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lilthea
Participating Frequently
August 26, 2018
Answered

Add media failure - Error: codec missing or unavailable

  • August 26, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 5434 views

I am using Premiere Elements 8.1 and I am adding multiple small videos to make one large one.  Unfortunately, the small videos are in different formats.  Some of them are .mov.  Interestingly, some of the .mov videos load with no difficulty.  However, some of them don't load and I get the error: codec missing or unavailable. 

I am using Windows 10 pro, 16 GB RAM, Processor: AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor 4GHz

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Steve Grisetti

    This MOV file uses the HEVC codec, an advanced H.265 codec that is not currently supported by any version of Premiere Elements.

    It is way out of version 8's league -- and unfortunately will also not play well with even current versions of the program.

    3 replies

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    Steve GrisettiCorrect answer
    Legend
    August 26, 2018

    This MOV file uses the HEVC codec, an advanced H.265 codec that is not currently supported by any version of Premiere Elements.

    It is way out of version 8's league -- and unfortunately will also not play well with even current versions of the program.

    shadexlee
    shadexlee
    Participant
    October 9, 2018

    I found that the best work around was to open the .mov file in Quicktime and then use the "Export as" feature under the "File" menu.  I used the "export 1080p..." option with the "Use HEVC" is not checked.  The new file could then be imported without errors.

    S
    SFilin2019
    Participant
    February 7, 2019

    Version 2019 that was released a few days ago.  It is supposed to "support variable frame rate (VFR) plus import and editing of HEIF images on macOS and HEVC video on macOS 10.13 and above."

    No cost trials are available.  If you have a Mac and it helps your workflow consider trying it.


    So it is only for MAC?

    Because does not work for Windows 10...

    S
    Steve Grisetti
    Legend
    August 26, 2018

    It very much sounds like you're using video beyond what this version of the program is capable.

    If you'd like to explore this further, open one of your MOVs in the free download MediaInfo. Set MediaInfo's View menu to Text and then copy and paste the report it generates tot his forum.

    As I've said, MOVs are packages rather than formats. These packages can be made up of any of dozens of codecs, resolutions and frame rates. After we see what these elements are, we can better advise you.

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    liltheaAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    August 26, 2018

    Hi Steve,

    Here are screen shots of the MediaInfo results for one of the .movs that I was unable to add to PE8.1:

    I don't know what any of this means.  I hope it means something to you.  If the .mov is the mongrel that you describe, it may be that I won't be able to add some of them directly to PE8.1. 

    Thank you for your help.

    S
    Steve Grisetti
    Legend
    August 26, 2018

    Version 8 is very limited in the types of video formats it can edit well. In fact, it was pretty much limited to tape-based video. Anything else it edited it didn't edit well.

    What model of camcorder is your video coming from and what format and resolution is it?

    Version 8 really isn't going to know what to do with AVCHD and MP4 video or video from phones.

    As for MOVs, they can be made up of any of dozens of codecs, so it depends on which codecs these MOVs are using. DV-MOVs it can handle. H.264-MOVs not likely.

    BTW, do you have Quicktime 7 installed per the program's system requirements?

    QuickTime 7.6 for Windows

    L
    liltheaAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    August 26, 2018

    Yes, I have QuickTime 7.

    Unfortunately, I don't know anything about the formatting info of the .movs

    and the others. This is a compilation of all the videos taken of my

    granddaughter from birth until now (she is almost 2 years old.) Some of

    the videos are probably from cell phones. I don't have any problems with

    .mp4s. If I go online and change the .movs into .mp4s using Zamzar.com, I

    don't have any problems. I just thought it might be nice if I didn't have

    to change the formats.

    Thanks

    On Sat, Aug 25, 2018 at 7:40 PM Steve Grisetti <forums_noreply@adobe.com>

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