Always having to Force Rendering

Gra · Post by **Gra** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:13 pm

Hi Guys
As mentioned in other posts, I've put all my video files on another drive and I've given my main drive a good clean up. I have 1.2gig of memory and 170gig of free space (full HDD is 233gig).

One problem this clean-up hasn't cured is I always have to force render, regardless of how small the clip is. The playback is also a bit fuzzy and jerky. I never had this problem with MSP7 or for the first months after I upgraded to eight.

To help, I've put as much info as possible below (sorry it runs on a bit).

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

My playback options menu is set to instant play with non-square pixels ticked. Play back is set:
playback in preview window
Best quality
Playback in preview window
performance level = 3
audio cache and multi-threading are both ticked and the slide control at the very bottom (what is that one?) is set to high (10) - I've tried it also set to low (1) without any change in playback quality.

In preferences, general I have ticked the following boxes:
Enable undo (6) and 4 recent files
Use temporary file
Display data rate warning
Display new dialogue box
Check ULeads website (every 7 days)
Preferences Edit:
Resample quality is good
Audio cross fade is checked and set to linear
Field order is lower first
Display aspect is source frame size
Default stretch is set to stretch
and Scrubbing is set to 13
Preferences Associate
is set to AVI files and Associate programme is set to videopaint
Preferences Preview
Box 2 only is checked for MSP eight preview files
Preferences smart proxy:
Enable video proxy is ticked
create proxy is set at 1280x720
Proxy folder is a locals temp
and the options are set at:
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: 6000 kbps
LPCM Audio, 48000 Hz, Stereo

Are any of these settings obviously incorrect or unnecessary or have you guys any other ideas on why I cannot ever playback without rendering each time or force rendering (which is a bit irritating). I'd like to try and avoid a full re-install, but I've a sneeky feeling I may have to.

I'd really appreciate any help or thoughts.

Post by **Ron P.** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:28 pm

Most of your settings look good, I would uncheck the "phone home E.T." (Check Ulead's Site every...day) setting though. I sure wouldn't want it to decide to check the site while I'm trying to render a file...

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:34 pm

Don't understand.

Your project settings are correct for a DV project but you have proxy settings for a higher resolution at MPEG. I presume you are inputting a DV stream. If so, uncheck the proxy. If you are inputting an HD MPEG file, the your project should be set accordingly, in which case your proxy can be set to a lower size.

Or have I misunderstood you?

Gra · Post by **Gra** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:16 pm

Hi Guys

Many thanks for your quick replies.

Devil, I haven't deliberately checked or adjusted the proxy settings - that was a default I think (not enough experience to play with things I don't understand). Could that be the cause?? I'm just making straight forward DV projects, downloaded from my camcorder as AVI files so I'll uncheck the proxy box and hope that improves the situation.

If I did need to use the proxy settings in future, what size should I set it set to??

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:27 pm

Proxy is used only if your computer cannot handle HD bitrates in real time, AFAIK.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:33 pm

Do you have INSTANT PLAY selected

Under the Preview Window, on the same line with the play controls (Play, Prev Edit, Next Frame, etc...), the 2nd-to-right icon has an option to checkmark "Instant Play" (you can also select/unselect the last ICON -- Instant Play). St-click the last icon, and you can set Performance Level for Instant Play.

Regards,
George

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:40 pm

Devil wrote:Proxy is used only if your computer cannot handle HD bitrates in real time, AFAIK.

The Proxy won't kick in because it's based on the resolution of the source material (at or above set resolution in proxy settings). So, as long as the OP is using source material less than the 1280x720 (as stated in their settings), the Proxies will not be created.

But PROXY can also be used for source/resolutions lower than Hi-def Res...

Regards,
George

Gra · Post by **Gra** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:04 pm

Hi and thanks for the comments.

I've switched off the proxy and instant play is checked but still the same problem. Even a test of a clip with just a couple of megabites creates the need to force render. It's very weird as this is something that has developed because it was not a problem when it was first loaded and is a little frustrating because I cannot run a simple smooth playback without it sticking or jumping.

Any ideas?

Gra · Post by **Gra** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:00 am

Hi
I'm even having problems scubbing now and it will not scrub smoothly. I'm not denying a PC problem here, but does it seem that an uninstall, a full registry clean and re-install is now the best option?

If so should I start with an MSP 7 re-install and download any SPs, followed by MSP eight and SP1 or can I skip reloading 7 and just reinstall eight and SP1???

Any other ideas welcome.

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:19 am

I would just install MSP 8, the installer, from memory, will ask for the serial number of the qualifying product if it is an upgrade.

If you need video paint and CGInfinity, you can always install MSP7 later on.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:30 am

Just MSP8, provided you have no on-going MSP7 projects.

I think it will ask you to direct it to where MSP7 is installed. If so, just put in the MSP7 CD, in place of the MSP8 one and give it the drive letter. It will then tell you to put back the MSP8 one after it has found the qualification.

Consider it may be time for a Windows re-install, as well. It's a pain but a sure way of overcoming difficulties.

Gra · Post by **Gra** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:21 pm

Thanks for the advice.

I'll first try re-installing MSP eight and if that still doesn't put me back to where I was when I first loaded it I'll follow your advice and give the whole thing a good scrub down and re-install the lot (once I've worked out how to remove and re-install Windows XP).

Thanks again.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:30 am

Boot up into DOS with an emergency disk. When you get the
A:>
type format c:
It'll ask you are you sure? Type Y

When it has finished, reboot with your Win CD in your drive (I assume you have set the BIOS to try the CD drive for booting.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Install any drivers you need.

Install your software.

Gra · Post by **Gra** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:33 pm

A belated thank you Devil for that useful info on a full Windows re-install.

Gra · Post by **Gra** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 5:53 pm

Hi Guys
Just before I go ahead and reinstall. I tried to play a couple of the mpg video clips that are included in the production library (the example green screen and the snow boarding ones) and even they won't play without force rendering unlike they used to. When I opened Smart Check and Convert I noticed the files were 'mismatched'. Once I converted to AVI they worked without needing to force render. This was the same with a small (575kb) C3D file I imported but, of course, converting to AVI loses the Alpha channel.

Also I tried second similar test and changed the compression setting from AVI to 'none'. The first time it played and I got a pink instead of the usual red render line I've been getting on the preview bar. However when I tried a third time with the setting set to 'none' it reverted to the red render line.

I thought I'd ask in case it offers anyone any clues to the problem and whether there's a check box somewhere that I haven't noticed, which should be either checked or unchecked - or maybe some compression settings that have slipped, which I should alter? Last throw of the dice and all that.