Skip to main content
BARatcliffe
BARatcliffe
Participating Frequently
October 20, 2019
Question

Can't add media

  • October 20, 2019
  • 6 replies
  • 864 views

I used to be able to add media just fine from a Sony cameraor from my hard drive.  Now when I try to, and select a video to add, error message:  File already exists.  Well, I know the file exists on my camera and hard drive, but I want to ADD it to the Premiere Elements Time Line for video editting.  But can't.  Help?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    6 replies

    B
    Community Expert
    Bill SpragueCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 21, 2019

    "I couldn't find anywhere that toggled audio from OFf to ON."

    There is no "ON" or "OFF".  I can't tell you what the choices are because they will be unique to your computer.  So, click the Audio menus in Preferences, see if there are choices and try them.  Also, be sure you have not muted the audio tracks.  There is screen button on the left of each audio track that will mute that track.

    B
    Community Expert
    Bill SpragueCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 21, 2019

    "Well, almost--no volume"

     

    Take a look at Edit > Preferences and try changing the audio settings.

    BARatcliffe
    BARatcliffeAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 21, 2019

    I tried Edit > Preferences  It looked promising at first, but I couldn't find anywhere that toggled audio from OFf to ON.

     

    S
    Steve Grisetti
    Legend
    October 28, 2019

    Assuming your on a Windows computer, look under Edit/Preferences/Audio Hardware to find your audio settings.

    On a Mac, the program's preferences are on the left-side drop-down, but the settings are still under Audio Hardware.

    B
    Community Expert
    Bill SpragueCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 21, 2019

    "Is this Adobe's trick to get me to buy P.E. 15?  16?" 

    No.  Adobe does continue to evolve the program.  For example, the newer versions work better with iPhones, DJI drones and GoPro action cameras.  But, Adobe does not make older versions stop working!.   For the record, it is up to the 18th version and it is called "2020".

    It appears Steve may have the answer that there is a file naming issue. 

    BARatcliffe
    BARatcliffeAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 21, 2019

    AIE!  18th version?  Man, am I behind the times.  Steve DID have good advice on one of my problems.  I simpley had to open a  new project first.  Now it's working fine.  Well, almost--no volume, though when I play the clip while in File Explorer, volume is fine.

     

    S
    Steve Grisetti
    Legend
    October 20, 2019

    Are you using the Premiere Elements Video Importer to get the video from your camcorder? If so, set it to create custom file names when you do.

     

    If not, that could be the problem. Your camcorder keeps giving new files the same names and, when you add them to your project, it's confusing the program.

     

    Part 2 of my free 8 part Basic Training for Premiere Elements tutorial series shows you how to use the Video Importer so this won't happen.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7NCbZUsLqw&t=1s

     

    BARatcliffe
    BARatcliffeAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 21, 2019

    Dear Steve,

    WOW!  You're doing a great service for folks in the dark about the way to access powerful features of Premiere Elements.  My initial problem, could not Add Media, was solved by just watching a few minutes of Part 2.  All I had to do was open a New Project first.  I would have watched your entire series but it was getting late and I have to get up early to  be off to my classroom, getting ready for another week.  I'm wondering if there is a section you can recommend that will teach me how to get the sound to play on a video that I've added to a project.

    B
    Community Expert
    Bill SpragueCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 20, 2019

    What is your operating system version and what is your Premiere Elements version?  

    The Sony files can use an audio codec called AC-3.  It got tangled up in a codec licensing issue.  If you have a newer version of Premiere Elements and an older version of Windows, you may have to make some changes.

    BARatcliffe
    BARatcliffeAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 21, 2019

    Why thank you, kindly, WHS!  I'm running Windows 10 Pro and a slightly old (14) version of Premiere Elements.  Is this Adobe's trick to get me to buy P.E. 15?  16?

     

    Bruce

    BARatcliffe
    BARatcliffeAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 20, 2019

    Me again.  The files I'm trying to add to my timeline are *.MTS.  when I convert them to  *.WMV I can add them to my timeline, but the audio track is lost.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices