Would it help if I recreated a new email and password? I'm guessing no but...

When I sign in under the "I already have registered..." it takes me to the registration form which is already filled in and when I click "proceed" the red border comes up and says you're already registered and so there's no need to register again but it won't take me to the activation page because it says this registration is already valid. These are Plus versions of older products but still... I have 6 boxes of Magix on my shelf and also a Music Maker and a Music Studio but apart from that, I could edit in AVI but that's useless because I can't get the edit off the program to burn to disc or even export a file to Mpeg2 or Mpeg4 and burn elsewhere because of that antiquated activation problem. I guess Magix is like a careless girlfriend... I've loved her but she hasn't loved me back. You were nice enough to answer this post but I'm not sure where to go from here. Thanks.

@Dave-MacDonald @johnebaker

Hi Dave.

Which version of MEP are you currently using and what operating system are you using it with?

You didn't really answer John's question.

I ask because Internet protocols have changed since then (No actual fault of Magix or Microsoft) but the program may not be able to connect to the servers properly any more. At least I think that may be a possibility. Hence John's question.

As for caring for customers. Customers are people who pay at the time of payment and within the 'warranty period' or in software terms within the period of development and support for that product. Similar to buying a car really. Unlike cars, programs don't wear out but they can become obsolete and beyond reasonable repair. That is to say uneconomically viable to continue support and patch to newer operating systems or updated computer systems.

John, any thoughts?

Ray.

I've mentioned the products that I use and I use them all depending on what type of project I'm doing. Some of these programs run better than others depending on the project, the features and the PC type I'm using at the time. That's just the way it is. I think that you may be correct when you mention the internet protocols and Magix (at least) and thank you for your lesson in what a customer is and I'll take it with the grain of salt that it deserves. I honestly can't see a reason for Magix not caring for their long time customers (perhaps only in the frustration of the moment) so I must pass on that idea. I can only guess that it may be something you've mentioned like protocols. For instance, today when I tried to sign in to write this, I signed in 4 times and was rejected. Then I closed out and went back in to Magix again and signed in and bang I was in again. I'm wondering if there was any way to expunge my personal information and then redo it so that it would be fresh... and then maybe it would work again? Who knows? At any rate, thanks for your time folks.

@Dave-MacDonald

Hi

. . . . I've mentioned the products that I use and I use them all depending on what type of project I'm doing. . . .

I asked:

Which version of MEP (now rebranded as Movie Studio from January this year) are you using?

and got back

. . . . I began with MEP 11 then 14 Plus, 15 Plus, 16 Plus, 17 Plus and MX . . . .

This is open to the interpretation that you have worked your way up through these versions.

Only MEP 16 and later versions can still be registered - the others are obsolete and cannot be activated.

If the version is one of those that can be registered, or a later version, then we need more information - your computer specification, Windows version and the actual program version(s) with the activation issue(s), see this topic for what is required and please quote processor and graphics card make/model in full, 

John EB

Thanks for the info John EB. It's making a bit more sense now. I understand the interpretations that could have been implied and I apologize for that. There are certain things that I have enjoyed about all the programs that I have mentioned and that is why I continue to try and use them when I feel the urge. My tower PC which I do a lot of work on, enabled me to sign in the normal way and that is what got me thinking about IP protocols. Many years ago, (pre obsolete I guess) I purchased a second version of MEP 14 Plus very cheaply and installed it on one of my laptops but when I tried to reinstall the Mpeg2 it was a no go and I couldn't even sign into my account for some odd reason. I'm assuming that something might have changed in my account info seeing that I have moved a couple of times to new residences. I don't know... it's a mystery and a rather frustrating one at that. I just want to say thanks for your help folks and when my Magix is working correctly, I'm the happiest guy around.

@Dave-MacDonald

Hi

. . . . thinking about IP protocols . . . .

You still have not told us about your computer specification and Windows version - a bit of a longshot not knowing which version of Windows you are running, check that you have the following protocols and options turned on.

John EB

@johnebaker @Dave-MacDonald

There has also been a known issue with the latest Windows updates effecting the Microsoft ODBC SQL Server Driver that may be effecting connecting to certain servers on some systems. Microsoft are working on it.

Ray.

@Dave-MacDonald @johnebaker

See also my comment in https://www.magix.info/us/forum/mpeg-4-codec-problem--1306112/ It seems the codec activation server is blocking traffic from abroad (at least, India).

THEY'RE BAAAAACK!

I have Magix Video Pro X16. (It was a problem in X15 too.) I drag an MP4 video or the AVI file (below) and I get the dialog "MAGIX Video Pro X16 The program needs access to a file with MPEG-4-Codec. For copyright reasons, activation is required. Would you like to activate MPEG-4-Codec now for free?"

