Combining iPhone 4k videos - final file stutters

[Mitch MA]

Hi all, every year I go through my iPhone videos and combine similiar videos (e.g., vacations). I keep it simple - I import the files, keep the "match source" option, and export. When I play an individual original video on my desktop it's super smooth with great color, yet when I combine them into a file the final video stutters and the colors are a bit muted.

I record my videos at "4K at 60fps (High Efficiency)." Am I doing something wrong with the export which is causing this? I can't combine my videos if they're going to stutter like this. Thank you.

Adobe Premiere Pro 25, Windows 11

[Peru Bob]

What are the complete computer specs, including hard drives (how many, what kind, what is on each, what capacity, and how full)?

How are you viewing the videos?

If NVIDIA graphics, make sure to use the latest Studio Driver from NVIDIA (NOT the Game Driver).

[Mitch MA]

Hi Bob, I appreciate this. I keep the videos on D: and when I play the original iPhone files from D: they run perfect. I save the final Premiere Pro file to the D: as well and it stutters on playback. 

C: 154GB Used, 765 GB Free (Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD)

D: 1.41 TB Used, 418 GB Free (Samsung 980 PRO SSD)

I have an Nvidia 3070 and didn't know about the studio driver (thank you!) so i downloaded and installed. I created a new combined file and saved it on D: in the same location as my original iPhone video files. Unfortunately, there's noticeable stutter upon playback of the Premiere Pro file. I'm at a loss...?

[Peru Bob]

Please post a screenshot of your media properties, sequence settings, and export settings.

[Mitch MA]

Thank you Bob, files attached.

[MyerPj]

Is it version 25? Or 25.x? (.1 is current)

Yes, do post the media properties, as PB asked for. I'm curious to see if your '60fps' is actually something not nearly as good. As in Variable Frame Rate, which doesn't edit well, and PP has a distinct bad taste for.

You can use the free MediaInfo program to get info on your clips. Get the program from the link below and using the 'Tree' view post a screenshot of your clip info: https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo/Download

[Mitch MA]

Hi! Thank you much. I'm running 25.1 and I've attached the tree view of the final file that exhibits stuttering.

[MyerPj]

Hey Mitch, well, that clip is constant frame rate. Is that the exported file? Give us a treeview of a typical clip from your camera. 

[Mitch MA]

Apologies! Here's the info from a typical clip.

[MyerPj]

Yes, that clip is variable frame rate. It's h.265 which is the successor to h.264. It's marginal to edit with. It's typically best to Transcode into an editing format, like ProRes, proxy or LT. 

Variable frame rate files, are what typically cause the problem. Use Shutter Encoder to convert the files (before editing) to constant frame rate. 

https://www.shutterencoder.com/en/

[Mitch MA]

Hi MyerPj, I can't thank you enough for this. I'm going to convert the files using that program and I will also try a standard export preset. I really appreciate this as I couldn't understand why my final files were doing that. Thank you!

[Mitch MA]

Hi MyerPj, apologies. I downloaded the software and added the files - what should I select under "Choose function"? I thought I'd be looking for something regarding constant frame rate, unless you're saying to convert to a format like ProRes? I appreciate it.

[MyerPj · Accepted solution]

Just try out various options using a smallish source file so it happens fast. ProRes (as source files) would be used to make easy to edit files, and they may come across at constant frame rate on their own. Do check the default settings for Set framerate mode:

In PP use  20ish Mbs BIT rate (variable) for an export final file.

[MyerPj · Accepted solution]

Also, I think your bit rate is quite a bit too high for the export file. Try a standard export preset and don't click on match source.

[MyerPj]

Oh... ProRes are great for editing with, but, ah... be prepared for the file size difference!

🙂

[Mitch MA]

Hi, you're amazing! I converted some files to ProRes and selected CFR, I also selected a standard export preset in PP and the video was super smooth. I would have never figured this out on my own, I thought I was destined to have choppy video. (Yes you're right, the file size does creep up a lot in ProRes). Thanks again!

[MyerPj]

Hey Mitch, glad you got it going, and you picked up a couple of good tools along the way. Hang around the forum a bit, and you'll learn a lot as you go!

Cheers 🙂