MediaPro In Perfect Environment, Still Fails
The following post was sent to Customer Support. I am awaiting a positive reply.
We have been using OSX Mactintosh MediaPro since it was iView, so we are quite experienced in what the software can do. We were initially thrilled that PhaseOne was taking control of the software, as we use CaptureOne quite effectively.
Over the past year or so, our experience with MediaPro has not met our expectations with OSX 10.6 through 10.8.4. After investigation we found various issues like loose cables, or bad blocks on our drives; so we always had reason to say that maybe MediaPro was not completely to blame. Emailing customer support always resulted in the shortest answers possible, asking questions already answered in my detailed emails.
Last month, we moved into a new studio, with an new OSX MacMini Server and networking that was also brand newly built. Once again, we experienced many troubles, mostly with MediaPro, but there was enough to think maybe it was not all to blame.
This week, we put our mind to the task of resolving our issues once and for all. Our brand new MacMini Server was OSX 10.8.4 reinstalled, and alone it worked like a champ. It was built in a stable network environment to isolate and test. Every test behaved as expected, copying files on and off various internal and external drives. All drives were run though Drive Genius Burn In tests. We wanted to be sure it was super stable.
Then came MediaPro, and the problems started. It did not matter if I used v1.3, or 1.4.1. It didn't matter if the files and databsase were shared over the network, or used locally. We simply proved that MediaPro could not handle a 64,000 image database, or a brand new 10,00 image databse. Below lists the various issues I had, and solutions when possible.
WE NEED PHASEONE TO RESPOND WITH SOLUTIONS. As long time customers, we have been frustrated, and had little help in our quest for a stable work environment. We are not trying to doing anything crazy here, as even JPGs, or using MetaData causes crashes, and locked files. I once read in the forums that Saving a MediaPro file does not equal crashing. I agree, not all the time, just often enough to make me pull hair out.
MediaPro is amzingly unstable. It crashes when it wants, and locks the database randomly (while still open). Our old database had become corrupted, and will not open. While the new database I created from scratch works fine, I have to work small, and save often. If I have it do too many files at once, it crashes, and locks. Does not matter if it is over the network, or as a local drive. It has even told me it would not save, because the database had irreperable damage. Bullocks, the database is fine.
Again, all of the below were experienced on a newly built 2012 MacMini OSX 10.8.4, and sometimes networked with 2011 MacMini OSX 10.8.4. These items were happening while trying to create a new 64,000 image catalog. Drives were tested with Drive Genius Burn In. I could not have possibly given MediaPro a better work environment.
MediaPro Slow When Loading Catalogs
Problem - MediaPro Loads a Catalog, and just seems to hang there, really slow.
Solution - Select one file, and Hide Others. You can now work as expected. This seems to be an "over the network" issue, as it did not seem to do this locally.
MediaPro Crashes When Adding Images
Problem - When you grab many files/folders, at some point, MediaPro Crashes.
Solution - Import smaller groups of files/folders. 10-15gb seems to work fine, while 20gb tended to crash on import. Since File size varies (jpg vs raw), but think along the lines of only 1000 at a time. I could update Metadata for around 3,000 images, before crashing.
MediaPro Only Shows Single File Count, Not Folders and SubFolders
Problem - We have seen the file count include subfolders. But how to enable/disable it?
Solution - There is none. Yesterday I saw an icon with sub-options. One of those options was to enable and disable the subfolders. I looked right at it, and noted where it was. Today, that icon, and all of it's options are gone. Same MediaPro version, on the same database. That icon is straight-up gone.
MeadiaPro Right Hand Spinner Keeps Spinning
Problem - You give it a task, and the left has a %, and the right had a spinner. The left % reaches 100%, but the right keeps spinning. Sometimes the % goes well past 100, into 1000's.
Solution - Ignore the spinner. I woke up 8 hours later, and it was still spinning. Care more about the %. When it went past 100%, database seems corrupted.
MediaPro % gets Stuck at 99%
Problem - It chugs through to 99% and gets hung.
Solution - I had to reboot the server. Then it came back super fast.
MediaPro Saving Speed
Problem - Sometimes it saves like 3% and it's super fast. Other times it starts over from 0, and becomes a 20 minute project.
