Premier Elements Soundtrack Issue

[PE7 Nubie]

I just finished a my first video project in Premiere Elements 7. It is a 12 minute piece mixing video and pictures. I incorporated audio into the project via the "Soundtrack" timeline from both my own MP3 files and the "Smart Sound" function. When I preview the project all of the audio from the video and the soundtrack are fine. However, when I use the "share" functon to transfer the project I loose the soundtrack altogether. The audio for the video clips remain intact. I have transfered the project to both a DVD and my hard drive and have had the same result for both. Thus, it appears to be a problem with Elements. (Interestingly, the audio track that I assigned to the DVD menu works fine, but this same track is lost when I play the actual video.) Any suggestions on how to fix this??

[Chuck Engels]

What is the format of the audio you placed on the Soundtrack, mp3, wav, other?
What is the source of this audio, cd, iTunes, other ?

[PE7 Nubie]

The format for one of the songs is mp3 and, although it is located in my i-tunes library, I originally burnt it from my own CD. The other two songs are in .wav format and I downloaded both from Adobe Elements own SoundSmart feature, so I am partuicularly perplexed why they won't record. Like I said, they work fine when I preview the project in the elements 7 program, its only when I export it that I loose the soundtracks.

After I posted last night I noticed under "Edit; Audio Preferences" there are items relating to addio and adudio output mapping. Since my software didn't come with a user manual and I can't seem to find one on line, I don't know what these do, but perhaps they could be adjusted to fix my problem?

[ATR]

PE7 Nubie

Before we focus in on the audio, let us clear away some details:
1. Is your computer optimized? What is the computer operating system? How much available RAM and free hard drive space does your computer have?
2. What project preset have you set for Premiere Elements 7? And, what is the total time of your Timeline content?
3. You said that your project contains photos and videos...how many photos and what are their pixel dimensions...how many video clips (video & audio) and where did they come from (camcorder brand & name), format, duration.

When you say
I have transfered the project to both a DVD and my hard drive and have had the same result for both.
"...to both a DVD...." are you saying that you created a DVD-VIDEO (standard or widescreen)
"..and my hard drive..." are you saying that you went Share/Personal Computer/then what to get the file for your hard drive?

Did your original video recording that you imported (how?) into Premiere Elements have an audio track linked to its video? If so, do your export end product play back the Audio Track 1 content?

When you talk about preview the Timeline content before Share, are you talking about Create Menu Section and the Preview option there?

Let us start from there and see where that takes us. Please respond to all the questions.

Thanks.

ATR

[ATR]

Add on....

Please do not adjust any of the default settings until we explore some of the details.

Thanks.

ATR

[ATR]

Add on....

To what hard drive location are all these audio files being saved?

When you reopen the saved project .prel file, are the Premiere Elements 7 Organizer thumbnails for the audio files "normal" looking or do they suggest any reconnect issues.

Further, when you reopen the saved project, do you see audio on the soundtrack and/or are you getting any missing media messages?

ATR

[PE7 Nubie]

ATR, thanks for the responses. One question about your questions. I am not sure what you mean by product "preset". Can you elaborate? Also, I am on my way out the door for work, so I will post a reply with all of the information you are seeking when I get home tonight (after 6 PST). Perhaps you can respond to that tomorrow.

[ATR]

PE7 Nubie

When you open Premiere Elements 7 and before the workplace interface opens, you get a dialog in which you set a preset for the project...
NTSC/DV Standard or Widescreen
AVCHD, with options
HDV, with options
PAL/DV Standard or Widescreen
etc.
Usually, it is better to set the project preset to match what you are importing and the preset for your intended export (Share section). But, the preset for the export can be changed to something else in Share as is appropriate.

I did notice that you say that your end product was a 12 minute video, but I was curious what length of video you started out with on the Timeline.

Besides the obvious audio format and settings issues, I want to make sure that computer resource issues are not contributing to this odd behavior that you describe. I did not want to take anything for granted.


ATR

[PE7 Nubie]

Hopefully this answers all of your questions:

1. Is your computer optimized? What is the computer operating system? How much available RAM and free hard drive space does your computer have?

I am running Windows XP Home Edition 2002 Version 2; 2.5 GB RAM; Pentium CPU 2.8 GHz; 55 GB internal hard drive with 18 GB free; 1.5 Terabyte external hard drive with 1.3 TB free. I have PE 7 stored on the internal hard drive. All of my data files, Projects, etc. related to my PE 7 projects are stored on the external HD.

2. What project preset have you set for Premiere Elements 7? And, what is the total time of your Timeline content?

I discuss presets below under number 9. The total project time runs 12 minutes. 5 minutes of photos, 7 minutes of video.

