Can't Recognize MOV

fotofreak99 wrote on 1/19/2010, 8:30 AM

Try using GSpot as a start to figure out what codec it's using.

http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

musicvid10 wrote on 1/19/2010, 8:33 AM

The "latest version of the QT Player" may not work for you, since the issues reported since last year have not been completely resolved. Try rolling back to QT 7.6 (and iTunes 8) and see if that fixes it.

If not, download MediaInfo and post all the details about your files.
Also upload a short clip somewhere for us to play with.

Hope this helps.

JimMSG wrote on 1/19/2010, 8:43 AM

I thought the "c" version of Vegas fixed that problem with the latest version of QT player. I'll have to see what I did with the old version loader.

rs170a wrote on 1/19/2010, 8:49 AM

Jim, the "c" version did fix this problem (for me anyway) so there are other problems here.
My first question is why is footage from an HDV camera coming in as mov files?
My guess is that it was captured on a Mac or they would be m2t files.
Do you have access to an HDV camcorder and the original tape(s) to re-capture the footage?

Mike

musicvid10 wrote on 1/19/2010, 8:53 AM

Apparently the newest QT is still not working with 9.0c on all installations. I've seen several reports of this.

Here are some download links:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/#quicktime%207.6
http://support.apple.com/downloads/#itunes%208

EDIT: Mike makes some good points too.

JimMSG wrote on 1/19/2010, 9:05 AM

GSPot reports Codec: hdv1; Name:unknown; Status: Codec Status Undetermined. The container is QT. Odd it won't even play in my QT player.

JimMSG wrote on 1/19/2010, 9:10 AM

The shooter uses FCP, and I don't have a camera that can handle HDV. Not sure if having the shooter bring in his camera will work, though because he was telling me there is something about his camera that requires a special codec.

JimMSG wrote on 1/19/2010, 9:12 AM

If it were the old mov problem wouldn't the file play in QT? On my computer it won't play in the QT player either. If you want a look at the "test" file I was sent it can be found at:

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/805262728/ccab420750703a18060ca4c62d823baf

JimMSG wrote on 1/19/2010, 10:13 AM

Mediainfo says it's MP4, but I haven't a clue how to post its findings for you. One would never guess I used to sysop on CIS.

Former user wrote on 1/19/2010, 10:19 AM

JimMSG,

I opened your file in QT and could not see video either, but under the QT Media Properties, it says it is an HDV file. From what I read, there is no HDV QT codec available for PCs. You need to have him render to another codec or image sequence.

VLC media player will open it though.

Dave T2

ig wrote on 1/19/2010, 10:28 AM

I had this problem with footage shot with a JVC GY-HM1000u...it shoots xdcam HD with a mov wrapper that works ONLY in the latest versions of Final Cut Pro...and would not even open in Quicktime Pro . I had to purchase a codec pack from calibrated software (www.calibratedsoftware.com)...and was then able to open the files in Vegas...might be worth it to ask specifically which camera this footage was shot with...

musicvid10 wrote on 1/19/2010, 10:33 AM

Alas, hdv1 is JVC's 720 HDV codec, not compatible with hdv2 capture or edit, which Sony uses.

I don't know if something like ffdshow would support this, so do so entirely at your own risk. As mentioned, it opens in VLC, which has some (often buggy) conversion options.

You will have to search for a conversion option, or ask your shooter to provide you with something else. I believe converting to Avid DNxHD in FCP would be a good cross-platform approach.

ig wrote on 1/19/2010, 10:37 AM

Jim, I just downloaded your test file and indeed it opened using the Calibrated XD Decode codec...when you go to calibrated software you'll need to purchase the codec pack specifically for PC as they also make a pack for MAC....specifically what I purchased was the Calibrated XD Decode pack and I bought the MP4 pack with it as well...I think it was around 80-90 dollars or so...this will let you open the files and work with them in Vegas and also will allow you to open them in quicktime Pro...in my case I had to make files for a client to work with on his imac..so I opened the files in quicktime Pro and exported them as mov in the dv format for him...hope this helps!

by the way,...these files are generally coming off a memory card or hard drive rather than tape...just copy them onto your hard drive,,,,

here's the link to the specific software:
http://www.calibratedsoftware.com/QXD.asp

they have a free trial..be sure to test it out...I was missing something on my laptop (an older pentium 4) which caused the software to crash..but was able to install and use on my desktop edit system...
the licensing is for one specific computer only and they don't allow you to swap it out to another computer for any reason...

musicvid10 wrote on 1/19/2010, 10:59 AM

Although a "real" codec (above) is your best obvious choice, I was able to successfully convert your file to h.264 in HandBrake with very good quality.

