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Adobe Premiere Pro CS3  |  Go to CS4 Help

File formats supported for import

Adobe Premiere Pro can import a number of video and audio formats. It also supports 10‑bit color depth, sometimes useful for editing standard and high‑definition footage.

File format support is provided by plug-in software modules. Most of these software modules are installed automatically with Adobe Premiere Pro.

Adobe Premiere Pro supports four-channel assets. Every processed pixel in its render pipeline uses four channels. When it processes a three-channel asset, such as DV, HDV, or MPEG footage, as when it has to add an effect or transition, Adobe Premiere Pro automatically converts it to a four-channel asset.

Supported video and animation file formats

  • ASF (Netshow, Windows only)

  • AVI (DV-AVI, Microsoft AVI Type 1 and Type 2)

  • DLX (Sony VDU File Format Importer, Windows only)

  • FLM (Filmstrip, Windows only)

  • GIF (Animated GIF)

  • MOV (QuickTime)

  • MP4 (XDCAM EX)

  • MPEG, MPE, MPG, M2V (MPEG-1, MPEG-2)

  • MXF (Media eXchange Format; Panasonic DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO HD, Sony XDCAM HD. )

  • VOB (Video OBject: DVD files without encryption)

  • WMV (Windows Media Video, Windows only)

Note: Type 1 AVI clips must be rendered before they can be previewed from a DV device. To render a Type 1 AVI clip, add it to a sequence in a DV project, and preview it.

Supported audio file formats

  • Audio Interchange File Format, AIFF (AIF)

  • Audio Video Interleaved Audio (AVI)

  • Audio Waveform (WAV)

  • M4A

  • MP3

  • MPEG, MPG

  • MXF

  • QuickTime Audio (MOV; requires QuickTime player)

  • Windows Media Audio (WMA) (Windows only)

Supported still‑image and sequence file formats

Adobe Premiere Pro supports 8-bit per-channel (4 bytes per pixel) and 16-bit per-channel (8 bytes per pixel) still-image files. It converts images with lower bit-depths to 8-bits per channel and images with higher bit-depths to 16-bits per channel on import. High bit-depth files are supported at 1 single-precision float per channel (16-bytes per pixel).

  • Adobe Illustrator and Illustrator sequence (AI, EPS)

  • Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop sequence (PSD)

  • Adobe Premiere 6.0 Title (PTL)

  • Adobe Title Designer (PRTL)

  • Bitmap and Bitmap sequence (BMP, DIB, RLE)

  • EPS

  • Filmstrip (FLM)

  • GIF

  • Icon File (ICO) (Windows only)

  • JPEG and JPEG sequence (JPE, JPG, JFIF)

  • PCX and PCX sequence (PCX) (Windows only)

  • PICT and PICT sequence (PIC, PCT)

  • Portable Network Graphics (PNG)

  • PSQ

  • PTL, PRTL (Adobe Title Designer)

  • Targa and Targa sequence (TGA, ICB, VDA, VST)

  • TIFF and TIFF sequence (TIF)

Note: You can import layered Illustrator and Photoshop files as sequences.

Supported video project file formats

  • Adobe Premiere 6.x Library (PLB) (Windows only)

  • Adobe Premiere 6.x Project (PPJ) (Windows only)

  • Adobe Premiere 6.x Storyboard (PSQ) (Windows only)

  • Adobe Premiere Pro (PRPROJ)

  • Advanced Authoring Format (AAF)

  • After Effects Project (AEP)

  • Batch lists (CSV, PBL, TXT, TAB)

  • Edit Decision List (EDL)




Comments

Comments are no longer accepted for Premiere Pro CS3. Premiere Pro CS4 is the current version. To discuss Premiere Pro CS3, please use the Adobe forum.

Comments


No screen name said on Apr 28, 2008 at 3:00 PM :
Why isn't m2t listed as a supported file format? Isn't this the native HDV mode for Premiere?
smuratore said on Jun 9, 2008 at 9:33 AM :
Good catch. M2T should be listed, and is supported.
student-Ted said on Jun 13, 2008 at 4:34 AM :
I use a program that converts flv. files to AVI (MPEG 4)

When I import the VI (MPEG 4) file into Premier Pro, only the video shows. Why doesn't it take the audio?
GregB488 said on Jun 16, 2008 at 12:11 PM :
.VOB is listed as a supported file format in Premiere Pro, however it is not listed unless you change the file formats listed to "All Files" and then it is an unsupported file format.

