So I wanted to edit an MP4, it says I need Quicktime even though I have apps on Windows like VLC player that can play the same video just fine.
So then I install QT, try again, and it returns an "An unknown error has occurred." Frustrating.
Why is this so problematic for movie studio and not for other windows apps?
@big_guitar Hi, can you share MediaInfo of the file, if you haven't got that app -
The App is called MediaInfo, download it, it's free & a fast download with no added adverts or any of that rubbish. https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo.
After downloading, right click on the media file in your Windows folder, open MediaInfo, choose Text from the options at the top, screen capture that page or Copy & paste the information in a new comment on here using the arrow button next to the smiley at the top of a new comment 👍
Like this -
& a small sample of the problem file would be useful for others to try, put it on Google Drive or another file sharing site then share it on here using the link option which is the chain button at the top of a new comment.
Looks like I last used that app (media info) about 10 years ago.
Note, I used OBS on an older system running Win 10 Pro to establish the original mp4 file.
Anyway, here's the info:
General Complete name : C:\Users\<myaccount>\Downloads\2024-06-11 05-39-09.mp4 Format : MPEG-4 Format profile : Base Media Codec ID : isom (isom/iso6/iso2/avc1/mp41) File size : 13.5 MiB Duration : 45 s 233 ms Overall bit rate : 2 501 kb/s Frame rate : 30.000 FPS Writing application : Lavf60.16.100 Video ID : 1 Format : AVC Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec Format profile : High@L3.1 Format settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames Format settings, CABAC : Yes Format settings, Reference frames : 4 frames Codec ID : avc1 Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding Duration : 45 s 233 ms Bit rate : 2 500 kb/s Width : 1 280 pixels Height : 720 pixels Display aspect ratio : 16:9 Frame rate mode : Constant Frame rate : 30.000 FPS Color space : YUV Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0 Bit depth : 8 bits Scan type : Progressive Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.090 Stream size : 13.5 MiB (100%) Writing library : x264 core 164 r3106 eaa68fa Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=2 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=12 / lookahead_threads=4 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=1 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=10 / rc=cbr / mbtree=1 / bitrate=2500 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=2500 / vbv_bufsize=2500 / nal_hrd=none / filler=1 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00 Color range : Limited Color primaries : BT.709 Transfer characteristics : BT.709 Matrix coefficients : BT.709 Codec configuration box : avcC Audio ID : 2 Format : AAC LC Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity Codec ID : mp4a-40-2 Duration : 45 s 184 ms Bit rate mode : Constant Bit rate : 2 274 b/s Nominal bit rate : 160 kb/s Maximum bit rate : 160 kb/s Channel(s) : 2 channels Channel layout : L R Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF) Compression mode : Lossy Stream size : 12.5 KiB (0%) Title : simple_aac Default : Yes Alternate group : 1
@big_guitar QuickTime on Windows is problematic. Apple stopped development many years ago and if you install it, it might not be compatible with modern Windows and also might be a backdoor for malware. So I wouldn't recommend you install it.
@big_guitar QuickTime on Windows is problematic. Apple stopped development many years ago and if you install it, it might not be compatible with modern Windows and also might be a backdoor for malware. I would recommend you convert your video to a more common codec with a free tool like XMedia Recode
I will check your recommended tool. Still, you'd think that the Windows playback apps would also have a problem with the source file, but they don't. Only Movie Studio seems to have a problem with the file.
@big_guitar Freeware apps like VLC might include decoders like they want. I'm not sure Magix can do this as a commercial software and probably Apple no longer offers licenses for Windows usage.
Nothing wrong with Quicktime, that's just scaremongering. The 'Malware' problem mentioned comes when logging in & using it to share online, so simple answer to that, install it, don't open it, don't sign into anything, you can open it initially after installation to check there's nothing filled in in the settings & nothing is turned on or activated but then just close it, leave it as an unused app on your PC, it's only the codecs that come with it you want.
I might be missing something but that file looks fine & I see nothing that would call for the need of Quicktime..... 🤔 Although I question the Audio - Frame rate : 46.875 FPS but audio's not my thing.
It really would help if you could put one of those files on Google Drive. We can then throw it at Magix and get them to sort it out. It can also be checked in Vegas via @Gid.
Magix should pull it's finger out and get it's programs to import files like that. That's just a bog-standard AVC. It wasn't even made by Quicktime/Apple. And Magix obviously isn't worried about installing Quicktime because it's telling the OP to install it.
