@DuneElliot

Hi and welcome to the user to user forum.

Please read the forum rules and comply with them as in this instance they would be really useful to help give an answer.

If you could also add any information about the video clips, Camera make, along with some MediaInfo on the clips or clips used and more information on the project setup, how many tracks are you using for audio and video.

If you are not sure what to add, add as much information as possible.

Thank you.

Ray.

@DuneElliot

@johnebaker

John can obviously type fast than I can 😇.

Ray.

Computer is HP Pavillion running Win X on 64bit - . I am not sure of the graphics card but can check that if necessary. This isn't a gaming computer, just a computer with a better graphics card and faster RAM to make gaming smoother than a standard office laptop

Magix Movie Edit Pro 2020

I am only using 5 audio/video tracks. This shouldn't make any difference as just asking MEP20 to play a single clip before adding to timeline is choppy.

Camera is a Sony HX80 or 90 (depends on the day on which one I use). Filming at 60fps on XAVC HD and 1080p in NTSC format. Settings for new movie are set to match - 59.94 fps (only option), at 1080 in NTSC.

I have zero problems exporting to 60fps on mp4 and the output is buttery smooth and takes the same amount of time as 30fps.

Not sure what other information you need so please let me know

I am able to play and edit these clips in both Kdenlive and DaVinci Resolve on Linux, on the same computer (dual boot) without any choppiness so I know it's not the hardware on my computer.

For further information: RAM is 12GB with a AMD RADEON R7 processor

Not sure where to find the information about my graphics card if you need that

@DuneElliot

Hi

Not sure what other information you need so please let me know

Please re-read the responses above and answer the questions that have been asked already and supply the information listed in the links John and Ray have provided.

Peter

@DuneElliot

Hi

Not sure what other information you need so please let me know

Please re-read the responses above and answer the questions that have been asked already and supply the information listed in the links John and Ray have provided.

Peter

Didn't I already do that? What did I miss?

@DuneElliot @Scenestealer @johnebaker

Hi.

What I can make out so far is you are using two compact stills cameras to produce video that can shoot either using the file format you are using (XAVC HD) or MP4.

I'm not familiar with XAVC HD but doesn't appear to be on the supported file type list of MEP

Although if the clips are importing may be a part of one of those listed.

You have not provided any file information from the clips used. If you are mixing clips from the two cameras it would be good to have the MediaInfo data from clips from both cameras. I gave a link to to software (there is a free version to download there) in my first request. It's the word MediaInfo that appears with blue text.

Running five tracks in parallel could be a strain somewhere within the system if you are also adding fades or effects to any of the clips. The more complex the project the more taxing it is on the system.

Please don't try to compare a system running two different operating systems. Linux is extremely light running compared to windows.

You didn't answer John's question about whether you are using proxy files or not. We don't know anything about which version or build of Windows you are running or whether all your drivers are up to date.

Movie Edit Pro is the least powerful of the three versions of MEP and can not do preview rendering for smoother playback but I'm not sure if it produces proxy files or not that would help.

Someone else may have to figure that one out.

One thing you could try is switching to recording in MP4 to see if that makes a difference.

I can run 4K without having to reduce resolution and get smooth playback on one to two parallel running tracks but the higher the track count, the more I have to rely on proxy files or reduced resolution during playback.

But file info from the two cameras could also help with answers. The bit rates may vary between the two cameras as could other parameters of the files.

Another factor could be if you are running the project from the C: drive as that is a lot of data being dragged around the drive during playback as well as running MEP at the same time.

Ray.

Hi there.

Thanks for getting back to me.

I will correct my file format to say I used XAVC S which the website says it does support when I Google it. Maybe I'm wrong. I would have thought it was a supported file type if it plays, even if it does stutter...my older edition (14) wouldn't even open file types it didn't support.

I have only used the one camera the Sony HX80 for this. I was using it on AVCHD prior to this but after some research moved to the XAVC format for better quality videos. Both filmed and used in 1080p

I haven't even started a movie project with these clips yet so not even running one track yet. Had no problem with 5 tracks at all so far when using AVCHD or MP4.

I have no idea about proxy files...don't know what those are. All files are on my hard drive.

I did answer the question about my computer: Win X. Currently updating. 64 bit with AMD Radeon 7.

I am running Movie Edit Pro Premium (not the basic)

I have nothing else running during the time I am editing

Sorry if I'm not answering things properly. I don't understand some of the terms being used or where to find stuff.

@DuneElliot @Scenestealer @johnebaker

Hi. Elliot?

Yes I'm not sure about the file format either, I can only look it up as you have.

Proxy files are files that can be created to help for smoother playback within MEP.

In File / Settings / Movie, and tick the 'Create proxy files'

I'm afraid Win X doesn't tell us the current build version which can be found in Windows settings / System / About, where it will tell you the current OS build towards the bottom. The current build for Windows 10 should be 19041.450 .

But can you now also verify if you are opening the project from the C: drive? Most of us would be using a separate high speed drive to work a project from. Are you using any effects, transitions, etc?

As I said earlier, running MEP and the project from the same drive can create a lot of data movement at one time. Especially when running parallel multiple tracks of video. Creating proxy files for the project could help smooth the playback but not a guarantee.

Ray.

@DuneElliot

Hi

. . . . Didn't I already do that? What did I miss? . . . .

Full computer specification?

So far you have given us:

• Computer is HP Pavillion running Win X on 64bit
  
  Win X is not the 'standard' abbreviation for Win 10
   
• just a computer with a better graphics card and faster RAM to make gaming smoother than a standard office laptop

Not a lot to go, see my signature for an example of what is needed - the information required is also in the post I linked to.

