1 2 Previous Next 52 Replies Latest reply: Oct 7, 2012 9:56 PM by Steven L. Gotz

Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 7:17 AM

I spent last week troubleshooting with a talented Adobe team member my systems inability to export from ANY CS6 apps to QT H.264. In all cases the Media Core shut down and it failed. I decided to work around it by starting to use MP4 H.264 as an alternative.

Today I tried to export a project for mastering purposes . PrP will now not export to QT DNxHD either.

Not being able to export from my HP Z820 to DNxHD (which is an industry standard codec required by many vendors) means that I cannot use this system for editing with clients anymore.

As a side bar, another editor who owns an HP Z800 series is also experienceing the inability to export to QT H.264 with all CS6 apps.

1. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Averdahl Oct 7, 2012 7:45 AM (in response to lasvideo)

Tom,

- If you select H.264 under Format instead of QuickTime in the Export Settings dialog, can you export to H.264 without issues?
- Does it happen with Export *and* Queue or only when using Export or Queue?
- Can you export to DNxHD from After Effects?
- Can you export to DNxHD from AME if you queue up a file via File > Add Source?
- When did this start to happen?
- What version, 6.0.2 or 6.0.3?
- What version of QT is installed on your computer? (I use 7.6.6)

It seems that the QuickTime exporter is damaged on your system but at the same time not since Pr, Ae and AME uses different exporters. (At least there are one .prm file/application.)

FYI, i can export to DNxHD from a Z800.

/Roger
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2. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 7:55 AM (in response to Averdahl)

Good questions all addressed by my extensive testing with Adobe last week.

- If you select H.264 under Format instead of QuickTime in the Export Settings dialog, can you export to H.264 without issues?

(MP4) H.264 which is what you are referring to exports fine.

- Does it happen with Export *and* Queue or only when using Export or Queue?

It happens with Export and Queue. It affects PrP, AE , AME and MPEG Streamclip

- Can you export to DNxHD from After Effects?

No, same fail happens as in PrP , AME and MPEG Streamclip.

- Can you export to DNxHD from AME if you queue up a file via File > Add Source?

Nope.

- When did this start to happen?

Hard to say since I just made the transition from Mac to Windows with lots of stuff going on. I think maybe after a recent Windows update, but I cant swear to that.

- What version, 6.0.2 or 6.0.3?

6.03

- What version of QT is installed on your computer? (I use 7.6.6)

The most recent 7.72 but I uninstalled and tried 7.6 as well.

This problem apears to not be unique to Adobe apps, but systemic since it affects MPEG Streamclip as well.
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3. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Averdahl Oct 7, 2012 8:31 AM (in response to lasvideo)

The fact that MPEG Streamclip fails as well made it more complicated...

Do you have a firewall enabled?

This is a long shot, but my gut feeling says that there is something (firewall) that blocks access to QuickTime components which leads to that no applications can encode to it.

Can you lauch QuickTime Player and playback clips in it? If you have QuickTime Pro, can you encode using File > Export in QuickTime Pro?

/Roger
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4. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 9:24 AM (in response to Averdahl)

More good thoughts!

I disabled firewalls. Same problem.

QucikTime lauches and plays files just fine.

I dont have QT Pro and with these issues dont anticipate buying it ;-)
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5. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Jim Simon Oct 7, 2012 9:26 AM (in response to lasvideo)

How practical is it to stop using the antiquated and buggy 32 bit QuickTime altogether? Both AVI and MXF are better options in today's 64 bit world.
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6. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 9:31 AM (in response to Jim Simon)

Maybe practical in the future but for most deliverables DNxHD and Prores are th NTSC standard for the industry when it comes to files. Most broadcast stations want QT H.264 in the US. I dont make up the rules, I just have to abide by them if I want to do business in certain sectors.

MP4 H.264 is twice as fast and looks good and plays on QT7 so that is an option. But mastering codecs at this point are still an issue. In my tests the only one that seems a distant possibility for personal mastering is MXF OP1a. But that only plays in VLC Media Player and in a slightly funky fashion.
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7. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Jim Simon Oct 7, 2012 9:34 AM (in response to lasvideo)

Got ya.

