Capturing Video

DV or HDV camcorder, WDM device, or webcam

Check your camcorder documentation if you are unsure whether it is digital or analog.

Note: If you have an analog source (such as VHS recorder), you need to convert it to digital video first, and then import it to Adobe Premiere Elements.

Computer connections and cables

To connect to your DV or HDV camcorder, your computer must have one of the following:

• IEEE 1394 port and cable (also known as FireWire or i.LINK)

  

  
  

• USB 2.0 port with a USB Video Class 1.0 driver installed (also called USB 2.0)

  

  
  

IEEE 1394 is recommended, and should be used whenever possible. Not all camcorders will work with USB. Many computers include onboard IEEE 1394 cards. If your computer does not include one, you can purchase and install one yourself.

Note: If you capture using the USB 2.0 port, and your camera appears as “offline,” your camera likely does not use the USB Video Class 1.0 driver. Capture using FireWire instead, or see the Support Knowledgebase on Adobe.com for more information.

Hard disk speed

DV formatted data is transmitted at a speed of 3.6 MB per second. The data transfer rate (often shortened to data rate) of your hard disk should meet or exceed this rate if it is to capture DV. To achieve this rate, your hard disk must be able to operate at 7200 rpm. Most hard disks manufactured in the last five years have this capability. To confirm the rate or rpm speed of your hard disk, see your computer or hard disk documentation.

Hard disk space

Five minutes of DV-AVI video occupies about 1 GB of hard disk space. Allow enough space, not only for the source footage you will capture, but also for the preview files and final rendered movie and DVD or Blu-ray folders, should you choose to make these. A minimum of 4.5 GB is recommended. Periodically defragment your hard disk. Writing to a fragmented disk can cause disruptions in your hard disk’s write speed, causing you to lose, or drop, frames as you capture. You can use the defragmentation utility included with Windows.

Note: Before capturing, make certain that you have enough hard disk space for the length of footage you will capture. Before capture, the Capture panel shows the amount of free disk space remaining. During capture, it shows the duration of footage that can be captured using the remaining free space.

External hard disks

Capturing to an external hard disk is not recommended. If you must use an external hard disk, make sure the cables can handle the drive’s data rates and rotational speeds, and use large capacity UDMA 133 IDE/SATA drives dedicated to video only.

From Adobe Premiere Elements, you can capture digital video, audio, or both from several types of devices using an IEEE 1394 (recommended) or USB 2.0 port. Most DV and HDV camcorders and tape decks (and most webcams) have these ports. The IEEE 1394 port on your camcorder may be marked DV IN/OUT, i.LINK, or IEEE 1394. The USB 2.0 port is marked by the USB icon .

Ports and plugs for capture of digital audio, video, and stills

A.

IEEE 1394

B.

USB

1. Do one of the following:

   • Connect your HDV camcorder to your computer’s IEEE 1394 port using an IEEE 1394 cable. You cannot capture HDV using USB ports.

   • Connect your DV camcorder to your computer’s IEEE 1394 port using a IEEE 1394 cable. Some camcorders may work with a USB 2.0 port using a USB cable; however, IEEE 1394 is recommended. If your camcorder has both an IEEE 1394 port and a USB port, use the IEEE 1394 port for video capture.

     Note: Do not connect the camcorder to both the IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0 ports at the same time.

   • Connect your webcam or other WDM device to your computer’s USB port using a USB cable. You can capture video or still images from webcams using USB 1.0 ports.

   • Connect your analog device to an AV DV converter or digital camcorder using analog jacks and plugs. Connect the AV DV converter or digital camcorder to your computer’s IEEE 1394 port using an IEEE 1394 cable.

   Note: If your computer does not have a built-in IEEE 1394 or USB 2.0 port, or if your camcorder does not include the appropriate cable, you can purchase one at a computer, camera, or consumer electronics store.
2. If required by your camera, use the power adapter to activate the IEEE 1394 port.
   Note: Some camcorders may go into sleep or inactive mode if left in camera mode without being activated for a period of time, even if connected to a power adapter.

Use the Capture panel to monitor the video and access all of the capture commands. This panel includes a video preview area, recording controls, a disk-space indicator, and a timecode display. From the Capture panel menu, accessed when you click the button, you can view and edit your current capture settings. You open the Capture panel by clicking Get Media in the Media view of the Tasks panel and selecting DV Camcorder, HDV Camcorder, Webcam . You can also open it by clicking the Capture Video button on the Welcome screen, which appears when the application starts.

Capture panel

A.

Status area

B.

Preview area

C.

Capture menu

D.

Device controls