Unable to import a video file into Lightworks Posted by Slashbuddy24-03 Mar :50

Transcription

1 Unable to import a video file into Lightworks Posted by Slashbuddy24-03 Mar :50 Hello, This is my first time posting on the Lightworks forums and I did not think I would ever have to get to this point but I have limited options remaining. I am a fairly new Lightworks user and I've been using the program for a few months. I looked around extensively on the forums but I'm unsure if this type of problem has to be resolved I am currently unable to import a video file into the program. The file is relatively large (2.96 GB) and is just some standard game footage at fps. I've made hundreds of other projects using the exact same format of file with no issues whatsoever. When i try to import the file i get the error message: "Unable to import into the current project : check frame-rate and audio sample-rate" As i stated before the file is fps and the audio rate is the standard 48 Hz. What i am having trouble understanding is why this file is having trouble when I've used tons of other identical format files which have imported without issue. In the past I have typically just created a project and selected "auto" as my frame rate and have had no problems editing my videos. I've tried everything from playing with the different frame rates on the projects to fiddling with trans-coding. I had started to find some luck when I converted the file in VLC which was in essence a duplication which actually allowed me to import the file. However, when I playback the video file within Lightworks it is extremely slow and states that the frame rate is 24fps. I am trying to find a solution back with this original file to see what sort of options I have Any help would be greatly appreciated if you could provide it to this kind soul. Thankyou Posted by briandrys - 03 Mar :53 1 / 8

2 Welcome to the forum. So that users can see all the technical details of the video, please follow the directions in this sticky: ww w.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=23&id=66072&itemi d=81 Posted by Slashbuddy24-04 Mar :38 My apologies, here is my output below (sorry about the format) General Format : MPEG-4 Format profile : Base Media / Version 2 Codec ID File size Duration Overall bit rate mode Overall bit rate : mp42 (mp42/avc1/isom) : 2.76 GiB : 46mn 45s : Variable : Kbps Encoded date : UTC :51:57 Tagged date : UTC :51:57 Video ID : 1 Format Format/Info Format profile : AVC : Advanced Video Codec : High@L4 2 / 8

3 Format settings, CABAC Format settings, ReFrames : Yes : 2 frames Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=6 Codec ID Codec ID/Info Duration Bit rate mode Bit rate Maximum bit rate Width Height : avc1 : Advanced Video Coding : 46mn 45s : Variable : Kbps : 16.4 Mbps : pixels : 720 pixels Display aspect ratio : 16:9 Frame rate mode Frame rate Minimum frame rate Maximum frame rate Color space : Variable : (30000/1001) fps : fps : fps : YUV Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0 Bit depth Scan type : 8 bits : Progressive Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : Stream size : 2.67 GiB (97%) Language : English Encoded date : UTC :51:57 Tagged date : UTC :51:57 Color range : Full 3 / 8

4 Color primaries Transfer characteristics Matrix coefficients : BT.709 : BT.709 : BT.709 Audio ID : 2 Format Format/Info Format profile : AAC : Advanced Audio Codec : LC Codec ID : 40 Duration Source duration Bit rate mode Nominal bit rate Channel(s) Channel positions Sampling rate Frame rate Compression mode : 46mn 44s : 46mn 44s : Constant : 128 Kbps : 2 channels : Front: L R : 48.0 KHz : fps (1024 spf) : Lossy Source stream size : 74.9 MiB (3%) Language : English Encoded date : UTC :51:57 Tagged date : UTC :51:57 Posted by jwrl - 04 Mar :50 4 / 8

5 The only thing that I can see there that is at all non-edit friendly is that the media is running at a variable frame rate. That said, it shouldn't be an issue because the amount of variation is extremely slight. What are the frame rate settings of your project? Unless they are 24 (universal frame rate) or 29.97/30 (the preferred rates for this media) you will get the error message that you're seeing. Posted by Slashbuddy24-04 Mar :08 I set the frame rate for the project at 30fps. Under "Video" and "Main" in the top left corner where project settings can be adjusted I have the "output format" at 720p and 30fps but I don't think that is relevant to my problem. The only thing i can really think of is a corrupted video file where my recording program (Elgato Game Capture) just simply had a malfunction. Although with that being said the video file plays perfectly fine in QuickTime player. Posted by jwrl - 04 Mar :26 Are you on Windows? If so I can provide you with a batch file that will automatically convert your media to a constant frame rate. In the process it will also correct most header data corruption. Posted by RWAV - 04 Mar :45 Probably just a lack of attention on my part - but I can't recall seeing too many mp42 codecs in reports. I'd guess most of it is mp4 version 2 but is not called that in the header?? Posted by Slashbuddy24-04 Mar :50 No, unfortunately I'm on Mac. I don't know if there's anything you would be able to do for me in that 5 / 8

6 case. I do have access to a PC though (im a university student) and so I might try my luck later with that if there's nothing that can be done. Posted by jwrl - 04 Mar :54 RWAV wrote: I can't recall seeing too many mp42 codecs in reports. I'd guess most of it is mp4 version 2 Yes, it is mp4 version 2, but the header has identified it as mp42. Given that there's also a slight VFR issue I feel that my existing batch file should correct the header as it corrects the VFR. Since it's non-destructive even if it doesn't work it won't make things worse. The other fix if the OP has QTpro would be to open it in QT and export it again as, say, MPEG2 or DVCpro. Posted by jwrl - 04 Mar :58 Slashbuddy24 wrote: No, unfortunately I'm on Mac. I don't know if there's anything you would be able to do for me in that case. We crossed over. OK, open it in Quicktime and export it as ProRes. The file will get bigger, but you'll be able to open it in Lightworks. Alternatively, open it in VLC and re-export it from there. Posted by donkpow - 04 Mar :12 6 / 8

7 ffmpeg will run on Mac, I just don't know the preferred site to get the binary. I believe jwrl's script uses ffmpeg. Personally, since you've had success so far, I'd just format the file and see how it goes. Very fast. ffmpeg -infile.mp4 -f mp4 -codec copy newname.mp4 If you would like a near intra-frame encode with H264 while enforcing a constant frame rate, you could try something like: ffmpeg -infile.mp4 -c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast -g 1 -c:a pcm_s16le -ar r outfile.mp4 The ultra fast preset will give you a GOP of between 1 and 120, which is why you need the GOP flag. Posted by Slashbuddy24-04 Mar :24 jwrl wrote: Slashbuddy24 wrote: No, unfortunately I'm on Mac. I don't know if there's anything you would be able to do for me in that case. We crossed over. OK, open it in Quicktime and export it as ProRes. The file will get bigger, but you'll be able to open it in Lightworks. This may be a dumb question but how do I export from QuickTime in ProRes format? I assume its fairly easy I just don't see that format listed Posted by jwrl - 04 Mar :30 In that case you don't have it. Just use H.264 instead. It's essentially exactly the same format as the file already uses, but the header will be rewritten. 7 / 8

8 Just don't overwrite your existing file. Posted by Slashbuddy24-04 Mar :51 I've exported the file from QuickTime player be selecting the "720p" option which is essentially what you are saying I believe. I can now import the file into Lightworks but when I do I arrive at another problem. The duration of the clip goes from 46:45 to 46:42 which causes some gradual desync with a separate commentary track that I have over top. Is this a project frame rate issue that can be easily resolved? Thanks for your help Posted by donkpow - 04 Mar :08 The duration of the clip goes from 46:45 to 46:42 which causes some gradual desync with a separate commentary track that I have over top. Likely the result of the variable frame rate, however slight. You can probably correct that with edit tools. 8 / 8