Need advice on 11 Plus and mp4

[dc denizen]

I am still using Ulead VS 11 Plus. I am using Windows XP. I need to do an editing project that involves several .mp4 videos. When I tried to import the videos into VS 11 Plus, it does not recognize the format. I would appreciate your advice on what my options are. Do I need to update VS 11 Plus in order to use it with .mp4s? If so, what is the most basic update that will work? (I don't use a lot of bells and whistles with this program and would like to keep it as simple as possible.) Another option would be to convert the .mp4s into a format that VS 11 Plus would recognize. If I go that route, what file format would you suggest to maintain the best possible quality? Or would you not recommend this option? Thank you for your advice on this.

P.S.: The exact error message when trying to import the mp4 videos is "File Format Mismatch." There is a code in the lower left that is 16803:1:2

[lata]

Hi

The latest version is Video Studio X5, it is not available for an upgrade from VS11 so you would have to purchase the full version.

First update QuickTime to the latest version to see if this allows you to import the Mp4 file.
If not...........

Download the trial version X5, does that allow you to add the files?
If yes...
Right click the clip in the timeline and select properties, what are they?
We may be able to advice you on the settings used to convert the original video files, probably using Super. But need to know exactly what you are intending to make, DVD disc or internet video?

Now try to import these converted file to VS 11. if that works, its your choice whether to upgrade.
I think it may be worth it as VS 11 is quite old.

You would have 30 days trial to test X5.

To save confusion i have deleted your other post relating to this issue.

[dc denizen]

Trevor,

Thank you for replying to my query. Please forgive my ignorance -- can you explain how updating QuickTime relates to importing the mp4s into VS 11 Plus?

I am attempting to import several mp4 files that are currently on my hard drive into VS to edit, then I will burn to a DVD. The DVD will be played onto a jumbo screen in a hotel ballroom, so I am trying to maintain as much of the original files' quality as possible.

It seems VS 11+ was supposed to be able to handle mp4s. I have searched this board for "file format mismatch mp4" and some posts discuss the need to install newer codecs to handle file formats that post-date VS 11+. Do you have any suggestions on that?

Unfortunately, I am unable to upgrade at this time, so am trying to make VS 11+ work for this project.

Thank you very much for helping me.

[lata]

Hi

Mp4 format is based on the Quicktime format.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuickTime# ... and_MPEG-4

If you are having problems playing / reading Mp4 then you should install the latest version of QuickTime Player.

Your Mpeg4 video could be any size and any quality, until you can give their video properties it is difficult to recommend a conversion settings.

If you are still unable to open the video files using Video Studio, do they play on your pc using one of your media players.
Then.......
Use a program like MediaInfo to read the files properties, knowing this info will allow you to convert it to a more editable format, a free program called Super is used by many forum members.
-----------------------------------
If you are intending to make a DVD, is that a standard DVD or a HD Bluray/Avchd???

Playing a standard definition on a large screen will reduce its quality.
However the final quality does depend on the original video files quality.

I would suggest you download the trial of X5, even if it is only used for 30 days, it may help in identifying your video file.

[dc denizen]

Hi -

1) I updated my QuickTime to 7.7.1. It plays the mp4 files. But VS 11+ still gives me a "file format mismatch" error.

2) I updated my Windows Media Player to version 10. It will not play the mp4s. I get an error message saying "C00D1199: Cannot play the file."

3) it will be a standard DVD

4) I googled "mp4 codecs" but am not sure which one I may need in order to import these files into VS 11+. I read a warning in this forum about installing codec "packs". I did install the latest DiVX codecs, but did not go further than that.

5) question: if i download the trial version of X5 on the same machine that VS 11+ is on, will it interfere with any of the VS 11+ program files?

UPDATE: I renamed one of the mp4 files to .mov. this allowed me to import it into VS 11+ and view its properties. I pasted them below. However, when I play the video from the timeline, it is jerky. I would appreciate your advice on how I might convert it or correct the jerkiness. We are getting closer!! Thank you.

[Kingston]

You will have problems playing back AVC/H.264 video on your computer with Intel 82865G integrated graphics and a Pentium 4.

Change the Smart Proxy frame size trigger to 639x479 instead of 720x480. That way a smart proxy file can be created for the clip. If the clip is already on the timeline, you will have to explicitly tell VS to build a smart proxy file. Right-click the clip and select "build smart proxy" from the popup menu. Then wait for the build before proceeding.

[lata]

Hi

The advice given by Kingston should have improved playback.

As you have managed to insert the files to VS 11 you should try to convert them to Mpeg2
Mpeg2 is the type of file that is needed to burn a DVD.

Add a video to the timeline Share Create Video File -- DVD 4:3
I don't have VS 11 installed so cannot say exactly the options you see, besides i am using Pal and not Ntsc.

If this is successful, play the new video to check its quality.

[dc denizen]

Due to time and budget constraints, I had the MP4 clips converted by the original editor into .avi files. The quality is not as good now, and there is a vertical shadowbox. They are now importing into my VS 11+, but I'm getting no audio. In clip properties, the audio shows as MPEG Layer-3, 128 kBit/s, 44.100 Hz stereo. Any guidance on this? Thank you.

Also, if I install the trial version of the newer VS on the same machine as I have VS11 on, will it override any files? Thank you.

[lata]

Hi

I don't understand your reply regarding "converted by the original editor into .avi files"

If you are able to insert the video into VS 11, then use that program to convert the video.

Make sure the project properties are using 4:3 display aspect ratio.
then Share Create Video File -- DVD 4:3
We need to know if this process works.
-----------------------------------
If you install X5 trial it should not affect VS 11.

However projects made in X5 cannot be opened in VS11

[dc denizen]

Hi Trevor,

The video files as provided to me by the original editing house were .mp4. I could not import them into VS11+. I tried a number of things, including using Batch Convert, but VS 11 would not recognize or open them. So I asked the editor if he could convert them to .avi, which he did. I was then able to import the files as .avi into VS11+, but there was no audio. I looked at the audio view during playback, and it showed just a straight line at zero. I looked at the clip properties, and it showed MPEG Layer-3. I tried playing the clips in another player, and there was audio on them.

i again tried using batch convert, hoping if i changed the audio settings, it would resolve the problem. I tried changing to both LPCM and to mpeg. But it didn't help -- there still was no audio on playback. I also downloaded the latest MPEG Layer-3 codec to my computer, but it made no difference.

I hope I have explained this clearly -- sorry for any confusion.