How to Fix MP4 Files and After Effects Import Issues

Looking to Import MP4 to After Effects? We all know that After Effects support MP4. However, many users have been facing issues when they try to import an MP4 file into After Effects. Why is this happening? And how to fix this issue? Well, you could be facing importing issues due to the MP4 file codec.

After Effects prefers H.264 and MPEG4 codecs, while MP4 is a container format that can hold various audio and video codecs. So if you receive an error message, or the video display is not proper, then you may have to install the codec used by the file. But then it’s not easy to find and install the codec.

What Are Adobe After Effects?

Adobe After Effects is a professional tool used for creating motion graphics and visual effects. It’s mainly used in video industries, Media, and Movies for production work. Tools allow you to create graphics and add special effects to videos, images, and audio. 

Using After Effects, you will be able to create anything from basic visual effects to complex animations.

What are the Issues when exporting MP4 files from After Effects?

There are several issues that you may encounter when exporting MP4 files from Adobe After Effects, including:

Format compatibility:

 Some older or less commonly used video formats may not be compatible with the H.264 codec used to export MP4 files, and you may need to convert them to a different format before using them in After Effects.

Large file sizes:

 MP4 files can be large, especially if they contain high-resolution images or video, so you may need to reduce the size of the file to make it more manageable.

Long export times: 

Exporting MP4 files can take a long time, especially if the composition is long or contains complex effects.

Video quality issues: 

Poorly optimized settings or a low bitrate can result in a low-quality video that is pixelated or has visible compression artifacts.

Audio/video synchronization: 

If the audio and video tracks in your MP4 file are not properly synchronized, it can be difficult or impossible to correct this after the file has been exported.

To avoid these issues, it's important to carefully review and adjust the format options, output settings, and codecs used when exporting MP4 files from After Effects. You may also need to optimize your media files and composition for export to ensure that the final result is of the highest quality.

Can After Effects Render MP4?

There is a way to get MP4 and After Effects to play well. You can convert the MP4 file to After Effects-supported MPEG2 encoded MPG file format. And then transfer the converted .mp4 video to After Effects for edit. You need third-party software for help. There are many tools available out there. Choose a reliable one to convert.

The procedure is similar to almost all tools:

  • You need to download and install the software.
  • Then load MP4 files to the program, and click on Add Video button to import MP4 files. Or you can directly drag and drop them into the program.
  • Next, you should choose the output format, i.e MOV, MPEG2, or WMV.
  • The output videos will have the original quality of the MP4 video.
  • Finally, you need to hit on Convert button for the conversion process to begin.

Wait for some time. That’s it; your file is now converted to be used in After Effects. Now the file can be imported into After Effects CC/CS6/CS5, etc., for editing.

However, if the above procedure was not helpful enough to fix trouble importing MP4 in After Effects then there are high chance that your MP4 files are corrupt. Here’s how you can learn how to repair a corrupt MP4 file on Mac.

Summary
Default image
John Harris

Senior Editor, Content Analyst and a fan of exceptional customer service. John develops and publishes instructional and informational content regarding partition management, Windows hot-fixes, data management and computer troubleshooting.

As a tenured data recovery specialist, John shares exceptional insights and blog posts about data loss and data recovery across any storage device. With 8+ years’ experience in writing for Data Recovery for both Mac OS and Windows OS computers, he is an avid learner who always wants to polish and simplify the data recovery process. John passes his free time playing Chess and reading Science Fiction novels.

Articles: 519

Leave a Reply