I've read over some threads talking about this subject, but I still have a few questions.

How does using the "install3gb" file differ from using the "3gb switch" that I read about on other forums?  If these are not the same thing, what are the differences, and what are the potential impacts on OTHER programs.

I've read that using install3gb.exe and therefore changing the address space settings in windows 32bit can potentially cause problems with some applications.  I'm therefore wondering if avid actually "needs" this change to work, or if it can just work "better" by using it.  Is it an "option" to use install3gb, or is it "necessary" on systems using 4gb.

If we choose to not run this utility, will it simply mean that Avid will not specifically utilize the extra ram as efficiently as it can?  It seems like the extra ram would still have "some" positive effect compared to running only 2gb total, but I'm not clear on all the implications.

Conversely, if we DO use this utility to change the windows address space, what possible problems might we have with other applications?  As I said, I've read about "problems" with other apps when doing this, but the specifics have always been vague.

Thanks for any feedback on this,

Larry

Hi Larry,
      The 3G switch(bat file) file and the Install3GB.exe are the same thing. In earlier versions of software, it was a ".bat" file that was used. That was later changed to the current ".exe" that is included with the Installations.

    For any of the supported 32-Bit Windows Operating systems, that Install3GB.exe file helps give more Memory for the Avid to use. If the Avid is being used for HD projects, or even very large SD projects (lots of bins + large sequences) then that extra memory might be able to help you get better performance. So depending on your configuration, hardware and type of project, you should see better performance with that switch turned on.
    However, we'd suggest that you try your normal workflow with that setting turned On and Off, to see how it affects what you are doing on a regular basis.

    While we have not noticed any specific problems or issues using this, our testing is more focused on the performance of the Avid within these environments.

    There is more information on this inside of the MediaComposer ReadMe on the Avid Support KB: [ Link ]



Hope that helps

"... what possible problems might we have with other applications? ..."

Under normal circumstances it shouldn't.  Here's one rare case where it may.  Some storage solutions, that add mount points. add additional lines to the registry for each mount.  As the registry gets larger, it can eventually prevent the system from booting properly or mount any additional drives.  Since the 3GB Switch uses memory normally left to the OS, the OS may be short in these rare cases.  The Windows "Scrubber Utility" helps, but is not a foolproof solution.

BTW ... if you use Vista Biz 64, this all goes away .... and your system will rock!  Works best with 8GB's RAM.

I just upgraded form the xpress pro to Composer 3.5.  When I lauch composer I get that install3GB.exe.  I found the file in the cdrive under Avid utilites.  There is 3 options-install 3G.exe, install3GB.bart and install3G.exe again.  The first one nothing happens, and the other two want to chose a option to make it a boot drive and I do and it saids unable to find boot drive.  I have a Composer at home and I just hit it once and it worked but I was doing a clean install on a new computer. Do I uninstall xpress, which i have not.  Also my worst nightmare is I cant see any of my OMFI files that I created in xpress pro hd.  It jsut opens up the two mvx files that I created.  I open up the media drives and I can still see hundreds of OMFI files.  Is there something that is not checked with this system.  Also when I play back after about 20 seconds I get a audio studder for about 10 seconds and it goes away, but this is not in the final product and it occurs when I watch youtube videos.  These problems have to stop, that is why you are losing business to apple!

Randall L Rike:

BTW ... if you use Vista Biz 64, this all goes away .... and your system will rock!  Works best with 8GB's RAM.

videosmithlaguna:

Also when I play back after about 20 seconds I get a audio studder for about 10 seconds and it goes away, but this is not in the final product and it occurs when I watch youtube videos

If it's happening with apps like you tube, then it has nothing to do with your avid software. More than likely, it's either the video card itself or the drivers.

videosmithlaguna:

my worst nightmare is I cant see any of my OMFI files that I created in xpress pro hd.  It jsut opens up the two mvx files that I created.  I open up the media drives and I can still see hundreds of OMFI files.

That's odd. Have you checked that MC actually sees these drives (in Capture tool, or Import dialogue box)?

If so, have you tried trashing the media database files for these OMFI MediaFiles folders? This should force MC to rebuild them. After that you should most definitely be able to see and use the 'old' OMFI files. Also, triple check that these folders are named OMFI MediaFiles (sic) and are at the root level of any drive. Also, make sure that you try and stay under 10.000 files per folder.

I'm not sure why the 3GB patch is causing you issues. I've never experienced any.

You did uninstall XpressPro prior to installing MC 3.5, right? If not, I'd recommend uninstalling 3.5, reinstalling AXP, uninstalling AXP, then installing 3.5 from scratch. When the release notes mention you should uninstall previous versions of the application, you should definitely follow that instruction.

Another option I could recommend is to open up your compter, take out your system drive, insert a fresh one and install Vista 64bit Business from scratch, as well as any other apps you might want to use. If anything fails, you can put your old system drive back in, but after switching one of my systems to VisBiz64bit (and tweaking it a bit), I quickly decided to upgrade my second system as well.

Also when I play back after about 20 seconds I get a audio studder for about 10 seconds and it goes away, but this is not in the final product and it occurs when I watch youtube videos.

Not sure about your config, but I'd never try to run MC and YouTube simultaneously. Both probably need access to the sound card. Other than that, if you have stuttering audio, double check if your project and your media are at the same sample rate, and check if realtime sample rate conversion is turned on (if so, see what happens if you turn it off). Can any of your drives perhaps be too slow?

For those using other programs like Pinnacle Studio (to import AVCHD or the like) or Avid Liquid use of the 3/gig switch interferes with video overlay during capture, that is you will not see the camera's output during capture /logging.

So far, I have not seen any other complications. Edius 5 is not bothered by the switch, nor is TmpGe.

Chosing not to use the switch at boot-up cures the problem with Liquid and Studio.

DVDit and Tmpge seem to like the additional available memory.