Adobe Premiere - why all the problems

[pickletheplacid]

I've had so much trouble with digital editing, I'm just about to throw the whole thing in.
I work in IT so I'm not a computer f-wit, this is not all user error stuff.

First issue: Capturing DV footage to pc - it would get so far in the capturing then just freeze and hang the machine, resulting in a cold
shut down (off at mains).
Solution: Upgraded the ATI graphics card with non ATI drivers, (Reproduced by Omega) Capturing was successful after that. (Apparently ATI fall down on there drivers but make up for it in the hardware.)

Second Issue: With the capturing completed I imported the avi file into premiere prov1.5 to edit, all ok until I started the export to DVD.
Transcoding completed but then bombed out with the useful - Assembling Error Could not complete the last command because:Unknown error!
Solution: After a lot of wasted time trying different things and running unsuccessful exports I came across the Adobe_Media_Encoder_PPro1.5_Update_v1.1.exe so applied that and hey presto I fixed the assembling error.

Third Issue: Once past the assembling error it then bombed out on Burning to DVD - Data Rate Too High ........what the hell.
Solution: When selecting the default Pal DV4x3 High Quality 7MB VBR you'd think it would conform with standard DVD's - wrong, normal DVD's work at 8mb and the default
setting sets the max to 9mb - why'd you do it Adobe, surely they could of come up with a process that checks the DVD burner and media then gives you a big fat yes or no to proceed. Changed the setting to 8mb and all ok.Not before saying no to purchasing the SurCode for Dolby Digital and having to annoyingly change the audio to pxm - further customizing.

Fourth Issue: Great I have a DVD that runs the footage at last, surly no more problems from here - wrong. Go to copy the disc (for backup, to send to the folks - whatever I needed a backup) Got 60% though DVD copy using Nero (DVD shrink didn't work either) and - error can't read data on disc - what the hell, is this really happening.
Tried copying and pasting the DVD data onto the pc - Data error (cyclic redundancy check - blar blar blar.
So here I am with a DVD that runs ok (although I haven't testing it by sitting through the whole 50 minutes of it) but I can't copy it. Which means back to square one.

I suppose I could use some backup software to try and extract the data off the DVD, I could also spend even more money and buy adobe encore to export to DVD (apparently it's better??????) - but hey I'm fed up, I've wasted days, spend loads on Adobe and this is what I get. At the moment I'm thinking......... Bill, I'll just use your program that comes free with XP and does in fact work because I have used it before, less quality but IT WORKS.

................using dvd x backup did work but with further issues, I give up!

[Mister Flonk-Flonk]

Use DVDDecrypter in ISO mode to make a simple 1:1 copy of your finished DVD.

[pijetro]

Wow, at least you tried fixing it yourself..
Most people start a new thread after their first encounter with a hiccup...

Anyhoo...
Just to give you a heads' up..
Most people use Premiere for .AVI editing, and leave it at that..
Some people use a dedicated encoder, to encode an elementary .M2V video stream, and leave it at that.
Most people use a dedicated authouring program to assemble, and give you an audio stream ( .AC3 ( and you can find many that are reasonably priced)), and leave it at that.

The only time i'd do a total import>export to DVD like you, is by using a Matrox, or a Canopus card, in where there's on board support and native functions...

It's too bad you had these experiences, otherwise i enjoy working with Premiere..

[pchan]

You have include all your issues from capturing, encoding, authoring and burning into Adobe Premiere problem.

For a start, you should start simple so as to avoid all the problems coming at once. Premiere 6.5 onwards has already come bundle with Mainconcept encoder. Use that. If you are encoding multi-pass, set the bitrate at 6,000 is good enough. Stop using Surcode for now, until you have a good handle of your final DVD.

You didn't say what software(e.g. Adobe Encore, TDA, or DVDLab etc) that you use to author your DVD.

As for making backup of your homemade DVDs, Nero is good enough. In the Nero wizard, select DVD video, and drag&drop the VIDEO_TS folder. Click burn.

Start simple until you have a stable DVD making process. Then you can experiment with other encoders, SurCode, more authoring features etc.

[pijetro]

I suppose I could use some backup software to try and extract the data off the DVD

Oh yeah.
If you wanna go this route, then DVDDecrypter is a fantastic free tool..

U can go to Mode>IFO> tab over to elementary streams, and rip out the desired streams, and reauthour..
It'll take only minutes.
But otherwise, it's a great tool for anybody's arsenal of video software..

[daamon]

Hi pickletheplacid,

Welcome to the forums, and the (sometimes) frustrating but (mostly) rewarding world of video...

First issue: By far the most reliable to get DV footage on to a PC is by using firewire. You don't say where the DV footage is coming from, but all modern-ish and later camcorders have a firewire port. You'll need a cable and a PCI firewire card (port) on your PC.

Try WinDV - it's free, stable, configurable and generally an excellent little app.

Second issue: Sorted, it seems.

Third issue: Sorted, again.

Fourth issue: What media (brand / make) are your discs? Could be crappy discs or a faulty batch. As already suggested, DVDDecrypter might work (I find DVDShrink not at all good for ripping from DVD), or SmartRipper if DVDDecrypter has no luck.


Observation: At lot of your issues could be avoided by using different software for each stage, rather than trying to everything with only a few apps.

Yes, I know, if it says it does it then it should. But, hey, does all software do what it claims to do? And, if so, how well?

I do pretty much similar stuff to you (holidays and friends weddings to DVD). Here's what I use:

Transfer: WinDV (free)

Edit: Adobe Premiere Pro v1.5.1 (you've already got it)

Encode: TMPGEnc Plus (US$37). Good encoder to MPEG2 (used for DVDs), but not the fastest. There are others that are considered in the top bracekt: Canopus Procoder, Mainconcept MPEG Encoder, Cinemacraft Encoder

Author: TMPGEnc DVD Author (US$70). A good place to start if you're not familiar with authoring, but can be restrictive if you want to be more creative. That said, has good menus.

Burn: TDA has a burn engine that won't let you burn faster than the disc is rated etc. But Nero will do the job too.

Enjoy: Sit back and watch your DVD whilst enjoying a fridge full of beer...


If it's any consolation, I went through similar pains while I was learning the pitfalls and tricks to getting DV to DVD. But, I persevered and am really pleased I did.

Stick with it and you'll get there. Feel free to ask questions, especially as it sounds like we've got similar goals.