Realtime? Test your system!

[mike0130]

Hi
Somehow I got a feeling that we're not completely understand each other.
Let's do ourselves a favor- let's test our computers on "realtiming" using Xplode/ Xplode pro (I am talking anout DV- forget your HDV for a second).
Open a project with Canopus DV codec, take some Canopus DV footage and import it to BIN , take a minute size clip to timeline and cut another one to timeline too.
Now put a Xplode pro transition between them. Double-click on transition and chouse Xplode/Standart/Frames. In the presets panel take "Composition in RED"
Now extend both sides of transition so that the lenghth of it will be approx 20 seconds.
Move your timeline cursor to the exactly beginning of new long transition.
Hit space to play.
Now look carefully at the bottom left of your Edius application- you will see the buffer size as program plays over transition.
If your buffer increases from zero to maximum- you are ok. Your videocard settings and Xplode Pro settings are good, your system can handle the realime playback on Xplode Pro.

It it stopes or slows down, your sound begins "vibrating"- something is wrong- it maybe slow hard drive, too old compoter/CPU, wrong videocard or it's settings or wrong settings on XplodePro Configuration.

The default thansition is only 1 second- so if your computer able to jump over 1 sec. transition- it does not mean that you have realtime system! On the test that I described here with 20-25 sec. "heavy" thansition, you will see what your system is capable of. Again- it should run smoth, nice with the rize of buffer!
Have a nice day!
mike

[SRsupport]

First of all this whole idea is flawed. Xplode pro was not built to be real time so it makes no sense to test that on a system.

You can have xlpode pro work real time all day with the correct older drivers for your video card.

So what are you actually testing, when using the video card to let something that wasn't designed realtime run real time?

The videocard, the hack, the system or xplode pro?

That would make the test proposed........flawed.

[pjsssss]

My only thing that I see that you might add is to hit Shift + Spacebar to let the buffer build up and then watch the numbers and see if they start dropping. If it starts coming down then you are dropping frames. I don't think starting at the exact beginning is fair without that because Edius will be attempting to build the buffer and play the transition. Remember it works on actually reading ahead on the timeline by as much buffer as you have built in.

[pjsssss]

Steve, I don't think that makes the test flawed. Just becuase it was not designed to be realtime does not mean that it can't be realtime. To some (not me) Xplode being realtime is one of the main parts of their editing style and they would rather sacrifice something else in order to get it.

I think it is perfectly legitimate to try and have some type of standard test (this test does have a bit too much variation in it but it is a basic answer) to help those type of editors out.

I am interested in it strictly from a knowledge standpoint because it has been mentioned that the card I use (ATI X1950 Pro) is reltime on some systems but it is not on my amchine which is pretty much state of the art at the moment.

[SRsupport]

If you do a test you got to have parameters:
Which graphics card
How much memory on the card
Which driver
ect ect.

Non of it was posted as test parameters so How would you test?

For example it is know that newer nvidia drivers make xplode pro non realtime. If that is the case no need for a test. See what I'm getting at?

Could be that I don't get it. Then test ahead. ;)

Steve

[mike0130]

Yes, mostly this test for ATI- based cards. Thanks to 2 dll's in ATInVidia renderer, you can run all those effects in realtime. Yes, they stil nas problems with nVidia cards, please do not tell me that it no suppose to be realtime! Look at Xplode for Edius, which is stil supported, because it is part of Edius. Canopus said, that ALL Edius effects are running realtime and you have to use a graphic card with 128mb of memory (for HD), it never said about problems with nVidia!
But I did a lot of experiments with different cards and I can tell you that ATI- based X600- X850 are very good and X800- X850 (256mb 256bit)- perfect for this job. Old nVidia cards, such as 4400- 4600 (AGP) worked good also. I tested so-so card X1600-1650 and very good cards X1800- X1950.
If you are not so sceptical and interestin in tuning one of those cards I will be glad to help.
mike

[DVcatastrophe]

I had absolutely, genuine RT for transitions with my Nvidia5700 AGP card..Nowe I got a new PCI card and it's gone back to sputter hell :(

[rwolfe03]

More Real Time???

Rather than upgrading my entire system since I'm not going HD....yet, I would like to poll anyone whether this upgrade would significantly increase my realtime with Edius. I have an Asus P4B533 mb with a P4-2.4 ghz processor and 1 gig of ddr memory. The only upgrade to the processor for this board is a 3.06 ghz P4 which is an increase in speed, but also has HTT which the 2.4does not. Also increasing the memory to 2gb. I am using the DVStorm with this and an ATI Radian 9800 pro. About 500 bucks to do this. Worth it?

[T-Bone]

I see your key premise being that you're willing to spend $500 knowing it will not help you do HD

given that, I think you would see a noticeable difference, but if significant to you means a 50% increase, I don't think it would be there

[I think you just went OT and I followed you, since we're not talking xplode]

[mediaworx]

Drivers

So which nvidia drivers are the best to use? And is the ATInVidia renderer stillvalid to use or is it outdated?

[mike0130]

mediaworx, there are no nvidia PCI-e cards that will work with Xplode, but most of ATI would. The best of ATI are X800- X850, Very good X1800-1950. They are stil working with ATI renderer.
For usimg X1800- X1950 sometimes it's a good idea to reinstall the system, because if you replace the card and drivers in already installed system, you may need to edit Canopus.ini file (C:\Windows) or (if you're lucky!) change the overlay radiobutton position in Edius harware settings with restart of system after every change...
Do not go for ATI-1600- 1650, they are not the card you want. Take card with 256 bit memory, 256Mb. it will work nice in realtime and, because X800- 850 are old cards, you may find them for the nice price...

[Jerry]

I am interested in it strictly from a knowledge standpoint because it has been mentioned that the card I use (ATI X1950 Pro) is reltime on some systems but it is not on my amchine which is pretty much state of the art at the moment.

Pat,
I am pretty sure your system will be RT with DV files. I can go and go and go with DV. It's sad that I do not use them anymore.

[Alade]

someone had posted a great fix with instructions on the old site, but I cant put my hands ...(mouse) on it right now.....but it worked great for me...I wish I could find it now, cause I did some repairs to my PC, and lost the file.....it gave me real time even in photo albunat 10 + seconds long......I should have saved that file many places..now it seems to be lost....

[GrassValley_MD]

someone had posted a great fix with instructions on the old site, but I cant put my hands ...(mouse) on it right now.....but it worked great for me...I wish I could find it now, cause I did some repairs to my PC, and lost the file.....it gave me real time even in photo albunat 10 + seconds long......I should have saved that file many places..now it seems to be lost....

Check the FAQ at the top of the page... I believe I included that info in it.



Mike

[Alade]

Hi, I found the file hidden on a text file....nevertheless, I have my system running, but I just rebuilt, and using PCIe, and am having **** getting good overlay....it is jerky, and has a lot of artifacts at the bottom of the image...everything looks great on the output monitor, I tried all I could, now I am asking for help to get it fixed.....realtime is good, renderers working great, but overlay not good at all, and in DVCapture, it is very jerky, more like stills being updated every 1 sec. or 2 secs....looks horible...HELP...