Dale Farris, Reviews Coordinator
Golden Triangle PC Club
April 2008

Tell your story with maximum impact using Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 software, the start-to-finish solution for efficient video production that now includes Adobe OnLocation CS3 (Windows only) and Adobe Encore CS3. Save time from on-set capture using Adobe OnLocation through to output, expand your creative options via integration with Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional and Photoshop CS3 software, and deliver your content to DVD, Blu-ray Disc, the web, and mobile devices.

Top Features

Native tapeless editing workflow for Sony XDCAM and Panasonic P2 formats
Import and edit content from Sony XDCAM and Panasonic P2 equipment natively, without transcoding or rewrapping. Deliver content quickly and efficiently with true native editing directly from XDCAM EX and P2 media. Or copy files to the hard drive to take full advantage of your system’s speed. Adobe Premiere Pro retains key metadata from the XDCAM and P2 media, making it available within the project window. Editors can mix other file formats freely within the Adobe Premiere Pro timeline, combining content from multiple sources. Finally, export your work to P2 to allow playback on P2 equipment.

Efficient tools for creative editing
Efficient tools for creative editing Create high-quality visual and editorial effects directly within the editing timeline. Generate slow motion and other time-remapping effects with precise keyframe control and real-time feedback. Add color correction, lighting and other effects, audio filters, and more with fast, flexible, built-in tools. Edit footage from multicam shoots with ease and precision.

Comprehensive video-format compatibility
Work with the formats you want. Edit all standard- or high-definition formats, from DV and HDV to HD and beyond (some formats may require additional hardware).

Broad range of supporting hardware and software for Mac and Windows
Choose from a wide range of Mac and Windows® workstations and capture cards to build the editing system that meets your needs and budget. Enhance your system with additional plug-ins, including many from Adobe After Effects software.

DVD and Blu-ray Disc output with included Adobe Encore CS3
Create DVD and Blu-ray Discs with Adobe Encore CS3 software, now included with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3. Work with the same Adobe Encore authoring interface and features used to create standard-definition DVDs. Author once, deliver to three formats: automatically convert your high-definition Blu-ray Disc projects into standard-definition DVDs and interactive versions for the web.

Superior integration with other Adobe applications
Make the leading still and motion graphics applications, Adobe Photoshop and After Effects, part of an efficient post-production workflow. Import and animate Photoshop layers. Automatically create Photoshop files that match the current project’s frame size and aspect ratio. Drag and drop or copy and paste clips and timelines between Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 and After Effects CS3 Professional.

Direct-to-disk recording with included Adobe OnLocation CS3 (Windows only)
Save tape and time by eliminating capture from your production process. Record SD and HD video directly to hard disk using Adobe OnLocation CS3 software, included with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3. Instantly review each shot without shuttling tape. Adobe OnLocation automatically detects and flags problems to provide the best results.

Professional on-set monitoring with Adobe OnLocation CS3
Maximize camera image quality during shoots by using Adobe OnLocation CS3 to quickly calibrate your camera, check levels, and monitor your signal. Use simple tools that function like their hardware equivalents to get results quickly and easily. The virtual reference monitor, waveform monitor, vectorscope, and audio spectrum analyzer help you avoid problems and improve quality when shooting.

Delivery to the web and mobile devices
Make your video viewable on the delivery platforms of today and tomorrow. Export as SWF FLV files. Easily convert DVD projects complete with menus to SWF for web playback. Encode for delivery to cell phones and other mobile devices, and emulate playback on those devices to check playback quality.

Improved editing efficiency
Improved editing efficiency Work faster with powerful and flexible editing tools. Play video with nested audio sequences in real time without rendering. Replace any clip in the timeline with a new clip while preserving the replaced clip’s editing attributes and settings. Use shortcuts to switch between workspace panels and save time.

Accelerated client review and approval with Adobe Clip Notes
Expedite review cycles and avoid miscommunication with Adobe Clip Notes. Embed video into a PDF file, e-mail the file to your client to review and add timecode-specific comments, and then view comments mapped to the Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 timeline.

All Features

Edit creatively and efficiently
Focus on telling your story with powerful, flexible editing tools. Save time creating dramatic effects and get finer creative control thanks to tight integration with Adobe Photoshop CS3 and After Effects CS3 Professional.

