When Performance Matters
FrameCounsel handles large video files and computationally intensive AI analysis. If you experience slow playback, long analysis times, or interface lag, these optimizations can help.
Check Available Resources
- Open Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities).
- Check the Memory tab. If memory pressure is in the yellow or red zone, close other applications.
- Check the CPU tab. During AI analysis, FrameCounsel should be using the Neural Engine and GPU, not maxing out CPU cores. If CPU usage is high, ensure you are running the latest version.
Managing Large Files
For videos over 10 GB:
- Generate proxy files: Go to Tools > Generate Proxies. This creates lower-resolution copies for smooth scrubbing and playback. The original files are used for frame captures and exports.
- Split long videos: If a video is several hours long, consider splitting it into segments using Tools > Split Video. Analysis on smaller segments is faster and uses less memory.
Tip: Proxy files are stored alongside the originals in the case directory. They typically use 10-20% of the original file size. You can delete proxies at any time to free space — they can be regenerated.
Cache Management
FrameCounsel caches thumbnails, waveforms, and analysis intermediate results. Over time, this cache can grow large:
- Go to Settings > Storage > Cache.
- View the current cache size.
- Click Clear Cache to free the space. Thumbnails and waveforms will be regenerated on demand.
Memory Management
If FrameCounsel runs out of memory during analysis:
- Close other applications, especially browsers with many open tabs.
- Reduce the number of simultaneous analysis jobs. Go to Settings > Analysis > Max Concurrent Jobs and set it to 1.
- If you have 16 GB RAM, avoid running transcription and contradiction detection simultaneously on large files. Run them sequentially instead.
- For cases with many videos, close video tabs you are not actively reviewing.
Storage Space
Ensure you have adequate free disk space:
- FrameCounsel needs at least 10 GB of free space to operate normally.
- Large analysis jobs may temporarily require up to 3x the source video size in working space.
- If your internal drive is full, move the case to an external SSD with more space.
Keeping FrameCounsel Updated
Performance improvements are included in every update. Check for updates regularly:
- Go to FrameCounsel > Check for Updates (requires air-gapped mode to be off).
- Install available updates when prompted.
Warning: If performance issues persist after trying all of the above, contact FrameCounsel support. Include your Mac model, macOS version, RAM amount, and a description of the issue. Screenshots of Activity Monitor during the problem are very helpful.