Premiere Elements 2022: downloaded YT videos show-up as audio only. Please help.

Report · Sep 28, 2025

For a while I was able to download YT vids, bring them into PE 2022, and extract the tiny section I needed for support in my videos - no problem. Then suddenly, "Add Media" yielded only an audio file in my "Project Assets." From my own research, I have learned it has to do with file format? Or CODEC? Or "dot-extention" something? Explanations as written seem like gibberish to a 70 y/o musician with limited PC skills. Could someone please explain this fix like you're telling it to your grandfather? Who you like? Who's a good guy? You will be so appreciated. (And a hero.) Thank you.

Report · Sep 28, 2025

Nobody here can see what you are downloading for YT

Exactly what is INSIDE the video you are editing?
Report back with the codec details of your file, use the program below
Free program to get file information for PC/Mac http://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo/Download
- a MediaInfo tutorial https://youtu.be/Ivy9ckSX1M0
- when you analyze your file in MediaInfo and post a screen shot in the forum, do so in TREE view
- post your information IN your message, not as an attachment that someone would have to download

Report · Sep 29, 2025

Most likely the codec use in the videos is AV1 which is not supported by Elements.

Have to convert the clip before bringing it into Elements

HandBrake: Open Source Video Transcoder

Report · Sep 29, 2025

I think we all agree that your video is likely saved with a codec (compression system) that is not compatible with Premiere Elements.

Per John T. open your video in the free download MediaInfo. Set MediaInfo's View to Text and then copy the entire report on your video and paste it to this forum.

With this detailed info we'll better be able to advise you how to proceed.

Report · Sep 29, 2025

General Complete name : C:\Users\ken\Videos\VideoProc Converter AI\Socialism Can Happen Anywhere.mp4 Format : MPEG-4 Format profile : Base Media File size : 14.2 MiB Duration : 58 s 27 ms Overall bit rate : 2 056 kb/s Movie name : Socialism Can Happen Anywhere Performer : John Stossel Description : People think socialism can’t happen in their country. “Until it does,” says Gloria Alvarez. Recorded date : 20250321 Tagged date : UTC 2025-09-29 23:47:15 Writing application : Lavf60.3.100 Cover : Yes Comment : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8PHTjFjglk LongDescription : People think socialism can’t happen in their country. “Until it does,” says Gloria Alvarez. Video ID : 1 Format : AVC Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec Format profile : High Format level : 4 Format settings, CABAC : Yes Format settings, Referenc : 3 frames Codec ID : avc1 Duration : 57 s 975 ms Bit rate : 1 860 kb/s Width : 1 080 pixels Height : 1 920 pixels Display aspect ratio : 0.562 Frame rate mode : Constant Frame rate : 23.976 FPS Color space : YUV Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0 Bit depth : 8 bits Scan type : Progressive Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.037 Stream size : 12.9 MiB (90%) Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc. Writing library : x264 core 155 r2901 7d0ff22 Color range : Limited Color primaries : BT.709 Transfer characteristics : BT.709 Matrix coefficients : BT.709 Codec configuration box : avcC Audio ID : 2 Format : AAC LC Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Codec ID : mp4a-40-2 Duration : 58 s 27 ms Bit rate mode : Constant Bit rate : 128 kb/s Channel(s) : 2 channels Channel layout : L R Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz Frame rate : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF) Compression mode : Lossy Stream size : 907 KiB (6%) Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc. Language : English Default : Yes Alternate group : 1

Report · Sep 30, 2025

Would you be so kind and post this again so we can read it properly.

Report · Sep 30, 2025

General
Complete name : C:\Users\ken\Videos\VideoProc Converter AI\Socialism Can Happen Anywhere.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
File size : 14.2 MiB
Duration : 58 s 27 ms
Overall bit rate : 2 056 kb/s
Movie name : Socialism Can Happen Anywhere
Performer : John Stossel
Description : People think socialism can’t happen in their country. “Until it does,” says Gloria Alvarez.
Recorded date : 20250321
Tagged date : UTC 2025-09-29 23:47:15
Writing application : Lavf60.3.100
Cover : Yes
Comment : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8PHTjFjglk
LongDescription : People think socialism can’t happen in their country. “Until it does,” says Gloria Alvarez.

