Recent update causes more problems than it solves

clement5 wrote on 2/27/2018, 10:36 AM

I had difficulty with Chroma Key and black backgrounds in text until I switched to compatability display mode. I edit 3D movies using an fpr interlaced monitor. The recent patch will only display interlaced 3D in hardware mode, not in compatability mode. As a result I now can no longer use chroma key and 3D display. HOW DO I GET RID OF THE UPDATE!!!!!

It still did not fix the lack of selection in "Magix image stabilization".while in compatability mode. However in other modes it is possible to select an area for image stabilization. Since I am using chroma key, when I switch modes to do image stabilization, the screen is now blank.

Along the way a mysterious windowing problem fixed itself.

I have 7Gb memory, AMD Athlon X2 215, internal Nvidia graphics, 1Tb, 2Tb drives

Ancient, but it still works!

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 2/27/2018, 11:44 AM

. . . . Ancient, but it still works! . . . .

Referring to my previous comment on this here.

It is unrealistic to run modern software, which has a specified minimum hardware requirement, on a PC that fails to meet that requirement by a very large margin, and expect it to function correctly.

IMHO until the hardware issue is fixed, there is little that can be done to get the software to function correctly.

John EB

clement5 wrote on 2/27/2018, 1:34 PM

It actually exceeds all of the minimum requirements for running MEP, so it should work correctly. I have lots of other programs that work OK. The just released update essentially broke things that worked on the original version. If they are unwilling to support hardware without specific functions, they should specify what is needed. The 3D hardware requirement is stupid because FPR monitors do not need it, and besides the NVIDIA hardware does not support my FPR monitor Actually the computer was a Win 7 machine before upgrading it to 10, so it was not excessively ancient. The minimum is 2Gb Ram, 64bit OS, 2.4GHz processor, 2Gb free disc, 1280x768 display. The machine exceeds all of these requirements by a large margin. 7Gb Ram, 64bit 2 core 2.7GHz processor, Full HD display, and more than enough hard drive.

Yes, I know that support for a variety of hardware is sometimes difficult, but if they can't support a specific CPU, they should say so..They acknowledged most of my previous difficulties by listing them in the update, but created more problems. So how do I easily go back to the original version???

emmrecs wrote on 2/27/2018, 2:27 PM

@clement5

It actually exceeds all of the minimum requirements for running MEP

The stated requirements from this page are:

Processor: 2.4 GHz (Quad-core processor with 2.8 GHz or better recommended*)
RAM: 2 GB or higher (8 GB recommended*)
Graphics card: Onboard, minimum resolution 1280x768. (Dedicated, at least 512MB VRAM recommended)
Hard drive space: 2 GB for program installation

So yes, your computer does meet the minimum requirements but not those which are recommended. Of particular "concern" in your case is your CPU, I would suggest. I believe I have previously pointed you to this page which ranks your processor in comparison with others which are similarly common.

Also, 7GB RAM is a somewhat "unusual" amount. Is that figure correct? I would expect 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 etc. as the norm.

Jeff
Forum Moderator

johnebaker wrote on 2/27/2018, 4:05 PM

@clement5

. . . . I have lots of other programs that work OK . . . .

They may, however do they require Hardware Acceleration and a good processor to function correctly?

. . . . The 3D hardware requirement is stupid because FPR monitors do not need it . . . .

Actually they do if you want to view 3D video correctly - without the appropriate 3D hardware in the computer to generate and deliver the 3D signal from the program to the monitor you cannot view 3D video and see the true 3D effect using the polarized glasses, you are restricted to seeing the 3D video as either anaglyph, side by side or top/bottom left/right images.

In addition to Jeff's concern about the processor, the same applies to the NVidia graphics card - here are the benchmark figures and comparison charts - as you can see the performance is rating is not registering on the chart.

. . . . it was not excessively ancient . . . .

The average lifespan of a computer is 3 - 5 years before advances in technology and software that utilises that technology, renders the computer obsolete.

. . . . The machine exceeds all of these requirements by a large margin . . . .

Unfortunately not - the minimum spec requires the graphics card to have its own memory - at least 512MB - the GeForce 9100 has no memory of its own and utilises some of the computers own RAM.

John EB

Forum Moderator

clement5 wrote on 2/27/2018, 6:10 PM

Au contraire. I can and do see 3D properly using the polarized glasses. I have been doing it for many years using MEP, Stereo Photo Maker, and Bino as well as other programs. There is no need for NVIDIA processing, as these programs simply interleave the L/R in vertical strips. There is absolutely no need for 3D hardware processing. NVIDIA supports a couple of FPR monitors and also active glasses. My monitor is not supported by NVIDIA. Before the update, I could view 3D in compatibility mode, so why is 3D hardware now required?????????????? MEP 2014, 2015 displayed interleaved 3D properly without 3D hardware.

I just want to ditch the update in an easy fashion. I will wait for the next update when they will hopefully fix this incompatability.

clement5 wrote on 3/1/2018, 10:21 PM

I went back to the original 2018 distribution, and the 3D did not work except when in 3D hardware mode. Indeed all forms of display anaglyph, side by side, and row interlaced turn on the hardware, while none of them need it. So the change was done after 2015, but not necessarily in 2018. My only alternative is to reinstall 2015, which I did.

clement5 wrote on 3/2/2018, 10:08 AM

Ok, further digging reveals that for some unknown reason 3D display requires "3D acceleration" mode in MEP 2015. But chroma key, selectable stabilization regions, and transparent text backgrounds also work in that mode. But they now all work only in compatibility mode. So the real problem is the breaking of those 3 features while in 3D acceleration mode in MEP 2018.

Of course why one needs 3D acceleration is totally beyond understanding because none of the selectable 3D modes require any special hardware. There is no selection for shutter glasses. There is also no selection for autostereo display which uses vertical strips. I suppose one should be grateful for the few crumbs now being provided to stereoscopy fans. But there are apparently still a number of older AMD processors still in service which require compatibility mode in the new version of MEP. Those of us who do not like planned obsolescence continue to drive 20 year old cars, and use antique appliances, as well as older model computers. Microsoft has shown a willingness, up to a point, to continue to maintain software on older computers. They even have an emulation mode for running older software under XP.

The hardware acceleration is actually only needed for smooth display and quick rendering. I am willing to put up with some inconvenience to avoid the hassle and $$$$ of switching to a new computer. OK, I did replace a heating/AC 20 year old plant, but it saves money, is much safer, and someone else did all the work. I have many products on my computer which would have to be reinstalled and in some cases repurchased. Yes, I am frugal (cheap?).

The workaround to the problem is to switch modes when I want to do various things, or just use MEP 2015 for all my 3D work, but 2017 for other videos. Yeuch.