Smart Proxy in ProX4

[1rustytree]

I have heard it takes some time to make a smart proxy file, It seems to take a very long time although I dont know what is reasonable with my computer, intel2.2g proc-4g ram-64bit-win7. The files are h264 mp4 720x1280HD 60fps. Is it because they are mp4 files? I use WMM6 and have to convert to .wmv but editing is fine afterward. I have also tried Video Pad and there seems to be a short wait for loading but nowhewre near as long as VS. Is there a better format for Video Studio than mp4. Thanks

[Ken Berry]

Your files are AVCHD high definition, and that is currently about the demanding video format on computer resources. Is your computer processor at least a dual core? Anything less would probably not be able to edit AVCHD properly. And yes, SmartProxy *does* take some time to prepare the proxy copies of the originals.

The other possible problem in your case is that the AVCHD uses 60 frames per second which is full progressive format (P). Not all codecs can deal with that frame rate, so you have to make sure you are using a codec for the copies which can create frame based copies to simulate the fully progressive nature of your video.

What are you intending to do with the edited video? Burn it to Blu-Ray or DVD?

[1rustytree]

Thanks for the quick reply, I am on the desktop now, both are slow to SmartProxy ,proc is AMD Anthlon II X2 250 3ghertz -6g RAM Win7-64bit. My camcorder is a Camileox200, not sure about the AVCHD , when I check properties on a file it saysH264 mp4. The 60 fps is a camera setting, I can choose 720x1280@30fps or 720x1280@60fps or fullHD 1080@30fps. I have never seen anything refering to AVCHD, but I am not up all the formats. This is just simple edits for you tube, mostly just taking out portions of clips and adding a fade/crossdfade between clips. No extra audio/music or effects. Would it be better to convert to another format? I am not sure of the codecs you ask about.? Would that be something I would have to add or just check a box in Prox4. Thanks

[Ken Berry]

AVCHD is high definition mpeg-4 encoded using the H.264 codec. So that's what your video is. While there is nothing wrong with the format option you have chosen, the 60 frames per second aspect has to be handled in a round about way in X4. In some ways it would be better if in future you chose full HD at 1920 x 1080, as it can be handled in a more straightforward way in VS.

As for the proxy properties being set to frame based, if you go to Preferences > Performance, and have the Enable SmartProxy box ticked, then below it you will see a box labelled Video Proxy options. Mine is set by default to DVD-compatible mpeg-2. If you click on the Options button to its right, then on the General tab, make sure that the Frame Option box is set to Frame Based. You can also set the frame size to something lower than the 720 x 480 that yours will probably show. That could also speed things up.

[1rustytree]

Thanks for the reply, I came back to the laptop and it is done creating the SP, but following your screen capture, my option was set at upper field not frame base,I also noticed the 2 icons you spoke about on the thumbnail,I must never have let it go long enough. I figured setting it at 720p@60fps gave me better quality for a small screen. It is the same filesize as 1080@30. I will play around withit and see .