Testing Realtime in Quad? – Simplest effects cause Render :-(

[Walter Biscardi]

[Sam] “Very simple cut captured using the 8bit DV only.”

There is no 8bit DV. Are you putting DV footage into an 8bit timeline? That will automatically cause a lot of extra rendering.

Anytime you put a video format into another format’s timeline, that causes extra rendering.

Either capture as 8bit SD and edit in that timeline or capture DV and edit in DV timeline.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Jeremy Garchow]

If you put a clip in the timeline does it need to render? If so, your sequence settings and capture settings don’t match. Chose an easy setup and MAKE A NEW SEQUENCE and delete the first sequence that is already in the browser (called sequence 1).

And what is the ripple delete filter?

Jeremy

[Frank Nolan]

[Sam] “FCP on Safe RT, Dynamic (or Full) on Video Playback and on Frame Rate.
Importing MP3s cause a render for Audio (which might be required anyways).”

Set it to “unlimited RT” if you want to play without having to render.
You should convert MP3 to Aiff.

[Sam]

Thanks Guys

Walter –
I meant 8bit to DV Kona Easy Setup – so basically DV only. I captured in DV to see the realtime limits. I do indeed have the sequence set properly. Its using DV Easy Setup. The clips DO NOT require a render when dropped; so the sequence settings are correct I think

Jeremy –

Sorry, I meant Ripple Dissolve (not Ripple Delete)

Frank –
I did try the Unlimited RT as well and still requirs the render.

How DOES one test the realtime limits of their systems.

Thanks guys
Sam

[Jeremy Garchow]

Well, how much do you use the ripple dissolve? I’m not sure if the ripple dissolve is an rt effect. I bet even if you do have to render it won’t take long. Make sure all of your preferences are set to your fastest RAID. it is best if all of your media is playing from this RAID. How fast is your RAID running? Don’t worry, your computer is fast.

jeremy

[Rendertainmentllc]

In your Effects tab, it will automatically let you know which filters/effects your system is capable of playing in realtime and which are not. If it’s bolded, your system should play it realtime. If it’s not bolded, then it will require rendering when you apply it to your clip.

Depending on the system’s processor(s), RAM, and probably some other stuff, what is realtime on one system may require rendering on another.

[Ben Holmes]

Hmm. You should be able to achieve almost any transition in realtime, using DV on a Quad – can’t be sure about the ripple, but it sounds as if something is not set right.

Try opening a new sequence, if you didn’t do the easy setup before you created the current sequence, otherwise the new settings may not have taken.

Set the RT settings to unlimited RT, and the resolution and framerate settings to dynamic. You should at the very least see an orange bar above your timeline indicating that playback is at a reduced framerate/resolution.

To clarify one question of yours, whether all footage should be on your medea drive: Yes, with the possible exception of audio files, such as music. This includes stills etc. However, this will not effect the realtime capabilites of the processor, just the ability of your system to continue playing it – without a ‘dropped frames’ warning in other words. Make your only scratch disc the medea, and all your render files will go there as well.

Dropping CD audio (at 44.1khz) into a 48Khz DV timeline will always require rendering – taking less than a second probably on a quad!

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[Sam]

That is what I thought too that almost any transition will be realtime. I also tried some CGM filters but that I understand will prob. require rendering but the FCP filter also need rendering. I was able to get Cross Dissove to work in realtime.

All of my settings point to the Medea which runs at about 300+ MB/s on a test using the AJA Test Utility (unless some can suggest another util.). Render files(also on Medea); well when “rendering” an MP3 about 2 mins in duration, the render takes about 30-45 seconds which kinda doesn’t sound right either. It is a fresh install of OS and FCP 5.1.1

With this massive config, we thought we should be in realtime heaven. I haven’t even started the 8bit and DVCPROHD stuff. I captured in DV just to test the limits of the system.

Thanks
Sam

[Rich Campbell]

Hi,
At this point, we would want to rule out the Medea hardware as the cause. There is a utility built into the Medea firmware to troubleshoot using the Null modem cable and a PC. Please call me at 818 880 0303 ext 122 or email me your phone number and best time to call to richard_campbell@avid.com.
Regards,
Rich Campbell
Medea Technical Support

[Jeremy Garchow]

You should convert your Mp3s outside of FCP. Using Quicktime Pro is a good way. Export as aiff 48k/16 or 24 bit. Anything that has any kind of alpha (which the ripple might) will need rendering. It’s an FCP thing not a system speed problem. FCP does not handle moving transparency very well…yet.

Jeremy