Premiere Pro Import: File contains a complex edit list

[emilyy9561681]

I just got my first Mac and am using Premiere Pro. I'm trying to import some screen recordings from my desktop, and only one will upload. The rest receive an error message that says "File contains a complex edit list", then a window pops up with those three clips' file names and says "We were unable to open the file on disk."

I moved them from the desktop into a folder and have the same problem. Any suggestions? Using Premiere CC 2018.

[peterb87992626]

This worked for me as well (astonishingly). I had the problem with a QT screen record and Premiere 2020.

[Serene_video0D4C]

PLUS ONE! Two nearly identical files, both from Quicktime screen recordings. First recording imported with no problems, second wouldn’t import (“complex file” error). Changed the extension of the second file from .mov to .mp4. Imported with no problems.

Why this is still an issue more than a year since first being reported, I’d love to know.

[alex-cap]

Still an issue, I just got my Macbook Pro 16" and took three screen recordings, first two fail to import the last one, no probem. Changed to MP4 and they both imported. Having an issue with the second one though, where the playback is super laggy and stuttery, I remove the video and it's fine. No problems with the first and third one but the second one causes the whole thing to stutter. Very annoying. Brand new computer, 32GB RAM, should have no issues with editing in Premier. 

[LukeOrlando]

this should really be the stickied answer @Trent Happel (its the only suggestion that actually solves the issue).

[nitzanr50347414]

I found a workaround for Mac users, using the quick time screen recorder.

[Serene_video0D4C]

Nope, even the Quicktime Screen Recorder doesn’t work if you’re importing more than one .mov file. Actual solution: Adamchap October 21, 2019 

[JENNHSKIM123]

WORKED: 

go to files, double click on the video file, click rename, and rename the .MOV to .MP4

You're welcome.

[Serene_video0D4C]

Already advised six months ago. Adamchap Oct 29, 2029

YOU’RE welcome.

[camsdeb]

[Matt5cfa]

I had this issue, and i tried right-clicking on the file, selecting 'Encode Selected Video Files' and it created a new video which seems to work.

[TASCAM_Sean]

Here we are, three years after this initial post and this just happened to me today.  On an almost daily basis I'm importing screen recordings from Quicktime to Media Encoder, then into Premiere for editing - in fact, I did it fifteen hours ago.  And this morning? Premiere refuses to import and Adobe Media Encoder won't recognize the file either.  I mean, clearly I can use some third party application to encode the screen recording, but I do pay for an Adobe subscription and these apps were working yesterday with no problems. The files were all created with the same computer and the same audio inputs - nothing has changed.  I don't understand.

[Muhammad324528620kx9]

I faced the same problem, and all the things that you mentioned,@Hexsus . VLC media player Convert stream to mp4 also works for some as shown in many YouTube tutorials, but my VLC always stuck at the end giving overwrite or keeping the existing file option, tried all day, but it was no use. The simplest trick that worked for me, was to show the extension name from Windows Preview and rename it to mp4. Now my clip is running fine in Premiere Pro.