Vegas Pro 11 - trouble importing MP4 - codec?

Susan Stephens wrote on 1/25/2012, 10:22 AM
I just replaced the hard drive on my system, moved my data over and reinstalled Vegas Pro 11 (64 bit, build 521 - the latest available). I can no longer import MP4 files recorded by our NEX-3 camera. The message I get is "Warning: An error occurred while opening one or more files. The reason for the error could not be determined." Under details, it just lists the filename and says it could not be opened.

I am able to view these files on my desktop using Windows Media Player, but I cannot drop them into the timeline. I copied the MP4 files to my laptop, and I was able to import the same files into Vegas on that computer (using 32 bit Vegas Pro 11), so I know my files aren't corrupted.

I think I might be missing a codec for Vegas to allow me to drop these files into the timeline - which I could do before I replaced the system hard drive.

I appreciate your suggestions.

Comments

Susan Stephens wrote on 1/25/2012, 10:57 AM
When I right click on the file on the desktop (which will not import the video), the file type is "MP4 Video". When I right click on the file on the laptop (which can import the video), the file type is "QuickTime". Under the File properties, everything else under General, Other metadata and Media manager are the same.

The laptop has additional information about the video and the plug-in. It is using qt7plug.dll - which is also installed on my desktop in the Sony>Vegas Pro 11.0>FileIO Plug-Ins directory.

I compared both computers, and they have the same File I/O Plug-Ins installed under "About Vegas Pro>Components" - the only difference being build 520 (32 bit on my laptop) vs. build 521 (64 bit on my desktop).
Tom Pauncz wrote on 1/25/2012, 11:00 AM
I think maybe you also need to install Quicktime on your new build.
Tom
johnmeyer wrote on 1/25/2012, 11:27 AM
I don't think Quicktime is needed for Vegas 10 & 11.
Tom Pauncz wrote on 1/25/2012, 12:10 PM
John,
From the Vegas pro 11 product page:

Vegas Pro 11 system requirements
Microsoft® Windows Vista® 32-bit or 64-bit SP2, or Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit
2 GHz processor (multicore or multiprocessor CPU recommended for HD or stereoscopic 3D)
500 MB hard-disk space for program installation
2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
OHCI-compatible IEEE-1394DV card (for DV and HDV capture and print-to-tape)
USB 2.0 connection (for importing from AVCHD, XDCAM EX, NXCAM, or DVD camcorders)
Windows-compatible sound card
DVD-ROM drive (for installation from a DVD only)
Supported CD-recordable drive (for CD burning only)
Supported DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW (for DVD burning only)
Supported BD-R/-RE drive (for Blu-ray Disc™ burning only)
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (included on application disc)
Apple® QuickTime® 7.1.6 or later for reading and writing QuickTime files
Internet Connection (for Gracenote MusicID Service)
Supported NVIDIA or ATI cards for GPU-acceleration (please see the GPU acceleration page for more information)

Tom
johnmeyer wrote on 1/25/2012, 12:32 PM
From the Vegas pro 11 product page:Well, maybe Vegas 11 requires it, but I am 98% certain that it does not.

I own Vegas 10, and have never installed Quicktime (I hate it with a passion), and so I can state that it most definitely does not require it. This is true despite the fact that the Vegas 10 readme states:

"Apple® QuickTime® 7.1.6 or later "

in the System Requirements, just like what you quote for 11. Here is a link to the Vegas 10 System Requirements:

Vegas® Pro 10.0 Release Notes

In fact, in another thread just a few days ago, when I stated that there were very few interesting things added to Vegas 10, one of the people reminded me that it was the first release of Vegas that could deal with MP4 files without requiring Quicktime.

So, the OP's problem is not the failure to install Quicktime, but instead is something funky with her installation. The only thing I can think to recommend is to < sigh > uninstall and re-install again.
Susan Stephens wrote on 1/25/2012, 1:01 PM
Thank you, Tom. That was it. I hadn't installed Quicktime yet. I installed it and rebooted my machine, and Vegas is importing those files for me.

As a side note, when I opened Vegas the first time after the reboot, I noticed that it took a little more time on the "creating File I/O manager" message on the splash screen.

I'm looking forward to continuing my project.
johnmeyer wrote on 1/25/2012, 1:31 PM
Actually, while you shouldn't need to install Quicktime, if you do a lot of work with these files, you might have better results with Quicktime installed. As I stated above, I don't install it, but I do have one old laptop that has it installed. A few days ago I found an MP4 that imported to Vegas 10 (without Quicktime installed) just fine, but the audio was truncated exactly 1/4 of the way into the file. I put the same file into Vegas 7 on my old laptop (the one with Quicktime installed) and the audio was fine. So, I render out the audio to a WAV file, put that on the timeline in Vegas 10, and proceeded.

So, I think you did the correct thing, but I am still puzzled as to why Vegas wouldn't import the file. However, that isn't important now. Tom gave you good advice.
Tom Pauncz wrote on 1/25/2012, 3:09 PM
John,
You make an interesting statement though I have never not installed QT.

I think I remember way back in my Vegas life - maybe v3 or v4 where you were actually warned if QT wasn't installed before you installed Vegas.

I am surprised that you have had no problems with QT files in V10 or V11.

Tom

johnmeyer wrote on 1/25/2012, 6:12 PM
I am surprised that you have had no problems with QT files in V10 or V11.Well, I did have that one problem that I described above (truncated audio) but that is the only problem I've had. Generally, I just dump the video on the timeline, and it plays. By contrast, if I put the same file into Vegas 7 or 8 (they are also installed on this same computer) I get an alert dialog that tells me that I must have Quicktime installed to play the file.