15 Replies Latest reply: Jan 23, 2011 8:39 AM by Bill Hunt RSS

    blank source window

    JohnZS Community Member

      I've just loaded Premiere Pro CS4 on my computer and want to edit a simple sequence.

       

      I have several mp4 files recorded with a flip video camera.  I imported one into my project and it is visible in the project tab.  When I double click or drag it to my source window I get no video to view.  When I hit play in the source window, I only hear audio, but can see no video. I've tried importing an mpg file and have had the same result

       

      Oddly, if I drag the clip from the project window to the timeline, I can see and hear it in the program window, but with one additional problem.  The video in the program window has an orange/purple color cast to it.  If I click the stop button or click on the playing video itself the color displays as normal.

       

      Lastly (sorry to pile up the questions), my source window view also goes transparent---meaning that the area where the video should be displaying is either blank with no video or I can see through the premiere application and into another application I have open below premiere on my computer.

       

      I'm new to premiere so any help would be appreciated.

       

      I've attached a screen shot showing the oddly colored display in the program window and the "transparent" view through the source window.  You can see through the source window and view a Microsoft Word screen that I had open below Premiere.

       

      screen_shot.jpg

        • 1. Re: blank source window
          John T Smith CommunityMVP

          Do a forum search for flip... and then convert those compressed (non-edit) files to DV AVI Type 2 with 48khz sound to be able to edit

          • 2. Re: blank source window
            JohnZS Community Member

            Any suggestions on what to use to convert?  I've read some threads in the forums but am getting confused.  I saw mention of a VirtualDub and Windows Movie Maker.

             

            I have a loaded version of movie maker but it would not import the MP4 files that I have.

             

            Is VirualDub a free program and where's the best place to get it?  I work in a very security conscience environment and know that downloading software could get complicated.

             

            Lastly, a lot of the forums were mentioning codecs, how can I know what codecs I have and what codecs were used for the video files I have.

             

            Thanks

            • 3. Re: blank source window
              Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

              I'd suggest QuickTime Pro (~US$30 upgrade), and then Export from QT Pro.

               

              Here is an ARTICLE that might give you other options.

               

              Good luck,

               

              Hunt

              • 4. Re: blank source window
                JohnZS Community Member

                Thanks much.  I'll give this a go and see what happens.

                 

                BTW... I read another thread that listed a piece you wrote about CODECs and file formats (aka gum wrappers).  It was a good read and very helpful.

                • 5. Re: blank source window
                  Jeff Bellune CommunityMVP

                  That is almost certainly a graphics card driver issue.  Please update your graphics card driver.

                   

                  -Jeff

                  • 6. Re: blank source window
                    Bill Hunt CommunityMVP
                    read another thread that listed a piece you wrote about CODECs and file formats (aka gum wrappers).  It was a good read and very helpful.

                     

                    John,

                     

                    Thanks for the kind words, and glad that you got something from that article.

                     

                    There are also a few other posts with similar "psychedelic" displays. Not sure what the Search criteria should be, but several of us commented on most of those threads. I'll see if I can find some. I do not recall if these issues were from Flip cameras, or something similar. My memory is just not what it once was. If I find anything of use, I'll add those links to your post.

                     

                    Good luck,

                     

                    Hunt

                    • 7. Re: blank source window
                      JohnZS Community Member

                      Thanks for the follow up and for any additional links you can send.

                       

                      I'm a bit stalled right now on the troubleshooting.  I work in an office with tight IT control so I don't have adminstrator rights to do much on my computer firsthand.  I'll need to work with my IT folks to load other software and update audio and video drivers.

                       

                      Unfortunately, right now I'm tracking on several problems.  I have a thread going on the "hardware" forum related to my premiere crashing.  It may be my video card doesn't have the umpf I need.

                       

                      Thanks again

                      • 8. Re: blank source window
                        obadahmister Community Member

                        Dear sirs,

                         

                        I have searched through the lengths of this forum for an answer to my problem. I have noticed that the solutions have been provided for Elements, but not Premiere Pro. I imported a .MOD file which i changed the extension of and got it into PP. But since then, there has been a purple overlay on ALL videos, including .avi. And when I render them, no clip shows at all in the preview.

                        Screenshot_1.jpg

                        (.mov, Rendered and playing)

                         

                        Screenshot_2.jpg

                        (.mov, Not Rendered and playing)

                         

                        My system was absolutely working fine until a couple of days ago. And the recommended solution for enabling GPU seems to be specific to Elements. Any help?

