Here is some data:

This not the first time: it happened before, but now the whole thing freezes almost from the very start.

I use 10 files (5 mov and 5 MTS, each around 2 GB) in the project (the same scenes takes by 2 camera's). So, the only thing I've done is selecting pieces from one of the 2 camera's. After some 20 cuts, the application freezes. No special effects, no special transitions, nothing. Restart of the application, restart of the PC, nothing helps. I don't see high CPU activity neither, just freezing without any message.

With the specs of my PC it should run like a clockwork!

The setting, that shows within one clip the different scenes is set "off" (so I see only the first and last frame) to save some energy.

I'll try your suggestions, but I still have doubts.

Thanks anyway to try to help me.

From what you write I would guess that your files are HD?  Certainly, MTS are HD.  So, have you tried the setting to Create Proxy files, low resolution copies of your originals on which you carry out your editing but when exporting, MEP will use the full resolution original files so that the quality is as high as it can be?

I'm pretty certain MTS files are actually AVCHD files, so compressed when recorded in the camera; MEP must decompress those files as it is playing them if you do not use proxies, very demanding of ANY computer, however highly specified.

Also, from your description, it appears you have only one hard drive; the usual advice is to have your video files on a separate drive to Windows and your programs.  With only one drive you are asking your computer to simultaneously read your OS files, the MEP program files, your video files and your .mvp project file, all at the same time from the same drive, not to mention that any editing change you make must be written to the project file as you work.  Even an SSD will struggle with that workload!

You mention you have an i7 processor, but which model?  You can see the spec of the computer I use for editing in my signature and I use for multicam HD work (2 x AVCHD cameras and 1 x full HD + a separate audio recording).  For such work, even with an i7 6700K processor, I would consider it normal to work with proxy files for smooth editing.  And I do have multiple hard drives, an SSD for Windows, an internal HDD for programs and an external HDD for video files.

Jeff

Hi

. . . . Pentium I7 processor . . . .

Intel Pentium and Intel Core i7 are two different processor types - which do you have?

I agee with Jeff we need the specification of your computer - include processor name and model, SSD size and  free space, graphics card or chipset name / model.

What resolution are the videos on the timeline - HD is 1280*720 and Full HD is 1920*1080.

John EB

@Jeff: Windows 7 is installed op de SSD, the video files are on a seperate drive.

But your suggestion to create "proxy files" sounds promising. I'll try that one.

Thanks!

Dirk

I've edited only a few MTS files, and find this very informative.  It's also given me the best explanation of how/why to use proxy files.  From what I've seen btn. HD and SD video, there's a big difference in sharpness between the two types in the original files.  So I have to ask, how can you tell if the HD video in low rez is as sharp as you want it to be?  Thanks. 

From what you write I would guess that your files are HD?  Certainly, MTS are HD.  So, have you tried the setting to Create Proxy files, low resolution copies of your originals on which you carry out your editing but when exporting, MEP will use the full resolution original files so that the quality is as high as it can be?

I'm pretty certain MTS files are actually AVCHD files, so compressed when recorded in the camera; MEP must decompress those files as it is playing them if you do not use proxies, very demanding of ANY computer, however highly specified.

Jeff

I've edited only a few MTS files, and find this very informative.  It's also given me the best explanation of how/why to use proxy files.  From what I've seen btn. HD and SD video, there's a big difference in sharpness between the two types in the original files.  So I have to ask, how can you tell if the HD video in low rez is as sharp as you want it to be?  Thanks.

 

Kami, the answer to your question is, you can't!  Whilst working with low res files, what you see will be exactly that, low res in the program monitor screen.

However, when you export your footage MEP/VPX will carry out all the editing instructions which you have created using the proxies and stored in the .mvp file, and apply them to the original HD files.  The process of exporting almost always involves some degree of compression being applied to those files in order to fit the finished version on e.g. a DVD but the algorithms that control such compression are optimised to ensure that the video quality is maintained at as high a level as possible. 

I stand to be corrected on this but I think even Blu-ray requires some degree of compression be used if the original footage is "Full HD" (1920 x 1080).

Jeff

Hi Kami

. . . . . I stand to be corrected on this but I think even Blu-ray requires some degree of compression . . . .

Jeff is correct - all 'standard' video file formats are compressed to some degree or other.  If you look at the export settings in MEP there is one uncompressed avi option - if you try this format you will find that the file size is enormous eg for a 20 sec video the uncompressed format is about 3 GB compared to 35 MB for a MP4 - both 1920*1080 resolution - and visually there is no discernable difference in appearance for a file 85 x bigger .

The big difference in sharpness between SD and HD or Full HD is purely due to the greater number of pixels used.

Upscaling to display on a Widescreen TV or monitor is another factor that affects SD video quality.

HTH

John EB

Thanks for the reply.

I've edited only a few MTS files, and find this very informative.  It's also given me the best explanation of how/why to use proxy files.  From what I've seen btn. HD and SD video, there's a big difference in sharpness between the two types in the original files.  So I have to ask, how can you tell if the HD video in low rez is as sharp as you want it to be?  Thanks.

 

Kami, the answer to your question is, you can't!  Whilst working with low res files, what you see will be exactly that, low res in the program monitor screen.

However, when you export your footage MEP/VPX will carry out all the editing instructions which you have created using the proxies and stored in the .mvp file, and apply them to the original HD files.  The process of exporting almost always involves some degree of compression being applied to those files in order to fit the finished version on e.g. a DVD but the algorithms that control such compression are optimised to ensure that the video quality is maintained at as high a level as possible. 

I stand to be corrected on this but I think even Blu-ray requires some degree of compression be used if the original footage is "Full HD" (1920 x 1080).

Jeff

So when using proxy, one has to guess about the sharpness (at least with the videos I take).  Thanks.

Hi Kami

. . . . . I stand to be corrected on this but I think even Blu-ray requires some degree of compression . . . .

Jeff is correct - all 'standard' video file formats are compressed to some degree or other.  If you look at the export settings in MEP there is one uncompressed avi option - if you try this format you will find that the file size is enormous eg for a 20 sec video the uncompressed format is about 3 GB compared to 35 MB for a MP4 - both 1920*1080 resolution - and visually there is no discernable difference in appearance for a file 85 x bigger .

The big difference in sharpness between SD and HD or Full HD is purely due to the greater number of pixels used.

Upscaling to display on a Widescreen TV or monitor is another factor that affects SD video quality.

HTH

John EB

So when using proxy, one has to guess about the sharpness (at least with the videos I take).  Thanks

 

Well no, not really, because it is often possible to view your original (non-proxy) footage in MEP/VPX, as long as you accept it may not play very smoothly all the time.  Whatever the sharpness of your original footage may be, that is the level of sharpness that will transfer to your final output; the proxy files are simply there to allow a more "fluid" approach to the actual editing of your files.

Jeff

So when using proxy, one has to guess about the sharpness

No Kami. Once you have created a Proxy, a new entry appears in the "Ënable smooth playback" dropdown menu (right click the lightning bolt) where you can untick the option ""Use Proxy object" to be able to toggle a full res view of the original.

Peter​

Hi Kami

If I am creating a DVD from HD video and images, I use the global sharpening option available from the menu  Effects, Movie effect settings, Sharpness tab and set a value of 50 for the sharpness this is a little bit stronger than the Sharpen image weak option.

This is a setting that you will have to try and find which is most suitable for your video.

Try applying the sharpness to a short video and export with different sharpness settings - use for example a start with a value of 45 and export it, then 55, 65 and 75.

Compare all the videos by viewing them at full screen - you are looking for the sharpest without obvious signs of being over sharpened ie colour changes and edge effects.

HTH

John EB

Got it, John, thanks!!  (Sorry for the late replies, been kind of busy (and I don't get email notifications of replies).

Kami

Hi Kami

If I am creating a DVD from HD video and images, I use the global sharpening option available from the menu  Effects, Movie effect settings, Sharpness tab and set a value of 50 for the sharpness this is a little bit stronger than the Sharpen image weak option.

This is a setting that you will have to try and find which is most suitable for your video.

Try applying the sharpness to a short video and export with different sharpness settings - use for example a start with a value of 45 and export it, then 55, 65 and 75.

Compare all the videos by viewing them at full screen - you are looking for the sharpest without obvious signs of being over sharpened ie colour changes and edge effects.

HTH

John EB