General settings

Choose Project > Project Settings > General, to specify the following options:

Editing Mode Determines which video method is used to play video back from the Timeline and which compression methods are listed in the Video Settings panel. The QuickTime editing mode is installed with Premiere. In Windows, the Video for Windows and DV Playback editing modes are also installed. Manufacturers of video-capture cards or other video hardware may provide plug-in software that adds editing modes for maximum quality and compatibility with their hardware.

Note: The Editing Mode does not necessarily specify the export format. For more information, see Exporting a video.

Advanced Settings This button may be available if you have installed an editing mode plug-in provided by another manufacturer. For information on settings for your plug-in editing mode, see the documentation provided by the plug-in's manufacturer.

Timebase Specifies the time divisions Premiere uses to calculate the time position of each edit. In general, choose 24 for editing motion-picture film, 25 for editing PAL (European standard) and SECAM video, 29.97 for editing NTSC (North American standard) video, or 30 for other video types. Do not confuse timebase with the frame rate of the video you play back or export from the Timeline, although timebase and frame rate often use the same value.

Playback Settings This button is available when you use a DV preset or choose the DV editing mode (Windows) or QuickTime editing mode (Mac OS), or if you have installed a plug-in that provides additional playback functions. When you use the DV (Windows) or QuickTime (Mac OS) editing mode, use this option to indicate where you want your previews to play back: on your DV camcorder or other connected device, or on your desktop. For information on the playback settings available for third-party plug-ins, see the documentation provided by the manufacturer of the plug-in.

Time Display Specifies the way time is displayed throughout the project. The time display options correspond to standards for editing video and motion-picture film. For broadcast NTSC video, choose 30 fps Drop-Frame Timecode if that was the time display used by the original video. For video to be played back from the Web or CD-ROM, choose 30 fps Non Drop-Frame Timecode. For PAL and SECAM video, choose 25 fps Timecode. For motion-picture film, choose Feet + Frames 16mm or Feet + Frames 35mm. To count individual frames and audio samples instead of timecode, choose Frames/Samples.

Current Settings Displays a summary of the settings you specified in all Project Settings panels.

Working with Projects > Specifying project settings > General settings