Premiere Elements 3.0 no video

[TheShorters]

Hi there,

I know I'm behind the times but I bought this back when I bought PSE 5.0 and now have children that I have video of and would like to edit it and send it to family.

The problem is that I have imported the files from my hard drive and I have also tried to import them from PSE 5.0 but either way I do it, I only get audio nooooooooo video. The files are .avi so they should work. I can see them on windows player and also if I play them in the PSE 5.0 organizer I can see them there too. I run windows XP service pack 2.

I'm really confused. Could someone help please?! Thanks in advance.

[Chuck Engels]

Can you play the files in Windows Media Player? I am thinking they are probably MJPEG files and you are missing the proper codec to play them correctly in Premiere Elements. Letting us know if you can play them on your computer at all will help :)

[ATR]

Are you using Premiere Elements 3 or the Premiere Elements 3.0.2 Update version? It should be the Premiere Elements 3.0.2 Update version.

Files with the file extension .avi are not necessary DV AVI which is the native format of the Premiere Elements Timeline. So, top of the list, we need to know where these .avi's came from to determine what compression format was used to encode them. If you know the brand and model of the camcorder that recorded them, let me know, and I will figure it out if you do not know the video/audio recording format used by the camcorder. Also, how many of these video files are you placing on the Timeline and what is the duration of each?

Also, there is a free program called gspot that you can download, and often helps in figuring out if there is a missing codec involved in the mix. The program is quick and easy to use. I have used it, so, if you have any problems, I will give you a step by step.
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/v26x/quick_start.html

Another focus point is your computer,
1. what is your computer operating system?
2. how much installed and available RAM as well as free hard drive space does the computer have?
3. who set up the virtual memory, you or your operating system?
4. is your computer optimized...defragmented, etc.??
5. have you ever considered updating from Service Pack 2 to 3, although, for updating, I would start with the Premiere Elements if it is not 3.0.2 and with the video card.

Let us start here and see where it leads us.

ATR

[ATR]

The files are .avi so they should work. I can see them on windows player and also if I play them in the PSE 5.0 organizer I can see them there too.

Since the comments in CE's seems to have overlooked the quote from the original The Shorters' question, I think that we should get all the answers we need if The Shorters' respond to all my questions which are quite comprehensive in nature.

ATR

[Barb O]

If you know the brand and model of the camcorder that recorded them, let me know, and I will figure it out if you do not know the video/audio recording format used by the camcorder. Also, how many of these video files are you placing on the Timeline and what is the duration of each?

ATR

Hi everyone,

I am quoting the above from ATR's previous post because I suspect that it will be the simplest and the quickest information for "TheShorters" to provide. Also I think that for the duration of the video files, approximations will be sufficient as a starter. Therefore, I would suggest posting back with the above information first.

Then the additional time can be spent answering ATR's additional questions.

[ATR]

The Shorters

I love to troubleshoot, and I enjoy the feed back that something works that did not previously.

For me, details one at a time make troubleshooting labored. So, take your time, but please respond to all the questions together since it is from the overview details (the whole picture) that we can get you moving forward with your project.

Thank you.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

Since the comments in CE's seems to have overlooked the quote from the original The Shorters' question, I think that we should get all the answers we need if The Shorters' respond to all my questions which are quite comprehensive in nature.

ATR

Sorry, you are correct ATR. Somehow I missed that part, must be reading too fast. Maybe it was that Evelyn Wood Speed Reading course I took 30 years ago :o

[ATR]

CE

That happens.

Right now, we just need for The Shorters to get back to use with the whole picture so that we can get them moving forward....just hate a Premiere Elements stuck in Idle.

ATR

[TheShorters]

Hi there,

thanks for the repsonses so far. Here goes the answers:

I did the update to 3.0.2 (still can't see the videos)

These clips that I'm trying to see are just from my digital camera. Canon PowerShot SD700. I do have a DV camcorder which I also have questions about how to transfer the videos from the camera/tape to the computer. (I'll ask those ??? later)

The clips are anywhere from 30 sec to a little over 2 mins. I have 3-4 clips that I have imported to the time line from the SD card. I have also tried to import them thru PSE 5.0 and straight from the hard drive. Still with the same response. I can view them on my Windows player just not thru Premiere. Another odd thing...I CAN see the videos if I use the PSE 5.0 Media player. why is that?

I have 78.2 GB worth of free space. I am running Windows XP serv pack 2.

Not sure what you mean about virtual memory or how to check that. But when I went into "My Computer" and checked out system info and performance options...under virtual memory it says: Total paging file sizes for all drives: 1920MB

It says for RAM I have 1.25GB but that is on the general tab of the system info so I'm not sure where to find how much is available.

Yes the system is optimized.

I actually was surprised to see that I was only running the SP2 and not 3. I can update that if that will help but I'll wait to see what you say first

Ok I also just downloaded that GSpot program and it says that they are MJPEGs soooo now what do I do?

ok I think that is a start.

P.S. as for my Digital Camcorder it is a Panasonic PV-GS150. I can see the videos if I run the firewire cable to the computer just not sure how to download them from the camera to the laptop. But one thing at a time I guess. :)

Thanks again in advance for your help

[TheShorters]

ATR, I just realized that you are viewing this thread as I was typing some additional info...here it is if we crossed paths. Sorry

I downloaded Gspot and it says that the clip is a MJPEG but Premiere Elements says its an .AVI.

and why is it that I can see the clips if I play them thru the PSE 5.0 media player?

[ATR]

The Shorters,

Thank you for all the details. They were very helpful.

First, your Canon SD700 is recording MotionJPEG AVI which is not the same as DV AVI. AVI is considered a wrapper format which can contain different compression, for example, MotionJPEG AVI, DV AVI, AVI MPEG4, .... DV AVI is the native format of the Premiere Elements Timeline and non DV AVI format can sometimes have problems with use in Premiere Elements.

All that being said....
1. First, have you updated your video card driver?
2. Download the free software gspot which will help you identify the codec that was used to create the file and pin point the missing codec
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/v26x/quick_start.html
If any questions on its use or interpretation, please let me know. Once we see the results, perhaps it will direct us to an appropriate codec to download and install
maybe http://www.pcdownloadworld.com/prgdb/morgan-multimedia-mjpeg-codec.htm
I would have to think about that some more.

Another approach may be to convert the MotionJPEG to DV AVI with a converter. And then bring the DV AVI version to the Premiere Elements Timeline. We can talk about this when the time comes. We might want to consider trying a Windows Media Player conversion to DV AVI and see if that works. More on that later. I would have to check to see if MPEG Streamclip and VirtualDub would also do the conversion. Is there software that came with the CanonSD700 that would do this conversion?

In the final analysis, the answer may be the MotionJPEG AVI conversion to DV AVI, followed by bringing the DV AVI version to the Premiere Elements 3.0.2 Timeline via its Get Media/Files & Folders. But, let us see.

To be continued....

ATR

[ATR]

correction....

consider trying a Windows Media Player conversion to DV AVI and see if that works. More on that later. I would have to check to see if MPEG Streamclip and VirtualDub would also do the conversion. Is there software that came with the CanonSD700 that would do this conversion?

Windows Media Player should be Windows Movie Maker

Sorry for the typing error.

ATR

[ATR]

The Shorters

Sorry, I think that I skipped one of your comments as well as a whole post.

Back on track re: gspot

In gspot..
Video
Do you see
Codec MJPG (yes from your report)
Name MotionJPEG (yes from your report)
but the important part is
Status: that should say Codec(s) are Installed (does it say that?)

If it does, then the next step is to try to convert the MotionJPEG to DV AVI with Windows Movie Maker.

Your MotionJPEG AVI has a file extension of .avi (gspot is just not displaying the file extension in that area designated Video). You should see .avi mentioned in the File Path or Container section to the left of the dialog. But, the important part is what is listed after "Status".

Sorry about the overlap. I think that we are back in sync.

ATR

[ATR]

The Shorters

Although I prefer to stay focused on one topic at a time, I think that in this situation there is justification for introducing the Panasonic PV-GS150 whose video recordings can be captured as DV AVI directly into Premiere Elements Timeline, at the same time being saved to a hard drive location of choice. The DV AVIs generated can serve the dual purpose of providing an editing format for a Premiere Elements project .prel but also service as a control format for troubleshooting any problem non DV AVI video.