Solution - Smaller catalogs. Otherwise, I have no solution. The database was local, and still giving me issues. I would update 3,000 Metadata files, and it resaved 16gb database. I updated 3,000 more, and resaved another 16gb. Since it does not save at the speed the drive can handle, who know swhat it is doing for 20+ minutes while I wait.
MediaPro Reports Image Import Failure
Problem - Sometimes during import, it would say that it can not read a few files.
Solution - When you look through the database, the images were cataloged anyway. I did find others though, that did not have thumbnails. I would have to manually rebuild them.
By themselves, the problems could appear to be minor. But since it took me hours and hours to manually rebuild something that should have been drag and drop simple, we have a problem. This is our last effort to try and find some help in resolving these ongoing problems. We sometimes have Canon CR2's in limited use, but that does not seem to matter. All we want to do is add, delete and color tag JPGs.
We have a long history of MediaPro in our workflow. Is there any help?
We have been using OSX Mactintosh MediaPro since it was iView, so we are quite experienced in what the software can do. We were initially thrilled that PhaseOne was taking control of the software, as we use CaptureOne quite effectively.
Over the past year or so, our experience with MediaPro has not met our expectations with OSX 10.6 through 10.8.4. After investigation we found various issues like loose cables, or bad blocks on our drives; so we always had reason to say that maybe MediaPro was not completely to blame. Emailing customer support always resulted in the shortest answers possible, asking questions already answered in my detailed emails.
Last month, we moved into a new studio, with an new OSX MacMini Server and networking that was also brand newly built. Once again, we experienced many troubles, mostly with MediaPro, but there was enough to think maybe it was not all to blame.
This week, we put our mind to the task of resolving our issues once and for all. Our brand new MacMini Server was OSX 10.8.4 reinstalled, and alone it worked like a champ. It was built in a stable network environment to isolate and test. Every test behaved as expected, copying files on and off various internal and external drives. All drives were run though Drive Genius Burn In tests. We wanted to be sure it was super stable.
Then came MediaPro, and the problems started. It did not matter if I used v1.3, or 1.4.1. It didn't matter if the files and databsase were shared over the network, or used locally. We simply proved that MediaPro could not handle a 64,000 image database, or a brand new 10,00 image databse. Below lists the various issues I had, and solutions when possible.
WE NEED PHASEONE TO RESPOND WITH SOLUTIONS. As long time customers, we have been frustrated, and had little help in our quest for a stable work environment. We are not trying to doing anything crazy here, as even JPGs, or using MetaData causes crashes, and locked files. I once read in the forums that Saving a MediaPro file does not equal crashing. I agree, not all the time, just often enough to make me pull hair out.
MediaPro is amzingly unstable. It crashes when it wants, and locks the database randomly (while still open). Our old database had become corrupted, and will not open. While the new database I created from scratch works fine, I have to work small, and save often. If I have it do too many files at once, it crashes, and locks. Does not matter if it is over the network, or as a local drive. It has even told me it would not save, because the database had irreperable damage. Bullocks, the database is fine.
Again, all of the below were experienced on a newly built 2012 MacMini OSX 10.8.4, and sometimes networked with 2011 MacMini OSX 10.8.4. These items were happening while trying to create a new 64,000 image catalog. Drives were tested with Drive Genius Burn In. I could not have possibly given MediaPro a better work environment.
MediaPro Slow When Loading Catalogs
Problem - MediaPro Loads a Catalog, and just seems to hang there, really slow.
Solution - Select one file, and Hide Others. You can now work as expected. This seems to be an "over the network" issue, as it did not seem to do this locally.
MediaPro Crashes When Adding Images
Problem - When you grab many files/folders, at some point, MediaPro Crashes.
Solution - Import smaller groups of files/folders. 10-15gb seems to work fine, while 20gb tended to crash on import. Since File size varies (jpg vs raw), but think along the lines of only 1000 at a time. I could update Metadata for around 3,000 images, before crashing.
MediaPro Only Shows Single File Count, Not Folders and SubFolders
Problem - We have seen the file count include subfolders. But how to enable/disable it?
Solution - There is none. Yesterday I saw an icon with sub-options. One of those options was to enable and disable the subfolders. I looked right at it, and noted where it was. Today, that icon, and all of it's options are gone. Same MediaPro version, on the same database. That icon is straight-up gone.
