I didn't see any specs for your system. What processor speed, memory and graphics card?

try blowing another fan on it (passing under) then you'll know if its a heat issue.

are you pulling the videos from an external drive?

external firewire 800. been working fine for as long as I have been doing video with my Mac + Serato.

since they changed the forums they changed my entry for my profile... I had my specs there but it isn't there anymore. I will have to look at my Mac and get the specs... it is last years model anyways.

I worked Friday and Saturday night with a total of 16 hours of video DJ-ing... I know... crazy.. 8 hour shifts. I happened only on Friday twice. Not on Saturday.

One thing I noticed is it happens as soon as I load another track after mixing. In the past it happened after trying an instant double. I am thinking it is related to heat.

yeah try another fan. mine usually operates at around 117 and a max of 130

sometimes my external firewire 800 drive will go into a sleep mode, and take a bit longer to load files from it from time to time.
\
my mbp runs anywhere from 50c to 77c depending on the load.

Have you tried using smc fan control, you can boost your fans to full rpm, or 90% to not burn them out in a few short weeks.

I do... ^^^^


I only pretty much use my laptop for DJ-ing only.

i cant get the full 6000rpms, mine max's @ 5500

I put my fans at abt 4500 when doing video

Sorry didn't read your post fully

Try putting some videos on the internal like 4 or 5 and see what happens when playing those.

How full is the external, check it for drive errors.

I will check the drive for errors. It is pretty full.
But... it happens not that often... just wish I could figure out WHY it happens.

Maybe those vids are real high bitrates and stress the computer more. Next time it happens check out the two files and see if those are ok and what bitrate and how many keyframes they have.

you know it could be a combination... you may be onto something here.

heat and high encoded video file... couldn't handle it... hmmm

In the past when I have had heat problems my machine always slows. High encoded file is going to be more intensive and give more heat as well...

How can you check the temp?

istats is a good program

istats +2

been using that since day 1

smc fan control gives me the temp.. i also have istat

Keyframes! Double check them. If you instant doubles or load a new file (which does not start playing from 0:00.00) then VSL will jump into the file and has to decoded from the last keyframe to the current playback position.

say phat I have last years model Mac and mine never goes over 100 degrees and that's with me recording with screenplay that seems to strain everthinkn including my fans not to mention U know it's hot in Texas. I use smc as well and mine never goes over 4000rpms.. So I think heat is an issue. specs for mine is 2.5 with 4 gig or ram dual core 2 8600gt.

Maybe one of your fans is not working for it to be that hot. Also check hard drive fan if brought a case for it.

100 degrees? wow... I am wondering what is the general operating temperature of a general VSL user on a MacBook Pro (last years model).

I believe we have the same model.

Within a few months of getting the laptop, one of the fans did go out. I had it replaced. But since then... my apple care has expired.

time for some do it yourself or pay the big bucks. I am sure others will chime in on their temps. That's real talk though never been over 100 at least when I have sms on which is on all the time. damn 70 is still hot though I can't see double..

we are talking fahrenheit?

I'm thinking the 70-100 range has to be Celsius. 70C is about 170F though.

No C

Right now mine is at 109F just surfing and emailing

I've seen it get up to 170F I think, with VSL running.

Celsius is correct!!!!!! I never get up to 100C.... I am looking at my MBP and it's at 44C when I do vids it goes up to about 60max but if I record using screenplay it goes up 70-80 but never past that because I turn on SMC fan control. Not sure it would get there (100c) but I don't want to mess up anything by testing it.

Same thing happened to me last week.
1.9.0 - 1.1
Unibody MBP 2.4 w/ 2G Ram

I have a Targus cooling pad velcroed to my laptop, pretty sure it's not a temp issue. I will install SMC fan control tonight and monitor the temp.

are you on 1.9.1 pb [1-2-3 or final release]

as Ive stated many times, on my pc I have been running killer.
500 gb fw@800.
zero issues.

now here I am in july.
the club temp has gone from its usual 75/85 to 85+ all night
and I installed ssl 1.9.1 pb 3
and now my system went from working with all effects and a transition (ave 45-55% cpu)
to just 2 videos playing, fluxing 95-99%
this all changed with the climate & the 1.9.1pb installation.

