Jerky/ Poor Preview

[Gra]

Hi Guys

I'm using MSP 8 and my project settings are:

PAL (25 fps)
Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 4:3, 25 fps
Lower Field First
DV Video Encoder -- type 1
DV Audio -- PAL, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

Normally playback isn't too bad but I've usually only got two or three tracks running. Now I'm working on a project where I need five or six and the preview either sticks or doesn't playback or jerks between frames. It's even worse since I've put in a Cool 3d (not production studio) clip and it won't play that back at all - the picture just hangs then jumps to the end of the clip (which is a pain as I need to see how that actually interacts with the rest of the video).

My Playback/ review settings are:
1. Playback: in Preview Window,
2. Preview quality: Auto
3. Performance level: 3

The check boxes for both 'disable audio cache' and 'enable multi-threading' are both checked

The slider control at the bottom of the settings menu is set on 'low' (or is that the problem?) what is that slider actually for? I can't seem to find a reference in VE's help files!

Can anyone advise me on what I've got set wrong or is preview quality always like this when there are several tracks being used (should I just render the C3d clip to AVI as well to make it just about watchable)?

Have a good Easter all.

[Devil]

Unfortunately, you don't give precise processor details in your profile. I would hazard a guess that it is a fairly slow runner if it's baulking at showing just 2 or 3 tracks, unless you have a number of effects on each (I'm assuming a single timeline: if you have nested ones, then the problems may multiply).

I run a 3.06 GHz P4 HT with 1 Gb RAM and have no difficulty with seeing several tracks in real time, provided I don't add too many effects, with Instant Playback (of course, with a pause at the start). In cases where I've added several filters, moving paths and so on, and it baulks, I usually go to High Quality Preview, over a range of the effect I wish to see, wait a few seconds for the rendering, and it will always preview perfectly. You can also force a render in Instant Playback (see p.90 of the manual)

The Performance Level should be set according to your CPU speed, according to p. 90, but I agree that the instructions are totally unclear

[Gra]

Thanks Devil for your reply. I'm a bit weak in the technical set up side of things, but here's some additional info.

The CPU is a Pentium 4 -3.20GHz, 3200MHz
Bus Speed is 200MHz
The Motherboard is an ASUS Tek P4C800
The BIOS is AMI 1010.004
Memory 1024 MB

THe video is NVIDIA FeForce FX 5200 and sound is SoundMAX digital audio.

I think the problem isn't helped by several transitions and moving paths for the first 1 -2 minutes as they are opening credits, so rendering seems the way forward (when you say High quality preview, do you mean just switching instant play off or is there a specific control for?)

Also, when you say about setting performance level to CPU speed, are you talking about the slider control at the bottom of the preview settings menu and is it worth setting that higher than 'low'?

lastly does it help if I change my smart proxy setting. At the moment its set at 1280x720. Should I set that down to PAL 720x576 (or just leave well alone?)

I'm really sorry for some really basic questions (again) but it is not always clear from the manual (for an inexperienced guy), to determine what a setting really does for the best or worst or if its best to leave it as default.

[Devil]

The CPU should be OK. However your bus speed (I assume you mean FSB) is lower than average for modern systems. Is this a limitation imposed by your memory speed? Most run at 266 MHz with a 2:1 multiplier to run a 533 MHz memory stick(s). It can also be limited by the Pentium type (e.g., some are limited because of overheating or power consumption issues, notably the Pentium M, limited to 133 MHz, but able to run with a 4:1 multiplier). However, if you have a 4:1 multiplier, your RAM could be running at a super-fast 800 MHz. The Northbridge should pick this up automatically.

Yes, switching off Instant Play puts it into High Quality.

It could well be that you would overload the instant play with several tracks, transitions, titles and moving paths. It is of no importance if Instant play cannot cope (red line in timeline) because it will be OK when you render. You are doing things OK.

Forget proxy settings: these are essentially for HDTV.

[Gra]

Many thanks again Devil for your advice (and encouragment I'm doing things ok).

I can be a bit creative in using the software (once I know what I'm doing), but when it comes to the background technicalities I get a bit lost. I tend to approach PCs along the lines of I switch it on and it works but I get a bit timid in fiddling with settings in case I banjax the whole operating system.

However I've got a good mate who may not be into the video editing game, but he's a whizz at the more technical aspects of Bus/ FPS settings and multipliers, etc. I'll see if he can suggest any tweaks, which I wouldn't know to look for (or dare attempt to fiddle with).

Thanks again and have a good Easter.