Problems deleting source file

[Paulp33]

I have been having problems deleting the source file after editing with videoredo. After cutting out ads from a file and saving often I cannot delete the source file from windows. When I try to it says that the file must be in use and cannot be deletedb and the file stays where it is. The used space on the drive indicates that the file is still there. To delete the file I have to restart the computer after which the file disappears without me having to try deleting it again.

It seems like VRD is not releasing the file and shutting down VRD does not work. I check in the taskmanager and VRD is not still running.

This problem does not happen all the time and I have not found any pattern to suggest why some files "get stuck" and not others. I am running winXP home. Any suggestion what is going on?

[Anole]

I've only seen some sort of similar (but not identical) behavior long qgo.
At that time, I found that killing VideoReDo would release the file.
Since I usually test the nearly-current beta version (http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?t=1984), I haven't run into the problem in ages.
Wonder what version you are running?

hint: 445 would be pretty old, where as 484 would be pretty current.

[DanR]

It seems like VRD is not releasing the file and shutting down VRD does not work. I check in the taskmanager and VRD is not still running.

What kind of file are you editing? Program Stream, Transport Stream, DVR-MS?

[Paulp33]

I am using the latest beta. The files originate as .ts files from dvb-t capture which are converted to mpeg as a post capture task with VRD. It is this mpeg file which is then causing me problems. I think it is only fairly large (>5 or so Gb) files that are a problem.

[DanR]

files originate as .ts files from dvb-t capture which are converted to mpeg as a post capture task with VRD.Is the "post capture task" manual or something done with our COM interface?

If all instances of VideoReDo are gone from the task manager, then its hard to believe that its us locking the file. But with Windows, who knows.

You may want to try one of the utilities on this page. Would be interested in knowing the results:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/processlock.htm

[zaphod7501]

I've seen this lock occur with mpegs and transport streams recorded from various sources (Hauppauge PVR 250 and MyHD MDP-130) but it has almost always been when a program crashes while reading a file. Since I tend to have multiple players and applications running simultaneously, It has been easier to reboot than try to pin down and correct the precise problem.

[Robbi]

Thanks Dan for the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools tip. OH just what i need every now and again.

[DanR]

Robbi, You're welcome.

[Paulp33]

Is the "post capture task" manual or something done with our COM interface?

If all instances of VideoReDo are gone from the task manager, then its hard to believe that its us locking the file. But with Windows, who knows.

You may want to try one of the utilities on this page. Would be interested in knowing the results:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/processlock.htm

I use jacks script from here (http://www.jackelec.myzen.co.uk/computers/dvbws/index.html) for the post capture task. Thanks for the pointer to that tool, I'll give it a go next time I get a locked file and let you know the result.

[bits]

When I have a file that gets locked I use this: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Unlocker.shtml

[Paulp33]

Thanks for that link bits. I used it on a locked file last night and found that it was explorer that was holding onto it. Something I overlooked mentioning was that I altered the post capture task to save the mpeg to a different drive and then copy it back to the original drive (to avoid reading and writing from the same drive simultaneously whilst other captures were still in progress) so I think it must be the file move operation that is causing explorer to hold on to the file. I'll have to look into a different way of doing things.

[Paulp33]

I am still having problems with this and it seems to be getting worse. Last night I had a file that was produced by editing another file so the only process that I had applied to it was videoredo. This is the first one that I can unequivically say that the only thing I did to it (although I don't know what the OS could be doing to it without my knowledge?) was use videoredo to process out ads. It was locked and unlocker said it was explorer.exe locking it.
I noticed a post in the official release forum that sounds like someone else might be having a similar problem.
Don't know if it is related but I'm also having problems with the videoredo window jumping behind other windows when using the mouse scroll wheel to navigate. This seems to be a random event (ie it does not happen every time I touch the scroll wheel).
When I have time I'm going to try a complete uninstall and reinstall of videoredo with a reboot and registry clean in between. Do you think this will make a difference?

[HyperReality]

It was locked and unlocker said it was explorer.exe locking it.
This may well be due to Windows Exploder trying to generate a thumbnail image from the video file, but the default MPEG2 decoder DirectShow filter (inherited from some other application you have on your PC, eg WinDVD) is having problems with the files - as a result Explorer gets into a nasty state and the file remains locked.

