Let the deluge begin...

I've installed MC Soft 2.81 and am currently importing my first video (1:30 NTSC DV AVI) using the NTSC 30i settings. At the rate it's going, it will take about 1:30 to finish the import. Is this normal?

The system spec's are: AMD 4600+ dual-core, 1Gb memory, AGP based ATI XT800XT 256Mb. And before anyone posts that this is a completey unsupported system, then answer is "I know!" The purpose of this is to test the possible low-end of systems that is likely to be seen by Liquid users upgrading to MC Soft, not to actually edit with.

I'll also be putting it on a not-quite supported but better system (Dual Xeon 2.2Ghz, 2Gb) but I need to replace the current card (AGP ATI 9600Pro) with an AGP based Quadro.

In the meantime, Liquid users are used to being able to import hour+ long videos in under 5 seconds, so is there a way to speed this up? I suspect that the problem is insufficient memory, but I'd like to get some verification on that.

Hi Dave,

When Media Composer is importing, it is creating media files in its own media file format, and an hour long video will take a long time to import.  The only ways I know to speed this up are 1) create the file using an Avid codec, which will import much faster, or 2) get a machine with a faster processor.  I don't think more RAM will help that much, but someone more techie than me can confirm or deny that.

The advantage of importing this way is that once you've imported the file, you no longer need it on the system, and can even delete it without causing any trouble at all.  The disadvantage is the time it takes to import.

good luck,
Carl

Thanks Carl. Unfortunately, not all Liquid users can transcode to an Avid CODEC from within Liquid. It works for some, but not for others (and I'm one for whom it doesn't work; I've not been able to figure out why yet).

My system is unquestionably swapping during the import, which is why I'm thinking memory may make a difference. I'll know that better when I install MC on the Xeon system.

I already know that the Liquid users are going to have flames over this. We do tend to have the "holier than thou" attitude. [A] (Hey... they removed the Angel smiley!!)

DStone:

Liquid users are going to have flames over this. We do tend to have the "holier than thou" attitude.

Lol Dave.... you haven't met many veteran Avid MC editors have you?   

PS, did you get my reply regarding the User Group?

And, after about 2 hours of importing, I get the "Too many preloads" error when I try and play the clip. I can scrub it without problems, mixdown the audio and video, just not play.

I'm going to install another 1Gb of memory and switch out to a Quadro, just to see what happens. But that'll be another week at least (got to order the Quadro and memory).

Hopefully this represents a worst-case scenerio. The typical Liquid system is an Intel dual-core or quad-core PCI-E with ATI X1950 on up. Still not a supported system, but at least fast enough.

Hi Kenton,

No, I'm afraid I didn't (I was planning on following up with you on this). I've met a number of veteran MC editors. And FCP editors, Premiere editors, and a couple of folks who still swear by a flatbed. If nothing else, the field is full of passionate user.

DStone:

Hi Kenton,

No, I'm afraid I didn't (I was planning on following up with you on this).

Dave PM your email and I'll send you the info direct.

DStone:

I can scrub it without problems, mixdown the audio and video, just not play.

DStone:

The typical Liquid system is an Intel dual-core or quad-core PCI-E with ATI X1950 on up.

Hi Dave,

The problem is almost definitely the video card.  We see a lot of "I can see the video, and I can scroll through the clip, but I can't play it" posts, and the solution is almost always switching to an approved card.  (I say "almost always" because sometimes the solution is getting the right video card drivers or right version of Quicktime installed.)

good luck,
Carl

OK, I've got MC Soft up and running on the other system (Dual Xeon 2.2) using an ATI 9600Pro (don't laugh; it's a general purpose system).  It's the same display driver and same version of QT as on the non-working AMD system. The major difference between the two is the AMD only has 1Gb of memory. I'm going to bump the memory in the AMD and see if that makes a difference, along with a NVidia card.

In the meantime, I starting another set of tutorials to complement the ones Douglas Bruce has been doing for Liquid to MC adopters.

And just to add a bit of fun to my day, the first system (AMD) is now up and running after a reboot. This is the 3rd reboot done after the installation. No other software changes, no hardware changes. It just started working!

You gotta love computers. Otherwise we'd be filling up a landfill the size of the Grand Canyon with them!!!

OK, the AMD system is now on 2Gb and running with a FireGL X3 (which does have OpenGL hardware support in MC). And the importing of AVIs still takes forever and a day. It takes almost as long to import as it would to recapture the media. What can we Liquid users do to mitigate the import performance? As I said earlier, not all of us have been able to get the Avid CODECs working with Liquid. This could be a show stopper for a number of potential upgraders.

We do have a variety of export methods available in Liquid, including EDLs, etc. What would a faster method?

Dave at Liquid I can import 1hour clips by linking not copying in 2-3 seconds.

I think the same needs even an hour in MC.

They must do something for that. It is very slow.

If I have 4 hours shooting as I almost always do I must take 4 hours.

I think MC imports 1:1 in SD.

DStone:

OK, the AMD system is now on 2Gb and running with a FireGL X3 (which does have OpenGL hardware support in MC). And the importing of AVIs still takes forever and a day. It takes almost as long to import as it would to recapture the media. What can we Liquid users do to mitigate the import performance? As I said earlier, not all of us have been able to get the Avid CODECs working with Liquid.

Hi Dave,

The answer is the same as it was at the beginning of this thread.  The only way to ensure fast importing is to create files using an Avid codec.  A fast processor helps, but nothing helps as  much as using an Avid codec.

sverkalo:

Dave at Liquid I can import 1hour clips by linking not copying in 2-3 seconds.  I think the same needs even an hour in MC.  They must do something for that. It is very slow.

As we say to the FCP people, George, if you like Liquid's workflow, then use Liquid.  Media Composer, FCP and Liquid are just tools; use the one that suits your situation.  Coming to the Media Composer forum to extoll the virtues of Liquid won't make your files import any faster.

good luck,
Carl

No no.

It was just an example to explain to Dave how is working.

Don't you think it should be faster?

Forget everythign else.

sverkalo:

Don't you think it should be faster?

Hey George,

I don't deal in what should be, I deal in what is. 

good luck,
Carl