You can rename the file to .MPG and import it then, but it does not natively support VOB files
smuratore said on Jun 17, 2008 at 7:38 AM :
It's likely the audio is in an unsupported format.
ma6string said on Jun 23, 2008 at 3:00 PM :
I just bought Prem Pro CS3, and I don't see where m2t or mts files are supported nor can I get Prem Pro to recognise that format in order to bring the file in and begin to edit it. How is that done? Is there a trick, and why is there nothing mentioned about it, I purchased the program thinking, spend the bucks and Prem Pro CS3 should be able to handle all the formats out there. Thanks
smuratore said on Jul 25, 2008 at 3:54 PM :
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 does capture M2T files from tape-based HDV devices. See http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/PremierePro/3.0/WS00B136B2-33DB-49a0-B247-6521242FDBDA.html
No screen name said on Jul 31, 2008 at 11:07 AM :
My JVC MG365 HDV camera imports clips as .mod files. Is this file type supported in Premiere Pro CS3? If not, is there a workaround. Thanks.
richardah said on Aug 6, 2008 at 8:48 AM :
I need to import video files recorded on my Canon Powershot stills camera. They are AVI files but in Motion JPEG format. I can import straight into Adobe Premiere Elements, but not Premiere Pro. Is there an update to fix this or will I need to carry on converting the files before I can import into Premiere Pro?
yoshi445511 said on Aug 7, 2008 at 4:27 PM :
i can't import mp3's....

wierd
No screen name said on Aug 12, 2008 at 7:01 AM :
How do I import my H.264 MPEG-4 files into Premiere Pro CS3?

Any plug-in recommended or am I missing something?

I have not found a method other than converting those into another supported file format then importing them into Premiere Pro CS3?
No screen name said on Aug 12, 2008 at 9:07 AM :
I am using Adobe Premiere Pro CS3. I have a
Sony DCR-SR300. I want to import the mpg files. I cannot file how to import them. Any help?
smuratore said on Aug 12, 2008 at 9:12 AM :
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 does support MOV files, when QuickTime is installed on the same machine.
smuratore said on Aug 12, 2008 at 9:26 AM :
To transfer and import files from tapeless camcorders, use this method: http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/PremierePro/3.0/WSDC9504FC-7687-4c7a-B583-54F36A7ABB63.html
For information about transfering files from your camcorder to your computer, please see the camcorder manual.
smuratore said on Aug 14, 2008 at 4:13 PM :
Premiere Pro CS3 does not natively support MOD. Perhaps other users know of workarounds or converters. You might try the Adobe Premiere Pro user forum at http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.1de9c1bf/.
D Baxter said on Aug 15, 2008 at 8:55 AM :
VOB is listed as being a natively supported format for import, this is incorrect, the file format is NOT in the list of those available using the import command. Premiere Pro CS3 does not include the Media Downloader like Premiere Elements for supporting this file format.
No screen name said on Aug 16, 2008 at 6:41 AM :
I just purchased Adobe Premiere Pro CS3. When I import my mpg files from my Sony DCR-SR300 I can see the video files BUT not the audios with them. I do not capture the files. They are mpg files on my computer from the Sony's HD.

