QuickTime .mov file - cannot playback video, will not import into PP CS5

D

drewski310

Active member
This one has me stumped. I received a set of .mov files with the codec identified as m2v1. When I play them using VLC Media Player on my PC, I get audio but no video. VLC returns the following error: "No suitable decoder module: VLC does not support the audio or video format "m2v1"..." So I open one of the .mov files in a hex editor and do a search for "m2v1" and replace it with "mpg2". Now the video plays back perfectly in VLC Media Player. But when I try to import the modified .mov file into PP CS5, I get the File Import Failure window and the message "Codec missing or unavailable." I've been google searching for hours to find a fix. If anyone knows how I can import this .mov file without errors I would be most grateful!
 
Using MPEG Streamclip, I imported the original .mov and did the following:

- Exported a .dv file with DV/DVC codec. File was able to be imported into PP but no video (audio is present).
- Exported an .mp4 file with both AVC1 and MP4V codec. File was able to be imported into PP but no video (audio is present).
- Exported an .avi file with MJPG codec. PP error on import "Unsupported format or damage file."
 
It seems those files are from a Mac capture. (Damn Macs always causing compatibility issues!)

You might try getting the original media instead of those captures.
 
Thanks for the link David. I've tried those suggestions in the link and none of them work for me. I changed the .mov extension to .mpg, and while it still played back ok in VLC, it would not import into PP. I would get the yellow screen "media pending" upon import and it would just hang there. Trying to import the .mpg into AME resulted in "could not be imported" error message. Frustrating.
 
OK I found a solution! It may not be the most efficient, but it seems to work for me. Hopefully this will help someone else, or someone can find a better solution. I'll summarize:

Problem:
You have .mov files using the m2v1 codec that won't import into PP CS5 on a PC. When played, only the audio is present - no video.

A workflow solution:
1) Using a hex editor, open each .mov file and search for "m2v1". Replace with "mpg2". You should now be able to view the video with VLC Media Player. But it still will not import into PP.
2) Convert the modified .mov file using VLC Media Player (Media > Convert/Save). Under the Settings Profile, select "Video - H.264 + AAC (TS)". Output the file as a .ts (transport stream).
3) Change the extension from ".ts" to ".mpg". At this point, you should be able to import into PP, but it was making PP act funny (slow), so I added a fourth step.
4) Drop it into AME and export out as an H.264 .mp4 file. Now PP imports fine and no problems.

Unbelievable.
 
Jim Simon said:
Geez, two conversion steps of already compressed material.

Not an optimal work flow.
Click to expand...

I guess it just means the difference between having workable vs unworkeable footage.
I've been there before...picking the the lesser of two evils is never nice
 
Jim Simon said:
Geez, two conversion steps of already compressed material.

Not an optimal work flow.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely correct. But when the alternative is ZERO usable footage and a deadline a week away, it's the obvious choice. I'd be glad to send you a sample .mov and maybe you can contribute a better solution?

Jim Simon said:
It seems those files are from a Mac capture. (Damn Macs always causing compatibility issues!)

You might try getting the original media instead of those captures.
Click to expand...

Correct. It was a Sony HDR-SR11 camera with footage captured using iMovie on a Mac.
 
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