How do you use proxies and render settings to speed up your video editing performance?

Another advantage of using proxies comes into play if you need to have multiple editors working on a project. You can quickly transfer proxy files to another drive to allow someone else to pick up a project. Very useful in a world of hybrid working.

Absolutely! Using proxies and optimizing render settings is like having a secret shortcut in the world of video editing. Proxies are like your trusty sidekicks—they are lower-resolution versions of your original footage that make editing a breeze. Think of them as your video editing buddies who take the load off your system. And when it comes to render settings, it's all about finding that sweet spot where quality meets efficiency. It's like finding the perfect recipe for a mouthwatering dish—you want it to look great, but you also want it to render in a flash. So, grab your proxies, tweak those settings, and enjoy the turbocharged editing experience!

I don't use proxies as my system seems to handle countless layers of 4K without missing a beat. I do hear it 'breathing' heavy, however.

In order to minimize lag, improve playback, and make editing high-resolution footage easier on less powerful computers, proxies can help.

Proxies are lower-resolution copies of the original video files.used during the editing to improve performance, especially when working with high-resolution footage. Once the editing is complete, the final edits are applied to the original high-resolution files.

An effective strategy is to utilize automatic proxies in your NLE of choice. When this feature is activated, it automatically configures essential parameters such as the aspect ratio, file extension, and file name, saving you the manual work. It also offers a seamless way to toggle between proxy and original files directly within the software.

Keep in mind that if you're seeing issues in your render/deliverable that range anywhere from distortion, dropped frames, sync, stutter, lag, etc... that you're having trouble pinpointing--consider if you have clips of varying formats/specs within your timeline that don't match the sequence specs (resolution, frame rate, AR, etc). And try to going back to create conversions of the non native sequence spec clips ahead of time. To not only ensure visual fidelity of your final output later on, but also to lessen the load of your system during playback.

It’s also important to factor in the time it takes to process proxy files from the originals. At BearJam we try to use a spare machine to process the proxy files the day before the editor starts on the project. Or if you’re well organised set them off the night of the shoot so you’re all set to start work the next day.