CS4 performs worse than CS3

[Adolfo Rozenfeld]

“I’ve checked the control panel and it’s setup for Beta SP analog I/O. I don’t see anything that could be a video desktop feature. Do you know which tab that function is in? I know when I installed the AJA drivers I specifically used the installer that does not contain the “Desktop Display” feature. (As referred to on their support page.) BTW, this Kona card is the same card that was in the older CS3 box until a couple weeks ago so I know the card works. I’ve had it for almost 3 years.”

Yes, “desktop display” and “video desktop” are the same thing.
So, just to make sure, go to System Preferences > Displays and check the “Show displays in menu bar” button. Now, go to the display button at the upper right corner and click it. Does it show more than one display there? If so, the desktop display could be interfering.

As a troubleshooting step, remove the AJA card, boot the system, try RAM preview in AE. Does it work well? If no, put the AJA card in again.

“Anything else to try?”

There are a few things that can impact RAM preview playback performance, but frankly your computer is so powerful, it should keep up easily.
So, here are a few things:

• A mismatch between Comp resolution/frame rate and RAM preview settings (you already checked that, but it’s important enough to double check).
• Having video preview enabled in Preferences > Video Preview.
• Having Color Management/Device simulation turned on.
• Having the PAR preview button turned on at the bottom of the Comp panel.

As I said, a modern computer should be able to keep up even with these things.
This is almost as frustrating for me as it is for you, since diagnosing these things remotely is very difficult and it’s probably something more or less obvious 🙁

Adolfo Rozenfeld · Adobe

[Brian Tario]

Any chance we can take this offline and speak on the phone? I’m up against a deadline today and unfortunately can’t devote much time to troubleshooting, but I don’t want to lose traction on this because it really is a critical issue. Just not quite as critical as keeping my client happy.

I’m willing to let you remote into this box if you want control. Maybe checking it out “in person” would help? You can email me directly at: brian@aujom.com

Thank you for your assistance!

[Adolfo Rozenfeld]

No problem.
I’ll contact you off-list.

Adolfo Rozenfeld · Adobe

[Christopher R. green]

Brian, this is a very interesting thread, and I ask that you please post a follow-up with solutions or any additional info. I hope you have solved, or are on your way to solving your problem.

-crg

[Brian Tario]

Update – nothing has been resolved. I’m fairly certain I’m not the only user with this sort of problem, but so far no fixes. If you have any suggestions, fire away! Thanks.

[Brian Tario]

Wow! I’m still stunned, but apparently my problem is fixed. I just uninstalled the AJA Plug-ins for CS4 and poof, I’m able to RAM preview at 29.97 fps in realtime on a 1080 comp (of low complexity). I’m getting video preview through my Kona LHe to my broadcast monitor, mirrored on the desktop. The whole enchilada, as it normally should be.

Thanks to AJA for another excellent tech support experience! Apparently the plug-ins for everything in the CS4 suite EXCEPT After Effects work fine. The AE plug-in is a bit “touchy”. I can’t tell you how happy I am that this is apparently over. Thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions!