PE2 and MP4

[cats4jan]

My Sony Cybershot T500 Camera takes video and when I transfer the files to the computer, they are mp4's.

Not a problem - Quicktime plays them.

However, now I have some video I want to share via DVD that will play on a TV.

Last, year, I took Premiere Elements 2 off my computer to concentrate on using Pinnacle - but Pinnacle doesn't recognize the mp4's.

Before I put PE2 back on, does anyone know whether this older version will recognize mp4's?

Or does anyone know of a work around to use the mp4's in software that "likes" other video format, but "hates" mp4's?

Or does anyone know of free software I can use to do this "one time" project. I would like to edit the 6 videos into one video.

Even though I know I'll need to find a permanent solution because this camera is new and I want to be able to work with the mp4's - right now - until I upgrade this computer - I don't want to purchase any software.

[ATR]

Janice

Premiere Elements 2 never supported the import of high definition (HDV and AVCHD), and I believe the export of MPEG4.

At first glance of the Premiere Elements 2 Supported Import Formats
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/328/328587.html
one might think that you had it made, since it does list MPEG4 on that list.

If I am not mistaken, the big "however" is that your Sony Cybershot T500 is shooting a high definition format AVCHD (MPEG4 AVC/H.264)...1280 x 720 at 30 frames per second. Premiere Elements did not support AVCHD until the latest version which is Premiere Elements 7. This is the deal breaker, so let me know what your recording format is.

If you do have AVCHD footage, you could consider:
1. downloading the free 30 day try out of Premiere Elements 7 (but I believe that your exported video would probably have a watermark)
2. if you have the later versions of Nero, I think that Nero supports editing/export of AVCHD (more details on that if you do have Nero 8 or 9)...could also try a free try out of Nero 9.
3. do you have a friend who has Premiere Elements 7?
4. if you had Premiere Elements 4 installed on some Sony Vaio laptops, there is a plugin that enables Premiere Elements 4 support for AVCHD.
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/403/kb403297.html

Before I go on and on, please confirm that you do indeed have AVCHD, and then we will try to play our strategy further.

ATR

[ATR]

Although this point does not go to the fundamental issue, that being Premiere Elements non support for high definition HDV and AVCHD....

add on about my comment about mpeg4 export from Premiere Elements 4

Premiere Elements 2 never supported the import of high definition (HDV and AVCHD), and I believe the export of MPEG4.


From the Premiere Elements 2 Support Format list
7 Export only as .mov or .wmv with mpeg-4 compression

ATR

[cats4jan]

Thanks ATR - for your ever valuable information.

Yes, the video from my camera is high def.

I've given up the idea of editing the videos into one file and was just trying to get the mp4 files and the jpgs onto a DVD and I'm having grief doing that, too.

I have Nero 6 Ultra Edition. I have sucessfully used it to do all manner of things in the past, and today I can't burn a simple CD or DVD.

I can't figure if it's my use of Nero (as I seldom use it and I get rusty and have to "relearn" using it) or maybe my DVD burner is croaking. It keeps telling me my project "burned sucessfully" yet the DVD is blank when I eject it.

I was about to give my friend the files on a flashdrive, but the only flashdrive I have will hold only the jpgs or only 3 of the 8 mp4's. I can't win. LOL

What I really want is a new computer so I can get the latest software and end my frustration. ;)

[Little Nac]

Hi cats4jan.

Please forgive me if I am interferring, and if I am not allowed to say this.

You could give this software a try. It is called Prism Video Converter by NCH Software. It is a free download and I'm not sure if it is fully functional as I have the Registered Version and it works great.
Here is the link for it. You can read all about it here and decide.

http://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/index.html

I'm about to leave for two weeks so will not be near a computer for this time. Hope it works for you.
Good luck. :)

[ATR]

Little Nac,

Have you put your foot to the gas pedal and headed for the airport yet?

If not, could you take another look at the program that you suggested to Janice for her AVCHD footage. I do not think the software that you mentioned supports AVCHD.

Could you double check and confirm its AVCHD support?

Thanks.

ATR

[Little Nac]

Sorry, I didn't stop to think. I just saw MP4 and thought it may work.
I don't think it will support AVCHD, am not sure.
Must away now,
catch you in two weeks. :confused:

[ATR]

Janice

Here goes a step by step on burning your files to a DVD disc for transfer purposes:

1. Double click the NeroStartSmart icon on your Desktop (Open the program from Start/Programs, if no Desktop icon).

2. At the top of the interface, make sure it is set to DVD in the choices of CD/DVD, CD, or DVD. Somewhere you will see a note about the type of DVD disc you are using. For the DVD 4.7 GB/120 min, leave the set on "DVD5(4483 MB)".

3. Click on the Data Icon (to the right of the Favorites (star shaped) icon). Then click on Make Data DVD.

4. In the Nero Express Dialog, click on Add. In the Select Files and Folders dialog, navigate to your files, find/highlight, click Add and then Finished when Finished with all additions.

5. Click Next to bring up the Final Burn Setting dialog. Make sure you have the current burner selected, name the burn, leave the writing speed to whatever comes up, uncheck the "Allow files to be added...." for multisessions, and put a check mark next to Verify Data. Hit the Burn dialog.

Please give the Nero another look. I will investigate the free software that Little Nac suggested for your AVCHD, but I do not believe it supports AVCHD.

I will let you know what I find out.

ATR

[ATR]

Janice

With regard to Nero, I have Nero version 6 which includes the NeroVision 3 Application.

I believe it is the NeroVision 5 application (not sure what version of Nero has it) that supports AVCHD. In NeroVision 5, when you open it and are faced with "What would you like to do?", the "Make DVD" category includes:
DVD Video
Editable DVD
AVCHD
http://www.digital-digest.com/articles/Nero_Vision_5_AVCHD_Authoring_Guide_page1.html

ATR

[ATR]

Janice,

Latest developments....

I downloaded the free software that Little Nac suggested, namely Prism Video Converter.

I had a .m2ts AVCHD clip that I downloaded from online.

1. With the Prism's Add Folder, I imported the .m2ts and was amazed to find that the program did accept although it said some files may not be supported.

2. Next, I set up the Output Folder for My Documents/My Videos; set .avi for the Output format and clicked on Encoder Options.

3. In Encoder Options, I selected as Video Compressor "DV Encoder NTSC (Direct Show) and then clicked Convert.

4. I opened my Premiere Elements 2 and, with its Add Media brought the .avi file into the Media and then onto the Timeline. Properties told me that I had an .avi file 720 x 480 with a frame rate of 29.97. It also told me that some dropped frames were involved.

5. The beginning of the video on the Timeline was a mass of color pixels, no recognizable picture. BUT, further into the video the video was excellent to its conclusion. I think that I could have cut that initial damaged phase out and burned the good part (that did not look like it was missing anything) to DVD-VIDEO)

6. Needs more work. But for now, I am thinking about this program as a converter rather than an editor.

Good luck.

ATR

[ATR]

Janice

Quick add on...

That mass of colored pixels that I see at the beginning of the import into Premiere Elements 2 is not seen if you just playback the converted video (.avi) from its saved location in My Videos.

ATR