@Lillian-Fidler

What program and version are you using?

Considering privacy concerns, are you able to put that problem file up on Google Drive for us to take a look?

First, given the low-bitrate of your file, you don't want to recode it is possible so you preserve as much quality as you can. I'd try a smart-recode with AVIDemux: open the file in AVIDemux, leave everything as-is except for the Output Format, set it to "MP4 Muxer". Then save your file. That may rewrite the file header so Magix can open it properly.

Let us know if that works or not. If not, you may have to recode it.

@CubeAce

Ray, while I agree that that bitrate is a little low for 1920x1080, it should pose no problems when opening. I've done a test with that bitrate and Magix opens it without issue. It'll be some other quirk that Magix doesn't like.

Here is the information:

Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media
Codec ID                                 : isom (isom/avc1)
File size                                : 300 MiB
Duration                                 : 15 min 49 s
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 2 651 kb/s
Frame rate                               : 25.000 FPS
Encoded date                             : 2023-12-08 00:46:29 UTC
Tagged date                              : 2023-12-08 00:46:29 UTC

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : Main@L4.2
Format settings                          : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 4 frames
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 15 min 49 s
Bit rate                                 : 2 500 kb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 4 035 kb/s
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 25.000 FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.048
Stream size                              : 282 MiB (94%)
Title                                    : mp4.264#video@GPAC0.5.1-DEV-rev4972
Writing library                          : x264 core 140 r2377 1ca7bb9
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=2 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=2 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=1 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=10 / rc=abr / mbtree=1 / bitrate=2500 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date                             : 2023-12-08 00:46:29 UTC
Tagged date                              : 2023-12-08 00:48:28 UTC
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 15 min 49 s
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 152 kb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 270 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 17.2 MiB (6%)
Title                                    : mp4.aac#audio@GPAC0.5.1-DEV-rev4972
Encoded date                             : 2023-12-08 00:48:23 UTC
Tagged date                              : 2023-12-08 00:48:28 UTC

The file does play fine in windows media player and vlc.

I will try that AVIDemux as well. I don't mind sharing the file either. Would a dropbox link work? If not I can use google drive...

@Lillian-Fidler

Yes, Dropbox would be great.

Here is the link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dd3om1hoon57xwqekm43f/RPMreleaseTerryKelly-15min.mp4?rlkey=9s07qs2xurchxow1jhgzra6pe&dl=1

I wasn't sure how to use that program, so I haven't tried that yet. I downloaded it, but it's not straight forward for me. :)

@Lillian-Fidler

Hi,

We need your hardware information and OS. Look at my signature and those of @CubeAce and @AAProds to get an idea as to what is needed.

Go to the program settings, shortcut Y, Device options tab, and look under Hardware acceleration, settings for Processing and Export. Try another option. What options do you have?

Also, what are your project settings, shortcut E? The file that you posted is 1920x1080, 25fps, strange for Canada (well, maybe not for NFLD). Is your project also 25 fps? Other files?

I imported the file into VPX15, played it with no problems, and exported it with the same settings as the project (1920x1080 25fps). It exported very quickly and plays back fine.

Great songs, great voice.

John CB

@Lillian-Fidler

Hmm, I can open the file but there's something odd about it.

What program and version are you using? There may be some system options that you can change that might make the video viewable in VPX.

I've posted some versions on Google Drive which you should be able to use:

Try this smart-recoded one:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mnmz3rNxubw8l4w4WlsDdsiHU_ypmBbg/view?usp=sharing

If that doesn't work, this one should:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qii_fBdyIJjpW0WSOQF-WeBshFcMOnrP/view?usp=sharing

@AAProds @browj2 @Lillian-Fidler

No problems opening the file here either.

I agree with Al. Something not quite right with the file, similar to a second generation copy of the original, like it has been ripped or screen grabbed from a home made DVD that has added all that additional encoding information.

In the program settings under File / Settings / Program, and in the Device options tab at the bottom where is says Video Mode. Try selecting Alternative mode 2 (Video Mixing Renderer9)

If that doesn't work try changing Processing (Directly above the video mode) to use the CPU.

Let us know how you get on.

Ray.

