How to Use Proxy Mode for Video Smoother Editing in ActivePresenter 9.3
Starting from ActivePresenter version 9.3, you can enable proxy mode for a video to ensure smoother editing performance without affecting the final output quality.
If you’ve ever worked with high-resolution video files like 2K or 4K then you probably know the struggle: lags, delays, and a choppy timeline that slows down your entire editing workflow. But here’s some good news. Proxy mode is here to save your sanity and make editing buttery smooth, even on less powerful machines.
Let’s explore what Proxy Mode is, how it works, and how you can easily manage it in ActivePresenter.
What is Proxy Mode?
Proxy mode creates a temporary and lower-resolution version of your high-res video during editing. You edit using this smaller, lighter version, which is much easier for your system to handle.
When you’re done editing, the software automatically uses the original, high-quality version of the video when exporting, so you still get top-quality results.
In short, with proxy mode, you can:
- Edit faster with low-res versions
- Reduce lag and crashes
- Export with full resolution quality
How to Create and Manage Proxy File
Create a Proxy File When Inserting a Video
When you insert a high-resolution video exceeding Full HD (1920×1080) into the editor, a pop-up dialog will appear asking if you want to create a proxy file.
Click the Always do this from now on checkbox then the system will automatically remember your choice and apply it as the default for future actions.
Enable or disable this prompt by going to Preferences > Miscellaneous > Confirmation Settings > Create proxy files for high quality videos when importing.
You can manually generate the proxy file for a video by navigating to the Resources pane, right-clicking the video, and choosing Create Proxy…
Additionally, you can manage the storage location for proxy files in Preferences > General > Proxy File Location.
Enable or Disable Proxy Mode on the Timeline
Since a proxy file is lower in resolution, they may appear blurrier than the original video on the Canvas. To ensure more precise editing when needed, you can easily toggle proxy mode on or off directly on the Timeline. This lets you switch back to the original high-resolution preview for better clarity while keeping editing performance optimized.
You can see the proxy icon will appear next to the video name on the Timeline. Just turn the proxy on or off while editing if needed.
Delete Proxy File
You can delete the proxy files after you’re done editing to save space. Then your video will be back to the original high-res file.
To delete the proxy file, in the Resources pane, you right-click on a video with the proxy icon > Delete Proxy…
That’s it. With Proxy mode available from ActivePresenter 9.3, you can enjoy a much smoother editing experience without compromising the final video quality, making it the perfect solution for handling high-resolution projects efficiently.