VirtualDub is very good for cropping videos. If the source has vbr audio, you'd do better with NanDub, a derivative work. I don't have links offhand, but google should find them really easy. It only works with .avi's, though (well, you can import an mpeg 1, but it won't export. Export .avi and use Tsunami MPEG to convert back, or use the built-in .mpg tools in TMPEGEnc if cropping is all you're doing.)
This is probably pretty vauge, but it at least heads you off in the right direction. I've used that suit of programs a heck of a lot more than premiere, gimme a yell if you have problems. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...but I'm just a C man trying to see the light
