Forum: MAC Version Technical Support - Topic: High CPU Usage...Audio fallouts when spinning video! Help :/ - Page: 1

Program is using an abnormally high amount of CPU when spinning video (mp4). The program appears to lag and noticeable audio fallouts occur. Using MAC version 7.02. The activity monitor states that the program is using around 140-150% CPU yet the system has 1.5 gb of physical ram available.

I have even created a limited user account that is dedicated only to run VDJ.

Mac Computer Specs:
2.33ghz Dual Core Intel Processor
3gb Ram
500gb hard drive

First, i have heard here it could happen while using a damaged battery.
It's not a joke. :-)

Try to use it without the battery and check it.

What kind of soundcard do you use?

Well just as a note from an apple guy...if you run the macbook series without the battery the computer will only let the processor run at 1ghz.

When I have been testing the video the first time, I would only use the built in outputs. The second time I hooked things up and I use a behringer ucontrol to export to my mixer, yet the same issue occurs.

I just got a new battery from apple today so i'll check that out as well.

update: i installed a brand new battery and there is no change in cpu usage.

I have with mine a max CPU of 50% when spinning videos.

Verry strange.

Mine is a i5 with 4GB Ram and the Nvidia GT330M (Audio8DJ)
OS 10.6.6 with VDJ 7.0.2

Will ask some guys, if they have in the past a simular situation.

wow...im jealous at your 50%

It is strange indeed as my comp specs are well above the minimum and recommended specs.

Sorry, but the problem form other users where gone until they use the 7.0.2.
But the most of them have only a little bit "higher" CPU then on V6.

Not like you describe.

Have you tried the 6.1.2?


It is really the same, when "nothing" is connected to the Mac (harddrive, soundcard .... etc)?

The CPU usage is the same whether I am using external soundcards or the built in output.

I have never used version 6 and I just bought 7 in the last month

Just wanted to confirm you said:
2.33ghz Dual Core Intel Processor as in 2.33ghz Core Duo

and not Core 2 Duo Intel Processor as there is a considerable difference between these 2 chips.
Also of note is that the mac version of VDJ does not support hardware acceleration and instead depends on the processors.
They have have gone a long way optimizing the video but you will still have issues on a Core Duo.
My MBP has a 1.83ghz Core Duo and the mini has 1.83ghz Core 2 Duo. The mini has no issues with video (not bad considering the resolution is set to be double wide using a Matriox dual view...

Hope this helps clear things up.

I am very disappointed in the Audio Dropouts and CPU USage in the RED when Running Virtual DJ 7.02 I didn't try the earlier versions I was just using version 6 and Was excited for 7 and I just got rid of my TTM57 and was thinking about going back to VDJ/Cue after an extended absence.

Very upset I have a 2.53 GHZ intel Core 2 Duo with 8 GB Ddr3 Memory!! C'mon!

This problem will be caused by performance issues with your computer and/or incorrect configuration in VirtualDJ.

Please see http://www.virtualdj.com/homepage/jpboggis/blogs/4094/Common_performance_issues_and_solutions.html for a list of common causes and their solutions.

The most likeliest cause is you have have either resized or maximised the skin (User interface.) Depending on your graphics card's capabilities and whether you have chosen quality resizing in CONFIG -> Performances, then this can cause a significant increase in CPU usage. If this is the case, please either use the skin at its correct size or download a bigger custom skin from http://www.virtualdj.com/addons/skins.html

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.33 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 3 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz

I use the skin at resolution without resizing and have tried several skins. I created a dedicated limited user account with no background application processes or networking (wireless internet or bluetooth).

The only way improvement I saw was after changing the internal decoder to the quicktime decoder, but this still is not sufficient.

As of now I am able to spin video mixes but only after using a skin without video preview screens.

Thats 95% for Win users.. only 2 things you can do it on Mac:
- Use a good skin in right resolution and specialy for Mac. (I write skins on my own, and when there is a wrong TTF Font in the XML Skin file, VDJ will be unstable)
- Use High performance in setup of OSx, without any sleep or standby function (HDD!!).

..oh there is a 3rd thing.. new Mac's have 2 Graphic cards, disable the checkbox in settings, so only use the good one.

I have many other probs on Mac with VDJ, but no high CPU usage with music only. I will try it with video today..


Greets
Ava

thanks for your input aver,

i'll be curious to see if you have a similar issue with video.

My mac only has the one video card and i setup my system to never sleep and is on high performance everything.

I have the same problem since the version 7 is out. It was working fine with the 6 version.

The only solution I have found is to install Bootcamp + Windows + VDJ for windows.

Macbook Pro 5,5 Core 2 Duo 2,53 mhz
Memory : 4 gb ddr3
OSX : 10.6.6

Same here...running VDJ on my MBP (last version before unibody) gives me about 95% on the meter. Running VDJ on the same machine on XP under Bootcamp is only 45-50%.

Noticed this trying to track down a video issue on the Mac: video tearing whenever there is high motion in the video content. Looks bad under OSX, flawless on XP... :(

Same here, I got over 95% cpu when playing videos on a brand new macbook pro 13", and in my old 5 year pc I dont even get to 70% and videos play more smooth (the same videos)..

Thats frustrating :S

I will install bootcamp and check if that works better.


Whem will VDJ engineers try to get better video codecs or ouputs? I don't know why more simple software such as videolan player can handle video files in a much better way.

Having worked on 6 computers and getting them to work correctly this month there are a few things to consider. While my problems were all pc related the problems you guys are facing are similar and the answer to the problems are pretty easy. 1st and foremost look at what codec you are forcing VDJ to run for your video. I have noticed MKV and MPEg 2 cause high cpu. also see if you have all your videos beat logged in the library. check to what quality your resampling the video's at for output. yes turn on performance mode in battery power arangment. turn off sleep mode for USB devices under control manager if applicable. Most importatly NVIDEA CARDS and ATI cards turn off all external startup and video managment applications that control the card. basically let apple use the driver. TURN OFF POWERPLAY or any options to your cards. Make sure if your screen is 1200 x 900 that that is your skin. not bigger. uncheck quality resize option. have the external display plugged in to the computer before initial boot. It tasks the computer harder if it has to find it after loading all devices. I don't know if you can shut cores off but I actually had to turn off 6 cores on my laptop introduce everything to the computer run it 2 hours then turn it all back on the way it is supposed to do. DISABLE WIRELESS AND LAN. not just turn off the switch. try the spinning without ANY devices hooked up. I had a faulty sound interface NATIVE Incompetence and thier we hate customers support could not figure that out for me. If you need assistance please feel free to contact me at Whatsurbucket@aol.com I would be happy to help any one out that is trying to get VDJ to do what it can. Check your hardware. I had bought the vr4 so I could run 4 deck and VDJ or my computer did not like it so I just programmed the Numark total control to run all four decks and no problems. I hope this helps.
DJ KAACE.

so im still having this issue. and i have tweaked everything i could. i played at a new club these past few saturdays and because their sound system was far more powerful than the other club i play at i was able to more distinctly notice a sound lag. It happens right when i begin to move the crossfader to transition songs. It sounds like a quick pop (although thats not quite the word im looking for).

any ideas? or do i need to get a new computer (eeek)