Vob file quality

[southernkiwi]

I had used my standalone DVD recorder to record videos from my camcorder and then transfer to DVD's for backup purposes. The files are VOB files as with most DVD's. If I want to use Premiere to now edit those videos, is it reasonable to just import the VOB files or will the quality be lower? Or would I still be better to get the files straight from the camcorder?

[Tom Blizzard]

That's one great thing about Adobe P.E. I've done it many times and the PQ stays the same for me. :)

[ATR]

southernkiwi

What model camcorder do you have? What is the video format of your camcorder?

ATR

[southernkiwi]

It is a Canon ZR50MC that was used with the VOB files - uses mini dv tapes and records in DV format

[ATR]

southernkiwi

Canon ZR50MC as you said is a mini DV camcorder. The ideal would be to make a Firewire connection between your camcorder and your computer and capture with Premiere Elements whose native format is DV AVI.

But if you find yourself with a DVD-VIDEO with its VOBs on a DVD disc and you want to edit and/or use its contents, the recommend way is to insert your DVD into the DVD drive tray and use the Premiere Elements Media Downloader to grab the VOBs for Premiere Elements Media and the Timeline. That works for me great, BUT there are many who have had a lot of quality problems with that route. The frequently used workaround for that eventuality is converting the DVD-VIDEO format into DV AVI in MPEG Streamclip and then bringing the DV AVI version into Premiere Elements via Get Media.
http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3bc4800e

Please check out the above and please let us know what worked best for you.

ATR

[Tom Blizzard]

But if you find yourself with a DVD-VIDEO with its VOBs on a DVD disc and you want to edit and/or use its contents, the recommend way is to insert your DVD into the DVD drive tray and use the Premiere Elements Media Downloader to grab the VOBs for Premiere Elements Media and the Timeline. That works for me great, BUT there are many who have had a lot of quality problems with that route.

You're kidding ? I wonder what kind of problems??
Well, for once:) I haven't had a problem doing something rather different. Always works great for me.

[ATR]

Tom,

Some people do, some people don't. Like you, I am one of the users who does not have problems with the VOBs and Premiere Elements Media Downloader. I have used Premiere Elements 2, 4,and 7. Occasionally in this process I will get some "funny business" going on at the Monitor level in the Edit Mode of Premiere Elements 4, but I have a workaround for that. Details, when and if needed.

I am not kidding. When I get some time, I will call up some long threads that have labored over the quality and other issues of the Premiere Elements Media Downloader and VOBs.

And I am extremely delighted that you have not run into any quality issues with the end product of the route or just plain and simple problem in using the Premiere Elements Media Downloader. Please put the thought of any such problems out of your mind. Do not jinx yourself by thinking about it, just enjoy continued success. But, if you do run into someone who is experiencing less good fortunate in this regard, suggest he/she think about VOB conversion to DV AVI as a pre- step.

ATR

[southernkiwi]

I can indeed import the media directly from my Camcorder into Premiere - it is just more time consuming which is why I was questioning whether the VOB files were compressed and thus degraded from the original quality.

[ATR]

southernkiwi,

You may be one of those users who gets ripping VOBs from DVDs with Premiere Elements Media Downloader to work for you quality-wise and otherwise. Try it. If it does not, you may find the workaround (MPEG Streamclip) to be more time consuming than the classically route of miniDV camcorder to computer via Firewire connection and capture into Premiere Elements.

I suspect that getting DV AVI to the Premiere Elements Timeline without going through the VOB would offer the better choice, but do a mini comparison study and see what you think and please let us know the outcome.

If it looks good and saves you time, go with the Media Downloader. If not, give the following link another look.

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

ATR

[southernkiwi]

Thank you - I will try both ways and see how it goes. Will post back once I have done this