[Jacob Moore]

Ahh I didn’t mention I’m a Windows user. However, after reading into Apple Compressor, I’m not sure I understand how that would help. Does that degrade the quality slightly?

Thank you for replying.

Jacob

[Jacob Moore]

Chris did you ever figure this out?

(Time-saving disclosure – there’s nothing useful in this post; I’m just offering moral support lol)

Although I’m in a different situation than you are (I do directly capture my video, so shame on me I guess), I’m with you on the frustration that software as thorough as Premiere isn’t able to handle video files created on some of the most common/popular devices in the world without major hiccups.

I create content for a company I work for using Illustrator, Photoshop, Audition, and Premiere. It’s neither convenient nor ideal to have to use other software. One thing I’m running into is that I’m creating video from several angles, using multiple cameras including a GoPro Hero 3 Black, a Nikon Coolpix S6900, a Nikon D3200, and an iPhone 5SE. Audio is being recorded separately via an Akai EIE Pro USB interface feeding 2 condenser mics, a lav mic, and a direct line from a guitar into individual tracks in Audition. (I use a clack for syncing the audio and video in post). Then I pull the audio tracks and video files into Premiere for editing. I sync everything at the beginning, but as the timeline progresses, the audio and video drift apart.

Chris I feel for you not having any control over the recording process. I’ve resorted to the pragmatic-but-annoying process of re-clacking every few minutes so I can cut the files and re-sync them manually. Admittedly, this does “work”, but the fact remains that I believe I should be able to record for longer than 5 minutes on all these devices and sync them once and be done with the syncing.

I’ve looked for answers several times, and I always run into your posts on the forums talking about this and getting nowhere with anyone chiming in.

“Use different hardware” is only relevant if you have that option. If you’re dealing with a bunch of stuff already recorded, you can’t be concerned with where it came from – only what to do with what you have. I understand the point that low level gear will produce low level results, but since no one’s asking for recommendations on how to get better source material, I don’t understand the infatuation with chiming in just to make the OP feel stupid for not starting with perfect captures to begin with.

“Use Handbrake” they say. I’m not sure how Handbrake deals with these files, but if the camera has added or subtracted frames for one reason or another, handbrake can only convert the files as they are from VFR to CFR; handbrake can’t magically make a file “correct”, or whatever the terminology may be, to match audio recorded with a constant sample rate, or to match video recorded with a CFR. I’ve tried Handbrake a number of times on several projects, and after eating up valuable time converting files, it still never solves my problems. Nothing against Handbrake – I’m sure in many cases it’s very useful. But for what I’m doing, it doesn’t accomplish my goal.

“Use iMovie/Windows Movie Maker/Quicktime/etc” seems like a step backward. Like telling someone with Photoshop “well what you need to do is open that puppy in Paint”. While in some instances using these applications might accomplish a workaround, they’re far from efficient, which is the goal most of us aspire to. Efficiency is the whole reason we use solutions like Premiere in the first place. (Please note that I do appreciate recommendations for a workaround, but for me, these solutions are problematic and haven’t worked for me yet.)

In my situation, I don’t have the luxury of telling my company which hardware to buy. The cameras we have are what we have. Nevermind the fact that for action shots, the GoPro is an industry staple, for everything from reality television to documentaries to extreme sports broadcasts. I find it hard to believe the folks at big time studios are relegated to using iMovie to meet their network deadlines. But maybe they are.

I’m hoping to find a solution that makes life easier for those of us who stoop to the depths of attempting to incorporate footage from consumer hardware into our projects. I’m sure Chris and I aren’t the only ones, and as he mentioned before, there exists no shortage of video taken with phones and other consumer devices, and now more than ever, it’s possible for individuals to create content without the need for the financial backing of major studios. And when someone brings me video and audio of a two hour talk their WWII veteran/POW grandfather gave at their school, I’m not going to tell them to buzz off because they didn’t use the most ideal capture device. In that situation, I need a solution, not an excuse.

Good luck Chris.