The Panasonic PV-GS150 is a miniDV camcorder and, when a firewire connection is used, its video can be capture directly into Premiere Elements with DV compression and a file extension of .avi. There are very detailed and easy to follow instructions for doing this in the Premiere Elements 3.0.2 Help, so I will not go step by step unless requested. (see Help "To Capture from DV and HDV camcorders")
Basically
1. Connect camcorder IEEE1394 (iLink) port to computer IEEE1394 port via Firewire.
2. Turn on camcorder and set it to playback, which might be labelled VTR, VCR, or Play.
3. Start Premiere Elements 3.0.2
4. Set up, followed by Preference settings
5. Get Media/Capture
6. When all is said and done (scene detect by timecode on), you will end up with your scenes split by timecode and in the Premiere Elements media of the open project .prel file as well as saved to the designated folder on your computer hard drive.

You cannot do this type of capture with the video from your Canon. The MotionJPEG AVI from that camera needs to be transferred from Canon to computer hard drive and then gotten (if supported) into Premiere Elements via its Get Media/Files & Folders.You can trim (split) that video within Premiere Elements. More on that other time, if requested.

I have tried to present all this in a logical sequence. If that is not the case, please let me know and I will re-channel my response accordingly.

To be continued....

ATR

[TheShorters]

Yes it does say that the codecs are installed.

Where would I go to find my video card and to see if its updated or needs to be updated. If it does need an update where do I go to do that?

[TheShorters]

also it sounds like I'll have to the conversion with Movie Maker....how does that whole process work?

[ATR]

The Shorters,

This is part one, re: video card update

Try this route,
Control Panel
Display
Settings
In that Settings section is the word "Display". Under that and above the Screen Resolution is a panel that should include the name of the video card. Then go to the manufacturer's online site to see if you can find the update for it.

The other route there is
Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information/Components/Multimedia/Display

Please let me know if you find it.

I will have the Windows Movie Maker write up in an hour or early tomorrow morning.

ATR

[Barb O]

ATR and The Shorters,

The link shown below is an FAQ at the Adobe site Premiere Elements forum which includes a description for using Windows Movie Maker for conversion to DV-AVI

"What tools can I use to convert my video to DV-AVI? (http://forums.adobe.com/message/1872436#1872436)"

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/415317?tstart=0

[ATR]

The Shorters and BarbO

I just got finished typing my how to for Windows Movie Maker, so I am going to post it anyway just in case the link posted may have left any further questions:

1. Open Windows Movie Maker
2. Go to File Menu/Import Into Collections
3. In the Import File Dialog, browse to MotionJPEG saved to hard drive, select it and click Import to bring it into the Windows Movie Maker Media area.
4. This is the important part....while the video is still in the Media area (not on the Timeline yet), go to Tools/Options and set for whether you want NTSC or PAL or 4:3 or 16:9.
5. Once that is done, then drag the video to the Timeline. Highlight it.
6. Then go to the File Menu/Save Movie File, supplying a name for the file and a save location for it.
7. When you get to Movie Settings, make sure the "Other" is dotted and select DV-AVI (NTSC) if you set up for NTSC in Tools or DV-AVI (PAL) if you set up for PAL in Tools.
8. Proceed from there as instructed and that is it.

With all the how tos, you should do great.

I am looking forward to your results. Good luck.

ATR

[ATR]

Before I dash back to my other response I want to get out before midnight, I just took a quick look at that other link. Excellent review article that I have seen before, but... I am glad that I posted after all. At quick glance I saw that SG's link did not include details for Tools/Options for NTSC vs PAL, 4:3 vs 16:9 choices.

I hope that my step by step (including the Tools/Options) expedites matters.

ATR

[TheShorters]

WOW it worked!! I updated the video card. but before I restarted the computer I tried following your SUPER clear instructions for the movie maker. After I finished in movie maker I opened PE and imported it from the file/folder and it worked!!! THANK YOU so much!!

Couple other quick questions now....So this means I will have to do this process EVERY time I download a video clip from my digital camera (Canon) right?

I also have looked at the camera settings to see if there was a different mode for shooting the video and there doesn't seem to be, OTHER than shooting in a compressed mode for emailing purposes I guess. Should I shoot in that mode because the clip that I have been working on that NOW finally works is a whole 2 mins long but says that it is 448MB which is WAY to big to email. I even tried to zip the file but it doesn't compress very much at all. After I zipped it it still said it was 382MB which was really confusing to me.

Is there another way to compress this video to be able to email it?

One other question is should I shoot in a compressed mode or standard mode to be able to still edit it if I need to? (I hope I'm being clear)

Most/all of these videos will just be for emailing or saving to my computer since (of course) when I bought this computer I didn't have children and didn't think I would EVER use/need a DVD burner!

