Fast-performance recommendations?

[shira]

I'm fed up with the "waiting for paint to dry" performance of Adobe Premier. It seems like I wait 5 minutes for even the simplest task like trimming 2-3 frames off the end of a clip.

For simple tasks like trimming leaders and trailers off of a clip, can anyone suggest a faster tool than Adobe Premier? I know Premier is powerful, but when I'm just trimming the beginning or end off a clip I'm not using its full power and I'd be willing to use a simpler tool that performs better.

Or, can anyone suggest any system tuning tips to make Premier run faster? My machine has 480 megabytes of memory and a 1500mhz Pentium M processor. The hard disk seems to chatter nonstop, suggesting a lot of virtual memory disk activity.

[bugster]

For simple cut and splice operations, virualdub will do fine, and its free!

[gguerra3]

AVI Split Classic
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=AviSplit_Classic

[shira]

Bugster, hmmm, so VirtualDub can do that, huh? I've used it for converting MPEG to AVI, but I didn't realize it can also trim. I obviously need to take a closer look at it!

Gguerra3, does AVI Split Classic work on mpeg's (which is what my capture box creates), or would I have to convert them to avi in order to use it?

[madvideos]

Look at my specs for my setup, My neighbor runs a 1.2 ghz and we tried some of my ideas on his system and it choked on the slightest thing, yet on my system.. I have yet to have a problem except when I drag the parameters on the position transform key.
I understand your pain. I have slowly built my system over time, I suggest you start with a bare bones kit, chip, mobo, case power supply etc.. Then add on through time when it suits your ability.
We all dread the agonizing upgrade but if you want to get serious about video editing you need a video workstation, meaning every component you buy is geared towards video, and a bonus is you will always be up with the latest Video Games, which I am a fool for my utk4 and SOF2.

Good Luck

[KenJ57]

Or, can anyone suggest any system tuning tips to make Premier run faster? My machine has 480 megabytes of memory and a 1500mhz Pentium M processor. The hard disk seems to chatter nonstop, suggesting a lot of virtual memory disk activity.

I'm running Adobe premiere Elements on a 1.5 MHz P4 with 640 MB and 120 GB A/V drive. Works fine. Never notice delay in trimming. You indicate the disk activity. I agree that something is misconfigured in your drive setup. Also 480 MB ram is rather meager, especailly if you have a large project. If you always relie on virtual memory for your project, it will always be slow. Share more information on your configuration.

[edDV]

Also move the swap (aka scratch) disks (under Premiere preferences) to a different disk partition from the OS. Better yet to a separate drive on a separate HD controller.

I run Premiere 6.5 on a 750MHz PIII notebook and don't see the disk activity you describe during trims. At least not for DV format files.