Proxy file build in new VegasPro12

videoITguy wrote on 9/27/2012, 2:47 PM

I have spoken to several people who are baffled by this new feature in the release of VegasPro12. I know many who are looking forward to using this newest feature in the NLE edit. Can someone test and report back to the forum.

It seems that you cannot literally control what the proxy file type and properties for that file should be. Is that true?

Once you have a proxy working on the timeline- how do you issue the command to switch back to the original files to create a final render?

Comments

ChipGallo wrote on 9/27/2012, 3:10 PM

The Vegas Pro 12 manual, page 412 has guidance on this. The PDF is available in the downloads area even if you don't own the software.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/manuals

videoITguy wrote on 9/27/2012, 4:12 PM

Thanks ChipGallo, your point is well taken and I shall do as you suggest.

I was just relating what other hands-on experience has been with V12Pro to date and hearing these stories of frustration. Sometimes that is due to people who just don't read, which is really sad.

But I also would like to hear from users who are trying out this new feature set.

WillemT wrote on 9/27/2012, 4:15 PM

A little more hands-on detail.

Quote from the Vegas Pro 12 User Manual, page 87:
"The video preview quality determines which file is used. If the preview quality is set to Draft or Preview, then the proxy file is used. If the preview quality is set to Good or Best, the original file is used."

I experimented a bit.
Placed a Cineform avi on the timeline. 11min, 1280x720 50p size=13Gb. MediaInfo listed it as Cineform 161Mbps. My system (rather old) cannot play it back smoothly at full best.

I created proxy and checked it with MediaInfo. MPEG Video (Commercial name: XDCAM EX 35 - surprise surprise), 1280x720 50p @ 25Mbps (max 35Mbps). Vegas plays it back at full fps with quite good quality in both Preview Full and Draft Full (if it indeed uses the proxy - not possible to say since the original also plays back well). It does look very bad using Draft Auto.

I also tried a GoPro MP4 file listed as AAC and the Proxy created was exactly the same.

I next set the Preview to Draft Auto (which looks very bad when playing) and rendered to a new track. Perfect result. Since the original proxy is actually a good quality file it is very difficult to say what was used during the render.

I renamed the .sfvp0 proxy file to a .mp4 and played it in VLC, it is a good quality file.

Hope that explains some of the mechanics.

Willem.

Marco. wrote on 9/27/2012, 4:28 PM

"Since the original proxy is actually a good quality file it is very difficult to say what was used during the render."

If you've set the render quality to "Good" or "Best" Vegas Pro will always use the original files for the render process.

ForumAdmin wrote on 9/27/2012, 4:33 PM

For anyone checking the PDF manual for further info, you'll want to look at page 87. (The workflow described on page 412 has been around since long before VP12.)

Here's the new auto-proxy workflow, in a nutshell:
In the Project Media window, right-click the file(s) you wish to proxy, and select Create Video Proxy. The rest is completely automated. A file (with extension .sfvp0) will be saved alongside the original media file. The proxy files are smaller and faster to work with on the timeline. This proxy file will automatically be used when previewing at Draft or Preview quality settings. When previewing at Good or Best, and when rendering, the original files will be used. It's as simple as that.

When you've finished with your project, you may want to delete the .sfvp0 files to conserve disk space.

Hope this helps,
Paddy
SCS

WillemT wrote on 9/27/2012, 4:35 PM

@Marco.

That is what I understand and assume is actually happening. What I am trying to say is that I cannot visually, from my limited tests above, confirm that it is what happens.

Edit: Paddy posted to explain and confirm while I typed. Thanks Paddy.

Willem.

TeetimeNC wrote on 9/27/2012, 5:12 PM

Do proxies work with nested projects? If so, is the proxy carried from the nested project to the parent, or must a proxy be prepared in the parent for the already nested veg?

/jerry

JohnnyRoy wrote on 9/28/2012, 6:59 AM

> "When you've finished with your project, you may want to delete the .sfvp0 files to conserve disk space."

...and the new Sony Partner Product FasstApps Media Tool from VASST gives you an easy way to clean up those .sfvp0 files with one click. ;-)

~jr

John Rofrano
Sundance Media Group / VASST
www.vasst.com

JanL wrote on 9/29/2012, 4:41 PM

Proxy files is a nice feature. I have used proxy files before with good result using scripts. The simplified process in Vegas Pro 12 is very welcome.

However, when I create video proxy in Vegas 12, video freeze a few seconds after I start playback and then Vegas crash.

I use AVCHD 1080 50p files from TM700. Turning off GPU helps, no crash. I have an AMD 6850 video card and the latest drivers.

Anyone else having this issue?

Mindmatter wrote on 10/8/2012, 6:18 PM

I might be completely missing the point - but - do the proxy file actually look good? I mean, otherwise I might as well use a bad / low res preview of the original footage.
The only thing about Vegas that really annoys me is constantly struggling with the bad preview quality...it's a bit as if I had to mix my music in lofi quality. I'd be rvery happy if I could see my work in really good quality all through the editing process, and not just in the final render.

videoITguy wrote on 10/8/2012, 7:20 PM

So Mindmatter, you looked at this thread at my suggestion to you elsewhere in the forum. Glad that you did just that and now you do understand the dilemma that you face at this point.

AGAIN - my suggestion to you is to acquire the appropriate version of Vegasaur for VegasPro12 so that you have control of the proxy process - ie great preview quality. Try it.

Mindmatter wrote on 10/9/2012, 4:20 AM

Ok thanks VideoItguy, I'll have a deeper look at the trial right this afternoon.

Mindmatter wrote on 10/9/2012, 12:03 PM

so I tried. I just cannot seem to get Vegasaur to work properly. I wanted to try and create DV widescreen proxies from AVCHD footage - Either it rendered a proxy but then said " operation cancelled" at the end of the progress bar, and there was no file created, or it would pop up a menu saying " no media was replaced or restored" with a dialogue box I did not understand what it was supposed to do or achieve.

Well meant and made app I suppose, but one hour of trying to get it to work was unpleasant. I guess that's not an option for me.