mpeg-4 codec activation code incorrect

CubeAce wrote on 4/3/2023, 10:39 AM

Hi and welcome to the user to user forums.

As far as I can recall there is no code needed for the Mpeg-4 codec. When you place an mpeg-4 file onto the timeline you should get an information box asking you if you wish to download the codec. Click yes and it should install without further need to do anything. The program may need a restart but can't remember.

The H265 (HEVC) codec on the other hand needs a purchase from the Microsoft store to play such files on the timeline and a separate purchase from Magix to export to HEVC (H265).

Ray.

browj2 wrote on 4/3/2023, 11:17 AM

@bejammin

Hi,

I have the 2023 suite edition on windows 11, when I go to activate it online it say the activation code is incorrect.

You title and text are confusing. Are you trying to activate Movie Studio 2023 Suite or just MP4?

John CB

bejammin wrote on 4/3/2023, 4:40 PM

@CubeAce

Hi, it didn't automatically download and it opens another small window that states the following "The Activation code is incorrect. please make sure it had been entered correctly or contact the magix customer service:" I also dont understand why its like this.

bejammin wrote on 4/3/2023, 4:42 PM

@browj2 oof thank you for catching that, I forgot I cut it down some. anyway the suite is opened the only thing i'm having trouble with is the activation of the mpeg4 activation.

browj2 wrote on 4/3/2023, 5:47 PM

@bejammin

Hi,

Ok, then I presume that you are not using the trial version and have activated Movie Studio Suite (not clear because you say that it is open, not activated). In that case, as far as I know, there is no activation code required to activate the MP4 Codec, you just activate it for free. If I am wrong and you are using the trial version, then you cannot activate the MP4 Codec because Magix has to pay for it.

Is there some other flavour of MP4 that you are being informed requires a purchase of the Codec? For example, HEVC encoding requires fee-based activation.

John CB

bejammin wrote on 4/3/2023, 6:33 PM

@browj2 yes, I had activated it last November when it went on sale, when trying to use a mp4 to edit, It brings up a window to activate(install) the mpeg4 codec online. when I click activate online it brings up an error window stating the activation code is incorrect.

johnebaker wrote on 4/4/2023, 4:08 AM

@bejammin

Hi

. . . . It brings up a window to activate(install) the mpeg4 codec online. . . . .

MP4 is a container file format not a video format.

Are the MP4 files you are adding to the timeline HEVC (h.265) encoded video?

If you are not sure download and install MediaInfo and analyse one of the clips and post the results, see this tutorial on how to setup MediaInfo and analyse a video clip for all the data required.

In the Video section of the analysis the first 2 - 3 lines will tell you.

If the video is HEVC, then the first pop-up that appears, as you try to add the video to the timeline, is telling you that you need to purchase the HEVC codec ( @CubeAce mentioned this above ) - have you done this and received a serial number for the codec by email - IIRC this in the format HEVCIC-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx ?

John EB
Forum Moderator

bejammin wrote on 4/4/2023, 9:16 PM

@johnebaker hi, yes and yes, i dont know what else i could be doing wrong, maybe i need to extract it differently

bejammin wrote on 4/22/2023, 8:49 AM

@johnebaker i wish i could send you a screenshot of what im talking about, i still cant play mp4 videos or put them on the timeline

CubeAce wrote on 4/22/2023, 9:00 AM

@bejammin

You must use the download button to place images within a post.

Ray.

bejammin wrote on 4/22/2023, 9:03 AM

@CubeAce thanks i shoulda looked better

bejammin wrote on 4/22/2023, 9:04 AM

johnebaker wrote on 4/22/2023, 12:27 PM

@bejammin

Hi

Can you post the MediaInfo data from the clip that is causing this error message - require all the info as detailed in the tutorial I linked to above.

John EB

bejammin wrote on 4/23/2023, 4:50 PM

@johnebaker Thanks for helping

General
Complete name : D:\ folder\EDITS MK\technotronic.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size : 70.3 MiB
Duration : 5 min 0 s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 1 965 kb/s
Frame rate : 30.000 FPS
Movie name : technotronic
Performer : WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe
Writing application : Lavf58.29.100

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L5.1
Format settings : CABAC / 3 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 3 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 5 min 0 s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 1 830 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 6 000 kb/s
Width : 3 840 pixels
Height : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 30.000 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.007
Stream size : 65.4 MiB (93%)
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 5 min 0 s
Duration_LastFrame : -2 ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 129 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz
Frame rate : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 4.60 MiB (7%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

johnebaker wrote on 4/23/2023, 5:57 PM

Hi

Thanks for the MediaInfo data, what was the original video file that required using WinX HD Video Converter, if you still have the file a MediaInfo analysis of it would help.

Is this the file that was giving the initial activation code is incorrect message?

The file data you have given is h.264 (AVC), not h.265 (HEVC) as I initially suspected, so the program should not be asking for or giving an activation code / error message as @CubeAce and @browj2 have commented above

The conversion compression has resulted in a file with a somewhat low bitrate for 4K UHD ie

Video

Bit rate : 1 830 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 6 000 kb/s
Width : 3 840 pixels
Height : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 30.000 FPS

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Bit rate : 129 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz

This in itself and the 'technically incorrect' audio samplerate of 44.1 kHz, it should be 48kHz for video, should not cause the activation code error message you are getting.

I do see the file is located an the D:\ drive - is this an internal drive or USB external drive?

John EB

bejammin wrote on 4/23/2023, 6:49 PM

@johnebaker ah, so it was compressed to where it wasn't usable, its internal. I also am not in possession of the original currently. ill let you know if it all clears up when i do get my hands on it.

johnebaker wrote on 4/24/2023, 5:47 AM

@bejammin

Hi

. . . . so it was compressed to where it wasn't usable . . . .

Most likely, the bitrate of 1 830 kb/s = 1.78 Mb/s is way too low for 4K UHD video.

The ideal minimum bitrate target for 4K UHD at 30fps is about 45 Mb/s, and the maximum can be up to 120 Mb/s or more depending on the recording device.

For example my Sony video camera is set to record 4K UHD at a bitrate of 60 Mb/s, what I actually get depends on the level of detail and speed of action in the recording, and are usually in the range of 45 - 60 Mb/s.

HTH

John EB

Afflix wrote on 4/24/2023, 6:43 PM

Hello,

I have exactly the same problem, and I don't think it's related to the video format as it has worked with the version 2013 of Video Deluxe. I've ran it as administrator but still no luck. It's like if there was a wrong activation code stuck somewhere between the software and my account, but impossible to find it out. Any technical assistance from Magix would be more than appreciated....

Thanks

CubeAce wrote on 4/25/2023, 12:34 AM

@Afflix

Hi.

If you need help from Magix then you will have to email them or use the support system listed at the top of the page as this forum is run by users, not staff.

Either way you have to give much more detail about your problem as it could be a hardware or software cause including the operating system of a graphics driver or CPU problem. 2013 was many versions ago and a lot has changed, especially if you have come from Vegas Movie Studio to Magix Movie Studio which is no longer the same program.

Ray.