Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 Classroom in a Book

I admit that I am impatient learning new programs after having learned so many over the last 20 years. Adobe Creative Team really dealt with my impatience. So often when you learn software from books, you do not have the files you need to really learn the material. Adobe has provided a CD with files designed to have everything you need to understand the concept.The book was written for CS5 version, so there are some updates and changes which mean that it isn't quite right if you're learning the current version CS5.5. However, as the book cover tells you, there is CS5.5 bonus content on a website. It is in the form of an *.epub file. This is a bit baffling at first because Windows does not know what program it goes with. I'll save you some trouble by telling you that it runs under Adobe Digital Editions, which is free download. Once you know that, it all works pretty well (I sure wish they told me this in advance however!)The material is generally presented quite clearly. It is sometimes difficult to know exactly where they mean for you to go when they say something like "Select the Build Panel" and you don't see any panel with the title "Build". They are expecting you to remember a previous lesson where you got to the Build Panel by selecting Build from the File menu. What I'm saying is to expect your intelligence and short term memory to be tested by some of the instructions. The good news is that a little difficulty means you'll probably remember it better long term.The only criticism I have is the decision to spend a lot of space explaining concepts from programs which are not included with Premiere Pro. These are Soundbooth, Photoshop and After Effects. What is the point of having this material if you have to buy another program and you don't need it? There are plenty of books available for those who own these programs.Nonetheless, most chapters are quite useful and are very well organized. I did not find myself skipping ahead as I often do in software books that don't tell you first things first. I also found myself delighted and excited about many of the features I discovered in this book.

Did a lot of research on which book to buy in order to quickly learn Adobe Premiere Pro CS5. I settled on this one because it is published by Adobe and others had good things to say about it. I have to agree with most other reviews; this book is very helpful and allowed me to learn the software in a matter of just a few weeks. I did 1-2 lessons a day and skipped around based on what skills I wanted to learn.I have never done video editing before and was in no way familiar with Premiere Pro or any video editing software at all; this book made learning very simple. The interactive CD that the lessons in the book are based around was easy to use and the lessons were very well constructed. I was in the process of creating my first video for work while still doing the lessons in the book and I was able to immediately apply the the information in the book directly to my first project with no problems.One thing about this book, it does not function well as a quick reference guide. You have to sift through each lesson in order to find quick answers to common questions. This is not too much of a problem if you remember which chapter contains the information for which you are searching.I plan on buying the rest of the books in the series for Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and the rest, when I can afford them.

I used this book to study for my ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) exam. The good thing about this book is that it covers a lot of content and assumes that you really don't know much about video production. This worked well for me since I had a good amount of experience with Final Cut Pro 7 but no experience with Premiere. I used this book and did a few lessons each night starting a week before my exam. There is 3-4 chapters dedicated to other Adobe products from the Production Premium/Master Suite. While I found this a bit annoying and seemed like a bit of a marketing gimmick, it turns out that there is more than a few questions on the ACA exam that relate to this content and you will want to make sure you at least read these chapters if you plan on taking the exam. There is also quite a bit of information about best practices for video production (shooting, lighting, mics, etc.) again, its beneficial to know if you are planning on using this book as study material.At the end of the day I passed my certification exam and couldn't be happier. This book is a good resource if you're trying to just learn the software for personal/professional use or if you're going the route I did and plan on sitting for the actual certification exam.

THe Classroom in a Book series is my favorite way to learn. This book takes you step by step through lessons that build up your knowledge of Premiere Pro. Instead of just being an overall guide to using the software it provides a structured way to learn it through the use of lessons and exercises - just like if you were in an instructor-led class!I like to work at my own pace so I find that the classroom in a book format is better for me than actually attending a class, plus you can learn on your own schedule. Have an hour or two free? Go through the next lesson. Busy tonight? Don't worry about missing a class, your book will be waiting when you're ready!The book includes a CD with all the lesson files on it. You simply copy the CD to your computer and as you go through each lesson in the book you'll work with specific files that are organized in folders by lesson.If you're wanting to learn Premiere for the first time then this is the book to get!

