Trouble importing all of VOB file

[jengerer]

This is the first big project I've done in Premiere Elements. It is a combination of still pics and videos and is about 35 minutes long (mostly stills). I imported VOB files from a mini DVD with no problems. However, I am having problems importing VOBs from a DVD that was made with videos from a mini cassette camcorder. Each of the three videos should be 2-5 minutes in length and when it plays on my computer, the whole file is there. When I save it on my hard drive or bring it directly into PE, the videos are only 14-20 seconds long. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Julie

[ATR]

Julie,

What version of Premiere Elements are you using?

I am assuming that you used the Premiere Elements Media Downloader to rip the VOBs from the miniDVD and successfully got them into the project that way.

I am having problems importing VOBs from a DVD that was made with videos from a mini cassette camcorder

Could you confirm...are you saying that these VOBs were
a. ripped from a DVD-VIDEO (produced from a video recorded to tape)
b. next, saved VIDEO_TS Folder to a DVD disc??
c. next, saved VIDEO_TS Folder and/or specific VOBs from the DVD disc to your computer hard drive
d. next, imported into Premiere Elements via Get Media Files & Folders??

The handling of VOBs by Premiere Element by either route of introduction into the project can present problems for some and not others as well as under varied conditions. When that occurs, the workaround is to convert the VOBs to DV AVI (the native format of the Premiere Elements Timeline) and then bring the DV AVI version into Premiere Elements Get Media Files & Folders. The free software MPEG Streamclip is often used for this purpose.

http://www.squared5.com/

But, make sure you check out:
a. computer resources to meet project demands (available RAM, free hard drive space)
b. photos (pixel dimensions, how many) as related to the project's project preset frame size
c. video (format, duration)
d. etc.

If we need to address those issues, then we need to get into operating system, computer optimization, etc, working with a large project in small pieces, and the usual drill. Remember, do mini runs before the grand project.

Please let us know if you have further questions.

ATR

[jengerer]

Thanks for the reply. I am using Premiere Elements 3 and yes I did use the PE Media Downloader to import the videos that work properly. The VOBs that I am having trouble with I tried to do that way as well as saving them to my hard drive and then bringing them in via Get Media Files and Folders. Something seems to happen either way - the whole file isn't imported.

I'll try using Streamclip and see what happens!

[ATR]

If you need any guidelines for using MPEG Streamclip, just let me know.

I have used that program and found that it does the job quickly and well. Just study the options for setup:
a. MPEG Streamclip, keep your regular QuickTime, and buy the Apple MPEG2 Plug In
or
b. MPEG Streamclip, uninstall your regular Quick Time (which comes with the plug in..free), install Quick Time Alternative at the MPEG Streamclip site

Please update us on your progress.

ATR

[jengerer]

Forgot to post that I finally got them in. I found the original tapes and imported them directly from my camcorder. When the files were converted to AVI, they seemed to lose some clarity but they they will have to do. I will probably be doing the end of year video next year so I will keep playing around. Thanks for your help!

[ATR]

Thanks for the feedback.

Did you use the MPEG Streamclip for the conversion of the VOBs to DV AVI?

If you did, we could look at the settings that you used for MPEG Streamclip to see what we could do with them to improve quality.

When you get a chance, please take a look at the following link re: tools for conversion to DV AVI, and check out the recommendations the MPEG Streamclip settings for its DV AVI conversion process:

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

Sounds like you are making progress. Keep up the good work.

ATR

[jengerer]

No, I didn't. I loaded the software that came with the video camera and was able to use it. That is probably the problem. I'll explore Streamclip and other options for next year. The video is a combination of still pics plus videos of dances from a high school poms/dance squad. Since I know ahead of time that I will be working on the one for next year, I can start this summer with the video from camp and have time to play around with it. Thanks for the link!

[ATR]

I have used the MPEG Streamclip and found the results (VOB to DV AVI) to be quick and good.

For many, including myself, ripping VOBs from the DVD-VIDEO disc with Premiere Elements Media Downloader works great. For others, not so. That is when MPEG Streamclip really comes to the rescue.

But, whenever you are ready, I will supply any additional details on this matter.

ATR