To load or Not to load CS4??? at DVinfo.net

David Merrill · July 21st, 2009, 04:05 PM

I have these very old versions of PP and AE. So I've now purchased the Production Premium suite and it's going to arrive tomorrow. I'm planning on using Neoscene with them. NOW......I'm reading all these complaints and horror stories about CS4 and not sure what to do. What would you do?

Harm Millaard · July 21st, 2009, 04:50 PM

David,

I have used every version of Premiere since 5.1, progressively expanding from Premier Pro 7.0 through CS2/CS3 Production Studio to CS4 MC and while there were things that Adobe missed or messed up, in general the program has gotten better with each version.

The horror stories you hear, I hear as well, since I'm a regular on the Adobe forums. But the common denominator is usually limited to three things:

1. They are complete noobs who have no idea what they are talking about and refuse to read the help file or manual. They often have never heard the word codec, or have downloaded codec packs that were free, polluting their system, use consumer cameras with material unsuited for editing or try to edit material ripped off YouTube and the like.

2. In their complete lack of understanding what they are trying to do, they use their iPhone, digital still camera or other mobile Phone, combine that with screenshots from various games, use FRAPS and the like and complain they can't get a decent BR disk burned.

3. Their hardware is not up to the task and they are not willing to accept that.

Usually these kind of people rant about instability, refuse to give answers to define their problem as if they were guarding State Secrets, possibly because they often use pirated software.

End of my rant and frustration.

CS4 has some problems, but overall it is a big improvement over CS3. I suggest you start using it. I have been using it for around 6 months and I'm happy I made the move to CS4.

Eric Addison · July 21st, 2009, 05:42 PM

I've been using Premiere as long as Harm has, and I agree with him completely.

CS4 isn't perfect, but it's great...it never gets in the way of me getting my work done. Most people who complain (not all, but a LOT) have other issues that are getting in the way of CS4 working smoothly - Harm listed them all.

Alan Kennedy · July 21st, 2009, 07:34 PM

I use CS3 at home and CS4 at work (along with AVID). I agree, there are some nice things in CS4 so I would install it. I don't have a need to upgrade at home but wouldn't hesitate doing it. I like the new media encoder that comes with CS4.

Having said that, I have had more crashes with both Premiere and Encore than with CS3 but I save frequently so that isn't a problem :) Have never lost anything.

David Merrill · July 21st, 2009, 08:33 PM

Thanks guys. I'm mucho relieved. I'm not doing anything fancy. I have a DVX100 and now a HF-S100, and a blu-Ray burner. I will be messing with AE and Trapcode suite.
I know about ranters. I wasn't expecting to run into them here.

Mitchell Skurnik · July 21st, 2009, 09:03 PM

I have been using Premire pro since 2005 (1.5) and have upgraded to 2, 3, and now 4. It is a great editing platform. It does have its limitations and its quarks but once you understand those you can easily plan accordingly.

Enable auto save for every 20 minutes, store 100-200 copies ( that way you can always go back if something corrupts). Just 1 tip out of many you can find on these forums

July 21st, 2009, 04:05 PM	#1
David Merrill Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 91	To load or Not to load CS4??? I have these very old versions of PP and AE. So I've now purchased the Production Premium suite and it's going to arrive tomorrow. I'm planning on using Neoscene with them. NOW......I'm reading all these complaints and horror stories about CS4 and not sure what to do. What would you do?

July 21st, 2009, 09:03 PM	#6
Mitchell Skurnik Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, California Posts: 201	I have been using Premire pro since 2005 (1.5) and have upgraded to 2, 3, and now 4. It is a great editing platform. It does have its limitations and its quarks but once you understand those you can easily plan accordingly. Enable auto save for every 20 minutes, store 100-200 copies ( that way you can always go back if something corrupts). Just 1 tip out of many you can find on these forums __________________ Mitchell J. Skurnik http://www.mjcsstudios.com/ - EX1, 4x hoodman 16GB, Libec Tripod, Sony LAV

July 21st, 2009, 04:50 PM	#2
Harm Millaard Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 1,832	David, I have used every version of Premiere since 5.1, progressively expanding from Premier Pro 7.0 through CS2/CS3 Production Studio to CS4 MC and while there were things that Adobe missed or messed up, in general the program has gotten better with each version. The horror stories you hear, I hear as well, since I'm a regular on the Adobe forums. But the common denominator is usually limited to three things: 1. They are complete noobs who have no idea what they are talking about and refuse to read the help file or manual. They often have never heard the word codec, or have downloaded codec packs that were free, polluting their system, use consumer cameras with material unsuited for editing or try to edit material ripped off YouTube and the like. 2. In their complete lack of understanding what they are trying to do, they use their iPhone, digital still camera or other mobile Phone, combine that with screenshots from various games, use FRAPS and the like and complain they can't get a decent BR disk burned. 3. Their hardware is not up to the task and they are not willing to accept that. Usually these kind of people rant about instability, refuse to give answers to define their problem as if they were guarding State Secrets, possibly because they often use pirated software. End of my rant and frustration. CS4 has some problems, but overall it is a big improvement over CS3. I suggest you start using it. I have been using it for around 6 months and I'm happy I made the move to CS4.

July 21st, 2009, 05:42 PM	#3
Eric Addison Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 74	I've been using Premiere as long as Harm has, and I agree with him completely. CS4 isn't perfect, but it's great...it never gets in the way of me getting my work done. Most people who complain (not all, but a LOT) have other issues that are getting in the way of CS4 working smoothly - Harm listed them all.

July 21st, 2009, 07:34 PM	#4
Alan Kennedy New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 18	I use CS3 at home and CS4 at work (along with AVID). I agree, there are some nice things in CS4 so I would install it. I don't have a need to upgrade at home but wouldn't hesitate doing it. I like the new media encoder that comes with CS4. Having said that, I have had more crashes with both Premiere and Encore than with CS3 but I save frequently so that isn't a problem :) Have never lost anything.

July 21st, 2009, 08:33 PM	#5
David Merrill Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 91	Thanks guys. I'm mucho relieved. I'm not doing anything fancy. I have a DVX100 and now a HF-S100, and a blu-Ray burner. I will be messing with AE and Trapcode suite. I know about ranters. I wasn't expecting to run into them here.