MSPro v6.0 Video Editor - sluggish preview

[Merv Wilson]

Clicking on the timeline, then having to wait some eight or nine seconds before the codec is engaged for scrubbing, very tedious ! This is repeated every time I want to scrub & is becoming a real time-waster! Even v5.2 wasn't as slow as this, providing one had the source (scratchpad) window present.

I've altered the file ulead32.ini according to the previously posted suggestions (this initially cleared the 'black-frame' in the source window but does stop this sluggishness).

Has anyone any idea of the solution ?

Merv Wilson

Set-up: AMD K6-2 333Mhz - AT p/supply - Asus P5A-B Socket7 M/Board - Matrox Marvel G200 AGP VidCap/Graphics card 16Mb SDRAM - 192Mb of system RAM - 10.1Gb system/boot HD disk - 16.8Gb video HD disk - both IBM Deskstars. Win98SE. Creative CD-RW 4x2x24x. MediaStudioPro v6.0.

[Fred H]

You probably have Field A or Field B captured clips with interlaced audio.
Try to right click your clips, then in the Field option mark to Deinterlace. The scrubbing will be faster.
Before rendering you must mark off the Deinterlace (to return the captured interlace). If not, then the rendering time will be much longer, because your capture default was interlaced.
Don't know why Ulead hasen't a better solution
Has someone ?

[Merv Wilson]

Thanks for your suggestion Fred. Perceived wisdom indicates that I should always use Field Order B (Matrox Marvel G-200 - MJPEG - PAL 704 x 576). So tried what you said but I am afraid there is still a delay of eight or so seconds before the picture engages. Before that it just freezes. Click again on the timeline & again the interminable wait! Ugh!! When using the Trim Window - NO DELAY ! Only with the Preview Window. This happens with any raw, inserted clips. You expect it to happen with edited clips, or clips with overlay options selected.

It sure makes editing a 15 min. sequence a real chore!

Merv Wilson

[Sciascia]

I had the same problems and I went to the elctric eyes website and got everything straightened out. I believe they are down now (I think the Dr. posted the link). Anyway this is what I ended up with and it works great:

[HardwareAcc]
AviPlayEngineMCI=1
HwCodecID=dmb1
;AlwaysKeepLastFrame=1
DisableAcc1=0
;RecompressWhenScrubbing=1
DirectAccessDVAudio=1

Also I tweaked my system according to the Matrox website. Here is some stuff to check, especially the disc caching, it is copied straight from their site:


+++ How can I "tweak" my Windows 98 system for NLE (Non-Linear Editing)?

Although all systems vary, here are a few basic guidelines to follow which can prevent a lot of problems with choppy playback, dropped frames, and out of sync issues:

- Setting the size of the disk cache.

You can set a minimum cache size by adding a line directly under [vcache] (in the system.ini file) that says, "MinFileCache=xxxx" (without the quotes) and set the maximum cache size using "MaxFileCache=xxxx". Set them to the same size so that Windows isn't wasting any CPU cycles by constantly adjusting the size of the disk cache. You can experiment with different sizes, but the size specified should be in increments of 1024 and it is recommended that the size not be made less than 2048. You can edit the "system.ini" file using Notepad.

Ex:
[vcache]
MinFileCache=8192
MaxFileCache=8192

(Note: the settings are in kilobytes, 8192k = 8 megabytes.)

- Virtual memory

It is recommended that you set your "swap" file to a fixed size using the same values for minimum and maximum, and DO NOT set it to the same drive as your capture drive.

To customize your swap file:

a. Click "Start" on the Windows 98 Taskbar. Click "Settings" and choose "Control Panel."
b. Double-click the "System" icon.
c. Click the "Performance" tab.
d. Click the "Virtual Memory" button.
e. Click the option "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings."
f. Set both the Minimum and Maximum values the same to prevent repeated resizing of the swap file.

You should experiment with different values for your system. It is recommended to have at least 128 MB as the min and max values.

- "Read Ahead Optimization" and "Typical Role"

Changing the "Read-Ahead Optimization" setting to "None" will prevent block-size chunks of data (in the range of 1-2K) from being cached. Retrieving and reading this cached information interferes with high data rate playback.

