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Participant
December 29, 2023
Question

.mp4 will load in to Premiere, but won't play

  • December 29, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 1837 views

(Macbook user)

I am importing mp4 files from the same folder in to a timeline on Premiere Pro. One loads in find and plays when the timeline reaches it, but the next two mp4 files I am wanting to use load in fine, play a split second and then freeze. The clock is still running and the timeline is moving over the clips, but nothing is playing.

 

Any suggestions? The mp4 files play fine when watched through my macbook's finder. Both in preview and when opening them via quicktime player. 

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2 replies

Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 29, 2023

Please use the free MediaInfo and post a screenshot of the properties of your media in tree view:
https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo

Many users are having issues with VFR. If the file is variable frame rate, use Handbrake to convert to constant frame rate before importing into Premiere Pro:
https://handbrake.fr/downloads.php
Here is a tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=xlvxgVREX-Y

Shutter Encoder may also be used to convert to Constant Frame Rate:
https://www.shutterencoder.com/en/

Richard van den Boogaard
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 29, 2023

Usually VFR is the culprit, indeed...

Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 29, 2023

Delete the Media Cache and Media Cache files:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro/faq-how-to-clear-your-media-cache-in-30-seconds-in-premiere-pro-2020/m-p/11017257/thread-id/260446?page=1

If that doesn't work, try resetting the preferences:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro/faq-how-to-reset-trash-preferences-in-premiere-pro/td-p/8236158?page=1

If that doesn't work, try resetting the Workspaces:
Reset a workspace
Reset the current workspace to return to its original, saved layout of panels.
1. Do one of the following:
• Click the Workspace menu icon and select Reset to Saved Layout.
• Choose Window > Workspace > Reset to Saved Layout.
from here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/workspaces.html

If that doesn't work, try Preferences > Audio Hardware and set Input to None.

If that doesn't work, try creating a new project and import the old one into it.