Multi Pc Use / Editing

[stivessheep]

Hi folks hope someone can help , its a little bit techy for me i at present have 72 hrs of footage to edit and produce dvd's with i have both pro x3 & x4 i am trying to set up so i can edit my footage from any of the pcs in my workplace and be able to save all changes etc etc , i have all my pc's networked but whenever i open a project on anything other than my main media editing pc it never opens the complete project the footage is usually missing, i know its slightly off topic but is related to the use of x3 and x4 , has anyone got any ideas in this field that can through some this way please many thanks in advance

sean

[BrianCee]

I would think it's more about how your network is set up and where the videos you are editing are stored - do you have a network storage device central to all computers that you use or are your videos on one of the computers.

[stivessheep]

Hi Brian all my footage is transfered to my master PC upstairs , as i have a desease simlar to Parkinsons so on a bad day it doesnt stop me from working , which is good but on a good day i want to not be upstairs but access it with the laptop and do some downstairs or in the garage whilst i am printing off T Shirts or Postcards etc , at present i can access and change files with all my pc's on the master 1 upstairs

i.e. if i need to make a particular T Shirt the artwork is stored upstairs and i can access and edit or use it in Corel Paint Shop without any issues and even change and save it to the master mate

thnx

[lata]

Hi

First when you say "the footage is usually missing", do you get any errors, a window requesting a re-link?
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When you save the project are you using Save or Save As

If you use Save As then you are creating another VSP file.
If you then open the old version you will not see the current edits.

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Smart Project--is a method of moving your project files, works very well, this may help in transporting projects to the other PC.

In fact I am starting to use Smart Project for my normal editing.

[stivessheep]

Hi Trevor many thanks for your reply mate , yes i get the re-link error box pop up when i try and open a project storeed on the upstairs machine , also yes when i save i use "save as" and then click the file i have , my way of progress i will list as i cant think of another way to explain mate must be my age

Okay i come back from a motocross event and upload the footage from my cameras to my main upstairs pc , this usually gives me around 5-6hrs of footage in my timeline which before i do anything i save the project as (e.g.) MTMX Motocross , then i start to edit adding in starting video screen count down and Kernow Kards Presents etc etc, i may get an hour or so into editing and have about 30mins of footage done so i then select "save as" and overwrite the project and continue down this route until i either a:- have enough for 1 dvd or b: have enough for 2 dvd's , then i design menus burn and then load the master into my duplicator to write and lightscribe.

Hope that helps Trevor

[lata]

Hi

When we add clips to the timeline they are thumbnails a virtual clip representing the files on the hard drive. this info being saved to the project file the VSP. The clips are linked to the location on the hard drive.

If we move clips from one pc to the other the project will not be able to see the files as it is looking for them on the first pc, as the project has lost the files it requests a Re-Link. This option should work ok and link all in one go provided the files reside within the same folder
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If the original files are duplicated on the second pc, you would only have to move the project file, the VSP, yes you will get the re-link request.
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Using Smart Package is probably the best way of sharing your project and files on different pc's
Especially if you save to a memory stick, then simply insert the stick into the pc of your choice.
Again you may receive a re-link
Unfortunately that’s the nature of the beast when moving files.

Network

If the files ore on the network, you will still receive a re-link as the network address will be different when accessing from a different pc. I think.
Given time i will give that a test on my external drive.

[stivessheep]

Excellent thanks Trevor will give that a go , yes the re-link can be a pain but understandable when moving from 1 to the other, perhaps its time i buy a 1tb carry around drive just for editing and then just use a caddy and swap that from pc to pc , just a shame as i wanted to try and have everything central and save to the central project and just use the other pc's for editing , i guess i will have to decide upstairs , downstairs or garage when editing many thanks , please let me know how you get on if you get the time and chance to try it out mate ty

sean

[BrianCee]

A better solution for you might be a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device - this is somewhat similar to an external hard drive but it plugs into your network hub and is therefore always accessible to all computers on the network - even wireless linked laptops.

I have a 2Tb one on my system and I know Trevor has a NAS on his system - that is always available - never switched off.

[lata]

Hi stivessheep

Ok I ran a few tests, I have an external hard drive (WD Netcentre) connected to the network (cable connection) Generally used for backup.

The XP desktop is hard wired to the network
The laptop being wireless. (windows 7)

I created a smart package and uploaded to the WD external drive.
I was able to edit but the reaction times made editing slow, the laptop being very slow.
I have to say I have a reasonably fast network.

Still had the problem of re-linking when adding clips using XP then opening in W7 and visa versa.
The files used reside on the PC not the external drive.
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I have started using Smart Package and a 16gb USB flash memory stick to edit on two computers.
I still have to be aware of the re-link and copying files to the stick helps with that.
The speed seems to be as fast as editing from the computers internal drives.

For me the best option is a USB memory stick.