mpg4 video won't render

[Ducatimark]

I have some video that I want to use in an SD project that is from a cheap $50 camcorder. I found a codec that will allow the video to play in the preview window of Vegas Pro in Preveiw mode; plus I can pull the video into the timeline where it looks fine. But when I render in AVI/WMV/MPEG4 all I get is a black screen.

I am using an Xvid mpg4 codec I downloaded to get it to work. I also downloaded VLC player earlier, and it played there as well.

The video is 640x480 30 FPS.

Anyone run into this and know how to get it to render?

Thanks!

[David Jimerson]

Where do you see the black screen?

[Ducatimark]

The render when it "plays" on Windows Media Player or VLC is just black (did not record audio). But the frame indicator moves like something was rendered.

Interestingly, if I put the Vegas Preview Monitor in "Best" mode (any size), I also get a black screen.

[Ducatimark]

I see what I wasn't clear in first post.

The original file is shown as an AVI that was sent to me.

It would play in VLC player but not Windows Media unitl I downloaded the Xvid mpg4 codec. Now the source will play in Windows Media Player.

I brought the source files into Vegas, and I can see them in the Preview window when set to "Preview>Auto" but cannot see them play when set to "Best>--any size."

I can put clips on the timeline where they are visible like any other clip and I can scrub thru them.

If I render as a movie (any type), the output appears black on screen, evn though it appears something was rendered; meaning that the render was successful, but only plays black on-screen.

I have the codec and a source file that plays. Can't figure out why it won't render.

[David Jimerson]

Not that is an ideal solution (though it could be depending on how large you want the frame size to be), try rendering and setting the render quality to "preview" -- see if that gives you a picture, at least.

[Ducatimark]

I bow down to you. You are the Vegas God!

That produced a result which, as the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers. I only have a handful of clips taken 10,000 miles from my studio by a non-video person for an image/video compilation that has to be complete in three weeks. I have lots of stills to work with, but sorely needed some video. I get tired of being Ken Burns and just doing pan and zooms on stills.

Sincere thanks, David for thinking it through. It seems like the render engine was "over-running" the video and not getting the picture.

BTW, bought the Sound DVD when it came out. Great stuff! Everybody that works with me has to watch it.