Problems with Video SL

Bruno F 1:29 AM - 12 January, 2012

I just purchased a brand new MacBook Pro and I'm having problems with Video SL. Here are my Macbook specs:

15 Inch, Late 2011 model running Lion OS X
8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
AMD Radeon HD 6770M 1024MB graphics
750 GB hard drive at 7200rpm

Serato Settings:
USB Buffer all the way to the right (20)
Maximum Screen Updates - 60
Audio Cache - 15

All the videos are loaded to a 1 terabyte external hard drive (Lacie 5200rpm).

When using Video SL the waveform is very jittery and when I load the next video, very often SL re-tags the video which causes the playback of the loaded video to jitter and sometimes freeze. I also lost audio for a few seconds on a number of occasions and the waveform went black. When I shut off the video plug-in and simply run ScratchLive, there are no issues whatsoever.

Hard to believe this would all be happening on a brand new MBP but nonetheless your help is appreciated.

Thank you

AnthonyS 2:02 AM - 12 January, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

Sorry to hear your having problems with your Video-SL. Lets get them sorted.

Do you have Perian installed ? We recommend that all Video-SL users on a MAC OS download and install Perian. Perian is a free, open source QuickTime component that adds native support for many popular video formats.

Download Perian here; perian.org

Try these settings;

Scratch Live>Setup>Hardware>Buffer to 10ms
Video-SL>Setup>Info>Buffer to 1GB (middle)
Video-SL>Setup>Output>Quality>Medium

We don't officially support Video-SL on MAC OS Lion at this stage, due to a couple of known issues. The major one being the BROWSE Button in the IMAGE EFFECT settings will cause the Plugin to Crash. This said there ar a number of users on MAC OS Lion.

Let me know if these tweaks help and if you have any further questions regarding Video-SL.

Anthony

Bruno F 2:08 AM - 12 January, 2012

Thank you Anthony, I will try the tweaks to the settings. As for Perian, is it just a matter of installing it and nothing else? How does Perian help exactly?

Many thanks,
Bruno F

AnthonyS 4:30 AM - 12 January, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

You just download Perian and install it and then it will run in the background.
Perian assists with the decoding of video files.

Bruno F 1:00 PM - 12 January, 2012

Thank you. Question: would it help the compatibility issue if I install Parallels on my MacBook Pro and run Video SL off Windows 7?

Bruno

Bruno F 1:08 AM - 13 January, 2012

Alternatively, would it help if I installed Windows 7 through Boot Camp on the Macbook and run Serato/Video SL that way off of Windows?

Bruno

Bruno F 6:35 PM - 14 January, 2012

Help please?? I've left 2 questions that remain unanswered.

Your help is appreciated, thank you.

Bruno

AnthonyS 1:07 AM - 17 January, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

I wouldn't recommend partitioning the drive or using bootcamp as this can cause other issues with Scratch Live library management.

Your Mac is sufficient for running Video-SL we just need to determine where the problem is.

I would suggest that you update to Scratch Live 2.3.3 this should eliminate the problem with audio dissapearing from the MP4 file.

Did you install Perian ? Did you notice any difference with the jittery waveform ?

Bruno F 6:40 PM - 17 January, 2012

Thank you Anthony. I'm a member of a video pool and they have advised us that there are problems with 2.3.3, specifically they have said the following: "For all those who are using Serato 2.3.3, some of the files show up as corrupt. It has something to do with Serato, not with us, so if you can avoid using that version for now till they fix the bug, then you shouldn't have any problems. We are aware of the problem and working with Serato for a solution." Nonetheless I will reinstall 2.3.3 and see what happens.

Yes I have installed Perian and have not yet had a chance to test it, but will test on a TV at home. I've also moved from a 5200rpm hard drive, to a 7200rpm hard drive. And also, the MacBook Pro I'm using is strictly used for DJing purposes and has no other 3rd party applications installed on it.

Thanks for your help, will come back to you.
Bruno

Bruno F 10:51 PM - 22 January, 2012

Okay it appears the audio issue is no longer there, however, I noticed last night that the waveform is still quite jittery and some tracks took several seconds to load. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

DJ Tecniq 1:33 AM - 23 January, 2012

Quote:

Okay it appears the audio issue is no longer there, however, I noticed last night that the waveform is still quite jittery and some tracks took several seconds to load. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Did you try downloading SmcFancontrol? It's a program to cool down your laptop when ur doing video..I also recommend increasing the buffer with more gigs.

Bruno F 1:59 AM - 23 January, 2012

Thank you for the prompt reply. I will try SmcFancontrol. Which buffer am I increasing?

AnthonyS 7:33 AM - 23 January, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

What setting do you have Scratch Live>Setup>Display>Maximum Screen Updates set to ?
I would suggest 60 seconds.

As far as Scratch Live 2.3.3 corrupting files this is not the case. Files deemed corrupt in Scratch Live are this way for a reason and generally they do not meet either container file standards or codecs supported by Scratch Live.

The MP4 TAG LIB was refactored for Scratch Live 2.3.3 and resolved a number of MP4 and video related bugs. There will be an update released for Video-SL in March.

Let me know if you are still experiencing the problem and we'll look at other options.

Bruno F 7:55 PM - 23 January, 2012

My screen updates are set to 60 seconds already and I did use 2.3.3 over the weekend and still experienced jittery wave forms and some videos taking a number of seconds to load even though they have all been scanned. My buffer on Video SL is at 1 gig. It's been suggested that I use SMCFancontrol. If so what setting should it be at?

I'm still very surprised that a new MacBook Pro this powerful would be experiencing these issues. Your guidance is appreciated.