For the last couple of years I have been using Adobe Premiere Elements, and I bought a Classroom in a Book for that. Although it did teach me some stuff, it was extremely boring to work through, and way before the half way mark I abandoned the lessons and used it more as a reference.The same book for Premiere Pro is much better. Not only do you get far more interesting footage to work with, which is actually a scene (so far) from a multi camera shoot with an obvious production budget, and not somebody with a Handycam, but it is also written with a little more interest. Moreover, it teaches the techniques for editing from an editors perspective, it doesn't just tell you how to use it. There are also tips on what footage you should look at capturing when you do take on a video project.I'm just going back over lesson 6, and there are 21 in all. I may end up abandoning this before the end as it's such a nice piece of software to use (compared to Elements, which is still a good editor) that'll I'll want to get on and edit some of my own projects. But I'm not ready to stop now.Highly recommended for beginner video editors, and especially those coming from Elements. It's really easy to work with once you start to understand the differences between this and Elements, and this book is essential as there is so, so much more it can do.Rated 4 stars as I also have some Scott Kelby books for Photoshop and Lightroom, and this book just doesn't have the same "easiness" about it.

This is a a long awaited book and I have found it excellent and easy to use. Think they have looked at the way Idiot's Guides work, it is quite similar, though not as jokey and quite pro, but the thought processes are there, like quick look up about an aspect.Takes you through more than the basics and quite a lot of the more complicated aspects of the software. Well written, designed and laid out. Has a dvd with video lessons as yet un tried. Its a good read in its own right. Highly recommended.I have moved from Prem Elements to Pro and got fed up looking on line for info and a not always helpful online manual..makes big assumptions on knowing the terminology and what it does e.g. assets , sequences ,bins et al. (Very helpful on line user group indeed, but you cannot keep asking questions there, it is a pro user group after all.) This book will get you going well and answer a lot of whys and all of the terminology!Warning. PLEASE NOTE... Dolby 5.1.It tells you how to do Dolby 5.1 sound but VERY misleadingly, there is no licence with Prem Pro Software for Dolby 5.1 and after a 4 off guest trial, you have to pay about £250 to get a working burning codec.(Dolby stereo is standard with the software package). This could matter to you if you wish to offer 5.1 sound in a sales enviroment, especially as many crossover semi /pro cameras record 5.1 with HD video.Sony Vegas has Dolby 5.1 licensed on board with their software package (which is cheaper, but I would suggest less comprehensive in some areas). Adobe works with others of its family of packages you may use like Photoshop and Audition, (sound editing /multi tracking), directly importing and exporting into the edit; so, if you are thinking about which system to go with and 5.1 matters look at the costs and what you need to achieve and how you work.Very annoyed with Adobe not mentioning this anywhere in its sales areas, hence some publicity about this matter. Google this aspect to see many others caught out and annoyed..great to find out after the event!

I just bought the Kindle version of this. The blurb is exactly the same as for the printed one (e.g. with references to DVD content for lessons). I loved the idea of having a big heavy book like this on my kindle and although I knew that I wouldn't be getting a DVD in the post when I bought the eBook, I assumed that there would be some web link to download the content.There is - but it is very difficult to find. Amazon support was little help (they say contact the publisher). I emailed PeachPit (the publisher) and they explained to search for lesson files within the book and you will find a link.The book itself is fine and a nice straightforward run through of PP. But they really need to get a bit slicker on how they provide access to the lesson files.

This book should be withdrawn from sale.I found the downloadable content is no longer available from the link given (to Peachpit). (As others have noted, that link is tucked away right at end of the book.)The downloadable material is **a key part of the ebook**.I then emailed Peachpit twice to report the problem and resolve this. Followed the exact procedure for resolving problems given at end of book. Have received no response whatever from Peachpit. Not even an acknowledgement of my emails.I can see the Peachpit website (home page, other areas etc). The current website provides the same link that I used for obtaining help. Tried other methods on the website to locate content for this book. No ref to this book found.Conclusion - 1) This book should not be purchaseable. 2) Peachpit display a casual disregard for customer problems.AVOID

Being a newbie to premier, I was delighted to find that there was going to be a user manual and it would be published by Adobe themselves. The book does not disappoint. Very clear instructions and step by step guides take you through all the important tools and even gives loads of tips on creating great video footage. I have used NLE suites before, (ULEAD) so I did have a slight head start, but this book filled in those little gaps. Highly recommended. The only drawback is that the glossary could have been a bit more detailed. They seemed to have left a few key pointers out. Al in all...a very useful book.