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adobeuserinpoverty
Known Participant
October 10, 2017
Question

Using Pemierre to transfer videos from camera to computer

  • October 10, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 694 views

I have a Canon Vixia HG21. The videos are on the hard drive of the camera. I plugged it into the computer (Windows 7) and opened Premiere Elements 14. I had to import the videos using Files and Folders import. It loaded the videos into the program but how do I download them onto my computer into a specified folder? I don't want to edit them right now. I just want to put them on my computer to back them up.

I tried the backup catalog option but that loaded all kinds of things into a folder plus some photos the program found on my computer. I only want the videos on my camera transferred to my computer to save them and access them when I want.

Can Premiere be used just to transfer videos or is it only for editing?

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

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Steve Grisetti
Legend
October 10, 2017

Actually, Adobe makes it very easy, as my tutorial shows you. It's your camcorder or computer that's making it hard.

Have you tried manually copying the video files from your camcorder to your computer using Windows Explorer or Mac Finder?

As I said, the video files MUST be copied onto your hard drive before you use them in an editing project. That's true no matter what video editing program you're using.

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adobeuserinpovertyAuthor
Known Participant
October 11, 2017

I finally ended up just copying and pasting the files from the camera to my hard drive using Windows Explorer. Everything I read on the internet said not to do that. Adobe tech support said I could. They also had me bring them up by using add media, then files and folders. NOT videos from a device. They did not explain why that would not work.

When I loaded them using add media - files and folders I was able to select the folder from my camera and load them. When i tried saving the videos to my computer from there they would only save them as file type that adobe uses (.pel I think it was), not MTS. So I just used Windows Explorer and moved the files to the hard drive.

It would be  nice if the programs would work the way the manuals and tutorials say.

At least I have my videos on my computer now. I have not had a chance to play them to make sure they are fine.

Thanks for your help though.

S
Steve Grisetti
Legend
October 10, 2017

You definitely don't want to use Files and Folders to connect to the media on your camcorder. Otherwise, as soon as you disconnect your camcorder, you'll lose your connection to your media. All media that you use in a video project must be on your hard drive!

Check out Part 2 of my free 8 part Basic Training for Premiere Elements tutorials. It shows you how to get the video from your camcorder to your hard drive -- and into your project.

*** Premiere Elements Basic Training ***

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adobeuserinpovertyAuthor
Known Participant
October 10, 2017

I had to use files and folders. I tried the way you have on your video. I used that method in Premiere expert and in premiere organizer. It does not recognize my camcorder. It is connected properly to my computer. It shows up in windows explorer. It keeps going to a flash drive I have plugged in. The drop down menu does not give me any other choices.

I unplugged the flash drive and now it says there is no media to be found.

Tried again. On autoplay it gives the option to download the media from the camera onto windows media player or adobe premiere organizer.

When I click on that it opens up elements organizer-photo downloader.

Premiere elements will not see my camera unless I click premiere in autoplay when i first plug the camera in. That is the program I was wrestling with yesterday.

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adobeuserinpovertyAuthor
Known Participant
October 10, 2017

I don't want to edit them or load them in the program and organize them. I want to do what you did in the video, just load them in a folder on my hard drive. Adobe doesn't make it easy.

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