Hi
. . . . Why so finnicky? . . . .
The video format you are trying to import is standard 720p h.264/AAC encoded, so it is unlikely that this is the cause of the issue.
However, the program can be 'finicky' about the hardware, drivers and OS it is running on.
What is your computer specification including Windows version and program version, see this topic for what is required, and please quote processor and graphics card make/model in full, and also what monitor/screen resolution(s) you are working with if this is a laptop.
I would suggest you put this information in your profile signature so we do not have to keep asking for it.
Are the graphics drivers up to date and their version number(s) of those installed ?
. . . . QuickTime on Windows is problematic . . . be a backdoor for malware. . . . and . . . 'Malware' problem mentioned comes when logging in & using it to share online . . . .
QT is perfectly safe to use providing you only install the Essentials components - these are selected by default. It is the web components that have the security issue which @Gid was referring to.
John EB
Forum Moderator
Windows 10 Pro; AMD Ryzen 9 3900X; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super; 32GB RAM;
@big_guitar That file that you shared the MediaInfo of is only a small file so could you share it on Google Drive, we can then see if it's a Magix problem or media problem.
If you're unsure how -
1. Open Google, top right is a sq of 9 dots - Open Google Drive.
2. Drag that video onto the Google Drive window, let it upload.
3. Right click on the file on screen - Share.
4. A window will pop up, General Access - choose anyone with the link - Copy link.
5. Then on here in a new comment at the top there's a chain button, paste the link on there
6. Click Comment
Hi
There is some requested data missing: - are the installed GTX 1660 drivers up to date?
The current version, whether the GRD (Game Ready), or SD (Studio), drivers is 555.99 (32.0.15.5599).
John EB
My GeForce drivers are Game Ready 555.85...
Just updated about a week ago... but I'll see about updating to 555.99
Seems Lisa's comments are in the wrong thread.
OK I made a smaller mp4 that has the same issues with Magix Movie Studio 2024 Suite. I have since uninstalled QT, and it's currently in the mode to ask for it to be installed when I drag the mp4 into the timeline. Using conversion programs works, but would be ideal to know either way why it was unhappy with the original file I suppose. I was going to change OBS to use mkv format with x264. The source system that I created the original mp4 file with is NOT the system running Magix. The source system that created the file is an old hp laptop.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1orziMu0R_1T2REpHbNfBVLaO-u7Vf98y/view?usp=drive_link
@big_guitar Ok yeah that's messed up.
MMS nor VPX14 will let me drag it in.
In Vegas it looks like this when the option to 'Match project to media' , 15,360p & plays like a strobe light.
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If I change the project to 30fps, the cursor is at 1 frame.
The blue area represents 1 second. you can just see the video at the start on track 1.
In order to get Vegas to load that file I had to 'Enable Legacy AVC decoding', that makes it use an older so4compoundplug, I never have to do that & I don't know enough about it to give details. If that box is unchecked Vegas uses the more recent decoding mxcompoundplug, this has caused issues for some (not me) & they have had to tick that box to go back to the so4compoundplug but I don't believe this has anything to with that file you shared. It's just a bit like rolling back GPU drivers or using AVC instead of HEVC files, it's just an older version that's all.
Mocha Pro & Silhouette who are 'on the ball' as far as coding & getting files to work correctly do play it correctly but only show 108 frames up to the picture, not the SD Card text at the end.
The cursor is at the end of the timeline.
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Converting using Handbrake it loads & plays correctly. I'd say this is a file thing not an MMS thing. What that thing is I can't say ....
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Saying that the free Resolve does load it & play it correctly. 🤷♂️
Something's botched in the file meta data/header. I did a "Copy-Copy>MP4" in AVIDemux and it now opens in Magix. I assume that the audio is silent.
The AVIDemux Copy-Copy process doesn't re-encode the file, it just rewrites the file information. The basic file is OK, just the code that goes with it, which is what throws programs trying to open it. This is preferable to a re-encode, which is what you would get with Handbrake.
If you're doing this on an ongoing basis, you'll need to adjust your OBS settings. To what, I don't know. I'm not really familiar with OBS.
Re MKV, Magix generally won't open them, despite what the Spec sheet says. Run the MKV through AVIDemux to change it to MP4 and Magix will then open it. Go figure.
I've written a guide for header-re-writes with AVIDemux. This one is to change the extension from MOV to MP4 but will work on your file: Copy, Copy to MP4.
It also opens without issue in VideoRedo.
Something's botched in the file meta data/header. I did a "Copy-Copy>MP4" in AVIDemux and it now opens in Magix. I assume that the audio is silent.
The AVIDemux Copy-Copy process doesn't re-encode the file, it just rewrites the file information. The basic file is OK, just the code that goes with it, which is what throws programs trying to open it. This is preferable to a re-encode, which is what you would get with Handbrake.
If you're doing this on an ongoing basis, you'll need to adjust your OBS settings. To what, I don't know. I'm not really familiar with OBS.
Re MKV, Magix generally won't open them, despite what the Spec sheet says. Run the MKV through AVIDemux to change it to MP4 and Magix will then open it. Go figure.
I've written a guide for header-re-writes with AVIDemux. This one is to change the extension from MOV to MP4 but will work on your file: Copy, Copy to MP4.
Thanks for that, seems like a handy tool, especially in this scenario. Yes there was a setting in the recording and no audio came through. Some update to OBS modified settings that impacted the audio config, corrected that since.
Glad that help site with all the tools is still up, I remember when it was vcdhelp. 🙂
I will have to experiment with settings in OBS on that source system to see if anything will work without the header fix.
Hi
When I change only the file extension to MOV the video clip imports into MMS with no issues with Quicktime Essentials is installed.
Can anyone else confirm this please?
This leads to the obvious question, has the file extension been changed manually from MOV to MP4, or is OBS recording settings incorrectly set - a screen shot of the recording settings may help ?
John EB
Greetings,
I use OBS a lot and haven't come across this issue recording to MP4s. I've just been playing with the settings and I managed to produce an MP4 that MS doesn't like.
Are you saving to "Fragmented MP4"?
This throws the error message that you are seeing when importing to MS2025, when Direct Copy converted the file plays normally.
If you look at the file details in Windows Explorer/properties you can see what could possibly be called a heading "error".
Left your file - centre AVIDEMUX Direct Copy encode - right Pazera Direct Copy encode.
OBS themselves say "fragmented MP4/MOV may be a good fit for most users who wish to simply upload their videos onto platforms such as YouTube or edit them in common software like Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve" but Magix obviously wish to disprove that 😇.
AndyW
When I change only the file extension to MOV the video clip imports into MMS with no issues with Quicktime Essentials is installed. Can anyone else confirm this please?
John, With the MOV extension, I can import it, but no audio track comes in, only video.
Andy, interesting. I found this (a 2019 post):
But there's a special form of MP4 called a "fragmented MP4" or "fMP4" which holds it's metadata at the beginning of the file instead of the end.
That OBS statement doesn't make sense. My understanding is that a full upload to YT have to be done before it can be published, and why would you try to start editing a file when only bits of it are on the timeline with it still at the importing stage?
Hi Andy, Al
Andy, where did you find that OBS comment?
The OBS statement only makes sense when 'live streaming' to the Internet.
The video stream 'fragments' do not arrive at the destination, eg viewers PC, or Youtube, in the correct sequence, as they may take different routes, some faster or slower than others through the Internet to get to the destination where the fragments are cached and assembled by the player/YT into the correct order before playing.
A quick search of fragmented video issues shows that contrary to what OBS say, the same issue occurs with Resolve, Premier and several other video editors.
John EB
Hi
When I change only the file extension to MOV the video clip imports into MMS with no issues with Quicktime Essentials is installed.
Can anyone else confirm this please?
This leads to the obvious question, has the file extension been changed manually from MOV to MP4, or is OBS recording settings incorrectly set - a screen shot of the recording settings may help ?
John EB
Yes same here, inc audio track which is silent,.
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When I tried it in Resolve it says High L3.1
I Googled this, I understood what I read but it still didn't mean a lot to me, if that makes sense, so I've no idea if this has any relation to this at all. 😂🙃🤷♂️
John - where did you find that OBS comment?
Al - That OBS statement doesn't make sense
I'm a simple soul, Sorry, only copying what the "experts" say here 😉 https://obsproject.com/kb/audio-video-formats-guide
AndyW
Hi Al
. . . . With the MOV extension, I can import it, but no audio track comes in, only video . . . .
Agreed, however using Avidemux, your copy method, Handbrake - re-encode, MovAvi both re-encode/copy/extract audio methods and VSCL, all come up with silence.
MediaInfo says there is 641 Bytes of audio, however there is nothing. I suspect the audio is 'borked'.
John EB