Proxy rendering - highly confusing error message?

jeffjn wrote on 2/10/2014, 3:32 AM

Now Proxy rendering has been introduced in MEP2014, I've been trying to use it.

In some circumstances - which I believe are those where the proxy file is going to be of equal or higher quality that the source (the manual isn't more specific if this includes bitrate and codec) then Video Pro doesn't make a proxy file. It doesn't give an error message, though, just carries on.

In MEP2014, the message is IMHO, very confusing, mentioning a number of reasons why it hasn't created a proxy, but not the real one - which isn't really an error.

Unless anyone can explain the error of my ways. I'm intending to report this as a minor bug.

Comments

terrypin wrote on 2/10/2014, 7:16 AM

Hi Jeff,

Can you step through exactly what you did preceding that error message.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

jeffjn wrote on 2/10/2014, 8:13 AM

Hi Terry - yes just starting a new project, ticking the Automatically create proxy files box before selecting OK, then draging a bit of SD mpeg-2 footage to the timeline should do it

jeffjn wrote on 2/10/2014, 11:08 AM

Thanks Terry - that makes sense as to which files trigger proxy creation - the three that do are either 4:3 or 720p. The othere are either very small resolution and low bit rates or 16:9 DVD compatible, so I'm not surprised that MEP doesn't consider it's worth making proxies. The Manual says "Proxy files will not be created if the quality settings for them are higher than the quality of the source material.". (perhaps that should say equal or higher)

What I'm questioning is the wording of the error message. It indicates that there might be a problem with many In VPX5 there is no error message, it just carries on without making a proxy..

terrypin wrote on 2/10/2014, 11:24 AM

Hi Jeff,

I tried about 15 MPG files from an old folder. A couple couldn't be read at all by MEP despite being playable in my various players, but that's another issue. Of the rest, about half rendered the proxy OK and the other half gave the error message you showed. (Which I agree is obscure; something lost in translation I fear.)

Here are 3 examples of each, with and without the error. Maybe close examination might reveal a clue as to the cause?

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/MEP-ProxyWithMPG-OK%231.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/MEP-ProxyWithMPG-OK%232.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/MEP-ProxyWithMPG-OK%233.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/MEP-ProxyWithMPG-ERROR%231.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/MEP-ProxyWithMPG-ERROR%232.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/MEP-ProxyWithMPG-ERROR%233.jpg

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

johnebaker wrote on 2/10/2014, 1:32 PM

As I understand it, proxy editting is for HD material and produces a quarter resolution ie 1/2 width * 1/2 height version in mxv format.

IMHO it should not be necessary, nor should it create a proxy file for SD.

John

jeffjn wrote on 2/10/2014, 1:40 PM

Hi

As I understand it, proxy editting is for HD material and produces a quarter resolution ie 1/2 width * 1/2 height version in mxv format.

IMHO it should not be necessary, nor should it create a proxy file for SD.

John

Yes John, I fully understand, although it's more complex than that. You can produce proxy files in other formats than MXV so that smart render works, and they are often created if the frame rate or aspect ratio differs, even with a SD project.

That not what I'm commenting on. What seems wrong to me is the error message. It should either not appear at all when the program decides not to create a proxy, as it does in VEX5, or say something sensible - "No proxy file needs to be created for this file as your computer is capable of playing it back smoothly".

johnebaker wrote on 2/10/2014, 1:57 PM

. . . . You can produce proxy files in other formats than MXV . . . .

Are you doing this automatically in MEP 2014, if so where is the setting?

I agree about the error message it should only appear when required or be more informative.

John

jeffjn wrote on 2/10/2014, 2:42 PM

Hi

. . . . You can produce proxy files in other formats than MXV . . . .

Are you doing this automatically in MEP 2014, if so where is the setting?

I agree about the error message it should only appear when required or be more informative.

John

In File/Setting/Preview and Proxy rendering you can chose between MVX (which appears to be a Mjpeg format?), HD (a full res HD mpeg-2 file) or DVD (8000Kbps mpeg-2 SD). In VEX5 there is also a custom setting. I've yet to experiment with how these formats work with Smartrender but it looks like a useful option.

I'll send a bug report about the error message.

Thanks

Jeff

johnebaker wrote on 2/10/2014, 3:53 PM

@ John CB - thanks for the pointer - funny how sometimes you stare something in the face and do not see it .

John