Serato Video General Discussion

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 Serato Video General Discussion
Laptop Question
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Laptop Question

DJ JT Stevens 10:10 PM - 22 December, 2011
Hey All,

Long time lurker, first time poster. Figuring this question was best suited for general discussion but if it belongs in VSL Help please feel free to move it.

Anyway, like many others I took advantage of the Video-SL deal knowing that I might have issues getting it to work properly with my current laptop (a Dell Inspiron 17R). Figured at $99 bucks you can't go wrong. When I open VSL and have two videos playing at once the frame rate drops a bit in the mixing/preview panel however the output window remains steady. I also get the "graphics restrictions" message which I was expecting since I only have 64MB of VRAM with the built-in graphics chip (Intel HD Graphics 3000). It tops out at 1696MB but I'm guessing that takes into account when it borrows from the standard RAM. I also experienced a few crashes when running it for 3+ hours after testing it a few nights in a row. Not sure if they're software based or hardware based, haven't looked at the logs yet. I tried to tinker with the settings a bit, increasing the cache and such, and set the graphics card to maximum performance but no change.

As luck would have it one of my co-workers is selling his older MBP, originally manufactured in 2007. It's a 15" dual core 2.4GHz processor with 4GB of RAM and a GeForce 8600M GT video card with 256MB of VRAM. It looks like this is the recommended card for MBP's but I've also read in a few threads that this has changed to a 1GB VRAM card. It has a 320GB 7200RPM hard drive which, according to him, will probably need to be swapped out within the next year. He's asking $600 for it.

Even though I'm pretty sure of what the consensus will be my question is this...should I pull the trigger and get the MBP? I've been a Windows guy most of my life but I work in IT so I support Mac's and know my way around them well enough. I've used an MBP with SSL before and definitely noticed a performance improvement, and of course I noticed VSL work better with this exact MBP too. If I were to buy it I'd most likely swap out the HD for a 128GB SSD and use an external firewire drive for my files. Then I'd have to figure out how to transfer the files from my current external drive, formatted as NTFS, to the new firewire drive which I'd format in HFS.

Do you guys think this Mac could hold me over until I can save up for a newer one? Has anyone had any luck getting a Dell Inspiron 17R to work without any hiccups in VSL?

Here are the specs on both:

Windows Laptop
Model: Dell Inspiron 17R
Processor: Intel Core i5 @2.30GHz
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
RAM: 8GB
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000

Macbook Pro
Model: MacBookPro 3,1
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo @2.40GHz
OS: OSX 10.6.8 Snow Leopard
RAM: 4GB
Graphics: GeForce 8600M GTO

Sorry for the wall of text. Any help you guys can offer would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
tomatoslice 10:37 PM - 22 December, 2011
that mac will work with vsl.
it's what i have.
get smc fan control as well, it's free.
tomatoslice 10:39 PM - 22 December, 2011
at $600...i will buy it. lol
send me his phone#!!
DjBoozie 11:04 PM - 22 December, 2011
I used a 2007 MBP with 2.33ghz processor the required video card recommended to run VSL changed the ram to 4gigs and ran it with no problem.. I have a friend who has this same MBP as your co-worker (I think) has and he doesn't have a problem with his either.. And he still use VSL. So for the price of the MBP.. I think you should grab it and don't worry about saving up money to get a new one cause even the newer one (from last I heard) have problems running VSL.. Don't let that one get away!!!!!!
DJ JT Stevens 11:16 PM - 22 December, 2011
Haha, thanks for the input guys. Had a feeling it was a good deal. Thankfully I have the advantage of working in the same room with him and giving him the money more quickly. :)

DjBoozie, I've also read that Lion isn't officially supported like you mentioned. That's one of the main reasons my buddy's older MBP is really appealing because it's still running Snow Leopard and any new MBP purchase will have Lion installed by default. I'm a little concerned since it's 4 years old and no longer covered under Apple Care but hopefully replacing the hard drive will be a good enough upgrade for awhile.

Tomatoslice, thanks for the info on SMC Fan Control. Definitely going to look into that. Does it just monitor fan speeds and temps or can you actually set parameters for limiting certain hardware properties?

Did either one of you run a Windows laptop before the MBP? If so, any pointers for how to move 400GB of MP3/MP4 files from an NTFS formatted drive to an HFS drive? I know I could just use the NTFS drive as is but I want to be able to write to it also instead of just read. A lot of the third party apps I've seen that allow a Mac to write to an NTFS partition have also mentioned the possibility of data corruption, which isn't worth the risk to me.