I made it though the night, this kicked up after about 4 solid hours of video
it was the last 40 minutes this happend.
Im almost 100% sure this wasnt anything in the video encoding, but videos were slow to load and playback was very very very choppy.
again a good year of video everyweek with zero issue...
now this.

Al,

I had my video freeze twice tonight. Its the first time this has happened in over 15, 5 hour gigs. My temp was 65c, and processor use was 31%, only playing one track(video). Ram useage was around 28%, jumping up to 36%. The audio did not drop out either time. Both video files are files that I play often, so it cant be a corrupted mp4. I cant wait till someone at Serato figures out whats going on.


-millz

yeah, this is weird...
a handful of us that have been playing flawlessly with video
now we are all having issues.

it happened to me after the update for version 1.1 of VSL. I think it was in beta still. I remember it was at a gig I did in Corpus Christi the week before my wedding early April. It has happen ONLY after that update and final releases since. It has happened on such a random basis it is soooo hard to figure out what or why...

well.. I did my gig last night with NO problems...

Same here, did the club from 9 til 1 then afterhours 1:45 to 3:30 and zero issues...

yeah..im still thinking about getting a signed & official driver for my video cards
but last night went off with out a hitch as well.
I used 1.9.0 though

2.93 core2duo, 8gb ram, 1.9.1. although last night my mbp was runnin 5- 10 degrees cooler for some reason.

me 2 mb pro freeze n crash

It sounds like this is an issue with the latest update, why not rollback and try the previous good release? See what happens, if it still happens then it's probably heat.

The longer a laptop is run without proper maintenance, the more chance you're going to have issues related to heat, in the worst case scenario it can lead to complete shutdowns.

The best solution is to use compressed air, obviously when it's turned off give it a blast through each of the vents. If you have run a laptop for over a year without such cleaning, you'll find that loads of dust will blow out, it's this dust (or even micro dust) which causes laptops to struggle when pushed.

Also have you installed VDJ 6 yet? It's always good to have a back-up soft configured and ready to go, just in case something bugs out for you while live.

my issue has been happening since 1.1 beta 1 so i duno. my mbp is brand new, so its not dust. and virtual dj is garbage. thanks for the help anyways;)

+1 Virtual DJ Garbage.....Yet to each his own....
For back up I have second laptop with VSL.... Duhhhh.

I totally agree that VDJ is a bush-league program.
(but thats why its a BACK UP)
I installed 6.1 and started bringing a case of records again.
at least with VDJ I cant throw on a promo only power mix that will buy me a solid 6-8 min to trouble shoot whats goin on with SSL)
I will say this, VDJ with 2 videos puts my system between 8-20%
and it KILLS me to admit that.
Luckily I have not YET had to jump into VDJ

but after the 1.9.1 install and "some other unknown factors" I couldnt get
VSL to run without pushing my sytem to 98-100% cpu.
I tried EVERYTHING.
roll back, re-installed drivers ect ect ect.

finally I installed 1.9.0 and it was running 40-65%
and shot off V-sync and dropped it down to 30%+ cpu.

the curve, the 90%+ was NOT during performance.
as soon as I clicked the video tab it shot up, and stayed there.
no videos loaded...nothing.

to me, and Im no programmer, but 1.9.1 seems to have some conflicts
theres enough people who were running it on well on mac AND PC
before 1.9.1 came out.

oh, and btw SSL alone (no video) was only pushing my system to 3-12% cpu

so, its def something with 1.1 + 1.9.1

Really? The word on the street is that 6 is da bomb, it's certainly working well for me so how can it be garbage? What can you do that I can't? Surely this is a matter of preference, VDJ users can't all be wrong or using something that's broken.

