20 Replies Latest reply: Aug 24, 2014 5:17 PM by Jorge del Campo RSS

    Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0

    Hagia Sophia Community Member

      Hello

      I just purchased Adobe Premiere 6.0 last week, but it turned out to be a huge letdown.

      I have DivX movies (1280 by 720) compressed at 29.97 frames/ sec, and when I import them to Adobe Premiere, it does not display any sound!

      What's more, Adobe Premiere 6.0 does not allow me to import DivX files bigger than around 200 MB.

       

      I also tried it with Adobe Premiere CS4, but the outcome was worse - it even failed to display the movie in the preview window.

       

      When I try the same thing with either Windows Movie Maker or VirtualDub, both of which are free and much simpler than Adobe Premiere, they create NO problems at all...So I find it an absolute SHAME that Adobe Premiere, a "sophisticated (!) video editing program", creates so much headache with DivX files!

       

      Would you please help me with this and advise me what to do to be able to edit large DivX files?

       

      P.S. I called the Adobe customer service and the representative said Adobe will release new products to solve the problem; but it has been ages since DivX and Adobe Premiere were released for the first time. So do we have to wait another 5 years in order for the Adobe Company to create some "cutting edge" technology which will finally allow us to edit DivX files with Adobe Premiere without that much headache?

        • 1. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
          John T Smith CommunityMVP

          Divx files are OUTPUT files, not EDIT files

           

          Go to my notes http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith/ADOBE.HTM and click the link to read about editing compressed files

           

          Then, go to the format owner's site to find out how to edit those files http://www.divx.com/en/win

          • 2. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
            Hagia Sophia Community Member

            Dear John

            Thanks for your reply and for your help. I really appreciate it.  But I did not get the answer:

             

            - My files are "AVI " files encoded with DivX converter - they are NOT *.divx files,

            - In www.divx.com, I did not find any info regarding how to edit AVI files compressed with DivX in Adobe Premiere.

             

            I checked the link you sent to me. It seems it does not address AVI files compressed with DivX. And it says "Adobe Premiere does not like compressed files". Well; how long should we wait for the Adobe Company to be able to "like" compressed files?Even freeware like Windows Movie Maker and VirtualDub can EASILY EDIT AVI files compressed with DivX, why cannot Adobe Premiere, such a "sophisticated(!)" program, is INCAPACABLE of doing that?

             

            I really think it is A HUGE SHAME for ADOBE!

            • 3. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
              Ann Bens CommunityMVP

              Before shouting out loud shame on Adobe, you should be aware of the fact that the divx format is for watching and not editing

              Premiere is a non linear editing program which is not quite the same as a videoplayer like WMP or a capture/processing utility like Virtual Dub (VD)

              If VD can handle your dvix then use VD to convert to DV-avi which Premiere has no trouble editing.

              • 4. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                Hagia Sophia Community Member

                Thanks Ann for your reply, but the problem is there is some loss of quality when the AVI file compressed with DivX is converted to DV-Avi.

                Do you know a DV codec which can accomplish this without loss of quality and which Adobe Premiere can edit?

                • 5. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                  John T Smith CommunityMVP

                  AVI is a bucket... that bucket may contain anything at all - Divx is a CODEC that goes in the avi bucket

                   

                  Divx is COMPRESSED so a lot of the original information is thrown away forever - Divx is NOT meant to be edited, only viewed

                   

                  Did you read http://tangentsoft.net/video/mpeg/edit.html to find out why divx (a type of MPEG) does not edit well?

                   

                  Converting to DV AVI type 2 with 48khz sound will produce an edit file... but since the divx original was compressed and a lot of the original information was thrown away forever, you do lose quality

                   

                  Either find a converter program that you like, or go to the divx site and find a DIFFERENT program to edit divx files... Premiere is simply not designed to edit divx files

                  • 6. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                    Hagia Sophia Community Member

                    Thanks John .

                     

                    I do not use MPEG. I only use AVI encoded with DivX.

                     

                    Could you give me the link which shows the programs that can edit DivX files? I could not find it on divx.com

                    Thanks!

                    • 7. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                      Hagia Sophia Community Member

                      By the way, here is what ADOBE says on its website:

                       

                      http://help.adobe.com/en_US/PremierePro/4.0/WSf52ca809ac8f6c7135876f961243120b72d-8000.htm l

                       

                      "Adobe Premiere Pro can import files in the formats listed, provided the codec used to generate a specific file is installed locally. For example, to play and edit an AVI file encoded with the DivX encoder, the DivX codec must be installed."

                       

                      However, this is NOT the case I observed. Neither Adobe CS4 (the trial version I downloaded) nor Premiere 6.0 could import or edit an AVI file exconded with DivX although I do have DivX PRO installed.

                       

                      What you & John Smith say about Premiere's "not liking AVI files encoded with DivX" does not match with what ADOBE says on its website. Unlike ADOBE claims, I cannot edit or properly import AVI files encoded with DivX.

                       

                      That's the reason why I say "it is a SHAME for the ADOBE Company" because what it claims does not match with what I can do with its software....

                      • 8. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                        Hagia Sophia Community Member

                        If Adobe Premiere is not suitable for importing and editing DivX AVI files, then why does it make this claim on its website? I do have DivX PRO installed, but neither PRO CS4 trial version nor Adobe Premiere could edit or import AVI files compressed with DivX:

                         

                        http://help.adobe.com/en_US/PremierePro/4.0/WSf52ca809ac8f6c7135876f961243120b72d-8000.htm l

                         

                        "Adobe Premiere Pro can import files in the formats listed, provided the codec used to generate a specific file is installed locally. For example, to play and edit an AVI file encoded with the DivX encoder, the DivX codec must be installed."

                        • 9. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                          Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                          Actually, your AVI's ARE DivX, just in an AVI "wrapper." They were compressed with the DivX CODEC. This ARTICLE will give you some background.

                           

                          Next, there are several uses for CODEC's. This ARTICLE will give you some background on them.

                           

                          Now, as John points out, DivX is a very heavily-compressed, delivery-only format, designed for decent quality, small file size, streaming media. For that sole purpose, they do a good job. They are NOT designed to be edited. Besides the extreme compression, they are GOP, so have to be converted to full I-Frame, to edit in any Frame specific NLE, like PrPro. For more info on GOP, this ARTICLE will get you started.

                           

                          I get handed this CODEC too often. After I explain to the client that most of the quality has been wrung out of the original file, if they cannot go to before the DivX compression/encoding, I just convert the files to DV-AVI Type II w/ 48KHz 16-bit PCM/WAV Audio. Those will edit, but cannot bring back that lost quality - it's gone forever. I use DigitalMedia Converter, and it handles DivX and the open-source cousin, Xvid, well. There are probably free converters that will, as well. I do not experiment with other converters, as I own several licenses for DMC, it offers me batch conversion, and it works very well.

                           

                          If one gets DivX to Import, it usually comes in with either no Video, or no Audio, or the Audio is badly OOS.

                           

                          I have found that CyberLink's PowerDirector can natively handle DivX. It is designed for a totally different market, than is PrPro. So long as you have the proper DivX CODEC properly installed, it does fine, though the quality is still missing. That would be a better NLE for you, if you do much of this sort of work. I'd just pass on PrPro, and even PrElements, which also does not handle DivX well.

                           

                          Now, both Adobe NLE's WILL Export to DivX, if the CODEC is installed, though I have never been able to get PrPro to Export to Xvid. That is the only time that PrPro has crashed on me. I know of no one else, who has gotten it to work, but maybe some have?

                           

                          No, you're much better off leaving PrPro out of the loop with this material, unless you convert it.

                           

                          Good luck,

                           

                          Hunt

                           

                          Message was edited by: Bill Hunt - Added problems with Imported DivX files.

                          • 10. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                            Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                            Personally, I'd say that Adobe Marketing just got carried away. I have yet to encounter a DivX encoded file, that was not highly problematic in either PrPro, or PrE. YMMV, but obviously you are having the same experiences, that I, and nearly all others, have had.

                             

                            Good luck,

                             

                            Hunt

                            • 11. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                              Hagia Sophia Community Member

                              Thank you very much Bill for your detailed reply. You rock

                              I will definitely take your advice

                               

                              In the meantime, I believe ADOBE should not have claimed in its website that it could import and edit DivX files if the codec was installed locally. I think that is good enough to sue the ADOBE company.

                              • 12. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                                Jeff Bellune CommunityMVP

                                The trial of CS4 won't allow you to use anything MPEG, including DivX, which is a variant of MPEG4.

                                 

                                Your 6.0 version of Premiere is so old that I'm not sure MPEG4/DivX was available as a codec at that time.  To expect support in an such an old version of Premiere is unrealistic.

