6 Replies Latest reply: Dec 19, 2013 7:05 AM by tikigod19 RSS

    Clearing the Media Cache Database

    KateMorgan Community Member

      Hi,  In a tutorial on using Encore CS6 it says to "clear the media cache database"

       

      Why is this done?  ...and if done... does it remove any important files, clips, assets..etc that are in my other projects?  Is it safe to do this?

       

      Thanks 

        • 1. Re: Clearing the Media Cache Database
          John T Smith CommunityMVP

          PPro and Encore create MANY temporary files, which may be deleted when you are done with the project... your original video clips and project files are in a location of your choosing, not in the cache folders

           

          Some more on locations http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1007934?tstart=0

           

          And, one way to design your project http://forums.adobe.com/thread/919388?tstart=0

           

          I always create my project files on my 2nd hard drive (see below) so the temporary files are also put on that drive

           

          My 3 hard drives for video editing are configured as...
          .
          1 - 320Gig Boot for Win7 64bit Pro and ALL program installs (2)
          .
          2 - 320Gig data for Win7 paging swap file and video project files
          When I create a project on #2 drive, the various work files follow,
          so my boot drive is not used for the media cache folders and files
          .
          3 - 1Terabyte data for all video files... input & output files (1)
          .
          (1) for faster input/output if you have 4 drives
          - use drive 3 for all source files
          - use drive 4 for all output files
          .
          (2) only 60Gig used, for Win7 & CS5 MC & MS Office & other smaller programs
          .
          Search Microsoft to find out how to redirect your Windows paging swap file
          http://search.microsoft.com/search.aspx?mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US
          .
          I do not use RAID... AVCHD is CPU intensive, not drive intensive like uncompressed, so

          I have no problems editing without RAID (but, this is for "simple" home videos)

          • 2. Re: Clearing the Media Cache Database
            Stan Jones CommunityMVP

            In a tutorial on using Encore CS6 it says to "clear the media cache database"

             

            Why is this done?

            More than other Adobe programs that share the media cache with Encore, Encore seems to get stuck. Cleaning the media cache can help get a fresh start. Unfortunately earlier versions of Encore (and probably CS6, but you never know), were as likely to have the project file corrupted and only a "do over" (start the project fresh) would help.

             

            This may also be a benefit (and this is much of the material that John points to) simply to get rid of old stuff that is no longer needed. However, the "clean" command, as I understand it, is only getting rid of cached media that is no longer used - porbabgly meaing that the Encore project is was related to (and the Premiere and AME etc), has been deleted.

             

            What Encore usually needs is for the cache files to be deleted, so that the ones for the current project are removed.

             

            if done... does it remove any important files, clips, assets..etc that are in my other projects?  Is it safe to do this?

            Any cache files that are needed will be recreated. It does not delete your assets.

            • 3. Re: Clearing the Media Cache Database
              KateMorgan Community Member

              John and Stan, all of this information is excellent to know.  Thank you.

              • 4. Re: Clearing the Media Cache Database
                tikigod19 Community Member

                on the topic of clearning media cache I am constantly stumped as to why my very powerful desktop PC seems to take forever to clear the cache, where as my less powerful laptop does it instantly. I dont do any video editing on the laptop or after effects but I do lots on the desktop. Do they share a cache folder at all as thats the only thing I can think of to explain why the PC's cache folder seems to be so much fuller OR it takes so much longer to clear!

                • 5. Re: Clearing the Media Cache Database
                  Stan Jones CommunityMVP

                  I suspect something related to the multiple programs sharing the cache, and what is actually in the desktop's cache. But it is a good question.

                   

                  I would try cleaning from a different program other than Encore, and I'd also poke around to see what is in there.

                   

                  I'll bet John has a link to a PR thread that has more info about the cache.

                  • 6. Re: Clearing the Media Cache Database
                    tikigod19 Community Member

                    i'd love that link if it's to hand John..