Back+Play not always

[Postman]

Back+Play is very convenient but I've noticed it does not always work here. I always work with video. On my mix rig (specs in profile) with only PT12.1 Mac is connected, occasionally the B+P button does not stop playback but brings an error message that Pro Tools timed out while stopping, followed by another message the the Video Engine couldn't stop. Once those are dismissed I can actually stop playback by any method (including B+P which will now work) and continue to mix.

When the same system has Media Composer connected as a video satellite, behavior is different. Instead of error message, B+P simply stops and restarts playback, without going back. No error messages and no other sign of trouble. Might be 1 out of 20 times at the beginning of a day, but sometimes is it more like 1 out of 4 times. I don't know why yet.

Has anyone else seen this?

[EddieJones]

We think this is fixed in PT 12.2.

[Postman]

I am still having trouble with this, currently PT12.3.1 (Mac - specs in my profile). The error messages are gone, but the feature is not reliable. Does not always go back. Seems more likely to fail when pressing back+play a couple of times in quick succession.

[EddieJones]

Do you use Satellite ? What happens when you press these...does it do anything when it fails ?

[Postman]

I do not run a satellite Pro Tools. I frequently run Media Composer as a satellite. Always run DNx video (from PT12.3.1 or from satellite MC, through NitrisDX either way). When I brought this thread back a few days ago, I had spent the day without a satellite, video running within Pro Tools, and experience repeatedly the trouble I posted earlier.

I am no longer able to reproduce the problem at will. I suppose that means I need to gather more information about when it happens. So, with that in mind...

I have a theory this may be related to automation "housekeeping" at the end of a pass. With 12.3.1, the only time I have seen B+P fail is while working inch by inch through dialog premixing. Relatively few tracks active (all sfx tracks inactivated), typically working only one or two tracks at a time, mixing forward a couple of seconds, B+P, forward, B+P, and so on. This is when I noted B+P may stop/start without relocating back. No error messages. I usually set my back time preference to 3 seconds.

For the past two days, have operated with video from MC satellite. With dialog already premixed (as above) I've been mixing music and sfx. Usually working in longer "chunks" of time, not tiny B+P increments. I did not have a single instance of B+P failure.

I'll look for more clues in days and weeks to come.

[EddieJones]

Great feedback, there were a few bugs fixed with back and play recently but it will be good to catch any stragglers. Someone is looking at this so the more info the better. Thanks again Eddie