Graphics card use in Vegas

[Roger Bansemer]

A while back I asked if I might need a faster video card. The answer was no and that Vegas uses only the CPU to preview video. So I’m confused as to this discussion of a fast video card now.

[Norman Willis]

Hi Roger.

Yes, Vegas uses only the CPU. However, some people want/need more power, and the “Divide.Frame” plug in costs $95US. It is supposed to re-route some of the computational processes to the graphics card, thereby ‘tapping’ the power of the graphics card. It might be cheaper for some to slap in a hot video card, than replace.

I have not used Divide.Frame. Someone mentioned it several months ago, and at that time it was ‘try before you buy’, but they mention having worked out some bugs in Vegas on the main page.

https://www.divideframe.com/

I am hoping that someone who has used it will let us know. 🙂

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Norman Willis]

I should probably add that Divide.Frame is $95.00, and it is supposed to accelerate AVCHD editing (only).

In contrast, Cineform NeoScene is 99$US from https://www.videoguys.com, and not only do you get accelerated AVCHD editing, but you also get the Cineform codec, which is supposed to be far and away the best. So from some points of view, Cineform is a better deal.

I am not a Vegas expert: I am just repeating what I heard.

I use Cineform NeoScene, and like it.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Roger Bansemer]

Thanks very much for the explanation. Wish I could help answer as many questions as I ask. Thanks everyone. This is a great service.

[Bruce Quayle]

I agree Roger. This is indeed a great group of folks who give of their time and experience for no reward other than to lead us out of the dark jungles of ignorance into the sublime light of knowledge! …and a decent final product.
Thanks guys!

Bruce Quayle

[Dave Edwards]

Hi Bruce, I think that the holy grail for Vegas users working with AVCHD would be a Preview mode in which transitions can be previewed without rendering? I have been on this quest for some time. Divide Frame doesn’t work for me because a) it works only with 32bit Vegas but, more importantly, a crossfade or 3D transition in preview will appear as a straight cut at best. My Core i7 machine does a better job without Divide Frame’s decoder,- it can handle crossfades and gives a stuttering account of 3D transitions. It is usable.

I think the Sony software team need to look seriously at incorporating GPU support or they will lose out big time to Premiere and other competitors. I do hope I haven’t chosen Betamax again..

[Roger Bansemer]

I totally agree. Sony needs to have Vegas work with the video that is shot with their cameras. Having to save our clips to another format isn’t acceptable to me.
I’ve spent several thousand dollars to upgrade my computer just so it will take care of M2ts files. Anything slower than an I7 processor totally fails and even with the fastest and best, Vegas does lack.

[Bruce Quayle]

Hi Guys,
There appears to be nothing on the horizon on the Sony front concerning the possibility of harnessing the GPU power for Vegas. Unfortunately, from my perspective, Divide Frame is a non-starter as I am not using AVCHD. This means that NeoScene is also out of the question and I am left with the very much more expensive NeoHD product that is designed for the EX1r codec (amongst others).
I will be attending NAB this year and will chat with the Sony and Vegas reps concerning this issue. I don’t hold out much hope though.
I really can’t understand why Sony, with its powerhouse of technical brains at its disposal, can’t make this work. Surely it is a no-brainer to allow the software to tap into whatever processing power is available in its host computer?!
I think you have a very good point Roger – If Sony can’t make their editing software work smoothly with the formats in which their cameras record the data, then perhaps it’s time that they got out of the editing business.
Cheers,

Bruce Quayle

[John Rofrano]

My Core i7 machine does a better job without Divide Frame’s decoder,- it can handle crossfades and gives a stuttering account of 3D transitions.

This is an extremely critical observation. What this says is that you i7 is more powerful than your GPU! Think about that… If Sony adds GPU support to Vegas Pro, your i7 will STILL be more powerful than your GPU. Premiere customers already know this. When you see those lovely CS5 demos with fluid AVCHD, they are using a $1,500 Quadro FX 4800 graphics card! Are you ready to buy a graphics card that cost as much as your whole computer? (‘cuz your typical GeForce 9800GT ain’t gonna cut it)

So if you expect GPU processing to be the holy grail, you had better be ready to shell out $1,500 to $2,000 on a graphics card to make that a reality. Otherwise your i7’s are going to be faster. There is no “free lunch”. You are going to pay dearly for fast GPU rendering.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Dave Edwards]

John: what you say is true IF Divide Frame’s decoder really WORKS. I have yet to be convinced of this. I note that the developer shut down his forum some months ago and there is an eery silence from him..