Setting "Typical Role" to "Network Server" assumes that the computer has frequent disk activity, so the system is optimized for a high amount of disk access.

You can find both these values under "Advanced Settings", "File System".

- Disk caching

By default, Windows 98 is set to enable disk write file caching. This function allows Windows 98 to write disk files in the background at some later time, rather than at the moment you initiate a disk write procedure. When recording video and audio files, the data is presented to the disk in one continual streaming operation, leaving no time for background writing operations. When write file caching is active, Windows tries to put the data in RAM first, waiting for a certain time to write it to disk in the background. This certain time never comes, and Windows runs out of RAM space, interrupts the recording trying to quickly empty its cache to disk, and potentially loses incoming data, causing glitches in the recording.

To Turn Off File Write-Caching:

a. Click "Start" on the Windows Taskbar. Click "Settings" and choose "Control Panel."
b. Double-click the "System" icon.
c. Click the "Performance" tab.
d. Click the "File System" button.
e. Click the "Troubleshooting" tab.
f. Check the "Disable Write-Behind Caching For All Drives" checkbox.
g. Click OK to save your changes.

- Turn off all power management functions.

- Turn off all TSR's and virus software.

- Disable CD Auto Insert Notification:
a. Click "Start" on the Windows Taskbar. Click "Settings" and choose "Control Panel."
b. Double-click the "System" icon.
c. Click the "Device Manager" tab.
d. Click the plus sign next to the CD-ROM listing to expand the list of CD-ROM devices.
e. Select your CD-ROM and click the "Properties" button.
f. Click the "Settings" tab.
g. Uncheck the "Auto Insert Notification" checkbox.
h. Click OK to save your changes.
i. Follow this procedure for each CD-ROM installed on your system.

- Shut off all screen savers.

- Remove any "Wallpaper" from your Desktop.

- It is recommended to be in a 16bit-per-pixel desktop color depth.

- Disable Windows clock.

- Disable the Recycle Bin for the video drives


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+++ Error message "No video hardware detected".

If you get this message and have the Marvel or RRG;

- In the Display Properties / Advanced / Information and make sure that the "Extra Hardware" window includes the "built in" or "addon" features that are supported with your hardware. Ex: MJPEG encoder/decoder {built-in}.

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+++ What can I do if I experience a freeze on frame 59 with RRG and MSP 5.2? (top)

- If you experienced a freeze on frame 59 of the 3rd clip captured with the RRG and MSP 5/5.2, go to the system configuration utility in Win 98 (start > run and type msconfig) and under the advanced tab, set the memory usage to a max of 64meg. Reboot your system. This does not seem to be necessary for editing, only capturing.

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+++ Ulead is slow to load MJPEG clips in the timeline.

- Modify ulead32.ini to:

[HardwareACC]
DisableAcc1=0

I hope this helps!!

[Sciascia]

Sorry the site is still up: http://www.electric-eyes.co.uk/

[Merv Wilson]

Thanks Sciascia - I'll try all the suggestions & see how it goes. At the present it is inhibiting my editing expertise! We are all trying to become more professional with our cinematic efforts & a fast editing system that doesn't cost the earth really helps.

But apart from the afore-mentioned problems, MSPro6 & it's predecessor 5.2, is a super package & I've made several very professional-looking films with this software.

Merv Wilson

[Merv Wilson]

12 hours later. Tried the 'tweaks' & everything else that you've suggested above & still the eight-second delay when clicking the timeline. Scrubbing is OK after this - AS LONG AS THE MOUSE BUTTON IS HELD DOWN. Once released however, then clicking again on the timeline - same long delay for the frame to appear in the Preview window! I have to say that all other things work OK. The Source window plays perfectly without any jerky motion as does the Preview window when playing a selection.

Seriously thinking of upgrading from my current 333Mhz AMD K6-2 to a 700Mhz Athlon but would also have to purchase the appropriate Slot A M/board.

Never had this problem with v5.2 but then I never had the great selection of codecs that comes with v6.0 ! Still bewitched, still bewildered. Again, would be grateful for any further tips.

