How about details on the media? The hardware is more than enough.

Thank you for responding, Roger. Yes, the hardware I'm using is definitely more than sufficient. I'm recording video game footage directly to an external SSD via a USB-C 3.2 cable. Here are some details from one of the files:

Frame width

3840

Frame height

2160

Data rate

143245kbps

Total bitrate

143564kbps

Frame rate

60.00 frames/second

Audio

Bit rate

318kbps

Channels

2 (stereo)

Audio sample rate

48.000 kHz

Is the bit rate I'm recording too high perhaps? I can't imagine what the problem is and appreciate any help you or anyone can provide.

Thank you!

Is this AVC? HEVC? I assume 8 bit.

Can you say how you are recording it? OBS? If so set the keyframe interval to 1.

If not can you check that it's constant framerate? MediaInfo can help confirm these details.

If the drive is fast enough to write without frame drops I think it's fast enough to read (at least one stream at a time). Edit: this is 150mbps? Data rate shouldn't be an issue.

Hello,
Thank you for your continued help. I am not using OBS. I am using a capture card called "Elgato 4K X" in conjunction with a software program called "Elgato 4K Capture Utility." Per your suggestion, I used Mediainfo to obtain the facts for one of my video files. Here is the report that was generated (I apologize if this is a lot of text):

General

Complete name                            : D:\NInja Gaiden II Black\2025-02-16 20-18-40 - NInja Gaiden II Black - Master Ninja\NInja Gaiden II Black - Master Ninja.mp4

Format                                   : MPEG-4

File size                                : 7.99 GiB

Duration                                 : 7 min 58 s

Overall bit rate                         : 144 Mb/s

Encoded date                             : UTC 2025-02-17 12:18:40

Tagged date                              : UTC 2025-02-17 12:18:40

Cover                                    : Yes

da                                       : 2025-02-17

Video

ID                                       : 1

Format                                   : AVC

Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec

Format profile                           : High

Format level                             : 5.2

Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes

Format settings, Reference frames        : 3 frames

Format settings, GOP                     : M=1, N=15

Codec ID                                 : avc1

Duration                                 : 7 min 58 s

Bit rate                                 : 143 Mb/s

Width                                    : 3 840 pixels

Height                                   : 2 160 pixels

Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9

Frame rate mode                          : Constant

Frame rate                               : 60.000 FPS

Color space                              : YUV

Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0

Bit depth                                : 8 bits

Scan type                                : Progressive

Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.288

Stream size                              : 7.97 GiB (100%)

Language                                 : English

Encoded date                             : UTC 2025-02-17 12:18:40

Tagged date                              : UTC 2025-02-17 12:18:40

Color range                              : Limited

Color primaries                          : BT.709

Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709

Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709

mdhd_Duration                            : 478217

Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio

ID                                       : 2

Format                                   : AAC LC

Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec

Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2

Duration                                 : 7 min 58 s

Bit rate mode                            : Constant

Bit rate                                 : 320 kb/s

Channel(s)                               : 2 channels

Channel layout                           : L R

Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz

Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)

Compression mode                         : Lossy

Stream size                              : 18.2 MiB (0%)

Language                                 : English

Encoded date                             : UTC 2025-02-17 12:18:40

Tagged date                              : UTC 2025-02-17 12:18:40

Thanks for the details. There's nothing obviously troublesome with the file.

I assume preferences file io in VEGAS is set to defaults and your NVIDIA is doing the decoding?

Does the file playback well when you're not commentating?

If not, would it be possible to get say a 30s sample file for testing created in the same way? Just upload to Drive, Dropbox, etc.

If it's just while recording, can you describe how you're recording audio- in VEGAS as it plays back (capture utility). Or are there two programs in use at once? I find capture really taxes my system more than it should so I avoid it.

Thanks for the details. There's nothing obviously troublesome with the file.

I assume preferences file io in VEGAS is set to defaults and your NVIDIA is doing the decoding?

Does the file playback well when you're not commentating?

If not, would it be possible to get say a 30s sample file for testing created in the same way? Just upload to Drive, Dropbox, etc.

If it's just while recording, can you describe how you're recording audio- in VEGAS as it plays back (capture utility). Or are there two programs in use at once? I find capture really taxes my system more than it should so I avoid it.

Thank you. In Preferences > File I/O, should I have “Enable legacy AVC Decoding” checked or left off as it is by default? Also, under the option that says, “Hardware Decoder to Use,” I should have my NVIDIA GPU (4090) selected for that option?

When you ask if the file plays back well when I am not commentating, I would say that it does still struggle as far as the stuttering issue with the Preview Window.

And yes, I can get you a 30s sample if it will help.

You asked how I'm recording the audio commentary? I am using a program called Audacity to record the audio commentary. So I have Audacity running while I am previewing the video in real time and commentating.

