Vegas Movie Studio 16 Plat not recognizing HEVC/H.265 videos?

Michael.Murphy wrote on 1/8/2021, 10:42 AM

So, I bought a new BlackVue DR900X-2CH dashcam. Since then, I have been unable to open the videos via Vegas Movie Studio 16. The camera settings are set for H.265, which should be supported by now by any editor.

Normal, Windows 10 Pro; Intel 8750; 16GB 3200; ooodles of space - nothing weird

I have installed the latest Apple Quicktime (oof--aweful) and even had to install K-lite. Still, Movie Studio cannot open the file. I can run the file all day long (Windows media player, VLC, etc...).

My info:

General
Complete name                            : D:\Videos\BlackVueVideos\20210107_151312_NF.mp4
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID                                 : mp42 (mp42/mp42)
File size                                : 187 MiB
Duration                                 : 1 min 0 s
Overall bit rate                         : 25.7 Mb/s
Encoded date                             : UTC 2021-01-07 22:14:13
Tagged date                              : UTC 2021-01-07 22:14:13

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : HEVC
Format/Info                              : High Efficiency Video Coding
Format profile                           : Main@L5.1@Main
Codec ID                                 : hvc1
Codec ID/Info                            : High Efficiency Video Coding
Duration                                 : 1 min 0 s
Source duration                          : 1 min 1 s
Bit rate                                 : 25.1 Mb/s
Width                                    : 3 840 pixels
Height                                   : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Variable
Frame rate                               : 30.000 FPS
Minimum frame rate                       : 27.027 FPS
Maximum frame rate                       : 33.333 FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.101
Stream size                              : 182 MiB (97%)
Source stream size                       : 182 MiB (98%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2021-01-07 22:14:13
Tagged date                              : UTC 2021-01-07 22:14:13
Color range                              : Full
Color primaries                          : BT.709
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
mdhd_Duration                            : 60977
Codec configuration box                  : hvcC

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : MPEG Audio
Format version                           : Version 2.5
Format profile                           : Layer 3
Codec ID                                 : .mp3
Duration                                 : 1 min 0 s
Source duration                          : 1 min 0 s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 16.0 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 1 channel
Channel layout                           : C
Sampling rate                            : 11.025 kHz
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 119 KiB (0%)
Source stream size                       : 119 KiB (0%)
Writing library                          : LAME3.100
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2021-01-07 22:14:13
Tagged date                              : UTC 2021-01-07 22:14:13
mdhd_Duration                            : 60928

Comments

j-v wrote on 1/8/2021, 11:38 AM

Normally the program is able to use those files except when there is a variable framerate.
The program can have a little difference, but with yours we have to test out.
Therefore place here a link to a small file, so where we are able to download it unharmed and test this on our installations.
But you can also convert the files with f.i. Handbrake to a staedy framerate for use in Vegas.

Michael.Murphy wrote on 1/8/2021, 12:49 PM

Thank you for a quick reply -- That's exactly what I did, used Handbrake to convert, then edited with Movie Studio 16. It works, but I'm afraid the video lost something. Link to unedited BlackVue file

j-v wrote on 1/8/2021, 1:52 PM

Thanks for the file.
I loaded it in my VP16, 17 and 18 and nowhere with all possibilties it would load into the program. I'm now converted it to constant bitrate of 29,970 fps and will try how that goes. Come back later with the results.
BTW. You posted on the wrong forum, this is the forum for Vegas Movie Studio

Michael.Murphy wrote on 1/8/2021, 2:02 PM

Yes, that's what I'm using, Vegas Movie Studio 16 Platinum. That's what is having the problem. Still wrong forum? I'm new, so I don't have it quite down yet. TY.

--upon edit-- I changed the title. TY

j-v wrote on 1/8/2021, 2:07 PM

Sorry, the title of this topic is/was Vegas Pro 16, so the forum is not wrong,
I'll try it in VMS Pl 16 and 17....

j-v wrote on 1/8/2021, 2:18 PM

3POINT wrote on 1/8/2021, 3:06 PM

According Mediainfo the frame rate of the HEVC file is 30fps and not 29,970fps.

As j-v stated VMS doesn't like variable framerates, VMS requires constant framerates. A Handbrake conversion to CFR 30fps should solve your problem.

As stated by yourself, this kind of file (HEVC with VFR) should be supported nowadays by any editor. I can confirm that my other editor accepts, plays and edits your file without any restrictions or needed conversions first by other software. I could even slomo the actual accident in your footage.

Michael.Murphy wrote on 1/8/2021, 3:16 PM

So, just converting the VFR to constant framerate (30fps) should do it? I'm trying like heck to keep the integrity of the PQ as much as possible. I remember using handbrake on my Linux boxes, just never needed on my VMS. I guess my old dashcam must've been a constant framerate. TY.

3POINT wrote on 1/8/2021, 4:09 PM

This is the direct result with my other editor, exported to 4k HEVC with 30 fps cfr and 0.2x ease in/out slomo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ykvSNIucgl781RDYI6M596Smezsbl6gx/view?usp=sharing

Michael.Murphy wrote on 1/9/2021, 11:53 AM

This is the direct result with my other editor, exported to 4k HEVC with 30 fps cfr and 0.2x ease in/out slomo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ykvSNIucgl781RDYI6M596Smezsbl6gx/view?usp=sharing

Would you care to share what editor you are using? I'm just not a fan of having to do a conversion before I can edit a dashcam video. If Vegas Movie Studio (any version) cannot edit a simple file, there's no need for that program to continue to occupy my space and time.

