Cannot use my MP4 codec

terrypin wrote on 11/8/2018, 9:44 AM

Going around in circles here!

In both MEPP 2016 and MEPP 2017 I no longer have access to the "MPEG-4 FULL Codec Upgrade" I purchased 20 months ago for £3.99.

Placing an MP4 or MOV on the timeline, for example, result in the message:
"The program needs access to a file with MPEG4-Codec. For copyright reasons, activation is
required. Would you like to activate MPEG4-Codec now for free?"

Choosing "Activate onllne"
gave me the message
"Hint
The activation of MPEG-4-Codec failed.
If you are using the program as a guest, please
repeat the activation procedure with
administrator rights."

No idea what the reference to 'guest' means but admin privileges made no difference.

I then used the Support page and received a prompt email with a new activation code. But after applying it and repeating my attempt to start a project it failed in identical manner.

This is similar to those from several users raised in this thread, which I studied:
https://www.magix.info/us/forum/mpeg-4-codec-version-i-purchased-is-not-working--1199559/#ca1362495
but none of the suggestions so far have helped me fix it.

I'm now at a loss and practical help would be much appreciated please.

In particular, what is a fail-safe method to apply or restore an activation, when the codec is already shown as installed?

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

Comments

terrypin wrote on 11/8/2018, 10:27 AM

If it helps, choosing either Default or Main Concept in Settings > Import/Export >
Preferred codec for MPEG4 import and export gives the same frustrating result.

As an aside, the inconsistent naming of these two options is no doubt a contributor to the problem I and others have had. I understand 'Default' to be free (yet confusingly still needs installing and activating!). So I now assume that the option I bought was Main Concept. Yet there's no mention of that term in my order confirmation, which calls it 'MPEG-4 FULL Codec Upgrade'

Needless to say, I have also raised a ticket. Meanwhile I cannot use either program as most intended content is MOV or MP4.

terrypin wrote on 11/8/2018, 12:13 PM

Expletives deleted!!

Like several others in the old thread, I gave up and bought a new codec so that I could do some work. Another £3.99. That failed too, with identical error messages 😒

If or when I hear from Support, I'll be asking for a refund.

wongck wrote on 11/8/2018, 5:42 PM

I never had the mainconcept Mpeg-4 codec install, so will be a clean install on mine.... pass me your old code and see if I can test install it for you.... 😉😉😉

Nah... just joking.

terrypin wrote on 11/8/2018, 11:39 PM

On the last three attempts, including the new purchase, the activation code I received by automatic email from Magix was identical. Seems to me that means the online activation system is broken.

And as I get the identical error message about activation failure in both 2016 and 2017, for both Default and Main Concept settings, that implies reinstallation would not be useful.

Terry

pmikep wrote on 11/10/2018, 12:26 AM

So I guess it's not "just me." (I reported a few months ago that MEP 2016 lost my activation for the Main Concepts Encoder. (And also the decoder.))

terrypin wrote on 11/10/2018, 3:39 AM

No, Support are working urgently on isolating this problem which they told me is affecting “other users” too.

In order to get work done I can start MEPP 2016 or 2017 in Administrator mode. That lets me use MP4 files, but it does not fix the activation problem. Also, my preferred workflow for importing files is by dragging from their Windows folders, and Admin mode prevents this. There may be other downsides.

Did you eventually get a solution in your case?

I’m unclear why the issue arises anyway. The Default MPEG-4 Codec setting is apparently all we now need. That is built-in and free. So why is this complex ‘activation’ procedure necessary at all?

Terry, UK

Goldenperita wrote on 5/15/2019, 10:13 AM

I have Photostory on CD & DVD9. I purchased the MPEG-4 Codec and was able to export to MP4. However, I had to open the software in 'administrator mode' (right click, choose open as administrator). Note, this ONLY works on my older computer which is running Windows 10, however is a 32 bit machine. It still doesn't work in my newer computer, 64 bit, running Windows10

CarpentersMate wrote on 5/15/2019, 3:26 PM

Hello terrypin - Has Magix gotten back to you regarding the issue of MP4 activation?

terrypin wrote on 5/16/2019, 3:00 AM

@CarpentersMate

No, a solution has never been forthcoming.

Support suggested "... a complete and clean reinstallation since there is a good chance that this solves the problem and there are no other customers with the exact same problem."

Given the many tweaks and customisations I've made I decided against that. Instead, I work-around by always opening MEP in Admin mode. While that allows the use of my long-installed MP4 codec, an obscure downside is that it prevents my preferred method of importing material to the timeline, namely by dragging directly from the File Explorer folder.

Note that I'm still using MEP 2016 (with occasional use of 2017). Largely because of the investment I've made in writing scores of macros to supplement MEP's functionality, most of which would need editing. But also because I rate familiarity and stability over new features and effects that I'm unlikely to use. And, of course, the accelerating stream of bugs reported in newer versions!