help for elements 4.0??

[shutterfly2]

First of all i am completely new to video editing! I have (like so many others out there) a lot of VHS tapes i want to edit and put on DVD. I have the VHS to DVD recorder so put about 20 minutes of footage on DVD with this machine--it saves them in VOB. I got elements (4.0) because it is one of the few programs (i have been told) that will read VOB files. I really wanted to start with Vista Movie Maker because it seemed easier for a newbie to work with however it will not read VOB files. The help files for elements are not much help and i have been told so far there are no books out yet for elements 4.0???? How can i (without using elements to edit) transfer the footage i have saved to a file that movie maker will read? Until a book comes out i just cant get around premiere--for now--maybe later when i get more familiar with video editing. I have the book for premiere 3.0 (dummies book) but so much is (apparently) changed in 4.0 so the book isnt much help. Or is there an EASY program out there i can work with (that will read VOB) ??? thanks so much

[ATR]

Download the free software MPEG Streamclip 1.1 from the following link:

http://www.squared5.com/

Use the settings recommended in the following link:

http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3bc4800e

Now comes decision time as you will learn when you read the instructions for download.

1. Leave your latest version of Quicktime (required for Premiere Elements) installed and purchase the required MPEG-2 playback component from Apple
OR
2. Uninstall the latest version of Quicktime (required for Premiere Elements) and download and install the free “Quicktime Alternative version 1.81" which comes with this MPEG-2 playback component.

In this process you will be converting your VOBs to DV AVI which Premiere Elements and your other programs should be able to handle nicely.

Until recently I had been going along with others suggesting this VOB to DV AVI conversion, but had not actually tried it. I did not want to disturb the status quo of my computer setup. But recently I received a laptop to play with, so I tried this out on the laptop. It did a good job. So much so, that, if I were to need a lot of this type of conversion, I would probably invest in the MPEG-2 playback component and not uninstall my latest version of Quicktime.

The above would probably give you the best results. But, you could always try ripping the VOBs from the DVD-VIDEO and getting them into Premiere Elements 4 with its Media Downloader. Then check to judge the quality.


Check all this out and let me know if I need to clarify any of the material presented for your consideration.

ATR

BTW What type of camcorder do you have? I have heard of a Canon that allows you to take your tapes and either record them to DVD OR use the passthrough feature (Firewire connection) to get them into Premiere Elements as DV AVI.

2nd BTW, the basic of these programs do not seem to change dramatically from version to version. It is the re-location of the features that tends to be challenging.

[shutterfly2]

the tapes are in the VHS-C format and i converted them with a VCR to DVD to DVD's. I can get them into PE4 in the VOB format--that isnt the problem--i just want a easier program to work with until i can learn PE4 or a book comes out that explains it better to a newbie. Is is possible to get PE3 and put that on the same computer as the PE4 as i have a book for that program. Why isnt there a book for PE4 somewhere???? Movie Maker just seems easier to use and it came with the computer (Toshiba laptop with 2 G ram, vista). I am hesitant about getting another program i probably wouldnt understand how to use.
thanks for all the help--i just bought a new camcorder this winter so that isnt in the budget right now, which is a Canon but not the one you mentioned.

[ATR]

Shutterfly

Whether you use Premiere Elements 1, 2, 3 or 4 the principles are 98% the same. The location (re-location) of the features from version to version is the challenge.

There is a Premiere Elements 4 book. It is part of the Adobe Press combo book "Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 and Adobe Premiere Element 4 Classroom in a Book" There is always Premiere Elements 4 Help Files, Getting Started parts, Sample video. Whichever version, there is a learning curve.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_3?ie=UTF8&rs=&keywords=Premiere%20Elements%20Books&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3APremiere%20Elements%20Books&page=3

If Chuck Engels were here at this moment, he would say to get a copy of his and Steve Grisetti's book "Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 in a Snap". The reasoning behind the suggestion would be that the principles are defined coupled with the fact, as I said, the principles are essentially the same from version to version. And, there are many who would make this same book recommendation for newcomers. I am a little nervous about jumping on that band wagon because of the many feature location changes that pop up with each new version. It can get very frustrating being armed with principles and not being able to find the feature.

With your tapes on DVD as DVD-VIDEO, you could stop there. Just show your video on the TV via the TV/DVD player. But, I imagine that you want to edit the material. To do so, I would recommend that you take the time to get comfortable with Premiere Elements 4 via the suggestions made above. No one version is easier than the other.

Just start a mini run project before the grand project. If you get into a block, just post your question and we will try to work you through that as quickly as possible. I try to browse this forum daily to see if anyone needs an assist.

When I first purchased Photoshop Elements/Premiere Elements, my first thoughts were "What in the world have you gotten yourself into?" I have not regretted my choice to commit to learning the program. Easy programs often do not give you the video editing options that you need.

Think about it. I will be watching for your progress.

ATR

BTW What book were you referring to when you said that you had one for Premiere Elements 3?

[Chuck Engels]

With all of the free tutorials at

http://www.freewebs.com/pe3help/index-2.htm

and

http://muvipix.com (http://muvipi.com)

I don't know that the book would be necessary, but there are many that use the book still with version 4. We are still selling about a 100 copies a month so people must still like it. Check out the Amazon reviews, it is a good and useful book no matter what version you use :)

[ATR]

As I have said, there are a lot of resources to help you through the Premiere Elements learning curve (4 or whatever version).

Make sure that you also check out the Premiere Elements 4 Learning Center video tutorials at the http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com site:

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/learningcenter/

We are here to assist you if you decide to tackle Premiere Elements 4 or other versions of it.

ATR

[Tom Blizzard]

Whether you use Premiere Elements 1, 2, 3 or 4 the principles are 98% the same. The location (re-location) of the features from version to version is the challenge.


If Chuck Engels were here at this moment, he would say to get a copy of his and Steve Grisetti's book "Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 in a Snap".


I was lost till I bought and read Chuck and Steve's book....:) Golly, you can't imagine all the unseen features of Premiere......

[Chuck Engels]

Should say 'Premiere Elements 2 in A Snap' :)
not Photoshop Elements ;)

Thanks for the nice plug Tom.

[ATR]

Shutterfly, Tom, CE,

CE, that was not Tom's fault, the "Photoshop Elements" instead of "Premiere Elements" in CE&SG book title was my mistake. He was using part of my quote.

So All, sorry for my typing glitch, and thanks, CE for the editing correction.

Shutterfly, after you sort through all this, I hope your decision will be to join the ranks of the Premiere Elements users. Learning through doing will have its rewards.

ATR