3POINT wrote on 1/9/2021, 2:36 PM

Take a look at my signature which editors I'm using. Unfortunately VMS, my favorite editor, has some shortcomings which makes me grab sometimes to other editors.

Michael.Murphy wrote on 1/22/2021, 9:26 AM

I'm bringing this post back up and ask this question: has anyone properly edited a H.265 / HEVC VFR file with Magix Vegas Studio xx? I tested, bought and used Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 and it edited nicely and quickly; however, I still prefer the GUI of VMS. Come on Magix! Step up!

j-v wrote on 1/22/2021, 12:32 PM

I'm bringing this post back up and ask this question: has anyone properly edited a H.265 / HEVC VFR file with Magix Vegas Studio xx?

I don't have that kind of files but I like to try it on my Vegas installations.
Therefore you have to provide here a link to such a small file on a cloudservice like dropbox, from where we are able to download it as it is.

3POINT wrote on 1/22/2021, 12:54 PM

Link to unedited BlackVue file

Musicvid wrote on 1/22/2021, 1:06 PM

I would drop K-lite quicker than a case of bed lice!

has anyone properly edited a H.265 / HEVC VFR file with Magix Vegas Studio xx? Come on Magix! Step up!

The mistake in that question is saying "Vegas Studio xx." Support for VMS 16 was dropped some time back, and VMS 17 supports VFR HEVC/.h265

Feel free to try your file in the trial version of Vegas MSP 17 and share your report here.

Michael.Murphy wrote on 1/22/2021, 1:12 PM

I would drop K-lite quicker than a case of bed lice!

has anyone properly edited a H.265 / HEVC VFR file with Magix Vegas Studio xx? Come on Magix! Step up!

The mistake in that question is saying "Vegas Studio xx." Support for VMS 16 was dropped some time back, and VMS 17 supports VFR HEVC/.h265

Feel free to try your file in the trial version of Vegas MSP 17 and share your report here.

Yeah, nice. That attempt to open the same file with VMSP 17 was tried and failed. As I said: Vegas Studio xx -Good try though. 👍 Would you care to open that file above with any Magix product WITHOUT conversion?

3POINT wrote on 1/22/2021, 1:18 PM

I can confirm with my VMS17:

Musicvid wrote on 1/22/2021, 8:45 PM

Yeah, nice. That attempt to open the same file with VMSP 17 was tried and failed. As I said: Vegas Studio xx -Good try though. 👍 Would you care to open that file above with any Magix product WITHOUT conversion?

Yeah, and I think I know the reason. Your file contains mp3 audio, which is nonstandard for the mp4/h265 format, like many other portables these days. They do that to avoid licensure fees for the registered AAC audio codec. Unfortunately, you will need to convert and remux your audio in a third party application.

Handbrake is good, but will also re-encode the video stream. VideoRedo is better, and has a free trial.

3POINT wrote on 1/23/2021, 5:42 AM

I'm wondering if there's any audio in the sample of @Michael.Murphy despite the info Mediainfo gives. The playable sample gives no audio and also its shows than MIC OFF sign.

When I load the file in my other NLE, it's accepted without any issues but also it doesn't show any audio there.

Musicvid wrote on 1/23/2021, 8:53 AM

Vegas is traditionally format-centric, meaning it looks for correct metadata and extensions, and sometimes dismisses non-conforming combinations.

A good feature request would be to ask Vegas to loosen its grip a bit, and allow nonstandard audio formats with mpeg-2 and avc/hevc in different wrappers, both of which have been written about here.

Musicvid wrote on 1/23/2021, 9:20 AM

@3POINT made a good call; there is an audio track, but apparently no audio program. Having transcoded in Handbrake, the imported audio is a flatline in Vegas.

So theoretically, one could simply demux the audio in AVIDemux or any similar utility, and not lose anything.

Michael.Murphy wrote on 1/23/2021, 10:31 AM

I see what y'all are saying. I do turn off the mic; however, there is still a flat audio track. It shows up on Cyberlink as well. Incidentally, Cyberlink is far faster; however, it does convert from VFR to CFR and from 30FPS to 29.97FPS. Basically it's eliminating the step of Handbrake conversion, but conversion it is.

...dangit Magix! I want you to work, unfortunately, Magix support is non-existent and I have to rely on customer expertise (which is awesome 💯 BTW, TY'all!).

Musicvid wrote on 1/23/2021, 11:01 AM

All I can suggest is to frame your observations in a new thread as a feature request, where it will be seen and considered as such. The developers do read these forums.

3POINT wrote on 1/24/2021, 4:13 AM

Cyberlink is far faster; however, it does convert from VFR to CFR and from 30FPS to 29.97FPS. Basically it's eliminating the step of Handbrake conversion, but conversion it is.

Cyberlink has a handy Profile Analyzer which analyzes the footage on your timeline and can suggest and create a render template according that footage which tries to preserve as much quality by using same codec, resolution, bitrate and framerate etc. It will converse VFR to CFR but can leave 30fps as 30fps. In most cases Cyberlink offers a so called SVRT rendering, which is able to render your footage smart and real real fast, means no conversion and no quality loss at all, like VideoRedo does. Such a easy to use rendering technology would be my feature request for VMS.