Optimising for Video playback

kitehawk wrote on 7/15/2003, 10:59 PM
I have a reasonably powerful computer (P4,2.4ghz,1/2gig ddr ram,80gig 7200rpm harddrive and a dual head G4-mx440 8xagpp w/64meg ddr ram on the card)that will not play back the full frame rate(pal 25fps). As a budding director i find it really annoying not to be able to see my latest masterpiece unless i print it to video which sux ass! Can anyone help!

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 7/16/2003, 7:09 AM
What format are these files? I can play back DV .avi files full screen at full frame rate on my 866MHz P3 with no trouble. However, even my 2GHz P4 at work has problems with uncompressed .avi files. What else do you have running in the background? Close down all other programs including such things as virus scanners. Other programs compete for processor cycles and can often be quite greedy about it.
kitehawk wrote on 7/16/2003, 12:20 PM
Chienworks
Thanks for your advice
The format of the files are pal dv .avi files.
I have loads of stuff in the background so i will give that a try! It currenly drops to approx 10 fps on unrendered files.
Do you have to prerender the file to get 25fps?
cheers
K
mikkie wrote on 7/16/2003, 12:29 PM
"Do you have to prerender the file to get 25fps?"

SHould be able to play an a DV avi file off the hard drive. If you're trying to play back from the timeline in Vegas, have added FX etc., you might have to pre-render, render to avi 1st to achieve 25 fps, though might want to render at lower qual settings etc. if you're just trying to judge how it looks.
BrianStanding wrote on 7/16/2003, 12:34 PM
What is your Preview quality set to? I'd try backing this down to "Preview, Full." For unmanipulated DV files, this should be fine, especiallyif you're previewing on a PAL monitor.
kitehawk wrote on 7/17/2003, 1:48 PM
ok

The preview quality at "preview,full" still only gives me 15fps. Have turned off all background processes and no noticeable difference. hmmm ....if the video preview window is at half size 25fps achievable...even at "best,full"...but at full screen size "best,full" is 6-10fps!
Do I need more memory?
kitehawk wrote on 7/17/2003, 1:49 PM
ok

The preview quality at "preview,full" still only gives me 15fps. Have turned off all background processes and no noticeable difference. hmmm ....if the video preview window is at half size 25fps achievable...even at "best,auto"...but at full screen size "best,full" is 6-10fps!
Do I need more memory?
kitehawk wrote on 7/17/2003, 1:55 PM
tried a new project with a stable avi and still could not get fullscreen 20-25fps playback at "preview full" (10-15fps). "best full"(6-10fps).....suggestions?
pike_bishop wrote on 7/17/2003, 4:11 PM
kitehawk

What soundcard do you have? I ask because I have a soundblaster and it caused problems with platback. Have a look at this thread http://www.sonicfoundry.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=159036

Have a look down the thread. It worked for me, hopefully it will for you.