3. You said that your project contains photos and videos...how many photos and what are their pixel dimensions...how many video clips (video & audio) and where did they come from (camcorder brand & name), format, duration.


Photos: 58 JPEG files (various sizes most are a few hundred kilobites – 5 minutes of the project timeline)
Video: 4 clips (various lengths appears to be about 1 GB of data – 7 minutes of the project timeline)
All video was downloaded from my Sony Mini DV camera (DCR-TRV11) NTSC

This is really a small project. The required memory is nothing compared to some full 60 minute HD video project. I can’t imagine that the size of the media is impacting the soundtrack.

4. When you say "...to both a DVD...." are you saying that you created a DVD-VIDEO (standard or widescreen)

Yes. I created a DVD Video standard format through the share feature. This worked fine, in terms of the menus, scene selections (menu markers), pictures, video w/ audio, transitions, and titles. The only thing missing was the soundtrack.

5. When you say "..and my hard drive..." are you saying that you went Share/Personal Computer/then what to get the file for your hard drive?

Yes. I “shared” the project and exported it to a file in my internal hard drive. It took 556 MB of memory. I had the same exact result here as I did with the DVD (minus the DVD menu and scenes obviously).

6. Did your original video recording that you imported (how?) into Premiere Elements have an audio track linked to its video? If so, do your export end product play back the Audio Track 1 content?


Using a firewire I downloaded the video directly from my Sony camcorder to Elements. The audio track that is associated with the video is perfect and it has continued to be fine when burnt onto DVD or copied to the PC internal hard drive as part of the project.

7. When you talk about preview the Timeline content before Share, are you talking about Create Menu Section and the Preview option there?

Yes. The preview of the project is perfect and includes the soundtrack audio. I only loose the soundtrack when I export the project out.

8. To what hard drive location are all these audio files being saved?


The audio files are all stored in the 1.5 TB external hard drive along with all video and pictures for the project. Specifically they are in both a “media cache” file, which may have been created by Elements, and the file associated with the 12 minute project.

9. When you reopen the saved project .prel file, are the Premiere Elements 7 Organizer thumbnails for the audio files "normal" looking or do they suggest any reconnect issues.


Everything is normal. I did have an issue early on where the computer changes the 1.5 TB hard drive from the “F” to “G” drive within the system. When it did this, PE 7 could not locate the previously saved project because it was expecting it to be in the F drive. After I tracked it down in the “G” drive, it downloaded into PE 7. When it did so, it indicated that the two smartsound media tracks were missing and asked me if I would like to reload them. I did so and they are now in the organizer section of the project as well as the timeline. Also, they play when I preview the project, so I assume that they are fine. Now when I open the project it does no say any files are missing.

It is noteworthy that I added the MP3 track to the soundtrack after this “incident”. I did this in part to see if the MP3 track would export with the project. Thus, I have never had any data errors relating to this track. However, like the smartsound (.wav) tracks, it too does not export with the project despite playing fine tin the preview. This all makes me believe that something in PE 7 is not allowing the soundtrack to be exported. I thought about adding narration to see if it would export, but I don’t have a microphone and I don’t want narration in this project.

10. Further, when you reopen the saved project, do you see audio on the soundtrack and/or are you getting any missing media messages?

As noted above, I am receiving no missed media messages.

11. When you open Premiere Elements 7 and before the workplace interface opens, you get a dialog in which you set a preset for the project...
NTSC/DV Standard or Widescreen
AVCHD, with options
HDV, with options
PAL/DV Standard or Widescreen
etc.
Usually, it is better to set the project preset to match what you are importing and the preset for your intended export (Share section). But, the preset for the export can be changed to something else in Share as is appropriate.


I don’t recall being given this option. Had I been I would have set the program to NTSC/DV standard based upon my video camera. Is there a way that I can check these settings through the system? I did select the NTSC standard setting when I exported the video to DVD.

12. I did notice that you say that your end product was a 12 minute video, but I was curious what length of video you started out with on the Timeline.

Originally, I downloaded 60 minutes worth of video and labeled it “video 2001”. As I began to create my mini project, I re-saved the project under a new file name. Now all that is in the organizer screen is the 7 minutes of edited video, the pictures, titles, and the soundtrack audio.

[ATR]

All of my data files, Projects, etc. related to my PE 7 projects are stored on the external HD.

Does that include the Premiere Elements scratch files (preview files, conformed audio files)?
See Premiere Elements/Edit Menu/Preferences/Scratch Disks...where are Scratch Disks directed external hard drive or internal hard drive?

