Using VirtualDub Plugins with Video Pro X6

discburn Posté à 20/03/2018 18:09

Hi, I'm still using VPX6 because VPX9 runs slow on my PC. I may try a re-install of VPX9 because my PC is not so old. In the meantime, though, I need to get going on some existing projects needing VPX6's quick attention!

Enter the 64 bit version of 'Gradation' VirtualDub filter - just what I need for Lift and Gain of darkness and brightness (VPX9 has the Curves filter, which I presume 'Gradation' does the same job as, but it's slooooow). This 'Gradation' vdf filter has been tested with VPX6 so I'm dying to get going with it.

I've never installed/used VirtualDub or VirtualDub filters before and would like the install process to be as painless as possible. So, if anyone could give me a step-by-step what-to-do list of instructions, that would be wonderful!!

Many thanks in advance,

Seamus

Commentaires

discburn Posté à 21/03/2018 11:33

Okay, reading through some old VirtualDub posts, I've put my 'Gradation' filter in a folder and navigated to it from inside VPX6. To access it, I've to go to Extra effects, Plug-ins..., VirtualDub filter plug-ins, gradation curves. Then Insert plug-in, then Plug-in settings...

That's a long journey!

Is there any way to have the VirtualDub plugin in the main list of effects? Recently, I installed Neat Video and it's right there in the main list?

Thanks,

Seamus

robertNC Posté à 03/04/2018 06:35

Maybe they are just a layover from earlier versions, and Magix maybe hasn't updated their placement within the program.

BTW, they work pretty good. I ran a noisy clip from my canon 50D shot at high ISO, and multiple instances of the V.Dub filters made it look halfway decent

discburn Posté à 03/04/2018 10:28

I actually got the VirtualDub 'Gradation' filter working, albeit the long way round. But when I opened it in another project, VPX6 crashed. So I've de-installed the filter entirely.

Without 'curves' in VPX6, I'm managing to work Brightness, Contrast and Gamma to give the necessary results. Not a 'smooth' way of working, but I think it does the job.

Seamus

DugsBugs Posté à 07/04/2018 09:59

VPX 6 was probably the biggest pig of the Magix series, in my dealings anyway.
You need to try VPX 7 at a minimum.
I don't know what processor you have but Magix told me the early versions pre 7 were not designed for Intel. AMD only which caused me all sorts of grief.
Freezing and crashing was a full time issue for me and the only reason I have VPX6 installed is so I can use the Magic Bullet Effects which comes on the disc.
Doug

browj2 Posté à 07/04/2018 16:54

@discburn

Make sure that you are not using Main Concept. I couldn't figure out why VPX9 was running like molasses. When I set the Codec back to default, the program started running fine again. At least that was what happened with me.

I could not go back to VPX6 or 7 after using the latest version.

John CB

discburn Posté à 07/04/2018 18:36

Hi John,

Does that affect the timeline playback? Where do I change the default codec?

Seamus

discburn Posté à 07/04/2018 18:50

Hi Doug,

Yes, it is 'buggy'. Doesn't remember Brightness setting unless a keyframe is inserted. Forgets sharpening settings if any colour changes are made afterwards. And just now found that it plays back certain 48KHz audio files with a kind of 'hissy rattle' in the background; but when exported, they are fine. But VPX6 is rock-steady for me on playback. The picture quality isn't brilliant, but I know if the audio is in sync and what the effects will play like.

I'm hopeful in John CB's comment about the default Codec. Magix Support said that VPX9 was optimised for the latest i7 PCs, and that was the reason for the slow, stuttery playback. My machine is old by comparison, but still a dual six core Dell T5500 running an NVIDIA Quadro 4000 card. Should work, really!

Seamus

browj2 Posté à 07/04/2018 19:10

Hi Seamus,

It's in the Program settings, Import/Export tab under Codecs. I have no idea why having one or the other would slow things down on the timeline, but when I switched to Default and restarted VPX9 with the same project, I was able to work again. I was quite frustrated and was just about to post the problem when I switched the Codec; it worked, so I didn't post. I can't say that playback is always perfectly smooth (I use a lot of effects), but I couldn't even smoothly play back a simple video clip with no effects. Maybe it was a coincidence with something else, but the program was definitely smoother afterwards.

