Okay, I've tried several times to install newly-purchased DV Rack onto my new laptop.

It prompts me for the installation key, which I enter, then zips through doing some things, says it's finished.

I click 'Ok' on the final installer window and the readme file pops up.

The shortcut on the desktop marked 'DV Rack' is invalid. There are menus created under Start -> Programs, but all the menu entries are invalid.

There is no StatusLog.txt file in the Documents and Settings subdirectory mentioned in the readme file. Nothing. No error popups or anything.

I looked in the Serious Magic / DV Rack subdirectory under Program Files and there are some binaries there. I click on 'Activate.exe' and it asks whether I've activated; I click "No"; it brings up a user info form and immediately fails with a dialog box stating "An error was encountered performing activation. Please try again later." I cannot get past that, and of course, the installation is incomplete, anyway.

What gives ? This was pretty expensive software to just die during installation without even giving a hint about what was wrong.

My setup:

1-day old IBM Thinkpad T60, Core 2 Duo CPU, 2 GB memory, 80GB disk free, Windows XP SP2, all Windows Update patches applied.

Tried installing as my own user account, which has Administrator privileges, then as Administrator: same result.

Tried copying the CD's contents to a directory on my hard drive and re-trying the installation: same result.

Have Symantec Antivirus 10.0.0.846 OEM running -- tried turning off Autoprotect: no change.

Any thoughts ? I'd love to hear some suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Stephen H

Although activation has frequently been aggravating since SM went to Softwrap (make sure you start activating 3 days before you actually need to use it, in my experience! you'll need the time for email back-and-forths with softwrap in the UK), I've never experienced the installation problems you're describing, and I've done every version of DVRack.

Get thee to tech support!

Thanks, I finally got it going. I must say that that is the most ridiculous, convoluted activation process I've ever experienced.

I had to:

Leave the product with a wrecked installation, then apply a patch. The patch seemed to fix the product and the activate gadget, as well.

Once that started working, I could go through the Byzantine registration process.

Sheesh, I'm all for 'em protecting their IP, but that was horrible.

I'm sure Adobe will get everything straightened out as the product evolves.

Stephen H

P.S. Oh, and as for support helping, I got "Oh. We don't support v 1.0. Call Adobe. We only support 2.0 here." Lovely.

At least, I'm guessing that's what the problem is.

I can record clips OK but nothing appears in the monitor nor wfm/vector.

I tried a Panasonic DV deck as an A->D converter and a Sony VX1000 camera with the same results.

The computer is a brand new, muy spiffy, Asus A8Js with dual core 2.0GHz, 1Gb ram. The video card seems to be a problem. nVida doesn't seem to know that they made a GeForce Go 7700. Its an Asus notebook but the only video driver on thier website is the one that is installed on the computer.

I did notice that Edius doesn't have overlay either.

I'm not sure where to start troubleshooting this. Any help appreciated!

Never mind, fixed it.

I'm not sure why (so if someone has an explanation I'll listen) but the video card was still devoting a whole bunch of memory to the monitor that was no longer hooked up. I activated it, reduced its screen size and deactivated and I had overlay and I had a working DV Rack.

Unfortunately, I had the bright idea of installing a patch. Now I have to reactivate the program and its asking for information I don't have. Terrific.

Right. As Andy figured out, many video cards will only allow video overlay on the "primary" monitor, which can be changed within the card's configuration software.

Looking for an inexpensive copy of master sets 4 for Ultra2 -- any ideas where to find the best deal?


Thanks

Check out forum sponsor videoguys.com.

Unfortunately, this kind of product generally isn't available at much of a discount - unless I've missed it.

Hi All,

I am using the last version of DVD rack(before Adobe) with the HDV power pack installed.. when using it for a normal 4:3 DV project, the field monitor in DV Rack looks cropped.. like part of the video is cut off.. WEhen I look at the captured footage it is normal.. I just cannot figure out why the DV Rack monitor looks cropped?? Any ideas??

Thanks,
Mike Moncrief

Hello,

OK I think i answered my own question.. looks like the "zoom" button was turned on, hence the crop.. Another thing that is a bit confusing though is that the video appears letterboxed on the monitor, even though i am shooting 4:3 DV??
Also I do not remember, what is the difference between AVI T1 versus AVI T2 ??

Thanks,
Mike M.

DVRack 2HD has three different monitors available, 4x3, 16x9 and 720p. You'll want the 4x3 monitor, and make sure the "letterbox" button isn't depressed.

Then, hit F8 to switch the aspect ratio to 1.333 (4x3). This is also available in the monitor menu, but F8 is real handy. (Ctrl-F8 takes you to 16x9, 1.777)

AVI Type 1 is almost certainly the file format you want for SD DV on a PC. It has audio/video interleave, so, for audio stays in sync better, especially over long takes. If your NLE accomodates it, that's what you want. If you're looking at NLE docs, T1 = directshow.

T2 is useable in any editor, DirectShow or VFW, and some older editors will only accept T2.

Hello,

OK thanks for the info..

Mike M.

Is there a trial version of this up anywhere? I can't find anything on Adobe's site. I just need to monitor HDV on a laptop for a few days, or is there another option? Anything to monitor on a laptop (with an xh-a1), something free or a demo version is all I need.

thanks

https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=onlocation

Just purchased DVRack HD2 and installed it on my laptop (or thought I did). Installation program said that it had done so. But when I try to launch the program I get only error messages. Error message 1: SOFTWRAP ERROR 3 Error message 2. INCONSISTANT FILES . This second one also appears to be a softwrap error - whatever that is.

Can any one help me get thhis installed

I am having the same problem. Will not accept the activation number. Where did you get the 'patch'?

you can get the patch(es) here....

http://www.adobe.com/support/dvrack/

I have DVRack HD2 on a system at work. About 2 months after getting it Adobe bought Serious Magic. I just booted up DVRack today and tried to do an autoupdate. It did not work as it could not find the website. Are there any updates? How do I get them to work if there are any? We also bought PPRO CS3 recently which comes with Onlocation. Would it be better to uninstall DVRack HD2 and install Onlocation or just leave it the way it is? Any help would be appreciated.

I was able to connect to the updates web site a few minutes ago, so, you might try again.

I am running DVRack 2.0 HD, v 2.1.1570.0, which appears to be the latest. I suspect it will be the last version that us Serious Magic customers will be able to get.

As it stood a few months ago, Adobe had decided not to offer an upgrade or crossgrade path to SM customers. I have had success with getting support out of Adobe for my SM products.

If I were in your shoes I'd load up OnLocation, and consider selling DVRack. But that's just my opinion. Adobe is supporting registration transfers of SM products through Adobe customer support. (You'll want to register all SM products with Adobe).

Thanks I'll try again. My only problem is that the DVRack was purchased by my department in a university, so I can't sell it. I guess I'll just use it and keep the Onlocation as well. I'm guessing I can't put both on the same machine. Maybe I'll drop the DVRack and see if I can sell it.

Thanks

Sincere apologies for the double post and for resurrecting this old thread but I am guessing a reply post to this thread will have more chance of being seen!

I lost my Sure Shot cards recently and I'm looking for a replacement or scanned images of the cards that I can print and laminate. I can provide various types of proof of purchase including serial number, a photo of me holding the original box and even video clips of the location shoot when I last used the cards before leaving them on the roof of my car!!

Adobe is unwilling to talk to me as I don't own a licence for CS3. My version of DV-Rack is the original one and it has served me well (but I still mourn the day Adobe got their hands on Serious Magic).

Any help much appreciated and again, sorry for the double post.

Thanks,

Ian . . .

Resolved! Interested parties please see http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=123208