RAM Preview not playing realtime after 2 seconds

[trylobit]

My computer:

i9-9900K

64GB RAM

GTX 1080Ti with studio drivers

After updating preview won't play real time past 2 seconds. Cache before playback is on green line on the timeline. I have cached 8 seconds of the timeline and it doesn't matter if I start playback at the beginning or in the middle or anywhere within cached space. It plays real time for about 2 seconds and then it's slow-mo (info shows 21fps and it should be 30fps).

The composition is very simple, but that shouldn't matter when playing back cached space.

I tried reinstalling drivers, purging memory, and switching around audio devices, but nothing helps.

Any ideas?

[trylobit]

Windows 11

AE v 22.5.0

[Kyle Hamrick]

Any chance you have a bluetooth audio device connected? Those have always caused weird troubles like this. 

[trylobit]

I have my phone connected via Bluetooth, but that's the only thing.

BTW I downgraded to v 22.3.0 and playback works well.

[trylobit]

I take it back, somehow the problem came back in 22.3.0 as well...

I have no idea what is going on.

I actually experienced this on my MacBook Pro M1 few months ago, but I use it only on the road and thought... ah bad update from Adobe, I'll just connect remotely to my PC and now this is...

[trylobit]

I removed the bluetooth dongle to make sure nothing connects via BT and there is no difference...

[Kyle Hamrick]

For some further clarification, is this happening in EVERY project? 

If not, see if you can find any patterns about layer types, repeated fonts, embedded files, etc.

[trylobit]

Good point!

I noticed it just now as I moved on to a new project. It happens on the timeline that has just some text and 3 very simple imported .ai files. But that's the bread and butter of what I use AE for.

What I hardly use and I do for this project is a composition with Element 3D. What is bizarre, is that it's not even on the timeline, I just prepared a base in a composition that is nowhere used, but if I delete the composition the playback works.

How is this possible?

[Kyle Hamrick]

.ai files is a good data point. I might try a few different ones (like, create a REALLY simply one with two shapes) and confirm that it's not something embedded in the .ai that's actually causing the slowdown. Also, worth confirming they're RGB. 

re: Element - I've always found Element to be very sensitive about video card drivers being up to date, so I'd confirm yours are.
Element is currently on version 2.2.3 (available via a patch) - I'd confirm you're on the most up-to-date version of it as well. While it should be updated for Multi-Frame Rendering, if you're still seeing Element issues, you can try disabling MFR to see if that helps. 
Edit > Preferences > Memory & Performance > uncheck "Enable Multi-Frame Rendering"

[trylobit]

I keep Multi-Frame Rendering off, it is 2.2.3 and the video card drivers are studio and they are up to date.

I've contacted Video Copilot, I will report back if I get a solution.

Thank you Kyle for your help!

[jason_bartell]

Removed. I responded to the wrong post!