Editing with Proxy files

Kingpeter wrote on 7/9/2009, 10:21 AM
I have just installed Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9.0b, and have imported AVCHD clips from my Canon Legria HFS 100 1080p high definition camcorder

I have discovered that I have the same problem previewing AVCHD clips as everybody else by the sound of it. Frames are dropped when playing back clips and effects from the timeline, and it is impossible to judge the results of editing until rendered. I would guess that the frame rate drops to around half of that recorded.

Sony is aware of this problem with systems with "limited processing power", and in the Movie Studio Platinum Help section advises converting to lower-resolution format proxy files, and then editing those.

I have tried that, but the result is all clips (or "events" in Sony speak) are rendered to one single file. So, the clips' in and out points are lost, and editing is not possible without splitting the rendered file. For proxy files to be of any use, they must be direct replacements of the original individual AVCHD files, which can then be edited, and replaced before final rendering with those same original HD files. One single file incorporating all the clips is of no use.

Before finally rendering the completed project, Sony Help tells me to replace the proxy clips with the original high-definition clips, as expected. To do this, I am told to right-click the proxy file in th Project Media window, to choose "replace" from the shortcut menu, browse to the MPEG-2 stream that corresponds to the proxy file and then click "Open".

I have tried this, and clicking on Open does nothing at all except highlight the single proxy file on a separate timeline. It does not replace the proxy with the original clips.

I cannot see how this procedure can actually work. I have followed the instructions, but they do not seem to work, or indeed to make any sense.

Has anybody managed to turn their AVCHD clips into individual proxy files, edit them on the timeline, and then restore the original HD files before finally rendering the project. and if they have, could they please share their experience.

Comments

Eugenia wrote on 7/9/2009, 1:50 PM
You are following convoluted instructions. Here's how to do it, this works and it doesn't lose any in/out points because its workflow is different:
http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/12/12/proxy-editing-with-sony-vegas/

If you can't be bothered with proxy editing even after this tutorial, you have two options:

1. Buy Cineform NeoSCENE ($129). It will convert all your AVCHD or other h.264 digicam/digirecorder heavy files into a lossless format that Vegas is very optimized for, Cineform. You then just edit that AVI format directly, you don't change to the AVCHD ones at the end. That's your format. There's a 7-day trial of the product too.

2. Buy a faster PC with 3 GB of RAM. It will cost you about $500 at DELL. Platinum 9 with a Dual Core at 2.4 Ghz or faster does not drop frames on AVCHD (when your project properties are correct, and using "preview(auto)" previewing quality). So you could edit these AVCHD files directly.

Tell me how it goes.
Eugenia wrote on 7/9/2009, 1:56 PM
I just read in your spec page that you are using over 1 GB of RAM and "Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 overclocked 3.2 GHz". If that's indeed the PC you are using, then this is PLENTY enough for AVCHD editing! I have a way less powerful video station than you do, and I don't have frame drop with AVCHD (not even from a camera like yours at 24mbps). In other words, with such a PC you don't need proxies, or Cineform, or a newer PC.

I think what you are seeing is the result of:
1. Your project properties are not setup correctly. Read here the "Optimize Vegas for speedy video preview" section: http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2008/12/19/sony-vegas-hints-and-tips/

2. You added plugins/transitions and you expected these to also be real-time. These can never be real time, no matter the HD format used. Only bare footage will be.

3. Your PC for some reason is heavy loaded with other stuff (including spyware or heavy processes) that make it slow.
Kingpeter wrote on 7/10/2009, 2:45 AM
Thanks for the advice, and when I return later on I will have a go with all the suggestions. As for the computer, I have actually got 4 GB of PC7200 RAM but of course Windows only recognises 2 GB. I have read of a switch to be inserted into the Win.ini file to increase the recognition to 3GB but I have also read that the SP2 should have sorted this anyway. Anybody have any advice on increasing the RAM recoginised by Windows?

Incidentally, I have Kaspersky Internet Security and Webroot Spysweeper, which are updated every day, and sweep every day, so I would hope that the computer is free of viruses or spyware.

I suppose I could try overclocking to perhaps 3.8 GHz, since my core temperature is only running at 25 Deg. C at 3.2 GHz under load, so plenty of headroom. I tried this before however, but the computer would not boot.
Eugenia wrote on 7/10/2009, 12:11 PM
Do not overclock anything. Your PC is plenty fast for AVCHD.
Al Min wrote on 8/10/2009, 8:45 PM
Eugenia - I am just starting to experiment with proxy files because of the choppy playback rate. I have Cineform Neo and found that my playback does not improve a huge amount. If I used proxies (ie Proxy Stream) would I still need to put the clips through Neo Scene, or just process the raw AVCHD clips using Proxy Stream?
Eugenia wrote on 8/10/2009, 10:53 PM
Proxy Stream is only for Vegas Pro, not Platinum. Do you own Pro? If yes, why are you on this forum?

Also, you don't need Cineform with proxy files.