CS5 and Cineform Converted Files

Question

I have been having trouble trying to Import files into a new CS5 Project Panel.  The files in question are my original digitized (from Mini-DV) .mp4 video tapes.  The problem is that when I choose to Import and select the original digitized file, the progress bar at the lower right corner of the Premier Pro screen flashes by quickly to completion before disappearing, giving the impression that the file has imported.  However, the file (which shows up in the Project Panel) is not there at all.  There is just an alias of the imported file remaining.  There is also no progress bar as the file is indexed (I'm sorry, I forget the technical term) which led me to believe there was a problem.
I know the person who originally digitized these tapes used Cineform conversion.  I believe the reason at the time was to better work with After Effects?  I really can't say, however.
So my question is this:  Could the problem of not being able to Import these .mp4 files (a RAID drive inside my computer) into the Project Panel be because of the Cineform conversion done at the time?  If not, are there any other suggestions as to why these files wouldn't Import?  Everything I've found tells me that PP CS5 should be able to Import and edit .mp4 file types without any issues.
I would appreciate any advice on this as I am left with no alternative but to rent a Sony deck and redigitize all of my tapes in order to solve what I hope is the problem.  Naturally, this deck rental will be quite expensive and I don't want to spend that money if in fact, there is another reason for the .mp4 file rejection and I might still be able to use those original digitized files.
Thanks much.
Tom

Answer 1

>files in question are my original digitized (from Mini-DV)
The usual process with Mini-DV tape cameras is to connect via Firewire and then you simply transfer the ALREADY DIGITIAL data from tape to computer (Firewire is nothing but a glorified serial port for file transfers)
In any event, you now need to find out what is really inside the files you have that will not import
Read Bill Hunt on a file type as WRAPPER http://forums.adobe.com/thread/440037
What is a CODEC... a Primer http://forums.adobe.com/thread/546811
What CODEC is INSIDE that file? http://forums.adobe.com/thread/440037
Report back with the codec details of your file, use the programs below... a screen shot works well to SHOW people what you are doing
For PC http://www.headbands.com/gspot/ or http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en
For Mac http://mediainspector.massanti.com/
http://blogs.adobe.com/premiereprotraining/2011/02/red-yellow-and-green-render-bars.html
If you have a red line over the timeline after importing a video and before adding any effects... your project is wrong for your video... read above about codecs
Once you know exactly what it is you are editing, report back with that information... and your project setting, and if there is a red line above the video in the timeline, which indicates a mismatch between video and project
H.264 will NOT work inside an AVI wrapper http://forums.adobe.com/thread/854115
More information needed for someone to help... click these links and provided the requested information
-http://forums.adobe.com/message/4200840
-http://forums.adobe.com/thread/416679
For CS5 and later, the easy way to insure that your video and your project match
See 2nd post for picture of NEW ITEM process http://forums.adobe.com/thread/872666