vicsant
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Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
Hi guys,
I'm currently working on an animation score.
I want to ask what would be the optimum avi settings for the videos I received so that it loads, runs, and syncs smoothly within Sonar.
The last avi video I received was so compressed that video playback stutters, and I would loose sync with the music after a few bars.......
Thanks.
Vic
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Chregg
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 03:00:49
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i find .movs a bit better to work with than avi's tbh , you can try turning off the thumbnails
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John
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 06:40:36
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Are they really AVIs? Because AVI is an uncompressed format.
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John T
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 07:07:33
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Not necessarily. AVI is a container format. The actual video inside can be all kinds of things, compressed and uncompressed.
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John
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 07:27:05
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I've never run across a compressed AVI.
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John T
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 07:28:33
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http://johntatlockaudio.com/Self-build PC // 16GB RAM // i7 3770k @ 3.5 Ghz // Nofan 0dB cooler // ASUS P8-Z77 V Pro motherboard // Intel x-25m SSD System Drive // Seagate RAID Array Audio Drive // Windows 10 64 bit // Sonar Platinum (64 bit) // Sonar VS-700 // M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 // KRK RP-6 Monitors // and a bunch of other stuff
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John
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 08:13:24
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John T
How do you know?
Because they are huge files. LOL
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John T
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 08:15:51
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I'd bet on the opposite being the general rule, for that very reason. Uncompressed video gets monstrously huge very quickly. You can check in the windows file property box though. For AVI files, there's an entry for "Video Compression" in the Summary tab. That'll tell you what scheme is being used.
http://johntatlockaudio.com/Self-build PC // 16GB RAM // i7 3770k @ 3.5 Ghz // Nofan 0dB cooler // ASUS P8-Z77 V Pro motherboard // Intel x-25m SSD System Drive // Seagate RAID Array Audio Drive // Windows 10 64 bit // Sonar Platinum (64 bit) // Sonar VS-700 // M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 // KRK RP-6 Monitors // and a bunch of other stuff
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 08:21:36
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vicsant
Hi guys,
I'm currently working on an animation score.
I want to ask what would be the optimum avi settings for the videos I received so that it loads, runs, and syncs smoothly within Sonar.
The last avi video I received was so compressed that video playback stutters, and I would loose sync with the music after a few bars.......
Thanks.
Vic
Is the video in HD or SD? The easiest thing for your computer would be to choose a standard definition DV25 codec proxy file, either .avi or .mov. DV25 will stream smooth on just about any system and leave lots of resources for making and editing music. If it has to be a HD proxy file, then you will need to choose a HD codec which runs smooth on your system and leaves enough CPU resources for you to make and edit music. A HD video stream still take up quite a bit of desktop PC resources. best regards, mike
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John
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 08:27:46
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John T
I'd bet on the opposite being the general rule, for that very reason. Uncompressed video gets monstrously huge very quickly. You can check in the windows file property box though. For AVI files, there's an entry for "Video Compression" in the Summary tab. That'll tell you what scheme is being used.
Are you saying I don't know if a file is large or not? I don't understand your meaning. All I know is that I have yet to see an AVI that is small in its file size. I'm not saying that some AVIs can't be compressed but I am saying I have not seen one. Effectively, you are saying that there is no such thing as an uncompressed video.
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generator
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 08:29:05
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When I work with video in Sonar, I convert to AVI with a program called AVS video converter, using the ibm motion jpeg codec. This was recommended to me, and it seems to work quite well. Quicktime files (.MOV) don't work in 64-bit Sonar, or at least they didn't last year...
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Eric Beam
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 09:17:25
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SCorey
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 09:50:21
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I've run a bunch of tests to find out the smoothest running video format and codec in Sonar. Hands down, it was .avi with the motion jpeg codec. It also has the benefit that it works in both 32 and 64 bit Sonar on Windows 7. 640x360 size for 16:9 usually gives sufficient resolution to see stuff without taxing the system too much.
Next up was .mov with motion jpeg codec. But that's limited to 32 bit Sonar due to needing quicktime.
After that, .avi with mpeg-4 part 2 (aka mpeg4, xvid, divx) works really well, also in both 32 and 64 bit Sonar.
Then, .avi with some variant of DV codec.
.mp4 with mpeg-4 part 10 (aka h.264) codec works kinda ok, but requres 32 bit and quicktime.
.wmv of whatever codec (wm7, wm8, wm9) works pretty well, and on 32 and 64 bit.
