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Participant
November 8, 2021
Released

P: Add Support for Cinematic video files from iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • November 8, 2021
  • 28 replies
  • 5650 views

I am unable to import the new Cinematic video files to Lightroom Classic (updated) from my iPhone 13 Pro Max (iOS 15.0.2). Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks!

28 replies

Known Participant
December 19, 2024

After three years of complaints, it looks like this issue may have been finally fixed. I imported a few cinematic videos and no errors. Each cinematic video is imported as two video files: IMG_E8294.MOV, IMG_8294.MOV. One file will include the cinematic effect (blurred background).

 

I'm now on Lightroom 14.1.1. I've upgraded from iPhone 13 Pro to iPhone 16 Pro.

Participant
August 15, 2024

Adobe please fix this issue! How can this still be a problem after so many years? Thanks!

Known Participant
July 9, 2024

Currently on LRC 13.4 and macOS 14.5. I did my periodic import from my iPhone (iOS 17.5.1), and the Cinematic video import problem which was reported 2+ years ago still exists. This sucks, but it also causes other problems. For example, during the import of ~800 items from my iPhone, the import got stuck around ~60 files, and after about an hour, I canceled the import, and I got the following error:

 

The following files were not imported because they could not be read or the destination folder is not writable. (246)
IMG_5622.HEIC
IMG_5623.HEIC
IMG_5624.HEIC
IMG_5625.HEIC
...

 

This is a misleading error, because the files were imported. I tried to restart the import several times and no files were imported. I quit LRC, restarted and the rest of the files were imported. The batch contained Cinematic video, and so LRC showed this error at the end:

 

The video file appears to be corrupted or unrecognizable. We were unable to open the file on disk. (6)
    IMG_5999.MOV
    IMG_6006.MOV
    IMG_6007.MOV
    IMG_6008.MOV
    IMG_6064.MOV
    IMG_6104.MOV

 


Again, another bogus error. It's been 4+ years since I reported these types of import errors, and still no fix. I guess Adobe is too busy working on AI features, instead of fixing frustrating fundamental bugs with their software, that I'm paying a monthly subscription fee for.

Adobe: please fix these defects!!!!!

Participant
June 30, 2024

Same problem for me, can't import 4k HEVC videos into Lightroom Classic v 13.4 from iPhone 14 Pro or 15 Pro (showing the "the video file appears to be corrupted or unrecognisable" error message. Considering the monthly cost of Lightroom, not having this working after so much time is a serious oversight on Lightroom's part. Please can this be fixed.

Known Participant
April 19, 2024

Looking into this a little further, and at the risk of repeating some of what has already been discussed previously, it appears that the video file that won't import has a second video track.

 

The video file that does import includes the modifications to make it appear cinematic (narrow depth of field to enhance the focal point of the video):

 

The video file that does not import (gets the incompatible error) contains the original video (uncinematic, wide depth of field) plus a second video track, which I can only guess contains the information to turn the original video into cinematic focus:

 

I hope that helps in resolving this import issue so that both files can be imported into Lightroom.

 

Thanks!

Jon

 

Participant
March 26, 2024

While I'd love this issue to be patched, in the meantime, has anyone applied their own fix and can share their experience? I've considered the following:

-When importing, using LrC's 'move' feature to put all un-imported videos into a directory separate directory, bulk applying some kind of transcoding to a format that LrC would like, then moving these back into the original directory for import.

 

Use case: once per week I want to import all photos and the occasional video to LrC so larger videos can be removed from the iPhone and everything would be catalogued. I move long-form videos (10 minute +) into a separate directory on my NAS so it doesn't bog down LrC, but for the day-to-day clips (regular video and cinematic), it'd be nice to just offload these in the LrC library. Not a wild request imo 😄 Anyone elses thoughts / experiences for a mid-term fix would be great to hear!

Known Participant
March 26, 2024

I am also getting the error when I try to import Cinematic videos.

Participant
March 25, 2024

Running Lightroom Classic 13.2, and I'm still getting the error:

The video file appears to be corrupted or unrecognizable. We were unable to open the file on disk.

I've confirmed the videos that are mentioned in the error message are cinematic / HDR videos (other videos are indeed importing okay, so there is that). 

 

Any update on importing Cinematic/HDR videos being patched? Or is this a me issue? If so, can anyone out there confirm if they are able to do this successfully??

 

For context to my importing; I have a NAS where I placed the directories containing photos and videos primarily shot on iPhone and did an import. All media was imported and previews generated except for a number of listed files (~15%). Upon looking into the un-imported media, they appear to be Cinematic videos shot on iPhone... so I'm assuming that is the reason. 

Known Participant
March 1, 2024

Two and a half years after Apple introduced iPhone Cinematic Video, LR Classic (13.2) still cannot import them. 🙎 

djc007
Participant
February 16, 2024

Still no fix.

 

I have narrowed the issue down to files with "dish" in the codec: