VS Pro x4: Short Videos Render Fast. Long Videos Are Slower.

[EdwardERS]

There is something wrong with my Corel Video Studio x4 settings or with my hardware configuration. There has to be some kind of bottleneck that would explain this distressing rate for for rendering a video of 10+ minutes in length. I tested 3 videos and clocked in their time to render with a stopwatch because VS x4 doesn't provide one to keep track. Someone must have an answer for this. I used the MPEG-4 HD template which is 1920x1080 with a 15MBit rate.

Test 1 - 1.00.06 - Took 1.37.22 That's a 1 minute video taking 1 minute and 37 seconds to render. As it renders you can't count the frames while processing.
Test 2 - 5.00.06 - Took 7.35.97 That's a 5 minute video taking 7 minutes and 36 seconds to render. Its in line with Test 1 in rendering relatively fast.
Test 3 - 10.00.07 - Took 1.30.00.00 That's a 10 minute video taking nearly 1 hour and 30 minutes to render. You can count the FPS as it renders most of the time.

Test 1 - avi was 124 MB - Rendered mp4 was 97.7 MB
Test 2 - avi was 606 MB - Rendered mp4 was 487 MB
Test 3 - avi was 1.2 GB - Rendered mp4 was 974 MB


With test 3 I practically fell asleep. It took well over 1 hour and since the finished video woke me up, after checking the watch it was about 1 and a half hours. Test 3s time to render is unacceptable in comparison to Test 2. Test 3 should've been less than 20 minutes, but instead it dragged on for about an hour more than that. The videos I was rendering were done using Dxtory with an x264 codec named x264vfw.2273kMod.x86. It records compressed avi files that are much smaller than the Lagarith Lossless or Dxotry Codec.

The big question is why is it taking so much longer to do a 10 minute video compared to a 5 minute one?

According to resource monitor I'm not running out of ram. I always have more than 1/2 my ram at standby or free. The i5-2500k CPU is pretty much in full swing during the renders, however doesn't stay as consistently between 90-100% load when doing the 10 minute video. I'm doing most of this work on a Western Digital 3TB Caviar Green drive, which isn't that fast, but considering how the 5 minute video rendered at a good pace, why would the hard drive explain the 10 minute video being so slow? I tried moving the work files to my SSD, granted which is my OS drive, but I'm getting the same results.

What's going on here? What can I do next to solve this problem?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 MINUTE VIDEO SOURCE INFO

General
Complete name : F:\Video\Video Projects\Dxtory Recordings\BatmanOrigins 2014-07-21 01-00-31-521.avi
Format : AVI
Format/Info : Audio Video Interleave
File size : 606 MiB
Duration : 5mn 0s
Overall bit rate : 16.9 Mbps
Original source form/Distributed by : Video:x264vfw - H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec Audio0:Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) Audio1:FrontMic (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Writing application : DxtoryCore ver2.0.0.119

Video
ID : 0
Format : x264
Codec ID : x264
Duration : 5mn 0s
Bit rate : 13.9 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 30.000 fps
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.223
Stream size : 496 MiB (82%)

Audio #1
ID : 1
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : 1
Duration : 5mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 55.0 MiB (9%)
Alignment : Aligned on interleaves
Interleave, duration : 997 ms (29.92 video frames)

Audio #2
ID : 2
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : 1
Duration : 5mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 55.0 MiB (9%)
Alignment : Aligned on interleaves
Interleave, duration : 997 ms (29.92 video frames)
-----------------------------------
5 MINUTE VIDEO RESULT

General
Complete name : F:\Video\Video Projects\x264 Testing\3TB\Test 2 - 5.00.06 - Took 7.35.97.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom
File size : 488 MiB
Duration : 5mn 0s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 13.6 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2014-07-21 08:35:02
Tagged date : UTC 2014-07-21 08:35:02

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=15
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 5mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 13.5 Mbps
Maximum bit rate : 15.0 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 30.000 fps
Standard : NTSC
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.217
Stream size : 483 MiB (99%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-07-21 08:35:02
Tagged date : UTC 2014-07-21 08:35:02
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 5mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 128 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 32.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 4.59 MiB (1%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-07-21 08:35:02
Tagged date : UTC 2014-07-21 08:35:02
---------------------------------------------------------
10 MINUTE VIDEO SOURCE

General
Complete name : F:\Video\Video Projects\Dxtory Recordings\BatmanOrigins 2014-07-21 01-07-48-198.avi
Format : AVI
Format/Info : Audio Video Interleave
Format profile : OpenDML
File size : 1.20 GiB
Duration : 10mn 0s
Overall bit rate : 17.2 Mbps
Original source form/Distributed by : Video:x264vfw - H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec Audio0:Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) Audio1:FrontMic (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Writing application : DxtoryCore ver2.0.0.119

Video
ID : 0
Format : x264
Codec ID : x264
Duration : 10mn 0s
Bit rate : 14.1 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 30.000 fps
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.227
Stream size : 1 010 MiB (82%)

Audio #1
ID : 1
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : 1
Duration : 10mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 110 MiB (9%)
Alignment : Aligned on interleaves
Interleave, duration : 999 ms (29.96 video frames)

Audio #2
ID : 2
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : 1
Duration : 10mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 110 MiB (9%)
Alignment : Aligned on interleaves
Interleave, duration : 999 ms (29.96 video frames)
-----------------------------------------------------------
10 MINUTE VIDEO RESULT