My desktop computer is getting a bit long in the tooth, apparently. I bought it just the other day, it seems, Dec. 5, 2010. Changing out the C: HD for an SSD helped a lot.

Good luck,

John CB

johnebaker Posté à 07/04/2018 19:32

@browj2

. . . . I have no idea why having one or the other would slow things down on the timeline, but when I switched to Default and restarted VPX9 with the same project, I was able to work again. . . . . but I couldn't even smoothly play back a simple video clip with no effects. Maybe it was a coincidence with something else, but the program was definitely smoother afterwards. . . . .

If I were a betting man, I would put money on this setting being able to work correctly, however it is best when it is done by the integrated GPU.

HTH

John EB

browj2 Posté à 07/04/2018 19:39

@johnebaker

I had all 3 checked, still do. Any other possibilities?

I noted your problem about a Windows update messing up the layout of windows in MEP/VPX. Just had this happen to me. In the last 2 days, the windows for MEP,VPX and MusicMaker were scrambled on my Surface Pro.

@discburn

Make sure that your VPX9 is updated to the latest patch. There were some patches that caused more problems than they resolved.

John CB

discburn Posté à 07/04/2018 22:12

Thanks to all!

I think I have nailed down the problem in VPX9. The PC only struggles when the Video Output is activated in the 'Display options' page. I have a Flanders Scientific BM210 monitor connected by SDI to a Blackmagic Design Decklink Mini Monitor card for colour grading.

When Video Output is deactivated, the playback is excellent. When Video Output is activated, playback is juddery.

The attached screenshots show what's happening. The CPU shows 5% (34/35) which is smooth playback when Video Output is deactivated. But as soon as I activate Video Output in the Display options page, the CPU shows 5% (1/35).

In VPX6, when Video Output is activated, the CPU remains at 5% (34/35). Smooth playback!

This seems to me like something is missing in VPX9 to support Video Output. I don't see any patches when I go to support. My VPX9 version right now is 15.0.5.211. Is that the latest?

The next screenshot also shows the other settings I have in place. I've tried using 'default' codec and 'main concept', plus other variations of using and not using Hardware Acceleration, but they don't change anything.

I've also installed the latest drivers for Blackmagic Decklink Mini Monitor, but that doesn't help.

I think it's time to hit support again. Any ideas before I do that?

Seamus

browj2 Posté à 08/04/2018 00:38

Hi Seamus,

211 is the latest update. Glad to see that you found a cause. My 2 monitors are connected directly to the computer and I don't have your problem, except that the Windows background screen is quite blue on one screen and more cyan on the other. Color Munki has not resolved this.

John CB.

johnebaker Posté à 08/04/2018 11:23

@browj2

Hi John

. . . . the Windows background screen is quite blue on one screen and more cyan on the other. Color Munki has not resolved this . . . .

This suggest the screens are using different colour spaces or colour balance settings, at the monitor level and the difference is sufficient that it cannot be corrected using a colour profile in Windows.

HTH

John EB

browj2 Posté à 08/04/2018 21:47

@johnebaker

Hi John EB,

I tried changing the driver but that did not do much. Then I went into the settings of the monitor with the cyan Windows screen (27inch) and changed the Color from 6500K to 9300K. That changed the logo to be much more blue. Then I ran Color Munki again and the two screens are closer in colour, but still different. I changed the colour on the other monitor (25inch) to warm, boosted brightness and contrast to 100. Still a difference in the hue. I did the same to the 27inch, boosted brightness and contrast to 100. Running Color Munki again. At least the screens are much closer, but are they right?

One is plugged in to HDMI, the other using DVI. Could that have an effect?

@discburn

Hope I'm not hijacking your thread.

I presume that you have now seen the curves under Effect, Brightness in VPX9. No need for the Virtual dub curves anymore as far as I can tell.

Thanks,

John

discburn Posté à 09/04/2018 09:25

Thanks John EB and John CB. I've sent a support request to Magix. I'll let you know the outcome.

Seamus