Compressor 3.0.5 "unknown time remaining"

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Level 1

10 points

Compressor 3.0.5 "unknown time remaining"

Each time I try to compress a file, the time remaining reads "unknown time remaining" and it doesn't move. When I send files to compressor from Final Cut, FCP and Compressor both lock up when I click submit. I have tried all the solutions listed in other post such as deleting the preferences, using compressor repair, uninstalling compressor and the entire final cut studio, but none work. I have reinstalled leopard done multiple times and it will work for a while, then I get the same problem again. I have tried to do Time Machine restores to backup taken while it was working, but it will not work when I restore it. Without compressor, I have great trouble making DVD out of my footage shot in HD. Help Please!
thanks in advance

MBP 15inch, Mac OS X (10.5.6), Final Cut Studio 2

Posted on Jan 24, 2009 7:18 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Mark Augustine

Level 1

5 points

Feb 22, 2009 9:09 PM in response to spotsIsToughOnMe

None of these solutions worked for me - the one that did was another thread that suggested I go back to the network configuration that was in place when I installed compressor. I had been on ethernet when I first installed and had switched to airport with internet sharing enabled.

I went back to straight ethernet and it worked again.

If anyone can post a fix that will let compressor work with a new network setup without re-installing please post!

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Answer 2

Faddh

Level 1

0 points

Mar 24, 2009 5:43 AM in response to sonwst2

I had the same problem and discovered during error search that the application "Apple Qadministrator" had been deleted, for whatever reason. Reinstallation solved my issues and Compressor again shows encoding times.

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Answer 3

MoDawg73

Level 1

90 points

Mar 26, 2009 7:59 PM in response to Etchie

I would get that error whenever I would use the FCP export to Compressor mode while using a qmaster cluster. It would run fine without a cluster, but would hang with one.

I exported to a QT reference file, then dragged and dropped that into compressor, and it worked perfectly.

I know it was mentioned earlier in the post, but thought you might have missed it.

Ken

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Answer 4

Feb 7, 2009 4:11 AM in response to spotsIsToughOnMe

Just as an addon, I found a fix offered by Digital Rebellion in another post somewhere in here. They have a (free) compressor repair utility, amongst other things on their website. I just ran it and now my Compressor works again. Thanks Digital Rebellion!

Here's the link: http://www.digitalrebellion.com/compressor_repair.htm

Hope this works for you.

best,
-alf

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Answer 5

MoDawg73

Level 1

90 points

Mar 27, 2009 12:30 PM in response to Jos.

Jos.

Yes you can bypass qmaster. Just click "stop sharing" in the qmaster pane of the system prefs.

Then you will only use compressor.

Ken

Message was edited by: MoDawg73

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Answer 6

Jan 25, 2009 12:42 AM in response to sonwst2

Are you compressing to This Computer or a cluster? Does it work if you export a QuickTime from FCP and import that into Compressor?

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Answer 7

Feb 6, 2009 8:56 AM in response to sonwst2

Did you ever get this fixed? I am having the same problem. I've trashed every prefs and cache file I could find. Still no luck.

I am considering trashing and reinstalling Compressor. Any ideas on whether that'll work?

thanks'
alf

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Answer 8

Feb 6, 2009 1:55 PM in response to sonwst2

Well, when I launch Activity Monitor I get the I'm stuck message (you know, in Red):

"277 CompressorTranscoder (Not Responding)"

I can force quit the process, so at least it doesn't take over my CPU at least, but when I reboot, it's back. I can't quite figure it out.

Maybe someone here has found a workaround.

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Answer 9

Etchie

Level 1

114 points

Mar 16, 2009 2:46 PM in response to spotsIsToughOnMe

I was having the same problem (with the red type in the activity monitor). It wasn't going anywhere. Now, considering I have 5 cores on this process, it still seems to be going really slow. I'm still pretty concerned about that. It seems like something is slowing it down considerably.

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Answer 10

Etchie

Level 1

114 points

Mar 16, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Etchie

Scratch that. I just had to use the program again and it's now telling me I need to restart my computer. I've had to do this once and it worked but then had the same problem about a quarter into my first compression. I can't believe this many people are having this problem and there doesn't seem to be an answer anywhere.

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Answer 11

Etchie

Level 1

114 points

Mar 16, 2009 3:43 PM in response to Etchie

I think part of what I did was the sharing. I didn't realize the last couple times I tried it, the box for the cluster was blank. It's just getting started (which is better than I've been getting) but even now it looks as though it's gonna get stuck.

......brick wall

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Answer 12

Etchie

Level 1

114 points

Mar 24, 2009 9:31 AM in response to Faddh

My Qmaster is still there. In fact, I don't think I was having this problem until I messed with it. That's great that there's now another thing for people to look for though. We'll fix whatever everyone is looking for eventually. Just hang in there, I guess.

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Answer 13

Jos.

Level 1

13 points

Mar 25, 2009 9:58 AM in response to Etchie

This is driving me crazy! Same problem here... I'm constantly getting the "Unknown time remaining" message, and the progress bar remains empty. It was nice to find a discussion on the topic. But it doesn't seem like a clear solution is in sight. 😟 I can't believe Apple hasn't provided a fix yet.

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Answer 14

Mar 29, 2009 1:24 AM in response to MoDawg73

You can choose not to use a Qmaster cluster but you cannot bypass Qmaster. The cluster list will just be completely blank without even "This Computer" as an option.

If you really don't want to use Qmaster you will have to use QuickTime Pro or other encoding software like Episode.

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Answer 15

Jos.

Level 1

13 points

Mar 29, 2009 10:22 AM in response to Jon Chappell

Oh well. I've given up on Compressor for now. I'm simply converting AIF files to AC3. Since Apple decided to combine Dolby A.Pack with Compressor, I had to downgrade to DVD Studio 3. Now the standalone A.Pack is doing the job.

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