2 Replies Latest reply: May 12, 2010 11:24 PM by claudioparoli RSS

    problematic EX3 clips in PPro CS4

    claudioparoli Community Member

      Recently I imported some 50 1080i/50 (so SP, 1440x1080pixels) clips acquired through my Sony PMW-EX3 into a PP4 project. The project was set at the preset values for XDCAM EX 1080i PAL.

       

      I imported as usual through Premiere's own Media Browser, after transferring the clips from the camera to my laptop via its ExpressCard 34 slot and from the laptop to the editing desktop via gigabyte Ethernet.

       

      [After reading some posts I also imported the whole BPAV folder via Ctrl+i in the project window. No difference in the problem described below].

       

      Most of the clips play OK but some - enough to worry me - do not. They appear in the project as blanks when switching to thumbnail view, and refuse to play in Source Monitor. They cause PP4 to freeze for some 15-20 seconds (no crashing though). They won't play either in QT or MP4 player so I think they're corrupt.

       

      However the editing box's performance when handling all my new EX clips now is subpar - slow in displaying, halting in playback. All recent clips, not just the ones that may be corrupt. If I load a project from last December, PP4 handles those clips without a problem.

       

      Since then I tested a system software RAID 1, later discarded, and reloaded the Master Collection from scratch several times. The rig's current configuration is:

       

      i7 920 at standard clock speed

      12GB G-skill RAM

      WD Velociraptor 300GB/3Gb/sec for OS and programs

      2xSamsung Spinpoint TTB for data (with daily or more frequent backups) - no RAID

      The card is an FX1700 which is probably the weakest link - but that does not explain the difference in behaviour of old and new projects.

       

      There's no difference in camera or project settings. The only BIG difference since then is that I used to run Vista Business 64 and now the computer runs on 7 Home Premium 64.

       

      Can anyone suggest where the problem may lie?

       

      Many thanks

      claudio

        • 1. Re: problematic EX3 clips in PPro CS4
          Jeff Bellune CommunityMVP

          Delete all the problem clips from the new project, then save and close Pr.  Open Pr again and load a project.  Go to Edit | Preferences | Media and clean the media cache database.  Open your problem project.  Are things any better?

           

          -Jeff

          • 2. Re: problematic EX3 clips in PPro CS4
            claudioparoli Community Member

            Thanks for the reply Jeff. I've done what you suggested and Premiere is still not wonderful. When you do anything in PPro4 - say, play a clip on the timeline - there's still a 7-10 secs hesitation between the click and the time the application gets going. That's not normal...

             

            That aside, I've tried reimporting the dud clips through Firewire, given that they play OK in the EX camera, and as .mpeg's they're ok. But that rather defies the point of a file-based acquisition system, does it not.

            I've also tried reimporting the original clips and this time had no problem with their performance. Clearing the cache might have done the trick, then.