Work fast
Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional integration
Drag and drop or copy and paste clips and timelines between Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 and After Effects CS3 Professional. Open complete Adobe Premiere Pro projects, including nested sequences, in After Effects.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 integration
Import and animate Adobe Photoshop layers. Edit still images from Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 with Photoshop CS3. Automatically create Photoshop files to match the current project’s frame size and aspect ratio.

Direct-to-disk recording with included Adobe OnLocation CS3 (Windows only)
Save tape and time by eliminating capture from your production process. Record SD and HD video directly to hard disk using Adobe OnLocation CS3 software, included with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3. Instantly review each shot without shuttling tape. Adobe OnLocation automatically detects and flags problems to provide the best results.

Adobe After Effects plug-in compatibility
Take advantage of After Effects software plug-ins to expand your effects options. Most After Effects plug-ins are compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3.

Adobe Illustrator integration
Open Adobe Illustrator files in Adobe Premiere Pro CS3. When scaling an image in Adobe Premiere Pro, the image is rerasterized, ensuring that image quality remains pristine.

Adobe Soundbooth integration
Send audio files directly to Adobe Soundbooth software for editing, and hear changes immediately in the Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 timeline.

Adobe Encore CS3 integration
Save time in the authoring process by sending media with timeline markers directly to Adobe Encore CS3 for interactive authoring for Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and the web.

Customizable user interface
Adjust the Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 interface to fit any editing style, workflow, and environment. Panels can be configured in many arrangements and across multiple monitors. Use the docked interface to simultaneously adjust all windows.

Multiple project panels with smart file search
Find files faster with search tools that instantly update results as you type. Sort and organize assets into multiple project panels, each with its own graphical or text view setting. Display and handle media files, making project management easier and more efficient.

Project manager
Easily archive media, reclaim drive space, and move between offline and online environments. Consolidate projects by selecting and moving actual media used in a project to a single location for archiving and storage management.

File management with Adobe Bridge
Work more efficiently by using Adobe Bridge CS3 to search for and access your project files, preview and apply settings, run batch processes, and tag assets with XMP metadata.

Customizable keyboard shortcuts
Personalize your experience by creating multiple keyboard maps for different tasks or to support multiple users. Export your own shortcut sets, allowing you to be productive immediately when working with Adobe Premiere Pro on other systems.

Scrolling timeline
Set the timeline to scroll smoothly under a stationary indicator during playback, or adjust it to advance one page as the playback indicator reaches the edge of the window.

Assignable panel shortcuts
Switch between panels using keyboard shortcuts that save time and mouse fatigue.

No audio rendering with nested sequences
Play nested sequences immediately without having to render audio. This can save time when working with multicam sequences.

Realize your vision
Multicam editing
View multiple video tracks from a multiple-camera shoot, easily sync via timecode, and edit by switching between tracks in real time. Rerecord sections of your edit, make fine adjustments using standard timeline editing tools, and easily adjust color correction across multiple shots, even after editing.

Advanced color-correction tools
Use primary and secondary color-correction tools to match shots; change colors; correct exposure errors; and modify highlights, midtones, and shadows across clips, sequences, or entire projects.

Time remapping
Use slow motion to create dramatic effects that focus on the action. With a streamlined, on-clip interface, the time remapping feature makes it easy to speed up, slow down, reverse, and hold frames with precision.

Professional on-set monitoring with Adobe OnLocation CS3
Maximize camera image quality during shoots by using Adobe OnLocation CS3 to quickly calibrate your camera, check levels, and monitor your signal. Use simple tools that function like their hardware equivalents to get results quickly and easily. The virtual reference monitor, waveform monitor, vectorscope, and audio spectrum analyzer help you avoid problems and improve quality when shooting.

Multiple nestable timelines
Edit each section or sequence of your project on its own timeline. Nest each timeline section into a master timeline while maintaining full access to every edit.

Professional internal scopes
Monitor luma and chroma levels on every line with the built-in waveform monitor and vectorscope. Display Waveform IRE information in standard, YCbCr Parade, RGB Parade, or combined modes.

Integrated titling
Create sophisticated text and graphics titles from scratch, from professionally designed templates, or from user-defined styles.

10-bit and 16-bit color resolution support
Maintain source integrity with support for 10-bit video and 16-bit PSD files.

32-bit internal color processing
Maintain maximum image quality with subtle and dramatic changes to color, contrast, and exposure, free of the banding and artifacts caused by lower bit-depth processing.

Advanced audio editing
Create 5.1 surround-sound audio mixes, edit audio with individual sample precision, and apply clip- and track-based effects, using the included VST plug-ins or your own.

