MEP 21.0.1.92 export crash: possible solution?

MikaS wrote on 10/9/2021, 3:26 AM

After the latest updates, my MEP has been crashing when exporting to MPEG-4. When viewing recent topics here, I noticed that I'm not the only one. I've tried exporting with several different clips, and this is what happens: The blue bar (indicating export progress) keeps growing and when it gets full, the program first freezes for 5-10 seconds, then crashes, and then restarts itself. The export process does produce a video clip, but it is unplayable, and all MediaInfo only says that it is MPEG-4 (nothing about frame rate, resolution etc.).

I first tried updating my Nvidia GPU driver and Intel GPU driver (I have integrated Intel HD graphics 630). That didn't help.

I then tried taking off the hardware encoding from MPEG-4 export settings. I had CPU there as a default setting. This worked: MEP didn't crash and I got a playable clip. But the exporting process was very slow.

I then tried changing the program settings / device options. In "Export" I had CPU, but I changed it to "Intel HD graphics 630". Then I changed movie MPEG-4 export setting back to CPU. And I now got the best results: MEP doesn't crash, it exports fast, and the clip is playable.

Although my MEP is now working fine, I'm still wondering why I had these problems. The last time I used MEP was weeks ago, and it worked fine then. Today, when I opened MEP, it installed an update, and the problem occured. Did the update somehow change my settings, and that caused the problem?

And also: with my hardware (Geforce GTX 1060 & Intel HD graphics 630), what would be ideal program settings / device options? There I have four different options in Import, Processing and Export: CPU, Geforce GTX 1060, Intel HD graphics 630 and Microsoft WARP device. Which options should I choose for those categories to get the fastest (but still stable) results?

Comments

CubeAce wrote on 10/9/2021, 3:59 AM

@MikaS

Hi Mikas.

First, unless you took note of how MEP installed with its original settings I have no idea. Mine was set to use the nvidia card throughout though. It does seem the default setting if an nvidia card is present. Maybe others can confirm that to add to my findings.

Second, and I will go through some of the threads and check this seems to be factual and not just my imagination and come back later, but it seems those with nvidia chips using Kepler architecture are suffering while those with Turing are not. The difference is Kepler stops working beyond Direct X 11.0. There may be other differences but again I need several other persons to confirm. The more different cards tested the better.

In terms of speed of processing or the ability to be stable, I think unfortunately that will be variable and different on each build. Speed will depend on core clock speeds and core counts for the CPU coupled with the use-able speed and stability of ram which can be motherboard based. Microsoft WARP should be faster than just using CPU. Intel HD 630 should be faster than Microsoft WARP and nvidia (depending on which card) should be fastest if there is enough vram and Direct X support.

Amount of physical motherboard ram could also be playing a part here. Personally I would suggest no less than 16GB but in two channel mode IE two 8GB sticks in two slots or you will not benefit from the doubling clock cycle effect.

I'm not sure about video files but audio files have the file header written last. If that is also true for video files then it would explain why it shows as an MP4 file but has no information on how to play it.

Ray.

johnebaker wrote on 10/9/2021, 5:10 AM

@MikaS

. . . . Import, Processing and Export: CPU, Geforce GTX 1060, Intel HD graphics 630 and Microsoft WARP device. Which options should I choose for those categories to get the fastest (but still stable) results? . . . .

You have 2 conflicting requirements - the most stable is not the fastest.

For the most stable set the 3 options to the Intel HD 630.

For the fastest set the options to GTX 1060.

However:

If you are using the Gaming drivers for the GTX then this may not be the stable driver for the GTX in some circumstances, if you are not gaming on the computer then download and install the Nvidia Studio drivers current version is 472.12, these are more stable for video editing.
You may have some instances where the GTX trips up and hardware acceleration is de-activated, I have seen this happen occasionally and trying to find what caused the trip is difficult as it is not consistent.

HTH

John EB

CubeAce wrote on 10/9/2021, 6:10 AM

@MikaS @johnebaker

Hi John.

For me the nvidia, nvidia, nvidia options have been the most stable and fastest on my machine so far.

On some projects selecting HD 630 has tripped out the HD 630 on Processing. Both on playback and exporting.

Old projects are not being read / played back correctly if it contains any size potion alterations including collages or Text position placement.

Text should have been here.

Old project mxv files in the PerfBounce folder seem to be being ignored and not applied and cannot be updated if you ask the program to re-scan using the lightning symbol. There have been other minor issues that have been easily correctable but annoying such as the preview monitor not displaying properly when an old project if first loaded. Moving the timeline cursor cures that.

To me it seems the more they cure the more they break.

I have had no problems with new projects. Only some old ones created before MEP 2020.

Ray.

MikaS wrote on 10/9/2021, 6:21 AM

Thank you for your replies! I do have gaming drivers for the GTX. But might still try the fastest settings and see whether I crash or not. And then change to Intel, if GTX crashes.

CubeAce wrote on 10/9/2021, 6:43 AM

@MikaS

Hi Mika.

Open MEP without a project first and select the graphics options first. Then load a project.

I have found altering graphics requirements with an open project always ends in a crash on my system.

The settings are also sometimes slow to load

Ray.

danstudio wrote on 10/11/2021, 12:44 PM

Thank You CubeAce. After many attempts and many crashes trying to export movie to MPEG4, I found your suggestion on the community page and tried it and it worked. Dan