Second laptop? 10 laptops will not fix a software bug, hence why you should either have a previous version or an alternative program installed. It is also wise to have a second laptop if and where possible for obvious reasons.

the word on the street might be that.
but the word in clubs & performance events its not.
key word PERFORMANCE.

if i was a mobile dj, or played videos at a pub....Id certainly be using it.

I can tell you, in this city no one is using VDJ to perform at events.
its either SSL or Traktor.

but lets not turn this into a VDJ vs VSL debate.
the ballots are already in on this one.

You worte



Then you wrote in your second post



I find this a little contradicting, I mean do you feel the need or not understand why?


I agree Joshua Carl I was not trying to start a war, like I said to each his own. I also agree that 10 laptops would not fix the problem but then you would have to agree that just because I have VDJ on my laptop doesn't make it immune to the same problems if not more.

For the record I have at least 3 different versions of VSL on each of my laptops, with one being a Mac and one being PC I believe I have a greater chance of it working for me either way because they are two different OS the bug could be on one and not the other. Besides if you know you have a stable version before you simply click on it and your back,,,that's why you have previous versions still installed,,,...

My biggest issue with VDJ was time-coding not that I am a helleva scratcher but I do and it sucked to the 10th power with VDJ not to mention it would crash a lot, yet I don't have to tell anyone who has used it,,,, so that's the main reason I don't use's it.

Last if in a crunch/malfunction and I wanted to play any vid on any laptop I would not need VDJ or even SLV to do so.

By the way Joshaua Carl I am a moblie dj I done a few clubs and what not and you are 100% correct about ssl & tracktor. Mostly everyone in Texas uses SSL the ones that use anything other than SSL use it becasue it will beat match for them... They will never admit it but thats a fact. Peace....

Forget the qoutes,,,,I was daydreaming....

totally.
gear is all relevant to the arena in which you choose.
you wouldnt get on a f-1 track with a drift car, and you wouldnt take a stock
car to a drift track.

where in TX are ya.
I spent a fair amount of time in San Antonia, been pals with Rene G for ages.

I'm in Dallas/Fort Worth,,,,,, DJ VMB is from your area he just moved up here as of late. He is the only DJ I know from your old area..

Funkytownstopsix,

I just found your first post a bit hostile, I hope I misunderstood as my intention is to get on with everyone on here, not just those who use certain software or certain operating systems for that matter.

I too use VDJ in a "performance" setting, by that I mean I'm a mix orientated DJ and play in bars and clubs, albeit on the commercial side of things (I don't consider this a restriction on creativity or the application of skill).

I've probably been using DJ software longer than most people on here, as I was using it when "trendy" people told me it was a gimmick, toy (I've heard it all). I've tested enough software to know the difference between something which is fundamentally flawed, or a user end problem. VDJ has been around for a long time, and it had humble beginings, It's had lots of bugs and yes fundamental flaws in the sound engine, however the recent releases have made professional that which was previously second rate.

I was using timecode with the CDJ1000's just last weekend and it's spot on, even some SSL users have been impressed, this was said during the beta sessions.

I also agree that VDJ can (if you use the BPM, waveform) make beatmixing easy, I personally consider this a plus because it just makes me quicker: "DJ software makes a good DJ better or a bad DJ worse" - this is so true.

Sorry to digress but it's the nature of conversation.

Dude I am not hostile and for sure was not my intent. You gave your opinion I give mine. It's personal choice. I'm not tying to sell you on SLV but your trying to sell people on VDJ ,,intended or not ,,,,on the Scratchlive forums section. As far as beatmixing I don't use waves nor do I need the bmps I have been djing since I was 15 and am now 41. I know my music/mp3's just I know the big ass milk crates of records. To be honest SSL it the one program that keeps you close to being a real dj becasue you dont have auto beatmixing and that's why I use it. Yes it could be helpful and you can do so much more without worry but to me it just plain cheating skills wise. I apologize if you think at anytime I was trying to insult you or your time in the game as that was not my intent, either way I will never use VDJ again unless SLV for some reason goes out of biz.

