Video format for better performance

[erikh96808371]

My computer is built to exceed Adobe Premiere Elements requirements, and yet I don't have very smooth video previews when editing. This makes editing very difficult. I mostly edit videos from my cell phone (Pixel 4, 1920x1080, 30 fps, MP4). I've noticed that video from some of my other cameras preview much better. 

I'm wondering if converting my videos to a different format before editing would help. If so, what format?

Or could something else be going on? Do I have too many videos loaded? I often work with 100 clips for a total length of 4 hours. 

Thank you,

[John T Smith]

Does your video use a Variable Frame Rate? See https://community.adobe.com/t5/Premiere-Pro/Variable-frame-rate-video-with-Premiere-Pro/td-p/4601935

Above link is about PPro, but the problem of using VFR is the same with PrE

If yes, use https://handbrake.fr/ open source transcoder/converter to convert to Constant Frame Rate

[Bill Sprague]

Erik,

What version of Premiere Elements are you using?  Newer ones should do OK with variable frame rate.  There are also a few settings to check that will improve the smoothness of your previews.

[erikh96808371]

I am on version 15. What settings should I check? 

[Bill Sprague]

"What settings should I check? " 

On the phone, check to see that you are using H.264.  Quality is the same as H.265.  Files are larger but the processing of the highly compressed H.265 can work a computer harder which might slow it down.   You want to turn off "Store videos efficiently".

In Premiere Elements check several things:

- Check Defualt Audio Input to none in Audio Hardware preferences.  If that is wrong, the audio proccessing may clog things up.  

- Check Hardware Acceleration in General preferences.  Try it both ways.  

- Check Timeline Render Quality in General preferences.  Draft quality is faster.  

When you set up a new project, let the project settings be automatic.  That's done when you first put a clip on the timeline.  Use one of the phone clips.  You should not see a yellow/orange line above the timeling.  

[Steve Grisetti]

Apologies for interrupting the conversation, Bill.

May I also suggest generating a MediaInfo report on the problematic video from your Pixel so we know what we're dealing with?

Open your Pixel video in the free download MediaInfo. In MediaInfo, set View to Text and then copy the text of this report and post it to this forum. With this detailed report we'll better be able to advise you on how to set up your project or convert your video.

[erikh96808371]

Thank you for the help everyone! Below is my MediaInfo from my Pixel. 

General
Complete name : PXL_20210208_212731367.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
File size : 44.2 MiB
Duration : 25 s 516 ms
Overall bit rate : 14.5 Mb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2021-02-08 21:27:58
Tagged date : UTC 2021-02-08 21:27:58
xyz : +47.4002-121.4182/

Video
ID : 2
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High
Format level : 5.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Referenc : 1 frame
Format settings, GOP : M=1, N=60
Codec ID : avc1
Duration : 25 s 516 ms
Bit rate : 14.3 Mb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 59.845 FPS
Minimum frame rate : 30.020 FPS
Maximum frame rate : 63.604 FPS
Standard : NTSC
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.115
Stream size : 43.6 MiB (99%)
Title : VideoHandle
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2021-02-08 21:27:58
Tagged date : UTC 2021-02-08 21:27:58
Color range : Full
Color primaries : BT.601 PAL
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
transfer_characteristics_ : BT.601
Matrix coefficients : BT.601
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 1
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 25 s 507 ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 597 KiB (1%)
Title : SoundHandle
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2021-02-08 21:27:58
Tagged date : UTC 2021-02-08 21:27:58

[Bill Sprague]

"Apologies for interrupting the conversation, Bill."

Never necessary.  You and Bill Hunt were my teachers, coaches and inpirational video gurus a decade back.  

Regarding the topic here, I'm always afraid to ask for a Mediainfo readout because there is so much in it that I can't interpret.   Maybe you should do a YouTube on "What's in Mediainfo and How to Use It"!

[Peru Bob]

This is what we usually look for:

Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)

[Peru Bob]

See Steve's tutorial here:

(Sorry for interrupting your conversation, Steve.  )