No .mpg extension after running QSF

[JimF]

I have noticed recently, probably since the 549 beta though I am now on 551, that sometimes saving a file after running QSF with filters on .dvr-ms files does not always attach the .mpg extension to the file. The file is created and saved OK, but with only the filename and no extension at all. There may be a pattern to it, but have not detected it yet. This would only be a minor nuisance, but I need the extension before DirMon2 will automatically detect the new file and run Comskip for me.

[phd]

Has anyone seen this?

[HyperReality]

Not this precise problem, but I have seen a similar outcome in the following case:

* Edit Video, Save As -> Choose to write to .mpg on a mapped network drive provided by another on the network.
* Close VRD, Shut down PC that hosts the share that was previously written to.
* Open another video in VRD, Save As -> it will time out waiting trying to access the previously used network drive, then revert to a local folder (you may need to select one of the favourite folders to make the problem happen)
* Ok the dialog to save to a local folder

-> Resulting file is missing the .mpg extension....

[JimF]

My scenario is not that elaborate, but might be related. Sometimes when I open a .dvr-ms file with VRD-TVS right after it is recorded, I get an error message telling me to run QSF because the dimensions have changed. I then have to choose the folder manually for saving the file. I think I lose the extension then, but maybe sometimes in other cases also.

[msmart]

Sometimes when I open a .dvr-ms file with VRD-TVS right after it is recordedThat could mean something. Not having any clue how dvr-ms files are written, but is it possible that the file hasn't been fully released by the recording app? By opening it up you are somehow "corrupting" the file header? Just a thought.

[JimF]

It is certainly possible that something is corrupted in the file header. But I don't recall opening up those files any earlier than normal.

But I get changes in the file dimensions anyway when commercials occur, which is why I run QSF with filters in the first place. It just doesn't normally produce a warning to run QSF when I first open the .dvr-ms file with VRD. Maybe it is just a function of where the commercials occur that causes the problem?

[JimF]

I think I see the pattern now. Normally, when I go to save the .mpg file after running QSF, I am offered the previous folder where I last saved an .mpg. But I always change that to the folder from which I opened the .dvr-ms. And the .mpg is saved properly with the extension in that case.

But frequently now I am not offered the previous folder when I go to save the QSF output, but rather I see the "My Documents" folders in the "Save in:" window. Then, I have to change to the folder where I save the videos, which is not in My Documents, but on a separate drive. It is then that I lose the extension. If I look in the "Output Stream" field (or is it a dialog box?), I can see that the extension is missing at that point, but I normally don't even bother to look there. It is not 100% consistent in where it offers to save the file after QSF, but the problem seems to be consistent thereafter if I have to make the change to the correct drive. Maybe I can detect more of a pattern with more work.

[JimF]

One thing I have discovered is that the problem does not arise if I run VRD in my Administrator account, only when I run VRD in my User account. But even in my User account, if I save the file into the last folder where I saved an .mpg file, then the extension is appended properly. It is only when I switch folders that the problem arises, as noted above.

I get the impression that it may have been triggered by running a registry cleaner. However, I have uninstalled and reinstalled VRD (in my User account), but that did not fix it. Unless something turns up, I will just have to manually append the .mpg extension when needed. It may be one of those problems that requires a reinstall of WinXP. SP3 can't get here fast enough.

[Astrologer]

I have also noticed the lack of the .mpg extension. I have got into the habit of typing it in when I choose a file name and folder.