MeadiaPro Right Hand Spinner Keeps Spinning
Problem - You give it a task, and the left has a %, and the right had a spinner. The left % reaches 100%, but the right keeps spinning. Sometimes the % goes well past 100, into 1000's.
Solution - Ignore the spinner. I woke up 8 hours later, and it was still spinning. Care more about the %. When it went past 100%, database seems corrupted.
MediaPro % gets Stuck at 99%
Problem - It chugs through to 99% and gets hung.
Solution - I had to reboot the server. Then it came back super fast.
MediaPro Saving Speed
Problem - Sometimes it saves like 3% and it's super fast. Other times it starts over from 0, and becomes a 20 minute project.
Solution - Smaller catalogs. Otherwise, I have no solution. The database was local, and still giving me issues. I would update 3,000 Metadata files, and it resaved 16gb database. I updated 3,000 more, and resaved another 16gb. Since it does not save at the speed the drive can handle, who know swhat it is doing for 20+ minutes while I wait.
MediaPro Reports Image Import Failure
Problem - Sometimes during import, it would say that it can not read a few files.
Solution - When you look through the database, the images were cataloged anyway. I did find others though, that did not have thumbnails. I would have to manually rebuild them.
By themselves, the problems could appear to be minor. But since it took me hours and hours to manually rebuild something that should have been drag and drop simple, we have a problem. This is our last effort to try and find some help in resolving these ongoing problems. We sometimes have Canon CR2's in limited use, but that does not seem to matter. All we want to do is add, delete and color tag JPGs.
We have a long history of MediaPro in our workflow. Is there any help?
0
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All of our computers, and all of our catalogs, working local or over the network, all experience the exact same issues. We are not able to work for any length of time reliably. This is even with a NEW Catalog, it can crash or behave strangely within minutes of creating it.
As stated, I ran my most recent tests on two Mac Mini's, and 2 external drives. Specs Below:
Creating New JPG Only Catalogs (JPGs created with CaptureOne v6.x, no compression)
2013 MacMini, Osx 10.8.4, 8gb RAM
MediaPro v1.4.1
Purchased 1 month ago, ran through Drive Genius Burn In, and hours of reliable network copying of image files.
2011 MacMini, Osx 10.8.4, 16gb RAM
MediaPro v1.4.1
Very reliable workhorse. OS Reinstalled about 2-3 months ago.
LaCie 500gb Rugged Firewire 800 drive
OWC 1TB Rugged Firewire 800 drive
Both drives tested with Drive Genius 3, no bad blocks found. All images otherwise catalog and open properly.
I mixed and matched drives, databases, and had the external drives local and networked. We need to work off external drives, due to the large amount of JPGs we use. Also, we need to take them on the road for Photoshoots.
PLEASE NOTE: We have had all these problems and more, over the past 2 years on all of our systems. Most often used locally with a 2012 MacBookPro, OSX 10.7.x 8GB Ram.
I tried to create NEW Catalogs. I simply wanted to isolate my problems, and make this work. I either needed to work in very small groups of 1,000-2,000 or MediaPro would crash if I tried to use larger batches. We have a high volume studio, and this becomes impractical.
Out in the field, the Photographer uses .CR2 Raw Files from Canon Cameras EOS-1D x and EOS- 1D Mark IV with the same mixed results.0 -
I can not help you on this and i'm affraid Phase One will not either...
So, good luck!0 -
I read your posts with great disappointment. I am in no way at the level you are with Media Pro but as a long time user of iView I am constantly disappointed in Phase One's Media Pro. It is so frustrating that the program very often freezes just trying to open the app directly or a catalog. I find myself constantly going back to iView (I'm using Snow Leopard).
I am very fearful of using it's tools for fear that all will be lost. I hope that there is someone in that company that will take the responsibility of answering our questions and fixing these problems.0 -
I am not overly sure why you are so disappointed. Sure, the fact that it doesn't work for you is disappointing.
But i am getting the feeling that the OP is running the library off of a network drive. Media Pro is not meant for that. Also, he states he runs (or works in) a high volume studio, Media Pro is not meant for that.
While i would like all these things as well and then some, Media Pro was not designed to do that. it is a desktop DAM for personal use, whether professional or amateur.
