Hi.
Yes. HEVC will contain an MP4 file inside. Right click the file in Windows explorer and select properties. Then open the Details tab and scroll to the bottom. You will see it says it is an HEVC file.
Ray.
You can't open MP4 files with the HEVC (H265) codec with the trial version.
You may be able to set your GoPro to record in H264, which the Movie Studio Trial will open, or you can convert your current HEVC MP4 into H264 MP4 with Handbrake or AviDemux. I have written a short guide on conversion using AVIDemux here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZgoqlqIOy5I20bb8aazvbEY-TsR32WxK/view?usp=sharing
Let us know if you have any issues.
@CubeAce Thanks for the input but I did what you suggested and the properties still showed mp4 and not HEVC. I tried to convert it per @AAProds recommendation and the file came out as an "mkv" file. The error message on that says that"the file format.....cannot be read!"
Aside from the trouble I am having getting a video into the trial version so that I can test out the editing, I find the whole user interface extremely confusing. I have been using Vegas Movie studio for several years. I would say I am an experienced beginner but I can't even do the basics with this program. Very disappointed at this point.
I think if you have been used to other video editing software then yes it is harder to grasp a new way of working.
I think as a newcomer to video editing when I started I found it more intuitive than most other video editing packages at the time, but now having other packages as well I can see why it would not be as intuitive for someone coming from another platform.
The track order is upside down compared to most other packages but it is much more flexible for effects than the old version of MS was. It's more stable.
The export settings have been perhaps oversimplified and take getting used to.
You may find HandBrake a little easier to use than Avid for converting file formats. There are articles on the Go-Pro site about converting their files for most editing packages.
Ray.
the file came out as an "mkv" file.
Make sure you set the "Output Format" to "MP4 Muxer". Then you'll get a file that Magix Movie Studio will open.
Yes, Magix Movie Studio is a totally different kettle of fish to the Vegas version you are used to. Magix pulled a swifty when it offered "updates/upgrades". It wasn't actually either; it was a terminating, by Magix, of Vegas MS and replacement of it with Magix Movie Edit Pro, now named Magix Movie Studio.
That all said, it seems that Magix MS is compared very favourably with Vegas MS. There are some great tutes on the link at the top of the page, many my JohnCB who is an active member here. I recommend you have a look at those to come to grips with the program. And, of course, we're also here to help.
Persevere; when you get the hang of it, I think you'll like it's features and simplicity.
Edited to reflect Eric's comment below.
Sony terminated Movie Studio; Magix bought the Pro versions
@AAProds - that is very incorrect. Sony Creative Software sold the Vegas range to Magix. That included both Pro, VMS, DVDA, Soundforge plus other software. VMS13 was rebranded as a Magix product and Magix subsequently released VMS versions 14,15,16 & 17. Plus of course ongoing Pro versions. The Vegas Software team, now much reduced in size, decided to discontine VMS at version 17 so they could concentrate their efforts on Vegas Pro. DVDA had already been discontinued and the Audio products are now developed by Magix's German based team.
@AAProds I finally got a file properly converted using MP4 Muxer but when I tried to bring that into the program I got a dialog box that said "QuickTime is not installed. QuickTime must be installed in order to play this file" Since everything that I do is in GoPro, this seems like are really cumbersome process to have to convert these files every time. Would I have to do the conversion in the paid version or is it just for the free trial ?
Also, what I see on my screen when I open the program looks nothing like what is in your documentation under "Edit Interface"
I finally got a file properly converted using MP4 Muxer but when I tried to bring that into the program I got a dialog box that said "QuickTime is not installed. QuickTime must be installed in order to play this file" Since everything that I do is in GoPro, this seems like are really cumbersome process to have to convert these files every time. Would I have to do the conversion in the paid version or is it just for the free trial ?
Yes, agree, this is a nuisance. I'm not familiar with GoPro video so I'll defer to others who have had experience with it, although I am surprised that the file, after conversion with AVIDemux, requires Quicktime; converting it to H264 should have obviated that. Another thing to try is to convert your original with Handbrake, as per the GoPro website here. Make sure you use the Windows procedure.
