which codecs for premiere???

[bufalo]

HI, I hope this is hte right section

For the most part, I cpature using my mini dv camera, I edit in Premiere and use Tmpgenc to encode to DVD. Now, what codecs shoud I have to do this? I have the mainconcept trial (can't find for how long the trial is), and ffdshow and xvid and avi codec. I also have the panasonic dv codec. Should I get rid of some of these?

[edDV]

HI, I hope this is hte right section

For the most part, I cpature using my mini dv camera, I edit in Premiere and use Tmpgenc to encode to DVD. Now, what codecs shoud I have to do this? I have the mainconcept trial (can't find for how long the trial is), and ffdshow and xvid and avi codec. I also have the panasonic dv codec. Should I get rid of some of these?

Which version of Premiere? v6.5 and later have everything you need. Adobe's DV codec is better than Panasonic's and is integrated into the Premiere program.

If you want to use a different MPeg2 encoder than Adobe's adaptation of Mainconcept, then you can either export as DV format or frameserve to Tmpgenc or other.

[bufalo]

I have premiere 6.0 and pro 1.5, so codec-wise I'll use the pro version.

"If you want to use a different MPeg2 encoder than Adobe's adaptation of Mainconcept, then you can either export as DV format or frameserve to Tmpgenc or other"


I usually export as microsoft dv then tmpegenc is this what you mean?

[edDV]

I have premiere 6.0 and pro 1.5, so codec-wise I'll use the pro version.

"If you want to use a different MPeg2 encoder than Adobe's adaptation of Mainconcept, then you can either export as DV format or frameserve to Tmpgenc or other"


I usually export as microsoft dv then tmpegenc is this what you mean?

Avoid v6.0. Many negative issues. v6.5 is good if you get the updates.

Have you compared Premiere Pro's internal "Adobe MPeg2 Encoder"? It is a fully adjustable version of the current Mainconcept (with updates). I don't like the way Adobe's UI directs you into low bitrates* but all settings are there if you dig into preferences.


* Premiere Pro defaults to DV format for project settings but Adobe's MPeg2 settings default to 6500Kb/s VBR which is too low for a typical camcorder input.

[bufalo]

Thanks so much for your help. Now, to sound like a complete moron: When you use the mainconcept encoder by going through "Adobe Media Encoder" is this just as good as Tmpgenc? Or still better to export to Micro dv then use tmpgenc? I'll be running some tests today.

One other question, and as you can see, the whole codec thing is a bit new to me. How do you know what codec is being used? For instance, when I use Tmpgenc, I have yet to find where it says that I'm using mainconcept or panasonic or whaterver.

[pijetro]

Or still better to export to Micro dv then use tmpgenc

You meant to say MiniDV perhaps??

When you use the mainconcept encoder by going through "Adobe Media Encoder" is this just as good as Tmpgenc?

They're both good tools for Mpeg conversion..Some people are happy with the provided templates..Other people tweak the heck out of the settings to optimize encoding..
As far as visualization goes, many people watching (ie friends and family) would never notice the difference..
Remember, a lot of the tests are done with huge magnification factors, and a critical eye...

the whole codec thing is a bit new to me.

If you're working with MiniDV, then you don't need to worry too much about codec issues. Primarily codecs are used for COmpression/DECompression. But since you're already with MiniDV, you're not trying to reeinvent the wheel..

How do you know what codec is being used?

Gspot lists what codec is required for correct playback..
To quickly view what codec is being used for the current .AVI, load into VDub and look under File>File Information..

[bufalo]

Whoooops, yeah minidv. I had Gspot before and it kept saying that I had none of the codecs needed, but i did. I'll try Vdub. thanks!