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jumpyg2
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Can PrE for Mac work with xVid .avi files?

Mar 30, 2011 8:36 AM

Okay, I have some xVid .avi files and am wondering what I need to do to get Premiere Elements 9 for Mac to work with them. I can't seem to located the right codec and I don't know if that would even solve my problem. Yes, the codec would allow QuickTime to play the files, but would Premiere El be able to work with them?

 

I was also thinking that I could use Super video converter (the free app) on my PC to convert these files to something else that Premiere Elements will like. I would guess .mov would be best. I really don't know if this would degrade the video, but I suspect it would.

 

What do you guys think the best approach is?

 

Thanks lot!

 

603 Views   7 Replies   Latest reply: Bill Hunt, Apr 1, 2011 10:56 AM
 
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  • John T Smith
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    1. John T Smith,
    Mar 30, 2011 9:17 AM   in reply to jumpyg2
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    Neither xvid or its cousin divx are meant to be edited... and, mostly, they don't... no matter if you are on Mac or PC

     

    To edit a divx file, start at http://www.divx.com/


    To edit an xvid file, start at http://www.xvid.com/

     
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  • jumpyg2
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    2. jumpyg2,
    Mar 30, 2011 11:21 AM   in reply to John T Smith
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    I should have explained more. All I want to do is create a DVD with several .avi clips. I'm not editing them in any way. I already created a custom DVD template, so I just need to put the .avi clips on the timeline, add stop/start markers, assign the template, and burn.

     

    So is there any way to get these clips into PrE without converting them to QuickTime?

     

    Thanks

     
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  • John T Smith
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    3. John T Smith,
    Mar 30, 2011 12:50 PM   in reply to jumpyg2
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    A DVD uses the MPEG2 format, transcoded into VOB on the DVD - take a look at a "Hollywood" DVD sometime to see the directory and file structure

     

    xvid/divx are variants of the MPEG4 codec... and may not be directly used to create a DVD... they must be transcoded

     

    Since thay are not meant to be edited (they were designed for delivery, often via streaming video on the 'net) you need to convert to use in PrEl

     
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  • Steve Grisetti-JFIrXo
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    4. Steve Grisetti-JFIrXo,
    Mar 30, 2011 2:09 PM   in reply to John T Smith
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    John is correct. You can not edit Xvid and Divx video, even if they are AVIs.

     
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  • jumpyg2
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    5. jumpyg2,
    Mar 30, 2011 2:42 PM   in reply to Steve Grisetti-JFIrXo
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    Very interesting stuff, guys.

     

    I actually did get the Divx codec installed and was able to import the .avi files into PrE, something I couldn't do before. I set my clips up on the time line and all seemed fine. I burned a DVD, but the sound came out super distorted and slow, like a movie sound effect. The video seemed okay, but I didn't look too closely since the sound was wrecked. That's really weird.

     

    I have to say with all of the video formats out there, it's absolutely baffling for a beginner.

     

    I will try to convert everything to .mov files, but I imagine that will degrade the quality.

     

    Thanks again for the info.

     
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  • John T Smith
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    6. John T Smith,
    Mar 30, 2011 3:56 PM   in reply to jumpyg2
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    >imagine that will degrade the quality

     

    Yes... going from whatever original format (DV AVI Type 2 with 16bit 48khz sound is ideal for editing) to a HIGHLY COMPRESSED format like xvid... and then back to an edit format... is certainly going to result in lower quality

     
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  • Bill Hunt
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    7. Bill Hunt,
    Apr 1, 2011 10:56 AM   in reply to jumpyg2
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    I have to say with all of the video formats out there, it's absolutely baffling for a beginner.

     

    Trust me, it is not just baffling to a beginner. With camera mfgrs. adding and tweaking existing CODEC's every quarter (or even more often), it is mind-boggling, and almost impossible to keep up with. About the time that one thinks they know every variation, of say H.264, along comes a new one, or a re-worked version of an older one.

     

    Good luck to us all,

     

    Hunt

     
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