09:58

cheers lads will have a go at this tonight.

kedge · 11 Nov 2011 at 13:27

Michaeljcox24 said:
cheers lads will have a go at this tonight.

Did you sort it?. I just found out that the reason my AVI file problems (hear audio, but see no video) in Windows LIVE Movie Maker were becausse of Nvidia's 285.62 driver bug. Confirmed by nvidia's ManualG. I updated to the latest 285.79 beta international (GBR) driver and .avi files play audio and video

. Don't know if AMD users had problems?.

This bug affects Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center and Windows Movie Maker.

CONFIRMED: Windows Movie Maker Live 2011 is broken with 285.58 drivers - NVIDIA Forums

Michaeljcox24 · 11 Nov 2011 at 18:39

In the end I had a go at using Sony Vegas HD, and although not as deep at first sight as Adobe Premier, still nowhere near as simple and quick as movie maker.

Will update drivers once the official comes out. Cheers for the heads up though mate.