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July 2, 2008 04:08 PM

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Luis

Member
Joined: 07/02/2008

I have a Vista laptop and 2 xp desktop machines.  All are connected via a Linksys Gigabit router; which also has the server connected.  I am using Pinnacle 10.7 on all machines for video shows we perform our services.  I got the HP server because of the amount of large file videos we produce in a show and the ability to manage it in ONE place.  However, I have been in contact with technical support to resolve a performance issue.  When I select a file in the server from the Pinnacle software, the later creates a link or path.  I then begin the edit process and subsequent rendering to create a DVD. The problem is the following:

1. When one of the other computers attached to the network tries to view a video file while another computer is rendering, the video becomes unstable and jitters quite a bit on the viewing computer.

2. When I render two separate files on two separete computers (attached to the Server via the router) I get a completed DVD; however, one of the DVDs will have distorted audio and sometimes stop and go motion on the video itself.

In addition to the information provided above, I have CAT 5e cables in different lenghts (not execeding 25 feet).  Tech told me I probably should go with CAT 6; however, he did not think it would give the performance I am looking for.

 So I come to you knowleagle people for assistance.  How can someone overcome the problems stated in 1 and 2 above?  Is there a solution? 

Thank you

Luis 

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-5 of 5 | Latest Comment

MitchSchaft Avatar
  Moderator
July 2, 2008 6:39 PM

The first thing that jumps to my mind is the CPU. Everything your're describing sounds like you're killing the CPU. Is this an ex470 you're talking about? I'm surprised you would want to render video on a 1.8GHz machine. I don't know anything about Pinnacle, though.
Let us know how much CPU is being used.

JohnBick Avatar
  Member
July 2, 2008 10:00 PM

More importantly, open up an RDP session and run the Task Manager, looking at first the CPU load, memory utilization and second the network bandwidth while you are actually doing all this.

-- If the amount of memory in use is over 512MB you should upgrade the memory (recommend 2 GB). (You may find the CPU limiting you when you re-run the test after the upgrade.) Since "normal" utilization generally around 700MB anyway, this would be my first guess as to the problem. The indication can exceed the physical memory, but you will get some serious disk I/O when that happens and it is very likely at least part of the problem. There are instructions around for doing this upgrade; let me know if you need a reference.

-- If the CPU is at (or even very close to) 100% then you are probably CPU-bound. You may want to upgrade it to an LE-1640 (or something). Again, there are instructions around for doing this upgrade; let me know if you need a reference. The real question, for video production, is whether even the LE-1640 is sufficient. Some folks have installed dual-core CPUs but you need to make BIOS changes which require installing a cable to handle Keyboard and video in order to do those mods. Not for the average user!

-- If CPU and memory are not fully utilized then look at the network utilization. One can always argue about where it should "normally" be, but if it is under 50% I would be surprised if that it the problem. But change a couple cables and see if it improves.

I think you are going to require at least the memory and CPU upgrades. I recommend doing them at the same time as it means disassembling the unit only one time. Either one will, of course, void your warranty.

...JohnBick

MSS: HP EX475 + two 1TB WD (3TB total), 2 GB mmry, LE-1640, APC UPS, PP1
PC1: Vista/32 Ultimate SP1 w/150 GB Raptor RAID-2 (C) & 320x4 GB RAID-5 data (D)
PC2: Laptop, Win XP Home SP3
Linksys WRT54G v1.1

Generic Member Avatar
Member
July 3, 2008 6:38 AM

First of all.....thank you John and Mitch for taking time to address my problem.

For Mitch.....I have the 470.  I got this because of resources (for one) and the other is that I could still get other drives when I needed them....it was just a resource issue for me at the time.

Next, I do not render video on the server.  What the Pinnacle video software does is to create a link or a pathway for the file.  This link then is carried forward to when I am ready to render and create a DVD.  I had one of my helpers render, by accident, on the server and she found out that she needed to read our instructions....

I do all renders on the computers attached to the server.   The computers I use are a Gateway AMD Dual Core 2.4 each with 3gb ram on xp pro full version, Dell xps dual 3.20 xp pro 2gb  ram, and Toshiba dual core amd 2.0 with Ati radeon graphics with 2 gb ram.   

For John

I think you may be on track with the problem.  I am not a techy but what you stated looks like what I think may be happening.  I may have worded the my original question that led you guys to think that I was rendering on the server.....I am sorry.  I guess I should go back to writing 101 class.

 I believe the RDP session you mention is some sort of utility program.  I will do that today and see what info I gather.  I was wondering, however, is there a utility that I can use to monitor the Server? while its trying to grunt out the video?  Because, the computers I use, I have been told, are rugged enough to handle pretty much what we can dish out.  As a matter of fact, I use the Dell for HD rendering.

I guess the quick, non super technical way, is to buy CAT 6s and see if this improves throughput.  I am also looking into getting a separate UPS device for the server and connect the others on another UPS.  I am thinking of power consumption and retaining an even keel on the power to the Server....just a shot.

Overall, I do believe I have a bandwith problem.  I just do not know if I shoudl upgrade the 512 ram on the server to something bigger???  

Thank you both for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

best regards,

Luis 

JesD Avatar
Member
July 3, 2008 1:42 PM

John is referring to log into your MSS with Remote Desktop...

I wouldnt think you would have any problems with CPU or memory with what you are doing...I think you are on the right track by looking at your network bandwith....Yo mentioned the Gigabyte router you have...i know its connected to the MSS which supports gigabyte speed but what about your computers....are they 10/100/1000?

Generic Member Avatar
Member
July 3, 2008 5:00 PM

Thank you Jes....

I just purchased a gigabit card for the Gateway.  I found out that my new Gateway did not come with a gigabit port.  I will install that tomorrow.  we have a show coming up this weekend and I need to get things ready.  

Also thank you for the info on evaluating the MSS.  Its new technology for us and its great there are folks out there that can advise as all of you have.  

I will work on this baby on Monday; after the show.

 As a result, I decided NOT to use the Server for this show because of its performance problems.  We will go back to external drives connected directly to the workstations.

I noticed, when I ran the performance utility on the Vista powered laptop that it is constantly making the server work extra hard.  While the Gateway with the Xp Pro puts less stress on the server.....just an observation.

Again thank you and wish you all a great 4th of July.

Best regards,

Luis 

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