To bring media files (assets) into an Adobe Premiere Pro project, you can capture, digitize, or import them, depending on the type of source material:

Capture

You capture digital video from a live camera or from tape. That is, you record it from the source to the hard disk. Most digital camcorders and decks can record video to tape, but video on tape must be captured (transferred to the hard disk) before Adobe Premiere Pro can use it in a project. In Adobe Premiere Pro, the capture function, in conjunction with a digital port or capture card (for example, FireWire or SDI), can capture digital video from tape and save it to disk as files that you can then add to your project. You can use Adobe After Effects to start Adobe Premiere Pro and start the capture process. Alternately, you can use Adobe OnLocation to capture video.

Digitize

You digitize analog video. Analog video is recorded by analog camcorders and decks. The data must be digitized (converted to digital form) before a computer can store and process it. In Adobe Premiere Pro, the capture function, in conjunction with a digitizing card or device, converts analog video to digital files.

Import

Use the Import command to bring files that are already on your hard disk or other connected storage device (such as a Panasonic P2 card) into your project. Adobe Premiere Pro lets you import numerous types of video, still images, and audio. You can also locate files in Adobe Bridge and use the File > Place command to import them into Adobe Premiere Pro. Finally, you can export an Adobe Premiere Pro project from After Effects, and import it into Adobe Premiere Pro.

For a video on capturing and importing assets, see www.adobe.com/go/vid0231.