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RAM preview running slow
I need help.
I cannot figure out how to get RAM Preview to run in real time. When I try to RAM preview, I get the message “Insufficient RAM “ and in plays back at 6 fps.I am running a Mac Pro, 2×2.66 Ghz Duel Core Intel Xeon
4GB memory
AJA Kona LheComp Settings:
Preset: HDV/HDTV 720 29.97
W=1280
H=720
29.97
I have keyed out the background and placed a photoshop file behind the subject.
Other than a matte choker, there are no other filters being applied.Prefs
Video Preview
Output Device: AJA
Output Mode: AJA Kona 720p60
Output Quality: fasterMemory and cache
Maximum Memory usage:150%
Maximum RAM cache size 100%Multiprocessing
Render Multiple Frames simultaneouslyThe footage is on an external G-raid drive
I have been through the forums and have tried it all.
Help?gruszla
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10 Replies
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it sounds like you are using cs3…
max memory usage should not exceed 120% and max ram cache should not exceed 60%…. having the ram cache set to 100% leaves no space for ram previews, which is probably your main problem.
for better performance with only 4gb of ram, i think i’d disable multiprocessing (preferences>multiprocessing, uncheck the option to render multiple frames simultaneously). it sounds backwards, but if you starve your processors of ram, then they won’t have enough data to process efficiently and you will get slower performance. if you want to run ae with mp on, get at least 2gb of ram per core (up to 4gb/core), ae will run much more smoothly.
you didn’t mention the disk cache, but if you do enable it, make sure that is is using the main (internal/boot) drive. you don’t want it on the same drive bus as you media or renders.
if you still have problems getting realtime preview playback, try disabling the video preview to the kona card.
Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW -
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the response. Yes, I have CS3.
I tried everything you suggested, except getting more RAM, and I still get 6 fps playback. AE even crashed during rendering, which it never used to do before.
So, more RAM is the way to go?
Lauragruszla
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hi laura,
[Laura Gruszczynski] “I still get 6 fps playback.”
just to double check, you are hitting zero on the numbers pad to do a ram preview (vs. hitting spacebar, which writes, then reads from the hard drive), correct? you should get realtime playback from ram even on very old systems, they may just take a long time to finish rendering the preview.
about the only thing that i’ve seen affect the playback speed of a ram preview is an external video monitoring system, but if you disabled video preview through the kona card (preferences>video preview), then there’s probably something else wrong…
if you already tried resetting the preference file (restart ae while holding shift-option-command, then click ok when ae asks to reset the preference file), then quit ae, open a new finder window and go to users/username/library/preferences/adobe/after effects and drag the entire folder named ‘8.0’ to the desktop. restart ae, open that project and try a ram preview.
also, make sure you have the latest version of cs3 (8.0.2).
as for ram… if you want to use ae’s multiprocessing, yes, you’ll want to have 2gb of ram per core and 4gb per core would be even better… but that will primarily effect render performance, not ram preview playback, so i don’t think it will help your preview issue.
Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW -
Hi Kevin,
Yes, I am hitting 0, on CS3 AE 8.02.27,
I deleted the preference file, and that didn’t help.
What else can I do? Uninstall and reinstall the software?
Lauragruszla
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hi laura,
[Laura Gruszczynski] “What else can I do? Uninstall and reinstall the software?”
you may want to try that, but i’d try a couple things first…
- this first step would not be common, but select the ae application icon and choose file>get info from the finder. make sure that the option for ‘open using rosetta’ is not enabled.
- i know you said you reset the preference file, but make sure that opengl acceleration is set to either off, or for preview ‘interactions’ only, that the video preview is set to computer monitor only and that multiprocessing is not on.
- quit all applications and open the disk utility (applications>utilities) run the repair permissions and verify disk on your system drive just to make sure that the drive and system are in good working order. if verify disk finds an error, then you’ll need to run the disk utility from the osx install disk that came with your mac. just boot from that disc and from the menu choose something like utilities>disk utilities, run repair disk.
- then open the terminal (applications>utilities) and type (or copy/paste) the following: sudo periodic daily weekly monthly. it should ask for your password, enter it and hit return. when it is finished (it should take a minute or two), quit terminal. these are just basic maintenance scripts that the system will normally run and, although i doubt this will help your problem, it’s easy and it’s not a bad thing to run every once and while…
- i think i’d also recommend running the apple hardware test. it’s also on the original osx install disc. instructions should be printed on the disc itself. run the extended test to fully test your ram and video card. note that this test will take a long time, so only run it if you have about 30 minutes to kill.
- if everything is checking out and you still don’t have realtime ram preview playback, run apple’s software update (apple>software update) to make sure everything is up-to-date. if anything does get updated it’s a good idea to run the disk utility again and do a repair permissions.
- i’d also check aja for any updates to the kona drivers for your card, i’d do the same for any other pci cards that you may have.
after all that, you should be able to verify that your system is working well and is not the problem. i’d then try uninstalling ae and then reinstalling it.
Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW -
Hi Kevin,
I just need to finish the project before I can troubleshoot the problem.
Hopefully next week.
Lauragruszla
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Ok,
I finally had some time to run all of those tests you suggested. Then I reinstalled After Fffects CS3. Guess what? I still do not have real time ram preview. Adobe’s website is not helpful.
Perhaps it’s a setting on the Aja Kona lhe card?
I am at my wits end. I cannot work in AE without a Ram Preview.
Lauragruszla
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Hi Dave,
Thanks for responding.
I am using DVCPRO HD 720P60.
This started happening in the last several months and the only thing I can think of that changed in that timeframe, besides software updates, was that the Aja Kona lhe was replaced. Other than that, I am stumped.
Lauragruszla
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Hi Dave,
Thanks for responding.
I am using DVCPRO HD 720P60.
This started happening in the last several months and the only thing I can think of that changed in that timeframe, besides software updates, was that the Aja Kona lhe was replaced. Other than that, I am stumped.
Lauragruszla
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Hi,
After all of that, it was just a setting in AE CS3.
Window
AJA Preview.
Change to “enable playback during preview”
Change “primary format” to match your footage size.
Than was it!
Should post this in the AJA forum as well.
Thanks for all of your help!
LauraLaura
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