What Does this Grey Down Arrow Mean In Compressor?

[0388279]

Hi All,

Please see attached image. When I send a file from FCPX 10.4.4 to Compressor 4.4.3 for encoding I frequently get this down grey arrow. If I press the "play" button in Compressor it goes away. But, it may (but not always) show up as the first frame of the encoded video. I have reviewed documentation and searched the internet but have been unable to find how to interpret.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Don Barar

 

[ColdCase]

Are you sure its not in the FCPX timeline prior to sending it to compressor? I think its one of the kinds of overlay type button effects available.

 

[0388279]

Hi CC,

Good question. I have done the following to confirm that it is not in the time line:

• Expanded the time line as must as possible to see if there was an errant frame. There is none.
• Deleted the entire the time line and started over but the single frame reappears.
• Deleted the project and started over. Again, this errant frame reappears.
• Rebooted the computer. Still get the errant frame.

It has appeared on numerous projects from different cameras. This just started over the past week. One more thing about this errant frame. All of my effects are performed in adjustment layers. That errant frame has no effects applied

I have no idea what is going on and why.

Don Barar

 

[0388279]

Hi CC,

I now think I understand what is causing this. This began when I began using two adjustment layers. But it also requires a difference of FPS of the adjustment layers and base video.

For example lets say that I have a base video of 29.97 FPS. Application of one adjustment layer with a frame rate of 30 FPS does not cause this grey box problem. However, if I add a second adjustment layer that is 30 FPS I get the grey box in Compressor.

The issue of the grey box in Compressor can be resolved if both adjustment layers are of the same FPS as the base video.

Very interesting. CC, thank you again for asking your questions. It helped me think differently about the problem and allowed me to eventually come up with why this was occurring and a solution.

Don Barar

 

[0388279]

Hi CC,

Wish I could say that the above solved my issue. Unfortunately, it has returned. Though it does seems to be related to a applying a second and identical adjustment layer. In fact, it does not matter where that second adjustment layer is located. It can even be at the end of the timeline and continuous with the main movie layer.

Very odd.

Don

 

[ColdCase]

Did you update any software a week or two ago. You may have uncovered a quirk/bug.

Have you rebooted your computer recently?

I just can't remember what that overlay button means, sorry. It may be some kind of default overlay when a frame(s) cannot be processed properly or it needs a fill in frame(s) to make things work out.

 

[0388279]

Hi CC,

This may be a bug. I have attempted to re-boot to see if this resolved. But it did not. As for updating software, I updated to Mojave back in November. But can not remember if there was also an update to Compressor. I will look at overlay to see if can find something.

Incidentally, if I just share from FCPX there are no issues. Just when I send it from FCPX to Compressor.

Don

 

[0388279]

Working with Apple Support on this.

 

[0388279]

Hi ColdCase:

In working with Apple Support, they suggested that I create a new user and try again. I did this and did not get the grey box when sending to Compressor from FCPX. This proved that the the applications are not corrupted and that something in the Application Support, Caches, Containers, and/or Preferences was interfering with normal operations. Apple support suggested that I delete ~/users/library/ Application Support, Caches, Containers, and Preferences one at a time, reboot and determine if this resolves the problem.

I got as far as deleting Caches, Containers, and Preferences but this did not resolve the grey box issue. I chickened out deleting Application Support because I was uncertain of consequences. So I am left with this issue.

There is a work around however. I have been generating FCPX Share ProRes 4.2.2 master files. These render quickly. Then bring in the master files into Compressor for final rendering HEVC, H.264, etc.

Don Barar

 

[ColdCase]

Yeah, I've notice a few quirks when sending a project to compressor directly from FCPX. I usually export a master file and drag that to compressor or handbrake for final encoding.

 

[0388279]

Hi ColdCase,

Was attempting to solve an eMail client search problem that the re-indexing of the hard drive and library was not repairing. I eventually decided that the best approach was to install a fresh version of the operating system. This not only solved my Spotlight problem, but it also eliminated the grey box problem when sending files from directly from FCPX to Compressor.

Just wanted to close the loop on this thread with a success.

Don Barar