Premiere 7 audio but no video

[dryfly]

I downloaded the trial version of Premiere 7 about ten days ago.
My computer is about a six-year old Dell Dimension 8300 with Windows XP2 and Apple Quicktime 7.6. The video card is an Nvidia GeForce FX5200. And the monitor is an LG L1953T (analog).
My cameras are a Canon digital camcorder ZR500 and a Canon digital camera S5IS.
I used Premiere 7 to capture video files from both cameras.
The audio would play but the video consisted of flashing colored frames.
The only fix I could find in this forum was to go into Premeiere 7 and change the Desktop Display Mode from Standard to Compatible or Accelerated GPU Effects
However, changing the Desktop Display in Premiere 7 affected the display in Windows Media Player in that I had sound but no video in any of my wmv, avi files. After rebooting the problem with WMM went away.
The strange thing is that I could play the downloaded videos in Apple Quicktime 7.6.
I’d appreciate some help.

[ATR]

Good Morning

Lots of Questions....

1. Windows XP2. Does that mean Windows XP, Service Pack 2? If so, that should be updated to Windows XP, Service Pack 3. What version of Windows Media Player do you have?

2. How much installed and available RAM as well as total and free internal hard drive (local drive) space does your computer have? Have you optimized your computer, defragmented, and a lot more?

3. Your camcorder/camera. Canon Camcorder ZR500 and Canon Digital Camera S5IS. You say
I used Premiere 7 to capture video files from both cameras.

The Canon ZR500 appears to be a miniDV camcorder. I am assuming that you are shooting in Standard Definition or Widescreen mode (no HD involved). How are you capturing the recording from that camcorder: camcorder-firewire connection-direct capture into Premiere Elements 7 using the true Capture interface so that you are putting your camcorder recording on the Premiere Elements 7 Timeline as DV AVI (the native format of Premiere Elements Timeline) + plus saving a copy to a computer hard drive location.

The Canon S5IS movie recordings are a different story. Although they have the file extension of .avi, they are not DV AVI. What you have is Motion JPEG AVI. Not all .avi are created equal. AVI is a wrapper format that can contain different compression, for example, Motion JPEG AVI, DV AVI, AVI MPEG4, XVID, DivX...all can have file extension of .avi.

So, here I need to know if the issue is with the video from the camcorder, the video from the digital camera, or both.

Let us start here and see where this takes us.

ATR

[dryfly]

Thank you for such prompt attention to my problem.
I have installed Service Pack 3 (it did not make any difference).
I have 19 GB free on my hard drive and 1 GB ram.
I regularly optimize and defrag the computer.
The camcorder shoots in standard definition (720 x 480) and the video was captured via a firewire connection using the Premiere 7 interface.
The video from the camera was captured via a USB port using the Premiere 7 interface.
Neither of these videos would play in Premiere 7 although the audio was present in both.
I also imported a DV-AVI file from my computer and this would not display the video, although the audio was present.
On top of that I imported a jpg file and this would not play.
Just to make sure I created another video on the camcorder and captured it using the Premere 7 interface and I once again have audio but a totally blank screen (without flashing colored frames).
I do not wish to change the Desktop Display every time I use Premiere 7 because of the effect it has on my other media players.
Completely baffled.
Dryfly

[ATR]

dryfly

Do you have an external hard drive? If so, how is it formatted NTFS or FAT32?

Also, go to the Premiere Elements 7 Edit Menu/Preferences/Scratch Discs and see where those files are directed. Are they set up for Same As Project?

Then go to the default location for the Adobe Folder, that being, My Documents/Adobe/Premiere Elements 7. You will find several folders there. Open each and find out how much has piled up in those folders (it should say how many MB)

Take a look at the System Requirements for Premiere Elements 7:
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/390599?tstart=0
Your resources are very low for a realistic Premiere Elements project...especially that 19 GB free hard drive space...is that 1 GB RAM installed or available (if installed RAM that is bad news since the available will be less)?

My thinking is running along the lines of
a. resource problem (strange things happen with Premiere Elements when available RAM and free hard drive space are low)
and/or
b. video card need for driver update

It troubled me that you could not even import a jpeg photo in Premiere Elements. Does your fix of changing the Desktop Display Mode work EVERY time to resolve the present situation or just sometimes?

Please review comments and then we will proceed from there.

