HEVC issue with Adobe Elements ORganizer and Premiere Elements

[parigoode]

Hi, I just realized I'm having problems with some HEVC MPEG-4 encoded MOV files in Adobe Organizer / Photoelements / Premiere Elements.  Basically the files in question were previously imported successfully, show a thumbnail and previously played, but now, with no changes to the file, give the message "The selected file cannot be played because your system does not have the required compressor/decompressor (codec) installed."

I'm using Windows 11, latest updates to it, HEVC and HEIC software from Microsoft was previously installed (and is still installed), files play fine in other video apps on the same machine.

Ideas?  I'm starting to think it's time for me to ditch these programs given the contant issues Adobe seems to have with Apple photos/videos 😞

[Greg_S.]

Were the files recorded with the HDR setting on?

Which version of Elements are you talking about?

Did the files previously play OK in the same version of Elements and with the same OS?

[parigoode]

Sorry I should have included more information:

* I don't know if the file was recorded with HDR on; is there any way to tell?  I know that setting isn't on now but who knows when this batch of videos was taken.  This was taken on an iphone 12.

* Photoshop Elements 22, although I downloaded and tested with a trial version of 24 and have the same issue.

* yes

I've also removed and reinstalled the microsoft HEVC software.

below is output from a program that inspects the video file:

General
Complete name :	C:\Users\john\OneDrive\Pictures\2021\08\20210827_011847000_iOS.MOV
Format :	MPEG-4
Format profile :	QuickTime
Codec ID :	qt 0000.00 (qt )
File size :	51.7 MiB
Duration :	36 s 725 ms
Overall bit rate mode :	Variable
Overall bit rate :	11.8 Mb/s
Frame rate :	29.970 FPS
Encoded date :	2021-08-27 01:18:47 UTC
Tagged date :	2021-08-27 01:19:24 UTC
Writing library :	Apple QuickTime
com.apple.quicktime.location.accuracy.horizontal :	4.065828
com.apple.quicktime.location.ISO6709 :	+38.6929-121.1017+148.605/
com.apple.quicktime.make :	Apple
com.apple.quicktime.model :	iPhone 12
com.apple.quicktime.software :	14.7.1
com.apple.quicktime.creationdate :	2021-08-26T18:18:47-0700

Video
ID :	1
Format :	HEVC
Format/Info :	High Efficiency Video Coding
Format profile :	Main 10@L4@Main
HDR format :	Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.08.04, BL+RPU, HLG compatible
Codec ID :	hvc1
Codec ID/Info :	High Efficiency Video Coding
Duration :	36 s 725 ms
Bit rate :	11.6 Mb/s
Width :	1 920 pixels
Height :	1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio :	16:9
Rotation :	90°
Frame rate mode :	Variable
Frame rate :	29.970 (29970/1000) FPS
Minimum frame rate :	28.571 FPS
Maximum frame rate :	30.000 FPS
Color space :	YUV
Chroma subsampling :	4:2:0
Bit depth :	10 bits
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) :	0.187
Stream size :	50.8 MiB (98%)
Title :	Core Media Video
Encoded date :	2021-08-27 01:18:47 UTC
Tagged date :	2021-08-27 01:19:24 UTC
Color range :	Limited
Color primaries :	BT.2020
Transfer characteristics :	HLG
Matrix coefficients :	BT.2020 non-constant
Metas :	3,4,5
Codec configuration box :	hvcC+dvvC

[Greg_S.]

BTW, I am reasonably confident that the video will play OK in Elements if you convert the files to MP4, using the free utility Handbrake.  The files can be batch converted.

[parigoode]

Thank you for the suggestion.  I'm trying to avoid converting a bunch of files and still perplexed how the files seemingly imported and played previously.

After looking at videos that currently work vs those that don't, it appears that any file encoded with HEVC doesn't work (those with AVC do work).

Do Adobe products just no longer support HEVC?  These files play fine in other programs on my computer, and I've even tried these files with photoelements on 3 different computers (and all have the same result).  It's basically like Adobe doesn't recognize the installed HEVC codec anymore.

[Greg_S. · Accepted solution]

Your MediaInfo readout shows that the problem file was indeed recorded with HDR.  (BT.2020). Elements for Windows does not support videos recorded with this color space.  Not, surprisingly, Macs do support it, presumably natively. 

I have now turned off HDR recording on my iPhone and use Handbrake or other alternatives to convert the files. 

[parigoode]

Thank you so much for solving the mystery!  I'm still not sure how it ever imported but I won't worry about.

Any idea if Adobe ever plans to support it in Photoelements Organizer/Premier Elements?  My problem is that I often times am getting videos from other people that were recorded in HDR.  At least I have a workaround now though 🙂  Thank you!

[Greg_S.]

I have asked Adobe to give support to these files, but I won't be holding my breath. 

[jim_7010]

Well apparently I just wasted $130 upgrading from Elements 11 to 24 as I still can't import my HEVC encoded files from my DHI Action 4 cameras.  Have the HEVC Extension from Microsoft installed so that's not the issue.  Should have gone with my first instint of buying Davinci's Resolve software, but I didn't want the hassle of trying to figure out a new editor.  Lesson learned!