                                 

                                -Jeff

                                • 13. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                                  Hagia Sophia Community Member

                                  At the time of Premiere 6.0, DivX did exist.

                                  Also, the internet is full of forums who complain that their CS4 does not work with AVI files encoded with DivX files. I do not think it matters whether it is trial or full version... Besides, the Adobe representative told me on the phone that I'd better wait for the Adobe Company to release the incoming versions of Adobe Premiere. If CS4 has the capability of editing/ importing DivX files, then why did he say me that?

                                  I am really confused. Some very experienced users say Premiere (PRO, 6.0, whatever the version is...) "does not like" and cannot edit DivX AVI files. The call center representative says I should wait a couple of more years... On the other hand, ADOBE says it can edit & import DivX AVI files, which obviously is NOT the case. You say CS4 is capable of editing/ importing DivX files with no trouble. I do not know whom to listen to

                                  • 14. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                                    John T Smith CommunityMVP

                                    You have been told several times by different people... actual USERS of Premiere... that divx does not edit well, if at all

                                     

                                    You have been told that to use Premiere to edit you need to convert to DV AVI type 2 with 48khz sound

                                     

                                    You may either convert as noted, or find a different program to edit divx files

                                     

                                    No, I do NOT know the name of such a program... or even if one exists, since divx is a DELIVERY format, not an EDIT format

                                     

                                    Convert, or go to the divx owner site via the link I provided and ask THEM what will work to edit divx

                                     

                                    There may even be a divx forum... go there and ask what people use to edit divx files

                                     

                                    Whatever the marketing people at Adobe claim, the actual USERS here have told you why divx won't edit and what you need to do

                                     

                                    Hire an attorney and sue Adobe if you want... that will not change the fact that divx is simply not meant to be edited

                                    • 15. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                                      Hagia Sophia Community Member

                                      I have been also told by the ADOBE company, the producer or the software, that their software can edit & import DivX files, which is NOT true.

                                       

                                      Maybe it won't change the fact that DivX is not meant to be edited (though PowerDirector is said to be capable of editing DivX unlike you claim), it may at least make ADOBE not to claim anything that its products are NOT capable of...

                                      • 16. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                                        Bill Hunt CommunityMVP
                                        it may at least make ADOBE not to claim anything that its products are NOT capable of...

                                        Were the Adobe Marketing Department to contact me, that is one thing that I would strongly suggest be changed. The next would be what they call the "minimum system requirements." In the real world (or is that the reel world? ), those specs. will just allow one to install the programs (not just PrPro), but actually using them is dicey, at best. One needs much more in the way of a system.

                                         

                                        The same would be true for the mfgrs. of AVCHD cameras - there should be a big "Oh, BTW, you will also need a very fast Quad-core (or hot i7) computer with loads of RAM and multiple HDD's, just to play that stuff back in your editing program."

                                         

                                        Often Marketing Departments are disconnected from engineering, rather like a Dilbert cartoon, though it's not so funny in real life.

                                         

                                        Good luck,

                                         

                                        Hunt

                                        • 17. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                                          Donald Alderman Community Member

                                          the_wine_snob wrote:

                                          The same would be true for the mfgrs. of AVCHD cameras - there should be a big "Oh, BTW, you will also need a very fast Quad-core (or hot i7) computer with loads of RAM and multiple HDD's, just to play that stuff back in your editing program."


                                           

                                          BTW: I just purchased a JVC HD that uses the AVCHD format. Can any of Adobe software edit that, such as PPro or later? My camera saves it as an .MTS file and if I rename it to .mpg I can display it in WM with all the clarity.

                                           

                                          Thanks again.

                                           

                                          Donald Alderman

                                          • 18. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                                            John T Smith CommunityMVP

                                            Go over to the hardware section http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/hardware_forum and start reading about the STRONG computer it takes to edit AVCHD

                                             

                                            You may also convert to make editing easier http://forums.adobe.com/thread/390605?tstart=0

                                             

                                            Ask P-Pro questions in that form http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/premierepro_current

                                            • 19. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                                              Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                                              Donald,

                                               

                                              PrPro CS4.2 does a good job, so long as one has a very stout machine w/ a really fast, multi-core CPU.

                                               

                                              Good luck,

                                               

                                              Hunt

                                              • 20. Re: Importing & working with DivX files with Adobe Premiere 6.0
                                                Jorge del Campo Community Member

                                                Hi, you just must change the file extension from "divx" to "avi". That's all. Bye and succes!