If you've always wanted to get your production to the really small screen, such as iPods or other mobile devices, or optimize for the Web, then Device Central can help. Just export your finished project from Premiere using the Adobe Media Encoder, select H.264 from the dozen compression formats, then choose the appropriate preset that optimizes the encoding process for different display environments, including specific ones such as iPod or YouTube. Device Central automatically opens after the encoding process, presenting you with a host of other options, such as device type or even the type of glare you are likely to get on the screen of a mobile device.

If you purchase Premiere as part of the Production Premium bundle, you'll also get Dynamic Link, a sort of inter-program referee that eliminates the need to re-render complex animations in your timeline developed in After Effects or Encore. On more complex projects, this can be a huge timesaver.

Creating another version of an already popular software bundle can be difficult. With each major upgrade, companies like Adobe must balance the benefits of making their software both more capable and easier to use - indeed, it is a fine line to walk. With Premiere Pro CS3, they have not only remained balanced on that tightrope, but they have surrounded the core program with incredibly powerful support tools, making this version an upgrade that is worth your serious consideration.

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 (1.4GHz processor for DV, 3.4GHz processor for HDV); Intel Centrino; Intel Xeon (dual Xeon 2.8GHz processors for HD); Intel Core Duo or compatible processor (SSE2-enabled processor required for AMD systems)
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2; Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, Ultimate (certified support for 32-bit editions only), Mac OS X 10.4.9
Display: 1280x1024 monitor resolution with 32-bit color adapter; Adobe-recommended graphics card for GPU-accelerated playback
Additional Hardware Support: For SD/HD workflows, an Adobe-certified card for capture and export to tape, OHCI-compatible IEEE 1394 port for DV and HDV capture, export to tape, and transfer to DV device, Microsoft DirectX or ASIO-compatible sound card
Sound: DVD+/-R burner required for DVD creation
Memory: 1GB of RAM or more recommended for DV; 2GB of RAM or more recommended for HDV and HD
Available Hard Drive Space: 10GB hard drive performance: dedicated 7200RPM hard drive for DV and HDV editing; striped disk array storage (RAID 0) or HD, SCSI disk subsystem preferred
Optical Drives: Blu-ray burner required for Blu-ray Disc creation

• Premiere is now a powerful and complete set of video production tools

• Only a few real improvements to the core editor

With a new integrated suite of supporting programs, Premiere CS3 is more powerful than ever.

Contributing editor Brian Peterson is a video production consultant, trainer and lecturer.

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San Jose, CA 95110
www.adobe.com

Adobe Creative Suite Production Premium: $1,699, upgrade $799
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3: $799, upgrade $299