My own OP1a exports play just fine in VLC. Who would this Mastering be for, yourself, a client? Is it for archival or for further editing?
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8. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Averdahl Oct 7, 2012 9:40 AM (in response to lasvideo)

Probably just a typo but you wrote firewalls. (plural)

Use only one (1) firewall. (Two = problems)

I always use Windows Backup and Restore feature to create a system image when the system works so i can restore the system to functional state within minutes if something happens. That will definitely not help you now and i know that, but it can be useful in the future to have a system image of a functional system with all apps installed.

For now i don't have any more ideas but will write back if i get any.

Maybe a re-install of the OS with the HP Restore discs is the fastest way to solve it. Sometimes it is, sometimes it is not...

I hope you solve the issue asap!

/Roger
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9. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 9:41 AM (in response to Jim Simon)

Mastering to OP1a would be for me since no one else will accept it here in the US that I know of. I always create high resolution masters for archival and duplication purposes That way I then strike off quick "dubs" in whatever format is desired by client or distributor.
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10. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 9:45 AM (in response to Averdahl)

Thanks Averdahl. There were 2 options for firewalls in Win 7.

Since another HP owner has the same issue, Im not going to do any reinstalling of the OS. My gut tells me it would not be productive. I will stop using Quicktime and hope that isnt a problem.

Thanks for your help!
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11. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Averdahl Oct 7, 2012 10:10 AM (in response to lasvideo)

Yes, there is the built in firewall and the one you download from Microsoft. If you are using the latter, make sure to disable the built in one. I think it is disabled by default when you install another firewall, but it could be good to look to confirm it. Two firewalls that run at the same time can be troublesome.

The other computer is it a Z800 or a Z820? (I assume it is an 800 since you wrote "series" earlier.)

/Roger
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12. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 10:56 AM (in response to Averdahl)

Yes, I was at the screen (Windows Firewall - home network and public network) where I could turn both off and both on for testing. No affect.

I keep this machine off the internet except for updates and then the public network is activated.

Yes, mine is the Z820. The other is a Z800. Both suffer the same issures with QT.
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13. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Jim Simon Oct 7, 2012 2:48 PM (in response to lasvideo)

Mastering to OP1a would be for me

Ok, so an AVI Master using the Lagarith codec might be the better option since it's lossless. VLC, KMPlayer, WMP all play the files fine.

http://lags.leetcode.net/codec.html
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14. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 3:05 PM (in response to Jim Simon)

Nope, not interested in lossless. The files they make are way to big. They are to unwiledly for longer form projects. AVI is a pretty anitquated slow codec as well.

Until something comes along from Adobe I think I will use OP1a. Nice compression, small files and accpeted by a professional community as a good masrtering codec, just not on the North Amercian continent.
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15. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

ComputerNovice25 Oct 7, 2012 3:44 PM (in response to lasvideo)

I started mastering using mxf-op1a awhile back, then I noticed a issue. I couldn't ever get it figured out either. If you look at peoples skin tones, you'll noticed that in a many cases the MXF-OP1A using the (AVC-INTRA Class 100) codec choice, causes a red hue shift in all the skin tones. I can post screen shots if you'd like when I arrive at work on Monday. It's extremely slight though, but it's something you can notice fairly easily once you realize the problem is there. So I'd honestly warn against using this as a mastering option. Although maybe the problem is only specific to my workflow for some reason. Although I tried SEVERAL different scenarios with different source footage etc.

