Skip to main content
Anonymous
Feb 1, 2019 4:14 PM UTC
Answered

Premiere Pro CC 2019 can't import .mp4 file

As you can see from the image, the file doesn't import correctly. The first couple of seconds are as they should be but after that I get a green image. The audio still works. There's a red bar over the timeline as well. How can I fix this?

    Kevin J. Monahan Jr.
    Kevin J. Monahan Jr.Correct answer
    Legend
    Feb 3, 2022 7:28 PM UTC

    Hi Community,

    You may be confused if you are arriving here via search. This post is a different issue than for "importing" a clip into the timeline (and either audio or video didn't follow). As a quick fix, click the V1 and A1 boxes at the far left of the Timeline, then drag once more.

     

    Why is this happening? See this post: can't drag video to the timeline

     

    A quick anecdote about the nomenclature of editing might be in order, as using proper terminology is very important in video editing and motion graphics:

     

    The correct terminology is to edit a clip into the timeline. One does not import a clip into the timeline, one imports a clip into the project.

     

    Thanks,
    Kevin

    Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community and Engagement Strategist – Adobe Pro Video and Audio
    View reply

    25 replies

    Kevin J. Monahan Jr.
    Kevin J. Monahan Jr.Correct answer
    Legend
    Feb 3, 2022 7:28 PM UTC

    Hi Community,

    You may be confused if you are arriving here via search. This post is a different issue than for "importing" a clip into the timeline (and either audio or video didn't follow). As a quick fix, click the V1 and A1 boxes at the far left of the Timeline, then drag once more.

     

    Why is this happening? See this post: can't drag video to the timeline

     

    A quick anecdote about the nomenclature of editing might be in order, as using proper terminology is very important in video editing and motion graphics:

     

    The correct terminology is to edit a clip into the timeline. One does not import a clip into the timeline, one imports a clip into the project.

     

    Thanks,
    Kevin

    Translate
    Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community and Engagement Strategist – Adobe Pro Video and Audio
      Hani.sawiress
      Hani.sawiress
      Inspiring
      Feb 9, 2021 10:22 PM UTC

      The same problem here I tried every single solution I read over the Internet.

      what is very strange is in my very first project composing I inserted an MP$ file .. but when the problem exists the same mp4 file that is already inserted It failed to be inserted agin. I could playback it and render it but I can't insert it again even if I rename it.

      Translate
      Ann Bens
      Community Expert
      Ann BensCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Feb 11, 2021 10:26 AM UTC

      Might be a source patching issue.

      Translate
      Hani.sawiress
      Hani.sawiress
      Inspiring
      Feb 11, 2021 4:27 PM UTC

      I don't think so

      here is what exactly I did

      open premier > new project > drag and drop an mp4 file then again I drop another mp4 file but it refuses to import it but it's only dropping the soundtrack.

      so I decided to make a new project to import the second mp4 file using the same workflow then copy-paste it into my main project file.

       

      Translate
        Adobe Employee
        Trent Happel
        Adobe Employee
        Feb 1, 2019 5:47 PM UTC

        Could you try two things:

        1) Switch your Renderer to Software Only. Go to File menu > Project Settings > General > Video Rendering and Playback > Renderer: Mercury Playback Engine Software Only. If that fixes the issue, try updating or rolling back to another driver to see if that fixes the issues with GPU Renderer.

        2) If that does not resolve the issue, try turning off hardware acceleration. Go to Premiere Pro Preferences > Media > uncheck "Enable hardware acceleration decoding (requires restart)." Then Save, Quit Premiere Pro, delete your Media Cache folders, launch Premiere Pro and import your files again.

        More information on Media Cache: FAQ: How to clean (delete or trash) media cache files?

        If none of that helps, could you please send us some sample files for investigation?

        Thank you!

        Translate
          jasontcox
          jasontcox
          Inspiring
          Feb 1, 2019 8:47 PM UTC

          Trent beat me to the punch. What he said!

          Translate
          John T Smith
          Community Expert
          John T SmithCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          Feb 1, 2019 5:06 PM UTC

          MP4 is a wrapper, what is inside YOUR wrapper - Exactly what is INSIDE the video you are editing?

          Report back with the codec details of your file, use the programs below... A screen shot works well to SHOW people what you are doing - For Windows Internet Explorer press the PRINT SCREEN button on your keyboard, and then do CTRL-V to paste the screen print from the clipboard into a forum message

          Free programs to get file information for PC/Mac http://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo/Download

          - when you analyze your file in MediaInfo and post a screen shot in the forum, do so in TREE view

          Translate
          Ann Bens
          Community Expert
          Ann BensCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          Feb 1, 2019 4:30 PM UTC

          Change extension to mpg and try again.

          Translate
            kevinpnb
            kevinpnb
            Known Participant
            Dec 3, 2019 8:54 PM UTC

            After HOURS of trying everything I could find, this simple fix was IT! Thank you!

            Translate
              Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
              Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices