Preview caching is slow

[Bret Y]

When creating videos VideoPad often takes forever to load the sequence preview, especially for longer clips. I notice it's sucking my CPU resources like crazy while doing this. Is there any fix? Can it not share the workload with the GPU? My computer specs aren't that bad, I feel like this shouldn't be happening. 

Intel Core i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz
16GB RAM DDR4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
Kingston 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
Windows 10 Home 64-bit

[borate]

VP does share with the GPU, and improvements are always being made.  Toggle the "accelerated hardware" box in OPTIONS | EDITING tab to see if that makes a difference.

With high-res, lengthy projects Proxy editing can be useful, as can breaking them into segments for later final assembly.

If you share your project we'll take a look, compare performance and offer suggestions.  The process isn't difficult, takes little time and can be private.  Don't upload the export, just the PORTABLE PROJECT folder, as instructed here...

http://nch.invisionzone.com/topic/23659-tips-for-getting-help-on-this-forum/

If it contains sensitive material link it in a personal message (PM).  Click the envelope above.  It won't be passed on or retained.  Use FILE|SAVE PORTABLE PROJECT AS, not simply SAVE PROJECT, and don't forget to get a shareable, public link - not one that is restricted.

[Bret Y]

Thanks for your quick reply. I've got accelerated hardware ticked already so that hasn't helped. I've thought of trying to break my larger clip (it's 40 minutes) into smaller pieces, but I can't seem to figure out if that's even possible without opening the longer clip in a separate instance and exporting all of the smaller pieces. The only options I can find just use different copies of the full clip with different start and stop points. 

Is there a way to cut a clip into smaller pieces within the software?

If that won't work, I can upload the project as you suggested, but all of the files together are over 2GB so I'd rather not if it's avoidable.

[borate]

One way to slice and dice is to proceed until things get sluggish, then export, SAVE PROJECT AS, and give it a unique # or name, so as to not overwrite earlier saves.  Now delete all but the very end of what's been edited thus far, and continue with the next section in the same way.  When all parts have been exported, import them, clean up the overlapped edits and export the final.  As the exported sections are now single clips where all effects have been composited,  this should go quickly.

One easy way to export parts of a long project is to swipe the sequence - hold the left mouse button and drag the cursor.  Then right-click, and a menu will appear. 

.

Next project, read up on Proxy Editing.  It takes a little time to prep, but the workflow thereafter can be more efficient.

A 2GB upload should be no problem on Google Drive or MS OneDrive.  Share if possible and layout tips may be offered that could speed future efforts.

[Bret Y]

I guess I'll try the proxy method. If I understand correctly, I just take all of my video clips, convert them to low res, import and do all my editing, then when done replace them with the hi res clips, open the project again and export?

I'll upload the project in the meantime as you suggested for feedback. Thanks for the help.

[borate]

That's the picture.  It's easiest when the proxies, in a separate folder, are the same format and name as the originals.  Then there's the Recycle Bin method.  Closely follow the steps in the FAQ.

You might also click on OPTIONS | DISK tab and Clear Unused Cache Files.   And close all other programs while editing.

[borate]

Thanks for sharing your project.  Looked good.  Several clips were not used so you might avoid loading them.  Audio track 1 seemed low in gain, but that's a subjective judgment.

Applied an effect to the final ten minute clip as a test;  re-caching took a minute or so.  Various shorter-clip effects completed in seconds while CPU/GPU averaged 20/15%.  Your project contains few effects/trans so proxy editing likely isn't worth the effort.

Results should be comparable as our PC specs are very similar, but for 32GB RAM here, which doesn't hurt.

Advise not loading this project into VP version 8.56.  8.45 is fine, and there will be a new release coming soon.

[Bret Y]

I'm using V7.11 as I bought the software years ago and it doesn't seem that upgrades are included. Could that be why I'm having issues? And any files that aren't being used in the project are there because I haven't finished the video. When I got the third one I started getting problems making it difficult to keep working.

[borate]

Hard to say.  Considerable caching improvements have been made since that version.  Test v8.45 as a trial and see how it performs on that project.  Of course, first SAVE PROJECT FILE AS, giving it a unique # or name, so as to not overwrite earlier saves. 

And retain your 7.11 installer and licensing info.  https://www.nch.com.au/upgrade/

For licensed users upgrades are free for up to six months from purchase date.  After that, VP will continue to fully function but a fee will be required in order to register the newest.

[Bret Y]

okay so this new version seems to work much better. How much does it cost to upgrade?

[borate]

Click the link above and enter your info.

[Bret Y]

Hi again. I can't figure out out to get my old install files for the version I purchased. Can you suggest where to find this download? Thanks.

Nevermind, found it at http://www.oldversiondownload.com/