ATR

[dryfly]

Yes, I do have an external hard drive and it is formatted NTFS (there is 190 GB free on this drive).
The Scratch Disc files are directed to Same As Project.
The total size of files stored under the Adobe Premiere Elements folder and sub folders is 212 MB.
I know my resources are low but I cannot install any more RAM (1 GB installed) in this particular computer, and I hardly think it is worthwhile to buy a new $1400 computer to fix a $99 software problem.
I am concerned about installing a driver update, especially when I see a message that states, “If the device fails after updating the driver, roll back to the previously installed driver.” If the driver fails I assume I will not have any video and therefore I will be looking at a blank screen.
I do enjoy a challenge when it comes to computers (I’ve owned one since 1983) but I am getting to the point where I am ready to pass on Premiere 7, and I therefore have no desire to change the Desktop Display again.
I did try one other thing and that was to make Quicktime the default player for AVI files but it didn’t make any difference. The video files and the jpg would not run in the Premiere 7 player.
Thanks for your attention to this problem.

[ATR]

dryfly

As mentioned previously, I believe your Premiere Elements problems are probably related to:
a. low computer resources, less than 1 GB available RAM and about 19 GB free hard drive space.
b. need to update your video driver, maybe other computer components as well
We need to rule that in or out.

I understand your concerns, and I do not want you to do anything that you do not feel confident about doing. With your situation as is, I believe that you will run into similar difficulties with other video editing software as well.

Is there any chance that you could move a significant amount of files from your local hard drive to the external hard drive (not the Premiere Elements program files)? You could also redirect those scratch files to the external hard drive. What is the total capacity of your internal hard drive? I would think that you should try for at least 50 GB free internal hard drive space, given an internal hard drive total capacity of about at least 75 GB. It is not a guarantee, but keeping the project small to medium might keep you going.

I will continue to support you to work through this matter if you want to. But, why don't you get a second opinion by posting your question at the Premiere Elements User to User Forum at Adobe:
http://www.adobeforums.com

I will be watching for your progress whatever the case.....

Good luck.

ATR

[dryfly]

You are most probably right about the low computer resources, although I do seem to meet Adobe’s minimum requirements as stated in the Adobe forum thread. If doubling the requirements is the answer, as suggested in that thread, then I guess I am out of luck.
I could move 50 GB of files onto my external drive but this seems an over-the-top solution with my present set-up.
As a matter of interest, I have never had a problem with any of my many photo or video editing programs (perhaps I should remove a few of them) for the past six years.
Premiere appears to be an excellent, easy to use, video editing program which I was looking forward to using. I guess I’ll have to wait until I take the plunge and purchase my seventh computer.
Thanks again for all your help.

[ATR]

dryfly

Whatever you decide, I will look forward to hearing of your progress.

Your suggestion of removing a few of your "many photo and video editing programs" sounds like a good route to pursue. But, I would do so if you have them on installation disc so that they can be reinstalled if uninstalling them does not free up enough resources to get you moving forward with Premiere Elements. You could proceed with the uninstalling one at a time, noting the consequences. A software conflict problem as well as other issues could still exist even if we ironed out the resource question.

But, these considerations need to be addressed systematically to get the cause/effect.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

I would just like to confirm ATR's thoughts and suggestions here if you don't mind. I agree that without the proper amount of space on your hard drive it is very difficult to do any further troubleshooting as that is most probably at least part of the problem.

The RAM is also another issue and for Premiere Elements 2GB of RAM should be a requirement even though Adobe doesn't seem to think so.

My other thought is that at least some of your video is most likely MJPEG. It is very possible you don't have a MJPEG codec installed on your machine, which could cause problems similar to what you are experiencing. There is a MJPEG codec that is highly regarded and is produced by LEAD. http://download.cnet.com/Lead-MJPEG-MCMP-Video-Codec/3000-13631_4-10043871.html ($9.95 but worth the price if you need the codec). There is a trial you can download and test it out. But first I would try to find out if the video is indeed MJPEG, you can do that with a little codec tool called GSpot http://www.headbands.com/gspot/v26x/index.htm and some instructions here http://www.headbands.com/gspot/v26x/quick_start.html

The Lead MJPEG codec only needs to be installed on your machine, then Premiere Elements will use it if the video is actually MJPEG. Whatever you decide to do, the best of luck to you going forward.

[ATR]

CE

I do not know if you saw my comments about file format in post #2 of this thread....

