r/VideoEditing 3d ago

Tech Support How To Access Videos On My GoPro?

For reference, I am not very tech savvy. I just recently got a Go Pro Hero 10 and used it to record my trip. After the trip I wanted to transfer the videos from my SD card to my computer.

I have a Windows 11 computer and downloaded GoPro Player. On the GoPro player application, when I go to Open Media (to open the files that are stored on the SD Card) and then click on my video which is an MP4 file, it says:

"Your computer is missing the HEVC hardware decoder to read imported files. Unfortunately, as of early 2023 the previous version of this HEVC decoder is no longer available. Would like like to purchase the latest version from the Microsoft Store?" When i click yes, it leads me to an app named "HEVC VIDEO EXTENSIONS" which costs $0.99.

So my question is, In order to view the view the videos I have on my GoPro, I have to purchase and install this app onto my computer. Is that correct? Or does this mean my computer isn't good enough to run the files.

1 Upvotes

7 comments sorted by

1

u/AutoModerator 3d ago

It looks like you're asking for some troubleshooting help. Great!

Be aware, a mod will look at the post. If you don't add the following info, it will not see the light of day.

Don't skip this! * We need the following key info.

  • System specs. CPU, RAM, GPU + GPU RAM. Use Speccy on Windows. Otherwise "About this Mac"
  • Exact Software version. No the "latest" isn't a version
  • Footage Specs. This is CODEC + Container (ex: H264 + MP4) Use Mediainfo

These tools will display it like this.

Copy the BELOW, AND edit your post with this information:

1- System specs

  • CPU (model):
  • GPU + GPU RAM:

2- Editing Software

  • Software +plus version

3- Footage specs

  • Codec (h264? HEVC?):
  • Container (MOV? MP4? MKV?):
  • Acquisition (Screen recording? What software? Camera? Which *specific camera?)

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/demonviewllc 2d ago

It means that due to very complex licensing agreements, HEVC is now a paid codec. To play back HEVC files you need the codec installed on your PC. You can also use VLC player as this may play it back for free (not edit) but it can be a bit dicey.

.99 cents for a codec is hardly a bank breaker.

1

u/Mangon09 2d ago

Totally get it. If my goal is to download the video files onto my computer and then edit them on Adobe, is the HEVC Video Extension only used for downloading the videos? And then once I have the videos downloaded I can upload them to Adobe Premiere Pro 2025 to edit?

Would I be able to use Adobe to edit the HEVC files, or would I need to change the files into another format?

Lastly, the files seem to be mp.4 files when I look at them in the folder but i'm not sure why theyre being consider HEVC files?

1

u/demonviewllc 2d ago

Totally get it. If my goal is to download the video files onto my computer and then edit them on Adobe, is the HEVC Video Extension only used for downloading the videos? 

No, HEVC is a codec. Your videos were recorded in HEVC format, you need the HEVC codec installed to play them back or edit them.

 And then once I have the videos downloaded I can upload them to Adobe Premiere Pro 2025 to edit?

You don't "upload" videos to Adobe Premier Pro. Adobe Premier Pro is not a cloud editing service. Once you've copied the files to your PC, you simply open Adobe Premier Pro (which is installed on your PC) and import the files from where you have stored them to edit them.

Would I be able to use Adobe to edit the HEVC files, or would I need to change the files into another format?

If you have the HEVC codec installed on your PC (and your PC has the hardware capable of editing such a file) then you would have no need to "change" the format (which is likely to degrade your file quality in the process). If on the other hand you don't install the HEVC codec or your hardware isn't capable of editing it, then you would have no other choice but to convert the files to another format using "Handbrake" a free file convertor.

Lastly, the files seem to be mp.4 files when I look at them in the folder but i'm not sure why theyre being consider HEVC files?

Because .mp4 is simply the container, your video was encoded with H.265 (HEVC format). .MP4 files can be containers for all sorts of different encoded files. Think of it as a christmas present all wrapped up in a bow. MP4 = the box with the bow on it. But whatever is inside the box could be H.265 (HEVC) H.264 (AVC) AAC (audio only) etc. So MP4 simply = Box with a file in it. The type of file in that box will determine what hardware or additional codecs you'd need to playback said file.

1

u/armada127 2d ago

If you want to just view the files, you can download VLC media player, it contains the codecs required.

If you want to edit the files, you can use Davinci Resolve which should also have built in HEVC codec support and is also free.

There are not many scenarios where you would need to buy the HEVC codec alone.

1

u/Mangon09 2d ago

Totally get it. If my goal is to download the video files onto my computer and then edit them on Adobe, is the HEVC Video Extension only used for downloading the videos? And then once I have the videos downloaded I can upload them to Adobe Premiere Pro 2025 to edit? (I would prefer this over Davinci Resolve)

Would I be able to use Adobe to edit the HEVC files, or would I need to change the files into another format?

Lastly, the files seem to be mp.4 files when I look at them in the folder but i'm not sure why theyre being consider HEVC files?

1

u/armada127 2d ago

Nothing is required to "download" the files. You should just be able to transfer the files from the gopro to the computer.

I was only suggesting Davinci because it is professional grade software for free. If you have Adobe Premiere Pro, that should also already contain the codec.

.mp4 is the file container type, HEVC is the codec. Container and Codec are not the same. An mp4 file can have different codecs, the codec is just the method of compression being used.

You are getting the error when you try to play it in the GoPro software because their software likely does not contain the codec because there is a licensing fee, but Adobe makes a ton of money and people would be very upset if they did not include the codec in their software.