Skip to main content
Known Participant
October 4, 2020
Answered

Premiere Elements 12 and HEVC codec

  • October 4, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 1946 views

I'm currently using Premiere Elements 12 and until now it has satisfied my requirements.

 

I have been sent an MP4 file and when I open a new project it only plays the music without playing the video.  When I try and play the MP4 file outside of Premiere Elements I received a popup message saying it needs an HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) extension.

It there a file that can be installed on Premiere Elements 12 which will enable me to work with this MP4, or does this now mean I must upgrade to the latest version of Premiere Elements.


This also make me ask a secondard question.           Will the latest version already have this codec in the package?

 

Please forgive my lack of knowledge on this subject. I hope someone can help to steer me in the right direction.

 

Many thanks

Dave

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Bill Sprague

Dave,

 

The HEVC (aka H.265) codec was not supported until version 2020.  The code in 2020 is written to use the HEVC codec that is installed on your computer.   With a Mac, it is part of the operating system.  With a Windows PC it has to be installed.  Oddly you have to buy it for 99 cents from Microsoft!  

A less costly work around is to use the (free) program called Handbrake to convert the file to the more common H.264 codec that can be edited in your version. 

3 replies

Participant
December 21, 2020

I have PE 2020 and still get an error message opening a video file sent from person with iPhone.  Why hasn't 2020 been updated for PhotoShop Elements 2020 and Premier Elements 2020 to support these iPhone formats.

Inspiring
October 5, 2020

AP2020 can import HEVC files but I have a plenty of isses with them. For that reason I always transcode to H264

Bill SpragueCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
October 4, 2020

Dave,

 

The HEVC (aka H.265) codec was not supported until version 2020.  The code in 2020 is written to use the HEVC codec that is installed on your computer.   With a Mac, it is part of the operating system.  With a Windows PC it has to be installed.  Oddly you have to buy it for 99 cents from Microsoft!  

A less costly work around is to use the (free) program called Handbrake to convert the file to the more common H.264 codec that can be edited in your version. 

Known Participant
October 4, 2020

Thanks for the information.  I'll try Handbrake and see how that goes.

Failing that I guess it's finally time to spend some money and upgrade to the latest version of PE