Hi John: First and foremost, thank you for your reply. Please understand that I am a "rank" beginner at video editing. Nevertheless, I think I have gathered all the information necessary for a solution * HD 1977.10GB useable; 1809.01GB free

Dell XPS 8700 * 3.10 Gigahertz Intel Core 15-440 * 256 Kilobyte primary memory cache * 1024 Kilobyte secondary memory cache * 6144 Kilobyte tertiary memory cache * 64 bit ready

Addition internal HD 920GB with only 11.0 used * NVidia GeForceGT G35 graphics card * Windows 7

Project/film Settings * Project settings tab = Time: No date and auto select preview image

Video settings HDTV 1080i NTSC 16:9 (1920x1080 20.97fps)

Thank you again,

Saul

Hi saul,

Thanks for the additional information. Unfortunately some key data is missing. Specifically, the following things that John listed:

amount of RAM
32 or 64 bit
Type / format of the videos on the timeline

I think you are using full HD video footage (you quote "HDTV..." etc.) BTW, I assume you mean 29.97 fps rather than the 20.97 you stated?

First, you need to remember that VPX2 is now rather old and was only a 32 bit program. HDTV footage is very demanding on the host, requiring a pretty "beefy" computer to handle smooth playback. I think your processor is the one detailed on this page http://ark.intel.com/products/75038/Intel-Core-i5-4440-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_30-GHz You will see there that it is now end of life and support is very soon to be discontinued. Also, it is, I suspect, barely able to cope with the demands of HD video playback, sorry.

However, there may be a solution for you! One of the other forum moderators, Carl, created, several years ago, a small app that allows the creation of "proxy" (low resolution) files that WILL playback successfully, thus allowing the user to edit the footage, but will then use the full resolution versions to actually create and export the final version. You can find this utility and a full explanation as to how to use it at http://000cpc000.plesk4.freepgs.com/MEP_PROXY_UTES/  (Much more recent versions of VPX - the current one is 8 - enable proxy file creation to be undertaken entirely within VPX itself.)

There is also a facility within VPX2, I think, to lower the resolution of your playback in the video monitor. Sorry I can't remember exactly where it is and I no longfer have any version of VPX other than 8 currently installed; perhaps other users may be able to point you to where this can be accessed.

HTH

Jeff

Hi Saul

. . . . Please understand that I am a "rank" beginner . . .

No problem with that - it is good that you have told us your skill level with VPX - it makes for a much easier discussion.

Thanks for the info, some parts of the specification appear to be 'odd', I think they must be typing errors, however you have given sufficient information.

Jerky playback in the Preview monitor is a common problem when working with Full HD video (1920*1080), especially if you have a project with picture in picture or collages, jerky playback will be the norm with this version of VPX, this is acknowledged in the installed PDF manual on p 262 however you exported movie or DVD or BD disc will be smooth.

Unfortunately there is little you can do with VPX 2 to improve this - later versions of VPX (and Movie Edit Pro) have more functions to improve preview playback such as:

• proxy files, these are lower resolution temporary files that the program creates used during editing only
• change the Preview monitor resolutions and settings
• use hardware acceleration (depends on graphics card)

However if you right click the preview monitors do you have the options shown below ?

Note this is from VPX 4 which is the earliest version I have.

If you have this try reducing the preview monitors resolutions to that indicated, this should give some improvement.

There is a 'trick' method of improving the preview playback where you do the following:

1. Backup the original video files to another folder I would suggest calling the folder Originals
2. Use File, Batch conversion function create lower resolution copies of the video files in a separate folder, called Low resolution, keeping the same filenames, and video format as the originals, but at a quarter of the video resolution - you set this in the conversion dialog.
3. Create the project and use the Low resolution files for editing - note when you load the files you get a message saying their format is different from the project, click Do not adjust.
4. Edit the project and save it.
5. Test export to check everything is as you want it.
6. Close the project and VPX
7. In Windows Explorer rename the Low resolution folder to for example Donot use .
8. Open VPX and reload the project - you will get an error message saying the files cannot be found.
9. Click the Folder button in the error message and point VPX to the Originals folder containing the original videos and OK
10. VPX should now load the full resolution videos and apply all the edits etc that you have made.
11. Export, or Burn to disc, the project as you require.

Should you need to go back and edit the video is when things can get a little confusing, however so long as you keep track of your folder names there is little to go wrong.

1. With VPX closed, rename the Originals to for example Original, and the Donot use back to Low resolution then reload the project into VPX following steps 8 and 9
2. Correct or make the changes required,save the project and close VPX.
3. Reverse the folder names again and repeat loading the project from step 8 onwards.

Sounds confusing however after a few times it is relatively straight forward the only essentials are

• that you keep the same video format eg if your videos are mp4 then the low resolution ones should be mp4 as well
• the same file names for the low resolution versions
• they are in a separate folder
• you have a backup copy of the original video files - this is your 'insurance policy'.

HTH

John EB

Hi

Project/film Settings * Project settings tab = Time: No date and auto select preview image

Video settings HDTV 1080i NTSC 16:9 (1920x1080 20.97fps)

The simplest way to reduce the processing load of playback on your PC is to load all your HD material into your timeline with your above project / video settings and then go to Movie Settings (E key) and change the video settings to 720x480 NTSC 29.97fps whilst you edit. This allows VPX to process the preview material at a much lower resolution, reducing the demands on the CPU and graphics processor. This is a similar effect to the button in later versions that improves playback by Reducing Resolution without reducing the size of your preview monitor. In my experience this is preferable and has more effect than John EB's suggestion of reducing the preview monitor resn.

The Movie Settings change can be changed back and forth at any point in your edit. You may be warned with a message saying "the Movie settings do not match the footage and you should check your project prior to export" which you should ignore until you finish the edit. It is best to set the settings back to the same Full HD as your footage prior to export (although not essential as it will still export at HD if you choose an HD Export template) because the Title editor is dependant on the Movie / Video resolution set and the look of the titles may change when changing the Movie Settings from high to low resn. and back. Just go through and check the Titles, with the Movie Settings in HD, or leave the titling until you switch the project to HD just prior to export.

Peter

Hi

@ Peter

. . . . Movie Settings (E key) and change the video settings to 720x480 NTSC 29.97fps whilst you edit. This allows VPX to process the preview material at a much lower resolution, reducing the demands on the CPU and graphics processor. . . . .

I have tried this in VPX 4 and I get no difference in playback smoothness using the lower project settings, this is more obvious when effects are applied and/or the timeline starts to get complicated eg collages

I am puzzled by this - VPX 4, (and 2 as well), is still having to work with the Full HD source video.

@ Jeff

Apologies - I missed your link to Carls utility - that is neater than the method I suggested which was the common method recommended for full HD video in the old forum.

John EB

@johnebaker,

No problem. I think the methods suggested by both of us are, in essence, the same, just using slightly different processes.

Jeff