compressor-no screensaver. at DVinfo.net

Brian David Melnyk · October 28th, 2009, 12:24 AM

i'm in the middle of a 40 hour compressor transcode from FCP timeline for a 3 minute music video (see my post in the 'compositing' section if you would like to help me figure out why it is sooooo long...) and the screensaver won't kick in. any ideas why? it is set to start after 15 min. in system preferences... i am using the fullscreen iTunes visualizer in its absence.
i'm on a 10.5.3 MBP 2.6 ghz and 4gb RAM running FCP 6.0.1 and compressor 3.0.1.

Robert Lane · October 28th, 2009, 07:32 AM

First, to help keep the OS in the cleanest environment possible and to not take clock-cycles away from FCP or Compressor during encodes, the screensaver should be disabled. You don't want any automatic operations going on in the background that could potentially cause a hang during an encode or as I say, steal away resources from the most important and most CPU intensive task your computer is doing.

If you're concerned about long-term burn-in just manually turn the screen off. You'll be saving power and extending the life of the screen anyway.

Turn off screensaver, auto spin-down for HDD's and any other "automatic do-this" function in system preferences and help your system be more efficient.

Brian David Melnyk · October 28th, 2009, 02:14 PM

Good points!
but is there a way to SAFELY turn off the MBP display in mid transcode aside from putting it to sleep? i fear that very much at hour 18 of the transcode!!!
i suppose in the future i could put it to sleep and THEN start the transcode with an external monitor hooked up (with a power button!)...

Robert Lane · October 28th, 2009, 04:35 PM

Look at your function keys; the F1 & F2 keys control screen brightness; just pull it all the way down and the backlight will be off, negating the need for any screensaver.

Brian David Melnyk · October 28th, 2009, 11:29 PM

thank you, Robert.
the simplest things seem to escape me...

Mitchell Lewis · October 29th, 2009, 08:10 AM

I have all our systems set to put the display to sleep after no use for 45 minutes. Never had any problems. Takes no additional CPU cycles and because it happens automatically, you don't have to worry about it. Here's my settings from System Preferences>Energy Saver.

October 28th, 2009, 12:24 AM	#1
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	compressor-no screensaver. i'm in the middle of a 40 hour compressor transcode from FCP timeline for a 3 minute music video (see my post in the 'compositing' section if you would like to help me figure out why it is sooooo long...) and the screensaver won't kick in. any ideas why? it is set to start after 15 min. in system preferences... i am using the fullscreen iTunes visualizer in its absence. i'm on a 10.5.3 MBP 2.6 ghz and 4gb RAM running FCP 6.0.1 and compressor 3.0.1.

October 28th, 2009, 07:32 AM	#2
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,788 Images: 15	First, to help keep the OS in the cleanest environment possible and to not take clock-cycles away from FCP or Compressor during encodes, the screensaver should be disabled. You don't want any automatic operations going on in the background that could potentially cause a hang during an encode or as I say, steal away resources from the most important and most CPU intensive task your computer is doing. If you're concerned about long-term burn-in just manually turn the screen off. You'll be saving power and extending the life of the screen anyway. Turn off screensaver, auto spin-down for HDD's and any other "automatic do-this" function in system preferences and help your system be more efficient. __________________ Robert Lane Producer/Creator - Bike Pilots TV

October 28th, 2009, 04:35 PM	#4
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,788 Images: 15	Function keys Look at your function keys; the F1 & F2 keys control screen brightness; just pull it all the way down and the backlight will be off, negating the need for any screensaver. __________________ Robert Lane Producer/Creator - Bike Pilots TV

October 29th, 2009, 08:10 AM	#6
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	I have all our systems set to put the display to sleep after no use for 45 minutes. Never had any problems. Takes no additional CPU cycles and because it happens automatically, you don't have to worry about it. Here's my settings from System Preferences>Energy Saver. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

October 28th, 2009, 02:14 PM	#3
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	Good points! but is there a way to SAFELY turn off the MBP display in mid transcode aside from putting it to sleep? i fear that very much at hour 18 of the transcode!!! i suppose in the future i could put it to sleep and THEN start the transcode with an external monitor hooked up (with a power button!)...

October 28th, 2009, 11:29 PM	#5
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	thank you, Robert. the simplest things seem to escape me...