I ended up going back to using DNxHD, I realize though you're having issues with this right now though. However I would like for you to compare you original content against your MXF-OP1A masters and you''ll most likely see the hue shift I'm referring too. Maybe you can help me figure out why the hue shift is occuring. Because if someone could help get this solved I'd go back to using the AVC-INTRA Class 100 codec too.
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16. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 3:48 PM (in response to ComputerNovice25)

Ive been using the XDCam 50 NTSC for 1080 23.976 encoding and I havent noticed that. Try it to see if it differs from AVC Intra.
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17. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

ComputerNovice25 Oct 7, 2012 4:03 PM (in response to lasvideo)

Ahh, I will have to try that option out. The 50Mbps bitrate sounds nice if it can do a good compression job. I look forward to trying it out thanks.
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18. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Steven L. Gotz Oct 7, 2012 4:09 PM (in response to lasvideo)

OK, my turn to ask - and they might be stupid questions, I warn you in advance.

1. Have you tried exporting to a different directory or drive than the one you intend to use?
2. Is it at all possible that when you installed an update to Quicktime that you were not logged in as the administrator.

I am a bit puzzled by the "Create or Open" error message. Could it be due to a permissions issue? Are you logged in as someone other than Tom? And yes, I know how silly that sounds.

I don't have the Avid codecs on my PC. I assume I could get them if I needed them? Or do I need to load an Avid product?
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19. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 4:10 PM (in response to Steven L. Gotz)

CN25, Let us know how things go!
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20. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 4:13 PM (in response to Steven L. Gotz)

I think there good questions Steven. To answer..

1. Have you tried exporting to a different directory or drive than the one you intend to use?

Yes, several different places that take the non QT encodes just fine.

2. Is it at all possible that when you installed an update to Quicktime that you were not logged in as the administrator.

I am the administrator and when I reinstalled both QT 7.7 and 7.6 I did it in that capacity.

I appreciate your participation in this mystery!
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21. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

ComputerNovice25 Oct 7, 2012 4:13 PM (in response to lasvideo)

When you uninstalled Quicktime did you use a program like Revouinstaller to make sure to remove all the reg keys that go along with it? I'd recommend trying this so you can make sure you're getting a totally clean uninstall. Using the built in uninstaller often misses things like this.
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22. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 4:16 PM (in response to ComputerNovice25)

I used the Win 7 uninstaller. Having come back to Win after a 4 year hiatus in Mac land, Im not comfortable mucking around with the registery keys quite yet.
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23. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Jim Simon Oct 7, 2012 4:20 PM (in response to ComputerNovice25)

Doing some pixel peeping at 400%, I do notice some minor artifacts on the XDCAM 50 setting, but the AVC-I 100 looks pretty much identical to both the original and my lossless Lagarith export. I see no color shift on skin tones at all, which is not surprising. AVC-I is a Master Quality codec.
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24. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Steven L. Gotz Oct 7, 2012 4:18 PM (in response to lasvideo)

Try something. Open the Quicktime Player, play a short video. Can you export it to another format? Or do you get an error?
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25. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 4:21 PM (in response to Steven L. Gotz)

Doesnt OP1A AVC-Intra encode create project files in the P2 format? And what do you play those back with? For some reason all I want is 1 file for simplicities sake. But of course clean encoding is of paramount importance.
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26. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 4:25 PM (in response to Steven L. Gotz)

Steven, I just have QT Player not QT Pro Player. There isnt the option to save in my version. Thought when I try to use MPEG Streamclip to save a H.264 encode, I get the same failure as I do from PrP, AE and AME.
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27. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

ComputerNovice25 Oct 7, 2012 4:43 PM (in response to lasvideo)

Luckily revouinstaller will handle this part for you. If you'd like you can download it from here.
http://download.cnet.com/Revo-Uninstaller/3001-2096_4-10687648.html?spi=27c223a35cd122cf8d 28e65416f5ca31&dlm=0
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28. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Steven L. Gotz Oct 7, 2012 4:45 PM (in response to lasvideo)

I am still bothered by you trying to export to your C: drive, but OK. As long as you have lots of room on that drive.