The Canon ZR500 appears to be a miniDV camcorder. I am assuming that you are shooting in Standard Definition or Widescreen mode (no HD involved). How are you capturing the recording from that camcorder: camcorder-firewire connection-direct capture into Premiere Elements 7 using the true Capture interface so that you are putting your camcorder recording on the Premiere Elements 7 Timeline as DV AVI (the native format of Premiere Elements Timeline) + plus saving a copy to a computer hard drive location.

The Canon S5IS movie recordings are a different story. Although they have the file extension of .avi, they are not DV AVI. What you have is Motion JPEG AVI. Not all .avi are created equal. AVI is a wrapper format that can contain different compression, for example, Motion JPEG AVI, DV AVI, AVI MPEG4, XVID, DivX...all can have file extension of .avi.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

Yes, I did see that ATR. That is why I mention the MJPEG codec required.

[dryfly]

Wouldn’t the fact that I imported videos from the camcorder and digital camera via the Premiere 7 interface negate the codec problem? I observed Premiere 7 performing a conversion process before saving these files.
The file I am using as a test is the most recent one taken from the camcorder (see post #3). It is about fifty seconds long, is stored in the Adobe\Premiere Elements\7.0 folder and it’s size is 179 MB.
The file size of the jpg that I tested is only 500 k.
Both of these files display perfectly in Quicktime 7.6, Windows Media Player and RealPlayer.
I’m kind of thinking that if this isn’t a resource problem then I am missing something simple (why would Premiere 7 not display a jpg file?). Don’t ask me what the answer is though.
Tomorrow, and the day after, I am going fly-fishing for trout where nothing enters my mind except the wonders of nature (see http://users.eastlink.ca/~dryfly/log.htm (http://users.eastlink.ca/%7Edryfly/log.htm) ).

[ATR]

CE

A missing codec idea may be in order somewhere down the line, but introducing it now may distract from primary/basic issues related to resources...for example, a few posts back Dryfly wrote

On top of that I imported a jpg file and this would not play.

Summary for "does not work":
DV AVI video
Motion JPEG video
JPEG still image

So once dryfly can use DV AVI video and JPEG stills in the project, then might be the time to:
a. try bringing in the Motion JPEG video
b. and then, thinking about the LEAD codec download if the MotionJPEG video cannot be used

I am not saying not to think about it, but rather just put off that suggestion for when the timing is right in the troubleshooting scheme of things.

ATR

[dryfly]

Just out of interest...
Windows Media Player states that the file generated by Premiere 7 is 720 x 480 and the Codec is DV Video Decoder.
Quicktime states that this file is 853 x 480 and the Format is DV/DVCPRO-NTSC. The 853 x 480 seems a little strange to me.

[ATR]

dryfly

I have the answer to your question, but just need to know beforehand,

This .avi file from Premiere Elements, was it DV AVI standard or widescreen?

ATR

[ATR]

dryfly,

Here goes my answer without the information just requested....

You are probably looking at a DV AVI file (widescreen 16:9) generated by Premiere Elements, maybe from a project with a project preset of NTSC DV Widescreen and generated by File Menu/Export/Movie or Share Personal Computer/ DV AVI using DV NTSC Widescreen.

What you see in Windows Media Player and Quicktime are not insistent with one other. It is just the terminology that is confusing.

In Windows Media Player you should be seeing:
720 x 480 (the frame size for NTSC DV Widescreen)
4:3 actual, 16:9 displayed
DV Video Decoder (which was necessary for the playback of this video that used the Microsoft DV AVI codec)

In Quicktime you should be seeing:
Up at the top,
Format: DV/DVCPRO- NTSC (An Apple version of the DV codec) and 853 x 480 (which are the Display value for this DV AVI widescreen...these numbers will change as your resize the Quicktime window)
Further down the specs, you will see
Normal 853 x 480
Current 853 x 480 (if you have not resized the Quicktime window)

But, you ask "Where did the Normal = 853 x 480 come from? What happened to the 720 x 480? The 853 x 480 is the square pixel values for the 720 x 480 rectangular pixel value.

At this point, I would have to do get more information on why Apple does it that way.

Check out the following link...noting especially the paragraph where it says
"For NTSC/DV widescreen at 720 x 480 the square pixel comp size is 856 x 480".

Please let me know if that helped.

