Disabling audio conforming
 

I have several long video files (stock video and final project renders from 20-50 minutes in length) that I periodlically need screen captures from. Every time I import them into a Premiere project file to get the frame grabs, it won't let me export a frame until the audio is completely conformed. This can take anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes. It is completely unneccessary to conform the audio when all I need is to extract still frames - is there a way to stop Premeire from doing this?

Not in Premiere Pro 1/1.5. This has been changed in Premiere Pro 2, according to Aanarav Sareen's review:

Once you import them into PremierePro, why not just re-export the media into "video only" files? Then the next time you need a still, just open the video only file which will have no audio to conform, no?

Bill

I guess most of us do it already. But this workaround gives number of useless steps and loss of time.
So anybody has some tweaking idea???

If all you want is a frame grab, you could use VLC media player for that. It has a Snapshot feature that will grab frames from video.

If you decide to try VLC media player, be aware that you do have to set the directory the frame grabs are stored in first, under Settings > Preferences > Video.

Most versions of Photoshop will allow you to grap frames...if you have photoshop ;) Plus you can deinterlace and enhance if needed.

Unless Photoshop CS 1 or 2 has added a feature I haven't heard about, Photoshop is not able to open movie files and save frames from them. However, you are correct in that it can deinterlace still images.