Sorry Phat-Al not trying to thread jack.... PC troubles Mac troubles what next?

Ok so you think vdj version6 is good right? How about that almost NON EXSISTANT customer service over there at (oh wait)...which company owns the rights to vdj now? It has switched so many times...almost as much as Henry GQ changes his underwear lol..

People trust a solid platform, and Serato/Rane has provided that platform.

again,
theres like 5 vdj posts already.

lets keep this one on track.
different strokes.

Thanks for clearing that up funkytown.

I just mentioned VDJ as a backup solution to someone who was having trouble with VSL, don't mistake me as someone with an angenda or someone who's out to diss video SL, I happen to hold the view that VSL is a great product and I say so over at the VDJ forum, I also happen to hold the view that VDJ is a great product too.

I know I'm not fitting in with the status quo on this board, to express such a view :).

@ Millz,

VDJ has always been an independant company, it's never been sold and nobody has more rights over it than the main developer. Numark, PCDJ and several others have sold VDJ with their own badge and skin on it.

Bren

Start your own thread about this.

I have no reason to start a thread, I have nothing further to say on the subject.

I was merely responding to the comments of others.

back to topic wtf is wrong with 1.9.1, got my first usb dropouts n wen i searched for a song had a freeze n crash.

jst take a few minutes when your bored and look through these topics

serato.com

now, someone of us dont have all these issues...and after looking
alot of them are user errors, on just people not reading the manual.
but there are alot of glitches in 1.9.1, both for pc and mac.

my issues were a combination of the "universe of pc" and the 1.9.1 I believe.
and the club pushing 90+ degrees. (or so it felt)
the driver thing for pc's, man.
I must have found 50+ different drivers for the dual 8700m GT
most of them were signed, and official... but the one thats runnin is NOT.
but its giving me the best performance. go figure

I feel like im on a nascar track with 3 tires and a donut.
its getting me around the track, but Im not going to win

Hey Guys,

Can you tell us what audio codec these videos had.

my freezes occurred with 1.9.0 and 1.1..... so not a 1.9.1 issue

will have to double check, but audio would be AAC

AAC as well

Cheers..

Warik, Ive already sent you several videos in which I got the freezes. Like I said in a previous post, when you guys went from b3 1.1 to final 1.1, no longer did the audio drop out, only video freezes now.

Hope it helps..


-Millz

^
yup....audio never freezes, just video - the deck that is playing freezes, and video won't load on the second deck - lasts about 5-10 seconds

thanks Millz,

We are looking into it. :)

I appreciate you time.

err "your" ...too many porter brewskis...

all my videos are in AAC for audio as well.

So has anybody tried rolling back to an older version of SSL and VSL? If so did the problems go away? I just bought a MacBook Pro and the new version of VSL is all I've been running. Had first video gi last week and had the same thing happen twice.

The problem actually is better on newer versions...in previous versions the video would freeze then 20-30 seconds later the audio would drop out for 2-5 seconds...now if the video freezes, the audio does not drop out.

I havent had the balls to go back to 1.9.1 for video yet.

Like I wrote b4, I finally got it back to running plush, but only in 1.9.0
and with an unsigned driver.
3 weeks now, v-sync off running pretty low cpu with no issues.

In my case the video is freezing and then the audio dropping. Posted a thread in the help section but haven't really heard much from the Serato/Rane guys. I'm pretty much grasping at straws now. I can't have music dropping like this during a night. May have to revert back to old PC not running video until there's a solution.

