Unsteady "Play" of video

[MichaelTJ]

First post! Reasonably computer literate but new to video editing. Steep learning curve for my VS4 but can now use the program reasonably. Suddenly got this problem. In Edit mode, if I "Play" a clip in the Library it runs normally. If I then put that clip on the timeline to start to make a movie, and play it as a Clip, it also runs normally. But if I Play it as Project, it pauses briefly every 2 - 3 seconds, then jumps. This is so for every clip added. Each is ok played as a clip, but jerky played as project. The jerkiness carries through when I burn a DVD. Very grateful for any suggestions how to get back to normal operation.

The fault started a week ago with my original version of VS4 bought retail on disk. I have today run Service Pack 1. The fault is still there.
Files were transferred from video camera to desktop computer by USB cable.
Video type is MPEG2 Video Upper Field First.
Data rate: Variable bit rate (max 9200 kbps)
Audio: Dolby Digital, bit rate 256 kbps

[Ken Berry]

Hi Michael, and welcome to the forums!

Have you tried rendering a new file from your project? If so, is the jerkiness still there?

[MichaelTJ]

Hi Ken

Many thanks for your comment. Just made new movie from new material and put it on DVD. I didn't do any editing procedures at all. Not studied the results in detail. but it looks as if the DVD is playing smoothly, which is great. Can't do much more today or tomorrow, but will have a good look at this test and process some more material asap. I'll let you know what happens, but meanwhile, many thanks again. It looks hopeful.

Michael

[Ken Berry]

It shouldn't be happening is the bottom line, particularly with your computer set-up. But it might partially depend on your Project settings.What are they and what else is in the project? Previewing in Project mode means the program has to quickly throw together what might be a complex project, with demanding transitions, overlays etc, and play it all in a way which gives you a good idea what it will look like in its finished form. But sometimes it doesn't work smoothly. As you will see, I use a Quad 6600 for my video editing, and I too get occasionally jerky playback in Project mode. But for the most part I have simply learned to overlook it since the end result is almost always smooth video.

[MichaelTJ]

My inexperience might show here - please excuse. I'm still at the stage of not knowing much about settings, or how to optimise them. I hope the following is what you are asking for.

From Settings/Project Properties:
File name: .....My Projects/Cruise 2011.VSP
File size: 2.0 MB
Duration: 00:17:56:06
Project Template Properties: Edit file format: MPEG files
PAL (25 fps) MPEG files 24 bits, 720x576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
DVD-PAL, 16:9 Video Data Rate: Variable (Max 8000kbps) LPCM Audio, 48000 Hz, Stereo

From Settings/Preferences / Edit tab: Resampling quality: Good
Ditto Performance tab: Smart Proxy not enabled.
Editing Process: Use Hardware Decoder Accelerator ON File Creation: Use Hardware Decoder Accelerator OFF

Regarding project content, it is mainly video clips with some photos and snapshots included. Crossfade transitions between the latter. Sound from the clips all the way through. Text added as required, no motion effects on video. Video camera is Canon FS406.

I have not bothered by some jerkiness when Playing/Previewing the clips or the project in the computer as an editing operation. As you say, if the DVD runs smoothly, that's fine. I will continue to take and check more material.

If you are able to let me have any comments/recommendations on the above settings, they would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

Michael

[Ken Berry]

Those Project Properties are bog standard, and the bitrate of 8000 is the norm. Many stand-alone DVD players cannot play video if the bitrate is much higher than that. And that bitrate will give excellent quality, though will only allow 1 hour of video to be burned to a single layer DVD. You could squeeze about 10 minutes more on if you used Dolby audio, as per your original video from the camcorder.

If your projects are longer than an hour or 70 minutes, though, you will need to reduce the bitrate. 6000 kbps will give you 90 minutes on the single layer DVD at good quality. And 4000 kbps will allow 2 hours, though the quality will only be equivalent to VHS tape.

You should, in Preferences, however, tick the box beside 'Show message when inserting first clip'. Then, next project, you should get a message asking if you want the Project Properties to match those of the inserted video. In this case, I would suggest you try that -- though my comment about the high bitrate for the video still applies. But it is at least worth trying.

[MichaelTJ]

Glad the Project Properties I've been using are standard and should give an excellent result. At the present time my projects are all under about 20 minutes, so I'll keep the 8000 bitrate. I'll make the change in Preferences that you suggest.

The good news is that I have created 2 DVDs today after editing some old and new video material, and both run fine on the TV, with no jerkiness (other than that of the holder of the camera!). There is still some tendency to pause and then jump while editing/previewing, but this doesn't really bother me. Just providing the final product is OK, which it is. It is strange that there was a short period when the DVDs did show the Pause/jump effect, but I guess that's the sort of thing that happens sometimes with computers, and it looks as if the problem has now gone away. So it's for me to say many thanks to Ken for his very friendly and helpful posts, and I think sign off for now.

Michael