I looked at the mpg files using Bridge (I'm not sure I know what Bridge is use for?), and I can see and hear them. But when I go to File > Import and select the mpg files, the audio is not imported with the video file. Can someone help me?
No screen name said on Aug 18, 2008 at 1:25 PM :
I am trying to trial the Pro CS3 with my Sony HD - I cannot get pro to recognize my files (m2ts, modd, moff). Any suggestions?
D Baxter said on Aug 19, 2008 at 3:53 PM :
It would be useful to include a disclaimer that even though a given file format may be supported, files encoded in a non-OS native codecs may not be compatible when imported for editing or when attempting to encode in when exporting (such as many 3rd party codecs that can downloaded and installed from the internet, or AVI files encoded in Divx or Xvid)
smuratore said on Aug 26, 2008 at 2:22 PM :
The camera may be using a codec not installed with Adobe Premiere Pro. In that case, using Premiere Elements to transcode the files would be a good workaround.
No screen name said on Sep 3, 2008 at 7:37 AM :
Why do I have to convert my MP4's to mov through quicktime to get premier pro to recognize my files if mp4's are supported? Should I uninstall quicktime so that it works? I hate to do this and then it not work.
smuratore said on Sep 5, 2008 at 1:35 PM :
See the other comments on this page regarding lack of VOB support.
No screen name said on Sep 5, 2008 at 9:49 AM :
I currently got adobe premiere pro cs3 and i can get audio when I import mpegs and my avi files say that the program cannot support. need help please
jlemme said on Sep 5, 2008 at 12:43 PM :
Regarding importing VOB files, I have both Premiere Pro CS3 and Premiere Elements on my computer. Elements imports these files with no problem what so ever, Pro does not, nor does it show .vob files as an option for import. Is it possible I am missing an update or patch?
smuratore said on Sep 17, 2008 at 3:09 PM :
It's likely that the audio is in a format not supported natively by Adobe Premiere Pro, and for which you do not have a codec installed on your machine.
smuratore said on Sep 17, 2008 at 3:37 PM :
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 (with all updates) natively supports MP4 files created by XDCAM EX devices.
rOOmUSh said on Oct 6, 2008 at 8:33 AM :
I'm trying to import .mpg files into 3.2.0 and it shows me Media Pending,
no indexing and no conforming.

What could it be?

thank you!
CB** said on Oct 13, 2008 at 4:52 PM :
I can't seem to import M2T files into my Premier CS3.
Is there any setting I need to set up?
No screen name said on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:28 AM :
whenever i import a file from my sony dsc sr52e (these are saved as MPG
files) it always says " error message, file format not supported ."

what is the reason for that. if anyone else has had the same problem or
knows how to resolve this please email me at:

ollie_collie@hotmail.com

thanks
smuratore said on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:45 AM :
It's likely the audio is in an unsupported format.
xc022 said on Oct 24, 2008 at 9:15 PM :
I am trying to import .m2t files that are stored on an external hard drive into premiere pro cs3 (3.2). I have no problem importing the files as long as they are less than 10 GB. I tried to import a 26 GB .m2t file and it keeps on freezing/crashing. I am using a Ppro CS3 on a MacBook.
xc022 said on Oct 24, 2008 at 9:15 PM :
I am trying to import .m2t files that are stored on an external hard drive into premiere pro cs3 (3.2). I have no problem importing the files as long as they are less than 10 GB. I tried to import a 26 GB .m2t file and it keeps on freezing/crashing. I am using a Ppro CS3 on a MacBook.
clauditorium said on Nov 12, 2008 at 6:48 PM :
mp4 is listed as a supported video format. But whenever I try to import an mp4 video file, it only imports the audio.
No screen name said on Nov 18, 2008 at 7:01 PM :
According to Adobe I should be able to import ASF video files from my Canon Optura300 MiniDV camcorder, but it shows a message 'unable to import file' though when I try.
Also it has huge problems with Ricoh R7 AVI files at 30fps.
Any suggestions as to the required plug-in is appreciated. thx
TWMason said on Nov 19, 2008 at 3:24 PM :
I am trying to get my friend's Premiere Pro CS3 to import HDV footage from my Sony HVR-A1E but it doesn't seem to recognise it. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why?
Cheeop said on Nov 21, 2008 at 4:07 PM :
I'm importing .m2ts from my Sony Handycam HDR-SR-12 and it keeps
telling me File format not supported.

When I look on Adobe's site, it says that format is supported. What gives?
addwaterstir said on Dec 7, 2008 at 3:18 PM :
I am importing video digitized by Pinnacle Digital Transfer (MP4) format. Error message is "unsupported format or damaged file."

On my Windows PC (where Premiere CS3 is installed), the file plays fine on Quicktime Pro, Windows Media Player, iTunes. On the Mac it plays great on iMovie and iTunes.

Any reason why I couldn't import and what should I do to make it work?
pmonk said on Dec 9, 2008 at 9:44 AM :
I bought the CANON FS100 and Premiere Pro CS3.. these are bother rather new technology. It would be GREAT if they both worked together without needing to do a bunch of workaround tricks to get MOD files to work in Premiere..

Any projection of if this will abe addressed in a patch soon?

--
No screen name said on Dec 11, 2008 at 10:07 PM :
Thats odd .mod is supported in After Effects but not Premiere, is this a mistake?

 

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