Can I import MPEG-4 files into Windows Movie Maker in Windows Vista?

Anonymous
2009-08-16T21:07:02+00:00

Windows Media Player 11 recognizes and plays MPEG-4 just fine but WMM doesn't recognize them.  I would like to import some MPEG-4 files into Movie Maker and work with them - is there a codecs or something that allows this? 

I'm sure I can find a program to convert MP4 into a format MM will recognize but if possible I'd like to just skip the conversion step and work with MP4 directly in MM.

Thanks!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2009-08-17T00:51:03+00:00

Windows Media Player 11 recognizes and plays MPEG-4 just fine but WMM doesn't recognize them.  I would like to import some MPEG-4 files into Movie Maker and work with them - is there a codecs or something that allows this? 

I'm sure I can find a program to convert MP4 into a format MM will recognize but if possible I'd like to just skip the conversion step and work with MP4 directly in MM.

Thanks!

====================================================

Movie Maker is not compatible with MP4 files...

best bet would be to convert them to .wmv.

The following freebie might be worth a try:

Format Factory

http://www.pcfreetime.com/

All to MP4 / 3GP / MPG / AVI / WMV / FLV / SWF.

All to MP3 / WMA / AMR / OGG / AAC / WAV.

All to JPG / BMP / PNG / TIF / ICO / GIF / TGA.


John Inzer - MS-MVP - Digital Media Experience

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

44 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-14T21:22:30+00:00

    This post was helpful even in 2013 since it seems it's still true.

     

    Can I submit some suggestions for this product?

    • When importing a file through the dialog box, exclude *.mp4 files.
    • If a user drags and drops the .mp4 file on to the application, show a user friendly message such as, "We are sorry, that video format is not supported. Please convert it to *.wmv first before importing."

    ===============================================

    You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.

    The following site would be a good place to post your suggestions:

    Windows Live Movie Maker Feedback

    https://feedback.live.com/default.aspx?productkey=moviemaker&wa=wsignin1.0

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-14T19:40:12+00:00

    This post was helpful even in 2013 since it seems it's still true.

    Can I submit some suggestions for this product?

    • When importing a file through the dialog box, exclude *.mp4 files.
    • If a user drags and drops the .mp4 file on to the application, show a user friendly message such as, "We are sorry, that video format is not supported. Please convert it to *.wmv first before importing."

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-01T03:31:49+00:00

    Don't know if this is going to help anyone now, but I have found a way. 

    VLC Media Player - by VideoLAN Team.

    1. download VLC Media Player (it can be found on sourceforge) Google it to find download.
    2. once installed go o Media -> Convert/Save
    3. add the .mp4 file(s) you would like to convert to .wmv
    4. next to the 'convert/save' button there is a dropdown. select Convert from the drop down.
    5. select the Profile type "Video - WMV + WMA (ASF)" this is the format readable by Windows Movie Maker.
    6. select the destination of where you want your file saved. I did the same folder with different extension.
    7. click convert and sit back. Your new .wmv file is on the way.

    So far I have used VLC for a multitude of task. ive used it in Kiosk to display logos that Ive created, ive used it for others to watch DVD's on windows when media player had no codec's, and i've used it when media player couldn't handle MP4's!

    Every time I have ran into a media player road block, VLC has seem to be a univeral answer.

    Did I mention its Free? Did I mention that it has no AD's? Did I mention that its Open Source?

    Sorry Microsoft, I have to give props to VLC over Media Player/Movie Maker.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2012-10-30T09:38:19+00:00

    <Removed>

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments