Proxy files >> Source files

[tletter]

As can be seen, VS2018 sometimes creates proxy files that are much larger than the source file eventhough the video proxy options are 720x480, 29.97 fps. Is there a reason for this behaviour?

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[Davidk]

This has also happened to me. No response was ever made to a similar query I made.

[tletter]

This has also happened to me. No response was ever made to a similar query I made.

OK well here's an explanation of why FotoWeb's proxy files can be larger than the original file (same probably applies to VS):

If the original asset has already been heavily compressed (e.g. using H.264 High profile), the proxy file size will most likely be larger than the original asset. The H.264 encoder used to create the proxy file is configured to use a "Baseline" profile to maximize decode compatibility; the trade-off is larger filesize/bitrate to maintain the quality of the original video file. Lower compression must then be used, and the proxy file transcoder may create a larger file than the original to preserve the current quality.

The takeaway here is that a user should routinely remove old proxy files as they can consume an impressive amount of storage.

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[lata]

Hi
What are the properties of the original file, clearly the frame size will be over 720 x 480, how long is the video compared with its MB size
If the original files are highly compressed then the file size will be small

Smart Proxy recommended settings produces upx files using a compression that will be used for all types of video, of course the files will be of different sizes depending on the length of the video.
It is possible that highly compressed video files could be smaller than the associated proxy file.
Just ran a quick test
For instance a 1 minute MP4 from Video Studio is 100MB, its associated proxy being 110Mb
A 1 minute MP4 4K is 255Mb ish
its associated proxy being 100Mb, much lower than its original video file.

Removing Proxy files automatically.
If we delete the original video file or re-name the original video file its associated proxy file will also be removed on the next launch of the program.

Apologies I did not see the last response till I had posted this reply.

[tletter]

What are the properties of the original file

So VS's proxy file is 602,722 KB compared to the source file size of 92,526KB, i.e. the proxy files is 6.5 times larger! Huge VS proxy files aren't uncommon despite the results your quick test.

Just ran a quick test

What are the properties of the original file?

FotoWeb explains very well why its proxy files can be larger than the original. Perhaps Corel can do so as well.

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[lata]

Rather than using the recomended settings , we can create our own proxy file template, if we use mpg4 type with a low data rate of say 4000kbps then any original using a lower rate would produce larger proxies, if you get my drift.
The lower the rate the lower the quality.

Do you have issues playing that video without proxies
Proxies would normally be used for Hd and 4K where playback suffers, for 4K proxies do appear to be much smaller.

As you know we do not work for Corel so if you need their opinion as to proxy sizes the you should contact Corel Support

[tletter]

if you need their opinion as to proxy sizes the you should contact Corel Support

This post was directed at forum users who might know about or who have experienced the issue. As you haven't experienced this issue then that's good, but others such as Davidk have experienced it so the issue is real.

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[Davidk]

Yep, I've had it happen - but the extra size was 30% (eg, 2Gb original vs 3.2gb proxy), not 650%. Cannot say that I noticed it regularly tho - usually when I was scanning thru the proxy folder looking for files to delete as a space management approach. As 'view on the timeline' thing, the larger proxy file did what you would expect - played without jerks and glitches etc, with no obvious indication that the proxy file was larger than the HD source.