I don't remember adding my Quicktime Pro code on this PC, but I guess I must have. Those greedy people, they made me pay $25 about 8 years ago and now I have to keep looking up the serial number every time I get a new PC. Oh. Wait. I guiess Apple isn't all that greedy after all. Nevermind. I remember exactly why I bought it. It was the only way in 2004 to convert the Quicktime files I got from a FCP user to DV AVI that I could use for my Lynda.com tutorials.

So, where do the H.264 codecs come from? If you are having problems with Streamclip, then there has to be some codecs added somewhere. Possibly by Adobe, or Apple, but where do they come from for Streamclip?
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29. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 4:45 PM (in response to ComputerNovice25)

Thanks CN25. I will know what to use if I decide to do that in the future.
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30. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

ComputerNovice25 Oct 7, 2012 4:45 PM (in response to Jim Simon)

Hmm I wonder if it has something to do with the source media I was using then. I was using ProRes HQ media and also did a test with source media using BMD's MJPEG codec, both times it added "pinkish red" hue to the skin tones of peoples faces. Although it was slight it was noticeable.
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31. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 4:51 PM (in response to Steven L. Gotz)

Steven I have tons of room on my C drive but primarily did my saving to my 16TB raid. LOTS of room there ;-)

The issues for all the ecoding software seem related to QT. Thats about all I can tell you.

And given that MP4 H.264 is twice as fast as QT H.264 (and can be played by by QT player). I am sold on switching.

Its just the inailibity to econde to NTSC sanctioned QT DNxHD as a mastering codec that am I concerned about.
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32. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 4:53 PM (in response to ComputerNovice25)

Nope, in externsive testing used a wide variety of sources. Non encoded to QT H.264 and all encoded to MP4 H.264. Now NO QT encoding (like DNxHD) is possible. From bad to worse.
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33. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Steven L. Gotz Oct 7, 2012 4:54 PM (in response to lasvideo)

Sorry that I could not help. I get that QT DNxHD is something you should be able to export, but where did that codec come from?
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34. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 5:29 PM (in response to Steven L. Gotz)

Its an industry standard created by Avid and provided by them for free. Most video production facilities either master to DNxHD or ProRes and most broadcast distributors require one or the other.
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35. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Steven L. Gotz Oct 7, 2012 5:15 PM (in response to lasvideo)

OK. So I went to the Avid site and downloaded the free codec pack. I now can export from Quicktime to QT DNxHD.

Moving on to Premiere Pro and exporting from that seems to be OK too.

Which, I am sorry to say does not help you at all, does it? Other than indicating that it is time to drag out the backup drive from the vault and use it. If you are like me, you haven't updated that drive in a while, so there could possibly be a lot of work involved.

I have my backup SSD right in the PC, just not mounted, so I have no excuse for not making a copy. Maybe I will do that tonight. Just for the heck of it.
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36. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 5:20 PM (in response to Steven L. Gotz)

Im not at the point of using my cloned drive which I did several weeks ago. I have a sneaking suspicion that a recent Win 7 update might have caused this since it affects adobe and other software alike. And a friend with a Z800 (I have a Z820) is experiencing the exact same issue.

Im sold on now using MP4 H.264 since its twice as fast as QT H.264. And for the moment I have no need to master (but Im sure that wont last). With all the wonderfully folks trying to help from here and Adobe and Twitter I feel confident a resolution is forthcoming.
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37. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Jim Simon Oct 7, 2012 5:28 PM (in response to lasvideo)

Doesnt OP1A AVC-Intra encode create project files in the P2 format?

Nope. Exporting a P2 movie using the AVC-I codec will create project files in the P2 format. Exporting an MXF OP1a file using the AVC-I codec produces an MXF OP1a file, everything in one place with a Master Quality codec.
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38. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

lasvideo Oct 7, 2012 5:42 PM (in response to Jim Simon)

I seem to remember you and Eric Bowen having a dialog about this recently. Some more good information to know. Thanks!
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39. Re: Now PrP cant export to QT H.264 or QT DNxHD

Jim Simon Oct 7, 2012 5:43 PM (in response to lasvideo)

Yeah, he's the one who showed me how to get AVC-I into OP1a.
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