Computer video storage - Is there One full copy of the video in the PREL section and another copy in

Your project file does not copy anything... it is like the index in a book that points you to a page, but does not have that information copied under the index listing

What DOES happen is that many temporary files are created as you work, and those temporary files can expand to take up a LOT of space

I have 3 drives in my home built computer... system & temporary & data

Every time I start a project I set my project and work files to F:\Adobe
(F is MY drive for temporary files, your drive letter may be different)
I work in EXPERT view to be able to control every aspect of my project
Click EDIT and then PREFERENCES and then SCRATCHDISKS
I set every one of the options to F:\Adobe
PrE then automatically creates sub-folders as needed
F:\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements Audio Previews
F:\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements Captured Audio
F:\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements Captured Video
F:\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements Video Previews
F:\Adobe\Encoded Files
F:\Adobe\Layouts
F:\Adobe\Peak Files

When I complete a project I delete or empty all of the temporary file locations