ADVICE PLEASE

MCK wrote on 8/15/2022, 3:05 PM

Processor   Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz 2.21 GHz
Installed RAM   16.0 GB (15.7 GB usable)
System type   64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
LAPTOP HARD DRIVE - 448GB FREE, 503 GB USED
EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE - 2.15tb FREE, 1.47TB USED (1.34TB TAKEN UP BY MOVIE FILES)
Hello everyone. Some time has passed since I last posted. Life kicked me where it hurts and dictated that I put my film project on hold; so long has passed, I have had to re-educate myself about how to use Video Pro X.
Problem is, I am not getting far as playback is stuttering badly right from the start. Specifically, the rot sets in during a short animated clip which freezes after two seconds. And little improves over the next 97 minutes of 'action'.
I have read through previous posts, but am not sure they apply to this laptop. (It died two years ago... completely. I was told it was a motherboard issue and would require repair. So I stuffed it in a cupboard. Returned to the laptop a year later... you can guess the rest.)
So, may I ask you all some questions?
1: If I cleared more space on either the laptop hard drive or the external hard drive, would that help?
2: Should I "Use Proxy Objects" ?
3: Should I select "Overload Optimization for Realtime Playback" ?
4: Should I select "Display - Update in the Background" ?
5: Should I select "Load Footage in Background" ?
6: Should I select "Half Waveform Display" ?
7: Which of the three video modes should I choose? Compatibility / Standard / Alternative ?
8: If I choose Standard Mode, should I then plump for Microsoft Basic Render Driver, Inter (R) UHD Graphics 630 or NVidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with Max-Q Design ?
9: Should I select "Always Use DirectX9" ?

I should point out that I have clicked on the lightning symbol, but this is making zero difference.

Apologies for so many questions, but I honestly have spent ages trying to sort this out.
VIDEO PRO X VERSION 15.0.0.56

MARK

Comments

CubeAce wrote on 8/15/2022, 6:51 PM

@MCK

Hi Mark.

If this was a re-instillation then you may not have the last patched version of that program which had a lot of stability update patches if you look at the Messages and patch updates in the News forum. I think you are at least two patches behind. I'm not even sure with that version whether you can update the program as the user agreement was different back then.

As for the questions, if you are having that much trouble then.

1 to 6, Yes. Also make sure your drives are de-fragmented. It could also be your external drive is not fast enough or needs plugging into a different USB port. How many tracks is running in the project?

Do not use One Drive to house project files.

7. Standard to start with.

8 Nvidia to start with. If in real trouble Microsoft Basic Render Driver.

9 Yes.

Are you reloading an old project?

If no, then at what length did the project begin to show problems?

What file format are your files? (wrapper, codec, frame size and frame speed.).

There is also the possibility that the laptop really isn't OK. It may be that is needs cleaning inside and thermal throttling or the cooling system is not functioning as it should. Use Task Manager to see if anything is over-working.

Ray.

johnebaker wrote on 8/16/2022, 4:01 AM

@MCK

In addition to @CubeAce comment

Check that the Intel UHD 630 and the Nvidia GTX 1050Ti drivers are up to date.

. . . . Should I select "Always Use DirectX9" ? . . . .

Here I disagree with Ray, the GTX 1050Ti, and the UHD 630 support DirectX 12. VPX 8 requires DirectX 11 and will use the DX 11 feature level of the DirectX 12 installation.

. . . . External hard drive . . . .

If this is a USB 3 drive ensure it is plugged in to a USB 3 port, if the laptop does not have one, or the drive is USB 2 then copy the media to the internal drive and try editing from there.

. . . . There is also the possibility that the laptop really isn't OK . . . .

I agree totally with this - if the laptop overcooked, ie processor and/or RAM overheated then is is likely to fail again.

HTH

John EB

CubeAce wrote on 8/16/2022, 4:58 AM

@johnebaker

Hi John.

I only suggested using the Direct X 9 option due to the age of the program.

I wasn't aware it could handle Direct X 11.1.

@MCK

Hi Mark.

