Choppier Playback in Video Pro X9 than with Video Pro X6

discburn wrote on 2/19/2018, 5:28 PM

Very impressed with Video Pro X9, except that playback is choppy compared with Video Pro X6.

With both programs installed on my PC and (at different times) opening the same project in each program, X6 plays the H.264 MOV files from my Canon 600D completely smoothly.

The same project and files played on X9 are very choppy. So, I activate the 'Smooth Playback - Reduce Resolution' feature on the Program Monitor and get very smooth playback.

Interestingly, looking at the CPU Readout, X9 shows 26% (33/35) with Smooth Playback activated.

The CPU Readout on X6, without any kind of reduced resolution, shows 26% (33/35). So, am I right in assuming that X6 is reducing the resolution anyway for playback?

I'm happy with all that, EXCEPT... I also preview on an FSI BM210 monitor via Blackmagic DeckLink Mini Monitor. With X6, I get a fullscreen image. But, with 'Smooth Playback - Reduce Resolution' activated on X9, I get a small image on that screen.

Any ideas?

Seamus

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 2/19/2018, 7:15 PM

Hi Seamus

. . . . with 'Smooth Playback - Reduce Resolution' activated on X9, I get a small image on that screen. . . .

I would suspect the BM 210 is set to display a video signal at 1:1 resolution rather than zoom to full screen.

. . . . . Blackmagic DeckLink Mini Monitor . . . .

Am I correct in assuming the BM210 is a third monitor and the PC graphics card cannot output to 3 devices?

HTH

John EB

discburn wrote on 2/20/2018, 1:16 AM

Hi John,

BM210 is actually my 2nd monitor (yes, the Quadro 4000 card can only output to two screens at a time). I can toggle between DVI and SDI.

It’s set to display at full screen (it is native 1080p). I only switch it to 1:1 when my video output is 720p, so I can get a sharp image. Then it make the 720p size correctly, and smaller.

But in this case, with VPX9 ‘Smooth Playback - Reduce Resolution’ enabled (and my output is 1080p), I get a small image regardless of 1080p or 1:1.

Seamus

johnebaker wrote on 2/20/2018, 4:17 AM

Hi Seamus

IIRC the ‘Smooth Playback - Reduce Resolution’ is either 960 x 540 or 640 x 480 which would explain why you are getting a small image.

Do you have the Windows display setting for the desktop set to extend over the 2 monitors?

John EB

discburn wrote on 2/20/2018, 7:01 AM

Yes I have indeed. Interestingly, I’ve opened the clips in Davinci Resolve 12.5 and they play back buttery smooth in full res. And Resolve is supposed to be sluggish with H.264.

Seamus

discburn wrote on 2/20/2018, 3:57 PM

I’m just thinking...

To get a smooth playback, I should import (or convert) the clips to a proxy codec. If it’s 1080p then I’ll get full screen on my BM210.

Can anyone suggest the best 1080p Proxy codec that will play smoothly, including with effects, and look sharp and reliably coloured for grading?

Thanks in advance?

Seamus

johnebaker wrote on 2/20/2018, 5:12 PM

You do not need any external proxy format VPX has it built in.

Should have asked this question first - do you have the Create proxy files option turned on in the project settings?

John EB

discburn wrote on 2/21/2018, 5:35 AM

I don’t. Is there a difference between use proxy at load up and the proxy settings after the timeline is open?

Seamus

johnebaker wrote on 2/21/2018, 8:57 AM

There is no real difference the behaviour is:

if it is a new empty project the proxies are created at the time of adding the video to the timeline

or
if you turn on proxies in an existing project you will be asked if you want to create for existing video on the timeline otherwise adding different clips they will be created as in 1

There are a couple of down sides to using proxy files

they can take a long while to create depending on the length of the source videos - even if you have only sections on the timeline a full length proxy file is created.
proxies take up more disc space than the original - they are less compressed to reduce load on the CPU or GPU.

Once a proxy is created it will be good for that project and any others where you use the same source video.

HTH

John EB

discburn wrote on 2/21/2018, 1:44 PM

Hi John,

Thanks, I’m going to try out using proxys. I’ll let you know how I get on.

Seamus

discburn wrote on 2/22/2018, 3:06 AM

Okay, I've used proxy files and it doesn't solve the choppy playback.

So, I fiddled around and turned off Video output activated for my DeckLink Mini Monitor. Lo and behold, the playback was perfectly smooth. But now I don't have an SDI picture on my BM210.

In VPX6, where playback is perfect with Video output activated, my settings are the same (as far as I can see) as for VPX9. So, I'm thinking this is a VPX9 bug that needs fixing asap!

I've submitted a ticket to Technical Support.

Any comments?

Seamus

johnebaker wrote on 2/22/2018, 3:50 AM

Hi Seamus

. . . . now I don't have an SDI picture on my BM210 . . . . .

As your Quadro 4000 has 2 Displayports have you considered a Displayport to DVI adapter for the BM210

HTH

John EB

discburn wrote on 2/22/2018, 5:07 AM

Hi John,

With Video output activated not ticked, I'm getting a signal on the DVI input to my BM210, which also acts as my second screen in extended desktop, so that's fine.

I'm submitted a ticket to technical support. The SDI output is working perfectly with VPX6, which has the same settings as VPX9.

I'll let you know what they say.

Seamus

johnebaker wrote on 2/22/2018, 8:27 AM

. . . . I'm getting a signal on the DVI input to my BM210 . . .

Pleased you have a resolution however I am puzzled - what is the purpose of outputting through the Blackmagic DeckLink Mini Monitor to the BM210 and how is the first monitor connected to the graphics card?

John EB

discburn wrote on 2/22/2018, 8:39 AM

In Extended Desktop mode:

1st Monitor is a Viewsonic, connected from the DVI out of my Quadro 4000 card.

2nd Monitor is the BM210 Broadcast Reference monitor, connected via SDI from DeckLink Mini Monitor card, and DisplayPort - DVI from the Quadro 4000 card.

In 'normal' usage, I use the BM210 as a 'normal' monitor via the DVI, but, for video editing, when I want to check the accuracy of my picture, I switch to SDI and see an 'unbiased' picture from the DeckLink card. Also, the BM210 has Scopes to help keep the picture 'legal'. The BM210 is Broadcast Calibrated. I can switch between SDI and DVI at any time.

Seamus