                         

                        Thanks.

                        • 9. Re: blank source window
                          John T Smith CommunityMVP

                          Since you have a different problem, you should have started a new discussion

                           

                          Anyway, Work through all of the steps (ideas) listed at http://forums.adobe.com/thread/459220?tstart=0


                          If your problem isn't fixed after you follow all of the steps, report back with ALL OF THE DETAILS asked for in the FINALLY section, the questions at the end of the troubleshooting link... most especially the codec used and your project and output settings

                          • 10. Re: blank source window
                            Ann Bens CommunityMVP

                            You might want to read post 5 again.

                            • 11. Re: blank source window
                              Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                              As Ann points out, for both PrE and PrPro, the cause is almost always a video driver. These can be rendered obsolete in a heartbeat, and as both Premiere programs interface very, very closely with the video driver, they will show the problems, when Word, or other programs do not.

                               

                              What is your video card make/model?

                               

                              What is the video driver number/date?

                               

                              Is that the very latest driver version for your card and OS?

                               

                              Good luck,

                               

                              Hunt

                              • 12. Re: blank source window
                                obadahmister Community Member

                                Thank you guys for your responses. I very much appreciate it.

                                 

                                • What is your video card make/model?
                                  • I have a Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family for my laptop
                                • What is the video driver number/date?
                                  • The main driver is igdumdx32.dll,igd10umd32.dll, version 8.15.10.1930.
                                • Is that the very latest driver version for your card and OS?
                                  • Yes.

                                 

                                The problem Im having is quite a recent one - suddenly changed after I imported one video. I am considering formatting my computer and then re-installing PP, but I really dont want to do that.

                                 

                                Thank you in advance!

                                • 13. Re: blank source window
                                  Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                                  Ah, the dreaded Intel M embedded chip. Well, Intel makes good chips, but their driver support is horribly lacking. If you have a Dell, HP, or similar, it could be that the computer mfgr. will have a better, newer driver, but somehow I doubt it.

                                   

                                  If you had a desktop, I would urge you to disable the Intel, and stick in an ATI, or nVidia card. With a laptop, one does not have that luxury. The Intel embedded chips are OK for Word, and Excel, but not much use with video editing programs. I always recommend a laptop with an nVidia Mobile chip/card, if for no other reason than the driver support.

                                   

                                  Sorry for the bad news,

                                   

                                  Hunt

                                  • 14. Re: blank source window
                                    obadahmister Community Member

                                    Thank you Bill for your very kind support on this issue. I ended up formatting my computer, and re-installing the software. Unfortunately, that did not do the trick. The Video Card must be a real dinosaur.

                                     

                                    Its a real shame that absolutely nothing can be done with this laptop, because I spent a lot of money to get Premiere Pro, and only to find out it is not working . At this stage in time, I dont have any money to buy a new laptop. So I guess it is a redundant investment. Right?

                                     

                                    Thanks anyway.

                                    • 15. Re: blank source window
                                      Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                                      It is a shame, and one reason that most laptops are just not suited for video editing. The Intel graphics chips are fine for Word, Excel, etc., but just not adequate for video editing, and are seldom maintained with updated drivers. Most programs do not interface so closely with the video (and audio) driver, as will a program, like PrPro.

                                       

                                      Also, most Intel, embedded graphics chips share RAM with the system, and this is a major problem too.

                                       

                                      Though you have PrPro, you might want to do the trial for three other NLE programs: Sony Vegas, CyberLink PowerDirector, or Magix MovieEdit Pro. They all require less in the way of resources, than does PrPro. Even PrElements requires nearly the same as PrPro, so I would not even bother looking at that program. When users have had underpowered computers, or computers that are deficient in one area, like video card, those above three programs have gotten them the ability to edit video, though without the power and control of PrPro. I happen to have the latter two, but use them as tools, and do not actually edit with them. I cannot tell you just how much smaller a "footprint" they have, because I have them installed on a hefty workstation with PrPro, which runs perfectly. I have no real benchmarks for you, but many users have found them to work, when PrE, or PrPro would not.

                                       

                                      Good luck, and sorry for the bad news,

                                       

                                      Hunt

                                       

                                      PS - when you look to upgrade your laptop, I would definitely eliminate all, that do not have an nVidia graphics card/chip. ATI is good, but will not allow the use of some of the features in CS5, should you upgrade PrPro too.