Thanks again ATR for all your help! It was FABULOUS!

I'll check on the camcorder next and get back to you.

[ATR]

The Shorters

Congratulations on your success. That was wonderful news.

First, about conversion every time....probably yes, but...
from what you wrote, it was not clear whether you used the converted version of the video only after the video card update. If that was the case, try the original MotionJPEG AVI again and determine if that now works also.

Next, about emailing your video...probably one of those online video sharing services will be your route, but first let us see what we can do with the file size....
a. I looked at your CanonPowerShot SD700 shooting modes which included Standard as well as Compact which was described for email purposes. The specs for the Compact Mode was 160 x 120, 15 fps, and max. duration 3 min.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=SupportDetailTabAct&fcategoryid=224&modelid=13019

I would consider shooting in the Standard Mode (640 x 480, 30 fps), saving that to your computer hard drive, and then bringing that into Premiere Elements as recorded (MotionJPEG AVI) or its DV AVI version. You can export that Timeline, using Premiere Elements' Windows Media export to get a reduced file size (changing the frame size and rate if necessary).

See Export, Windows Media, Cable Modem. And, then under the Advanced Button in that dialog, you can adjust frame size as well as frames per second. Your choices could include:
Default: 320 x 240, 30 fps
Advance, Adjusted to: 160 x 120, 30 fps
Canon Compact recording setting: 160 x 120, 15 fps
Or other

Without going into further detail at this point, I would shoot in Standard (higher resolution) and use Premiere Elements export choices to generate the appropriate size for emailing. You could experiment with various formats and then go with the one that gives you an acceptable file size and quality.

I will be watching for your progress.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

Just for future reference I have a video tutorial on converting to AVI using Windows Movie Maker http://muvipix.com/products.php?subcat_id=42

Glad you got things working :)

[ATR]

The Shorters,

Let me begin by saying that I have not viewed CE's how to video tutorial whose link he posted, but I do know that the title of it is "tu-Converting from WMV to DV-AVI Using Movie Maker".

Since we all know that you are starting with MotionJPEG AVI, and not WMV, I did not want you to dismiss the link because of its name. The principles are the same whether you are starting with a WMV files or MotionJPEG AVI file. However, I am not sure of the depth of detail in the video tutorial suggested.

In the MotionJPEG AVI conversion to DV AVI with Windows Movie Maker that I posted and you used successfully, I took an actual MotionJPEG AVI and wrote down every detail possible as I converted that to DV AVI, using Windows Movie Maker.


ATR

[Barb O]

Couple other quick questions now....So this means I will have to do this process EVERY time I download a video clip from my digital camera (Canon) right?



You do not necessarily need to convert to DV-AVI every time. Over multiple versions of Premiere Elements (and specifically including PE 3) some people who have the Canon cameras that record videos in MJPEG have experienced these problems with Premiere Elements and others have not. For example I have successfully used MJPEG video from my Canon A650IS in PE3 on my Windows XP PC without converting it or installing any additional codecs.

HOWEVER, there have also been cases (including my experience) where the quality of the video output from Premiere Elements can be improved when either the Canon MJPEG video was converted to DV-AVI using W Movie Maker or a different MJPEG codec was downloaded and installed. One person who tested both methods concluded that either method gave about the same degree of quality improvement. So there are alternatives.

Now that you have one method that works (converting), you could return to the task of analyzing the video codecs that are on your computer system.

1- potentially you have another codec installed that is conflicting with the usage of the default MJPEG codec in applications like Priemere Elements. For example, there was a free Panasonic DV codec that people had concluded would conflict.

2- potentially you have or will experience a bug in a mjpeg codec that comes with Windows XP. Experiencing this bug appears to be more likely as you add more of the mjpeg video files to the PE timeline. It might also be dependent on the PC system resources.

Both problems 1 and 2 have been resolved by prior Adobe site forum participants by downloading and installing an (additional) MJPEG codec OR by converting to DV-AVI. Unfortunately the redesign of the Adobe forums makes it difficult to find the history of previous posts and I don't immediatley have a reference link available.

Should you shoot at a lower resolution or frame rate in the camera? My recommendation is NO : why?

My experience was that it was very difficult to work with Canon MJPEG 15 frame per second 320x240 video in Premiere Elements 3 and get good quality results. If you will ever want to write this video to a video DVD for TV playback OR post to a video site, I suggest a higher resolution choice when recording the video. 640 x 480 at 30 fps is the choice I use for my Canon still camera video clips.

