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How to import large video files into AE?
I am trying to load a large (27MB, 5 minute) video .mov file into AE. The file used to much much bigger as it was shot in HD. However, the video quality does not mean anything as I am only using it as a visual and audio timeline (as well as spacing).
When I create a new comp by dragging the video file over the new comp buttong I get the correct comp size (1920 x 1080) but the video seems to be having a ton of trouble loading. Everything is moving in very very slow motio and when I try to hear audio (hitting th “.” on the numaric key pad) I lose the video.
I am running an HP, AMD Athlon 64 x 2 Dual core processor 6000 + 3.00GHz, 3.00GB, 32-bit OS. Is that strong enough?
What is the best way to get a large video file into an AE comp timeline and have the video, audio and sizing of the video image work smoothly?
Thank you!
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4 Replies
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From the wonderful Dave LaRonde:
Dave’s Stock Answer #1:
If the footage you imported into AE is any kind of the following — Native HDV, MPEG1, MPEG2, mp4, m2t, H.261 or H.264 — you need to convert it to a different codec.
These kinds of footage use temporal, or interframe compression. They have keyframes at regular intervals, containing complete frame information. However, the frames in between do NOT have complete information. Interframe codecs toss out duplicated information.
In order to maintain peak rendering efficiency, AE needs complete information for each and every frame. But because these kinds of footage contain only partial information, AE freaks out, resulting in a wide variety of problems.
– The Great Szalam
(The ‘Great’ stands for ‘Not So Great, in fact, Extremely Humble’)No trees were harmed in the creation of this message, but several thousand electrons were mildly inconvenienced.
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Hi Rudy,
AE is not intended for playing back footage and audio in real time like an editing programme, so you will always have to wait for things to ‘load’ whenever you ram preview.
However, the speed of this loading is hugely affected by the type of video. Bigger videos (larger frame size) will take longer. But compressed video will also take longer. This is because compressed videos don’t contain ‘full frames’, only the data needed for players / programmes to ‘rebuild’ all frames. This rebuilding takes time, hence why compressed video takes longer to load.
Best to stick to uncompressed. You can always work at half resolution.
Simon Bonner
youtube.com/simonsaysfx
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Also,
Hitting . on the numeric keypad will always only give you audio. Hit 0 on the numeric keypad if you want video and audio.– The Great Szalam
(The ‘Great’ stands for ‘Not So Great, in fact, Extremely Humble’)No trees were harmed in the creation of this message, but several thousand electrons were mildly inconvenienced.
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GREAT INFO! thank you guys!
I am reiceving files from my editor who is using Final Cut (on a Mac). Up until now he has been sending me .mov files with H264 codec.
After reading your posts, it seems this compressed format is what is causing the slow issues.
The source video is HD 1920 x 1080 from P2 cameras. Then editied in Final Cut. Each segment he is sending me is roughly 5 – 7 minutes in length.
What kind of rendered file should I ask for from my editor?
Thank you!!!
Rudy
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