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zalanmeggyesi
zalanmeggyesi
Participant
May 3, 2026 2:41 PM UTC
Question

P: Fails to import HEVC (hvc1) video from DJI cameras — hev1 tag works

Summary: Lightroom Classic throws a generic "unknown error" when importing HEVC video files tagged as hvc1, which is the default output format for DJI cameras (tested with DJI Osmo Action 6). The same file remuxed to use the hev1 codec tag imports without issues. No re-encoding is performed — the video bitstream is identical.

Steps to reproduce:

  1. Record video on a DJI Osmo Action 6 (or likely any DJI camera outputting HEVC). Or use attached input file.
  2. Attempt to import the resulting .MP4 file into Lightroom Classic via File → Import
  3. LrC throws "unknown error" and fails to import

Workaround: Remux the file using ffmpeg with no quality loss:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c copy -tag:v hev1 -map 0:v:0 -map 0:a:0 output.mp4

The resulting file (attached) imports correctly.

File properties (ffprobe):

  • Codec: HEVC / H.265
  • Profile: Main 10
  • Resolution: 3840×2160
  • Codec tag (original, failing): hvc1
  • Codec tag (remuxed, working): hev1
  • Color: yuv420p10le, bt709

Expected behavior: Both hvc1 and hev1 are valid, spec-compliant HEVC container formats per ISO 14496-15. Lightroom Classic should import either without error, as macOS itself (QuickTime, Finder preview) handles both correctly.

Impact: Any footage recorded in HEVC on DJI hardware is unimportable without manual intervention. This affects the Osmo Action series and likely the full DJI drone lineup.

      16 replies

      osilber
      Participant
      Nov 14, 2026 11:12 AM UTC

      Does anybody know if this bug has been fixed in LRc16 ?

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      KiranPatel.Photography
      Participant
      Nov 12, 2026 5:30 PM UTC

      Processing files through ffmpeg is not a viable solution since all of the previously imported HEVC files also do not open in Lightroom. The real fix needs to be provided by Adobe; make it work again like it did in v 15.4.1.

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      jeffreyh96105683
      Known Participant
      Oct 31, 2026 5:04 PM UTC

      I attempted to import hvc1-encoded videos from my Samsung S23. Errors while importing as described in this thread. I tried installing HEVC codecs from Microsoft - same result. Converted to H.264 using Handbrake, and the files then import.

      Note: The following play the hvc1-encoded files just fine: VLC, Microsoft Media Player. They are imported just fine by: Handbrake and Shotcut.

      So my question as a Lightroom Classic user, if these other apps can import these files, why does Lightroom Classic fail to import these? Seems like it is time for a fix to this issue. If it is an issue of hardware acceleration, maybe fall back on software if this isn’t present??

       

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        crazyphcat
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 26, 2026 4:57 PM UTC

        Is there any update regarding this bug? I do not use LRC to work on video files, but would like to use its catalogue options, which is clearly impossible if the files are not read

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        johnb60867848
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 20, 2026 3:06 AM UTC

        Same issue with Videos from my Samsung fold 6 phone

        Translate
        crazyphcat
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 4, 2026 3:56 PM UTC

        Same issue with mp4 files created both by DJI Neo and by smartphone Xiaomi 15T - Rename as mts does not work

        Translate
        crazyphcat
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 4, 2026 4:26 PM UTC

        ok, I managed to have the files reded by LR Classic by re-coding them using Handbrake: which is really boring

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        hugh.letheren
        Inspiring
        Oct 1, 2026 8:17 PM UTC

        Sadly this fix does not work for DJI Min 5 pro H265 video. Incidentally, with Lightroom V 15.6 I cannot import either of the 2 attachments, including the output clip, although both load using 15.4!

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        vincentm7428723
        Participant
        Aug 12, 2026 3:27 PM UTC

        Same issue with Samsung S24 Ultra….

         

        Video
        ID : 1
        Format : HEVC
        Format/Info : High Efficiency Video Coding
        Format profile : Main 10
        Format level : 5.2
        Format tier : Main
        HDR format : SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10 compatible
        Codec ID : hvc1
        Duration : 11 s 464 ms
        Bit rate : 52.8 Mb/s
        Width : 3 840 pixels
        Height : 2 160 pixels
        Display aspect ratio : 16:9
        Frame rate mode : Variable
        Frame rate : 29.659 FPS
        Minimum frame rate : 5.516 FPS
        Maximum frame rate : 38.726 FPS
        Real frame rate : 30.000 FPS
        Color space : YUV
        Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
        Bit depth : 10 bits
        Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.215
        Stream size : 72.2 MiB (100%)
        Title : VideoHandle
        Language : English
        Encoded date : UTC 2026-06-19 17:50:16
        Tagged date : UTC 2026-06-19 17:50:16
        Color range : Limited
        Color primaries : BT.2020
        Transfer characteristics : PQ
        Matrix coefficients : BT.2020 non-constant
        Mastering display color primaries : Display P3
        Mastering display luminance : min: 0.0050 cd/m2, max: 1000 cd/m2
        Maximum Content Light Level : 1000 cd/m2
        Maximum Frame-Average Light Level : 200 cd/m2
        Codec configuration box : hvcC
        Translate
        osilber
        Participant
        Jul 22, 2026 8:17 AM UTC

        Same issue when importing an HEVC video (from a DJI Osmo Action 4) with LR Classic 15.4.1 (and Win 11 Home 25H2). I used FFmpeg to replace the “hvc1” Codec ID tag with “hev1”, and it works now. Obviously a LR bug.

         

        Below, some info on the file that didn’t import because of “an unknown error”:
        Video
        ID                                       : 1
        Format                                   : HEVC
        Format/Info                              : High Efficiency Video Coding
        Format profile                           : Main 10@L5@High
        Codec ID                                 : hvc1
        Codec ID/Info                            : High Efficiency Video Coding
        Duration                                 : 10 s 811 ms
        Bit rate                                 : 30.0 Mb/s
        Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
        Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
        Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
        Frame rate mode                          : Constant
        Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
        Original frame rate                      : 29.970 (29970/1000) FPS
        Color space                              : YUV
        Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
        Bit depth                                : 10 bits
        Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.483
        Stream size                              : 38.7 MiB (89%)
        Encoded date                             : 2026-04-08 09:05:33 UTC
        Tagged date                              : 2026-04-08 09:05:33 UTC
        Color range                              : Limited
        Color primaries                          : BT.709
        Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
        Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
        Codec configuration box                  : hvcC

        Translate
        osilber
        Participant
        Oct 3, 2026 4:40 PM UTC

        This hack used to work with LR Classic 15.4.1, but it doesn’t work anymore with LR15.6. I cannot even visualize video files I had previously imported with LR15.4.1. I had to downgrade LR to 15.4.1 to be able to view my old DJI video files, and to import new ones (after running through ffmpeg to replace hvc1 with hev1). LR is becoming worse and worse with handling video files. I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to hack the video to import them with a newer LR version, but instead of that, I cannot import them with the latest LR version, even with the ffmpeg hack.

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          johnrellis
          johnrellis
          Legend
          May 3, 2026 7:32 PM UTC

          [View this post in your web browser. It contains formatting and images that don't appear in email.]

           

          Another curiosity: The Mac Quicktime app chokes opening output.mp4 (created by “ffmpeg”):

           

          Clicking Continue will open and play just the audio tracks. 

           

          This is now beyond my limited understanding of  video formats -- I refuse  to pay hundreds of dollars to the ISO for the privilege of helping apps conform to their standard.

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