Slow, Slow, ...

doron wrote on 5/24/2005, 11:13 AM
Hi,
I'm using vegas 6.0b (great software).
I'm using it with very large file that was captured using other software in vcd format (and also svcd) - each file is about 4 GB.
I just move all my VHS files to PC.
The problem that it take ages to vegas each time to bulid the audio peaks and also when I try to jump in the file (move the cursor about 1 hour latter) it takes the software to find itself about 1 minute. Its to slow. I also keep defrag my drives.
Because I'm usinf mpg files (mpeg 1 & 2) I thought maybe I'm having a bad codec -is it possible (Can I replace it ?)
Is there any other format that is recommended that I can convert my files. Remember that I have the files already very big (each 4GB) and I have about 30 movies

Comments

HeeHee wrote on 5/24/2005, 11:24 AM
It is normal for most NLE's to have slowdowns with highly compressed codecs, such as MPEG1 (as in your case) and MPEG2. However, once you drop one of the files on the timeline and save your veggie file it should not need to rebuild your audio peaks each time, only with new files to the timeline.

I don't see a way around what you are trying to do except to recapture all your movies from tape. Maybe someone knows otherwise, but that has been my experience.

FYI - Not sure what you are running, but a faster CPU in most cases will speed up just about everything in Vegas.
Chienworks wrote on 5/24/2005, 11:26 AM
MPEG is your problem. This is a very slow and cumbersome format to edit. If you want much faster response i would recommend you use DV .avi files instead. You can convert the files you have to this format but it would be much better to recapture them this way to begin with. DV .avi files will take up about 13GB/hour so you may have to work on them a few at a time.
doron wrote on 5/24/2005, 11:41 AM
Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
I'm using P4 2.4G with 512Mb ram
doron wrote on 5/24/2005, 11:43 AM
Hi,
Thank for the reply.
I can't convert all my files (about 150GB) from mpeg to DV because of the size limit that I have on my drives - Is there any solution that is better then mpeg and don't take the space of DV ?
Chienworks wrote on 5/24/2005, 12:16 PM
Generally, the more compressed the format, the slower and more cumbersome it is to work with.

You could try using very small size uncompressed files, for example, 320x240 8 bit AVI at 15fps would be about 30% the size of DV, or about 66MB/minute. They may look pretty nasty though.

Do you really need to convert them all at once? You mention 30 movies. Can you work on one of them, finish the project, delete it from the drive, then move on to the next on? Assuming they're all about the same size, this would mean working with only about 1/30 as much storage space at a time.
HeeHee wrote on 5/24/2005, 1:46 PM
I agree with Kelly. Either do them one at a time or find the original source and only capture the portion you need for your new project.

Also, by using compressed video the quality of your new project will suffer even if you are rendering to the same file type.

FYI - There are ways to set MPEG2 compression that will allow you to edit it with better flow than a standard template render of DVD MPEG2. You need to find the I,P & B settings that match the codec settings used in cameras that burn right to DVD. The size of these files will be larger than your typical DVD MPEG2, but considerably smaller than DV AVI.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 5/24/2005, 3:06 PM
as crazy as it sounds - you could do a proxy cut with the 15fps 320x240 - then replace the media when you're done.

Assuming that is that you have space for both on your drive.

Otherwise - I'd say - buy an external or another internal whatever will work for you.

Dave