Mercury Playback Engine "real time" question at DVinfo.net

Ryan Thomas · April 18th, 2010, 08:24 PM

How big of a role does the processor(s) speed have on the ability to take advantage of the "real-time" editing with CS5 and MPE? All of the demo video I have seen, the users were on 8-core work stations with 16 cores. Also, does the RAM play a big role in this at all? Thanks.

Ryan

Pete Bauer · April 18th, 2010, 09:29 PM

The CPU still has to decode the streams so most likely an older computer still isn't going to impress.

I don't think anyone can be particularly precise at this early point but it is probably fair to say that the holy grail of real time HD editing of several tracks while laying on some effects will take a reasonably fast CPU, plenty of RAM, and one of the few Adobe certified graphics cards. Mercury has a software-only mode, so an i7 system should still do pretty well even without an expensive graphics card; less horsepower than that, I dunno.

It may take me a while to get the time to do it, but I do plan to try out the prerelease copy of CS5 on my old QX6700 system, without and with GPU acceleration. Of course will post when I do.

Tim Kolb · April 19th, 2010, 07:00 AM

Adobe had a demo pod in the intel booth...and they were obviously going to show something intel...so they were running Mercury without an NVIDIA GPU switced on.

Mercury affects playback positively on any system, but the beefier the system, the better the improvement. A turbocharger adds impressive power on a percentage basis, but a ride on your lawn tractor will still be a pretty subtle difference...

Matthew Longbottom · April 19th, 2010, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Bauer

....... but I do plan to try out the prerelease copy of CS5 .......

Where can I get a pre-release copy of CS5 from? Is this even possible?
Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Pete Bauer · April 19th, 2010, 01:11 PM

No, it isn't generally available. This was a program under NDA (until April 12th) for vendors/evaluators to have a look at the programs, and also wasn't fully functional (a beta that was a couple months old). We all have to be patient for another 3-4 weeks.

April 18th, 2010, 08:24 PM	#1
Ryan Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37	Mercury Playback Engine "real time" question How big of a role does the processor(s) speed have on the ability to take advantage of the "real-time" editing with CS5 and MPE? All of the demo video I have seen, the users were on 8-core work stations with 16 cores. Also, does the RAM play a big role in this at all? Thanks. Ryan

April 18th, 2010, 09:29 PM	#2
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	The CPU still has to decode the streams so most likely an older computer still isn't going to impress. I don't think anyone can be particularly precise at this early point but it is probably fair to say that the holy grail of real time HD editing of several tracks while laying on some effects will take a reasonably fast CPU, plenty of RAM, and one of the few Adobe certified graphics cards. Mercury has a software-only mode, so an i7 system should still do pretty well even without an expensive graphics card; less horsepower than that, I dunno. It may take me a while to get the time to do it, but I do plan to try out the prerelease copy of CS5 on my old QX6700 system, without and with GPU acceleration. Of course will post when I do. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

April 19th, 2010, 07:00 AM	#3
Tim Kolb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 547	Adobe had a demo pod in the intel booth...and they were obviously going to show something intel...so they were running Mercury without an NVIDIA GPU switced on. Mercury affects playback positively on any system, but the beefier the system, the better the improvement. A turbocharger adds impressive power on a percentage basis, but a ride on your lawn tractor will still be a pretty subtle difference... __________________ TimK Kolb Productions

April 19th, 2010, 01:11 PM	#5
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	No, it isn't generally available. This was a program under NDA (until April 12th) for vendors/evaluators to have a look at the programs, and also wasn't fully functional (a beta that was a couple months old). We all have to be patient for another 3-4 weeks. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!