It would help if you could post via Google Drive or Dropbox a short GoPro video so we can analyse (or @browj2 may be able to offer advice). The registered version of Magix will happily open certain HEVC files (you do have to pay a small fee for the HEVC codec). Editing them can be a chore if you don't have a grunty machine, although it can be done.
what I see on my screen when I open the program looks nothing like what is in your documentation under "Edit Interface"
Drag the right edge of the window containing the "Magix" logo further to hte right ot expose the "Window" menu item.
On the Window menu, choose Window Arrangement then "Reset Window Arrangement". That will reset back to the default layout.
Hi
. . . . Since everything that I do is in GoPro, this seems like are really cumbersome process to have to convert these files every time. . . . .
The full version of Movie Studio 2023 will import GoPro videos without conversion in both h.264 (AVC) and h.265 (HEVC) formats with some conditions eg if you want to export as h.265 (HEVC) you will have to purchase the HEVC codec - this costs a few Dollars/Euros/Pounds.
Can you upload a sample video, 15 - 30 secs long should be enough, from the GoPro for us to test - use a file transfer service such as WeTransfer or Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and post a link to the file. If you use Google Drive or OneDrive ensure you set the access permissions to Anyone with this link.
The Quicktime installed message would suggest the converted clip is a QT format.
Download and install MediaInfo and analyse the converted clip and post the results, see this tutorial on how to setup MediaInfo and analyse a video clip for all the data required.
HTH
John EB
Forum Moderator
Hi there. You can follow this tutorial for using Handbrake to transcode your HEVC GoPro files to AVC/H264. Though it is written primarily for those that use VEGAS Movie Studio/VEGAS Pro software by Derek Moran (a.k.a. Dr. Zen of Movie Studio Zen), the use case is the same. He has written instructions at the site, as well as a Video Tutorial, along with the link to the site.
Yes, this may be an extra step, especially since you are using a Trial version of the software, but best way to try it out (this would also help with other Video Editiors reporting the same kind of error). And, depending on your current computer hardware, this may be needed as well.
Depending on your particular GoPro Model (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, etc.), you can within the settings to tell the GoPro to "Shoot" in H264/AVC, but if you record in certain video resolutions/frame rates, it will automatically record in H265/HEVC. You can search the GoPro site FAQ for your particular model to find out which frame rates/resolutions will do this.
Good Luck!
Mike "The Chief" O'Sullivan
@johnebaker and @AAProds
GoPro 11
Both videos below were rendered using Movie Studio 17 so I’m not sure if this would be helpful in troubleshooting but that was the only way that I could shorten the raw video.
This video was rendered directly from raw GoPro footage:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1avCSOiuPwn-2v-DfD8YqKhIVJsswM38W/view?usp=sharing
This video was converted to MP4 from HEVC using AVIDemux, shortened and rendered in Movie Studio 17:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CIVDWWDECo-mptFzaFPDb4-7FxL5beTs/view?usp=sharing
Since I did all that rendering the videos may not be helpful for figuring out my conversion issue.
One of the things that attracted me to Movie Studio 2023 was some high level marketing stuff that looked like keyframes would be easier to use. I have been trying to use keyframes, unsuccessfully with Movie Studio 17 and one of my main interests was being able to use keyframes in 2023. I mostly am doing videos of my agility competitions and generally the course starts in the front of the frame-moves to the back and then ends in the front. What I am trying to do is use the keyframes to move the view towards the rear of the field and then back to the front. I looked at a couple tutorials but there was not enough info for me to figure it out. If you can recommend some specific tutorials, that would be helpful (assuming I can figure out how to load a video in your program and figure out how to do basic editing).
Hi
Thanks for uploading the GoPro video - unfortunately access is denied - can you change the share permissions to Anyone with the link - right click the video clip(s) and click the Get link option
Thanks
John EB
@johnebaker I moved the vids over to YouTube as unlisted to make it easier.
Here is the 
that I just ran through Movie Studio 17. It cam directly out of my Hero 11 camera
Here is the 
that I converted to an MP4 file and then rendered in Movie Studio 7
Hi
Unfortunately Youtube or any other site such a Vimeo, the forum etc, convert the file to another format, we need the original for testing, hence me specifying suitable options to upload to.
John EB
@johnebaker Got it:
Here is the file from my Hero 11: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1avCSOiuPwn-2v-DfD8YqKhIVJsswM38W/view?usp=sharing
Here is the file that I converted using AVIDemux: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CIVDWWDECo-mptFzaFPDb4-7FxL5beTs/view?usp=sharing
I had to render both with Movie Studio 17 so that I could shorten them. Don't know if that messed things up for what you are trying to do.
