There are several free programs you can use to convert video into a different format (e.g. VirtualDub, MPEG Streamclip), but it will cause a loss in quality and they can be a little difficult to learn.


What version of Premiere Pro do you have? Have you updated to the latest patch? What camera model is it? How exactly did you transfer the files? Flash card in card reader using explorer? What is the file container (MOV, MP4, AVI?)? What is the codec? (h.264, mpeg-2?)