ATR

[dryfly]

Yes, you are correct, the video in question was filmed using the widescreen option.
And yes, the Quicktime "Movie Inspector" information is exactly as you stated.
While playing the video in Premiere 7 I popped up Windows Task Manager and checked the "Performance." The Physical Memory drops quite low but never runs out.
I'm grasping at straws. Maybe I'll go fishing tonight.
Thanks again.

[Chuck Engels]

I observed Premiere 7 performing a conversion process before saving these files.


Just to address this statement as well, Premiere Elements is creating a PEAK file, that is for audio purposes, and it also conforms the audio portion of the files if there is any to the project standard. It does no conversion of video at all until you render the timeline and at that time it creates render files for preview purposes, that's all.

Have fun on your fly fishing trip :)

[ATR]

dryfly

I do not remember that quote about Premiere Elements and the program performing a conversion process before saving, so let me give you my take on your observation now....

By performing a conversion process before saving,
are you referring to the bar at the bottom right of the interface, with a blue ban that gives you a progress report as it begins and ends...?
or
are you referring to a dialog box that sort of flashes on and off in the middle of the interface with a progress looking bar running from left to right as it appears and disappears?

The latter is just the program auto saving (See Edit Menu/Preferences/Auto Save). More about that later if that is what you were referring to.

The former is another matter...there can be two types of rendering:

one where you or the program's auto functions render the files imported to the Timeline or internal files to be used in the project to get a better preview of the final end product. Whenever this occurs there are preview files that pile up on your hard drive in the Adobe folder (see Edit Menu/Preferences/Scratch Disc as well as wherever you have the Adobe folder). For you this could be bad news, since these "preview files" are taking up valuable hard drive space.

When the program automatically goes into action "conforming" audio and video to the project, a lot of conformed files can be piled onto the hard drive...for audio, these conformed files have the file extension of .pek or .cfa. They can be found in the Adobe Folder. They can come from DVD templates/movie themes audio or audio that was the audio part of your imported video/audio. These .pek and .cfa can be deleted. They will be automatically regenerated if needed again.

But, beware, there is a video counterpart which has a .mcdb file extension. These are often hidden away in Documents and Settings/Application Data/in an Adobe Media Cache location...another pile up area taking up hard drive space.

All of the above has to do with just obtaining a better viewed in real time preview, not quality.

The other type of rendering occurs when you encode/export your video. There are encoding files from the project that pile up in the Adobe Folder during encoding (temporary).

That is the rest of the story. As for going fishing, when I saw that comment, I thought that you were going to spend the evening exploring and experimenting with Premiere Elements? Did I miss the boat??

Whatever the case, good luck.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

dryfly

I do not remember that quote about Premiere Elements and the program performing a conversion process before saving

Post #12 just in case you were wondering :)

[ATR]

CE

Thanks CE. I really could not find that quote. It must be the time of day and/or my eyes in this allergy season and sneezing right passed it.

ATR

[dryfly]

>are you referring to a dialog box that sort of flashes on and off in the middle of the interface with a progress looking bar running from left to right as it appears and disappears?

I just imported another video into Premiere 7 and the above is what I am seeing.

>Whenever this occurs there are preview files that pile up on your hard drive in the Adobe folder (see Edit Menu/Preferences/Scratch Disc as well as wherever you have the Adobe folder). For you this could be bad news, since these "preview files" are taking up valuable hard drive space.

I have redirected the Scratch Disc files to my external drive as you suggested. It did not make any difference, the audio was present but still no video, just flashing frames.

>That is the rest of the story. As for going fishing, when I saw that comment, I thought that you were going to spend the evening exploring and experimenting with Premiere Elements? Did I miss the boat??

No, you did not miss the boat. I was gonna go but decided to spend my evening with some very helpful people. How do you get those boxes around your quotes (I've used the > symbol)?
This has been a very educational experience but I am that close to giving up and placing the blame on my six year old, but very reliable, computer.

[dryfly]

One last thing.
I saved the most recent video, using Premiere 7, to a file on my computer. I then imported that file back into Premiere 7. Same problem, audio but no video. It works fine in Quicktime and Windows Media Player.
Gonna make some toast, read a book, watch some mindless tv and hit the sack. Then I'm going fishing!

[ATR]

dryfly

I saved the most recent video, using Premiere 7, to a file on my computer. I then imported that file back into Premiere 7. Same problem, audio but no video. It works fine in Quicktime and Windows Media Player.

When you say that you saved the most recent video, using Premiere 7, to a file, what export route did you use: Personal Computer/MPEG, DV AVI, Windows Media, Quicktime? And, are you saying that, before you saved this video and while it was in Premiere Elements Timeline, you could see the video in the Monitor and hear the audio?