General
Complete name : F:\Video\Video Projects\x264 Testing\3TB\Test 3 - 10.00.07 - Took 1.30.00.00.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom
File size : 974 MiB
Duration : 10mn 0s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 13.6 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2014-07-21 10:09:18
Tagged date : UTC 2014-07-21 10:09:18

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=15
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 10mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 13.5 Mbps
Maximum bit rate : 15.0 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 30.000 fps
Standard : NTSC
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.217
Stream size : 965 MiB (99%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-07-21 10:09:18
Tagged date : UTC 2014-07-21 10:09:18
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 10mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 128 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 32.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 9.17 MiB (1%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-07-21 10:09:18
Tagged date : UTC 2014-07-21 10:09:18

[EdwardERS]

I've noticed that when I render a video an icon pops up on the tool bar tray called "LAN Video Decoder", then when it's over it disappears. I tracked it down to this directory:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\K-Lite Codec Pack\Configuration

I'm very confused by how getting Media Player Classic through the K-Lite Codec Pack can uncontrollably cause this LAN VIDEO DECODER to activate every time I try to render a video. I don't know why this is happening. I don't see any relationship between Corel Video Studio and the K-Lite Codec Pack. LAN VIDEO DECODER maybe what's slowing down my renders, but why, why is this happening and how do I stop it. The only option I see would be to uninstall K-Lite Codec Pack, but wouldn't that uninstall Media Player Classic?

Seriously, I never consented for K-Lite to interfere with my video editing program. There was a lot of BS when I was installing it whenever I did, but I never wanted this. There's no way K-Lite -- something I could possibly never have gotten -- is essential to me making my videos.

Someone, I need help. Why is this happening?! It might be responsible for making VS retarded.

[Ken Berry]

Your post has grown considerably since you first posted it, and I'm afraid most of the info you posted cannot be interpreted by anyone here. None of us work for Corel -- we are simply users like you who volunteer our time to help other users, That's why it's called a user-to-user web board...

But one thing is for certain. K-lite, though recommended by Corel, is often more trouble than it's worth. Certainly, if you install it fully, it often causes the sort of conflicts that you are finding. At best, if you know you are missing a specific codec, then if you look at the details of K-lite and can see that codec, go ahead and install it. But don't install the whole pack. It contains a huge number of codecs, many of which conflict with each other.

That being said, I had no idea what link there is with Media Player Classic. I don't have that installed either, though in the past I don't recall any automatic link with K-lite. I use VLC player instead. But I would certainly go ahead with uninstalling K-lite and if that means you don't have MPC any longer -- though it means you don't have the same problem -- then so be it!!

[lata]

Seriously, I never consented for K-Lite to interfere with my video editing program. There was a lot of BS when I was installing it whenever I did, but I never wanted this. There's no way K-Lite -- something I could possibly never have gotten -- is essential to me making my videos.

Someone, I need help. Why is this happening?! It might be responsible for making VS retarded.

Hi

I don’t know why the renders take longer, but some of my thoughts……..

As for K-lite you must have installed that codec pack, yes it also installs Media Player Classic.
I am assuming when you use Dxtory that it also used K-lite codecs to create the original files, you would have chosen that option.
As far as I know x264vfw.2273kMod.x86. is provided by K-Lite, so will be listed in Dxtory and Video Studio AVI list

You should be able to uninstall K-Lite if that’s what you wish, it may affect Dxtory?

And as far as I know you can download Media PlayerClassic without K-Lite……..
Otherwise use VLC Media Player, that player seems to play most video types

Highly compressed video types although play in good quality may not lend themselves to be edited.

When you run your render tests is the option Same as First Video File available, if so try that as it should render the video using its own properties, certainly rendering should be faster.

[erdna]

Can you do the same expeiment with X7 (e.g. trial version) installes as 64bit program? I think X4 being 32 bit based is limiting the disk>ram process by just accepting limited (<4Gb) data chunks at once.

[EdwardERS]

Now here's something else that I found from my testing. Remember how the 1 minute and 5 minute videos rendered so fast? I rendered a project with a 5 minute video recording + a 7 minute video recording -- both which would render fast separately -- into a 12 minute project, the 12m project renders just as fast. I did a 5m + 7m = 12m project that took only 18 minutes and 12 secs. to render. That's a marvelous improvement. This proves that short video recordings using the the x264vfw codec and its settings render quickly. It's the recording length of the videos that's the problem. Overtime while recording something happens to the file that makes it harder to process. I have no idea what settings to tweak in that codec.

Now this is puzzling me. I've proven that I can record at least a 7 minute video on my 3TB WD Green Drive that has a tested 63MB/sec write speed. Whether it's a 7 minute video or a 20 minute video, the 30 fps recording can hold at 1920x1080. The problem comes when the video gets above 10m, the recording speed is unaffected, but processing is slow as molasses in Video Studio. I did recorded a 10m33sec video to my OS drive SSD that has a 187MBs/sec. It was saved to the SSD and rendered to the SSD, it took 16m35s, which is at least decent and not molasses taking over an hour. With this same SSD method of recording and rendering for a 21 minute video gave me molasses.

I installed the trial of VS x7. With the SSD method of recording, saving and rendering to the 21 minute video is still molasses. 18m12s to do 12%.

Does watching the frames being rendered slow down the process because it's generating the small image to see? I'm wondering if there's some setting I need to tick on or off to fix this problem. The short videos render fast and the long ones are molasses.