To be continued later today....

ATR

[ATR]

Add on....

18 GB free internal hard drive space is very low. Can you free up any more internal hard drive space?

Still working on this one....

ATR

[PE7 Nubie]

According to the program, all media is directed to the external hard drive. With regard to internal memory, I could probably free up some space, but I already have delete obvious uneeded programs, such as large video games, old video editing software (Roxio), etc. I figured since I wasn't saving data to the internal drive that it isn't a big deal.

[PE7 Nubie]

ATR,

Now I am more perplexed then before. I have done two things sine my last post. First, I crated a brief test vidoe containing one vidoe clip and a soundtrack song, downloaded from Smart Sound. I then exported that to my internal hard drive. Unlike my 12 munite project, the soundtrack was expotred as well. Thus I have video and its associated audio along with soundtrack audio all working fine on my exported short test clip. Thius my program CAN export soundtrack.

The other thing that I did was to delete the soundtrack from my 12 minute project and reimport all audio files again. I did that and, as before, the soundtrack plays in preview mode. Like the test clip, I downloaded the 12 minute video with the newly aquired soundtrack into the internal hard drive. The vidoe was successfully exported, but once again the soundtrack audio is missing. I am really going nuts now since using the test clip I was able to get the sountrack.

Aghh. Please help if you can.

[ATR]

PE7 Nubie

I have been pondering this issue all day as I go from one task to another. We will figure this out yet.

Call me set in my ways, but I am still thinking "resource issue (s)" and am more pushed in that direction by your results from your excellent troubleshooting using the mini test run mode of action. Good job.

This is what I want you to do:
1. Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information, scroll down the list there and let me know what it says for Total Physical RAM and Available Physical RAM. I know that you told me that your computer system had 2.5 GB RAM, but you did not say how much of that was available.
2. Then I want you to go Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disc Defragmentation and tell me what you see there for total internal hard drive space and available hard drive space. Your last report was that it was 18 GB. That I think is your downfall (until proven otherwise). You may think that you are not adding anything to the internal hard drive, but....
3. Next, I want you to go My Computer/Local Drive (C)/ Documents and Settings/Application Data/ and find the Media Cache for Premiere Elements which is probably overloaded with video conforming files which have a file extension of .mcdb. Let me know what you find there.

After we get all that defined, then back to the project itself:
1. Go back to your original project and original soundtrack. On the Timeline, remove video files one by one. And, check what happens or does not happen to the soundtrack after one of the exports under Personal Computer/. Did you ever spell out which one of those exports you are using: MPEG, DV AVI, Windows Media, Quicktime?? Each time before you export, write down what is says for File Size and Duration.

That is the plan.

Also, watch out for that external hard drive to make sure that the drive letter is not moving around.

Good luck.

ATR

[PE7 Nubie]

Sorry I have not gotten back in a while. I have been a bit busy. I am answering your first three questions below. I will get to your fourth suggestion as soon as I can. So how much available RAM does a system normally need to transfer the soundtrack? Also, why does it send the rest of the video and audio through without any problems and then omit only the soundtrack? This seems weird to me. Also I noticed that my problem seems a bit like the recent post from SCUBA Guy.

1. Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information, scroll down the list there and let me know what it says for Total Physical RAM and Available Physical RAM. I know that you told me that your computer system had 2.5 GB RAM, but you did not say how much of that was available.


There is nothing saying “RAM” only “Memory. Here is what it says:

Total Physical Memory: 2,560.00 MB
Total Available Physical memory: 1.62 GB



2. Then I want you to go Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disc Defragmentation and tell me what you see there for total internal hard drive space and available hard drive space. Your last report was that it was 18 GB. That I think is your downfall (until proven otherwise). You may think that you are not adding anything to the internal hard drive, but....

Internal Hard Drive:
Total Capacity: 55.84 GB
Free Space: 17.65 GB

3. Next, I want you to go My Computer/Local Drive (C)/ Documents and Settings/Application Data/ and find the Media Cache for Premiere Elements which is probably overloaded with video conforming files which have a file extension of .mcdb. Let me know what you find there.

I found a file called my project MACC under Media Cache files. This is the only subfolder under media cache files. There are a bunch of files here with the term “Peak” and “CSA” in the icon for each piece of media. All of these seem to be .prv files, whatever that is.

[ATR]

I was just about to call it a day when I saw your post. I will comment in depth tomorrow (probably early tomorrow morning).

Weird things happen when a user's computer is low on resources for a given Premiere Elements project, and I suspect that this thread and the other are suffering from the same consequences. But, I do not want to label either case until I rule in or out some other details.

To be continued....

