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Can't open H264 MOV file in 8.0

Jun 19, 2012 12:48 PM

I took some video this weekend at an auto racing event using a ReplayXD camera.  According to their website they use H264 codec.  I can play the files just fine using Windows Media Player.  However when I try to drag and drop them into Premier Elements 8.0 it says it doesn't recoginize the file type or the correct codec is not installed.  This is where I am confused.  Since the file plays correctly in WMP, doesn't that mean the codec is already installed on my computer?  Any ideas on what to do next?

 

FYI I'm using Win 7 x64

976 Views   10 Replies   Latest reply: Bill Hunt, Jun 21, 2012 2:41 PM
 
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  • John T Smith
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    1. John T Smith,
    Jun 19, 2012 12:54 PM   in reply to lancer360
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    Playing and editing are not the same thing... and what PreElements will or will NOT edit has changed over time

     

    First thing to do is determine the exact codec inside that MOV file

     

    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

    http://forums.adobe.com/thread/592070?tstart=30

    .

    For PC http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en or http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

     
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  • lancer360
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    2. lancer360,
    Jun 19, 2012 1:08 PM   in reply to John T Smith
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    Here is a screen shot.  Says it is AVC1 codec.

     

    screenshot.jpg

     
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  • Bill Hunt
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    3. Bill Hunt,
    Jun 19, 2012 1:17 PM   in reply to lancer360
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    Sounds like you have an H.264 CODEC installed (as WMP is able to access it), but PrE is having an issue.

     

    What version of Apple's QT Player do you have installed? That is necessary for PrE, and should also install the Apple H.264 into the system.

     

    Good luck,

     

    Hunt

     
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  • lancer360
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    4. lancer360,
    Jun 19, 2012 1:24 PM   in reply to Bill Hunt
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    I didn't have Quicktime installed.  I just downloaded and installed QT 7 from Apples site and I'm still getting the same issue.

     

    "This type of file is not supported, or the required codec is not installed."  Could it possibly be the audio codec?

     
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  • John T Smith
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    5. John T Smith,
    Jun 19, 2012 1:44 PM   in reply to Bill Hunt
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    Was version 8 able to import/edit AVCHD video?

     

    I could be wrong, but I thought that capability was added in version 10

     
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  • Bill Hunt
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    6. Bill Hunt,
    Jun 19, 2012 2:51 PM   in reply to John T Smith
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    IIRC, AVCHD was implemented in PrE 7, and then improved in PrE9. I do not recall any change with that format/CODEC in PrE 8.

     

    Now, and along those lines, I do have one additional question: As PrE 8 had an update, has that been installed?

     

    Another question: from G-Spot's main screen, if you go to Tables>Video CODEC's, does the H.264 CODEC show?

     

    Good luck,

     

    Hunt

     
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  • lancer360
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    7. lancer360,
    Jun 20, 2012 7:42 AM   in reply to Bill Hunt
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    Yes, both AVC1 and H.264 show up in the list of Codecs.

     
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  • Sonic Force
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    8. Sonic Force,
    Jun 21, 2012 1:37 PM   in reply to lancer360
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    I have precisely the same issue, but with a Canon Powershot SX260 HS camera.  Same file format, same list of codecs in G-Spot, same version of Windows and Premiere Elements.  Again, I can view fine in WMP, but get the same error message when I try to import the H.264 MOV file into Elements.  Tried contacting Adobe support, but you can guess how that ended...  LOL.

     
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  • Sonic Force
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    9. Sonic Force,
    Jun 21, 2012 2:26 PM   in reply to Sonic Force
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    Go figure.  I noticed that GSpot showed (as per your screenshot above) that the codec status was undetermined (despite it showing in the list of codecs).  When I Googled that message I found another piece of Freeware similar to GSpot, called MediaInfo which was meant to have better support for H.264, so I installed that.  When you right mouse click on a file and choose "MediaInfo" after that, it not only gives info but provides links to the codec provider's web sites.  In this case, of course Apple Quicktime.  It prompted me to download and install Quicktime.  Unlike you, I didn't already have it installed, so I figured what the heck and went ahead.  I then retried importing the file into PrE and got the same error message.  BUT... after I then exited and restarted PrE, it imported my file perfectly!

     
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  • Bill Hunt
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    10. Bill Hunt,
    Jun 21, 2012 2:41 PM   in reply to Sonic Force
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    Good news!

     

    I usually mention both G-Spot and MediaInfo, as each has strengths. In general, I feel that MediaInfo does better with some file formats/CODEC's.

     

    Glad that the installation of Apple's QT Player, and a reboot, re-launch, fixed things for you.

     

    Thanks for taking the time to report, and good luck,

     

    Hunt

     
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