Surround sound editing
Create and manipulate 5.1 multichannel audio to produce true surround sound and other richly layered audio experiences.

Video clip and timeline effects
Apply powerful visual and motion effects to your clips with high-quality built-in effects. An almost unlimited choice of additional effects is available thanks to the wide range of After Effects compatible plug-ins for video and VST plug-ins for audio.

Advanced subclip creation and editing
Break master clips into smaller subclips for more flexible editing, especially when working with large sections of content. Treat subclips like any other video clip by trimming, applying effects, renaming, and more.

Audio clip and track effects
Apply multiple audio effects to any audio clip or track and work with third-party VST-format audio plug-ins. Enjoy audio effects and editing unequaled by any other nonlinear editor and by most audio software.

Audio mixer
Control the volume and pan/balance settings of your audio tracks with a software version of an audio mixer. Use advanced features like channel inserts, auxiliary sends and returns, automation, and more.

Hundreds of video and audio filters and effects
Explore hundreds of high-quality production and design filters and effects to restore and enhance your video, graphics, and audio.

Timewarp
Use the same Timewarp effect found in After Effects to create high-quality slow motion through pixel-motion analysis. The Timewarp filter gives precise keyframe control over every parameter, producing the highest quality results on the most difficult source content.

Clip replacing
Easily swap out clips in the timeline without having to re-create settings. Replace any clip in the timeline with a new clip that preserves the original clip’s attributes. All effects and keyframes are retained, and, if necessary, the new clip is trimmed to fit the duration of the original one.

Ripple, rolling, slip-and-slide edits
Make complex edits in one step using the advanced editing tools professionals depend on. Trim and adjust footage with single actions that would otherwise require multiple steps.

Auto-color adjustment
Instantly improve your video image quality with filters like those in Photoshop, including Auto Color, Auto Contrast, and Shadows/Highlights.

Effects favorites
Create your own effects presets. Save simple and complex effects parameters as a custom preset that you can quickly apply to any clip in any project.

Lighting Effects filter
Add a spot, directional, or omni light to your video footage. Create multiple lights to see different looks on different parts of a scene.

Audio sample-level editing
Adjust audio clips with a precision of up to 1/96,000 of a second. Set precise L- and J-cuts. Eliminate small pops, crackles, and other unwanted audio elements.

Audio keyframing
Create smooth audio crossfades and other audio changes with a minimal number of keyframes. Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 creates fewer audio keyframes over a given time interval, simplifying editing and preserving system resources.

Animated track-matte workflow
Easily create traveling mattes by applying effects and animation to individual track-matte clips.

Precise keyframe controls with Bezier handles Control any audio and video effect parameter using comprehensive keyframe controls that mirror those found in After Effects. Get precise control using Bezier handles to finesse the shape of parameter curves.

Achieve excellent results
Work with virtually any format with uncompromised imagery from start to finish. Maximize footage quality and save time by recording directly to hard disk using the included copy of Adobe OnLocation CS3.

Support for multiple formats
Native tapeless editing workflow for Sony XDCAM and Panasonic P2 formats
Import and edit content from Sony XDCAM and Panasonic P2 equipment natively, without transcoding or rewrapping. Deliver content quickly and efficiently with true native editing directly from XDCAM EX and P2 media. Or copy files to the hard drive to take full advantage of your systems speed. Adobe Premiere Pro retains key metadata from the XDCAM and P2 media, making it available within the project window. Editors can mix other file formats freely within the Adobe Premiere Pro timeline, combining content from multiple sources. Finally, export your work to P2 to allow playback on P2 equipment.

Comprehensive video-format compatibility
Work with the formats you want. Edit all standard- or high-definition formats, from DV and HDV to HD and beyond (some formats may require additional hardware).

Native Panasonic P2 editing
Import and edit content from Panasonic P2 cameras without transcoding or rewrapping, saving time during editing and retaining important metadata from the P2 device.

Wide range of Panasonic P2 frame rates and resolutions supported
Edit the majority of the frame rates and resolutions supported by Panasonic P2 cameras, including 50P and 60P. Combine resolutions freely on the timeline.

Native HDV editing
Capture and edit HDV content in real time and in its original format with no conversion or quality loss. Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 supports HDV cameras and VTRs from Sony, JVC, and Canon.

Support for all media types
Import and export major video, audio, and graphic file formats, including QuickTime, Windows Media, AVI, BWF, AIFF, JPEG, PNG, PSD, TIFF, and more.

