Submitted Question:
We are having trouble getting VC3 to be stable...even with clean installs, etc. Any hints? Does using the green screen feature contribute to instability?
There are a bunch of factors that come to mind, verify all these (in no particular order):
1. Does your PC meet minimum specs, I prefer Win XP, but if using Vista, make sure it's the 32-bit version (not 64-bit newer version).
2. Try choosing "My Computer is Medium or Slow" slider under the settings drop down, then performance. These are presets that can make a difference if having trouble.
3. Vscreen does add more pressure on PC to keep up, especially on older machines. Try disabling that and see if it improves.
4. Make sure all content is stored on a local hard drive, not network or external hard drive, flash drive, etc.
5. Stay away from USB webcams or USB mics, you should ideally work with a firewire camera.
6. If using multiple cameras, be sure each has it's OWN firewire card, do NOT connect multiple cams to a single firewire card, even if multiple ports exist on a single card.
7. Defrag your hard drive often, a good practice when working with ANY video editing software.
Let us know below by leaving comments!
Thanks for this hint. I have loaded Communicator on 4 school sites recently and they are all unusable due to freezing up the whole screen.
Ill try hints above but we only have USB video cameras. I have firewire on one and it still freezes. Extremely anoying
Ahh yes, USB cameras, there's your culprit! Avoid any USB devices like cameras and mics as USB is better for data transfer instead of live video. Firewire is best for live video, thus VC performs better using firewire cams. Also be sure the PC meets min specs too.
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Betty
http://desktopmemory.info
I have Visual Communicator 3 loaded on a stand alone machine that meets all of the min specs. I run two cameras using firewires, but I am still having problems with it freezing.
Colleen, have you plugged each firewire camera into it's own firewire card? This is important to avoid bandwidth sharing issues. Each firewire cam needs it's own card.