2019.x

Table Of Contents
5 Playing Effects, Rendering Effects, and
Managing Effect Media Files
This chapter provides information on playing and rendering effects that extends the basic information
provided in “Playing Effects” on page 39 and “Basics of Effects Rendering” on page 41. It also
provides information on managing your effect media files.
Real-Time Playback of Video Effects
ExpertRender
Creating and Using Render Settings
Render Settings Options
Using Partial Render
Using 16-Bit Processing Support for Rendered Effects
Rendering 3D Effects Using the HQ (Highest Quality) Option
Managing Effect Media Files
Real-Time Playback of Video Effects
You can play back most video effects available in Media Composer in real time. This lets you play
back sequences that contain effects and to review the appearance of those effects.
Real-time effects playback has no effect on the methods you use when you apply and modify the
effects themselves.
For more information on playing effects, see “Playing Effects” on page 39.
Understanding Real-Time Effects Processing
To display a frame from a sequence that has a video effect applied, Media Composer must calculate
the result of the effect at that frame. For example, to display the midpoint frame from a dissolve,
Media Composer must calculate, for each pixel in the frame, a 50 percent blend between the color
and luminance values in the outgoing clip and those in the incoming clip. To display frames in real
time, Media Composer must be able to perform enough of these effect calculations per second to
maintain the appropriate display rate for your project, for example 30 frames per second (fps) for
NTSC video.
Because your computer’s processor and memory capabilities are finite, Media Composer’s ability to
play back effects in real time is limited. Effect calculations are more complex for some effects than
for others, and still more complex when you adjust many effect options or when multiple effects
apply to the same frame in a sequence. Even the fastest and most powerful system might eventually
reach a point where it can no longer maintain real-time playback.