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Video SL playback is not smooth and freezes
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Video SL playback is not smooth and freezes

Product
Video-SL
Version
Video-SL
Scratch Live
Hardware
Ortofon | Serato S-120
Computer
Mac
OS
Platform
-
Andrew230 10:29 AM - 20 March, 2010
Product: video-sl
Computer: mac
OS Version: 10.6.2
---

Hi.

I'm having problems with playback of video files through VSL.

The video tends to be choppy or will freeze, although the sound continues.

The video occasionally starts again but more often than not, VSL crashes - I then try to shut down Scratch Live (V1.9.2) but the VSL interface is frozen on the screen blocking me from shutting Scratch Live down!

I'm using Macbook Pro OS X 10.6.2 with 2.8Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3 RAM with Rane TTM57SL. I have Quicktime Version 7.6.3, but also have version 10.0 (90.3.1) pre-installed.

I've used Handbrake to convert video files with the Serato default settings. The files come out a little larger than the original files - is this normal?

The problem mainly occurs when running files of decent quality - anything over 50MB (for a 5 minute video). The greater the file size the choppier the playback.

I have tried changing the VSL settings and have tried the buffer in many different positions - but this fails to resolve the problem. When I use the 'poor' VSL output setting the problem is marginally reduced, but the quality of the image is so poor.

Any assistance appreciated.
Andrew230 10:35 AM - 20 March, 2010
P.s. VSL version 1.1.1
DJ EkSeL 2:49 AM - 22 March, 2010
having the same problem too. I was actually here searching for a solution.

In my case the computer and vsl would not crash, just the video would freeze but I would unfreeze when I changed the video.
Serato, Forum Moderator
Michael R 3:00 AM - 22 March, 2010
Hi Andrew230,

Which version of Handbrake did you use to encode your video files?
Andrew230 7:45 AM - 22 March, 2010
Hi Michael R

Version 0.9.4 x86_64 (2009112300)

VSL seems pretty unstable and SL has been crashing too without VSL running..!
Andrew230 3:04 PM - 22 March, 2010
P.s. I am now experiencing USB dropouts!
carter 6:55 PM - 22 March, 2010
They are working on the plug-in for the new build 0.9.4. There were some changes to the way Handbrake and the x264 code work as it relates to the SSL preset.
DJMark has an x264 advanced code that you can use instead. It brings the key frame rate down to 20 and makes some other changes as well. Encode time will increase, but you should end up with a playable mp4 file with a very good picture.
Settings are here:
scratchlive.net
or
scratchlive.net
Serato, Forum Moderator
Michael R 4:19 AM - 1 April, 2010
Hey Andrew230,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

carter is correct, there are some things in the Handbrake encoding which have changed and seem to be giving us some issues. We're working on a fix or workaround and should have a solution for you soon!
Andrew230 5:48 AM - 1 April, 2010
Thanks very much to Carter. Your help is hugely appreciated!

Seems to be working smoother, but VSL is still far from perfect on my machine...

Thanks, Andrew
musicpimp 9:51 PM - 3 April, 2010
I'm kind of having the same problems but I use a PC. I noticed some of my waves take to long to fully upload and when the white cursor gets close the the end of the wave things freeze up.
Serato, Forum Moderator
Michael R 5:03 AM - 7 April, 2010
Hi musicpimp,

Could you please start your own help request so we can better assist and track your issue. Thanks! :)
Serato, Forum Moderator
Michael R 5:20 AM - 8 April, 2010
Hi all,

Ok, it seems that we've found a solution to the new x264 encoding issue in Handbrake. Can I get you all to do the following:

1) Install the latest version of Perian (1.2.1), which you can get here -> perian.org
2) Restart your computer

This should now have installed with the latest H264 codec which will play these files much better :) If you find you are still having this issue, you may need to force Perian to become the default decoder. You can do this by doing the following:

1) Open Finder and go to Applications -> Utilites and run Terminal.
2) When the Terminal window opens cut and paste the following:

defaults write org.perian.Perian DecodeAllProfiles -bool YES

and press enter.
3) Close Terminal.

Please let me know if this update works for you all :)
1:21 AM, 2 Aug 2010
This help request has been closed due to inactivity.