I am trying to import an mp4 video that was created by Autodesk Showcase into Movie Edit Pro 2015 Premium. I get an error message saying that the file cannot be read make sure that the drive is not full or write-protected. However, I have other mp4 files in the same folder that work fine... such as the mp4 videos from my Gopro and my cell phone!
I am using windows 7
Hi
Are you using a different compuer to the one the mp4 was created on?
The problem is with the video codec selected / used to create the video inside the mp4 container file (mp4 is not video format ).
If it is the same computer as the mp4 was created on then the codec used cannot be utilised by MEP.
Were you asked which codec (Compression) to use when you rendered the video in Showcase?
I am guessing the mp4 is using the h.263 or XVid codec - in in either case you need the mp4 to be rendered with a codec that MEP can use, ie h.264 or MPEG-2, if these are available.
You can use MediaInfo to analyse the mp4 to see what codecs have been used.
HTH
John EB
Hi John,
Yes, same computer! I have forwarded your response to my support guy at Autodesk to see if he can help me because Showcase is not giving me any option for compression. Strange because I never had this problem before when I was using an older version of MEP with an older version of Showcase! Right now I just wish I could get those 2 versions back!
Hi
. . . . Right now I just wish I could get those 2 versions back! . . . .
You can get your old version back if the download is still available, it will also install into its own folder if you accepted the default location for MEP 2015.
To see if the download is available go to the magix.com website and click the My Account icon top right
Login with your email address and password. On the next page select My Products - this will take you to the page listing your registered products and serial numbers, if the old version you had is still available there will be a download link.
Have you used MediaInfo to analyse one of the videos to find out what codecs have been used.
HTH
John EB
The previous version is not available to me as it was purchased by someone who no longer works here.
Yes I did use MediaInfo and here is what I got. I am not sure I understand the info I am getting.
I wonder if I download the h.264 codec if it will pop up as an option I can choose when exporting in Showcase? I googled the codec but I am just not sure where I can safely download it.
Hi
. . . . I did use MediaInfo and here is what I got. . . . .
Can you switch MediaInfo to Tree view and then post the section ogiving details of the video.
. . . . I wonder if I download the h.264 codec . . . .
You should not need to, it should already be on your computer. Showcase will only be able to use it if it is programmed to do so, which I suspect your version is not able to do as it not offereing any compression options.
HTH
John EB
Here is the screen cap of the tree view in MediaInfo!
Now the reason I think I need to download the h.264 codec is because I remember that Showcase used to give me the option of choosing compression format. However as you can see in this screen cap the "Configure" button is blanked out and the only compression format I have available is Microsoft Video 1 which I have never heard of before. If I choose avi as the output format then I have 4 or 5 options for compression but none of those work with MEP either.
Hi
Thanks for the new image - it is as I suspected the video codec is h.263 inside the mp4 container.
MEP cannot handle h.263 files inside mp4, only inside the mov (Quicktime) container file and this requires you to have Quicktime installed.
GoPro video files are h.264 inside mp4, which is why it works.
I have tried converting a genuine h.263 video in mp4 file using my various video converters and none of them can open the file without the need to install h.263 codec on my PC.
Depending on your version of Windows 7 - you may be able to download the media player codec pack from Microsoft which may contain the h.263 codec required.
For Windows 8.1 the codec pack has to be purchased.
I would also suggest you get back to Showcase support and ask them.
Personally I will not install any of the independant 'All in one' codec packs after having had one previously trash my computer system.
HTH
John EB
I'm still waiting for word back from Autodesk support but you have helped me find a another way to tackle it. I had tried to export to Quicktime before but I did not realize I needed to have Quicktime installed for it to work in MEP. So I was getting the exact same error message for the .mov files. Now I have installed Quicktime and then tried to export to .mov from Showcase. I tested the .mov file in MEP and it works now! I prefer to work with common files but at least I am able to continue! Thanks a lot for the help!
Hi
Good news you are working now.
. . . . I prefer to work with common files . . . .
mov (Quicktime) files are a very old and common format, that is still used frequently. For uploading video to the forum I have found this to be the best format to use.
Cheers
John EB
I did not word my comment properly. I realize that mov is an old and common format. What I meant to say is I prefer to keep all my files common since 90% of the video files I have are mp4 format. Usually from my Gopro camera. However there doesn't seem to be an issue blending the 2 file types together in a MEP edit therefore I won't worry about it too much.
Thanks again!