Clicking [Activate online] fails with the message "The activation code is incorrect. Please make sure it has been entered correctly or contact the MAGIX customer service: www.support.magix.net"

I backed up and deleted this registry key:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{7DC6E619-5C35-4371-9D2A-9CF021CB55D1}]
"VoucherID"="WnxoqniYnRfJ5qBcu3ebFK87EYA+RhiUH+ILXeK1xtLWft9nFpwl9fQtWI5gwaJ+ICKo450YUkm5m8NPBDVMYS4mdpsrmFEJFmgb9QUUVuDaK8DTSihEPqEUbQ/nt6upLe2lTQXbT8fsdJr5lXXX8HtoljtoaWJt/2QYO2TBaK2UZmFdRLxdHAkyoURWgVIuSJTGGhoIPRb4huK22lFmvg=="
"ID1"=dword:9d35cb86
"ID2"=dword:5c1fdef9
"ID3"=dword:9d35cb85
"ID4"=dword:13907f18

I enabled all suggested Internet protocols, disabled my antivirus and all firewall settings, ran MAGIX Video Pro X16 as Administrator and tried again to no avail.

I even found my "MPEG-4 FULL Codec Upgrade (RES60617)" purchase from October 2, 2022 and Felicia Hillner's response to support Ticket#2023071017000144 dated Mon, Jul 10, 2023 at 4:16 AM requesting my ID Code. 'The ID code is diplayed by selecting "Restore activation" or in the link of your internet browser.'

https://ap.magix.com/servicecenter/unlockev1.php?pCountry=US&ComputerID=ENMPEG4V8C-74590-16363-81121-74894-83327

The "Restore activation" option is not available in Video Pro X16, however the URL above allowed me to enter my order number:  2022xxxxxxxxxxxxxMXC, which sent me an email stating

Your new activation code is:
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
This is an automatically generated email.
Please do not respond to this email address.
If you are in need of product support or would like to place an order,
please go to "Support" or "Contact" on the MAGIX homepage.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Your MAGIX Team
http://www.magix.com

MAGIX COMPUTER PRODUCTS INT'L CORP
1105 Terminal Way #202
Reno, NV 89502
USA

Imprint: http://rdir.magix.net/?page=N1J9TOQO65LH
Contact: http://rdir.magix.net/?page=5E85H8KEFAV3

UPDATE: The error above was the result of a variable frame rate and had nothing to do with the MPEG-4-Codec.  I corrected the issue by changing the output format in proDAD ReSpeed. Since the "activation is required" message is entirely misleading, I have asked MAGIX to remove it from their apps and supply more helpful compatibility messages.

AVI Spec:

Complete name: D:\Video\gold-mix.avi 
Format: AVI 
Format/lnto: Audio Video Interleave 
Format settings: BitmapIntoHeader 
File size: 430 MB 
Duration: 8 s 717 ms 
Overall bit rate: 41.4 Mb/s 
Frame rate: 23.976 FPS 
Writing application: Lavf60.3.100
Format: AVC 
Format/lnto: Advanced Video Codec 
Format profile: High@L4.2
Format settings: CABAC / 4 Ret Frames 
Format settings, CABAC: Yes 
Format settings, Reference frames: 4 frames 
Codec ID: H264 
Duration: 8 s 717 ms 
Bit rate: 41.4 Mb's 
Width: 2 048 pixels 
Height: 1 080 pixels 
Display aspect ratio: 1.896 
Frame rate mode: Variable 
Frame rate: 23976 (24000/1001) FPS 
Color space: YUV 
Chroma subsampling: 4.2.0
Bit depth: 8 bits 
Scan type: Progressive 
Bits/(Pixel*Frame): 0.781 
Overall bit rate: 41.4 Mb/s
Stream size: 43.0 MiB (100%) 
Writing library: x264 core 164 
Encoding settings: cabac=l / ret=3 / / analyse=Ox3:Ox113 / me—hex / subme=7 / psF1 / psy_rd=l / mixed_ret=l / me_range=16 / chroma me—I / trellis—I / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=O / deadzone=21 / tast_pskip=l / / threads=34 / 
Color range: Limited 
Color primaries: BT.709
Transfer characteristics: BT.709
Matrix coefficients: BT.709

The AVC codec shouldn't be in the AVI container/extension. AVC ie H264 should be in a MP4 container.

To get the AVC/H264 codec into an MP4 container, just use File>Export Movie> Video as MP4.

@Christopher-Zahrobsky

Hi

As @AAProds has commented 'The AVC codec shouldn't be in the AVI container/extension'

Assuming the gold-mix.avi is the file you are importing, the MediaInfo data, the line

. . . Writing application: Lavf60.3.100 . . .

would suggest that the original video file has been recorded into, or converted/remuxed, into the AVI container file format using FFMpeg, or software based on FFMpeg.

Which software was used to record or convert/remux the video file.

If converted/remuxed what was/is the original file format ?

John EB
Forum Moderator