Can't import mp4 files (no corrpution) into Photos

Question

Level 1

16 points

Can't import mp4 files (no corrpution) into Photos

When I try to import mp4 files captured with a Samsung Galaxy S2 into Photos, I get the error: "None of these files can be imported into your photos library.". But I can import mp4 files captures with a Huawei Mate 7 into Photos (and jpg files from both phones). None of the files are corrupt, I can play them perfectly with any mp4 capable player. I run the latest versions of Photos and El Capitan.

Any idea what the problem might be ad how to solve it?

Thanks a lot,

lotlorien

OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Jan 7, 2016 2:21 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,828 points

May 12, 2016 6:37 AM in response to lotlorien

The file "format" of audio and video is not really telling you what kind of audio or video is inside the package. mp4 is just a wrapper. The internal video can be encoded in a number of ways and still be packaged up as an mp4.

When Photos imports video, it doesn't just move the file into the Library as is--it converts it to a suitable format for Photos to handle and play. If it cannot understand the underlying codec used to encode the video, then it will not be able to convert the video.

You would need to get a program that can decode the video from that device. Handbrake may be able to do that, but I'm not certain.

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Answer 2

lotlorien Author

Level 1

16 points

May 12, 2016 6:29 AM in response to lotlorien

Hello

This still holds true as of 2016-05-12 with OS X 10.11.4 and Photos 1.5.

Any idea from anyone how to solve this issue? Maybe there is a simple way to edit .mp4 files and they I can import them?

Thanks,

lotlorien

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Answer 3

lotlorien Author

Level 1

16 points

May 12, 2016 8:11 AM in response to Barney-15E

Hi Barney-15E

Thanks.

VLC can play, hence decode, all these movies. As for HandBrake, I would have to try. In any case, there does not seem to be an easy solution for the photos import.

Also, I have unchecked to copy photos to the Photos Library upon import in the preferences. (Possibly I am organized a bit differently to most users. I have my own folder structure where I store all my photos as simple files, so I can transfer/copy/feed them to any app or system as desired.) So I don't really understand what is modified in all the videos I was able to "import" (actually, it is rather linking) into photos.

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Answer 4

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,828 points

May 13, 2016 7:01 AM in response to lotlorien

VLC has most of the known codecs internal to the app package. They are not available to other programs on OS X.

Apple removed most of the obsolete and unnecessary codecs, so it must be a encoding format supported by Quicktime. Photos will not import a file it cannot understand.

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Answer 5

faroca

Level 1

9 points

Oct 22, 2016 3:11 PM in response to Barney-15E

Explanation makes perfect sense. It worked great with Handbrake, free and so easy to use. I just put the mp4 that I have in Handbreak and the program gave it the right Codec (H.264) making a new mp4 file. That way I could moved it to Photo without any problem. Thanks Barney-15E !

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

136,355 points

May 12, 2016 8:21 AM in response to lotlorien

FWIW, VLC can play a number of formats Quicktime can't. If the videos in question can play in Quicktime or QuickLook, Photos "should" be able to import them.

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Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

136,355 points

May 13, 2016 7:15 AM in response to lotlorien

Just to add to what Barney had to say. An alternative to Handbrake to convert videos is Adapter, https://www.macroplant.com/adapter/

It's free.

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