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Hello everyone, In NVivo you can also code audio / video timelines. Windows: Mac: Regards,

Hi, I am a new user of NVivo 11. I am importing interview audio and time-stamped transcripts and finding that NVivo is not importing .MP3 audio correctly. The problem (example): I have an interview audio file of 1 hour 15 minutes, saved in .WAV format, with a file size of approximately 500MB. In order to reduce overcrowding on my desktop hard-drive, I compressed the file, converting it to .MP3 format. The new file is approximately 100MB, and still shows '1 hour 15 minutes' in the file>properties>audio panel. When I try importing the original .WAV file into NVivo, the wave-form appears correctly, and the audio track length is correct (at 1 hour 15 minutes). However, when I import the (matching) .MP3 file, the track appears as over 3 hours long - 1 hour 15 minutes of audio plus over 2 hours of silence. Why is this a problem? This means that when I import a time-stamped transcript, the audio and the transcript are no longer synced correctly. Request: Of course I can just go ahead and use the original .WAV files for all of my interviews - however this will quickly become infeasible due to the large file size. Any suggestions about what might be causing NVivo to interpret the .MP3 files incorrectly, or how to solve this issue? Thanks! Chris

Hello, I am in NVivo 11 for Mac, and I'm trying to import audio files, but am getting an "Unable to generate waveform" error (in two different error formats oddly). I have <20 .mp3 files that were all recorded on the same device. When it errors out, Nvivo Helper is open on my dock. My OSX version is El Capitan. Here is what I have tried so far: 1) When I first tried to import into the "Interviews" folder in the Internal Sources folder, I successfully imported a few files and got errors on others. Some of these errors read "Unable to generate waveform", while others read Error: Cannot import - unable to generate waveform". I tried again, and a few of the errors cleared. I could not get them all. 2) I tried importing from both my Dropbox folder and from my local drive. Same thing. 3) I realized it might be the file size and decreased it by lowering the bitrate. To make things easier, I stupidly deleted the successfully imported files and re-imported all of them. Now none of them will import. 4) I used a solution from the forum and opened each file in Quicktime and exported it as audio only. This converted the file into an AAC (.m4a) file, but it increased the size. So I then compressed it by decreasing the bitrate and created more lightweight .m4a files. These still would not import. 5) I tried re-installing NVivo. I tried starting a completely new project. I tried messing with the security preferences. Still getting the error. 6) I gave up on importing the files and tried linking the files as external sources. This I did successfully, except NVivo does not recognize them as audio files, so I can't transcribe in NVivo. Please tell me what to try next. I am out of ideas. Thank you!

I have read through the many prior threads about audio file import problems and the "quicktime" work around. However, this is not working. Here are some details. 1) Audio recorded on a Zoom H2n in .wav format; these files produce a "not a recognized format' error. 2) Used the 'Quicktime' workaround: Opened and saved file as .mov, and then exported audio only as m4a; these files also produced a "not a recognized format' error. 3) I have tried using various OSX software (Logic Pro, Garageband) to export the audio in mp3, wav, and m4a formats; these files also produced a "not a recognized format' error. I cannot find any way to get the audio files into Nvivo. Does Nvivo publish the list of acceptable codecs? It is very difficult looking for guidance as google still crawls the help documentation for all prior versions of Nvivo.

Hi In order to further interpret data, I often (ie a few times a day) need to listen to an audio segment that has been coded to a node. When I open a node, two things are provided: (1) hyperlinks to the source audio files and (2) for each source, a list of time stamped audio segments are provided as flat text. Current workflow: remember the start timestamp, click the link to the source audio file, find the right spot in the file (this is aided by the highlighted stripe), listen to the audio. More efficient workflow: see (2) above and make each start timestamp a link to the precise location in the audio so that remembering the start timestamp and finding the right spot in the audio are no longer necessary. Thanks for considering. Kirsten

Hello, I can't import an MP3 file even if this format should be a recognized format (http://help-nv10mac.qsrinternational.com/desktop/procedures/import_audio_or_video.htm). As stated on this link I tried to open it in Quicktime and exported it. As you can see from the attached screenshot, also this solution did not work for me. Did anyone have the same problem and found a solution?

FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE THINKING TO BUY NVIVO FOR MAC I was facing problems with importing audio in NVivo for Mac. I have installed version 11.1.1. not long ago but still when I was trying to import MP3s NVivo told me that the format is not allowed. While the import of an MP3 in the morning was successful, I had problems to import another MP3 in the afternoon. So I tried if the first file from the morning would be imported - and it did not. The message was always the same: that the file format has not been recognized. I found out that the problem seems to be my external audio interface (AVID MBox). I bought this external audio system not only for my music profession but also because it is annoying to me to listen for hours to my interviews by using the internal speakers of the Macbook or the headphones. I found out the following: If my system audio is set to use the MBox, the import problem appears. I tested this in the NVivo sample project as well. With my MBox activated as audio output I can open the Helen interview but I can not play it. The player window appears different than normal. In this state I can not import my own interviews in MP3 and also not a "normal" music MP3. If I set my system audio output on my internal speakers the player window appears again normal, I can play the audio file and import my own interview MP3s. This is definitely a big issue which NVIVO should solve immediately! I am definitely unsatisfied. I am expecting from a professional program that such basic things work. Why should a professional program have problems with external devices I am using? After all I am using external monitors, keyboard, mouse, printer - why should I not be able to use an external audio interface which is especially useful for such a program like NVivo? Here the answer from NVivo support: "Our technical team has advised us that the problem probably arises due to a driver incompatibility, possibly with the external audio interface not supporting the playback rates that NVivo uses. Some third party external audio cards are known to cause these issues. So the issue appears to be the drivers for the AVID MBox, over which we have little control. The workaround is to set the internal speaker as output device, which you are already using." I am expecting that NVivo faces this issue as soon as possible and that this problem should not be regarded as unsolvable problem of the third party devices. I am using NVivo for Mac since a while now. Aside from this issue, I am a but upset with NVivo: the Mac version is still very very limited, with many functionalities not implemented yet but which you can find in the Windows version. As long as such issues will not be solved and functionalities implemented, I do not recommend anybody to buy NVivo for Mac!

Hello, Sort of following on from what Mr_Tobi posted in the Mac Suggestions Forum: http://forums.qsrinternational.com/index.php?showtopic=5743 When I change the layout settings - by dragging - so Mac like - of the audio transcript layout - i.e. have the order changed to Speaker>Transcript>Start Time>End Time - save and close the project, then re-open the project, the layout is reverted back to the default Start Time>End Time>Transcript>Speaker. This is an issue for me as I prefer to have my layout with the "Speaker" in the first left-hand side column as it is easier for me when I am coding. For your reference, I have included screenshots of the changes I made and saved and then how NVivo returns to the default settings when I re-open the NVivo project. Since Mr_Tobi has pointed a similar issue, but within a different function, it seems to be an application-wide issue. Am I doing something wrong? I could not find anything in "Help" about changing the layout in the audio transcription. If this is a technical bug, could this be corrected? Oh, by the way, I really appreciate that the default setting in the Mac version of NVivo has the Time, Transcript and Speaker settings. The Mac version has one over on the Windows version. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers! Darren

Hello, At the moment the default setting for fully embedding an audio or video file is 20MG which can be changed to a limit of 40MB. I understand from the posts in the NVivo Wndows Forum that the 40MB limit is imposed because having data and the project size too large impairs the performance of NVivo - makes it slow and open to the opportunity of freezing/crashing. I was wondering if this limit can be revisited considering the changes and performance of the current lineup of Macs? Nearly all Mac laptops/notebooks have SSD drives, high CPU performance, dedicated graphic memory and so on. For instance, my customized MacBook Pro 15" is an extremely fast machine. Even my iMac, which is a number of years old, was the first to have the "fusion drive" and is performs very well. I understand that there maybe users who need to export projects to a Windows Nvivo format that may be used on a PC with less power. So keeping the default at 20MB makes sense in this scenario. Thus my suggestion is to keep the default at 20MB. BUT, if at all technically possible, take the limit completely off what for what the user can set at their decision. I have video and even many audio files that go beyond the 40MB limit. I want to embed these files entirely in the project. Not being able to fully embed means that I actually face MORE issues with NVivo - like having having to re-link the externally stored files and other issues. I hope the current limit can be reconsidered and lifted as I described above. Looking forward to some feedback. Cheers! Darren

Hello, Sort of following on from what Mr_Tobi posted in the Mac Suggestions Forum: http://forums.qsrint...?showtopic=5743 When I change the layout settings - by dragging - so Mac like - of the audio transcript layout - i.e. have the order changed to Speaker>Transcript>Start Time>End Time - save and close the project, then re-open the project, the layout is reverted back to the default Start Time>End Time>Transcript>Speaker. This is an issue for me as I prefer to have my layout with the "Speaker" in the first left-hand side column as it is easier for me when I am coding. For your reference, I have included screenshots of the changes I made and saved and then how NVivo returns to the default settings when I re-open the NVivo project. Since Mr_Tobi has pointed a similar issue, but within a different function, it seems to be an application-wide issue. Am I doing something wrong? I could not find anything in "Help" about changing the layout in the audio transcription. If this is a technical bug, could this be corrected? Oh, by the way, I really appreciate that the default setting in the Mac version of NVivo has the Time, Transcript and Speaker settings. The Mac version has one over on the Windows version. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers! Darren

Hello, When I open up NVivo and click on an audio file that has a transcript and play the audio with the "Synchronize" at the bottom left hand corner of the screen checked, the synced text is highlighted in a dark grey color. The dark grey highlighting color is so dark it is difficult to read the text. However, if I click anywhere in the transcript area, the highlighting changes to a nice light blue color which is easy on my eyes and the text now clearly visible. But the problem is that then the area of the transcript I clicked stays selected and becomes distracting. I only found this workaround in having the highlighted sync text turn to blue after clicking around all over the place. For users using this function for the first time, this may be rather jolting. To show you what is happening, I have included a screenshot of the how NVivo appears when first just playing the synchronized text and another after clicking the text which changes it to blue but leaves the text continually selected. Could you point this out to the technicians and ask for a fix? Also, could you put forward a suggestion? It would be great if the user could select a color they want to have the highlighting in. One reason, just to enhance personal preference for the user. The other, although I am not color blind, there maybe users who are. So being able to change colors for this and other features would be very welcome. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers! Darren