[TheShorters]

You all are GREAT! Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out. Each of you has really given me great tips and help all of which have been so clear. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your help. Especially you ATR!

One last question (for now at least) now that I've converted the clip and edited in PE 3.0, when I save it or want to email it to some one (grandparents, etc.) what happens if they don't have PE? Will Windows Media Player work for them? Will they be able to see the video? Trust me my parents are NOT techie by any means and if they can't just double click on the video and then click play....it ain't gonna happen.

[ATR]

BarbO

HOWEVER, there have also been cases (including my experience) where the quality of the video output from Premiere Elements can be improved when either the Canon MJPEG video was converted to DV-AVI using W Movie Maker or a different MJPEG codec was downloaded and installed. One person who tested both methods concluded that either method gave about the same degree of quality improvement. So there are alternatives.

Here I would need to think more about the references. Since the above mentions "....both methods.....gave about the same degree of quality improvement." This thread originated from a no video issue, not a quality issue.

Now that you have one method that works (converting), you could return to the task of analyzing the video codecs that are on your computer system.

1- potentially you have another codec installed that is conflicting with the usage of the default MJPEG codec in applications like Priemere Elements. For example, there was a free Panasonic DV codec that people had concluded would conflict.

From The Shorters report, gspot has told us that, for the MotionJPEG AVI from the Canon there, the codecs are installed. So, that leaves open the speculation of computer system codec conflicts. I am interested in seeing such references that elude to that possibility for MotionJPEG AVI issues.

All of our conjecture on this point becomes mute if The Shorters can now run the "problem MotionJPEG AVI" without problems in Premiere Elements now that their video card has been updated.

When and if that happens, then an aggressive search for conflicting codecs in the whole computer system may be of value to The Shorters and the Premiere Elements community.

ATR

[Barb O]

ATR, you and I are drawing different conclusions.

1 -- Even if the Canon MJPEG video would play after the video card driver update and without a conversion, I think that considering the potential quality improvements from conversion or from a better MJPEG codec is a relevant consideration.

There are many threads over the timeframe of PE 3, but the new Adobe forum format has made searching for older threads more difficult. I do not currently have the time to go back and search. Therefore, I summarized my observations after reading practically every Canon MJPEG related posting for PE 2 and PE 3 on the Adobe PE forum over the years - because my family owns multiple cameras which recorded that format.

2 -- I am not an expert in Gspot, but I wonder if it can verify that the installed codec can successfully process for editing a given Canon MJPEG file or whether it is only verifying that the file is MJPEG format and that some MJPEG codec is installed on this system.

[ATR]

BarbO

The gspot "Status" indicates that the codec necessary to play that specific file is installed, within the utilities' guidelines of the latest version of this utility.
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

We are always in a quest for better, but I just want to make sure we first clear the air with respect to what happened here....basically a video card update fix issue or a file conversion fix, or both, etc....before we bury it in the quest for better.

I too am concerned about the access that we have to recent as well as not so recent resources at web sites who have changed their format in the name of progress. I will make the time to search for codec conflict reports that you remember seeing and report back what I find.

ATR

[TheShorters]

I did the video card update but I still cannot see the video unless I do the conversion

[ATR]

The Shorters,

Thanks for the update.

Will the conversion keep you moving forward? And, will the miniDV recordings phase out these problem MotionJPEGs from the other camera so that the latter become a non issue?

Nonetheless I will continue to keep thinking on this. It is those whys that draw us on.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

Installing the LEAD MJPEG codec would most likely solve the problem. It is a solution highly recommended and used at the Adobe forum.
http://download.cnet.com/Lead-MJPEG-MCMP-Video-Codec/3000-13631_4-10043871.html
It is free to try, if it works you pay $10 to keep it.

[ATR]

The Shorters,

If the LEAD codec can be installed without unwanted consequences, it will yield some interesting results. It would give you more options in dealing with bringing MotionJPEG AVI into Premiere Elements, but it would also yield some valuable information on the interpretation of Status: from the gspot software.

I would leave System Restore ON.

