Quick Start

21
Setting up your system
Setting up video
Cubase plays back video files in a number of formats, in-
cluding AVI, QuickTime or MPEG. Under Windows, video
can be played back using one of the following playback en-
gines: Video for Windows, DirectShow or QuickTime. This
ensures compatibility with as wide a range of video files as
possible. Under Mac OS X, QuickTime is always used as
playback engine. Which formats can be played back de-
pends on the video player and the installed codecs.
Generally there are two ways to play back video:
• Without any special hardware at all, using the computer
CPU.
In this case, the “codec” is in software. While this will be fine in many sit-
uations it does put a limit on the size of the video window as well as the
quality of the image.
• Using video hardware that for example connects to an
external monitor.
Mac OS X: Using a FireWire port, you can play back video on an external
monitor using a DV-to-analog converter or a DV camera (see also the
chapter “Video” in the Operation Manual). This is valid for DV video and
QuickTime is used for playback.
Windows: Multi-head graphics cards which support overlay functionality
can be used to display the video picture on an external monitor. The fol-
lowing manufacturers have working (and tested) solutions available:
nVIDIA and Matrox.
If you plan to use special video hardware, install it and set
it up as recommended by the manufacturer.
Before you use the video hardware with Cubase, you
should test the hardware installation with the utility applica-
tions that came with the hardware and/or the Windows Me-
dia Player or QuickTime Player (Mac OS X) applications.
Optimizing audio performance
This section gives you some hints and tips on how to get
the most out of your Cubase system, performance-wise.
Some of this text refers to hardware properties and can be
used as a guide when upgrading your system. This text is
very brief. Look for details and current information on the
Cubase web site (see “How you can reach us” on page 8)!
Two aspects of performance
There are two distinct aspects of performance in respect
to Cubase:
Tracks and effects
Simply put: the faster your computer, the more tracks, ef-
fects and EQ you will be able to play. Exactly what consti-
tutes a “fast computer” is almost a science in itself, but
some hints are given below.
Short response times (latency)
Another aspect of performance is response time. The term
“latency” refers to the “buffering”, i.e. the temporary stor-
ing, of small chunks of audio data during various steps of
the recording and playback process on a computer. The
more and larger those chunks, the higher the latency.
High latency is most irritating when playing VST Instru-
ments and when monitoring through the computer, i.e.
when listening to a live audio source via the Cubase mixer
and effects. However, very long latency times (several hun-
dred milliseconds) can also affect other processes like mix-
ing, e.g. when the effect of a fader movement is heard only
after a noticeable delay.
While Direct Monitoring and other techniques reduce the
problems associated with very long latency times, a sys-
tem that responds fast will always be more convenient to
work with.
• Depending on your audio hardware, it may be possible
to “trim” your latency times, usually by lowering the size
and the number of buffers.
For details, refer to the audio hardware documentation, or, if you are us-
ing a DirectX driver under Windows, the dialog help.
System factors that affect performance
CPU and processor cache
It goes without saying that the faster the computer pro-
cessor, the better. But there are a number of factors that
affect the apparent speed of a computer: the bus speed
and type (PCI is strongly recommended), the processor
cache size and of course, the processor type and brand.
Cubase relies heavily on floating point calculations. When
shopping for a processor, please make sure you get one
that is powerful in calculating floating point arithmetics.
!
Always make all connections with all equipment
turned off!