User manual

Introduction : Managing VCube Essentials Resources
Page 18
Memory
Below the CPU graphs is a graph showing the estimated memory consumption of VCube. This memory consump-
tion graph does not include the other processes running under Windows so it is good to compare the memory
consumption graphs of the Windows Task Manager under the Performance tab with that of VCube for compari-
son purposes. To access the Windows Task Manager key Ctrl + Shift + Esc (or Ctrl + Alt + Del and choose Start
Task Manager) and click on the Performance tab.
Memory consumption is critical in any system and VCube can potentially consume large amounts of memory
depending on three main factors:
1. Resolution and frame rate of the VCube Timeline.
2. Number of Frames set in the Playback Buffer (Settings Page : Buffer & Cache).
3. The codec used to encode the video file in question.
4. The number of Clips playing simultaneously in the Timeline at any given moment
Warning: The system memory consumption should be kept as low as possible and never exceed approximately
75-80% of the total amount of RAM installed in the system. This is especially critical in 32-bit versions of Windows
as only the first 3 gigabytes of RAM are actually addressable by Windows and therefore VCube should never take
so much of the RAM for itself as to hinder Pyramix and Windows itself. Exceeding the 80% mark of memory con-
sumption for any reason can render any system unresponsive and even critically unstable.
The Playback buffer can be either an ally or an enemy in cases where HD video files do not seem to playback well.
Increasing the Number of Frames in the Buffer helps to remedy playback stalls but increases the memory con-
sumption footprint of VCube proportionally leaving less memory for Pyramix and Windows.
When determining what the optimum size should be, begin with the default value of 7 Frames and increase the
number of Frames incrementally until playback is satisfactory whilst keeping an eye on memory consumption
during playback. There is no point pushing the buffer to an excessive value in the hope that you will have smooth
playback all the time if it means sacrificing precious memory elsewhere and causing the system to become unsta-
ble. For this reason keep the buffers as small as possible without stalling. If an increase in Playback Buffer size does
Windows Task Manager - Performance Tab