Converting MPEG 2 Files for Editing in Premiere

[El Capitan]

Dear VideoHelp Community,

I've got MPEG 2 files (captured MiniDV tapes) and need to edit them with as little quality loss as possible, for the finished movie is going to be broadcast on a local TV station.

My files look like this:

General
Complete name :
…/Video 01.mpg
Format :
MPEG-PS
File size :
4.83 GiB
Duration :
1h 5mn
Overall bit rate mode :
Variable
Overall bit rate :
10.5 Mbps

Video
ID :
224 (0xE0)
Format :
MPEG Video
Format version :
Version 2
Format profile :
Main@Main
Format settings, BVOP :
Yes
Format settings, Matrix :
Default
Format settings, GOP :
M=3, N=12
Format settings, picture structure :
Frame
Duration :
1h 5mn
Bit rate mode :
Variable
Bit rate :
10 000 Kbps
Width :
720 pixels
Height :
576 pixels
Display aspect ratio :
4:3
Frame rate :
25.000 fps
Standard :
PAL
Color space :
YUV
Chroma subsampling :
4:2:0
Bit depth :
8 bits
Scan type :
Interlaced
Scan order :
Top Field First
Compression mode :
Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) :
0.965
Time code of first frame :
00:00:00:00
Time code source :
Group of pictures header
GOP, Open/Closed :
Open
GOP, Open/Closed of first frame :
Closed
Stream size :
4.56 GiB (94%)
Color primaries :
BT.601 NTSC
Transfer characteristics :
BT.601
Matrix coefficients :
BT.601

Audio
ID :
192 (0xC0)
Format :
MPEG Audio
Format version :
Version 1
Format profile :
Layer 2
Duration :
1h 5mn
Bit rate mode :
Constant
Bit rate :
384 Kbps
Channel(s) :
2 channels
Sampling rate :
48.0 KHz
Compression mode :
Lossy
Stream size :
181 MiB (4%)

Unfortunately, I am not able to import these files into Adobe Premiere Pro CS 6; upon import I always get an error message that says "There was an error decompressing Audio or Video....". Neither does Final Cut Pro X. So, my thinking was to convert these files into a format that Premiere can actually handle, favorably as lossless as possible.

I usually use handBrake to convert my videos, but in this case I'm just overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of all its options.

I've also got a spec-sheet from the TV station that specifies what kind of files they expect. I don't want to convert all my videos to some garbage files, edit them, only to realize that they do not correspond to these specs:

Format SD 4:3 720x576, PAL (Pixel Ratio 1,0940)
Container: MXF (OP1A)
Codec: IMX50, MPEG2 (Intra-Frame-Coding) 4:2:2 Profile (422P) @ Main Level (ML)
Bitrate: 50 MBit/s CBR
Resolution: 720x576 / 720x608 (Endformat bei IMX50)
FPS and Interlacing: 50i, 25 Bilder per Second, upperfield first
Color: REC. 601 (CCIK - 601)
Audio: PCM, 48 kHz, 24 Bit
Loudness: EBU R128

I suppose, I should set up my Premiere project accordingly? Or is it possible to render the movie at the end with these specs in mind? Of course, some of the options like resolution, interlacing and audio have to be set up first in Premiere…

Thank you very much for your help, it's highly appreciated!

[transporterfan]

1. Don't convert unless you have to. You lose quality.
2. use a dedicated MPEG editor: VideoRedo has a 30 day trial still (I think)
3. Ask the TV studio what format they prefer. Convert only if you must.
4. If nothing can load or convert it, your source files are most likely corrupt and you will have to capture again. VideoRedo has a stream fix option.

[Cornucopia]

Recapture as the original DV, edit, and render as the required IMX format. This will give you the least reencodes and thus the best quality. Plus you can be assured that DV material is okay as source for your editor app. Kill 3 birds with one stone.
Scott

[El Capitan]

Thanks for your suggestions!

Since I had no access to the tapes to recapture them as Cornucopia suggested, I converted all the files with Apple Pro Res (4:2:2). Of course, each file grew from 5 Gb to about 25 Gb in the process, but at least I could smoothly edit them in Premiere.

Fortunately, the TV-station is able to work with Premiere projects too. So, I'll hand them the whole project and source files and they will make the finishing touches!