Still-image file support
Import still-image files in any major format including PSD, BMP, GIF, EPS, JPEG, PCX, PICT, PNG, and TIFF. Export in BMP, GIF, TARGA, and TIFF formats.

Real-time editing
Play through most common transitions and effects without waiting to render. For even more real-time performance, add hardware from a variety of third parties.

Integration with high-end workflows
Feet + Frames timecode
Display timecode for 16mm and 35mm film in standard Feet + Frames nomenclature.

4K film production
Import, edit, and output image sequences with dimensions up to 4,096x4,096 pixels.

16:9 preview to 4:3
Preview widescreen footage on a 4:3 monitor or lay off to a 4:3 tape or DVD with real-time letterboxing. Help ensure that your 16:9 material looks right during playback.

Digital intermediate workflow
Capture and edit HD or up to 4K scanned files, consolidate and manage projects, and work efficiently with After Effects CS3 Professional and Photoshop CS3 software.

Target output resolution
Set your project to any resolution and work with it throughout production—great for creating video banner ads, content for small screens, and more.

Broad hardware support
Comprehensive VTR support Control video decks through RS-422 and RS-232 serial protocols or FireWire for precise batch capturing, recapturing, and insert editing.

ASIO compatibility
Record and play back audio through any multichannel audio card or hardware that supports the industry-standard ASIO protocol (Windows only).

Video hardware support
Choose from a wide range of capture cards and other hardware to build the HD, SD, or DV editing system that meets your needs and budget.

Deliver everywhere
Accelerate reviews and reach the widest possible audience by delivering your work to film, tape, the web, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and mobile devices.

Share your work
Accelerated client review and approval with Adobe Clip Notes
Expedite review cycles and avoid miscommunication with Adobe Clip Notes. Embed video into a PDF file, e-mail the file to your client to review and add timecode-specific comments, and then view comments mapped to the Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 timeline.

AAF and EDL import/export
Exchange project metadata with major video, film, and audio applications via industry-standard Advanced Authoring Format (AAF), AAF with Edit Protocol, and Edit Decision List (EDL) files. (AAF import/export for Windows only)

Choose your final output
Blu-ray Disc authoring Maintain the pristine quality of your HD video all the way to distribution. Create high-definition Blu-ray Discs with Adobe Encore CS3, working with the same interface and features used to create standard-definition DVDs.

Adobe Encore CS3 publishing to the web
With one click, easily create SWF versions of your DVD and Blu-ray Disc projects for the web. Use Adobe Encore CS3, included with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, to create content compatible with Adobe Flash® Player, complete with DVD interactivity and menus, without opening another application.

Deliver for interactive video creation
Deliver for interactive video creation Easily incorporate video into Flash CS3 Professional projects as you create immersive experiences for the web. Timeline markers are embedded as cue points when exporting FLV files from Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, streamlining the process of creating interactive and navigational triggers.

Interactive authoring to multiple formats
Reach more audiences quickly. Use Adobe Encore CS3 to author interactive titles, and then publish them to multiple delivery formats—Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and SWF for playback through Adobe Flash Player—with a single click.

Output for mobile devices
Make your video viewable on the latest delivery platforms. Encode video for delivery to cell phones and other mobile devices, and simulate playback on those devices to check video quality. Download profile updates to simulate the latest devices.

Export to Panasonic P2
When editing Panasonic P2 content, export your sequence to a P2 card for reuse and playback on other Panasonic P2 equipment.

Web video delivery
Make your project web ready. In addition to FLV format, choose from comprehensive compression tools for Internet-friendly file formats including Real, Windows Media, and QuickTime.

Digital cinema export
Create a stunning theatrical experience. Export your digital cinema project as a Windows Media 9 Series file with 720p or 1,080p resolution and 5.1 surround sound.

Sequence editing for film out
Support for any frame size up to 4,096x4,096 pixels, and for every major image and sequence file format (including AI, PSD, TGA, TIFF, and BMP), makes Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 the ideal tool for editing and preparing sequences for output to 35mm and other film formats.

Value of Program

Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 is the newest version of this program that dominates the competitive world of professional video editing software. While previous versions of Premiere were a few steps down from Avid and Final Cut Pro, the world’s standards in editing software, CS3 has a number of new features that bring it much closer to the programs used to make the majority of the world’s motion pictures.

