pictures blacked out after the dvd is created

[cma]

I have been having problems lately with the pictures on the dvd's I make. After they are created many of the pictures will be blacked out on the dvd, but they are fine on the computer. How can I fix this?:confused:

[Barb O]

High megapixel photo files can cause problems in Premiere Elements. Usually downsizing the megapixels before you bring the photos in to Preimiere Elements is the best approach.

Suggest that you post some additional info to verify if this is the cause and help forum participants make specific suggestions

What is the pixel resolution of your photos?
How many photo files?
How did you bring the photos in to Premiere Elements?
Which version of Premiere Elements?

[ATR]

Just two quick questions for your consideration:

Did you Render your project on the Timeline in Edit Module before going to the DVD Module? (All red lines across top of track gone before continuing to DVD Module?).

What did the Preview look like in the DVD Layout dialog before you hit the burn to disc in the Burn DVD dialog? (Some black video seen or all OK?)

ATR

[cma]

I'm just first reading about rendering a project, have never done this before. I have the computer doing that now so we'll see what happens. Do you have any tips I should know about rendering?

The preview prior to rendering looked fine

[cma]

I am using Premiere Elements 2.0. I brought the photos in using add media from photos stored on the computer. I'm not sure what the pixel resolution is on those missing however they are the same as others that are showing up fine. With this particular movie it seems to be very random, when I burned the first DVD those that were missing showed up the 2nd time while others were missing. I have never prerendered before but am trying that now.

[cma]

After rendering the file, is it advised to shut down the PC prior to burning the DVD?

[ATR]

No, do not shutdown computer after rendering. Depending on your project and computer, the Rendering process can consume more time than you expected. Often, that is normal. But, see what happens.

You Render the material on the Timeline by pressing the Enter key. Wait until the process is complete before trying to continue. After Rendering there should be no red lines across the video tracks.

Next, go onto the the DVD Module. After you decide Menu or No Menu and are in the DVD Layout dialog, click Preview to see what your project is going to look like and how the buttons will work on the menus, etc. By looking at the Preview, we can try to figure out if the problems are popping up before or after burning. If the Preview looks OK, then go onto Burn to Disc. We can explore the burn to folder option if that becomes necessary.

Make sure your system is optimized beforehand, defragmentation, no unnecessary programs running in the background, and all that sort of thing. There is a stress free project FAQ over at the Premiere Elements User to User Forum at http://www.adobe.com if you need it. I have to look for the link and will post it if you do not find it first.

ATR

[Barb O]

I am using Premiere Elements 2.0. I brought the photos in using add media from photos stored on the computer. I'm not sure what the pixel resolution is on those missing however they are the same as others that are showing up fine. With this particular movie it seems to be very random, when I burned the first DVD those that were missing showed up the 2nd time while others were missing. I have never prerendered before but am trying that now.

Did these photos come from a digital camera? If yes, perhaps you know how many megapixels based on the camera literature or how you set the camera (if you were the photographer.)

Problems can arise not only from the megapixel size of one specific individual photo, but from the cumulative impact of processing multiple photo files. And these problems can vary from one time to another based both on how much free hard drive space and what other processes are running at the time you start the process of encoding for the DVD. So your symptoms of sometime black and sometimes OK are consistent with "feeding" Premiere Elements too many higher megapixel photos to process. If you are making a standard definition DVD in the USA the resolution on the DVD is just NTSC or 720x540 or NTSC (widescreen): 854x480, so Premiere Elements must do alot of processing to decrease the resolution of the photo files that you give it.

The following FAQ at the Premiere Elements forum was written for PE1 and the same principles apply to PE2. One difference is that flicker may not be as much of a problem in PE2, I would try first and then redo only if flicker is a problem.

http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx/.3bb815fb

and

http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx/.3bb8822c

Do you have Photoshop Elements or some other photo editing program?

Have you seen the book "Adobe Premiere Elements 2 in A Snap" from SAMS publishing by Steve Grisetti and Chuck Engels?
It is good, has specific recommendations and its authors are regulars at the Adobe Premiere Elements forum for answering questions.