[solved] Adobe programs won't let me import XDCAM mp4-files

[haaithere]

(this was previously posted on Reddit too. But I'm trying my luck here on VideoHelp as well.)

Hi!
As some of you might remember I asked a while ago , if it is possible to play XDCAM mp4-files in After Effects without QuickTime. Since I'm on a quite high schedule at the moment, I decided that I'll just install QuickTime. To save myself from trouble.. Turns out that after installing QuickTime, AE still wouldn't let me import these mp4 files.
And I think I should point out an important fact - I was able to import these mp4 files on my friend's computer (I didn't have access to my laptop, so I started my project on my friend's computer). I'm wondering how these files play on his computer but not mine? Could it be that he has some codecs installed that I don't? How can I make sure which codecs have to be installed? I also have to point out that VLC Media Player plays these mp4-files on my laptop successfully. And Sony Vegas also plays it without problems (of course it does, it's Sony's camera files and I'm trying to import those to Sony's program ).

Now I've got bunch of CS5.5 projects that I'm trying to edit on CS6 - but I think here's not the problem. Since the folders are probably different from my friend's computer, I just use the command 'Replace footage' in the project. And after I've done that, it tells me (it tells me the same thing when I'm trying to make a completely new project and import the mp4 file):
"After Effects error: file 'file_name.MP4' cannot be imported - this '.mp4' file is damaged or unsupported."
Premiere Pro thinks:
"Error message: The file has no audio or video streams."
Adobe Media Encoder:
"The file 'file_name.MP4' could not be imported. Source file has no importable streams. Please check that its a valid video/audio file."
QuickTime gives me this:
"Error -2010: the movie contains some invalid data (file_name.MP4)"

I also tested one file in Windows Media Player, and it would only play audio.


I think you also might be interested in the whole file structure. I had a memory card in the camera and if I wanted to transfer these files all I had to do was connect the camera via USB and transfer the files to the computer. And now all I've got are bunch of folders with scenes. Here's a typical folder:
- file_name_01.MP4
- file_name_01.SMI
- file_name_01I01.PPN
- file_name_01M01.XML
- file_name_01R01.BIM
And here's mp4's info from MediaInfo:
http://pastebin.com/hzfgBJRk
If I could I'd of course take my friend's computer and finish my project there. But since he's far away from me, I can't do it. I've finished my basic editing in Sony Vegas, now there's some work to be done in After Effects.



Please someone, help me =)
Cheers,
haaithere


-edit- Hmm.. turns out that CS6 has problems with these XDCAM mp4-files. I downloaded Adobe After Effects CS5.5 trial, and it didn't have any problems. Found a solution, yay

[filmboss80]

I have no idea what you did to get XDCAM video into an .mp4 wrapper. XDCAM is mpeg2-based, and somehow you've given it an mpeg4-based header; so OF COURSE Premiere and After Effects won't recognize such a bastardized video file. When you originally edited in Vegas, what were your export settings?

Every single error message you are getting is appropriate, because you're feeding the software an absolute mess of a video. You should start all over and stay in your native video format.

Add-on: the mp4 portion of your structure is only a PROXY video stream. VLC is playing that.

[poisondeathray]

xdcam-ex or hd comes in mxf, mov, or mp4 wrapper. sony has a utility that you can use to re-wrap

mp4 wrapped xdcam should import natively into after effects and premiere. Something might be buggered with your install, try reinstalling

It's better to use premiere, because importing through the media browser preserves metadata and seamlessly can join filespanned clips . CC doesn't allow dynamic link, but it should still be working in CS5.5 /CS6

[haaithere]

I have no idea what you did to get XDCAM video into an .mp4 wrapper.

I think you misunderstood me. They WERE originally mp4 files from the beginning. I did not do anything with them. So what I'm trying to do at the moment is - I took the files straight from the memory card via USB, and import the mp4 file to After Effects. There's nothing inbetween - no converting, etc, happens.

When you originally edited in Vegas, what were your export settings?

Yeah, I think I expressed myself wrong here too. I'm using Sony Vegas only for basic cutting. So what I want to do - I'll just take the raw file from the camera, import it to After Effects, and after I've done that I want to import this file to Sony Vegas.


Hope it didn't confuse you

Cheers,
haaithere

[poisondeathray]

Did you try some of the suggestions here? This was xdcam rendered in vegas, working in CS6 , but not working for the OP (but sony vegas software renders the same xdcam compliant structure as sony's hardware encoder)
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1245820?tstart=0

AE doesn't use DirectShow for MP4 import, so some of the anti-K-lite comments are slightly misinformed. AE does, however, use some VFW system installed codecs (AVI), so in that respect sometimes K-lite can change things up (but it shouldn't for XDCAM MP4 import)

[haaithere]

Problem solved, downloaded After Effects CS5.5 trial. Thanks guys for trying to help me =)

[Scary_Clown13]

I have no idea what you did to get XDCAM video into an .mp4 wrapper. XDCAM is mpeg2-based, and somehow you've given it an mpeg4-based header; so OF COURSE Premiere and After Effects won't recognize such a bastardized video file. When you originally edited in Vegas, what were your export settings?

Every single error message you are getting is appropriate, because you're feeding the software an absolute mess of a video. You should start all over and stay in your native video format.

Add-on: the mp4 portion of your structure is only a PROXY video stream. VLC is playing that.

You sir are a complete moron and should never comment if you don't really have a clue what you are talking about, you'll do the world a favor. If you know anything, some XDCAM footage does come with a .mp4 wrapper! Have you ever shot on the Sony PMW F3? Probably not, because guess what, that's mp4 XDCAM footage, so please don't comment if you're uninformed about things. Stop being ignorant

[smrpix]

You sir are a complete moron and should never comment ... blah blah blah

THIS was your first and only post on this forum? "Moron" appears to be your area of expertise.

[Scary_Clown13]

You sir are a complete moron and should never comment ... blah blah blah

THIS was your first and only post on this forum? "Moron" appears to be your area of expertise.

I registered specially in order to comment on the retarded information that was given. Next time, please reply with something that actually holds meaning unlike the reply you just gave. IF you side with self proclaimed "experts" like that, it makes you just as bad. False information should never be given in that way, and in the data part of the film industry no information should ever be given if not 100% sure, either you are sure of your facts or you shut the hell up.

[smrpix]

Scary, Filmboss is correct. 100%. Please post a short clip of ORIGINAL pmw-f3 footage if you want to dispute this.

[poisondeathray]

XDCAMHD422 comes MXF wrapped, but XDCAM-EX comes as MP4 from the camera. If you really really want, I can upload a clip .

[Scary_Clown13]

Scary, Filmboss is correct. 100%. Please post a short clip of ORIGINAL pmw-f3 footage if you want to dispute this.

There you go smartass

[smrpix]

Good, you know how evidence works. Next time let's see if you can present it without being a horse's ass.

[Baldrick]

You sir are a complete moron and should never comment ... blah blah blah

THIS was your first and only post on this forum? "Moron" appears to be your area of expertise.

I registered specially in order to comment on the retarded information that was given. Next time, please reply with something that actually holds meaning unlike the reply you just gave. IF you side with self proclaimed "experts" like that, it makes you just as bad. False information should never be given in that way, and in the data part of the film industry no information should ever be given if not 100% sure, either you are sure of your facts or you shut the hell up.

BUT you can correct them without being an *******. Just a link to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XDCAM or your own mp4 screenshots would have been enough.