Codec problem

Question

When going to play a movie, it says, "the selected file cannot be played becsue your system does not have the required compressor/decompressor (codec) installed"  I ahve quicktime installed.  the files are "..._ts.vob" files.  Help!

Answer 1

azslf
Lots to go over. I will give you the bottom lines and then go into details..I suspect
a. You are not using the correct files from the DVD disc
b. Your project is not set up correctly with regard to project settings
Your reply with more details will help sort this out.
My Details Customized To The Situation That You Describe....
Part 1. Introduction
Your focus should be on the VIDEO_TS Folder on the DVD disc. And, specifically only the VIDEO_TS Folder's files named VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_02_1.VOB, VTS_03_1.VOB, etc. Nothing else.
There are several ways to transfer these specific files into a Premiere Elements 12 Windows project.
Typical transfer issues could be related to video and audio quality, but more often to out of sync audio.
1. As you did, you could copy/paste them to the computer hard drive and import them into 12 Expert workspace with the program's Add Media/Files and Folders/Project Assets and from there drag them to the Timeline.
2. The preferred way is to insert the DVD disc into the DVD burner tray, open Premiere Elements 12 (with the correct project preset set beforehand), and use Add Media/"DVD Camera or Computer Drive"/Video Importer.
3. If problems with out of sync audio, then the use of the computer Command Prompt to get these files into one file containing the seamless merged files) has been the answer for many in this situation. When you do that, instead of importing individual VOBs into a project with Add Media/Files and Folder/Project Assets instead you bring in one file DVD.VOB. See
http://www.atr935.blogspot.com/2013/09/pe-dvd-videoseamless-vob-ripping.html
Typically "2" works well and you do not have to bother with "1" or "3".
Part 2. Suggested Workflow
Another important matter is setting up the project so that the project settings match the properties of your source files. Premiere Elements 12 is setup to take control over doing that job. Sometimes it does it OK, and sometimes not OK. When not OK, then you set the project preset (the project settings) manually.
To do that, open Premiere Elements 12 Expert workspace, File Menu/New/Project and change the project preset to NTSC DV Standard. Before you close out of the final dialog there, make sure you have a check mark next to "Force Selected Project Settings on This Project".
Here I have assumed that your DVD represent NTSC DV Standard 4:3 and not NTSC DV Widescreen and that you are in a NTSC rather than a PAL setup.
Make sure you have your first DVD in the DVD burner tray, in the Expert workspace, Add Media/"DVD Camera or Computer Drive"/Video Importer. Select only the files with names VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_02_01.VOB, VTS_03_1.VOB as it applies to you. Use the file size as an indicator of what you have plus your previewing opportunities in the Video Importer.
For this first try, leave the Video Importer's Save In: with the default Videos location. And there have a check mark next to "Add to Timeline". There are additional important details on how to deal with the additional DVD discs that you may have. I will go over that detail which will involved the Save In so that do not run into Already Imported Errors.
We can go over each phase of the process at whatever pace you want to go at. But, I need your specific details to do that.
We will be watching for your results. Please do not hesitate to ask questions and ask for clarification on anything written.
Thank you.
ATR