Although editors hoping to get a job in the industry may want to invest in the industry standards Avid or Final Cut, Premiere is an excellent program for anyone with a vested interest in video editing who is also seeking to become skilled in other types of visual media, such as animation and graphic design, because it compatible with other Adobe programs such as Flash, After Effects, and of course, Photoshop.

In fact, anyone who’s interested in multiple areas of visual media should consider investing in Adobe’s Creative Suite 3 Master Collection program, hich includes the newest versions of Flash, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Soundbooth, and the DVD authoring program Encore, as well as the new and improved Premiere Pro. This complex, multi-part program has a hefty price tag, retailing at $2,499, but considering that some of these programs individually retail for a lot, the price is reasonable.

Although Premiere isn’t quite on a level with Final Cut or Avid, it has enough professional features to satisfy an advanced editor, and if you do end up working with Final Cut or Avid later, you’ll find the learning curve will be a lot less steep than if you’d started out in a more basic program. Also, the ability to work with Adobe’s other software may prove valuable, as skills in programs like Photoshop and Flash are highly sought-after commodities in the world of visual media today.

However, novices in video capture and editing might want to start with other less expensive, and less complex programs that now fill the retail shelves. Any of the video editing programs that are priced around $100 - $150 are excellent ways to ease into the fascinating world of video editing.

Price

$799 retail price
$299 upgrade price
(must have a serial number, and a previous version on same platform)

System Configuration Requirements

Windows

Pentium 4 - (1.4GHz processor for DV; 3.4GHz processor for HDV)
Centrino, Xeon (dual 2.8GHz processors for HD)
Core Duo (or compatible) processor
SSE2-enabled processor required for AMD systems

Windows XP Pro or Home (SP2)
Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise
(certified for 32-bit editions only)

1GB RAM for DV, 2GB of RAM for HDV and HD

10GB free hard disk space (additional free space required during installation)

Dedicated 7,200 RPM hard drive for DV and HDV editing
Striped disk array storage (RAID 0) for HD
SCSI disk subsystem preferred

1,280 x 1,024 monitor resolution with 32-bit video card
Adobe recommended graphics card for GPU-accelerated playback
DirectX or ASIO compatible sound card

For SD/HD workflows, an Adobe certified card for capture and export to tape

DVD-ROM drive

Blu-ray burner required for Blu-ray disc creation

DVD+-R burner required for DVD creation

OHCI compatible IEEE 1394 port for DV and HDV capture, export to tape, and transmit to DV device

QuickTime 7 software required to use QuickTime features

Internet or phone connection required for product activation

Broadband Internet connection required for Adobe Stock Photos and other services

Macintosh Machines

Multicore Intel processor (Adobe OnLocation CS3 is a Windows application that may be used on Macintosh using Boot Camp and Windows, sold separately)

Mac OS X v10.4.9–10.5 (Leopard)

1GB RAM for DV; 2GB of RAM for HDV and HD

10GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation)

Dedicated 7,200 RPM hard drive for DV and HDV editing; striped disk array storage (RAID 0) for HD; SCSI disk subsystem preferred

1,280 x 960 monitor resolution with 32-bit video card

Core Audio compatible sound card

DVD-ROM drive

Blu-ray burner required for Blu-ray Disc creation

SuperDrive for DVD burning

QuickTime 7 required to use QuickTime features

Internet or phone connection required for product activation

Broadband Internet connection required for Adobe Stock Photos* and other services

Online services, including, but not limited to, Adobe Stock Photos and Adobe Acrobat Connect, may not be available in all countries, languages, and currencies. Availability of services is subject to change. Use of online services is governed by terms and conditions of a separate agreement and may be subject to additional fees.

System Requirements for Adobe OnLocation CS3

Intel Pentium 4 1.4GHz processor (2.0GHz for HDV), Intel Centrino, Intel Xeon, or Intel Core Duo (or compatible) processor

Windows XP Professional or Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise
(certified for 32-bit editions)
512MB RAM
100MB free hard disk space (additional free space required during installation)
5,400 RPM hard drive
13GB available hard-disk space for each hour of recording
1,024 x 768 monitor resolution with 32-bit video card
DirectX compatible sound card
OHCI compatible IEEE 1394 port for capture
CD-ROM drive
Internet or phone connection required for product activation

Contact

Adobe Systems, Incorporated
Corporate Headquarters
345 Park Avenue
San Jose, California 95110-2704
408-536-6000
800-833-6687
FAX 408-537-6000

Order Online at Adobe Corporation
You can also order from other retailers or online vendors.