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High
Format level : 4
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Referenc : 3 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Duration : 57 s 975 ms
Bit rate : 1 860 kb/s
Width : 1 080 pixels
Height : 1 920 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 0.562
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.037
Stream size : 12.9 MiB (90%)
Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Writing library : x264 core 155 r2901 7d0ff22
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 58 s 27 ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 128 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz
Frame rate : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 907 KiB (6%)
Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Language : English
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

Report · Sep 30, 2025

I'd say the main issue is that your video is 9:16 (portrait) rather than 16:9 (landscape). Version 2022 is not capable ot editing portrait AVC video.

I'm not sure what to recommend for converting this video. A mere conversion won't fix things. Have you tried downloading the free trial of Premiere Elements 2025 to see if it can edit this video? It is capable of editing portrait video.

Report · Sep 30, 2025

Steve, I only chose a "short" video to save time in getting this information to you and your team (but thanks for the extra info about PE not being able to edit shorts!) I will download a video in the proper format now, and re-send the information.

Report · Sep 30, 2025

Following is data on a downloaded video in landscape format:

General
Complete name : C:\Users\ken\Videos\VideoProc Converter AI\Why J.K. Rowling’s Response to Emma Watson Hits So Hard and What It Tells Us About the Culture War.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
File size : 48.9 MiB
Duration : 8 min 12 s
Overall bit rate : 833 kb/s
Movie name : Why J.K. Rowling’s Response to Emma Watson Hits So Hard and What It Tells Us About the Culture War
Performer : After Party with Emily Jashinsky

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High
Format level : 4
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Referenc : 3 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Duration : 8 min 12 s
Bit rate : 684 kb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.011
Stream size : 40.1 MiB (82%)
Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Writing library : x264 core 155 r2901 7d0ff22
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 8 min 12 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 128 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz
Frame rate : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 7.51 MiB (15%)
Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Language : English
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

text edited by mod

Report · Sep 30, 2025

I have no idea why all that superfluous content came along for the ride. Please disregard. The info is sandwiched in there, I believe.

Report · Sep 30, 2025

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High
Format level : 4
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Referenc : 3 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Duration : 8 min 12 s
Bit rate : 684 kb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.011
Stream size : 40.1 MiB (82%)
Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Writing library : x264 core 155 r2901 7d0ff22
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 8 min 12 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 128 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz
Frame rate : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 7.51 MiB (15%)
Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Language : English
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

Report · Sep 30, 2025

This video should work in Premiere Elements. Is this the video your getting from YouTube?

Report · Sep 30, 2025

Steve, By some miracle or higher-intervention, that video DID open in Premiere Elements. I am now sending data on the file that does NOT open to see if you can tell me what to do when this happens...

Report · Sep 30, 2025

General
Complete name : C:\Users\ken\Documents\VIDEO\2025 Stuff\VIDEOS\Downloaded YT Videos\Top Marxist Professor Teaches This Nonsense to Stu_original.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
File size : 47.2 MiB
Duration : 10 min 58 s
Overall bit rate : 601 kb/s

Video
ID : 1
Format : AV1
Format/Info : AOMedia Video 1
Format profile : Main
Format level : 4.0
Codec ID : av01
Duration : 10 min 58 s
Bit rate : 466 kb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.008
Stream size : 36.6 MiB (78%)
Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Codec configuration box : av1C

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 10 min 58 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 128 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz
Frame rate : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 10.1 MiB (21%)
Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

Report · Sep 30, 2025

This MP4 uses something called a Base Media video codec, which I've never heard of. But there are also references to an AV1 codec, so I'm not sure.

Can you share this video to some public file sharing site so we can test drive it on our computers?

BTW what software or hardware are you using to create this video file? Is it different than what you used to create the file that is working in Premiere Elements?

Report · Oct 01, 2025

Hi Steve - Here is a link to the unloadable file you asked for. It was created by a downloader called MacX HD Video Converter Pro for Windows (well-reviewed in magazines.) I bought it about a year ago, it worked well at first, then this issue developed with the videos not importing into Elements. Then they wanted a renewal fee, I couldn't get any support with the issue, so I moved to another vendor. The video that worked was downloaded with my new tool, VideoProc Converter AI (Digiarty - a Chinese developer). The first downloads came into PE "audio only" again - which prompted my reaching-out to you. I'm going to try it again today. I think this WeTransfer Link is only good for 3 days so grab it quick!! Lemme know if any issues. Thanks, Ken

https://we.tl/t-X1DEvUUmbE