I'm still not sure if spinning video is for me but one of the bars I DJ at is interested in it so I want to give it an honest try . I'll be saving the files locally for now but if I make the jump having some insight on how to make the switch from folks who have done it before would be great.
DjBoozie 11:51 PM - 22 December, 2011
Quote:

DjBoozie, I've also read that Lion isn't officially supported like you mentioned.

Not true.. I since found a 2008 MBP with a 2.6ghz processor, 4gig or ram and it runs Lion 10 .7.2.. no problems at all, BUT and this is a BIG BUT. I run 2.0 and ME.. Not sure about VSL though
tomatoslice 11:51 PM - 22 December, 2011
you can change the fan speeds with smc fan control. "control" is the key word.

i ran a windows comp before mac but i did not run video on that comp.
i refuse to plug an ntfs into a mac...i've seen what it can do like deleting whole HDs and won't search for files.
however, i do run MacDrive on my pc.

i think once you create a backup of your drives, you will set an hd to mac os and not look back. for me it's just so much simpler to go mac. you will probably even stop djing with your pc.
DJ JT Stevens 12:02 AM - 23 December, 2011
DjBoozie:
I've also read about ME and notice a lot of the guys here run that. Glad to hear it's working well for you. If I enjoy VSL and start spinning video regularly and seriously I'll most likely look into ME. It will be interesting to see if this rumored VSL update is announced at NAMM but that's a topic for another thread.

Tomatoslice:
Checking out SMC Fan Control right now. Going to install this on the Mac tonight and mess with it a bit. I'll do some more forum searching to see what settings are working for other folks. And you're right, I imagine I'll be retiring my PC once I get things fully up and running with the Mac. I want to make sure I have all my bases covered though and have some backups ready like you said before fully converting.

I'm still curious if anyone here has had any luck getting an Inspiron 17R to properly integrate with VSL. Anyone?
DJ Unique 12:48 AM - 23 December, 2011
That 2007 MacBook Pro sounds exactly like what I'm using to run SSL + VSL with zero problems. The only thing different is I swapped the 160 gig HD to a 750 hd with 2 partitions. 500 gig partition for MP3s and the balance for OSX & other programs. For videos I use an 1TB external FW800. I'm running Snow Leopard on it. My buffer has always been set at 2 using either SL1, SL3 or 57SL and all have been OK.
DjBoozie 12:52 AM - 23 December, 2011
The videos will need a lot if space. Each video is close to 100mb each
DJ JT Stevens 2:15 AM - 23 December, 2011
Thanks for that info DJ Unique. I'll definitely try to set the buffer under 5 and see if I have any hiccups. I've always had it set to 10 with my Windows laptop in order to avoid any problems. Another option I'm considering is something similar to your set up...my Dell has a 750GB drive in it and if I don't swap out the MBP's current drive for a smaller SSD I might put that 750GB drive in there instead. Or if I do go the SSD route I might replace the CD-ROM drive with the 750GB drive. Still need some time to consider all the possibilities and figure out what setup up will work best for me.

You're right DjBoozie, the videos will take up a lot of space. If I do decide to pursue video seriously though I probably won't need more than 1000 since I'll mainly be spinning top 40 with some older tracks mixed in. That would translate to roughly 100GB, so whether I go for a 750GB internal drive or a 1TB external I feel like I'll be covered. Then again I might be lowballing the amount of videos I'll need...after all, I'm sure most of us didn't think we'd need over 1000 MP3's at first right?

Thank you all for the info you've shared so far. It's been very helpful.
DJ JT Stevens 12:16 AM - 24 December, 2011
So I ran VSL with the MBP for a good 4 hours last night. I tried to put it through its paces as best as possible and I was pleased with the results. I noticed a few of the effects stuttered the output window a little bit if I went from min to max too quickly, especially the LED Billboard effect, but otherwise it was solid.

I also had one crash but it was while I was running a video, cueing another, and trying to configure MIDI controls. Considering I won't really be editing MIDI in the middle of a set once I have it where I want I'm not too worried about it.