Hello, Since I am entering the final analysis and write-up stage of my PhD thesis, be forewarned you will be hearing from me a lot. I will be working with both the Mac and Windows versions of NVivo simultaneously. I would prefer to work in entirely in the Mac version as it is much more intuitive and easy on the eye. But there are issues with the Mac version that prevent me from doing so. As such, please take my coming posts, as much as deadlines and time allow, as my little way of helping out to make the Mac version even cooler! Okay, on to the first issue. I am importing transcripts that were not time stamped into the audio file. Then I have been adding the time stamps within NVivo. The problem is that when I pause/stop the playing of the audio file, the exact point of time (example: 00:01.15) disappears in the audio file wave view. In the Windows version, the exact point of time appears at all times. If I point the cursor over the audio wave, there is a millisecond appearance of this information. Am I doing something wrong, or is this a feature yet to be added? Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers! Darren McDonald Japan (Soon to be in the UK for a year)

hi all - i have been working on transcribing an audio, but the audio has now disappeared. the transcript-in-progress is there, and on the right hand side of the window I have the blue time keeper/audio display, but on the lefthand side of the window... there's a little yellow notepad icon with a green speech bubble, rather than the black and white audio/waveform thing. needless to say i can't keep transcribing, as there's no file to play. where did my audio go? it's still on my computer and in all my files? if i re-import the audio file, will I lose the transcription I've already done?

Hi all - I have some interviews that are split up into different files (the person had to go check on lunch, take a phone call, etc etc). Is there any way to merge these different segments in NVivo into one file so I can have a full transcript rather than 3 different chunks? I tried to see what the "merge" function might do... But it didn't do anything. Thanks!

Hi! I am using my trial period to figure out if I should use Nvivo for my Ph.D project. My data will mainly be audio recordings of conversations and I need to transcribe a large part of the them. When I try to figure out how transcribing and coding works in Nvivo I notice that the mac version does not have the "shadow coding" function that the windows version have. Shadow coding means that if you code in the audio data, the associated transcription is also coded automatically, and vice versa. So I wonder if anyone knows if there are plans to include this function in Nvivo for mac in the future? And if people working with conversational data in Nvivo experiences this as a vital function or not? Thanks!

I am attempting to code an audio file. I'm able to select particular segments and code them as selections (rather than assigning codes to the entire source), but I don't seem to be able to go back and re-select those segments for coding again. When I'm working with the audio file, segments I've already selected show up as light blue bars above the player, and the codes I've already assigned to them show up in the coding stripes tab in the correct place. However, once I've gone back to listening to the file as a whole (which also seems to be difficult to do - it keeps replaying the selected section unless I drag the slider to somewhere else in the file, rather than continuing with whatever is after the selected section), I can't seem to go back and work with the segments I selected previously again. I can click on the bars, and they then show up as dark turquoise. However, when I right-click on them or try to use the Analyze tab to "code selection," this is grayed out and I can't edit the coding of the selection or assign further codes. Anyone else having this problem, or figured out what to do about it? I've attached two pictures in case this helps - the first one is of the segments as light blue bars, and the second shows one of the segments after I've clicked on it and (I think) selected it, but can't seem to work with it again. Sorry if this is a confusing description. Thanks in advance!

Hello, I have both the original digital recording and the typed-up transcript of the recording as a PDF format. Both are separate files. What I am wanting to do is create a link between the two files. This is not for analysis, just for housekeeping. Is this possible? If so, could you please provide me with some guidance? Cheers! Darren

I have been coding audio sources to an existing node. When I access the node, and try to play the segment back for any of the references, it does not play back just the coded segment; it continues to play the audio file past the coded portion. What is the correct process for coding so that it plays only the coded portion? Here are the steps I currently follow: - Listen to the audio file until I have a codable segment. Hit "pause" or "stop" - Drag my mouse to select codable segment. - Go to "Analyze", "Code Source at", "Existing node"....select node; hit Okay. Then, to play the coded segment, I go to the node, select the source from the summary tab or the audio tab. - Go to "View", "Highlight", "Coding for all nodes" and "Coding stripes", "All node coding"....it highlights the entire recording and plays past the coded portion. Please advise! Thank you.

Hello, My videos are in mpeg-2 codec (recorded on a Sony digital handycam). The videos play back fine in Windows Media Player with good audio. No apparent problem during the Nvivo import process. However, in Nvivo10 there is no audio playback (video is fine). The waveform shows audio is present. I've checked hardware and software volume and mute controls to ensure I've not muted the audio. Any help with this greatly appreciated. Kris