VideoStudio System Requirements for AVHCD

[Maxxthedogg2000]

Hello. I am a new user submitting my first post. Go easy on me if I'm doing this wrong...

Describe your problem:
- I have just purchased a Canon HF100 and the latest version of VideoStudio. Although all the websites, reviews, and blogs about AVHCD cameras warned about computer system requirements, I decided to try it anyway (see my 'weak' system in my profile). Needless to say, I am unable to play videos without choppy performance and have been unable to edit or burn a DVD without my system crashing. I would really rather not buy a new computer as it works fine for everything else I do, so my question is, 1) what is the best way to improve performance while working with AVHCDs. Should I update CPU, memory, or video card? 2) To what minimum levels?

Properties of your source files (format, file size, where did you get it?):
- AVHCD recorded at max bitrate (17MPS)

What devices are involved and their mode of connection?:
- System as indicated in my profile.

Project Properties (important):
- Editing multiple m2ts files within one project. Tried to burn a compilation DVD with about 2.4 Gb of information. Disabled incoming / outgoing motion menu transitions as suggested in another post.

Output format (file, DVD, VCD, SVCD):
- DVD+R

PAL or NTSC:
- NTSC

Error Codes (if any):
Besides the poor performance and looooong encoding time, I get an "Unspecified Error 5:0:0" along the way.

Product Version: e.g. VS10 or VS11+
- VS11+

Any feedback would be appreciated...

[DVDDoug]

WARNING - The following is mostly opinion and speculation... I don't even have HD!

Have you downloaded & installed the updates?

If you still have problems after installing the updates, your problems are more-likely related to incompatibility with the particular AVCHD format from your camera. There are many formats and many variations of each format. Most crashes/freezing/errors seem to have something to do with the particular video file.

Your system meets the system requrements for proxy editing. (If you want to upgrade, you'd probably have to upgrade your motherboard*.)

System Requirements (For general and Proxy HDV Editing)
- Intel Pentium 4 (equivalent) or higher recommended
- Microsoft Windows XP SP2 Home Edition/Professional,
Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition, Windows Vista
- 512 MB (Depending on the video capture device used, 1
GB RAM may be recommended)
- 1 GB of available hard disk space for program installation
- Windows-compatible sound card (multi-channel sound
card for surround sound support recommended)
- Windows-compatible CD-ROM for installation

Non-Proxy HDV editing requires:
- Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz or higher with Hyper-Threading
technology
- Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack2 for HDV camcorder
support recommended)
- 1 GB of RAM (2GB or more recommended)
- 16X PCI Express display adapter

In case it's not clear, with proxy editing, you are editing standard definition version of your video. When you render (i.e. "Share") your video, your edits are applied to a high definition version. (I think most people are using proxy editing.)

Needless to say, I am unable to play videos without choppy performance and have been unable to edit or burn a DVD without my system crashing.

With digital editing, the actual editing is just "number crunching". A slow computer will take longer, but you shouldn't get errors or crashing just because your computer is under-powered. When it comes to real-time playback and real-time capture, of course, a slow computer can cause errors (or "choppy" preview during editing). But, non-linear digital editing is not real-time... A slower computer just takes longer.


* Your current motherboard probably can't use the "latest" CPU, and it may not have a PCI express slot (for the video card). You can usually install a "slightly faster" CPU and more memory, but any serious upgrade usually involves a new motherboard, CPU, and memory. Of course, most people opt for a whole new computer at that point.

[Black Lab]

Hello. I am a new user submitting my first post. Go easy on me if I'm doing this wrong...

Go easy if you are doing it wrong?! I want to congratulate you for being one of the few who actually read the "Read This Before Posting" and answering all the questions. WHOOHOO!!!