I really am grateful for your help. Not a lot of people would be willing to share their time to help others in this way and I am very thankful to you.

 In Preferences > File I/O, should I have “Enable legacy AVC Decoding” checked or left off as it is by default?

Try it with and without 'legacy AVC decoding' enabled and see if there is a difference in timeline performance. I have it unchecked in in Vegas Pro 22 but had to have it enabled in Vegas Pro 21 for my AVC video.

... I should have my NVIDIA GPU (4090) selected for that option?

In general, yes ... but years ago there was sometimes a clash between having the GPU selected at the same time in Options/Preferences/Video ("GPU acceleration of video processing') but I don't think that this has been an issue for a while.

I am using a program called Audacity to record the audio commentary.

Audacity shouldn't be a problem - I've often had Vegas Pro open while using Audacity without any performance issues in Vegas Pro. But then when recording VO in Audacity while playing back in Vegas Pro, there shouldn't be a direct link between the two programs. Once the audio recording has been recorded in Audacity, presumably the exported audio is imported into Vegas Pro in the usual way.

What might be causing a problem is the audio device selected in Audacity. In Windows 'Hardware and Sound/Sound/Manage Audio Devices' under Speaker Properties/Advanced (tab), neither checkbox should ideally be enabled under the 'Exclusive Mode' heading as when enabled they might be denying one of the programs access to the computer's audio device.

Thank you. In Preferences > File I/O, should I have “Enable legacy AVC Decoding” checked or left off as it is by default? Also, under the option that says, “Hardware Decoder to Use,” I should have my NVIDIA GPU (4090) selected for that option?

When you ask if the file plays back well when I am not commentating, I would say that it does still struggle as far as the stuttering issue with the Preview Window.

And yes, I can get you a 30s sample if it will help.

You asked how I'm recording the audio commentary? I am using a program called Audacity to record the audio commentary. So I have Audacity running while I am previewing the video in real time and commentating.

I really am grateful for your help. Not a lot of people would be willing to share their time to help others in this way and I am very thankful to you.

I would leave legacy AVC decoding unchecked as it's not great with NVDEC decoding. You can always test it, though I'd put it back to NVDEC when working with other file types.

As you say VEGAS struggles generally with this footage please share a sample (I also have NVIDIA GPUs). 30s, 1 min. whatever's long enough to show the issue. It can be of anything, the content doesn't matter so much as long as the stuttering is visible.

I haven't done the VO as you are describing with Audacity. Is there a reason to use VEGAS as a player (esp. if it is struggling) vs just playing the file with a media player like MPC and recording to Audacity?

Is there a reason to use VEGAS as a player (esp. if it is struggling) vs just playing the file with a media player like MPC and recording to Audacity?

 

No reason. I'm just used to being able to sync the audio and video accurately in Vegas, particularly because I often do audio recordings in sessions and since I have multiple audio clips, I have to be as accurate as possible lest the audio and video don't line up properly. I've been doing it this way ("this way" being commentating audio over the video timeline in Vegas for years and I've never had a problem such as has necessitated making a forum thread for help from the community).

I see, if it worked for years with other media it does sound like a media issue here.

As a workaround does right clicking on the media in project media and creating a video proxy help?

Alternatively you could do a conversion through ShutterEncoder (convert to output format h264 and set GOP to 60 in advanced settings).

If you can share a sample file we can figure out what's going wrong.

I see, if it worked for years with other media it does sound like a media issue here.

As a workaround does right clicking on the media in project media and creating a video proxy help?

Alternatively you could do a conversion through ShutterEncoder (convert to output format h264 and set GOP to 60 in advanced settings).

If you can share a sample file we can figure out what's going wrong.

Have not tried creating a video proxy. I was right clicking on the clips in my Timeline to create the proxy, but now I will try, per your suggestion, to right click the clips in Project Media.

Next corrupted file I encounter, I will create a sample for you. Thanks!

I see, if it worked for years with other media it does sound like a media issue here.

As a workaround does right clicking on the media in project media and creating a video proxy help?

Alternatively you could do a conversion through ShutterEncoder (convert to output format h264 and set GOP to 60 in advanced settings).

If you can share a sample file we can figure out what's going wrong.

Creating the Video Proxies is seeming to help with little to no video preview stutter now. It takes a bit of time to make the proxies given my large files, but it has been worth it to see a diminished amount of video preview stutters. Hopefully they are gone for good. If they persist, I will update this thread. Thank you to everyone for their continued help.

I see, if it worked for years with other media it does sound like a media issue here.

As a workaround does right clicking on the media in project media and creating a video proxy help?

Alternatively you could do a conversion through ShutterEncoder (convert to output format h264 and set GOP to 60 in advanced settings).

If you can share a sample file we can figure out what's going wrong.

