Computer help: Trying to salvage vacation video on unsupported but still working program
Q: We recently returned from a bucket list trip and loaded all our pictures and movie clips from our adventure onto our trusty Lenovo ThinkCentre All-in-One. We took all the photos and videos from the trip with Olympus, Panasonic and Canon cameras, though the Panasonic acted strangely at one point so we ended up using the other two cameras most. After putting all the media on our computer, we created a Movie Maker file to compile it all into a vacation video. In testing the video out, we found that the files from the Panasonic camera files did not playback correctly -- audio was fine but no video displayed. The files from the Olympus and Canon played perfectly though. I should add that our Movie Maker program is no longer supported but still seems to work without issue. Any idea what we can do?
-- Gus H., Stuart
A: Given that you'd mentioned your Panasonic camera was not working well during your trip, there is a chance that the files created with it are corrupt and unusable. If that's the case then you may want to reach out to Panasonic support at (800) 211-7262 for additional help, since no amount of tinkering in Movie Maker will make a difference if the source material isn't viable.
Having said that, it could also be that Movie Maker does not have the right codecs installed for working with files from Panasonic devices. Codecs are small file patches that allow audio and video playback and editing programs to work seamlessly with specific media file types or with media files from specific sources. If Movie Maker requires a specific codec to work with files from Panasonic cameras, and those codecs are not installed, then those files may not playback correctly, if at all, in Movie Maker after they are loaded.
One way to fix this is to tell Movie Maker to automatically install any codecs it needs whenever an incompatible media file gets loaded into it.
To do this, launch Movie Maker, click the "Tools" menu and then "Options." In the next window that appears, click on the "General" tab and then place a check beside the line reading "Download Codecs Automatically" and then "OK." Then click "File," "Import into Collections" and select one of your Panasonic files from the hard drive -- this will get the program to install the correct codecs for it at that point.
Note: If this does not work or if Movie Maker cannot locate the right codecs for your Panasonic-derived files even after performing these steps, then it may still be an issue with the source files and in that case you should reach out to Panasonic support and ask for additional assistance.
Beyond that, another potential cause could be that your version of Movie Maker needs to be updated or is a truncated version of the program, the latter being possible since you mention that the version you're using is no longer supported.
Microsoft stopped making a workable free version of Movie Maker a few years back. While free versions, or older versions, of the program exist and can still be used to some degree, many of the program's features are either truncated or they produce unusable end products, such as video with no sound or sound with no video.
To fix that, you'll need to pay for the full version of the Movie Maker program, which is $14.99 as of this writing. This unlocks all the program's features and makes it entirely workable. Install that over the free version you currently have on your system and your files should export and playback without issue after the fact. To do this please visit this URL: https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/hd-movie-maker-pro/9N9KBWP6HVQQ?hl=en-us&gl=US
If you prefer not to pay for the full version of Movie Maker and want something more robust in its capabilities, then you can always install an alternative program.
If budget is no option, then go for Adobe Premiere Pro, which is the leading title in this category. It's available for $238 but can also be rented month-to-month without annual contract for $20.99 per month. For more information please visit this URL: https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html
If looking for a less expensive option, then please give Filmora a try, which is available for $49.99 per year. For more information visit the following URL: https://filmora.wondershare.net/
One note: If you choose to install an alternative title over Movie Maker, then know that you will most likely need to re-assemble your project from scratch in those programs because the exported file from Movie Maker will not be workable for you (because it has not been unlocked via the full version payment).
Realistically that's most likely your best option, even if it's not the most fair.
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: trying to salvage vacation video on unsupported program
