Converting H.264 for Premiere Pro

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Dan_The_Man

Active member
Hi,

I have been searching the internet for some solutions to converting the h.264 codec for use in Premiere Pro CS3. I am having trouble finding a decent newbie guide so thought I would ask for your help.

Could someone direct me to a tutorial or explain the best way to convert the h.264 files to edit in Adobe Premiere Pro CS3? I have downloaded MPEG Streamclip as suggested in a short tutorial but Vincent Laforet but the video tutorial he provides a link to is for use with FCP. All of the possible files to convert to etc are proving quite confusing.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Just FYI I am running Windows XP, trying to convert H.264 encoded .MOV files to edit in Adobe Premiere Pro CS3.
 
I used MPEG stream clip and it worked. Just download free avid codecs pack and convert your files to any avid codec you like to. Dnxhd 36 worked for me. then import them cs3-no problem.
 
Did anyone find there was a gamma lift on there videos when they make a H.264? I use premiere on pc and there is a substantial gamma lift which makes the blacks grayish. Saddly I didnt find a way to do a proper gamma with H.264 I use sorenson TM. The blacks are true to my editing gamma.

If anyone knows how to resolve this without the mac codec X.264 please tell me. x.264 is not user friendly to install on PC.
 
Ok, I am trying to export my H.264 footage to AVI with the DNxHD codec but my resulting AVI file only has sound. Infact, whatever type of AVI file I export I am only getting sound, no video. Can anyone help?
 
Just realised that haha. But when I convert to DNxHD and bring that file into Premiere Pro it is now working. But when I try to export the movie I cant seem to find the right settings.

I am choosing Microsoft AVI, 1920x1080, 25 frames.

Then it gives me the option to compress the movie. When I select no I cant play the video when the file is exported. The compression options are:

canopus dv, hq, lossless

cinepak codec

dvcpro hd

dvcpro50

indeo

intel indeo

intel IYUV

microsoft rle, video 1

uncompressed UYVY

xvid mpeg4

none

I just want to get the maximum quality from my H.264 .MOV files. Please, can anyone help me.
 
Last edited:
*None* = uncompressed. But playing that file back is going to be a BEAR. What are you trying to do with this? Uncompressed has little use since the file started a h.264, and has undergone further compressing into DNxHD.
 
Basically I want to edit my footage shot on my 7D to put it on DVD.

I have started off with my h.264 footage, converted a clip to a DNxHD .MOV file and brought it into Premiere Pro CS3. Now I am just testing it out by exporting it (just so I dont edit the whole thing and find out it looks crap!).

In the end I want this footage to go on to DVD.

Is DNxHD a good codec to use? Will I be able to get a high quality export for DVD with this codec? I feel really lost.
 
Are you on a Mac or PC?

DVDs only accept one kind of codec. Mpeg2. So your hands are tied in that regard. As for the quality of DNxHD, it was the codec for Avatar. You're safe.

DnxHD is an excellent codec to edit with if you are on a Mac. For a PC, things get tougher because any .MOV codec is going to be slow inside Premiere and you really want to be using a codec inside a .AVI container.

Once you finish your edit, you'll probably want to save a master. DNxHD is great to save for a master. BUT then you'll want to make the DVD. You can either bring the DNxHD file into the DVD authoring program and let it convert the file, or you can export a DVD ready file from Premiere.
 
Im working with a PC. So what do you suggest I do? Any help would be so appreciated!

What other decent codecs do you know of that I can use within a .AVI file? Will I really have a lot of trouble using the DNxHD codec with my PC and Premiere Pro?

Thanks

PS.
I am trying to meet a deadline so need to get this sorted ASAP :S
 
But when I am trying to export my clip that has been converted with DNxHD I cant get anything with decent quality.

Could you possibly give me some advice on how to export my DNxHD .MOV?
 
Sure... Bet tell me what you're doing now?

You have h.264 and you're converting it into DNxHD. Give me the exact settings you're using to do that. And then tell me what setetings your are using in Premiere for exporting that you are unhappy with.
 
Right:

I export to quicktime with MPEG Streamclip. I use Avid DNxHD Codec, 1920x1080 unscaled, 25fps, deselect interlaced scaling for progressive footage (my original footage is HDV 1920x1080, 25p, 16:9).

Then I drag that footage into my Adobe Premiere Pro timeline. Export the movie, select Microsoft DV!, 1920x1080, 25fps, selected PAL widescreen 16:9. Now the compression part is what's baffling me the most. I have tried 'None' but that gives me no video. I have tried a few others and had some weird resolutions and not full quality footage.

I just need a decent walkthrough.

Thanks
 
Jester nailed it. You're taking 1920x1080 and pushing it into what is essentially 720x405. Yea, the quality is going to take a beating if you are trying to look at that full screen...
 
What I really need to know is will I be able to use my DNxHD converted .MOVs to make a top quality DVD when the edit of my film is finished. I guess I would use Adobe Encore for this?
 
Yeah you're going to need Encore, highly recommended to be used with Premier Pro, as it will compress from your timeline, you don't need to create a secondary file.
 
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