I have a link here of some corrupted video that just occurred. Hopefully it is the type of thing you can use to help me figure out this issue.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14xyc2Li12iL4IztOGMpGDnjfybVFoCAh/view?usp=drive_link

@Bick_Benedict Requested access.

@Bick_Benedict Requested access.

Granted.

This file doesn't play back well in my media player either- it freezes partway though. Can you doublecheck the file/capture?

It's also extremely low bitrate and resolution.

is this the original file your hardware captured? Does it really run at 24fps? I thought games were normally 60.

General
Format                         : MPEG-4
Format profile                 : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID                       : mp42 (isom/mp42)
File size                      : 289 KiB
Duration                       : 6 s 792 ms
Overall bit rate mode          : Variable
Overall bit rate               : 349 kb/s
Frame rate                     : 24.000 FPS
Encoded date                   : 2025-02-19 20:28:34 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2025-02-19 20:28:34 UTC

Video
ID                             : 2
Format                         : AVC
Format/Info                    : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                 : High@L2.1
Format settings                : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC         : Yes
Format settings, Reference fra : 4 frames
Format settings, GOP           : M=4, N=15
Format settings, Slice count   : 4 slices per frame
Codec ID                       : avc1
Codec ID/Info                  : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                       : 6 s 792 ms
Bit rate mode                  : Variable
Bit rate                       : 154 kb/s
Maximum bit rate               : 192 kb/s
Width                          : 480 pixels
Height                         : 360 pixels
Display aspect ratio           : 4:3
Frame rate mode                : Constant
Frame rate                     : 24.000 FPS
Standard                       : NTSC
Color space                    : YUV
Chroma subsampling             : 4:2:0
Bit depth                      : 8 bits
Scan type                      : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)             : 0.037
Stream size                    : 128 KiB (44%)
Language                       : English
Encoded date                   : 2025-02-19 20:28:36 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2025-02-19 20:28:36 UTC
Color range                    : Limited
Color primaries                : BT.601 NTSC
Transfer characteristics       : BT.601
Matrix coefficients            : BT.601
Codec configuration box        : avcC

Audio
ID                             : 1
Format                         : AAC LC
Format/Info                    : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                       : mp4a-40-2
Duration                       : 6 s 784 ms
Bit rate mode                  : Variable
Bit rate                       : 192 kb/s
Maximum bit rate               : 330 kb/s
Channel(s)                     : 2 channels
Channel layout                 : L R
Sampling rate                  : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                     : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode               : Lossy
Stream size                    : 157 KiB (54%)
Language                       : English
Encoded date                   : 2025-02-19 20:28:35 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2025-02-19 20:28:35 UTC

Video games are typically either 30fps or 60fps. This one is 60fps, but for viewing purposes, I selected 24fps. I can increase the quality and frame rate to 720p and 60fps if you prefer. Besides that, is there anything else I can change while rendering it that will assist you in diagnosing the issue?

And no, that is not the original quality my software captured. It was captured in 4K/60fps to an external SSD via 140.0 Mbps bit rate.

And about the video freezing, that is the raw file that has that stuttering issue. You said the next time I incurred that issue, I was to isolate it and send it to you. The video is being corrupted somehow either while capturing or after viewing it in the Preview Window of Vegas Pro 22.

I've also done video proxies for every file beforehand and it is still having this issue of corruption and stuttering in the Preview Window.

I need the original file that you captured so I can see how VEGAS works with it here.

Playing back a file can't corrupt it (nothing is written to it) so any short recording you made (or make) would work fine for this purpose.

I need the original file that you captured so I can see how VEGAS works with it here.

Playing back a file can't corrupt it (nothing is written to it) so any short recording you made (or make) would work fine for this purpose.

Oh, I didn't know you needed the original file, not a rendered file showing what the problem was. Okay, I'll upload the original file and send you the link.

Great, thank you. You could upload the file showing the stuttering directly to the forum here to show others the problem (upload button next to the smiley face), but yes I need an original for testing.

Please check the file in a media player first; if it doesn't playback well then it's an issue at the capture stage.

Great, thank you. You could upload the file showing the stuttering directly to the forum here to show others the problem (upload button next to the smiley face), but yes I need an original for testing.

Please check the file in a media player first; if it doesn't playback well then it's an issue at the capture stage.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XflnuLZFR9vEfhA6TrDwb_bvr5VE863I/view?usp=drivesdk

That is the link to the original file. I made it Public so you shoud be able to watch it without needing permission. The stuttering happens around the 4:35 mark.

I see stuttering in my media player at that mark. I advanced frame by frame and the frames are the same. Do you see this as well?

VEGAS can't fix capture errors.

I see stuttering in my media player at that mark. I advanced frame by frame and the frames are the same. Do you see this as well?

VEGAS can't fix capture errors.

So this is not a problem with Vegas Pro 22 but rather with my capture software/hardware?