Laptops tend to get misused by everyone. Often actually sat on laps or soft furnishings and not on solid bases they can suck in dirt and grime, clogging up the airflow. Opening the base and giving a good spray clean with compressed air can or better still, an electronics cleaning spray sometimes improves things and sometimes it is just the thermal conducting paste between the processor and heat removal system that has dried out or cracked and needs replacing if you are handy. If you have never had to do that before though, don't try without a lot of research on how to first. Removing most components from a laptop is not always easy. Connectors and cabling can be very flimsy and easily broken.

Ray.

johnebaker wrote on 8/16/2022, 5:33 AM

@CubeAce, @MCK

Update: - just found my version number list for VPX - this is version 8 not 9 - I have changed my comment to reflect the correct version - DX 11 is still required.

John EB

MCK wrote on 8/16/2022, 7:26 AM

Thank you for these very helpful comments. Much appreciated. I will sit down later and ensure that all advice is acted upon.
I do know that my drivers are all up to date. However - not sure if this is relevant - my laptop keeps getting seriously hot. Sometimes after using it my thighs are warm enough to fry an egg on. I am using the laptop now, no applications open, merely browing and checking emails, and it is pretty warm. On occasion, it is too hot for comfort. Alas this is not the best time to splash out on a new, high-end laptop... am sure you will all understand.

johnebaker wrote on 8/16/2022, 7:41 AM

@MCK

I have a board for putting mine on my knees which helps keep the ventilation slots clear.

Depending on the make/model some laptops are notorious for running hot 🍳

John EB

CubeAce wrote on 8/16/2022, 7:54 AM

@MCK

Hi Mark.

It definitely sounds like it has poor ventilation although you should never really put a laptop directly on your lap. They can get hot enough to cause light burns when the vents get restricted.

We use something similar at home to a tea tray but with an inbuilt bean bag, cushion underneath that allows us to level it off and keep an air gap underneath. (Really it's meant for eating meals or snacks off off).

If you don't have the tools or ability to clean inside. Try turning the power off and have a go with a vacuum cleaner around the ventilation areas but if it has got that hot it may also have dried out the thermal paste between the CPU and it's cooling system.

That solution is not ideal but better than doing nothing. Just don't keep the hose in any one place for more than half a minute as it may cause damage to some of the fan motors (assuming it has any) if they get to spin up too fast or act like generators. I'm not too sure on the last point but crazy stuff sometimes happens. I've been doing my own electronics maintenance on the simpler stuff since the 70s. Replacing capacitors, diodes, to amplifiers etc but I understand such things can be daunting and at the beginning for anyone and things did not always go well. Hence my caution at suggesting solutions.

Ray.

MCK wrote on 8/20/2022, 7:28 PM

Hello all. Thanks again for the advice. I have certainly seen an improvement since implementing some of your suggestions. I am, however, concerned that I have made a major error while editing.
While importing a short clip, I saw a warning that it was not the same resolution as the movie. Previously I have chosen Do Not Adjust and continued. This time, however, fatigue might have led me to go for the wrong option. I wasn;t sure and continued.
Today I imported a short 4k clip. The warning re-appeared, saying that the movie was in 1920 x 1080. But everything was filmed in 4k and throughout this long project have always believed that it was all in 4k.
I selected "Adjust" and, apparently, it converted the movie to 4k. Very quickly too.
My knowledge is scant, so can anyone advise if choosing to adjust will indeed have returned everything to 4k? Being a carer leaves me rather tired and sometimes I just can't remember details. And now I am wondering if I have working in full HD only all along.

AAProds wrote on 8/20/2022, 10:09 PM

@MCK

No harm done, just reset your movie settings (File>Settings>Movie...) back to what you want: either 1920x1080 or 4k. Make sure you also check the frame rate to match your clips.

You will then probably get another message to adjust the monitor to your "new" movie settings. Click "adjust".

CubeAce wrote on 8/21/2022, 5:23 AM

@MCK

To add to AAProds comment.

Remember that all editing within the program is non destructive so any changes are reversible.

Just because you may not have access to the 'Undo' function sometimes does not mean you can't reset any aspect of the project. If you are very worried something may go wrong after altering something just use the 'Save As' option for the project before exiting the program and give it a new name such as adding V2 (version 2) to the end. That way you can always go back to a previously saved version.

Ray.