Pc up to the job of video editing X9 - no real improvement.

[garjobo]

I dunno - i download windows 10, download VS X9 - 64bit etc - I expected for some reason to get a slightly improved product basically something which when i simply add a couple of fx to a clip- talking a 'flashback or wipe'' even on Smartrender..the playback editing picture is jerky - skips a few frames etc

I know it will burn ok..well x5 same problem and burnt ok..but what a struggle editing clips together and never really knowing how long the 'wipe' is / make it longer / start it earlier in clip...a bit of guesswork involved.

So - all im asking is...is my PC up to the job. Paintshop, other programmes arnt the fastest...im changing over from talktalk to BT for my internet connection ..

My requirements are; ( PC is about 4 yrs old )

WINDOWS 10 HOME
OS BUILD: 10586.122
PROCESSOR:INTEL CORE TM2 QUAD CPU Q8300 @ 250 GHZ
INSTALLED RAM 8.00 GB
64 BIT OPERATING SYSTEM, 64 - BASED PROCESSOR

Appreciate any advice given. All a bit of a mystery, want to start my project with the right setting..how best to avoid the 'missing frames' ( type situation, stop/start/jerky as i play the clip..in the editing window...virtually unworkable when loading lengthy clips.

THANKS
g

[Ken Berry]

You may have only had that computer for about four years, but its technology is closer to 8 years old. I had (and still have) its immediate predecessor, which is a Quad 6600. I have updated it to Win 10 dual boot with Win 7. But I have not updated VS beyond X6 as it is really only a back-up computer in a guest bedroom which I keep going mainly because it has two Firewire ports whereas my more recent computers don't. I still need the Firewire as my main video camera is a HDV model which requires it for capture.

I have to say, though, that though X6 works on it OK, if I do anything with high def video, particularly AVCHD, I need to use SmartProxy, otherwise playback during editing becomes a jerky mess. Interestingly enough, though, I don't get dropped frames from either my HDV camcorder or my GoPro Hero 3 with HD mp4. Moreover, as I am a patient guy, I let it do its thing and though conversion of a project to AVCHD or BD-compatible mpeg-2 is slow, it nevertheless eventually works and works well. But I simply don't know what it would do with X8 or X9. My guess is that they would work since they have essentially the same engines as X6. But I could not guarantee it with your setup.

[garjobo]

Ken, couple of things you mentioned there make me want to reply - you clerly know your onions regarding this product and PC hardware.

Without bogging down this forum with pc talk -aware other forums for that - just ask you, firewire - this pc hasnt got that but i upload via SD card...i take it - although perhaps slower - quality wise i'm getting the same?

And, in your experiance - can i update my PC? buy a new processor and stick it in? or..looking at my specs..not worth the hassle..would need to alter fan/other things? Your I7 - is it now? the best one for video editing.

As mentioned, aware this is straying from VS ( although obviously its all about Video editing in the end )...so i won't carry on..but appreciate your reply and if you know of best processor for videoediting please let me know...hopefully i will get a lotto win tonight and be able to buy a new pc!! ( Video editing is a real pain..misleadning perhaps saying missing frames..more choppy...like you say must be the pc then )

[lata]

Hi

I don’t know that much regarding computer hard ware or whether my pc needs updating, but does the job for me.
See my spec to the right,
I edit MTS files from a Panasonic cam corder, I do need to activate Smart Proxy to smooth playback more so when editing 25 fps MTS, strange that 50P runs smoother.
But the more filters I apply the more reason for Smart Proxy.

My render times depends on how much edits have been applied, but Smart Render seems to work well.

Given that playing the transitions is struggling I would activate Smart Proxy to see if that improves things.
Make sure Smart Proxy files have been created.

[garjobo]

Thanks Lata. Looking at PC's price tags of £800 + are out of the question for now anyway...so smart proxy way to go.

I will look at the manual, you mentioned 'make sure smart proxy are created? ' - again im sure the manual will explain all - never used it in the past...but any titbits you can throw my way greatly appreciated. Assuming simple enough.

I will be using SD card to insert footage into VS - this wouldnt ruin any quality will it? just perhaps take longer?

[canuck]

If your camcorder uses SD cards for storage then you simply copy the video from the SD card to your computer using Windows Explorer. No need to even consider any capture process. When transferring from the SD to your computer there is absolutely no degrading of the video. In a capture process there will always be a certain loss of quality even though you would never even see it. Also copying from SD card is much faster then any capture process.

[lata]

Smart Proxy

Enable from Settings – Smart Proxy Manager – Enable Smart Proxy
You can also access via preferences (F6) performance tab, I would suggest using the default settings.

When any HD clip is added to the timeline, proxy files will be created, they take a while to render, and are quite large.
A small icon will be seen on the clip in the timeline.
For existing clips on the timeline, right click for Create Smart proxy.

You can view the proxy files from Settings – Smart Proxy Manager – Queue and File Managers

[Ken Berry]

... firewire - this pc hasnt got that but i upload via SD card...i take it - although perhaps slower - quality wise i'm getting the same?