. . . . XAVC S . . . I would have thought it was a supported file type if it plays, even if it does stutter. . . . .

It is a supported file format - see the comparison table here

I believe your issue is much more fundamental - the full computer specs are needed.

John EB

@DuneElliot @Scenestealer @johnebaker

Hi. Elliot?

Yes I'm not sure about the file format either, I can only look it up as you have.

Proxy files are files that can be created to help for smoother playback within MEP.

In File / Settings / Movie, and tick the 'Create proxy files'

I'm afraid Win X doesn't tell us the current build version which can be found in Windows settings / System / About, where it will tell you the current OS build towards the bottom. The current build for Windows 10 should be 19041.450 .

But can you now also verify if you are opening the project from the C: drive? Most of us would be using a separate high speed drive to work a project from. Are you using any effects, transitions, etc?

As I said earlier, running MEP and the project from the same drive can create a lot of data movement at one time. Especially when running parallel multiple tracks of video. Creating proxy files for the project could help smooth the playback but not a guarantee.

Ray.

Hi

I will get the info re. The system when it finishes updating.

I am running MEP Premium from the C: drive. Files are on a partition accessible to both Windows and Linux. I have used this set up for dozens of movie projects for months with zero issues. The only change is the file type/fps

I will try the proxy files idea.

As mentioned i have nothing opened...not even trying to create a movie...this is literally just me trying to play a single, solo clip from the files pane. Not a big clip...just a couple of minutes or a few seconds and it just plays choppy. No issues playing these clips in media player

@DuneElliot @Scenestealer @johnebaker

Hi.

To add to John's comment, there also seems to be a lot of different AMD RADEON R7 processors out there.

Which one do you have?

Ray.

From my Control Panel about the system:

Windows 10 Home 64 bit x64

Processor AMD A12-9720P Radeon R7, 12 compute cores 4C+8G 2.70 GHz

RAM 12.0GB

System Type 64 bit OS, x64-based processor

System completely updated as of today

In the About section it is blank re. The build. But is now fully updated to most recently available drivers and such from MS and HP

Found the Build version: 1909 18363.1016

@DuneElliot

Hi

Thanks for the specification, it confirms what I thought the issue is:

. . . . Processor AMD A12-9720P Radeon R7, . . . .

There is no Hardware Acceleration (HWA) capability for MEP to use - it requires an Intel CPU with integrated GPU to enable smooth preview and for faster rendering on export or DVD/BD disc creation.

MEP may use the R7 for acceleration for some effects.

From the MEP specification:

Graphics card: Onboard, min. resolution 1280 x 1024, 512 MB VRAM and DirectX 11 support (recommended: Intel Graphics HD 520 for MPEG2/AVC/HEVC)

Note there is no mention of AMD Radeon or NVidia graphics cards, whether this will change with the new release of MEP due soon we do not know.

Most of the settings for smoother playback you have already mentioned using proxy files will help with preview playback - the setting is in the Project Settings dialog - keyboard shortcut E - however depending on the length of the video clips these may take several minutes to create and will take up more disc drive space.

. . . . In the About section it is blank re. The build . . .

To get your Windows build number - press and hold down the Windows key and press R key - this will open a command dialog enter winver and press enter - you will see the Windows build number in the dialog that opens.

HTH

John EB

I updated the build in comment above yours.

I am curious, however, why this choppy playback is only on one file type...it is fine with every other file type I throw at it.

@DuneElliot

Hi

. . . . I updated the build in comment above yours. . . .

Thanks - I saw that after posting at just about the same time as you.

. . . . I was using it on AVCHD prior to this but after some research moved to the XAVC format for better quality videos. Both filmed and used in 1080p . . . . . . . . why this choppy playback is only on one file type

If you use MediaInfo to analyse a XAVC S AVC and AVCHD video file, for example, and compare the results, you should find that the video bitrate for the XAVC S is much higher than the AVCHD and the file size larger for the same length of recording, frame rate and resolution.

AVCHD AVC video bitrate is limited to a maximum of 28 Mbps (megabits per second) whereas XAVC S AVC is limited to a maximum of 100 Mbps.

This higher bitrate means more data has to be processed per second which can quickly overload a CPU - this means the AMD A12-9720P, which is not a particularly powerful processor, will be overwhelmed quite quickly. For a comparison to other processors see here

By using proxy files which are a less compressed and lower resolution helps reduce the overloading of the CPU, they are only used for preview, when you export the real files are used.

HTH

John EB

Okay. Will try as you suggest

@DuneElliot @CubeAce @johnebaker

I will correct my file format to say I used XAVC S which the website says it does support when I Google it. Maybe I'm wrong. I would have thought it was a supported file type if it plays, even if it does stutter.

Interesting.....the MEP specs for MEP do not say that it handles XAVC-S whereas VPX spec. says it does. I use XAVCS files and both MEP and VPX play them very well. It just may be possible that MEP is picking up the codec that installs with VPX in Ray's, John's and my case?

I do not think the XAVCS file's data rate is the issue because the specs. of the HX90 say that it only uses a bitrate of 50Mbps and this is less likely to be a problem for MEP than the complexity of the compression and length of the GOP.

Peter

I have a feeling it is as @johnebaker said in regards to my AMD Radeon graphics card. I just thought, originally, it might have been a settings issue. I have set up proxy files for this project and while it is taking longer it is making it workable. I will go back to AVCHD at 60fps for the next video as MEP (and my computer) seem to handle that fine.

Thanks to everyone.