Trouble Getting All Video Clips On Video 1 Timeline

[debblynn210]

I am using Adobe Premiere Elements 7. I am trying to put together a project using several video clips from our Sony DCR -SR100. When I open Adobe Premiere and start a new project, I import the files I want use. WHen using SCENELINE, I try to drag files down to each square that says "drag next clip here", but only the first square is used. Everytime I try to drag a second clip to the second square in scenline, nothing happens. If I switch to TIMELINE, then each clip I drag goes to a different video line number. I can drag them together but it puts them all on Video 4. Shouldn't they be on video 1? All I want to do is make a video using all the clips on one video line. Or doesn't this work on Premiere 7? HELP??? I am getting very frustrated with this. I have used the last two versions of Adobe Premiere and had no problems like this.

[ATR]

debblynn210

This issue has been brought up previously and was the topic here of a very comprehensive thread on the subject. I need to search for that link, but here is the a composite of what is involved.

Your camcorder is recording MPEG2 video to its hard drive with 5.1 channel sound. The 5.1 channel sound and the way Premiere Elements handles it is the reason for what you are observing in the Sceneline View. The remedies are:
a. switch to the Timeline view
b. change the camcorder 5.1 channel sound to Dolby Digital Stereo (which in most cases is not possible).

Keep in mind that, although you can import the 5.1 channel sound, Premiere Elements ONLY export Dolby Digital Stereo.

In the Timeline View, you will see that the program puts your video on Video Track 4 or 5 (do not remember which) and your audio on Audio Track 4 or 5 (do not remember which). The important point is that the video is not on Video Track 1 and the audio is not on Audio Track 1. The Sceneline View picks up Video Track 1 content....you do not see an Audio Track 1 in the Sceneline view.

So when you are having these problems in the Sceneline View, switch to the Timeline View to check out what I have just said. In the Timeline View, what track is your video on, what track is your audio on.

To be continued....

ATR

[ATR]

debblynn210

This is the link to which I was referring in my previous post in this thread:

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

ATR

[ATR]

debblynn210

I saw your comment that you just posted at the end of millern55's long thread that dealt with your topic also and commented on the comment that you added there.

Please read the whole millern55's thread and its details, review what I have written in your thread, and, if the matter is still not clear, let me know and I will try to explain it a different way if I can. It is important that you realize what is happening when 5.1 channel sound is part of your camcorder recording and you bring that recording into Premiere Elements 7.

ATR

[Barb O]

Hi debblynn210,

My son has the Sony DCR-SR100. So I thought I would mention my expereince that this problem did not occur in for me Premiere Elements 3 either: I never installed v4 but I suspect it did not exist there either.

Using v7 with this video and its weird track placement, one action that I though helped somewhat is to Delete Unused Tracks after your video/audio is on track 4. This will bring your MPEG2video/5.1audio down to track2 as long as you have not previously used tracks 2 and 3. In my opinion, deleting those inbetween tracks made the Timeline easier to use, HOWEVER it does not fix the problem of the Sceneline.

I think that you can right click on one of those unused tracks (2 or 3) and choose Delete Unused Tracks - but I am not in front of PremElem to verify that now.

There also is a Preference that controls how many tracks are created initially but I have not experimented with adjusting that value. I don't think it would solve the Sceneline problem.

[ATR]

debblynn210

There are additional discussions on debblynn210 topic at the end of millern55 thread
http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41156&page=5

After reviewing all of your alternatives, I believe you will end up having to use the Premiere Elements Timeline View which is an excellent choice.

When you are ready, we can discuss use of the Timeline further. I am not sure if setting a preset for tracks will help or hinder your editing experience. It depends on what your usual project will contain.

I will be watching for your progress.

ATR

[ATR]

debblynn210

Decided to post some starter suggestions for your to review:

1. Apparently your Sony is recording MPEG2 with the 5.1 channel sound. This MPEG2 is recorded to the camcorder's hard drive, and you can set for 4:3 or 16:9 (standard definition, that is frame size 720 x 480 with 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio). For this example, let us assume that you pick 4:3.

2. Transfer/save your video to your computer hard drive and import the video from your computer internal hard drive save location to the Premiere Elements Timeline (not Sceneline). Since the camcorder is recording to its hard drive, beforehand set the Premiere Elements project preset for NTSC/Hard Drive Flash Memory Camcorders/Standard (that takes care of Fields issues that I will explain another time).

3. Try to get used to working with editing your video on those Timeline upper tracks where they will end up.

4. Then move forward to Create Menus and/or Share/Disc/Disc and Burn to Disc using the Burn Preset for NTSC Widescreen Dolby. As I said before, you can bring 5.1 channel in, but Premiere Elements will export Dolby Digital Stereo.

5. Take the DVD-VIDEO that you created and play it back on your TV via its TV/DVD player and check out its quality.

If you have any problems along the way, let me know, and we can discuss resolving the problem(s) or a workaround (maybe the MPEG Streamclip MPEG2 to DV AVI conversion).

Also, I would call Sony as soon as possible to confirm that the 5.1 channel sound of your camcorder cannot be changed to Dolby Digital Stereo. There is one part in the camcorder's instruction manual that makes you think that you can, but I think it relates to playback in the camcorder. As I said, we have been through this with Sony before, but another call from another person would not hurt.

Please let me know if I goofed on any of your camcorder's operating details. I believe them to be accurate, but just double check.

ATR

[blund]

Hi!
I've just transfered my MPG video material from camcorder hdd via usb,
imported to PE7 and stuck with the same prob.
But what I beleve, it's becouse the default audio track is not 5.1 DD.

Can I change it and, how? While creating new project when I try to change the settings,
the list of available prests is empty and "new prest" button is inactive I can only cancel.
Although during creation, the project has DV-PAL settings but after that, I can see NTSC
everywhere in general and rendering, and also can't change a thing.
P

[ATR]

P

Please re-read what has been previously said in depth for the matter under discussion:

I repeat the fix (no Premiere Elements setting, other than switching from Sceneline to Timeline View)
a. In the Sony, switch the recording format from 5.1 channel to Stereo (when Sony has been asked about this for certain models, the response has been "no way"
b. Switch from Sceneline (which does not see the video on Video Track 4) to Timeline which will display all the video tracks, including Video Track 4.

If you are bringing into Premiere Elements 7 that Sony video (mpeg2) which was recorded with 5.1 channel sound, the problem will exist...namely, your video on Video Track 4 and your audio on Audio Track 4. Use of the Sceneline View for editing this imported video/audio will result in the problems reported. The Timeline View is the place to edit this video/audio, on Video Track 4 and Audio Track 4 where the video linked to its audio is placed by Premiere Elements 7.

You do not have AVCHD. If you did and it had 5.1 channel sound, THEN you could import that into Premiere Elements 7, use the AVCHD HD 1080i30 5.1 channel project preset, and end up with your video on Video Track 1 and your audio on Audio Track 1. THEN there should be no problem using the Timeline View or the Sceneline View for editing the video.

These are important points. If it is still not clear, please let me know and I will try to restate the issue another way. I have no explanation for why Adobe decided to have Premiere Elements 7 handle 5.1 channel sound that way. As you see, it works for AVCHD, but, if you are not recording in AVCHD, then you have the Sceneline view issue.

Earlier versions of Premiere Elements (probably Premiere Elements 4) which do not support AVCHD might be worth looking at for the non AVCHD with 5.1 channel sound imports,

There is no "create new preset" route to correct this problem. And, again Premiere Elements will only export Dolby Digital Stereo.

ATR