Since motion jpeg has been superseded by jpeg 2000, I'd suggest an .avi file with the mpeg4 codec. 640x360, and start with a bitrate of around 3000kbps.
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Jimbo 88
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 10:18:55
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I think it is best and wise to find a video format that works on your system (mine seems to be Mpeg1 and AVI) and then get an app that will convert any pic file to that format for you. Then whenever someone sends you picture to work with just start by re-rendering it. It will save you tons of fustration.
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Blogman
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 11:00:48
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Pretty sure I installed quicktime .mov codecs, but .movs aren't working for me in Win 7 64 bit. Any way to check? or re-install just the quicktime codecs. I also have tried converting to several different .AVI lots of options including compression settings (on AVI :)) via quicktime 7 pro. No luck. WinnFF works on AVI MS compatible. I'm trying the widescreen setting now since the other setting squished the sides in.
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John
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 11:05:12
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Unfortunately Apple has not released 64 bit QT yet. Thats why your mov files wont play in X1.
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dubdisciple
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 15:31:17
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John, i highly doubt that most of the AVI's you are running into are uncompressed. Not trying to sound condescending, but it's a common error. My boss makes that mistake all the time. he is so used to working with mpgs and h.264 files that he actually thinks many of the files we use are uncompressed. Possible, but unless you work exclusively on high end video, very doubtful. Like John T said, AVI is just a container and can have anything, some small and some compressed but still huge. i use a 10-bit Cinescore intermediate codec that creates files that would be considered huge by many but are still tiny compared to actual uncompressed video.
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SCorey
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 15:34:32
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Blogman: There is no 64 bit quicktime so there's no way for 64-bit Sonar to use quicktime formats. But as you found out, WinFF and the AVI MS compatible preset works pretty well. That creates an .avi file with the mpeg4 (part 2) codec. To fix the size problem, go to WinFF Edit->Presets, choose the AVI->MS Compatible AVI preset and remove the -vf:scale 640:480 part. Then "Add/Update" the preset and it won't change the resolution of your file.
Or if you don't want to change the preset, you can manually enter the size: Click the Options button, go to the video tab and enter your size there.
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dubdisciple
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 15:40:44
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I guess my "answer" was neither here nor there since it does not help you....so let me rewind. Regardless of whether your video avi is compressed or not, avi can be tricky. The most efficient methods of compression will get you on the performance end because decoding tends to be more cpu intensive. What program do you use to convert your video? It would help to know what your options are. I tend to use wmvs because i tend to use my video as simply a reference, preferring to bring my mastered audio into my video program. last thing i want is Sonar trying to process heavy duty video. If iwere to use avi, i would likely use one of the dv codecs.
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 15:46:54
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SCorey
I've run a bunch of tests to find out the smoothest running video format and codec in Sonar. Hands down, it was .avi with the motion jpeg codec. It also has the benefit that it works in both 32 and 64 bit Sonar on Windows 7. 640x360 size for 16:9 usually gives sufficient resolution to see stuff without taxing the system too much.
Next up was .mov with motion jpeg codec. But that's limited to 32 bit Sonar due to needing quicktime.
After that, .avi with mpeg-4 part 2 (aka mpeg4, xvid, divx) works really well, also in both 32 and 64 bit Sonar.
Then, .avi with some variant of DV codec.
.mp4 with mpeg-4 part 10 (aka h.264) codec works kinda ok, but requres 32 bit and quicktime.
.wmv of whatever codec (wm7, wm8, wm9) works pretty well, and on 32 and 64 bit.
Since motion jpeg has been superseded by jpeg 2000, I'd suggest an .avi file with the mpeg4 codec. 640x360, and start with a bitrate of around 3000kbps.
One reason motion jpeg works so well is that it doesn't use temporal compression. It decompresses very easily because each frame comes with all the information needed. For what it's worth you can make a motion jpeg .avi with most transcoders as easily as you may make a .mov. Well, at least you used to be able too, so I assume you still can. BTW, Motion Jpeg was the format that really helped kick start the desk top digital video revolution. The use of jpeg sequences superseded the use of uncompressed targa sequences (Amiga) and made a good match for the early Avid and Media 100 video acceleration cards and the systems built around them. We use to put a stack of 200kB/frame jpegs on a array of 8 SCSI Barracuda drives in a ATTO RAID tower and watch in amazement as it played back in real time. It was Jaw dropping. best regards, mike edit spelling
post edited by mike_mccue - 2012/04/03 16:11:06
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dubdisciple
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Re:Optimum avi settings for Sonar X1
2012/04/03 15:48:49
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