What 4K file format is the best to work with in Vegas Pro 20/21

Cameraman1955 wrote on 4/4/2024, 4:38 AM

I upgraded my videocamera from HD to 4K and I can set a lot of resolutions, codec and frame rates on this camera. Which one is best to work with in Vegas Pro 20/21, I notice that the preview is very choppy, while in other NLE's it is not. I can choose from MP4, MOV and as codec HEVC, 420LongGOP, 422LongGOP. And also in the ALL-Intra mode is possible. Maybe someone can help me with that.

Comments

RogerS wrote on 4/4/2024, 4:54 AM

What camera is it? Canon?

MOV and MP4 don't matter for performance, it's what's inside the container.

Is HEVC the only codec choice? It's space-efficient but can be tough to edit well.

Please add your system specs to your signature. If you don't have an Intel GPU or iGPU avoid HEVC 422. (Even if you do have one I'd avoid it unless you really need the color precision for green screen or compositing or something).

I'd test 420 long GOP vs all-I and see what the performance is like on your machine. Use 4K and normal framerates (24, 25, 30).

Keep preferences, file io on defaults. 21 may perform better than 20 as it's gotten some updates.

Dexcon wrote on 4/4/2024, 5:09 AM

For the time being, steer clear of HEVC. From comments on the forum, many are experiencing difficulty in getting smooth timeline playback with HEVC (H.265) video - including myself. The reason is that HEVC is much more compressed than other codecs such as AVC H.264 video and thus requires more decompression processing in NLEs. For me, even the latest DaVinci Resolve Studio struggles with HEVC.

On this forum, the main recommendation to deal with HEVC has been to transcode the video to a Vegas-friendly codec such as H.264. My understanding from past comments on the forum is that the Vegas team is working on improving HEVC processing so hopeful we'll see an end to HEVC problems at some time hopefullt not too far away.

I'd therefore recommend MP4 420 Long GOP but, as with any new camera, its always best for you to shoot a whole lot of test video and see how each codec/format performs on your particular system. When testing HEVC, try importing dozens of HEVC video on to Vegas' timeline. The reason - one HEVC on the timeline seems to play well, but dozens of HEVC video media on Vegas' timeline can really slow things down to a virtual crawl or even stop.

Also, check how Vegas works with the audio with the various formats/codec. With GoPro 10 4K (HEVC only), even the audio staggers in Vegas Pro even if the video part of that event is not on the timeline. That of course could be a GoPro issue and not representative of all cameras.

Cameras: Sony FDR-AX100E; GoPro Hero 11 Black Creator Edition; Samsung S23 Ultra smart phone

Installed: Vegas Pro 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23, HitFilm Pro 2021.3, DaVinci Resolve Studio 20.2, BCC 2025.5, Mocha Pro 2025.5, NBFX TotalFX 7, Neat NR 6, DVD Architect 6.0, MAGIX Travel Maps, Sound Forge Pro 16, SpectraLayers Pro 12, iZotope RX11 Advanced and many other iZ plugins, Vegasaur 4.0

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Cameraman1955 wrote on 4/4/2024, 5:50 AM

Thanks I no abit more now my new camera is an Panasonic HC-X20, I have also the H264 codec, my computer is an Intel I7 and 32GB ram and AMD videocard RX570.

I have set the camera now H264 25P and it runs smooth now on 4K

 

 

 

Cameraman1955 wrote on 4/4/2024, 12:50 PM

For the time being, steer clear of HEVC. From comments on the forum, many are experiencing difficulty in getting smooth timeline playback with HEVC (H.265) video - including myself. The reason is that HEVC is much more compressed than other codecs such as AVC H.264 video and thus requires more decompression processing in NLEs. For me, even the latest DaVinci Resolve Studio struggles with HEVC.

On this forum, the main recommendation to deal with HEVC has been to transcode the video to a Vegas-friendly codec such as H.264. My understanding from past comments on the forum is that the Vegas team is working on improving HEVC processing so hopeful we'll see an end to HEVC problems at some time hopefullt not too far away.

I'd therefore recommend MP4 420 Long GOP but, as with any new camera, its always best for you to shoot a whole lot of test video and see how each codec/format performs on your particular system. When testing HEVC, try importing dozens of HEVC video on to Vegas' timeline. The reason - one HEVC on the timeline seems to play well, but dozens of HEVC video media on Vegas' timeline can really slow things down to a virtual crawl or even stop.

Also, check how Vegas works with the audio with the various formats/codec. With GoPro 10 4K (HEVC only), even the audio staggers in Vegas Pro even if the video part of that event is not on the timeline. That of course could be a GoPro issue and not representative of all cameras.

Great information thanks, I am using now AVC H.264 and all works smooth now even on 50P.

fr0sty wrote on 4/4/2024, 5:02 PM

As far as quality and performance go, ProRes, but you'd probably need an external recorder like an Atomos Ninja V to record that, few cameras offer it natively... but expect the file sizes to be much bigger. All-I typically decodes easier, as there isn't any temporal compression to decode, and it looks better too.

Cameraman1955 wrote on 4/5/2024, 1:01 AM

As far as quality and performance go, ProRes, but you'd probably need an external recorder like an Atomos Ninja V to record that, few cameras offer it natively... but expect the file sizes to be much bigger. All-I typically decodes easier, as there isn't any temporal compression to decode, and it looks better too.

Yes thats the next investment I am going to do to have more recording choices.

Cameraman1955 wrote on 4/5/2024, 3:21 AM

@Cameraman1955
Is it this one:


The Atomos Ninja V recorder is considered for HDR10 (ProRes422) full framerate, I don't see any Log profile in your camcorder.
So, be aware for what you will invest.

I have bought a secondhand Lumix GH5s (and Accessoires) round 1k Euro, I shoot in 10bit422AVC4k30p HLG, that's the max of it.
Initially also planned buying a Ninja for full frame HDR10, but another 600Euro invest discouraged me.
Me, poor man. 😔😔Yes thats the one, and indeed it have no log that cost me 700 extra for the X2 version of the cam and I am poor too :-) I am happy now that it works now on VP.

Thanks for the info, yes I have the X20 only the X2 version of the cam have Vlog that cost me €700 more, and I am a poor man :-) so this recorder is not for me, maybe an other one. The picture quality of this cam is very good so I am happy it runs now smooth on Vegas Pro.