VSP X4 Other than Full Screen?

[Roger]

Can I run Video Studio Pro X4 at other than full screen? While working on a project, full screen is fine. But, once I start rendering I'd like to have my PC back and do other things and have VSP render in the background. I opened the preferences dialog, could find nothing relevant. Doesn't appear to be the normal windows shrink button in the upper-right, only minimize which takes VSP totally off screen.

Running Win XP SP3 if that helps.

[BrianCee]

No you cannot and never have been able to use VideoStudio at anything other than full screen - but that doesn't mean "always on top" - you can 'Alt+tab' through all open programmes or even open new programmes from the start menu while VS is open - they will then overlay VideoStudio and allow you to work in them.

I would counsel extreme caution though - rendering is a very CPU intensive programme and if you try to do much else while your video is rendering you may have problems with the render.

[Roger]

Brian,

I'm not familiar with Alt-Tab but sure can learn. I did open Task Mgr (Alt-Cntl-Del) and while rendering, VSP was at ~25% CPU, while rendering a 1920x1080 HD from AVCHD m2ts files.

None of the videos I've been working on is so earth-shaking as to matter if they aren't perfect, still learning. The finished video was stunning except that it was handheld at 600mm equivalent FL, elk don't let you get close. Will next try a tripod video edit.

Given that modern CPU's are both multi-core and multi-threaded, seems old fashion for VSP to cling to the "it's all mine" metaphor, my $0.02. Perhaps a suggestion for VSP X6.

Thanks for the tip,
Roger

[teknisyan]

You can also force minimize the program by pressing the Windows key + M. But like what BrianCee mentioned "rendering is a very CPU intensive programme and if you try to do much else while your video is rendering you may have problems with the render." Specially if your computer does not have a fast processor.

[BrianCee]

Roger - you can open any number of programmes full screen - if you then hold down the 'Alt' key and then repeatedly press the tab key you will step through every programme which is open - bringing it to the front at full screen.

You may well not have problems using other programmes while rendering - depends on your computer and what other programmes you are using - I was just advising of a possible problem.

[Ken Berry]

One of the most welcome -- and long overdue -- additions to VS came in the current version, X5 -- and that is precisely the ability you are after. At long last, VS is like just about every other program and can have its screen size adjusted... For me, that was almost (though not quite) the only factor making the upgrade worthwhile...

[Roger]

One of the most welcome -- and long overdue -- additions to VS came in the current version, X5 -- and that is precisely the ability you are after. At long last, VS is like just about every other program and can have its screen size adjusted... For me, that was almost (though not quite) the only factor making the upgrade worthwhile...

Indeed, would seem overdue.

Thanks for the post.

[BrianCee]

It is true what they say - you learn something new every day - never knew that before Ken