PrE 2021 Mac: not compatible with iPhone 12 video? Just need a clear answer

[bmuse]

Hi all, I've seen several posts asking versions of this question, but not a definitive answer.

I know that iPhone 12 video is Dolby Vision HDR, HEVC. Been editing in iMovie and was ready to move to Premiere Elements.

Imported video looks super hot in the PrE preview, and is also wrong when exported.

Can Premiere Elements Mac not work with iPhone 12 video?

In other posts, I've seen users say that Adobe support told them engineers are working on it, one has Support replying to turn off HDR on the iPhone, and a few say the iPhone video has to be converted.

Seems like this should be a pretty simple question? Either Premiere Elements can work with native iPhone 12 video, or it can't.

Based on what my imported video looks like, I'm assuming it still can't. But if the answer is actually yes, I'd love to know what I'm not doing right!

Thanks,

B

[Bill Sprague]

What does "wrong when exported" mean?   Everytime I've tested HEVC from an iPhone, it edits in Premier Elements on my PC.   

Would you send me a clip via Dropbox or similar? 

[bmuse]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your reply. To clarify a bit more: imported video from an iPhone 12 Pro looks very overexposed in Premiere Elements. It looks the same when exported.

From what I've read, it's specifically related to the Dolby Vision HDR codec that the iPhone 12 uses. Apps that don't support it give the same result I'm seeing -- overexposed video.

The same video imported into iMovie looks perfect -- colors are balanced, tones are right, etc. It looks exactly the same as it does on the iPhone or in Quicktime. And it exports the same as well.

I see forum posts that indicate Premiere Pro is fine, and I saw a Premiere Rush update post that said it's added support for iPhone 12 video. But it looks like Premier Elements doesn't yet support it properly.

Here's a user quote from a 1/15/21 thread you had replied to: "Adobe support spent over an hour on my system and finally gave up. They sent me an email that said, "The HEVC files from iPhone 12 are reported to have issues with Adobe Premiere Elements. We have raised the request to our engineering team and they are investigating a fix. At the moment, we do not have a workaround, but we will share an update via email."

Bottom line -- it seems that 4-1/2 months later, Premiere Elements still does not support the HDR codec used by iPhone 12 video. Removing HDR or converting it are options, but having to downgrade the video for Premiere Elements is not reasonable, and also requires extra time, organization, and storage.

Thanks again for your time.

[Bill Sprague]

I think you are right.   The model for Premier Elements is to bring out new features in annual fall paid upgrades.  If Dolby Vision HDR becomes mainstream, it might be included.  No one knows for sure, but it is not likely that  current versions will get retrofit updates.  If HDR is a high priority for you, I think you should look for an alternate to Premiere Elements.