John_Cline wrote on 1/19/2010, 11:31 AM

Since GSpot said the codec was HDV1, that implies that the QT file contains MPEG2 video. Neither the free nor the Pro versions of QT come with an MPEG2 decoder, you must purchase that separately. It's $20 from Apple.

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/

Also, just because Sony cameras don't shoot 720P HDV does not mean that Vegas doesn't support 720P HDV.

musicvid10 wrote on 1/19/2010, 11:59 AM

Here's another how-to (haven't tested it).
http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/index.php?showtopic=5483

EDIT: I have tested the Avanti demux method, but using the "default" container, and I can attest that it works! (And it doesn't cost $79).

This is interesting to know because I have seen a few posts over time about the JVC hdv1 files not opening in Vegas or Premiere. I will put up a short tut using your file as an example, time permitting. And btw, other posts on the net indicate the Apple mpeg2 codec doesn't work for this task, either.

Best of luck!

JimMSG wrote on 1/19/2010, 3:29 PM

I'll try the Avanti method. If you do a tut let me know where I can find it.

Thanks to and everyone else for the assistance.

Jim

ig wrote on 1/19/2010, 7:22 PM

Jim, you might want to keep the Calibrated Software decoder in mind...in my case..my client had 25 source files...with the codec I was able to open them immediately on the vegas timeline without having to go through any conversion process...when the client came in the next day with two more files..again I was able to drop them right in...I billed the client for the cost of the codec which he was happy to pay for...and now I have it for future use...your situation might be different...In my studio I have clients come in all the time with various unknown files ...and when I'm able to open them immediately and get to work editing...it makes them pretty happy...just my two cents....

JimMSG wrote on 1/19/2010, 11:56 PM

I hear that, in this case there are 80ish files that will be used. I'll either have to convert them all, or load them in from a lower rez tape that was also provided. I was thinking in terms of avoiding having to buy a codec to get this done, however I do have a relationship with the shooter for this project. It won't be the last time I need to get his shots into Vegas. And, now I think about it, I really don't want to take the time to convert them all, if I can just load them in, plus I should be able to pass the cost along.

I think I should take a more serious look at the Calibrated Software decoder.

The Calibrated demo works nice. The file loads right onto my Vegas timeline the way it should, plays, and it even works in the QT player now. Now, I'll have to see where they hid the licensing information and purchasing. This is going to be a lot easier and faster than converting each file.

LJA wrote on 1/20/2010, 9:05 AM

No problem playing the clip on my MacBook, if that helps. I'm using QT with the MPEG plug in. So I would suggest the problem is in in the PC version of QT. I'm not sure what you can do about it, however, other than what others have suggested.

ig wrote on 1/20/2010, 9:11 AM

Jim, I sent an email to info@calibratedsoftware.com when I purchased..as I had some questions...I got a very quick response from a guy named Greg...he also helped me to expedite the purchase and registration process....very helpful guys..

musicvid10 wrote on 1/20/2010, 10:01 AM

And with so many individual files to work with, I agree that the codec is the most expeditious method. Although I just downloaded Avanti yesterday, it doesn't appear to have a batch utility, although that or frameserving could possibly be scripted.

Be sure to build the cost of the codec into your job price. Buying a lot of stuff and absorbing the cost to satisfy individual customers is not a recipe for business success, but for starvation.

JimMSG wrote on 1/21/2010, 10:40 AM

I will be able to build the cost into the project, and was all set to go with it - even purchased it. Then I went back and started loading all the elements onto the timeline. I have one timeline I edit in, and another with just the media elements in so I can easily show the producer what a specific shot looks like without having to put it into the edit. The project has just over 80 elements and runs about 28 minutes of media.

Suddenly Vegas is having trouble loading elements onto the timeline without freezing up and having to be ended by the task manager. Or, not beingable to open the media timeline project without having to be turned off again by task manager. Sometimes it comes up okay, sometimes not. I really don't think this is a lack of horsepower on the computer, it's a 64-bit machine. I'm thinking perhaps it may be a problem created by the demo having to create the gray-bar watermark it puts over the video. I still would like to use this software, but not if I have to hope the project will open and stay stable every time I work with it.

I have sent a query to Calibrated. What do you think? Could it be the extra resources used to create the watermark?

Edit: Man they are quick, here's the reply from Calibrated:
Sorry for the problems. Those issues will not go away with the license verision ( the license version is the same software as the demo version - exept when you get a license file the gray watermarks are removed)

I dont know what verion of Vegas yo uare running but most likely the problems are with Vegas and how it access and uses QuickTime SDK and our Calibrated{Q} XD Decode codec - I've read on a few forums that different version of Vegas 8 or 9 have general QuickTime issues (i.e. QickTime issues not related to our software) and it also depends on what version of QuickTime Player you have installed with Vegas.

I can cancel and refund your order if you want - just let me know - sorry again for your troubles.

Cheers,
Greg