Video Lag

[inyour4head]

I've been using Corel VS for the last year and a half (started with X5 and currently using X6) and really enjoy using the software. However, I recently upgraded my GPU from a ATI Radeon HD 5450 to a GEFORCE GTX 480 expecting a significant improvement in video lag while in preview mode, but I'm still getting lag in some areas. The new GPU is certainly capable of running 3D programs such as After Effects, and it did greatly improve the video lag for the most part, but should I still be having any lag at all? Is this problem directly related to VS or could it have something to do with my system settings? Any ideas? I find that it usually happens when using the Crossfade transition between picture frames, which I frequently use, and my current project consists solely of jpeg files. Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Ken Berry]

Is hardware acceleration activated in Preferences? Have you ever used SmartProxy? What output format are you seeking to produce?

From a personal point of view, I think it's rather strange you should be getting lag with crossfades. That is the transition I use 95% of the time and I find it perhaps the least demanding of all the transitions.

[inyour4head]

The hardware decoder acceleration was already checked under the editing process tag. I went ahead and checked the decoder/encoder acceleration boxes under file creation and also the performance optimization box at the bottom. I also enabled smart proxy as well, and the output files are set as MPEG. However, I'm still getting lag on various transitions regardless of the changes. I would say that over 90% of the transitions in my project are crossfade. Most of them work just fine but a few of them exhibit lag and its very annoying. I'm also noticing the same results when using the video pan fx as well. I was hoping to completely resolve these issues by upgrading my GPU but it doesn't seem that's going to be the case. If I can't figure this out, I may just have to give Premiere Pro a try and see if that works any better.

Any additional ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[inyour4head]

I turned on smart proxy but I'm unable to find the saved files for my project. When I follow the file path location user-> name -> documents -> corel videostudio pro -> 16.0 there aren't any saved files in that location.

Its very possible that my problem can be resolved if I can get the smart proxy working. Any ideas on what I can do? Why am I unable to create a proxy file for my project?

I can't seem to find much information in regards to how smart proxy works.

[newfielander]

Inyour4head,
your work folder is not the same as your Smart Proxy folder, go to settings,preferences,performance,and you will see where your Proxy folder is saved.You should save it on another drive if possible, it takes a lot of space. Also in your project highlight all your video files and right click and you will see ,"create Smart Proxy file". It takes quite a bot of time to complete if your files are big,create a folder first to where the files will be stored. Hope this helps

[inyour4head]

Thanks for the reply newfielander!

The file path I posted here is the default location listed under the preferences tab but I can easily change the location if needed. However, when I highlight my video project and click on "create smart proxy file" it only shows the 00:01:27 mp4 video file in my project. All of the rest of my project consists of jpeg, mp3, and wav files. Does this mean the smart proxy option only works with imported video files?

Also, when I proceed to create the proxy file for the mp4 video it doesn't show up in my smart proxy file manager, or give evidence that it's even creating a file.

I have always attributed the video lag to my GPU, hence not complaining until I could upgrade the card and resolve the issue. I did notice some improvement after making the change but the project still has a considerable amount of lag, much more than I'm willing to accept. The problem is primarily centered around crossfade transitions and the video pan fx, which I use more than anything else.

I would think my PC is more than capable of running this software so any ideas why this problem still exists? To me it seems that the problem lies within the software itself, and not my PC hardware.

Another reason I decided to upgrade my GPU is that I recently installed Adobe After Effects and intend on using Video Copilot software to create graphics for my projects. Given the circumstances I may just try Adobe Premiere Pro to see if I get better results. The only problem is that I'm already familiar with VS and I like how the program works for the most part. I'm sure that learning how to navigate an editing program like Premiere Pro will take some time.

If I could just get this lag issue resolved I'm confident that I'd remain a faithful Corel customer.

[newfielander]

Hi again, well you should not need to make proxy files for pictures, (how big are your pictures) as far as I know proxy file making is for video files. Where are the files that's in your projected saved? Are they on a external hard drive? If so I to have had trouble with this before and transfer all the project files to my c drive. Sometimes the speed is low on some external hard drives. The reason why your files of MP4's don't show up is your set format of what your proxy files should be is higher than the MP4's I'm guessing, take a look an see what that is.You will find that under the performance tab. 352x240 is the lowest set that the program can create. Also turn off any other program thats running on your computer. I haves my issues with CVS as well but there is no reason with the program won't run your project smoothly. Even though your project as some "lag" have you tried saving it and see how the outcome will be?

[inyour4head]

The pictures in question are located on my C drive, and they vary in size. I'd say for the most part they are about 300 x 500 and less than 100kb in size. Surely the size or location of the pictures isn't the problem here, right?

I have successfully rendered projects despite the lag in preview mode but that makes editing very difficult, and I would expect to preview the project just as it is taking out all the guess work.

You were right about the mp4 file. The video clip was only 640 x 420, but the funny thing is that the video clip itself runs just fine in preview mode so there's really no need to create a proxy file. I even have jpeg images overlayed on the video and it works just fine. Go figure. The main problem I'm having is using crossfades between the jpeg images, and using the video pan fx on them. Closing out all other programs doesn't resolve the issue either.

I'm not sure what more can be done.

[Ken Berry]

the funny thing is that the video clip itself runs just fine in preview mode so there's really no need to create a proxy file.

That's right. SmartProxy is only designed for making high definition editing easier. Since your mp4 is "only" standard definition, there is no point in trying to use SmartProxy.

I'm not sure what more can be done.

Me neither!!

[inyour4head]

I have copied the properties for one of the jpeg images in question. Let me know if you see anything out of the ordinary. Thanks.

[newfielander]

I don't see anything wrong with it, by the way i sent you a PM.

[lata]

Hi

As the problem seems to be when using Jpeg images are you able to create a Smart Package, the package will be relatively small
Upload to a sharing site to allow us to download and test your project.

[inyour4head]

newfielander,

I received your message but when I tried responding it said something like "member was not found". I have tried restarting my PC but it doesn't change anything.

lata,

I thought you might be onto something so I created a smart package file but the preview is still showing lag. My project is nearly 01:40:00 so I can try cutting out one of the problem areas and upload the file. I'm not familiar with sharing sites so it would be great if you could recommend one. Since the problem resides within the editing process, I'll be able to upload the vsp file, right?

[inyour4head]

I never received a response back about where to upload a sample file.

I have since completed my project but I had to render it twice to fix the areas where the lag was the worst. This is NOT a very efficient way to edit videos. I'm moving on to other projects and need to know if anyone knows how to fix the video lag issue before continuing. Surely this isn't the way the program was designed to work. What other VS or PC settings can I try adjusting? I simply cannot continue using this software with things the way they are.