Video Engine quit unexpectedly

[bifbangpow]

Keep getting this error when I playback video. Scoring a short and getting this error.

running PT 2020.12
Mac OS Catalina
iMac Retina 5k 27" 2020

I'm sure someone else has solved this but I couldn't find it in search.

[Eric Lambert]

It's not unexpected, unfortunately. Though FAR less prevalent than it was in past years, the engine does quit from time to time. I work w/ video files most of the time and still get the error about once every other week.

I can tell you that it seems to be somewhat dependant upon the type of video file; less-typical CODECs will cause the error more often than common CODECs. In the past we've had to convert (by exporting) "dirty" video files to something more common that PT likes. That's right, PT doesn't like dirty videos.

To be honest, I've never found anything that will cause this every time. It's unpredictable. It should say Video Engine Quit Unpredictably.

[its2loud]

What version of Catalina?

Here's some compatibility info..
https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/ar...2-Release-Info

Check your video format. if you're working in h.264, stop working in that format and convert to DNXHD.

[bifbangpow]

Originally Posted by Eric Lambert

To be honest, I've never found anything that will cause this every time. It's unpredictable. It should say Video Engine Quit Unpredictably.

LOL.

[Eric Lambert]

Originally Posted by its2loud

What version of Catalina?

Here's some compatibility info..
https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/ar...2-Release-Info

Check your video format. if you're working in h.264, stop working in that format and convert to DNXHD.

I receive and use H.264 vids all the time. I'm not suggesting the format, just stating that they're common.

Now, it's possible that those occasional issues I mentioned are due to this CODEC, but I don't think that's the case. FWIW, I'm previewing video via a TV connected to the Mac's HDMI output -- no external video converter. When I used a Blackmagic box there were just as many issues, but that was years ago and PT was (likely) to blame for those errors.