Speaking of MIDI, right now I'm using a DJM-800 with the M-Audio Uno interface to link the crossfader to VSL. I'm also using it for selecting channel and crossfader effects but I'm thinking about getting an x1 for that instead. I'm new to the MIDI world so I apologize if this is a silly question, but can I use the DJM-800 and x1 simultaneously?
DjBoozie 12:47 AM - 24 December, 2011
Yeah you can as long as you have the USB available on your MBP.. two separate things. Now when you go to adding stuff (And I see your already thinking about it) you'll need extra usb ports... That's where an Express card will come in handy and I know that model has (or should) the slot for it... just slide it and and BAM!!!!! 4 usb posts and no extra tack on your MBP
tomatoslice 12:55 AM - 24 December, 2011
you should not have had a crash doing all that.
make sure you are not running any other programs and turn up your fan speed. it could have been heat causing the stutter.
DJ JT Stevens 2:57 AM - 24 December, 2011
Funny you mention that DjBoozie. I've been reading these forums like crazy the last few days and stumbled upon an ME thread earlier. One of the posts in the thread was from Millz who recommended an express card to a few people in the thread. I bookmarked the link he posted and will be placing an order for one in the next few days, since this MBP does have that slot. It also has a DVI out so I might pick up the AverMedia QuickPlay if I end up needing it.

I'll check that out for sure tomatoslice. Coming from Windows I was just expecting it to crash if I did something too crazy. Haha. I actually bought the MBP from my coworker today and we wiped it and reinstalled Snow Leopard while we were in the office. So in the next few days I'll be installing SRC Fan Control, Perian, Caffeine, etc to make sure this thing runs smoothly and is ready for its next test.

I know you guys mainly use ME but is there any definitive conclusion on whether or not 2.3.3 works well with VSL? I've seen some posters say it's no longer corrupting their MP4 tags but I'm still cautious. Looks like most people are doing just fine with 1.9.2 whether they're running ME or VSL.
tomatoslice 7:34 PM - 24 December, 2011
coming from mac it's a whole new world. after the wipe you should not expect crashes at all.
in 4 years i can count how many crashes i've had on one hand.
turn off your airport and bluetooth as well for better optimization.

with your comp, i would be safe and use 192.
imo it's the most stable with the least problems.
it will probably run 2.3.3 better than most of the other 2+ versions but make sure you backup your files, especially videos, before testing.
DjBoozie 1:50 AM - 25 December, 2011
Quote:
AverMedia QuickPlay

Naw All you need is the DVI to VGA from the Apple store 20 bucks
DJ JT Stevens 3:02 AM - 25 December, 2011
Sounds good guys, thanks again for the input. I'm going to get the Mac ready this weekend and test it again after the holidays. Can't wait to dig into it for a few hours, should be fun.

Happy holidays.
DJ JT Stevens 11:21 PM - 29 December, 2011
Hey guys. I was able to run another test last night for a good 3 hours with VSL at high quality, a 1GB buffer, and V-Sync on and everything seemed to go smoothly. I tried a bunch of different transition and video effects and couldn't really get it to hiccup.

There was a point that SMC Fan Control reported a temp of 160F so I turned the Higher RPM setting on and dropped the video quality in VSL from high to medium. This lowered the temp down to about 140F. My MBP is on a stand about a foot above one of my 1200's so it should be getting plenty of air flow.

Do those temps sound about right from what you guys can tell? Any settings I should tweak just out of precaution or does it sound like I have everything where it should be?
DjBoozie 11:31 PM - 29 December, 2011
Naw you did pretty much all you can by getting the smc fan control... I did a show (I have a internet video show) and seen the same temps on mine. I didn't have the fan control but soon as I finished.. I downloaded it. And I turned it up to the highest setting as well. So I'll see the next if it gets that high again. But as strange as it might sound.. The temp was about Normal
DjBoozie 11:40 PM - 29 December, 2011
www.atpurpose.com

I use this app to monitor my temp/ gpu/cpu/ram.. it stays in the upper right hand of the screen in the gray area.
tomatoslice 11:49 PM - 29 December, 2011
sounds like you have it all where it should be.
but what i do is set my fan speed to the max, 6000rpm, just to keep it at it's coolest possible.
FunkyRob 12:56 AM - 6 January, 2012
My MB Pro is probably a year or 2 older than that one and it works fine.
DJ JT Stevens 2:55 PM - 6 January, 2012
Thanks for chiming in FunkyRob. I actually used the MBP at my first video gig last night and it went really well. Had it going for 3 hours without any issues with the laptop itself. The video quality left a bit to be desired but I think that might have been due to the converter that the place was using. Going to post a separate thread for that to get some feedback.