Working with Mpeg2 instead of DV format?

[doc06]

Hi to all!

I know that I'm asking for something maybe trivial, but the answer could help me to save space on my HD ;-)

I'd like to work with compressed DVD (mpeg2) files (e.g. using TMPGEnc)instead of DV files (directly from the digital videocamera). In this way I would work with smaller files.

Is this resulting in a loss of quality of the final video in mpeg2 (DVD quality) produced with Premiere?

Thanx!
Doc

 

[acke187]

u should avoid trying to edit mpeg files. Adobe Premiere isnt a big fan of mpeg files. Buy a new large disk instead, fairly cheap these days. If u really need smaller files I suggest trying to use some .avi codec or quicktime. Make testfiles and open them in premiere and see if they are ok to edit.

 

[doc06]

Dear acke187,

thanks for your clear answer. But sometimes I have to work with mpeg2 files as sources (because I'd like to join them, to add titles and so on...), so in that case I have no chance...
For that case the question is slightly different... If I use an mpeg2 file as source in Premiere, the output (that is mpeg2 encoded file...) is worst than the original one (encoding of an already encoded file...), or I have no loss of quality (the encoding of a mpeg2 file in mpeg2 doesn't affect the file)?

 

[WizyWyg]

Doc06

Which is why MPEG is not considered an "editable" file format.

when you want to edit, alwasy capture in AVI or MOV since these are the basis of any video file. From these files you can encode to what you need ( mpg, rm, wmv, asf, qtm etc ) . Mpeg is a "final format" file that can be used later for DVD / SVCD/ VCD production ( depending on which mepg version you use ).

As for your loss in quality because you're re-rendering an mpeg2 into an mpeg 2, think of it this way:

You make a xerox copy of an article from a magazine with a nice black and white picture.
Then you take that xerox copy and make another copy from that.
Then you take that new copy and make a copy from that.

What happens to the quality?

Or, you record a tv show on VHS.
Your friend wants a copy , so you make one from him.
He then has a friend that asks him for a copy, so he makes a copy from his copy.
What happens to the quality of the third copy?

This is exactly what happens when you re-render or use an mpeg2 file to output to a new mpeg2 file.