Export to MP4 H.264 using Hardware Encoder bug

[Leon30897735ruuf]

• Issue - When exporting to H.264 MP4 from Premiere Pro using the option "Hardware encoding", this causes macroblocking issues when pausing on frames using Quicktime Player. This was repeated across 2x Mac Studio machines with the same spec.
  
• Adobe Premiere Pro version number: 24.5.0
• Operating system - OSX 14.6
  
• System Info: CPU, GPU, RAM, HD:

  • M2 Ultra

  • 128GB

  • 2TB SSD

• Video format: 1920x 1080 @ 25fps
  
• Workflow details: Normal sequence. Standard export using the "Export" tab in PP.
  
• Steps to reproduce - (Very important!) If I export to H.264 MP4 using "Software Encoder" the issue is fixed.
  
• Actual result -  Quicktime player paused / jog frames causes frames to break up & show macroblocking.

[Kevin-Monahan]

Thanks for the bug report, @Leon30897735ruuf!

I am Kevin from support, a mod here. I appreciate the neatness and style of the report on your bug report. Nice job!

An additional question: Please include the codec for your video format. Is it H.264 or HEVC? Also, let us know which camera shot the clip, or run a sample clip through the freeware MediaInfo and create a screenshot from the "tree view." Post that here, if you don't mind.

I hope we can help you soon. Sorry for the problem.

Thank You,

Kevin

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi @Leon30897735ruuf,

I'm checking in with you on your bug. How's it going with the project? Let us know. I'll move your post to the "Discussions" forum while we await your response about your format. We need more info to repro your bug.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Jeromey Shannon]

Also experiencing this after updating to Sequoia like Romain below. Using Media Encoder 25.1, YouTube 1080p Full HD setting which uses Hardware Encoding for H.264 MP4. Screen grabs of system specs and an example of the glitches attached. Playback at 100% speed shows no problems, it's only when scrubbing, by opening in Quicktime or using the macOS spacebar preview player. Files scrub as expected if I bring them back into Premiere to review, but would prefer to use the macOS preview to spot check. Seems like it might be more of a QuickTime player issue. 😞

[Jeromey Shannon]

Also just checked against files rendered with the SAME setting last week before I updated to Sequoia and they have no glitches when scrubbing. Very strange.

[romainp73419339]

Hello I no longer have this problem I did the Sequoia update and now everything is back to normal.

Weird...

[NGDavison]

Hey @romainp73419339 , which version of Sequoia are you now running ? I updated to 15.2 but am still experiencing the exact same issue as @Leon30897735ruuf 

For clarity:

When exporting to H.264 MP4 from Premiere Pro 25.1.0 at default preset adaptive med or high bitrate and Hardware Encoding (Metal) I get macroblocking issues when scrubbing through frames using Quicktime Player/Finder video file preview (mediainfo of example export settings attached).

Exporting with same settings but with Software Encoding does not produce blocky scrubbing. 

The issue is not witnessed when scrubbing in Pr Pro, but my clients check files using QT player and are not happy with the files.

Premiere Pro 25.1.0

Mac Studio M2 Ultra 64GB

Sequoia 15.2

Thanks all

[NGDavison]

can anybody help with this?

[alexandre_2086]

I updated to Seqouia and still get blocks whilst scrubbing.  Only in Quicktime tho. VLC never shows this. 

[NGDavison]

Same for me, exports look fine in VLC and Premiere. Problem is, most of my clients check deliveries in QT player/finder preview and are flagging the issue back to me.

[romainp73419339]

Good morning, have you found a solution to this problem. I have the same symptoms since I installed the new MacOS SEQUOIA version. thanks. Romain