Project freezing in VS12

[Calomax]

In the past I've used a Panasonic SDR-S7 video camera which produces MPEG files with no problem.

I now have a Panasonic Lumix still camera which also takes AVCHD video. The individual files play perfectly in VS12, but as soon as I try to play the project to preview it, the picture keeps freezing. I thought this could be due to the new video's being HD but I don't think the individual files could be played either.

I hope someone might be able to help please.

[Ken Berry]

A couple of thoughts... VS X2 had difficulties editing what was then a new video format used by digital still cameras, namely AVCHD Lite. And I suspect that that may be what your Lumix produces... As far as I can recall, this was never corrected in X2, though more recent versions can handle it. Are you using SmartProxy by the way? That usually smooths things out during editing.

But the other factor may be your computer. Unfortunately, you have never filled in its specifications in your Profile, so we have no idea what you are using. But for editing AVCHD of any sort, you need a fairly powerful computer -- at least a decent Core 2 Duo, but preferably something even more powerful than that...

[Calomax]

Thank you Ken. I have now updated my profile. I do have a 2 core Intel duo TS800 2GHz CPU, but I have no idea how good that is.

Yes, it is AVCHD Lite.

I do have Smart Proxy ticked in Preferences, but I have to admit I don't understand anything about it.

So it looks as though I should upgrade to the latest version of VS.

Incidentally the camera has a "Motion JPEG" mode, but I think that's low quality for uploading to thee internet etc.

[Ken Berry]

The first computer I used to successfully -- if rather slowly -- edit AVCHD was in fact an HP 17 inch notebook with the same processor and RAM as your computer. So it is capable of the job, just slow, and almost inevitably you will get the shudders when it is in project mode. I just learned to ignore the shudder (until I bought my Quad, and even that shudders a bit sometimes! ) But if you can ignore it, the output will usually be quite smooth in playback.

SmartProxy is a rather clever idea for people who don't have powerful computers. VS makes a copy of the original HD footage, but in a standard def format which is not demanding. This takes time so you have to be patient. You then do the editing to that standard def footage, and when satisfied, the edits are all applied to the high def originals. This certainly smooths out project playback, apart from anything else!!

As for Motion JPEG, quite a few digital still cameras provide(d) that as the only option. And in fact it produces quite high quality (though large) standard definition video. It was in fact the predecessor of what IMHO was the best standard def format for editing and conversion, namely DV/AVI (used in tape-based camcorders). If you can get it to work, AVCHD Lite will certainly propel you into the high def world, but MJPEG will certainly do a good (and easier?) job in standard def.

[Calomax]

Thanks again Ken, I did create a video file but that still was a bit jerky on playback, and it also seemed to have sped up the action. It looked like the Keystone Cops.

I'm finding it difficult to ignore the freezing and to edit the project successfully.

thanks for the explanation of Smart Proxy. My setting is to create proxy when video size is above 322 X 288. Does that sound right?

I'm downloading the free trial of Pro X4 to give it a try before I decide whether to buy the upgrade. If it is going to wok, do you know if I can just open the existing project or if I'll need to start over please?

[Ken Berry]

X4 will have no trouble opening project files from earlier versions. But the reverse is not true, so be aware. If you open the project in X4, and then save it, it will take on X4 properties which cannot be read by older versions. However, in the Save As drop-down menu, you will see you can also save it as either an X3 or X2 project.

As for the frame size, I think you will find that it creates a proxy file that size when a video *above* a frame size like yours or higher is inserted.

[teknisyan]

@Calomax

If you want to try VS X4, you can download the trial via http://www.corel.com/trials, also if you are indeed using VS X2 on a windows 7, that can also be the a factor that cause the problem, since VS X2 is not compatible with Window s7. You can visit http://corel.force.com/index/articles/e ... patibility for a complete list of corel program that is compatible with Windows 7.

[Calomax]

Thank you both. I've now given VS X4 a quick try, and the project didn't freeze at all . I watched it right through and it was just a bit jerky in a few places but not enough to make editing difficult.

So it looks as though I will be purchasing the upgrade.

[Calomax]

@Calomax

also if you are indeed using VS X2 on a windows 7, that can also be the a factor that cause the problem, since VS X2 is not compatible with Window s7.

Just a point Abiel, I had at some time downloaded a VS X2 SP2 Win7 Patch and all my earlier projects had worked well.

Anyway it does look as though X4 has resolved my issue and I like the look of it on first impressions, and I think it's going to be easier to use.

[Ken Berry]

Yes, Abiel is a bit of stickler for saying (regularly) that this or that Corel program is not compatible with Win 7, despite the fact that many of us here successfully use them on Win 7 computers, or else use the patches -- such as that which Corel itself provided for X2 -- to make them work. The real test, though, is whether the earlier versions work well with more recent technological advances in the video world...