Combine all video files to one for editing at DVinfo.net

Erwin Layaoen · March 21st, 2011, 03:20 AM

to make my editing easier, i want to combine all my videos from the wedding to a single file and just edit/cut from it into my timeline in premiere. what's the easiest and best way to do this? thanks

Steve Bleasdale · March 21st, 2011, 04:51 AM

Hi have before now put my saved hard core clients copied bluray discs in the dvd drive imported to my timeline in adobe prem elements 8 and worked fine, quality stayed the same!!! if you have no disc back up just transfer all your footage from your hard drive by importing from the place where it is stored on your drive. steve

Ervin Farkas · March 21st, 2011, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erwin Layaoen

to make my editing easier, i want to combine all my videos from the wedding to a single file and just edit/cut from it into my timeline in premiere. what's the easiest and best way to do this? thanks

It depends on what files you have. If it's DV, VirtualDub will do it, but it's a manual process, file by file.

I would suggest to leave them as they are, once you get used to editing, you will see that it's actually much easier to work with many small files compared to one big file.

John Knight · March 21st, 2011, 01:08 PM

Hi Erwin - I'm like you, prefer to work with 1 big file.

I find my system likes files around 1hr long so I just import the folder of small CF Card files when I get home, batch add them to the timeline, divide them into say 4-5 timeline segments (ie: prep, ceremonycam1, ceremonycam2, reception, dancing) then EXPORT MOVIE on each segment out to larger files. (make sure not to recompress so you retain original quality) Then, delete the smaller files from the project - Premiere then opens much quicker without having to update the timeline with hundreds of little files.

I prefer this workflow - I think it goes back to the days of capturing whole tapes to work with. "Kids these days" are more used to working with smaller files. It's just what you are used to.

March 21st, 2011, 03:20 AM	#1
Erwin Layaoen Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 25	Combine all video files to one for editing to make my editing easier, i want to combine all my videos from the wedding to a single file and just edit/cut from it into my timeline in premiere. what's the easiest and best way to do this? thanks

March 21st, 2011, 04:51 AM	#2
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: Combine all video files to one for editing Hi have before now put my saved hard core clients copied bluray discs in the dvd drive imported to my timeline in adobe prem elements 8 and worked fine, quality stayed the same!!! if you have no disc back up just transfer all your footage from your hard drive by importing from the place where it is stored on your drive. steve

March 21st, 2011, 01:08 PM	#4
John Knight Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 588	Re: Combine all video files to one for editing Hi Erwin - I'm like you, prefer to work with 1 big file. I find my system likes files around 1hr long so I just import the folder of small CF Card files when I get home, batch add them to the timeline, divide them into say 4-5 timeline segments (ie: prep, ceremonycam1, ceremonycam2, reception, dancing) then EXPORT MOVIE on each segment out to larger files. (make sure not to recompress so you retain original quality) Then, delete the smaller files from the project - Premiere then opens much quicker without having to update the timeline with hundreds of little files. I prefer this workflow - I think it goes back to the days of capturing whole tapes to work with. "Kids these days" are more used to working with smaller files. It's just what you are used to.