can´t edit a zoom .mp4 file
Hi, I have a recording of a zoom meeting that is 140+ Mbs big. When I try to edit it, there comes a point where part of the video turn green and/or the whole video file gets corrupted. Also when I try to extract the audio, editing becomes impossible.
Is the file to big? Any known issues? Best practices with zoom video call recordings? Thanks, Demian
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What version ScreenFlow and what system config (specific Mac model, OS version, GPU)?
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Hi, CraigS its Screenflow version 7.1.1 on a Macbook Pro 15", OS Sierra, 2,7 GHz Intel Core i7, RAM 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
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Demian zur Strassen Does your MBP have an NVIDIA GPU?
Some MP4 files can be difficult to play back.
You can select the file on the desktop, right click and select Encode Selected Video Files and then encode it to Apple ProRes. It'll be a big file but easy to playback in ScreenFlow.
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I am having the same issue with a Zoom file.
I tried the option of Encoding to an Apple Pro Res file and am still waiting for it to finish 2 hours later. It is a 20 minute video.
This is kind of not workable for me because I need to get these files edited ... Is there another option to this issue with the Zoom MP4?
My specs are the same as Dmian's.
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Kaya Bromley It shouldn't take that long to transcode. ProRes is very fast especially if you're using a MacBook Pro Quad i7. That it's taking so long may either mean there's an issue with the file or the computer (hard drive full for example).
Please do reboot the computer and try again and post back ASAP. I may need a Zoom source file to test on my end. -
Hi Craig. I rebooted and tried to do it again ... Same result. I ended up downloading a free converter called "Free MP4 Converter" (based on another suggestion from another thread).
This did allow me to edit the video. However, when I exported the video from Screenflow to my Dropbox, the video is too small for me to use on my website.
Do you have any suggestions for this?
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Kaya Bromley Given your issue I'm going to need more information to see what the issue is.
Please include version of ScreenFlow and OS (please be specific).
I also need the specific Mac model (as if I wanted to buy the same model).
The amount of Free Space on your system drive and any external drives attached (and how they are attached).
There's no reason to download any third party convertors and I'd strongly recommend most "free" convertors as they may carry security risks.
As per my previous screenshot you should be able to convert from the Mac Desktop (it's built in to the Mac). If that's not working you may have a problem with your computer that should be addressed. -
Hi. I have exactly the same problem. Prior to the upgrade to 7.1.1 I had no problems. Now I have problems editing all MP4 videos created with Zoom. It freezes, leaves green distorted images, and crashes often. i use MacBook Air, 1.6 GHz Intel iCore 5, 8G memory, Intel HD Graphics 6000 1536 MB. Please help!!!!
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Olivier Wenker The first time I tried the fix shown above and tried to open the new file in Screenflow it said Unrecognized file format. I tried a second time and it worked. Lets see how it works going forward. Lets keep the fingers crossed
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Olivier Wenker Do make sure you've updated to ScreenFlow 7.2 which includes some fixes.
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CraigS I just did and it is still doing it. Converting to a MOV file as suggested earlier in this blog seems to work but then it increases file sizes to extremely large ones (it took a 61 MB file and converted it to a 19 Gig file!!!!). That hurts when I have to finally fit about forty 30 minute to 1 hour videos on a flash drive. What other fixes do you suggest?
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Olivier Wenker Can you post a link to an MP4 file from ZOOM and I'll do test and a file analysis.
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CraigS I will but it is happening with all Zoom files. Currently I am trying to see if I can open with iMovie, save it again as MP4 and then use Screenflow with the new file. It still increases file size but not as dramatically as what I did before.
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Olivier Wenker
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CraigS see last entry
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Olivier Wenker
Thanks for posting the file.
I tested in ScreenFlow 7.2, macOS 10.13.2. It started to play but when I stopped and started it again the video froze.
I then opened the file in Telestream Switch file analysis utility.
Switched didn't show any video at all.
I noticed that there seems to be only one KeyFrame and the rest are P-Frames.
I suspect that's the issue.
The file does play in Quicktime X Player though.
So I can certainly confirm an issue. Sorry about the problem. We'll work on the file compatibility issue.
Please fill out the form. Note that I tested and confirmed a Playback issue in ScreenFlow and also analyzed in Switch which plays no video and shows a single KeyFrame. Mention that you can send them the file along with a screenshot of my analysis of the GOP structure. When they send you the case number you can respond by email with your file and my screenshot.
ScreenFlow Support Form
Currently the workaround is to re-encode the file. When doing it through Finder as I previously posted, Apple ProRes will certainly result in a large file as you point out. You can use one of the other settings such as 1080p which will make a smaller file. It might impact the aspect ratio though since your file looks like 1440x900. -
Any news about this?
As a temporary work around to avoid huge files: Could it help also to use a converter such as convert to .mp4 or .mov and then back again? Or go through iMovie? -
Demian zur Strassen Macs can convert the files right from the desktop.
Right click the file and select Encode Selected Video Files and you can select Apple ProRes (best choice in my opinion but big files) or it can encode to .m4v (much smaller files)
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Demian zur Strassen said:
Any news about this?We're working on it. If you've filled out the support form and received a case number you can email with the case number and ask for a status update.
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I'm having this same issue as well. It's has to do with the way Zoom compresses its video files very aggressively. Research I Frames vs P Frames etc. Converting it to a codec that uses P frames are always better for editing, but much larger files, and still has the occasional issues. I may have to look for a different editor if this persists.
One work-around that seems the most consistent is to re-capture the video into screenflow's native codec by doing a screen recording while playing back the Zoom mp4. This is slow because it's a real-time process, but seems to save time on the back end because I'm not having as much editing and encoding errors later.
I don't think I had this much trouble on v6, but maybe I wasn't using Zoom as much then either. -
Timothy McKean Zoom has specific issues due to their method of compression. As per my previous post you can re-encode them directly from the Finder. No need to re-record at all. It usually faster than real time.
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CraigS I found it... Thanks!
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Timothy McKean You're welcome of course.
We are investigating improved file compatibility. You can request that (more requests the greater chance it will impact development) by filling out the form I posted previously. -
I am having the same issue with zoom files. Please resolve this issue!
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Sara L Please do fill out the previously posted support form so we can contact you if needed.