Converting old movie from interlaced to progressive file format

[Paul_B_GB]

Hi All.

I have two old home movie exports that I made years ago (I no longer have the original clips or projects). The two movies are digital files with m2t file extensions. They are full HD but interlaced. All my other home movies are full HD progressive MP4 files. I'd like the two m2t files to also be full HD MP4 files. Am I right in thinking they'd have to be converted to progressive files instead of interlaced if I want them to be MP4 files. I'd probably want them to be progressive files anyway. What would be the best method for conversion? Is there somehow a relatively lossless way of converting them (which I doubt). What would be the best converter? I have Premiere Elements 2021. Would using that to convert the files be a good method? If so is it just a case of creating a new project in Premiere Elements, dragging the movie onto the timeline, letting Premiere Elements automatically choose the correct project settings, then simply exporting to MP4 full HD (progressive). Or is there more to it than that?

Sorry for all the questions. Any advice appreciated. Thanks

[Bill Sprague]

I would try several methods and then look at the results.   I don't have any interlaced footage to try, so there is a bit of guessing here.

First, there is a tool under the Clip menu that should do the job.   Read the last section here:  https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-elements/using/aspect-ratios-field-options.html  

If that doesn't work to your satisfaction, do as you describe.  Open a projet, let Premier Elements establish the project settings, load a file and export it using the standard default.  

If that doesn't work either, do the same but when you start the project, manually pick the project settings and manually pick output setings.  

Finally, if none of those work, install and try the (free) Handbrake conversion program.  

[Paul_B_GB]

Thanks for the reply Bill.

Can i just check: Am i right in assuming that the premiere elements project setting when i import has to match the imported file. That it's only the export settings that i need to change to the new wanted export format?

[Bill Sprague]

I edited my reply after I did some checking.  There is a tool in the Clip menu that might be what you want.  

I don't have a clip like yours so I can't test my suggestions.   But, I think you are right.  Premiere Elements will set the project for a good match to your source footage.  The Output routine should create what you want.   

[Paul_B_GB]

Thanks for taking the time to help me. It's appreciated

[Ann Bens · Accepted solution]

Is there somehow a relatively lossless way of converting them (which I doubt).

No, the m2t files are most likely mpeg2 and you want to convert them to mp4 progressive (mpeg4).

Relative 'lossless' conversion would be Prores but unfortunately Elements does not support Prores.

Is it just a case of creating a new project in Premiere Elements, dragging the movie onto the timeline, letting Premiere Elements automatically choose the correct project settings, then simply exporting to MP4 full HD (progressive).

Yes.

Project settings need to be interlaced.

Don't use the Field Options.

Export mp4/H.264 Quality High.

[Paul_B_GB]

Thanks for the valued advice.

I'm having trouble with premiere elements crashing for this project. It's never crashed before. I wonder if my system may need more memory to handle such a big movie source file (over an hour long). I'm currently only running 8gb ram.

[Bill Sprague]

Based on previous topics here, a likely cause of issues where files or projects are large is running out of disc space.   Premiere Elements needs lots of it for background processing.

[Paul_B_GB]

Bill, you're spot on. I freed up some space and now all working well 🙂

[Bill Sprague]

Thanks for the positive feedback Paul!