You have somewhat similar system specs as I do.
Another thing to check if you have not yet done so...

Preferences/Video/Dynamic RAM Preview:

--- .My VP8 defaulted at 128 Mb. when I first fired it up. Push it to the limit: type in 1024 Mb. Unfortunately that's as high as one can go. But it helps.

As far as Preview, I believe that when set to Auto and sizing it down (docked or floating) with one's mouse from full helps (less re-draw).
Experiment with it and see if, well...(smaller) size matters :)

As to fps and other project properties, I've found out that it is not size that matters, but codecs. I had one uncompressed 8 Gb .avi hat read OK. Did a compressed version, it ran slower and jumpier. Media codec consistency is a key, methinks.

That said....

If you are on a single, non-networked computer, it seems to me that a 45 Gb file is asking alot of Vegas and of your system for even stuff you aren't working on in the moment gets parked in RAM.

Suggestion:

--- Cut up the file into 10 or whatever separate files (not just virtual events) by rendering the segments to tracks,

--- Then re-assemble them into the original length or positions with snap and/or grouping so there is no loss of frames..

-------------------------------------
Maybe all redundant and been-there-done that for you, but figured I'd toss in my 2 cents..

I have learned in ver. 7, thar if you right click on the preview window and enables the "fit to" feature that will give you a more floating size, can cause playback issues.

I have had theese issues you have, not as strong though, in ver. 7, but I find ver. 8 to better in this matter.

/Ulf

[I posted this additional response in the Cineform forum @ dvinfo.net also to open up all options]

I MUST have some setting either in Windows, Vegas that is WAY off for working with Cineform. I tried all the recommendations listed above (and from emails, thank you) that relate to my system, and nothing changed.

I tried several things that may pinpoint where I'm going wrong: I created a new veg in Vegas, only imported ONE file at a time in several different file HD formats (wmv, mpeg, and Cineform avi). The wmv and mpg were each at about 800 MB, while the Cineform was about 670 MB. The wmv and mpg came right up to 23.976 fps. The Cineform stayed between 8-10 fps with no other changes to the system. When I played that same Cineform avi file OUTSIDE of Vegas, it played at regular speed with no jumpiness.

I made sure I matched the project settings to media, I shut off all programs not related to Vegas, no effects/track effects, CPU usage around 35-45% when playing, size of preview at 384 x 216, tried Dynamic Preview RAM at 0, default of 128, 1024 with minimal effect. I set the Cineform, Tools, Desktop Playback to Fast. I'm ONLY having problems with the preview speed with the Cineform files, which I was under the impression would actually SPEED things up.

Am I missing something? Is there any info anyone can think of that I could give you that would help identify any problem?

I can't comment on Cineform since I'm not knowledgeable, but a thought occurred to me due ot other posts on the following...

-- Is your project in 8-bit or 32-bit float mode? If the latter, it takes a pretty serious hit on Preview as others have mentioned.

But since you're having problems with Cineform only, it may not be the issue.

-- Codec Interference? I wouldn't know what to look for, but it could possibly by something related. Maybe you have two versions of Cineform installed without knowing it or some other codec that's messing with it.

And for another obvious way to go...

Have you thought of calling Sony Tech Support? They're pretty swamped from what I hear due to post-release period, but it may be useful.

And, last, even though I just summarily scanned the page--and you may have gone there already, try the Cineform FAQ. I doesn't address Vegas much but maybe there is something there that could help. Dunno.

Good luck.


.

Soniclight,
Thanks for the attempts. Here's what I've found in the interim:

I'm certain it's something in my Vegas settings. I just re-opened the file and tried a few things. I set the preview to Half. Still poor fps. I tried clicking off various tracks. Here's the kicker: I have 5 tracks (2 video, 2 correlating audio tracks, one Hi-MD audio track). I tried various combinations of muting tracks. When I leave both video tracks on, the audio to the first track, MUTE the 2nd audio track, and leave on the Hi-MD audio track, I get almost 23.976 fps. I leave on all audio tracks with the video, back to 7-12 fps. Both video tracks on and JUST the Hi-MD audio tracks, I get full 23.976 even with 636 x 358 preview. So clearly it doesn't seem to be a Cineform issue (I'm guessing it's not an issue with the Cineform audio import affecting fps).

Anyone have trouble with multiple audio tracks causing decrease in fps preview? I guess it's not much of a problem if there's no solution, as I can just keep audio tracks muted during preview (or prerender into one wav).

Looks like you've found some kind of workaround here, so that's better than nuttin' :)

I'm puzzled about your slightly sub-NTSC 29.07 and 7-12 fps thing, seems weird to me,but again, I don't know much about Cineform or what you have as media in your project. I'll have to defer to those far more knowledgeable here.

That said...

I usually like to keep files used in a project in the same fps (or close, i,e. NTSC 29.97 and 20), for I figure Vegas has to do more work when previewing tracks with multiple fps. This even though Vegas is supposed to handle that well (one of its famous features).

But logic suggests that less computation, less stress, more speed.

So...

Maybe saving your project as a *your filename)_TEST.veg or whatever and rendering out and reimporting the files that have lower or non-project setting fps (maybe even no-audio) so they all have the same fps could help in your case. I.e. a lossless format like HuffUV.

Or it may not help. Dunno. Just an idea.
Or maybe I'm simply misunderstanding your fps figures...

But if relevant, perhaps this route could be something to try and do while you're having dinner or sleeping, then see what happens :)

No change? Well, then just toss out the _TEST.veg, delete the rendered files and go back to your initial veggie file.

I'm thinking a lot of people have this slow preview speed as I too have problems constantly with this. I've got a pretty powerful computer yet the playback is jerky. The sony help option says the following "Many graphics cards (video boards, primary display cards) on a PC cannot handle full-screen, full-frame rate video. While this leads to jerky, hesitating playback, it may not actually be a serious problem. You may have difficulty previewing your project at its full frame rate, but this will not affect your rendered project."

But...I have the 8800 GTX 700mb graphics card. Do I need two of them for clean playback? It kind of makes it hard to see how the effects are going to turn out if the screen is jumpy.

Maybe my large monitor is causing the problem (24 inch dell).

How do I see the frame rate for the preview window as this may help me determine the cause of my slow down? The only things I see under my preview window is project, frame (not frame rate), Preview size, and display.