The rendering with Movie Studio 17 has converted them to H264, which Magix can read.
Could you perhaps shoot another short video and upload that; we really need a sample of an original GoPro file just to check that a registered copy Magix will open them. 20-30 seconds worth would be ample. As I mentioned earlier, Magix does open other HEVC files.
In any case, you now have a working MP4 that Magix can open so you can try it out.
@AAProds--I did a separate 20 sec vid with the GoPro Hero 11 that I uploaded to my GoPro Media library. This link goes to that vid (I don't know if their site changes the format from the camera). Hope you can access this. Can you confirm that the full program (non-trial version) would allow me to directly upload the GoPro video in the HEVC (H265) codec? I think someone wrote that earlier in this thread but I want to confirm it.
On another note, I did have a short video that I took with my Android phone. I was able to upload that to the trial program. I got it on the timeline and was able to move back and forth along the timeline. I have downloaded the manual because the interface is so different from Vegas Movie Studio 17, I can't just click around and figure it out. Hopefully the manual will enlighten me.
Hi
. . . . . I don't know if their site changes the format from the camera . . . . .
It looks like the site has processed the video to h.264 (AVC) though we can see in the MediaInfo data that it originally was h.265 (HEVC).
Try using WeTransfer to get the original clip to us.
There is a list of tutorials here on using Movie Edit Pro/Movie Studio which may help you find your way around the program. These were done on an older version, however the principles apply to the current version.
John EB
@johnebaker. Here is the link to a short GoPro vid taken directly from my Hero 11 camera: https://we.tl/t-Yv5PrB7K9p
Thanks for all the tutorials. I can see that Magix is a more powerful program with a lot more functionality. The challenge for me will be figuring out the simple basics in Magix that I can do now very easily in Movie Studio (titles, shortening, audio, fading in and out, and rendering) and then developing more skills vs just staying where I am.
I did download the manual and on page 16 it shows supported formats:
So with the paid version, am I still going to have this issue of having to convert my GoPro files so that Magix can read them? Someone in the thread above said that the paid version read the files directly but I'm not sure from the list in the manual that that is accurate.
You're good to go. Magix Movie Studio 2023 opens your Gopro file without issue. As noted, you'll have to purchase the HEVC codec pack from Magix, but that is only a few dollars.
@AAProds I wish I had an airport over my back fence. What you saw was a windstock that looks like my real airplane. My real airplane is a Citabria which people think is a Cessna because of the high wing but it is actually a tailwheel, two seat, tandem airplane. In addition to doing dog agility videos, I also make aviation videos with a lot of geology commentary. You can check out my YouTube channel here if you are interested.
Thanks for your help as I evaluate Magix software. @johnebaker thanks to you as well. You both showed a lot of patience answering my questions.
Hi.
The file does indeed import with no problems.
The problems are on export.
The supplied file is 5k not 4k. While the program will import that file the export resolution is not supported natively within the program unless there has been an update to MS 2023 that is not available in MEP 2022.(essentially the same program, one generation behind).
The file cannot be exported at that resolution in MP4 format as that resolution comes up as not supported within the program but can be exported rather quickly at 4K assuming you have both an Intel inboard GPU and a separate GPU with 4GB of vram. I can't vouch for another system with different specs as I don't have one to test with.
To still export to 5k you will have to export to HEVC of which there is still no native export options from within the program but you can select an 8k profile (to maintain quality) and then customise that to the correct resolution for 5k and frame rate. However, the codec is complex to encode and does not get help from either GPU for video encoding, only 3D rendering from the nvidia graphics card so export is excruciatingly slow.
I have had to split the following videos so that the website will accept them for upload.
In order.
It may take a while for all the videos to show. The last one is the HEVC exported file. That file has no sound which was my fault as I had the audio track on mute.
There is some barrel distortion that may need fixing in post. These were all straight exports with no added effects or processing. Adding effects could lengthen export times, especially with the HEVC export.
[Edit]
I should add that all the video exports are playing much more smoothly than they are showing here. Maybe the site's additional compression has done something to them. They all look as good as the original file except maybe if one had a 5k monitor or above to view them on.
Ray.