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bernhtp
Participant
May 30, 2017
Question

Importer reported a generic error (Windows 10, .mp4, 4k/30)

  • May 30, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 2590 views

I'm new to Adobe Premier Elements and am having problems.  I'm primary using it to edit video from a DJI Phantom 4 Pro.

My first problem was that my original shoot was using the h.265 4k encoding format.  It never occurred to me that a company like Adobe wouldn't support a new (but not brand new) codec.

Then I completely redid the shoot using mp4 h.264 4k/30 format.  Most of the media (photos and videos) imported fine, but some generated the message: The importer reported a generic error.  The failure was consistent on specific files regardless of whether imported in batch or singly.

The failed videos play just fine in the standard Windows player.  I don't see any relationship between failing/succeeding on the videos in terms of size, etc.  Some do, some don't.

A "generic error" is obviously not helpful.  I've been CTO of five software companies and frankly would have fired someone for this.

Is there a known cause with a fix, or at least a circumvention, other than purchasing another editing package?

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Hardware: MS Surface Book 16G RAM.

Software: Windows 10 Creators Edition (all updates).  Adobe Premier Elements 15 (all updates).  Camera: DJI Phantom 3 Pro (all updates).  Format: .mp4, h.264, 4k/30.

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1 reply

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Steve Grisetti
Legend
May 30, 2017

Premiere Elements 15 can edit XAVC 4 video -- which is a 3840x2160 MP4. Is this the video your Phantom is shooting?

Also, try installing Quicktime 7. (You can disable or choose not to install the QuicktimePlayer.exe, since it's a problematic program -- but you may well need the other components.)

QuickTime 7.6 for Windows

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    bernhtpAuthor
    Participant
    May 31, 2017

    Thanks.  I installed the latest QT from Apple and it actually fixed my generic error on importing mp4 4k/30 h.264 video, but it doesn't add support for h.265 (XAVC).  When trying to import I get “This type of file is not supported, or the required codex is not installed.”

    Thanks for the help so far.  Is there something else I need for x.265 support?

    BTW, if instead of "generic error" I received something like "QuickTime 7 is required to support Apple video containers - Please download install from here," it would have prevented a large loss of time.

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      Community Expert
      Bill SpragueCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 31, 2017

      h.265 is still a bit of a dream.  There are very few cameras that use it.  Most NLEs, except for the expensive ones, don't use it.  The main issue is licensing costs. 

      Premiere Elements 15 is not going to get it.  If licensing changes, version 16 might next fall.  No one knows. 

      If you really have to have it, step up to Premiere Pro, FCP, Davinci or another top of the line NLE.   For the low end NLEs, I think I've read that Cyberlink PowerDirector has it.  When Samsung was still selling the NX1, they included a copy of PowerDirector for editing the H.265 footage.  

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