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Additional Delay Using Layer Mask Mode

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2023 18:13
by tlled
Hello All,

I'm capturing live camera (SDI, 2160p50, UHD not DCI). Some of the camera is masked using a luma mask on the layer above, with that layer set to mask mode (mask all below). The layers with the camera inputs and the mask layer are grouped together to avoid masking content on layers bellow. There are times when I use the camera inputs straight (no clip active in the mask layer), and times when I use the camera inputs masked (luma mask clip active in the mask layer). I have noticed significantly more delay (60-100ms extra) in the live camera feeds when I use a mask on them. I have used Arena for years and always been happy with the amount of delay, only in this specific setup have I ever experienced delay like this.

If anyone could shed any light on this that would be much appreciated. I'm not sure if this is a bug, or if this is expected behaviour.

System specs as follows. Threadripper Pro 5965WX, RTX4090, 128gb 3200mhz RAM, Decklink 8K Pro, 2 x 2tb PCIe 4.0 NVME SSD, Asus Pro WS WRX80-SAGE SE WIFI.

Kind Regards, Tom

Re: Additional Delay Using Layer Mask Mode

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 17:01
by Zoltán
Do you see the FPS drop too when masking is used, or only added latency?

Re: Additional Delay Using Layer Mask Mode

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 22:57
by tlled
Zoltán wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 17:01 Do you see the FPS drop too when masking is used, or only added latency?
Only added latency, the FPS remains solid at 50.

Re: Additional Delay Using Layer Mask Mode

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 08:06
by Zoltán
How are you measuring the latency compared to the capture playing without masking / grouping?

Re: Additional Delay Using Layer Mask Mode

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 19:02
by tlled
One instance of the input with masking, and one instance without masking, displayed side by side in the composition and output on the same feed to the same display, with both being in the same slice.

Admittedly I haven't accurately measured them, just going by eye and experience. When I get access to the servers tomorrow I will shoot the output with a slow motion camera to get a more accurate result. Shooting at 240fps should give us the the answer to the nearest 4.166ms.

Re: Additional Delay Using Layer Mask Mode

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2023 09:02
by Zoltán
Could you attach a few screenshots of how you have the clips set up?

Playing a capture source on layer1, and having the same on layer 2 in a group masked by a white solid color, group set to 50Difference blend I get no difference signal, so both the masked group and the straight capture clip are the same.
Luma mask sounds like you might be using an external effect?

Re: Additional Delay Using Layer Mask Mode

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2023 14:09
by tlled
Thank you for all your help. However there is no problem. I made a mistake based on bad information. Nobody should waste any more time investigating this.

Re: Additional Delay Using Layer Mask Mode

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2023 21:58
by Zoltán
So, what happened there, making your cameras delayed?

Re: Additional Delay Using Layer Mask Mode

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2023 23:29
by tlled
The source used with the mask was supposed to be an identical copy of the source used without a mask, and it was visually. However it was also routed through additional hardware upstream of the capture cards, the non masked source was not routed through this additional hardware.