Did you have a Windows Explorer window open on the VRD destination folder (without the tree view on the left hand side), during the VRD output? I suspect this would make things worse in some cases if Explorer is trying to generate a thumbnail on a partially completed file.

AFAIK, this is nothing at all to do with VRD.

I'm pretty sure there is a way to stop Explorer from attempting to generate thumbnails from video files, though the exact procedure escapes my memory at present. Hopefully someone else around here can provide the details.

Alternatively, maybe try changing the merit of the various MPEG2 decoders on your PC using something like the Radlight Filter Manager tool, to try to encourage Exploder to use a different decoder - I don't know if this will help, and you'll want to be careful lest you screw up some of the DirectShow based applications on your PC (all the usual "not my fault" caveats apply!). I have difficulties expressing how much I hate DirectShow sometimes!

[Paulp33]

This may well be due to Windows Exploder trying to generate a thumbnail image from the video file, but the default MPEG2 decoder DirectShow filter (inherited from some other application you have on your PC, eg WinDVD) is having problems with the files - as a result Explorer gets into a nasty state and the file remains locked.

I don't think I have any mpeg2 video decoders installed. I use an xcard for video playback. It is possible I have dvicos application installed but I don't remember doing it after my last windows installation.

Did you have a Windows Explorer window open on the VRD destination folder (without the tree view on the left hand side), during the VRD output? I suspect this would make things worse in some cases if Explorer is trying to generate a thumbnail on a partially completed file.

I always have the tree view on the left hand side. I use details view by default, not thumbnails.

AFAIK, this is nothing at all to do with VRD.

Probably not, but if it's not all I can see in my near future is that painful process of a windows reinstallation.......

This started happening after I installed a new motherboard necessitating a new installation of windows (it is fully updated). At that time I also did a couple of other things. I upgraded to using the latest webscheduler (I was clinging to the last version that saved to mpeg before that) and started using VRD as a post capture task. I also upgraded VRD from the last public release to the latest beta. This problem happened occasionally before that and I generally fixed it by rebooting. It didn't happen often enough to be a major problem, only a nuisance.

[DanR]

If the problem is related to thumbnails, here's a way to disable them:


Windows can sometimes have issues with larger files when thumbnails are enabled. You can shut off thumbnails with the following procedure.
All that you need to do is click Start -> run, and type in:
REGSVR32 /u SHMEDIA.DLL [and click ok].
Following is the full text of the information:
Add Thumbnails.
All that you need to do is click Start -> run, and type in:
REGSVR32 SHMEDIA.DLL [and click ok].
This will re-enable movie previews (thumbnails) for Windows Explorer.
On a side note, I also found that you can *disable* the previews by using the /u switch (similar to above):
REGSVR32 /u SHMEDIA.DLL [and click ok].
"1) Open a command window (Start->Run, type in 'cmd' hit enter)
2) To remove image preview, type and hit enter
regsvr32 /u shimgvw.dll
3) To readd image preview, type and hit enter
regsvr32 shimgvw.dll
4) To remove media preview, type and hit enter
regsvr32 /u shmedia.dll
5) To readd media preview, type and hit enter
regsvr32 shmedia.dll "

[Paulp33]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[bits]

I have been having problems deleting the source file after editing with videoredo. After cutting out ads from a file and saving often I cannot delete the source file from windows. When I try to it says that the file must be in use and cannot be deletedb and the file stays where it is. The used space on the drive indicates that the file is still there. To delete the file I have to restart the computer after which the file disappears without me having to try deleting it again.

It seems like VRD is not releasing the file and shutting down VRD does not work. I check in the taskmanager and VRD is not still running.

This problem does not happen all the time and I have not found any pattern to suggest why some files "get stuck" and not others. I am running winXP home. Any suggestion what is going on?
By any chance are the files you are editing recorded using BTV? I have always found it difficult to delete files from the folder that BTV records to that is why I started using 'Unlocker'.

[Paulp33]

By any chance are the files you are editing recorded using BTV? I have always found it difficult to delete files from the folder that BTV records to that is why I started using 'Unlocker'.

No, they are recorded with webscheduler from a dvico T1, two dvico lites and a compro T300.