Video Multiplexer gives Execute(): Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

[GraemeBrowning]

On my laptop I have only ever had Full Motion Video 1.4 installed, and I installed it after upgrading to ArcGIS Desktop 10.6.

Consequently, when I tried running the Video Multiplexer tool, I was surprised to see it give a message that included "Full Motion Video GP Tools v1.3.2 for ArcGIS Desktop 10.5".

Does the error below suggest that this tool has not been updated for ArcGIS Desktop 10.6?

Executing: VideoMultiplexer "C:\Temp\test.MP4" "C:\Temp\test.csv" "C:\Temp\test_output.mp4" # # # # "Use input video bit rate" -1

Start Time: Wed Feb 28 20:12:10 2018

Full Motion Video GP Tools v1.3.2 for ArcGIS Desktop 10.5

Output video bit rate: 8 mbps

Execute(): Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

Failed to execute (VideoMultiplexer).

Failed at Wed Feb 28 20:12:14 2018 (Elapsed Time: 4.16 seconds)

[CodyBenkelman]

Graeme

First, re: version number, that appears to have been an oversight when we built V1.4.  That version was recompiled for ArcMap 10.6 but otherwise identical to V1.3.2, and I think that's just erroneous text in the error message that should have been updated - thanks for pointing it out.

As for the error, I'm pretty sure that is caused by MS Windows declaring the metadata.csv file to be "locked" by MS Excel.  If you have the file open in Excel, the multiplexer will throw that error.  Can you try again and be sure the *.csv file is closed?  You might need to close Excel completely - I've seen that happen with other scenarios and MS Word files - but in this case I think it's just the file, not the app.

Cody 

[GraemeBrowning]

Thanks for looking at this Cody

Unfortunately, that explanation of the error does not seem to apply.

To test I did these steps (with no others in between):

1. Restarted Windows
2. Started ArcMap 10.6
3. Ran the Video Multiplexer tool from c:\program files (x86)\arcgis\desktop10.6\ArcToolbox\Toolboxes\Full Motion Video Tools.tbx using the same parameters as above

I received exactly the same error:

Executing: VideoMultiplexer "C:\Temp\test.MP4" "C:\Temp\test.csv" "C:\Temp\test_output.MP4" # # # # "Use input video bit rate" -1
Start Time: Thu Mar 1 10:09:26 2018
Full Motion Video GP Tools v1.3.2 for ArcGIS Desktop 10.5
Output video bit rate: 8 mbps
Execute(): Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
Failed to execute (VideoMultiplexer).
Failed at Thu Mar 1 10:09:27 2018 (Elapsed Time: 1.16 seconds)

Do you know of anything else that might cause it to bail out so quickly?

- Graeme

[CodyBenkelman]

Graeme

sorry, I thought that was it.  I know I've seen that error before.

Could you send me the *.csv file?  I don't need your video.

I can try to take a look but note this is a  REALLY busy time with our Partner Conference next week, starting on Sunday.  If I can't get back to you until late next week, is that a problem?  You may want to contact our tech support team...

Cody B.

[GraemeBrowning]

Thanks Cody

If it is not a quick fix then next week may be OK but I'll take the advice on using local support on board.

I could not find a way to attach a file here so I have just inserted the heading + 3 rows below.

The video and CSV are from an undersea rather than aerial platform so I am wondering whether I need to try and match fields in Video_Multiplexer_MISB_Field_Mapping_Template.csv (which looks non-trivial).

- Graeme

Scan Number,Pressure (raw),Aux 1 (raw),Aux 2 (raw),12V Bus,24V Bus,Switch Status,FET Status,Leak 1,Leak 2,PC Date,PC Time,GPS Date,GPS Time,Vessel Latitude,Vessel Longitude,Vessel SOG,Vessel COG,UTM Zone,Vessel Heading,Camera Latitude,Camera Longitude,Pressure (m),SBE Temp,SBE Cond,SBE Pressure,SBE DO,SBE Salinity,Eco Fluoro (ug/l),Eco BB (B(0c)m-1sr-1),Eco CDOM (ppb),Eco Therm (raw),USBL Athwart,USBL Fore Aft,USBL Depth,Sounder Depth,PAR,Altimeter,Photo?,Surface PAR (umol/m2/sec),pitch,roll,yaw
54042,122,4095,11,2666,2943,108,0,0,0,,,26082017,062434,-21.800385,114.038603,2.75,331.5,50,329.4,-21.800522,114.038700,-0.3, 24.9220, -0.00000, 0.015,NaN,NaN,0.000000,0.000184,0.672700,527,NaN,NaN,NaN,23.70,5.523796,10.00,,2028.90,-13.562622,-9.497681,-30.305786
54043,118,4095,10,2668,2943,108,0,0,0,,,26082017,062434,-21.800380,114.038601,2.71,338.5,50,329.2,-21.800515,114.038697,-0.5, 24.9318, -0.00000, 0.015,NaN,NaN,0.000000,0.000184,0.672700,527,NaN,NaN,NaN,23.70,5.021632,10.00,,2029.50,-12.628784,-6.058960,-37.304077
54044,118,4088,11,2667,2943,108,0,0,0,,,26082017,062435,-21.800373,114.038599,2.96,352.5,50,329.1,-21.800508,114.038697,-0.5, 24.9318, -0.00000, 0.015,NaN,NaN,-0.021300,0.000445,0.672700,527,NaN,NaN,NaN,23.99,5.523796,9.98,,2030.17,-10.129395,-5.020752,-37.875366

[MarkBarker1]

Hi Graeme,

Please go ahead and submit a support case on this issue so that myself or one of the other analysts working with Full Motion Video can help resolve and document the issue your having. I have gone ahead and included a link below for contact. 

https://support.esri.com/en/contact-tech-support 

Regards,

Mark

[GraemeBrowning]

Thanks Mark

I just submitted this to Australia's local support so hopefully it should show up on your list shortly.

- Graeme

[JohnPlunkett]

HI Graeme

Can I ask how this was resolved?

Cheers

John P

[GraemeBrowning]

Hi John

I'm afraid that I dropped the ball on this one for which I apologize to those who tried to help. 

Local support in Australia referred it to Redlands where it became Case#02075240 and the advice given was: 

They are recommending you to uninstall FMV entirely, the add-in and the extension, and follow the install steps again. Something may have gotten confused in the install that is throwing this error. You can can also try using a test video from the links on this page: http://www.esri.com/products/arcgis-capabilities/imagery/full-motion-video to make sure that it isn't something in the Metadata throwing off the VideoMultiplexer

I responded:

Which particular test video with which particular CSV of metadata are they suggesting that I test with? 

The Cheyenne one at that link (CheyenneVAhospital.mpeg4) does not have a separate CSV of metadata to multiplex.

They clarified:

It should be the CheyenneVAHospital file. That file has the metadata built in to the video file, so that it is only a single file. As it says on the download: "The file combines the video data with the associated metadata in one file." if you are able to load this video into the multiplexer then it may be data specific, rather then related to the environment. However if the you would prefer a different dataset, you can also use the tutorial data from here: https://community.esri.com/message/625504

It looks like I did not reply again after that.  I am assuming that, since my incident arose while prototyping for an unsuccessful tender bid, that my need to resolve it was overtaken by events.

I have not had a requirement to work with Full Motion Video since.

- Graeme