Elements 11: How to edit an already formed time lapse video?

[brianpharm]

Hello,

I have received a time lapse video (MP4) created by a Yi 4K action camera. I would like to grab some video/photo stills from the video. I have Elements 11 running on Windows 10. When I try to import the video Elements gives me "The importer reported a generic error."

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Thanks,
Brian

[Steve Grisetti]

You'll need to open the file and look at its specs.

Open the file in the free download MediaInfo. Set MediaInfo's View menu to Tree, then copy and paste the report it generates to this forum.

Once we know what the file is made of, we'll be better able to advise you.

[brianpharm]

Steve,

Thanks for the reply. Here's the info:
Brian

General

Complete name                            : C:\Users\Brian\Desktop\Eclipse 2017 Photos\100MEDIA\YDTL0215.MP4

Format                                   : MPEG-4

Format profile                           : JVT

Codec ID                                 : avc1 (avc1/isom)

File size                                : 256 MiB

Duration                                 : 35 s 35 ms

Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable

Overall bit rate                         : 61.4 Mb/s

Encoded date                             : UTC 2017-08-21 11:30:53

Tagged date                              : UTC 2017-08-21 11:30:53

Video

ID                                       : 1

Format                                   : AVC

Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec

Format profile                           : Main@L5.1

Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes

Format settings, RefFrames               : 1 frame

Format settings, GOP                     : M=1, N=8

Codec ID                                 : avc1

Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding

Duration                                 : 35 s 35 ms

Bit rate mode                            : Variable

Bit rate                                 : 61.4 Mb/s

Maximum bit rate                         : 60.0 Mb/s

Width                                    : 3 840 pixels

Height                                   : 2 160 pixels

Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9

Frame rate mode                          : Constant

Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS

Standard                                 : Component

Color space                              : YUV

Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0

Bit depth                                : 8 bits

Scan type                                : Progressive

Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.247

Stream size                              : 256 MiB (100%)

Title                                    : XiaoYi AVC  

Language                                 : English

Encoded date                             : UTC 2017-08-21 11:30:53

Tagged date                              : UTC 2017-08-21 11:30:53

Color range                              : Full

Color primaries                          : BT.709

Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709

Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709

[Steve Grisetti]

I don't see anything in there that would indicate an issue with the file (other than it being a 35 minute video), Brian. But try converting the file with the free download Handbrake to see if that makes it editable.

Here's a tutorial I created on how to do that.

Handbrake - YouTube

[brianpharm · Accepted solution]

Steve,

Wow! That worked great! Thanks for your awesome assistance.

Brian

[Steve Grisetti]

Please mark this question as correctly answered, brian.