Merv Wilson

[Merv Wilson]

12 hours later. Tried the 'tweaks' & everything else that you've suggested above & still the eight-second delay when clicking the timeline. Scrubbing is OK after this - AS LONG AS THE MOUSE BUTTON IS HELD DOWN. Once released however, then clicking again on the timeline - same long delay for the frame to appear in the Preview window! I have to say that all other things work OK. The Source window plays perfectly without any jerky motion as does the Preview window when playing a selection.

Seriously thinking of upgrading from my current 333Mhz AMD K6-2 to a 700Mhz Athlon but would also have to purchase the appropriate Slot A M/board.

Never had this problem with v5.2 but then I never had the great selection of codecs that comes with v6.0 ! Still bewitched, still bewildered. Again, would be grateful for any further tips.

Merv Wilson

[Merv Wilson]

12 hours later. Tried the 'tweaks' & everything else that you've suggested above & still the eight-second delay when clicking the timeline. Scrubbing is OK after this - AS LONG AS THE MOUSE BUTTON IS HELD DOWN. Once released however, then clicking again on the timeline - same long delay for the frame to appear in the Preview window! I have to say that all other things work OK. The Source window plays perfectly without any jerky motion as does the Preview window when playing a selection.

Seriously thinking of upgrading from my current 333Mhz AMD K6-2 to a 700Mhz Athlon but would also have to purchase the appropriate Slot A M/board.

Never had this problem with v5.2 but then I never had the great selection of codecs that comes with v6.0 ! Still bewitched, still bewildered. Again, would be grateful for any further tips.

Merv Wilson

[dchip]

Merv.. I cannot help, but, perhaps someone on the Ulead Media Studio Worldwide Users Group could help. I have been reading over there and seems like a lot of savvy users and some outright experts at MSP6 can be found there. Hope your problem gets solved.
http://www.wwug.com/forums/uleadmediastudio/index.htm

[Merv Wilson]

Success! Another 12 hours later, firing the system up & Bingo, a click on the timeline & frames appear INSTANTLY in the Preview Window, scrubbing is now perfect - no waiting.

So thanks to all who've contributed to the above tips & tricks.

From one grateful Non-Linear-Editor,

Merv Wilson.

[Sciascia]

That is almost exactly how it happened for me. I was so close a couple of times that I could almost taste it. Then BAM, there it was. Do you remember what change actually got rid of the delay? I have a few ideas, but I don't want to go in there and start screwing around for just that reason. Anyway I am glad that things worked out for you.

[Fred H]

Sciascia, you are right, because you've copied Uleads advice, but Ulead is WRONG to recommand fixed swap files.
A fixed swap file i.e. 128 Mb produces another trouble:
-working in Video Editor then you pop up, i.e. the associated CGI program to edit some short thing there and after finishing the CGI you don't close it while the Video Editor is runing you'll get a "Not enough memory" error message.
Yes, I know, a video program is very memory intensive. And it is very irritating, when you edit multiple CG objects and you must restart and shut down the CGI every time again.
-It was not a question, but let's know your opinion.
BTW, I have only 64 Mb RAM in my computer (K6/2-400)

[Fred H]

Scenario #2
As I wrote in my earlier post, that the fixed swapfile of 128 Mb is not enough or wrong. You don't need to open two programs to run into memory owerflow.
Now I tested to create a short, 5 sec, MPEG2 file. After a 1/2 sec of rendering I run,again, into the "Insufficient memory" message.
Then I changed back the swap file to min=0 and max=auto by Windows, and the memory owerflow problem is cured.
BTW, the created MPEG2 file size is only 3.3 Mb and the vcache in the system.ini is unchanged min/max=8192. Also the MSP6 project settings are the same as with the fixed swapfile.
Any suggestions, please?

[Sciascia]

Fred-
I saw your post and I agree with the notion that 128 in Virtual memory is not enough. I just copied the majority of the tips from Matrox and saved it as a text doc. I didn't want to leave any helpful advice out, because everyone's system differs and what one person needs to know may not help the other. I personally have it set to 640M for the 256M I have. I have heard that 2.5 times your RAM is a good start for setting a custom swap file. I have had no problems personally.