The two biggest pains in the asses ever. Like honestly, everybody has done this before and it has annoyed them. And by everybody I mean me and maybe Evren.
I film something onto MiniDVD today, just for shits. I go to capture it onto my IBM machine to find out I’ve removed the (almost) useless software from Sony, Picture Package. I spend an hour trying to download it and can’t find it. I need to get those files on my Mac, but it can’t read Mini-DVDs. So I copy the files from the DVD onto my EHD, then copy them from my EHD to my Mac, and burn them on a DVD-RW. I spend an hour trying to find appropriate software, then finally find HandBrake. So I capture the files from my DVD onto my Desktop, in AVI format because I was afraid Premiere would be fussy and not take my MP4. So while I download my accompanying music from my Firstclass (sent to myself from my IBM), I erase my DVD-RW. Then when the song is downloaded, I import it with the AVI into Premiere. Uh-oh. Codec missing or unavailable. Okay, I’ll capture it again to MP4…from the DVD I just erased. Problem. So I go on a codec hunt, and fall back to DivX. I have just converted my file to DivX format and am hoping Premiere will take it. Of course, it doesn’t. What are my options? I take my blank DVD-RW, and burn the files back onto it. I open up HandBrake and change the files into an MP4 movie. I don’t erase my DVD-RW just yet. I open up Premiere once again. I cross my fingers. I can’t believe this actually worked!!! It must be too good to be true! It is. Why does my video only have audio? I’ll try again. Now converting DVD to AVI with XviD codec. This better work.
While it converts, I’d like to tell the guys at Adobe that they suck. I mean I love their programs and all, I really prefer them to Final Cut Pro and other Apple alternatives, but this isn’t the first time I’ve had problems with Premiere and codecs. Either you need to add more codecs or add a feature where you can upload your own codecs. Because I don’t know what you want anymore. Ridiculous.
AVI with XviD codec? Failure once again. I don’t like using this kind of language on my blog but fuck you Premiere, honestly. I am so decieved.
I tried converting to a mov file with QuickTime. Works perfectly with other programs, but just won’t work with Premiere. So now I download a freeware program, MPEG Streamclip. I convert to WMV, my last resort. Apparently it’s not compatible with Premiere either, I can’t even try importing, it’s grayed out. So I choose another format at random, .DV. I had never seen that format before so I gave it a go. And…it…worked.
Finally, after 4 HOURS, I have managed to transfer my movie from my MiniDVD to my Premiere CS3. Not happy.
**Note** A part of this article was written in real-time, so it might be a little strange to read. But that’s how frustrating it was.
That was media-atic hell.
Thanks for posting this! I wasted 6 hours last Sunday going through the same problems with Premiere. I feel better knowing that I’m not the only one who thinks Adobe needs to make Premiere a bit more friendly when it comes to importing from DVD to AVI.
By: Mark on December 20, 2007
at 3:31 pm
I know it’s a pain, it’s the second time this happens to me. Every time, you have hope, because you think that one format might work, but then it doesn’t and you have to try again. They should make it friendlier not only to import from a DVD but to import from any format. They should also add many many more codecs/formats when the time comes to export, such as a very basic one that’s lacking, the .WMV format with it’s size-squeezing codec for web video.
By: Louis on December 20, 2007
at 8:39 pm
akh… I’m pissed off… you are so right and every time i try to find the right codec or even the right project to open with i just get frustrated.
so how did i find your blog, well i was having a problem with opening a .mov file in premiere CS3. still haven’t figured out the answer and the shitty thing is, is that premiere doesn’t give me the name of the missing codec.
I’m just gonna go back to freaking answers hunting because i have a music video i have to finish!!!
any advise would REALLY help. take care
By: Hiba on July 6, 2008
at 4:10 pm
Well I figured out a few fixes:
Firstly, do not try working with any trial version. Most codecs are missing.
Secondly, if you copy over a file named ad2ac3dec.dll from your Encore CS3 folder to your Premiere CS3 folder, mpgs magically work. You can also find this file on the web.
If a .mov file is not working, I really don’t know what to do. Maybe the file is somehow corrupted. Try converting it to an .avi file and see if that works.
By: Louis on July 20, 2008
at 8:52 pm