Firewire is a largely superseded technology these days... Personally, I would add "unfortunately". It was popular for quite a while, giving very high quality standard definition video which was effectively lossless when captured, easy to edit, and easy to convert to DVD-compatible mpeg-2. For a while it was also popular when high definition video started to appear. Its downsides were that it was slow to capture: one hour of video took one hour to capture. It's tape based (mini DV tapes). And as high definition progressed, the HDV format was not directly Blu-Ray compatible (though easily converted). It didn't really stand a chance once AVCHD video appeared which could be stored on SD cards, and with SD cards getting larger and larger and cheaper and cheaper. As canuck has already told you, with SD cards, you just transfer directly to your computer with no loss in quality, and it happens instantaneously.

In other words, don't worry about Firewire...

You also ask about good computer specs for video editing. There is an ongoing thread on this: http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php ... 82#p321382

[garjobo]

Smartrender.

Well - ticked the box, auto settings. 720 x 288, and still the video is jerky when I input a few clips and a few transistions. It's possible to edit it, ive done it before, but what a job! if it flowed easier when i stick in the transistion at least will have better idea of how it all looks.

I tried a lower smartrender setting 325 x 288 ( i dont know if that will make a difference when i save / burn it - i hope not??? )

But still no difference. What am i doing wrong!!

My clips are all loaded in, into a folder. I then click on smart proxy manager for smart rendering. A box came up saying something like, 'ok to do this each time i put clip into timeline' which obviously it is.

Should i of created Smartrender BEFORE adding clips to a project folder?

[asik1]

I don't do proxies as they take time as far as I know. your system needs to convert and make those proxy files, it's not instant. Fellows correct me if I'm wrong.
I have minor troubles plaing my HD mts files even with few tweaks, transitions and titles.
using X8 on XP was a bit better than on 7, but X9 don't run on XP

[garjobo]

Asik, I cant help you with your query, but i see you have mudded the waters in re to Proxies and my smartrender...as per the norm..NOTHING is simple is it!

I thought you just 'click' smartrender' and then bring in your clips from your VS folder over into the timeline - easy peasy - and when you add transitions and the like you will get a -degraded but smoother editing process..up until the time you burn.

This not the case? As mentioned, so far - with my experiment - seems to be like always, a bit slow down/jerky when i play back / view a previously edited few clips - to judge how the movie is going.

[Ken Berry]

SmartRender only comes into play when you are rendering a project which contains video of the same format as the video you are wanting to render to. If editing has been done to some of the clips e.g. filters added, then normal render will apply to them. But those parts of the project which contain no editing will be SmartRendered, saving both time and the quality degradation which occurs with each render.

[garjobo]

Sorry - i just don't get it!

I am editing my video, putting clips onto the timeline. However, as soon as I add any transistions and the like, and play back a little section of my video ( only done 3 minutes so far ) the playback is jerky, jumpy, and appears like frames missing. I know frames arnt missing ( as always had problems like this, and went on to edit / burn as normal )...but thats how it appears..which makes editing difficult..never really knowing exactly how it is looking.

I note that when i right click a clip in timeline 'create smart proxy file' ? ? i dont understand. Why would I ? Havent i already set my 'settings to smart render'.

Clearly missing something here! and its fustrating ( having to re-do something again anyway as VS 5 stopped working for me with those blasted updates!! )

So - to get a smoother ride so to speak whilst editing then smart render is nothing. The burning to disk etc im not intersted in at the moment.

Thanks for taking time to reply to this ever-increasing thread. Just when it seems im on to something..as usual nothing is straight forward!

[Ken Berry]

Yes SmartRender is irrelevant when you are talking about editing. It is only relevant when the editing is finished and you are wanting to produce a new video from the project using the same format as at least some of the video in the project.

I really can't suggest anything to make your clips play back more smoothly during the editing phase apart from SmartProxy... We have already discussed the age of your computer but I am still surprised that proxy files do not seem to be working for you.

Normally, when I start a new project I already have a pretty clear idea of the format I want the completed project to have, and it is usually going to be the same as the majority (or all) of the video in the project. So first off I ensure that in Preferences > General, the box beside "Show message when inserting first clip into timeline" is ticked. (It is by default in X9.) Then I insert one of my video clips into the timeline, making sure it is one of those with the properties I want the final format to have. I will then get a message box asking me if I want the project properties to match those of the clip, and I say yes.

This will not make playback smooth, but it will help. On your computer SmartProxy will still be necessary. But at the end you can then go to Share and select "Same As Project Settings" to produce the new -- and hopefully smooth -- video from your project.

[garjobo]

Ok thanks once again Ken for explaining. I did think Smartproxy and Smartrender are one and the same. TBH I still dont get it re the whole burn/render thing and the fact 'right click on a timeline clip and comes up " create smart proxy file " - I take it..yes then?

But..i won't go on..read the userguide etc..clearly Im very easily confused.

Will play about with 'smartproxy' then..
- SETTINGS - SMART PROXY MANAGER - 1) ENABLE SMART PROXY
2 )SMART PROXY FILE MANAGER ??
3) SMART PROXY QUEUE MANAGER
4) SETTINGS ( loads of settings...?? )

(1) Enabled. Done
Why - right-click then on a timeline clip comes up ' create smart proxy file" ???

Aware i've said wont drag this one one but just asked a load of questions!! very fustrating esp working with aging PC and knowing smartproxy may do something to help.