iTunes 12 will not allow movies to be added

Older Mac Pro, OS 10.7.5, iTunes 12.0.1.26.

Permissions repaired, directory checked, no problems.

Hard drive is OK, plenty of space.

Been using this computer for a couple years now as my Apple TV streaming source.

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The only movies I can appear to add are those with mp4 extension or ones I created using iMovie. Movies I have already had and added to my library that have m4v extension still remain in the library (on my media drive, so designated by iTunes Preferences and reverified that it has not changed).

Also, I cannot drag and drop even those movies that Ad File to Library will add.

So, I am just guessing, Apple has messed something up with this release.

--- A side note, on my newer Mac Pro running Yosemite and iTunes 12.0.1.26 I have the same problem. Apple did a nice job with allowing my "registered computers" to be automatically logged in to without having to enter my info. That aside, I can navigate to my other computer's media drive, select the movie - an mp4 - and it does not add to the iTunes on my Yosemite computer! Yes, I waited an appropriate time to allow cross computer getting the file, it did not appear in the reading bar.

I used to be able to Handbrake my movies to mp4, even with the m4v extension, and drag them onto the iTunes window and they would add. I could then Get Info and get them into the correct Genre.

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So, despite following the help and what and doing all the proper checks….

Just how does one add mp4 or m4v movies to the NEW iTunes?

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5), 2007 machine

Posted on Oct 18, 2014 7:58 AM

97 replies

Dec 7, 2014 12:35 AM in response to coal911

Directly dragging and dropping videos in iTunes is a pain indeed: either it doesn't work, the videos are incompatible, or they show up in the wrong section. There are several apps out there that are specifically designed to deal with this. My favourite is VideoDrive. Simply drag and drop video files on there and they appear in iTunes, with metadata and even artwork. Takes care of the whole thing without a hassle. I also like it can start a wireless sync with my iPad afterwards, so I don't have to worry about that either. I believe there's a free version as well.

coal911

Level 1

0 points

Dec 7, 2014 7:42 AM in response to Tomeranaray

You know I will try it out .. sounds good! Down loading it right Meow.

Dec 13, 2014 2:11 PM in response to coal911

I'm very impressed with VideoDrive 3, I have added all my movies and even a couple of TV Series to iTunes, all without a problem. I really like that files like Breaking.Bad.S04E05.mkv are automatically added as a TV Show of Breaking bad, season 4, episode 5. All without doing anything. I did have a some issues with adding MP4 files, but they just released a bug fix release that should fix this. Will try it now.

Dec 26, 2014 7:22 AM in response to Rick Prescott

Where the **** is the "Home Videos" folder???????

coal911

Level 1

0 points

Dec 29, 2014 6:38 AM in response to Rijkaard73

Click the movie icon on the top left of iTunes then all categories will show across the top like this( My Movies Unwatched Home Videos Playlist iTunes Store)

Dec 31, 2014 12:12 PM in response to coal911

thank you. this was helpful as i did not notice change to interface.

dmarnel

Level 1

5 points

Jan 13, 2015 10:24 AM in response to Rijkaard73

I was pretty frustrated not being able to find the Home Videos tab either. It turns out I had to export a video from Quicktime -> iTunes to make the Home Videos tab appear.

Jan 16, 2015 7:14 AM in response to Rick Prescott

To Add home videos to Movies on the latest iTunes go to the home video page and right click then press get info - Options - then where it says home video click it and change it to movies

Jan 22, 2015 9:04 AM in response to Jesse Melchior1

Thanks! Your info sure helped!

Feb 12, 2015 9:03 AM in response to gameb0y11

Thanks, this fixed the issue for me!

Feb 21, 2015 2:21 AM in response to Rick Prescott

download iDentify right click the m4v file in finder that you ripped into iTunes open with iDentify and one click that program will drop the ripped video onto itunes where it can be seen on your iTunes movie library.

Feb 26, 2015 12:36 PM in response to Rick Prescott

OK, so I think a few others have hit on this but for newcomers to the thread, it appears all video files now need to be converted before going into iTunes (I am currently on version 12.1.0.50 The latest version at the time of writing) and the simple drag and drop that makes Apple such a pleasure to work with has now been replaced by a process!

Simplest way as others have mentioned is to open the movie file up into Quicktime:

QuickTime Player (version at time of writing 10.4) > File > Export > iTunes

You will then be asked what devices you want to convert it for, personally I go for the right option which gives you the most options (and creates the biggest file size) if you want to be more specific or save disc space there are less compatible options to run with. on selection the movie will appear directly in iTunes after the conversion process finishes.

File path for converted files: Users > 'Home Folder' > Music > iTunes > iTunes Music > Home Videos

Other options are within iMovie and other Apple software, I have tried converting video files using other software on the market, copying the movie files direct to the iTunes source folders and changing a multitude of preferences but nothing else seems to work.

Hope this helps some of you that may be new to the thread!

Mar 5, 2015 11:34 AM in response to Mad Dog The Englishman

General comment, not a reply to the above which does work. But good grief! This is one of biggest bonehead changes of all time! The ease and elegance of drag and drop had to be changed to this ridiculous process? WHY??

Mar 5, 2015 11:42 AM in response to lovesblue

I think the reason is because there are so many video formats out there, it's almost impossible to fully support them all. Apple also has no incentive to support all these formats as they offer a store full of movies and TV Shows. I use VideoDrive all the time to replace the missing drag and drop support. Every video I drop on VideoDrive gets converted to the iTunes format while downloading artwork and descriptions. The software is not free but if you have a lot of videos, it's definitely worth it in my opinion.

Mar 5, 2015 11:49 AM in response to Tomeranaray

Thanks for the reply. That makes sense but what a pain in the butt. I found a free program to convert my niece's avi files to MP4 and then did the Quick Time export routine. Thank heavens I do NOT do this with any frequency. Just some old files of little nephews doing cute stuff I wanted to save. I will keep Video Drive in mind in case I have further need.

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iTunes 12 will not allow movies to be added