I set up a new workstation for AE last week, so there are many variables, but the bottom line is that AE crashes on renders and some other functions involving .mov clips

I have been preparing clips using DNxHD codec instead of animation to save time and space. Wondering if anyone else has tried DNxHD clips exported from Avid to AE CS3.

I'm testing animation codec vs. Avid codec now, but anyone else's experience would be welcomed...

Can't speak for CS3, but I use DNxHD with CS2 in and out all the time.  Is it possibly a 10-bit versus 8-bit issue (although I haven't experienced any)?

Have you tried putting QT in Safe Mode (search forum for more info)?

 You say exported...Does that mean that you are not passing by the CS3 render Queue ???  The correct way to render out movies with CS3 (and all version of AE) is to go to the composition menu and use the make movie command (CTRL-M). Using file-export does not offer the same control and commands as the render Queue.
I'm sorry if you already knew this....

The DNXHD codecs are available through the QT dialog box in the render settings. I have used DNXHD220 on a regular basis and have not encountered any issues.

Best regards

Mark

Thanks for the ideas and for the comfirmation that DNxHD is a reasonable way to go. I am using the render queue; when I said "export" I was referring to exports from Avid.

Apparently this is related to the video card or at least something involving Open GL. Turning off Open GL resulted in a complete render with no crash. This is disappointing since the card is a Quadro FX 3500 which I would think is more than enough for this application. I guess at this point it's time to move to the Adobe forum  since it looks like this is not an Avid codec issue!

It is not an Adobe issue either. Nvidia just needs to update its drivers to fix the QT issue.

I had upated to the current nVidia driver but then rolled back to the version that came with MC 2.8... I also have the current version of QT, do you think it would help to go back to a previous QT version?

 Does the crash happen with all effects/plugins ???  What happens if you bring the DNXHD in, drop it on a timeline, and then render (with no changes made to the video on the timeline)...I have had some issues with Magic Bullet using it inside Symphony Nitris and am pretty sure that it is an OpenGL issue.

Within CS3 on a Quadro 3500 card I have had no issues.....I would trouble shoot it more before deciding it is the card or Nvidia Driver.

Sorry for the confusion on exporting...You would be shocked at how many people do not use the render queue.

Best regards

mark