What's the best way to manage large video files for smoother timeline playback?

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What's the best way to manage large video files for smoother timeline playback?

Asked on Dec 29, 2025

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Managing large video files for smoother timeline playback involves optimizing your workflow and settings to reduce strain on your editing software. This can be achieved by using proxies, adjusting playback resolution, and ensuring your hardware is adequately equipped to handle high-resolution footage.

Use proxy files: Create lower-resolution proxy files of your large video files in your editing software (e.g., Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve) to reduce processing demands during editing.
Adjust playback resolution: Set the playback resolution to a lower setting (e.g., 1/2 or 1/4) in your timeline to improve performance without affecting the final output quality.
Ensure hardware optimization: Use a computer with sufficient RAM, a powerful GPU, and fast storage (SSD) to handle large video files more efficiently.

Additional Comment:

Proxies are temporary and do not affect the final export quality.
Regularly clear cache files to free up system resources.
Consider using an external drive with a fast connection (e.g., Thunderbolt) for storing large video files.
Keep your editing software updated for performance improvements and bug fixes.

✅ Answered with Video Editing best practices.

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What's the best way to manage large video files for smoother timeline playback?

Asked on Dec 29, 2025

Answer

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