Prem. Elements 4 - did they add Custom Project Frame Size?

[BIOSMonkey]

I have been attempting to use PrE3 to edit a web video (WMV with dimensions 480x270) used for training purposes. I have had a number of difficulties getting this to work properly and export to FLV.

Long story short - I learned that the problem is that PE3 assumes source video with dimensions 720x480, and there does not appear to be any way to change the project frame size to match the source. So what happens is that PE3 will import the video, and add black bars around it to match the 720x480, so then when I export it again to FLV the new video will be smaller (because of the black bars).

Using a demo of Premiere Pro CS3 proved to work perfectly, because it allows you to set the project frame size to custom values.

So my question is to anyone who may own PrE4 - is there a custom setting for frame size in the presets? Or am I going to have to cough up a huge chunk of money to get Premiere Pro?!

[ATR]

I do not know if Premiere Elements 4 has the "custom frame size" feature that you are looking for. I do not have Premiere Elements 4, and I did not see any mention of this in the promo info. I will follow up on that feature when more info surfaces about Premiere Elements 4.

HOWEVER, just checking to make sure that you have taken advantage of what you do have. (I still have Premiere Elements 2, so I am speaking from that hands on experience. Much of this should be similar to the Premiere 3 situation),

First, it is apparent from the wmv dimensions that you gave that you are dealing with widescreen 16:9 wmv. How have you been setting up your Premiere Elements 3.0, standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9? (See opening Splash Screen "Setup")

Next, have you considered maintaining before/after aspect ratio as well as frame size? Do you have the option to do so?

Further, under my Premiere Elements 2 Export options, MPEG, Quicktime, Windows Media, I have an "Advanced" tab in each option. In this "Advanced" window I can create a custom frame size among other things. What does the FLV Export in the 3 version have for options in that respect??

When posting, it is always better to give more details (as you did in the other forum where you are seeking an answer). In the long and short of it, it ends up that the short only prolongs some kind of resolution. Two other popular online forums for posting these types of questions are:
Premiere Elements User to User Forum at http://www.adobe.com
Grisetti/Engels site at http://www.muvipix.com

I would have to do some homework on Premiere Pro CS3 to try to get a handle on whether it is just the frame size adj that is giving you your desired results.

Hope we can contribute to helping you resolve this issue. Let us know the outcome.

ATR

[ATR]

I came across the following bit of information in the Help of Premiere Elements 2 which may or may not be appropriate for your workflow:

Under ..Scale a Clip

It says "Clips you bring into Adobe Premiere Elements are scaled to fit the frame size of your project. If you want to use a clip at its original dimensions, select the clip in the Media panel, choose Clip > Video Options, and deselect Scale to Frame Size."

If I recall, you can also get to the "Default Scale to Frame Size" via Edit, Preferences, General.

Have you had a chance to look into the way you have been setting up your project in the Splash Screen setup?

ATR