Bruno

DJ Tecniq 4:25 AM - 30 January, 2012

Quote:

My screen updates are set to 60 seconds already and I did use 2.3.3 over the weekend and still experienced jittery wave forms and some videos taking a number of seconds to load even though they have all been scanned. My buffer on Video SL is at 1 gig. It's been suggested that I use SMCFancontrol. If so what setting should it be at?

I'm still very surprised that a new MacBook Pro this powerful would be experiencing these issues. Your guidance is appreciated.

Bruno

increase the buffer to 2 gigs..the waveforms will run smoother but your laptop will work harder. smcfancontrol default setting is fine.

AnthonyS 12:20 AM - 2 February, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

How are you getting on ?

Let me know if you have any further questions regarding Video-SL. If not I will close this thread.

Bruno F 12:58 AM - 2 February, 2012

Anthony, thank you for the follow up. I never received a response from my last post of January 29, 2012. Let me repeat as the situation has not changed; my screen updates are set to 60 seconds already and I do use 2.3.3 over the weekend and still experienced jittery wave forms and some videos taking a number of seconds to load even though they have all been scanned. My buffer on Video SL is at 1 gig. Still getting jittery waveforms.

AnthonyS 10:34 PM - 9 February, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

Unfortunately this seems to be happening with a number of Scratch Live users on Mac OS Lion and there isn't an obvious solution at this stage. We are working on resolving this in future updates but at this stage the only thing to eliviate this problem is to turn OFF any unneccessary apps and tasks that are not needed on your laptop.

Could you tell me what your laptop screen resolution is set to ?

djkit 6:02 PM - 10 February, 2012

Hi!!!
i do have Video-SL and before it was doing good when i update my macbook pro MAC OS X
version 10.6.8 processor 2.4 GHz intel core 2 Duo now every time i open my Video it wont work any more whats the problem of my soft wear?What should i do?

Bruno F 11:42 PM - 10 February, 2012

Thank you for your reply Anthony. I can assure you that I never have any processes running in the background and further, that my Bluetooth, Firewall and Wi Fi are all turned off. This MacBook is strictly used for DJing only.

My laptop screen resolution rate is: 1680 x 1050 which is the maximum rate. I also have the "Automatically adjust brightness" clicked on.

Should the resolution rate be adjusted??

Thanks
Bruno

AnthonyS 10:02 PM - 14 February, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

I have noticed a pattern that some of the random screen resolutions that some people are using on their laptop contirbute to this issue.

I would suggest running your laptop resolution at 1440 x 900 if possible. This should help with this issue. Also, if you can verify disk permissions on your internal hard drive after changing the screen resolution this may help.

Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility>Verify Disk Permission

Select your Macintosh HD.

Bruno F 11:47 PM - 14 February, 2012

Thank you for your prompt reply Anthony. I don't have the 1440 x 900 option.
It goes from 1680 x 1050 to 1440 x 852 then 1440 x 852 (stretched).

After that it drops to 1280 x 1024.

I'm going to assume you mean 1440 x 852 and will try that.

Bruno

phatbob 1:46 AM - 15 February, 2012

1680 x 1050 is the native resolution on the high-res 2011 Pros, Anthony.

AnthonyS 2:02 AM - 15 February, 2012

@phatbob

Not on a 15" laptop

Supported resolutions: 1440 by 900 (native), 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched

phatbob 2:17 AM - 15 February, 2012

"The 15-inch MacBook Pro comes with a 1,440-by-900-pixel LED-backlit, glossy display. You can also choose a high-resolution, 1,680-by-1,050 glossy or anti-glare display that gives you 36 per cent more pixels."

store.apple.com

Sorry mate ;o)

AnthonyS 2:21 AM - 15 February, 2012

@phatbob

OK, my mistake :)

phatbob 2:31 AM - 15 February, 2012

MacTracker iPhone app FTW.

Makes me look 76% more knowledgable than I actually am. ;-)

surge 3:25 PM - 15 February, 2012

hi guys i just installed perian what setting do i use for perian? im useing a 13inch macbook pro . unibody.

DJ Tecniq 7:22 PM - 15 February, 2012

Quote:

hi guys i just installed perian what setting do i use for perian? im useing a 13inch macbook pro . unibody.

perian should be by default. i don't think you can change settings with perian?

Bruno F 11:15 PM - 15 February, 2012

Anthony? Does that mean I use 1440 x 852 instead of the high res setting of 1680 x 1050?

AnthonyS 12:25 AM - 16 February, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

I would suggest trying it at that resolution if there is no noticeable difference then switch back to the high res setting.

Did you verify disk permissions ?

Bruno F 12:59 AM - 16 February, 2012

Yes I did

AnthonyS 1:04 AM - 16 February, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

Has there been any improvement in the waverform rendering ?

Bruno F 4:59 PM - 16 February, 2012

Will try this weekend and report back. Thank you

Bruno F 7:26 PM - 20 February, 2012

No real improvement in waveform rendering while using 1440 x 852. There's still a little bit of jittering going on. However, no other issues, no dropouts so that's all good.

Anthony, I'm guessing a lot of these issues will be resolved with the upcoming video plug in release in March?

Thanks
Bruno

AnthonyS 12:47 AM - 21 February, 2012

Hi Bruno F,

There has been a lot of work done under the hood of Serato Video and it is a massive improvement going forward. As far as the jerky waverforms this seems to be inconsistent on Mac laptops and I definately think it is more prevalent with these specific Apple resolutions.

1440 x 900 ( No problems )
1440 x 852 ( Seems to have an issue ??? )

This is still in investigation.

1:00 AM, 6 Mar 2012

This help request has been closed due to inactivity.

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