Now That People Are Using PE 8, First Impressions

[Tomsde]

Now that it's been out a few weeks, I was wondering what people feel about PE 8 compared to earlier versions?

What do you really like about PE 8?

What don't you like so much?

I'm still considering buying it, but I'd be interested in hearing about people's experiences; although I mentioned it before in other threads--I'm very interested to know if PE 8 still suffers the audio drop outs on the timeline in and in previews. This is a bit of a big deal for me and I find it to be very annoying in PE 7. If that problem was solved, I'd be sold on upgrading.

[George Tyndall]

Now that it's been out a few weeks, I was wondering what people feel about PE 8 compared to earlier versions?

The following post presents a variety of viewpoints.

http://muvipix.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=6226

[George Tyndall]

...I'm very interested to know if PE 8 still suffers the audio drop outs on the timeline in and in previews. This is a bit of a big deal for me and I find it to be very annoying in PE 7. ....

The following post describes my method for handling audio dropouts and other problems with PRE7. Chuck tried a similar method, and it solved the problem that he was having.

http://muvipix.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=6292

[Tomsde]

From the PE 7 training I was doing, Total Training for Premiere Elements 7, I was given the impression that the audio drop outs was a software bug that does not show up after rendering a movie, but it common when playing back clips. My cameras all shoot some sort of MP2 or MP4 footage to a flash memory card; perhaps people who edit mini DV footage don't have the issue. I looked at the recommended thread; I can try reopening a project file after saving as, when I actually start editing a movie. Right now I've only been experimenting with different clips and import settings.

It seems like different video editing software I have does not like certain file formats. Had I do to it over again I would have purchased a good mini DV camera and not try to shoot with a variety of cameras; but it's rather late in the game for that now unless I sell some of my other cameras off.

At any rate, sometimes it takes at least 1 update patch to get new software bugs worked out--sometimes more. I hesitate to download the demo of the new version because I don't want to have conflicts with the exiting one.

[George Tyndall]

Had I do to it over again I would have purchased a good mini DV camera and not try to shoot with a variety of cameras; but it's rather late in the game for that now unless I sell some of my other cameras off....

Luckily, I joined muvipix before I decided on a camera, so I knew before buying that miniDV is the way to go.

The HV40 is currently going for under $800, with free shipping. You will likely be VERY happy with this camera--take a look at the reviews at B&H, which is where many of us buy our equipment.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/597424-REG/Canon_3686B001_VIXIA_HV40_High_Definition.html

[cknittle]

I'm about to attempt a refund from Adobe. PE8 is much less stable than PE4. As one example, while importing from an HV20 it crashed 3 times. I fired up PE4 and it imported without a problem.

I guess I still don't understand the background rendering. I have disabled it. Yet, I can load up some .mpg files, play then from the timeline, edit clips, and export to AVI just like I did in PE4. So, what's the point of all the background rendering? And it takes so darn long!

Does Adobe give refunds?

[cknittle]

I'm about to attempt a refund from Adobe. PE8 is much less stable than PE4. As one example, while importing from an HV20 it crashed 3 times. I fired up PE4 and it imported without a problem.

I guess I still don't understand the background rendering. I have disabled it. Yet, I can load up some .mpg files, play then from the timeline, edit clips, and export to AVI just like I did in PE4. So, what's the point of all the background rendering? And it takes so darn long!

Does Adobe give refunds?

Also, fast forward doesn't work as well. And when I load up a bunch of clips from say, a football game, editing a clip and clicking on the timeline causes the application to stutter - that is, it won't play correctly for 30 seconds or so.

I do like the motion detection however, and I like the idea of having a gif or cloud with text following an object or person.

[Steve Grisetti]

Version 8 is definitely a resource hog. It also takes a lot longer to launch -- and it's a good idea to let it completely launch and fully load before you try to do anything with it. Turning off Background Rendering will certainly free a lot of resources. So will having lots of RAM.

I am very surprised to hear you're having trouble using it with HDV video, particularly if you're using the right project settings and you have background rendering turned off. It a bit less stable -- but with that video format, it certainly shouldn't flounder!

[cknittle]

Version 8 is definitely a resource hog. It also takes a lot longer to launch -- and it's a good idea to let it completely launch and fully load before you try to do anything with it. Turning off Background Rendering will certainly free a lot of resources. So will having lots of RAM.

I am very surprised to hear you're having trouble using it with HDV video, particularly if you're using the right project settings and you have background rendering turned off. It a bit less stable -- but with that video format, it certainly shouldn't flounder!

Actually, I haven't even tried HDV with this yet. This is all SD stuff. I can't imagine HDV improving things.

[RJ Johnston]

Even after a clean install of Windows XP Pro SP3, the trial program crashes so often that it is unusable on my machine. When I look at the Crash reports, it is always the same error, "EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION," Thread 0, on a call to a routine that has something to do with palettes.

The crashes happen at different times under various conditions.

[Steve Grisetti]

Uh oh. If even Robert can't keep the program running that's a sure sign something is fundamentally wrong with it!

[Svein Berger]

Uh oh. If even Robert can't keep the program running that's a sure sign something is fundamentally wrong with it!

I'm agree. I will NOT use it either. I have installed it, but with no luck. Pre7 is working fine for me.

[Bobby]

This is very disturbing. It makes you wonder about the Adobe beta testing system. I want my software vendors to demonstrate a long term commitment to both new function AND stability. I think it will be very interesting how Adobe handles this in the "elements" marketing channel. Traditionally Adobe had never patched an "elements" program unless absolutely necessary.

[Jayell]

Well, I finally made the decision to upgrade from V2 .. to V7. It's sounding more and more like that was the right decision (unfortunately).

[SteveG]

Could the code be a little different for the released version? Maybe that will be stable.