PRE7 issue with Vid track 1

[sweileman]

I just recently upgrade to PRE7 and noticed that when I go to add videos to my timeline view, it has a tendency to default to track #2 instead of track #1. Then if I try to manually move the clip to #1 it jumps from #2 to #3. What am I missing here?

I don't remember ever running into this with PRE4 where I could keep clips on #1, titles on #2, overlays on #3 etc. Appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks!

[ATR]

Without more details, I can only suspect that you are probably dealing with video with 5.1 channel sound and/or maybe a mis-set project preset. Check out this very, very long thread on the subject and the workarounds and explanations for what sounds like problems similar to yours. Premiere Elements 7's handling of 5.1 channel sound is probably at the core of your issue.

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41156

So, details, please, including:
1. format of video as well as audio of the Timeline content
2. name of the Project Preset that you set in the Welcome Screen/Setup when you opened Premiere Elements 7
3. And any other details you can think of after you read through the thread cited.

ATR

[sweileman]

So, details, please, including:
1. format of video as well as audio of the Timeline content
2. name of the Project Preset that you set in the Welcome Screen/Setup when you opened Premiere Elements 7
3. And any other details you can think of after you read through the thread cited.
1. As you guessed it is MPG file from a Sony HD camcorder.
2. I used the Standard preset when you start PRE7. I went back and selected the preset you recommended (HD, Flash Memory, etc.) but it didn't seem to make a difference when I re-imported the clips into the program.

I'm downloading and installing the other referenced programs you mentioned but it seems silly, not to mention very time consuming, to have to take a top of the line and $$ consumer application then have to rely on 3rd party freeware for a workaround. It's not like I have some exotic camcorder with it's own proprietary codex. And since PRE4 & PRE3 could handle my clips why would Adobe loss that functionality in PRE7?

Well, I let you know if those app's correct the problem and I appreciate your help but I"m not looking forward to having to convert 100+ files.

[ATR]

Before you do anything, please tell me the model of your camcorder. You say it is a Sony, but what model?

You mentioned that Hard Drive project preset. Does that mean that you have a Hard Drive Sony Camcorder which records as MPEG-2 to the camcorder's hard drive?

And what about the audio, it is 2 channel or that 5.1 channel sound?

Even if the symptoms of someone else's problems sound similar to yours, the causes in each case could be different. That is why I want to make sure that we are on the same page with respect to details.

If 5.1 channel sound is involved, that audio ends up on tracks above audio track 3 and "resists" being moved to the lower tracks. In addition, the strange type behavior that you described in moving clips is observed. If your camcorder is the typical hard drive camcorder, the most common problems are (a) having to convert from MPEG2 to DV AVI beforehand (b) correcting Fields from Upper Field First to Lower Field First. Quality would be the key issue, not the video jumping away from you on the tracks.

Please let me know about the model of your camcorder and if it is yielding 5.1 channel sound.

ATR

[sweileman]

It's a Sony DCR-SR100 and it does in fact record in Dolby 5.1 sound. Thanks for your help with this.

[ATR]

Now I realize that you are using the Sony DCR-SR100 that was part of the thread about Sceneline View video stacking and that camcorder's 5.1 channel sound feature (See link for that thread in my previous post in this thread.)

The easy suggestion is to turn off the 5.1 channel sound and switch it to Stereo (2 channel). But, unfortunately, after many inquiries and conflicting reports, the latest info is that you are stuck with 5.1 channel sound with that camcorder. If you use the Timeline View, then you avoid the pitfalls of the related Sceneline View stacking.

But, you must realize how the Timeline View and its audio tracks are handling the situation. Remember, 5.1 channel sound goes to tracks above 3 (more details later). I have Premiere Elements 7, but have not installed it yet. I would like to experiment with unlinking video/audio for editing purposes and then reuniting them after editing, hopefully without synchronization problems. I did a little bit of this with the Premiere Elements 7 tryout, but did not get to far into it.

First, I would suggest that you see if you can get away with
a. using the Hard Drive Camcorder/Flash Memory project preset of Premiere Elements 7 to address the Fields issue
or instead
b. just right clicking your MPEG2 on the Timeline, selecting Field Options, and then dotting "Reverse Field Dominance".
c. now that you know how 5.1 channel sound is being handled, try to see if you can manage with the edit process
d. Export that to DVD-VIDEO and see what that looks like on your TV/DVD player. If any problems with quality or other glitches, then resort to the MPEG2 to DV AVI conversion beforehand (usual preferred route).

Conversion of your camcorder's video to DV AVI is the likely the way to go.

Please keep us updated. I should have my Premiere Elements 7 installed by the weekend for further experimentation, if needed.

ATR