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[ninetto] “But now another query: does that mean that when Premiere is dealing with Type-1 it is automatically doing the same thing as the freeware conversion tool: i.e. converting without loss only the way audio/video are interlaced?”

DV-AVI Type-II contains a second redundant audio track for compatiblity with older programs that use the “Video For Windows” programming interfaces, Sometimes quoted as DirectShow type2
DV-AVI Type-I is essentially an exact copy of the data from the mini-DV tape wrapped in an AVI file, DirectShow type1
Here is a couple of references about this:
https://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms787833.aspx

https://www.adamwilt.com/DV-FAQ-editing.html

There is also a reference to AVI type1 and AVI type2 so don’t confuse yourself with them, AVI Type1 usually refered to a old “Video for Windows”(VFW) codec which had a separate audio stream but had file size limits.
AVI Type2 refers to DirectShow DV AVI type1/2

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[Robert in Naples] “Premiere Pro 1.5 was the last to receive support. Is that true?”
Yes!

[Robert in Naples] “Are there any drivers for 2.0?”
No! Canopus discontinued support for Premiere after 1.5

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There are two types of DV-AVI files Type1, and Type2, you are probably receiving type1 files.

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Best thing is to get a good mic* and get a XLR to mini adapter, for the short run you are going to be using a xlr cable is overkill, only thing is do you have a sound chamber to make the voiceover from? it will eliminate external noise like computer fans, etc

*Sennhfeiser e835s, Shure SM58s

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Like Mike says, try it on another PC with a different cable, I just had a firewire connector on a cam break a finger contact and had to send it in for repair.

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[Superfly] “Processor Speed”
Fast as you can get if you want to do native HDV, also helps to have something something like cineform
[Superfly] “Will the new P4 dual core handle it?”
Core 2 Duo are much better.

[Superfly] “Hard Drive Speed (I will probably use a USB external if that’s fast enough)”
If you are going to use external drives make sure the laptop has an express card slot and then you can run external SATA II drives in external eSATA enclosures, also give you an advantage of being able to plug the drives into a desktop system if you have a SATA to eSATA bracket($7) and extra SATA slots on the MoBo, big external SATA drives help if you use an intermediate Codec for HDV

[Superfly] “Ram”
2gigs

Also unless you are constrained by size and weight get a 17″ screen

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[psysjde1] “Is it is not possible to get the Audio 2 from the Firewire Capture?”
Most NLEs with firewire capture only capture a 2ch track(stereo), to capture a second trk at the same time you have to use a utility like Scenalyzer which will capture the second trk as a seperate wav file to add to another audio trk or capture the second trk separately like you mentioned.

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Try rebuilding the Plug-in Cache File(preferences) by holding down the shift key when starting Ppro and keeping held till the project selection screen appears, you may have to redo some custom settings you have made

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What are you trying to do, make a photo montage, photo album, or tack the photos in sequence to make video frames for a movie?

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[tvle2006] “Does it show up stretched vertically on a 4:3?
No, it is cropped both left and right sides”
What project settings are you working with?