I did read something on a thread about there being an issue with the history database that has been implemented in version 1.9.0. and this can cause a lag when reading library. The older versions did not use this database and it has since been fixed in 1.9.1 but you need to rename the 1.9.0 version to something else and let 1.9.1 re-write a new one, (God that was a confusing sentence). Anyone have any experience on that one?

Sorry, don't mean to hijack thread. Just throwing stuff out there so we can get these issues resolved and get back to spinning music and not stressing about whether or not the computer will crash.

last weekend....first time ever- my macbook stalled during a SLV gig.

it was after the 1.9.1 install...

happened every time i loaded a new video, so i aborted doing a video set as a whole..

THEN it started to happen again with just plain mp3s.

(**Mulkilteo crew..remember what happened with Ta-shi's comp at the office? same now with mine)

i went back to 1.9.0 and it was okay..

but overall..ive seemed to have more heat issues + stalling problems after the 1.9.1 installation.

any tips? settings i should have set it on?

*** bump ***

for a about a month or so I went without having this glitch happen... this is past weekend it happened 2 to 3 times each night (friday & saturday).

This last time I left it where I can see the operating temp and it was around 150f to 165f. I am not sure if this heat related but I am leaning toward that.

Anyone have a suggestion for a good laptop cooler for a 17" Macbook Pro??

anyone?


anyone?

Ive mentioned this in other threads...

www.brookstone.com|C4CategoryProdList1FDT|7040513

it rocks... so much air, so small

my temps get up to 175-200f.
i get not issues.

however, i do think there is something wrong with mine.

I think I may have asked this before but I was wondering what average temp everyone was running VSL on a MacBook Pro.

Also... just found this to help cool a laptop.

www.thermapak.com

Did you order the pink one :) JK hehe

How much of a temp drop does it provide...Im seeing graphs and what not but nothing etched in stone as to how much...

I think the highest I seen my MBP go temp wise with VSL runnin what 72c

I ordered that and it doesn't work like we would want it to. It's great if the laptop is on your lap...works awesome for that.

Not so good when it's on a stand and you are looking for a lower internal temperature.

Wonder if it would work if it was not on your lap or stand...but on a flat table...

from what I understand you need to keep those vents as open as possible.

then wtf is it good for...maybe wiping my butt

I tried it on a flat table as well. Not so much heat absorption there, maybe a degree or two.

But it dies work great on your lap.

Eh? Ill pass on the -2 temp decrease...I must be one of the few who doesnt use a lappie stand...well I used to use one but then one of my eons slid into my Odyssey one and smashed the shit out of it during transportation...if only there was one that broke down easy ;)

www.turntablelab.com

been out man....

I found I had to put these tiny little tabs on the top of the stand.
so, the fan vents dont sit flush on the stand.

between that, and the fan... my shit is almost COLD at the end of a 4 hour
set... and this thing used to COOK... i mean hot to the touch.
I think passively pushing air through the vents across the heat-sink is key.

having that been said.
I encountered a hiccup the last 2 weeks,.
a video is staggering (audio is fine) almost like its trying to catch up with the
audio, but its getting stuck... I have been just loading a double to the other deck
and swapping over and its been fine... but still annoying ya know.

oh btw, dont buy the 3 music video dvds on turntable lab...they are selections from rock america and promo only...

You mean not legit?

im not saying it was or wasnt legit, (imo not) what im saying is the quality is OK, but at the bottom of the videos there is a noticable reincoding line of blurness...and wouldnt you rather get the files from the source company (IE: promo only or rock america) ??

alrighty back on topic....

Well... I ordered that ThermaPAK pad thingy... it will be here on Wednesday. I read good reviews and that is why I bought it.

I also recently bought the new Odyssey Stand as well last week. I love it!! But it still was glitched this past weekend when I used it. So... let me get this straight then... if I keep a constant air flow UNDER my laptop while it is on my odyssey stand it will keep it probably cooler then?

