Smart proxy and smart package - some questions

[Davidk]

Having enabled smart proxy and set the thresholds (settings menu, performance tab; smart proxy manager gets to the same place), and created/edited a project file that has HD clips in it that create SP files, I assume the vsp has the relevant clips that have been SP'd marked' in the vsp as SP and the program knows where to find them (folder specified in settings menu, preferences, performance). Then if the project file is smart packaged - VS doesn't seem to transfer the proxy files into the nominated package folder (no files labelled ~proxy or have filetype .upx seen there)

and when the packaged vsp is opened on another PC, what happens when the project file opens and there are SP clips in it?
- VS goes to the nominated SP folder to find them?
- if not there does VS try re-create the proxy files on the new computer?
- just ignore the SP files in the packaged VSP?
- ??????? something else

[lata]

Hi David

As far as I know using Smart Package does not include the Smart Proxy files.
So if you move a project to another pc then the existing SP will be ignored, your only option is to create Smart Proxy again.
Then again the new pc may be better / faster than the first and Smart Proxy may not be required.
Or proxy files may not be required on the first pc yet needed on a slower pc.
Bottom line is if you Smart Package then you may have to recreate Smart Proxies depending on the capabilities of the computer.
In fact if you move or re-name a clip it will require a re-link and a new Smart Proxy.

A quick test -- a project having Proxy files, did not retain proxies when Smart Packaged even when Smart Package is opened using same PC.

A bigger issue is actually being able to create the Smart Package.
Smart Packages do not cope with “nested” projects, you may say I do not use nesting, unfortunately the program is heading that way by creating project files and auto nesting.
Try using TimeRemapping, that replaces the clips with a VSP, they look the same as a video clip so most do not notice the change.
Split Screen uses project files, MCE uses project files, yes some are inserted to the timeline in their expanded format, but when we insert them from the library we may add as a single clip, a project file.

Big Subject

[Davidk]

I was afraid of that. So, it's all manual now, if a user is savvy enough to realise what needs to be done. I would bet that what is already happening is a user cursing the slow performance of his/her packaged vsp on a different computer without realising why.

What I hoped for in asking this question was for someone, more experienced in this space than me, to tell of
1. some means of packaging the Smart Proxy (SP) files (a tick box somewhere) when that operation is done. After all, SP files are no different than clips, or music files in that respect - a data source located on the PC that the vsp uses. It should be no problem at all to copy those upx files as part of the packaging operation. Alternatively, see 2b.
2. that when the smart packaged VSP is opened on another PC, the program would a) seek the vsp proxy files in the named place (preferences), and b) if not found, re-create them for use with the package. Again, a tick box somewhere.
Both of these would probably impact performance (the package and open operations may seem to take a bit longer), but certainly less than doing it manually

But with the ever increasing usage of HD and better video (4K is becoming more widely used), smart proxy will become the norm to edit projects, if it is not so already. Smart package is going to have to get even smarter when dealing with proxy files in vsp's, or there will be an increasing number of disgruntled users.