Problems editing 4k Footage on 2018 Macbook Pro

Report · Aug 05, 2018

Hi all,

Just purchased a new Macbook Pro (specs below) to edit 4k footage on, as my old 2014 Macbook Pro is not able to keep up.

Macbook Pro 15" 2018

10.13.6

2.9 GHz Intel Core i9

32 GB Ram

Radeon Pro 560x 4096MB

Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

Sadly the 2018 Macbook is not handling the 4k footage much better than my old Macbook. I am working with Sony FS7 .mxf files and A7S .mp4 files. Files are on an external SSD. I have tried optimizing Premiere according to recommendations from online articles/videos. I have updated to the latest version of Premiere, 12.1.2 and have adjusted the resolution in the program monitor to 1/4 and 1/8. Still playback of video/audio is choppy, laggy, stutters, drops out. Reviews online seem to indicate that the new Macbooks should handle 4k footage relatively well. My SSD is a USB 3.0 that I have connected to the Macbook using Apple's USB-C to USB A connector and System Report shows a 3.0 connection with 5GB/sec speed.

My work often requires immediate turnaround so there usually isn't time to create proxies. I could adjust workflow to make sure all cameras are recording in ProRes codecs if that solves the issue but just wanted to see what others' experience has been.

Thanks,

James

Report · Aug 05, 2018

James@doorbellmedia.com wrote
My work often requires immediate turnaround so there usually isn't time to create proxies. I could adjust workflow to make sure all cameras are recording in ProRes codecs if that solves the issue but just wanted to see what others' experience has been.

This was going to be my suggestion, have you tested 4K material in ProRes on your computer?

I have updated to the latest version of Premiere, 12.1.2 and have adjusted the resolution in the program monitor to 1/4 and 1/8. Still playback of video/audio is choppy, laggy, stutters, drops out.

How is the playback in the source monitor? Can you post a screen shot of your sequence settings? Are you working with 4096 x 2160 or UHD?

Do you have Mercury Transmit Enabled? If so try toggling that off.

MtD

Report · Aug 05, 2018

This was going to be my suggestion, have you tested 4K material in ProRes on your computer?

Thanks, I'll try transcoding the footage for my current project to 422 and see how that works out. Will also play around with footage from other projects that were recorded in ProRes.

How is the playback in the source monitor? Can you post a screen shot of your sequence settings? Are you working with 4096 x 2160 or UHD?
Do you have Mercury Transmit Enabled? If so try toggling that off.
MtD

Working in UHD. Also issues playing back in source monitor. I saw a suggestion somewhere to turn off Transmit but still issues. Sequence settings below. I typically drag footage to the create new sequence icon but end up mixing footage from A/B cam in the same timeline. Thanks!

Report · Aug 05, 2018

And your source media is also 23.98?

If you play a clip back in QuickTime Player (outside of Premiere Pro) does it look correct?

How is the external SSD connected to your computer? Have you speed tested the SSD?

If you click on the wrench at the lower right hand corner of the Program Monitor and look at the drop down menu, is High Quality Playback checked (toggled on)? If so, uncheck it and test playback.

MtD

Report · Aug 05, 2018

The .mp4's look ok in Quicktime player, the .mxf do not play in QT player. The SSD is USB 3.0 and connected via an apple USB-C to USB A adapter. Have not speedtested. Does that require a third party app? I have several of these Samsung micro SSD drives which live in a Video Devices housing and are designed for 4k video capture from cameras on Video Devices external video recorders (PIX series). High Quality playback is disabled in program monitor.

Report · Aug 06, 2018

Same problem here but 4k videos from DJI drone replay choppy from external USB-C HD when using Intel graphics. . I find that switching to discrete video seems to deal with the problem. If I copy the video files to internal hard drive no problem. If I hook this same HD to my 5k iMac from late 2014, it plays back smooth and right. I think the problem seems to be a throughput issue regarding the USB-C thunderbolt ports and the Intel 630 graphics. As if I use only one or the other, there is no issue. Today is my last day before I can't return the laptop. I am seriously considering returning.

Report · Aug 07, 2018

After transcoding footage to ProRes, editing in PPro even with full res in Program Monitor is smooth. Not only on the new 2018 Mabook but even on my 2014 Macbook pro editing 4k pProRes footage is smooth. Also using proxy workflow when turnaround isn't too tight.

Report · Aug 07, 2018

Yes. H.264 is designed as a space-saving acquisition and delivery format, consequently it has very high processing overhead when used in an edit environment.

MtD