Slow or choppy performance when editing video

Editing video is slow or jerky when playing back or accessing video clips.

There are a lot of variables when it comes to the overall good performance of your computer - especially when editing video. Video is one of the most processor intensive things you can use your computer for. While having a top notch video card and copious amounts of RAM are great first steps to ensure a great video editing experience with Roxio products, here are some basic troubleshooting steps to put things into perspective and try.

1. Make sure that your computer meets the recommended system requirements. We offer the minimum system requirements for thing like burning data, audio, and backing up your computer as well as the recommended system requirements for editing and playing back video. Working with HD video (for Blu-Ray and AVCHD) will require more system resources. A list of articles for system requirements can be found here.


2. Update to the latest version of your Roxio software. Roxio has a complete list of the latest patches and updates for your software at our Software Updates page.


3. Update your video drivers. Many times video card manufacturers offer updates that can improve the performance of your video card. To find out what video device you need to update.
   • Windows XP: Click on Start --> Run.
     
   Windows Vista: Click on Start --> and click in the Search field to activate the cursor.
   • Type "dxdiag" and click on the OK.
   • Click the Display tab at the top of that window and note your Device Name and Manufacturer.
   • You can access the drivers by visiting your computer manufacturer's website or by going to the video card manufacturer's website directly.
   
   
   
4. Disable unnecessary processes. Many people don't realize how many items their computer has running the background. Disabling start up items frees up your computer's, and in some cases, your videos card's, RAM for editing video. Disabling start processes will help active this. If you are unsure what many of those processes are, you can always enter them in a search engine to find out what they do.
   
   To disable start up items:
   • Windows XP: Click on the Start button and select Run
     Windows Vista: Click on Start --> and click in the Search field to activate the cursor.
   • Type "msconfig" and click on the OK button or press the "Enter" key.
   • Select the Startup tab over on the right side.
   • Write down which items are checked, and then click the Disable All button in the lower right corner of the screen.
   • Click on the Apply button and then click on OK.
   • Click YES to restart the computer.
   • After rebooting, you may receive a message saying "You have used the 'System Configuration Utility' to make changes to your system....". If you get this message, simply place a checkmark in a box on the lower left side titled, "Do not show me this message again" and click the OK button.
     
     Note: To reverse these changes, relaunch msconfig place the checkmarks back in the boxes based on the notes you made. For optimal performance, only Anti-Virus or Firewall software should be enabled (for this test all should be disabled).
   
   
   
5. Switch to hardware rendering. In hardware mode, the application uses the video card. This results in better performance and quality; however, this mode may not be supported by all video cards, and requires more video memory. Software mode is slower, and may support fewer effects and transitions. To determine whether your video card supports hardware mode, click Graphics Test....
   
   To switch between software and hardware rendering:
   
   
   • Launch Videowave.
   • Go to Tools --> Options...
   • Under "Render using:", click Graphics Test.... This will begin a graphics test on your screen.
   • If your video card is compatible with VideoWave, then it will automatically choose Hardware for default rendering.
   
   
   
6. Adjust hardware acceleration. Too much acceleration isn't always a good thing as it may reduce processing power you need to improve video performance.
   
   Windows XP
   • Right-click on the Desktop and select Properties.
   • Click the Settings tab in the Display Properties window.
   • Click the Advanced button.
   • Click the Troubleshoot tab.
   • Use the slider to lower the acceleration. It's recommended that you only lower on increment at a time and relaunch your Roxio software to see if the problem has been corrected.
   
   
   Windows Vista
   • Right-click on the Desktop and select Personalize.
   • Click Display Settings.
   • Click the Advanced Settings button in the Display Settings window.
   • Click the Troubleshoot tab.
   • Use the slider to lower the laceration. It's recommend that you only lower on increment at a time and relaunch your Roxio software to see if the problem has been corrected.
     
     Note: The hardware acceleration slider will only appear if your video card driver supports hardware acceleration.
   
   
   
7. Increase the priority of your Roxio software. You can allocate more processing power to your Roxio application by setting a higher priority for it in Windows Task Manager. To do this:
   
   
   • Launch your Roxio application.
   • Press "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" on the keyboard. This will open Task Manager. (Vista will launch the Windows Security window where you will have to select the Task Manager button).
   • Select the Processes tab.
   • Locate the Roxio application (videowave11.exe, for example).
   • Right-click on Roxio application and select Set Priority.
   • In the Set Priority menu, try selecting Above Normal or High.
   • Once the change is made it will prompt a warning asking if you are sure you want to change the priority class. Select Yes to this. If there is any undesirable change, simply change the priority back to Normal.