Yes, it is normal. You should set the preview to "High". Less strain on the computer.

The quality of the produced video will be sharp and clear.

However you said DVD, DVD is standard definition (720x480/576). If your original video is HD, a DVD will be less clear.
Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

Thanks Carl312.
So what should I produce to if I have HD video? BlueRay?
So what is the purpose of reducing video quality in the time-line mode?

Rusty

Quote: Thanks Carl312.
So what should I produce to if I have HD video? BlueRay?
So what is the purpose of reducing video quality in the time-line mode?

Rusty

On the timeline the computer does real time render and display to show your edits. That takes some computer power, by reducing the preview resolution the computer works less to show the preview.

For HD and/or Bluray you need AVC H.264 1920x1080i (16 Mbps) video.
If you camera is one that produces 24 Mbps, you can use the AVC H.264 1920x1080 (24 or 28 Mbps) there is both in Produce.

Bluray H.264 if you create disks. You need a Bluray player also.
Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

Thanks again Carl312.
So much to learn. I have a HD Panasonic video camera, AVCHD, so I get some pretty good quality. I have used MoviePlus (Serif) & had decent success, but learning a more complete/full program can be a bit daunting. Just will have to keep experimenting. Trying to find ways to make a little extra income going into semi-retirement. I definately has enough computer power.
One quick question, What OS do I need to get the 64-bit & what difference will that make?
Later

To jump in here, Windows Vista, 7 and 8 all have 64 bit versions.
The 64 bit versions, due to things WAAAAY beyond me, can access far more RAM than a 32 bit system, which is limited to <4 gigs.
More RAM= better performance. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Quote: To jump in here, Windows Vista, 7 and 8 all have 64 bit versions.
The 64 bit versions, due to things WAAAAY beyond me, can access far more RAM than a 32 bit system, which is limited to <4 gigs.
More RAM= better performance.

Barry, it is high school math.

32 bit = 2 raised to 32th power=4,294,647,265 Or 4 GB.

64 bit = 2 raised to 64th power = 18.446 exponent 18. However most computers limit the Memory to about 32 or 64 GB.

Quote: A 64-bit register can store 2 exponent 64 (over 18 quintillion or 1.8×1019) different values. Hence, a processor with 64-bit memory addresses can directly access 2 exponent 64 bytes (=16 exbibytes) of byte-addressable memory.

Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

Carl,
I was thinking more in the vein of the architecture of the OS and why things work, rather than a mathematical formula...
...and Plane Geometry was my thing. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Quote: Carl,
I was thinking more in the vein of the architecture of the OS and why things work, rather than a mathematical formula...
...and Plane Geometry was my thing.

It is about 64 bit OS, it is just that manufacturers limit the the Memory to 32 or 64 GB, but the processor can address the full 64 bit space.

I did Geometry but I also did algebra and a couple of years of Technology School.
Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.