@Lillian-Fidler I also can open & play that file no problem, but it does have a GOP of 250, I don't know if that is the same as your other files that you can play without problems or if that long GOP would affect your playback performance, 🤷‍♂️

@Lillian-Fidler, @Former user

HI

The long GOP is unusual at a value of 250, and would account for the low bitrate of the video. It has been highly compressed.

The long GOP value of 250 does not make for good editing, and equates to 10 seconds of video, at 25 fps, between full frame images (I frames), and requires each viewed frame being calculated with the I frame and the following P and B frames for what is a relatively long time and discrepencies can creep in during editing.

Normal GOP lengths are 1/2 of, or equal to the framerate of the video.

Has the video been converted from another video format using a program such as FFmpeg, or a converter that is FFmpeg based?

If not how was this video captured?

John EB
Forum Moderator

@johnebaker I was given the file from someone that I don't know for the artist. So I'm not sure how it was captured or if it was converted. I appreciate the feedback for sure!

@Former user I have several other files that are working fine and from different people, I can't see what the GOP is however they are all 30 or 29.97.

@AAProds @browj2 @CubeAce

Thanks to all and I hope that I answer the questions you had. I'm on a Windows 11 Machine and I'm using Magix Video Pro X 14. Thank you @AAProds for those files. I will give those a try.

@browj2 I tried all three of the acceleration options but it didn't change anything. See my project settings attached.

Much appreciated!

@AAProds The second file works perfectly! I will use that and thank you so much for taking the time to do that. Thanks to all @johnebaker @Former user @browj2 @CubeAce for your help as well. This was for a virtual album launch and we got this piece at the last minute, put it in the timeline and didn't realize it was black for 90% of the piece until it was going out live on youtube. It will be good to let the artist know where the issue originated. It looks to me like the file had some issues. Thanks again everyone. If you have any further comments on my setup or anything else, I'd gladly hear them. I've used Premiere pro mostly and am fairly new to Magix. We are going to be airing the 2 hour launch again on the 28th and if anyone would like to view it, I'll send you a link :)

@Lillian-Fidler

Hi Lillian.

You have the wrong frame size and frame rate set for that video file which probably doesn't help (or it is different from other clips used in the project) but @browj2 was also asking to know the settings I also described in my reply directly below John's in the program settings rather than the movie settings.

If you are using different files from different places I personally would not have the 'Use settings as presets for new movies' ticked.

In general, mixing files from different sources that can contain different file formats, frame speeds and resolutions can make the whole process of editing more difficult and harder to process.

Ray.

@Lillian-Fidler

Hi Lillian,

I would like to view the 2-hour launch. Please send me the link.

Go with what you now have. It would be good to find out the source of the video and how it got the way it is to make sure that you get a better file next time...and for whoever produced it to improve their process.

Please put your computer specs in your signature.

Good luck with the project!

John CB

@Lillian-Fidler

My pleasure Lillian. These video oddities pop up occasionally and a full recode normally fixes them.

@Former user

it does have a GOP of 250

Gday Gid, how'd you get that info?

@CubeAce Here are my settings. I can't see where to do:  'Use settings as presets for new movies'

as you suggested. This was the only piece that was 25 fps btw.

@browj2 will do! thanks and if you want to send me your email address I will send you a link the day before the show. I will put my specs in my signature as well. thanks!

@Lillian-Fidler

Hi Lillian.

The only thing I can think of to try is to change the middle box (processing) to CPU and see if that allows the clip to be rendered visibly. It could be something to do with the GPU not having a hardware video encoder. Of that I'm not overly sure as I have no experience with AMD hardware but looking at the specs for the Radeon RX5700XT it doesn't mention any on the site I'm looking at. It is possible that that may be the wrong box and it is export that if changed could work. @Former user may have more of a clue than me as he has more experience with AMD than I do.

Also your specs don't mention the Graphics card (the Radeon RX5700XT) for some reason. If it wasn't for your image I would not have known you had it.

It is a puzzle and that clip does not play properly in Windows Media Player either on an Intel powered screen. It does play and give a picture, but not what anyone would expect. Plays fine on an nvidia powered monitor.

It's unfortunate you were given such an odd file.

Ray.