I may look into a small portable fan or something similar then. Just don't want to spend a bunch of money on different products and not solve the heat issue.

also... still not sure if it is the issue.

But it still was glitched this past weekend when I used it. <----what was glitched? the stand or vsl ?

im fixing on buyin that new fold up odyssey stand but i wanna make sure its not going to de-hitch itself while im djin and break my expensive macdad

Im saying it will CERTAINLY keep it cooler.
but, as we know by now...that might not be the cause of the glitch.

theres a solid foot between the tabletop, and the bottom of the lappy for me.
on the shelf that comes with the stand, (I have a DR PRO, not an oddysey) I put
my xternal, and my fan...the fans about an inch from the air-intake ports.

you can kinda see here what I mean:
photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net

gotcha... watch your drink... it could spill on the turntables and you will more problems that you need.




VSL glitched... that is the whole topic here.

The stand is great! I have no problems with it whatsoever.

ok im buyin it now :)

whats difference between new Odyssey stand and older ones?

the new one is collapsible, and has that bar that runs along the front...

Seems kinda crazy to spend $70 for a laptop stand...seemed crazy when it was $40...anyone testify to it being worth it?

unless u can make ur own...i always just leave my lappie to the left or right of my cdjs...no biggie, but this new spot im about to start doing the booth is hella small and im going to need to get a stand to put infront of my djm800.

I def think its worth it....

*saves back (from bending over to look at screen/keys)
*Saves eyes by keeping the screen at eye level
*keeps laptop cooler by allowing more airflow
*usually gives you an extra shelf

I dropped 99 on mine.
then modded it with a 3rd bolt, so I can fully extend it and get no wobble.

I use the uberstand. Never had an issue with it and would buy another one.

+1

worth every penny. folds down, sturdy, awesome

I bought the Uberstand and did not like the fact that it would easily fall backward unless secured with that cheap ziptie. Just seemed a little scetchy so went with another L stand.

I got one of the first runs of them (in Canada, at least) and it tilts down, so the laptop is leaning forward and never even comes close to falling back. My buddy (no homo) got one of the second gen ones, and ithe laptop looks like it will fall backwards - we had to cut a chink off the front edge with a Dremmel tool to get the stand to lean forward like mine.

good ol inconsistent overseas manufacturing - glad my 57 was made in the USA

I have all three... 1st gen of the odyssey L-Stand the uberstand and the new odyssey L-StandM.

the newest one is the best. you can adjust it height, angle and it folds flat.

....

now back to the topic....

gotta travel to San Antonio for a gig halloween weekend and I HOPE that I don't have issues with the video freeze glitch...

so what are the average operating temps in Fahrenheit you peeps are running VSL at?

Ive heard 2 stories of them falling over... one sideways, and one backwards.
and having a 17" I knew the uberstand wasnt for me.

my macs run at around 130 Fahrenheit on an uberstand and a fan blowing at the bottom

I have heard those as well..but have never had it happened to me. I use a 5 inch piece of Velco and use that for the bottom loop. Easy to come on and off and solves the problem.

I run vsl at 130 F with a fan underneath it. Where are you going to be playing in San Antonio?

My Boy Rene G holds it down in SA.
I went to Combat Medic School & Orthopaedics school their.

I love it.

I often wonder how many DJ's have been in the Miltary.... Seems like I meet one almost everytime I go some where.

VMB.... SA your old area.... .I just got back into town I got your email and I will look into it,,,

There*

yeah...when I was deployed I actually did a DJ Mix Academy abroad

teaching Iraqi's and marines the uber basics of spinning.
and we had a good lil r&r night... but it got dirty real fast...then got canned
replaced with an open mic night...which was a really bad version of american ghetto Idol.

I will be at my buddy's new bar called Grotto Bar (formally called back porch) and I will also be playing at Kluzos Tapas & Martini Lounge.

And I just confirmed a DJ spin-off at Grotto that monday following Halloween. Should be fun!!