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February 11, 2009
Question

Premiere Pro CS4 - Mac - AVI import issue

  • February 11, 2009
  • 6 replies
  • 35198 views
Hello,

I am trying to import an AVI file using Premiere Pro CS4 on Mac. Then I get a message saying that Codec missing or unavailable.

This same AVI file can be imported into Premiere Pro CS3 on Windows.

AVI file came from StreamZ encoder (betacam convert to AVI). Video stream is YUV (PAL) and Audio stream is PCM (Microsoft).

Do I have to export this AVI file into DV-AVI using Premiere Pro CS3 on windows?

or CS4 does not have this codec really?
    This topic has been closed for replies.

    6 replies

    Participant
    March 12, 2011

    Hi there I wanted to ask,

    I'm having some difficulty with the adobe dynamic link between premiere pro and after effects. Basically I replace an assest in premiere pro with an after effects composition, apply the effect I need, then save and shut down. When I open premiere pro again, the footage I edited on after effects just comes up as a load of different colours. If I open after effects and find the file i edited, it says that there's a missing a file. I tried importing the video file into after effects but it appears to make no difference. I can't seem to edit any footage in after effects without loosing it when i close it down eventhough i've saved it?

    Many thanks

    narindie

    Participant
    March 13, 2011

    Sorry, I don't use after effects, but I will forward your info on to a friend who does to see if he can offer you a solution...

    Participant
    March 1, 2011

    I have come up with a simple solution that works really well. It may seem like a long way but it's really 2 steps in all. I use Handbrake to convert the original AVI files to .mv4 files, then I use MPEG StreamClip to convert the .mv4 files to Quicktime .mov. Works every time so far...and MPEG StreamClip batches so I load up the que and go! The end product shows no degradation that I can see at any size, and I use the H264 codec with no problems...simple and to the point!

    June 22, 2009

    You may convert your AVI video to MOV video for a try, I know premiere supports MOV video pretty well on Mac. If you don't know how to convert video, this video converter for Mac would help you a lot.

    Participant
    June 8, 2009

    Hi, only FLV can be imported to Premiere Pro. Then just convert AVI to FLV  with AVI to FLV Converter for Mac.

    Participant
    July 30, 2009

    yasaki wrote:

    ".. only FLV can be imported to Premiere Pro..."

    You might want to check your source on that.

    Wow, that would make Premiere Pro CS4 even MORE useless!

    I used Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 on Windows to open/convert and save several projects that had been made using Pro 1.5 on Windows.

    That was just an intermediate step, because much to my dismay, Premiere Pro CS4 on my brand-new Mac could not open the version 1.5 files I moved over from Windows.

    Now I am trying to work with those files on CS4 Mac, and the software cannot seem to link the media that are AVI files. I found this Adobe "help" article:

    http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/325/325815.html

    but neither solution works. After changing the AVI files' extensions to .MPG, Premiere then produces the error message, "File video dimensions (width/height) too large."

    When I try to convert/transcode the AVI files, Adobe Media encoder simply says "file_path.avi could not be imported."

    And why should we have to convert all our AVI files in the first place? What kind of solution requires doubling the file-storage size of all your projects and duplicating so many video files? Wouldn't it be better for Adobe to just enable their "wonderful" software to import a couple of basic, common file formats?

    Not only that, but CS4 has dumped several video filters and transitions from my Premiere projects. The below is a list that pops up when I open the files:

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Video Filter missing (possibly due to lack of high-end GPU card on system):  AE.ADBE AEGPURipple

                                  ^...(that isn't it - my system has the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, which is a decent high-end card)

    Video Filter missing:  AE.ADBE Fast Blur

    Video Filter missing:  AE.ADBE Legacy Key BlueScreen

    Video Filter missing:  PR.ADBE Camera View

    Video Transition missing:  ADBE Cross Zoom

    Video Transition missing:  ADBE Dither Dissolve

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I am only trying to use the Premiere projects that were created in earlier versions of the same software. I imagined that using the newer, "better," more expensive CS4 would do a better job than ever - not make my life more difficult. Frankly, I'm a little miffed that after spending all this money I have to try this hard to figure out something that the software should be able to do automatically in the first place.

    If anyone has a solution for either the AVI issue or the legacy filters/transitions, I would be grateful for any advice.

    Participant
    August 6, 2009

    I have seen it work in After Effects CS4...

    All the best.

    Guidon

    February 12, 2009
    Hello guys,

    what program for Mac can I use to convert this AVI file that has the YUV codec to a standard DV AVI which premiere pro cs4 can recognize?
    Harm_Millaard
    Inspiring
    February 11, 2009
    Convert to DV AVI type2.
    Participant
    August 6, 2009

    Hi, Harm,

    This is the best format to convert it to? And by the way, why is it that After Effects CS4 opens it, but premiere does not?

    Thing is we are working against the clock here (as most of us are) and the average conversion time is on the days.

    The thing is that in our case, we are using a SDI HD 1080i 59.94 fps Sony camera, which feed us with TONS of data, and therefore the convertion time is just HUGE!

    What would be your advice for conversion type, in this issue?

    Thanks for your help!

    Guidon

    Harm_Millaard
    Inspiring
    August 6, 2009

    Your situation is completely different from the one the OP (Original Poster) posted.

    You have HDV 60i material, captured over SDI. No need to convert that material. Just use the software that came with your BlackMagic or AJA card.