Trouble Viewing/Editing MOV Files

[KevinTichenor]

I've been running into this problem when shooting MOV files on my Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:

I shoot videos with "4K at 60 fps (High Efficiency).  When I bring them over to my Windows 11 laptop they show up as MOV files with 3840 x 2160 resolution at 59.85 fps.  When I go to play the videos with Windows Media Player, it plays the audio but no video.  Same problem when I bring any of the MOV files over to Premiere Elements and try to edit them.  Also, if I lower the framerate to 30 fps or 24 fps, it's the same problem - no video, only audio.

The only way I can play the MOV files on my laptop are with the VLC Media Player, it seems.

Do I need to update a codec or something?  What do I need to do to edit/view these MOV files on my Windows laptop?

[Bill Sprague]

Apple has their phones default to using the H.265 or "HEVC" codec.  The more universal is H.264.  The primary difference is file size.   

You can use the free program called Handbrake to convert the files.  You can reset your phone to shoot in H.264 "Most Compatable" mode.  You can also buy the H.265 codec from the Microsoft store for 99 cents.  

Most get the 99 cent codec to work, but some don't.  Although the H.265 codec has the potential to replace H.264 as the universal choice, the licensing of it has been problematic, primarily because the owners of it need to be paid. 

[KevinTichenor]

How familiar are you with iPhones?  I don't see anywhere to change to "Most Compatible" for video formats, only in pictures.  But definitely willing to try that.

[Bill Sprague]

Not very.  But I think it is Settings > Camera > Formats > "Most Compatble".

[KevinTichenor]

Also - went to use Handbrake but it wants me to install a new Windows runtime?  And as far as just paying $0.99 and installing the new codec, would that allow me to edit the files in Premiere Elements?  I don't see any easy solution to this currently...

[Bill Sprague]

The $0.99 Codec works for most people, including me.   But, there are always posts in this forum from the few people that can't make it work. 

The east solution is to make your phone record in the universal, most compatible H.264 codec. 

[KevinTichenor]

I think this is the route I'd like to try, then.  If I can download something for a dollar that allows these videos to play and for me to edit them with the Premiere Elements app, that seems like the best course of action.  Do you recommend a site to download/install from?  I don't see any "official" Microsoft advice...

[KevinTichenor]

Unfortunately, with the iPhone if you record in 4K it automatically reverts to "most efficient" - I've already selected "Most Compatible" but that doesn't matter, as you can see. 

[Bill Sprague]

Try 4K 30 instead of 4K 60.   60 frames per second is a special purpose frame rate.  It is not needed unless you have one!

The 99 cent codec is in the Microsoft App Store:  https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/hevc-video-extensions/9NMZLZ57R3T7

[KevinTichenor]

Yes, I've tried 4K 60, 4K 30 and 4K 24 fps.  All have the same issue - audio works, but no video (unless I play with VLC media player).  I bought the codec in the app and nothing seems to have changed.

[John T Smith]

Well, Bill did say that some people never get the new codec to work

If you can't get your iphone to record files that will edit you have 2 choices

1 - use handbrake to convert

2 - use a different editing program

[KevinTichenor]

True.  I don't even know if I installed the codec correctly.  Is there something I need to do once I've downloaded it?  What is supposed to happen?

I can't run Handbrake without downloading and installing a new .NET runtime - whatever that means.  I don't want to do that.

The whole reason I posted this question here was because it's about Adobe Premiere Elements - I want to know if anyone else is able to view/edit their iPhone 4K MOV files in Premiere Elements on their Windows system.

[Bill Sprague]

I don't have an iphone so can't test it.  Previously, when this issue came up, I was sent a 4K30 iphone file and successfully tested it.  Would share one of your files that won't work?

[KevinTichenor]

Sure.  I'll attach a 4K 30fps file to this so you can test it.  Thanks.

Again, I can't edit it with Premiere Elements.  I can't even play the video - only the audio comes through when I play it unless I use  VLC media player, then it plays audio and video.

[Peru Bob]

I can't run Handbrake without downloading and installing a new .NET runtime - whatever that means.  I don't want to do that.

By @KevinTichenor

.NET Framework or .NET Runtime are Microsoft apps which are needed to run some programs.  

They are safe to install.

[KevinTichenor]

Does that mean I would install it only each time I run Handbrake?  Would I uninstall it afterwards and have to reinstall it after?  I just don't know about installing programs that alter frameworks or runtimes - my pc is running smoothly and flawlessly right now, I don't want to mess anything up to run one 3rd party program that may or may not work

[Peru Bob]

Does that mean I would install it only each time I run Handbrake?  Would I uninstall it afterwards and have to reinstall it after?

By @KevinTichenor

No. It is part of a Windows update that will remain on the computer unless uninstalled.

[KevinTichenor]

Ok so I was able to download/install Handbrake.  I've tried two different times to convert the files to something that can be edited in Premiere Elements 2023.

4K 60fps H.265 HDR .MOV file gets imported into Handbrake and then converted to...what, exactly?

[Peru Bob]

 and then converted to...what, exactly?

By @KevinTichenor

Try converting using this tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=xlvxgVREX-Y

[KevinTichenor]

Ok I converted the files and they now play on my computer just fine.  Video and audio.  But when I import them (mp4 files now) into Premiere Elements, there appears to be a video and an audio track but you can't hear the audio during playback.  

[John T Smith · Accepted solution]

Some audio problems are fixed by setting the Default Input in the Audio Hardware in Preferences to No Input

[KevinTichenor]

That actually worked!  Nicely done.  Will edit now and hopefully the audio in the finished product is there!

[John T Smith]

>hopefully the audio in the finished product is there!

Don't wait until your project is done... do a text export of a new file 'now' to check the output

[KevinTichenor]

It worked! Thanks

[KevinTichenor]

Also just read on the Adobe site https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-elements/kb/supported-file-formats.html that H.265 MOV files are supported.  So according to that, I should be able to view/edit them in Premiere Elements.  But I can't.  Will someone from Adobe ever help with this?