ATR

[TheShorters]

ok when I go to the site to download the LEAD codec, all it did was download a shortcut to bring me to the website for their product which costs $35 IF thats the right product which I don't think it is. I'm a little confused. This is the link it downloads. http://www.m2solutionsinc.com/ The Download was 1.5MB and all it gave me was the link. very strange

[Chuck Engels]

If you click on the link I provided above at CNET, and then click on the 'Download Now' link it will open a download dialog box with the LEAD codec .exe file. Make sure any popup blockers are turned off and check for the caution bar in IE. I can download the file without problems. It is free to try and $10 to purchase.

[ATR]

The Shorters,

I am not for or against this LEAD codec idea. And, did get a little put back when I opened CE's link and saw the User Rating of 2 out of 5 for something that Adobe users highly recommend.

Be that as it may, when I opened his link, if I click on Download Now at the top of the page, a download box opens:

Opening LEADMCMPCodec E.EXE
from http://software-files.download.com

I cancelled out of there at this point.

ATR

[TheShorters]

HEY IT WORKED!!!!! no more conversions. Thanks Chuck!!! How do I go about purchasing it?

Now I just gotta learn how to edit movies now that I can see them! HAHA One thing at a time.

Oh and that ?? I asked earlier. Now when I'm done editing and want to send it to someone. Do I need to convert it to a Windows Media or will they just be able to click on it in their email and have it play?

Thanks again Chuck

[TheShorters]

And to answer your question ATR...I will still use the DV camcorder but having my tiny digital camera with me all the time is much easier since it just fits in my pocket. So it will be nice to be able just to shoot a video with that. So at any rate I'll use both at some point.

Now I just have to learn how to use PE 3.0 and I will go back to read your post about getting the videos I already have on the miniDV tapes downloaded to my computer so I can save and email those too

[ATR]

The Shorters,

I was happy to learn of your success. Great news. But, the credibility of gspot in this type of troubleshooting went way down. So, thanks for helping to give us that kind of feedback.

There is no export as MotionJPEG from Premiere Elements. For emailing, Adobe suggests Windows Media export which reduces the file size and gives good quality. But, you may have to explore non emailing routes to get it to your viewer depending on the size of the file and what the email systems support.

Now that you have video, editing and quality matters take spotlight.


ATR

[ATR]

The Shorters,

I think that we were typing and posting in sync, and our messages got out of sync.

Just let me know what you need, and I will work away offering suggestions.

This is an exciting moment for you and will open your videography to bigger and better.

ATR

[TheShorters]

thanks so much! I'm sure I'll be askin more questions soon. Thanks again for your help. It really is great! You wouldn't happen to know of a book that might be of help to me to get me the basics would ya? I've moved so the book that came with the cd is somewhere in a place that I don't know of at this point.

[ATR]

The Shorters,

This is just my opinion on the topic of books for Premiere Elements 3, and I am sure it will bring on rebuttal, but....

My first choice: Premiere Elements 3 Help accessed from the workplace. I believe that is a very overlooked and unappreciated resource. Browse through it from Getting Started, Tutorials, Projects and workspaces, Adding media, Arranging clips, Editing clips, Applying transitions, Exporting and Archiving. Those are but some of the coverage. And, it comes with the program.

2. The versions of Premiere Elements are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 (no 5 and 6). When you are shopping around for books, those for versions 2, 3, 4, and 7 will show titles reflecting the version. But, I have observed that if you see just Premiere Elements in a book title that is Premiere Elements 1. There seems to be a lot of books for Premiere Elements 2. CE and his associate SG wrote "Adobe Premiere Elements 2 in a Snap" (2005) and Carl Plumer wrote "Hollywood Special Effects with Adobe Premiere Elements 3" (2006). CE's and SB's book has gotten good reviews and is often recommended for beginners for version 2 and beyond. Although the Plumer book spotlight is special effects, I believe it uses them in an interesting way to introduce principles. Although principles remain essentially the same from version to version, features locations often do not. I repeat, it is very frustrating to be armed with principles when you cannot find a particular feature in your version. But, there is always the forums to ask questions.

3. Also Adobe contributes to the book choices, but it has been offering a combo book Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements instead of just a separate book for each. So, you will also come across "Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 and Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 Classroom in a Book Collection" (2006) by the Adobe Creative Team.

Learning resources come in many forms. For now, I have just addressed the book topic that you were asking about. If you get a chance, browse through Amazon.com or your local chain retail book store.

I will close for now, awaiting the rebuttals and getting prepared for them.

Do not be afraid to explore and experiment. Creating great photos is good, but I believe that using video to showcase your creations (photos and/or video) is the most rewarding.

ATR