I guess that I was wrong about the "fishing", but enjoy and come back refreshed. I will keep thinking about this and see if I can come up with anything besides the resource issue.

Are you now able to import one jpeg photo to the Premiere Elements Timeline? And, do you have a very short audio clip? If so, try putting the jpeg on Video Track 1 and the audio clip on Audio Track 1, export to DV AVI (File Menu/Export/Movie), and then bring that DV AVI back into Premiere Elements and check to see if you have video + audio.

ATR

[dryfly]

Back from fishing. The blackflies drove us off the river.
I had a dream last night about my computer. I imagined a tiny switch on the side of the box that would solve the problem. I think it's an indication that I should get on with doing other things.

>When you say that you saved the most recent video, using Premiere 7, to a file, what export route did you use: Personal Computer/MPEG, DV AVI, Windows Media, Quicktime?

Saved as a DV AVI file.

>And, are you saying that, before you saved this video and while it was in Premiere Elements Timeline, you could see the video in the Monitor and hear the audio?

No. Only audio.

>Are you now able to import one jpeg photo to the Premiere Elements Timeline?

I can put it in the Timeline but it does not show up in the player unless I click on the player screen. When I go to play it the player screen goes blank. The same goes for all of the videos.

>And, do you have a very short audio clip? If so, try putting the jpeg on Video Track 1 and the audio clip on Audio Track 1, export to DV AVI (File Menu/Export/Movie), and then bring that DV AVI back into Premiere Elements and check to see if you have video + audio.

Just done that. Same problem, audio but no video.
Somewhere I have seen comments regarding problems with Quicktime 7.6 but I can't remember where.
Anyway, I'm sure you have other members needing help and I think it's time to put my problem aside. I really do appreciate all the time you've given me (I do know what it's like trying to solve problems with other people's computers).
Take good care
Dryfly

[Chuck Engels]

Sorry if this was brought up already as the thread is getting rather long.
Have you checked into the Desktop Display Modes yet ATR?

I have posted this problem on my forum as well, may get a quick answer there.

[ATR]

CE

Check out the very first post (#1) when dryfly presented his case...had to switch out of the Desktop Display Mode = Standard.....

Did you post all the details elsewhere to present the big picture, including the state of the resources involved?

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

No, I didnt' post all of the details to start with, just looking for an initial response from anyone that may have run across this in the past. I figured you covered the display mode settings already, just thought I'd check without reading everything over again, thanks.

[Chuck Engels]

After reading post #1, 2 and 3 again I am wondering...
EDIT: I see that you have tried changing the display settings in Premiere Elements. I have never known that to effect any other programs however.

One other question DryFly, what resolution is your monitor set to? Is it at least 1024 x 768?

[ATR]

CE

You should also read posts # 4 and 5 which mentioned updating video drivers as well as update resources such as available RAM and free hard drive space.

Unfortunately dryfly does not feel comfortable about updating video drivers for his 6 year old computer system and has not/cannot manage to add more RAM or free up hard drive space. So it appears to me that until we address what most people would think are the most obvious causes of the problems, we are just spinning our wheels picking and choosing other pieces of the puzzle. As you know from your experiences, troubleshooting suggestions are meaningless unless you act on the most likely causes of the problem in a systematic way.

Soundtrack issues for another user have similar aspects. There too the resource issue is top of the list and appears to be borne out by the systematic troubleshooting that is going on there.

I will reserve further comments until we hear from dryfly about what is happening on his side.

To be continued....

ATR

[ATR]

CE

I took a trip over to your web site to see what was going on with the discussion of this thread over there.

That got me wondering just what was that black video business that you were trying to recall in the comments there.

In the many threads that come and go, the only time I remember black video coming up (Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements) was when oversized photos were being used and the resources were pushed to almost crashing of the computer by the situation. (Note Dryfly's comment on that...low memory, but never zero!...

Strange things happen when resources are low. My first Adobe software was Photoshop Elements 3. At that time I had 512 MB RAM installed, about 40 GB free hard drive space. When I went to add Premiere Elements 2 to the computer, everything worked great UNTIL I went to access the program's Help. Clicking on Help did not bring up Help (most of the time). No one knew the answer, neither Adobe T/S or the Premiere Elements User to User Forum at Adobe. It is a long story how I had to find out for myself, but when I brought the available RAM to 1 GB and upped the free hard drive space to about at least 60 GB, the issue disappeared. Remember, I was not doing a large project in those days.

Dryfly should be back soon, and I am looking forward to what is happening on his side and whether the status quo is the final decision there.

ATR

[ATR]

dryfly,

What is happening there? Any further troubleshooting news to report, like increasing the available RAM and free hard drive space and updating the video driver?

CE Group Additional Idea.....

CE and his group at his home web site came up with the idea for you also to look at "hardware acceleration". Based on that thought, I am outlining the following for you JUST TO LOOK AT THE SETTING, not change it a this point. Although we prefer a systematic approach to troubleshooting and in view of the fact that we do not believe you have yet acted on the other suggestions, this suggestion might be an easy one to rule in or out and get out of the way.

In Premiere Elements, make a note of your Desktop Display Mode setting...Standard, Compatible....

Right click your computer Desktop and, from the drop down list, select Properties.

In the Display Properties Dialog, click on Settings.

Under Settings, click on Advanced.

The next dialog should have the name of your monitor and video card in its title. In this dialog, click Troubleshooting.

Under Troubleshooting, Hardware Acceleration, look to where the slider is positioned. Is it positioned at None, Full, or somewhere in the middle? In my Windows XP computer system/Premiere Elements 7 Desktop Display Mode always at Standard, I find that Hardware Acceleration slider at FULL.

Looking forward to your next report.

ATR

[dryfly]

Hi folks:
I bit the bullet and downloaded the latest Nvidia driver files and it worked!
I can't thank you enough for all the time and effort you've put into trying to solve my problem. Your help has convinced me to purchase PE7 and I look forward to some great editing on my fishing videos (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHtCycN-A4Q ).
Many, many thanks
Dryfly

[Chuck Engels]

Very happy to hear that Dryfly :)

[ATR]

dryfly

You do not know how happy I am that you bit that bullet and followed up on updating your video card and that solved your problem.

BUT, please do not buy Premiere Elements 7 until after you first try the free 30 day download from Adobe in your computer environment. And, please rethink your resources of available RAM and free hard drive space, especially if your fishing videos are longer rather than shorter.

Putting all that aside (just for the moment)...now is a time for congratulations and celebration for your success.

Continued success.,,,

ATR

[ATR]

dryfly,

I messed up on my comments to you in post #35. Sorry about that.

Way back in your post #1 you did say that you were in the process of testing the Premiere Elements 7 tryout. For some reason in post #35, I forgot all about that part. But, my comments still hold about the resources part.

ATR

[dryfly]

Yes, I will continue to test the trial edition of PE7.
I realize how low my resources are but, apart from moving some of my files to the external drive, there is nothing else I can do with this particular computer. I've had this one longer than any of my others so perhaps it is about time I looked at a new one.
My hesitation about installing driver files was due to the fact that I did not have any problems with any of my video or photo editing programs before now (I adhere to that old saying that "If it ain't broke, don't fix it").
I will continue to check this forum if I need help.
Thanks once again.

[ATR]

dryfly

I neglected to mention that I viewed the video that you posted and thought that it was excellent in every way. I could almost feel the fish and felt part of the motion. The rippling water views were beautiful.

If you were able to create that video with your present computer system (with the updated video card) and Premiere Elements 7 and with your current level of resources, then I would not rush to make any changes in the status quo. But, I would define the limits of the status quo and then act on that accordingly.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

Dryfly, I have a similar Dell and you can add up to 4GB of RAM. I still use that machine for much of my video editing, pretty much everything except High Definition video.
You can go a long way with that machine still ;)

[ATR]

CE

That is an interesting comment. For some reason dryfly stated that increasing the RAM was not possible in the computer system involved in this thread. Now I am wondering if that was a cost effective reason or a reason related to the computer motherboard slots.

Cliff hanger.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

There are 4 RAM slots, the computer comes standard with 4 x 256MB sticks.
The RAM needs to be matched, so you have to have identical sticks in the slots.
But you don't need to fill all 4 slots, you can put two 1GB sticks in just two of the slots, 1 and 3 I believe but would have to check for sure which RAM slots are matched together.

[ATR]

CE

Looking forward to more details that would give dryfly more options with regard to RAM... But, freeing up more hard drive space needs looking into...it has been so many posts ago, but I recall about 19 GB free hard drive space.

ATR