ATR

[PE7 Nubie]

Some success. I have tried two things sinc my last post. First, I removed all of the video content from my 12 minute project and transfered it to the PC as an MPEG. As ussual, no soundtrack.

Second, I went back to my original file containing all of my downloaded video form which I had originally started my project and, basically, started from scratch. I initially put a sountrack to a few vidoe clips and transferred it as an MPEG to my PC and the soundtrack came though. Then I added pictures to the vidoe and transferred it as an MPEG to my PC and again the soundtrack transferred. ASO, I am going to completely rebuid the project, stopping at strategic points to transfer the video to ensure that the soundtrack does not disappear. I will let you know if I can ultimatelty recreate the whole video with the audio and sountrack or if the soundtrack drops out somewhere along the way.

[ATR]

PE7 Nubie

I am so glad that you decided to follow up on that troubleshooting path.

I am looking forward to your results which should give you valuable information if not complete immediate success. Maybe...look at the available RAM and free hard drive space, among other things, as you progressively rebuild the project.

Keep up the good work and much success...

ATR

[ohsogroovy]

Hi... if you haven't figured out how to fix the problem yet...

I make videos in Premiere all the time, on three different computers, and every now and then, the audio gets messed up for no reason that I can tell, just like you described in your original post.

Now, I know this is just a band-aid, but I'm usually under a deadline when this happens, so here's what I do...

I will render the video, without audio as an AVI, so it won't lose any quality. Then I will render JUST the audio, as a WAV file. I will then open a new PROJECT in elements and put the two files in there. The sound and video will match up perfectly if you don't make any changes between rendering the video and the sound.

Finally, in this new, simpler project, you can hopefully make your complete DVD/video.

Good luck!


BTW, I'm collecting photo ideas, including creating video slideshows, and putting them on a new blog I've been working on. :)
http://www.photoandpictureideas.com

[ATR]

OSG

Thanks for your comments. But, I would ask you...when you are doing your projects and you are have having project problems, what is your computer operating system and the level of your resources (available RAM and free hard drive space), and optimization? Are your projects small, medium, or large in space required and duration?

The troubleshooting in progress is to define the limits of the resources of this user for the size of his project. If it continues to go in the direction that it is going in, the fix is to up the resources, RAM and especially hard drive space.

You say that you have used Premiere. What program are you using Premiere Pro or Premiere Elements? What version?

ATR

[ohsogroovy]

OSG

Thanks for your comments. But, I would ask you...when you are doing your projects and you are have having project problems, what is your computer operating system and the level of your resources (available RAM and free hard drive space), and optimization? Are your projects small, medium, or large in space required and duration?

The troubleshooting in progress is to define the limits of the resources of this user for the size of his project. If it continues to go in the direction that it is going in, the fix is to up the resources, RAM and especially hard drive space.

You say that you have used Premiere. What program are you using Premiere Pro or Premiere Elements? What version?

ATR

I definitely know it's best to troubleshoot the problem, so they can use Premiere without errors in the future.

Like I said, I have 3 computers, so the resources are all different. I have Premiere Elements 7. I did figure out at one point, that one of my laptops does not have a dual core processor. That was causing lots of trouble. :P

I currently use it on my other two computers that both have dual core processors and a gig of RAM, and at least 10 GB hard drive space left. My hubby's a computer guy, so I'll have him help me with these problems if they happen again.

I posted my suggestion because sometimes, when I'm in a hurry, I don't have the time or patience to troubleshoot, and I don't feel like doing an entire project over again.

Thank you for your concern, though!

[ATR]

OSG

Thanks for your feedback. You seem to have everything under control, but I am forced to offer these avenues for you to think about or file....

Check it out...but the resources that you cite for your computers are probably not meeting your needs with regard to your projects that exceed "small"...

(a) if that is 1 GB of installed RAM, then the available RAM is probably less
(b) the at least 10 GB free hard drive space worries me...assuming 10 GB, that is not enough free hard drive space for a decent project..those System Requirements that Adobe lists are "minimum" requirements and at that probably what is required for installation of the program.

I think that your crisis situations would be minimized or eliminated by increasing the available RAM and freeing up a significant amount of free hard drive space. Are you optimizing your computers, defragmentation, general clean up of computer files and old Premiere Elements projects and scratch files? Do you store your video files on an external hard drive? Maybe you and your husband have already worked through these details for your computer??

Just some thoughts, you need not reply unless you have the time. I always say "do not mess with a good thing", so, if you have a workflow that works for you, that is great. I just wanted to avoid some possible "Mylanta Moments" for you with regard to Premiere Elements and typically sized projects.

ATR