When you need high volume (read enterprise level), networked (read enterprise level) DAM, then you'd better look elsewhere.
If the OP's studio is not employing too many people, perhaps Daminion may help, otherwise it's one of the paid for DAMs like Extensis etc., or one of the open source DAMs like Nuxeo, Razuna, etc.
These are indeed intended for and designed to be used across (large) networks and accessed (simultaneously) by many users. Of course, then you won't have any integration with your CO7 edits anymore.0 -
Thanks for this. I gather from this reply that Media Pro is not meant for networked, enteprise-level DAM. We're having lots of issues with Media Pro. Thumbnails disappearing, wierd duplicates appearing out of nowhere, new files being generated on the network that were not generated by the user (so they say), crashing. I'm surprised Media Pro doesn't officially state this software is not for this purpose. I have to call to get the official scoop so we can consider other alternatives such as what you mentioned.
Thanks. Al[quote="HCS" wrote:
I am not overly sure why you are so disappointed. Sure, the fact that it doesn't work for you is disappointing.
But i am getting the feeling that the OP is running the library off of a network drive. Media Pro is not meant for that. Also, he states he runs (or works in) a high volume studio, Media Pro is not meant for that.
While i would like all these things as well and then some, Media Pro was not designed to do that. it is a desktop DAM for personal use, whether professional or amateur.
When you need high volume (read enterprise level), networked (read enterprise level) DAM, then you'd better look elsewhere.
If the OP's studio is not employing too many people, perhaps Daminion may help, otherwise it's one of the paid for DAMs like Extensis etc., or one of the open source DAMs like Nuxeo, Razuna, etc.
These are indeed intended for and designed to be used across (large) networks and accessed (simultaneously) by many users. Of course, then you won't have any integration with your CO7 edits anymore.0 -
[quote="NN634848743872730260UL" wrote:
Thanks for this. I gather from this reply that Media Pro is not meant for networked, enteprise-level DAM. We're having lots of issues with Media Pro. Thumbnails disappearing, wierd duplicates appearing out of nowhere, new files being generated on the network that were not generated by the user (so they say), crashing. I'm surprised Media Pro doesn't officially state this software is not for this purpose. I have to call to get the official scoop so we can consider other alternatives such as what you mentioned.
Thanks. Al
This, to me, seems like concurrency problems. If more than one person has the catalog open and makes updates, which typically happens in a network situation, the database will seem to be updated "out of the blue". This is exactly one of those enterprise functions for which Media Pro (nor any of its earlier incarnations) had been designed for.
Why some of the other stuff happens to your catalog, i don't know (i saw your other post), we'd need more info and also other people to chime in.0 -
Interesting thread. Wish the product documentation was upfront about not running over a network. Seems reasonable to want to access a catalog from more than one machine. Can't bring the desktop on the road.
I have a small 444MB catalog with 3500 images and found a workaround. There is probably a MAC equivalent to the Windows workaround (I wouldn't know though). For desktop machines, I use Windows' offline files with auto sync for the catalog file and then break the network connection just before opening the file. That speeds things up considerably and allows server storage.
There are still bugs working locally on my small catalog file. The primary bug I encounter is frequent intermittent freezes lasting ~ 12 seconds. That seems OS specific since it does not occur on the old XP machine. Windows 7 x64 (2 machines) has a huge problem with that. XP also handles reading a networked file much better, as when I forget to break the connection. Just a nervous 45 sec save due to file size. Yes a corrupt db is probably in my future 😊0 -
I too am a long-time user of iView, since the very first version. I've used nearly every version since then, including when it was Expression Media.
Sadly, I find myself waiting for the product to return to what it once was.
I've finally given up on Media Pro. It is far too unstable to use for real work. Most of the things I attempt to do result in crashes. I find myself tip-toeing around sensitive areas and saving constantly (which can be very slow on a large catalog with many previews).
I really wish it could be like it was in the iView days. I have lots of custom Applescripts that I wrote over the years to accelerate my workflow. iView was even the reason I learned Applescript! But the current state of the software is unusable. Given how few updates there have been since 1.4.1 was released (what was it, June of last year?), I have regretfully lost hope. This was money wasted, I'm sad to say.
John0
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