Export / Render to dvd VERY slow from dvc (mini DV) files

Report · Apr 15, 2018

I am trying to create a dvd from some old mini DV tapes. I imported the files on another computer (that had ieee 1394/firewire) and transferred the files to my machine. I created a project without a problem and started to export to a dvd ISO file. The export process is taking a very long time - I was at 10% after over an hour.

The strange thing is that the process is not bound by any hardware limitations.. it seems that Premiere Elements is just sleeping instead of converting.

I am running an i5 at 3.3 GHz on Windows 10 64bit with 16 GB of RAM.

The video is on a 2TB spinning disk with more than 1TB free and temporary files seem to be going to my boot drive wich is an ssd with 250+ GB free - which means disk space and speed are not the issue.

The system shows that I have about 7GB of free RAM during the export - so it isn't thrashing or other memory-bound problem.

The CPU averages 5% load during the render/export.

It should at least be maxing out one logical processor.

What can I do to speed this up?

Thanks.

Report · Apr 16, 2018

You don't say which version of the program you're using or what your project settings are, but that can make a difference.

That said, when you first add your video to your timeline is there a yellow-orange "render" line above the video? This indicates a mismatch between the project settings and your video specs, which can result in poor performance (especially with your less-than-ideal processor).

Under the Edit menu, what is listed on the General page under Project Settings?

Report · Apr 16, 2018

Thanks for your reply.

I am running Premiere Elements 2018 (16.0)

The project settings are the defaults:

Editing mode: DV NTSC

Timebase: 29.97 fps

720x480 video

Aspect ratio: D1/DV NTSC Widescreen 16:9(1.2121)

Fields: Lower filed first

display format: 30fps drop-frame timecode

Title area: 20% & 20%

action safe area: 10% & 10%

Audio sample rate 48000 Hz

I do not see a render bar when adding new video.

As far as the processor goes... It wouldn't matter how fast it was since it is 95% idle.

I wouldn't be asking if at least one logical processor was pegged at 100% -- Ideally, Premiere Elements would be multithreaded and take 100% of all available processors while rendering.

Is there a setting that throttles the rendering to make the computer more responsive? If so, I'd like to turn this off.

Thanks.

Report · Apr 16, 2018

If this is a laptop, try plugging in the power adapter. A laptop cpu is throttled when on battery power.

Report · Apr 16, 2018

You can also go to the program's preferences (under the Edit menu) and, on the General page, uncheck the option to use hardware acceleration.

Ironically doing this can sometimes speed up processing.

But beyond that, you're using the optimal workflow. Things are happening as fast as they're going to happen on your computer.