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

First I installed Windows Live Movie Maker (under Windows Vista), and it would not recognize my MP4 files. After some surfing I decided to bow my head and convert my files before importing. I installed Format Factory from pcfreetime. Guess what? Windows Live Movie Maker suddenly recognized my MP4 files, without conversion, and I was able to trim and collate as desired. A streak of luck :)

But how did it recognize it?
I have the same problem.

My MPEG-4 and.3gp video files were downloaded to my Vista 32-bit PC from memory card, taken from cellphone.
I had the same problem after uninstalling Nokia PC Suite: neither of these formats were recognised by Windows Media Player or Windows Movie Maker.
Re-installing Nokia PC Suite solved the problem immediately: both MPEG-4 & .3gp formats accepted in WMP and WMM.
I suggest downloading drivers/applications from the manufacturers (usually free) of the cellphone/camera.
These appear to contain the necessary codecs for the video format which they produce.

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Your suggestion might be helpful, but it is hard to tell because the free download is sooooo limited it can not be tested which means you have to buy it to try it. 

So, beware before downloading ... it isn't a full, real trial (unless I was doing something terribly wrong)

Your suggestion might be helpful, but it is hard to tell because the free download is sooooo limited it can not be tested which means you have to buy it to try it. 

So, beware before downloading ... it isn't a full, real trial (unless I was doing something terribly wrong)

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This one is actually free:

Format Factory
http://www.pcfreetime.com/

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John Inzer - MS-MVP - Digital Media Experience - Notice_This is not tech support_I am a volunteer - Solutions that work for me may not work for you - ***Proceed at your own risk***

But how did it recognize it?
I have the same problem.

Don't know how... can't be luck it worked for me!!.....Installed Windows Live Movie Maker (WLMM) on Win7.  Mp4, from camera phone, would open and run video in WLMM but with no audio......... both audio and video would work in Live Picture Gallery. Asked and checked around with no joy so decided to try Format Factory, as suggested by Orbilin and Volunteer J. above, to convert files.

 After install there was no immediate change, so converted one file to wmv and opened in WLMM. This proved only partially succesfull, the file was foreshortened for some reason. However I then retried origional MP4 files in WLMM without conversion....and they loaded and ran in vision... and sound!!.  The why or how I leave to more advanced minds other than the obvious that there is something in FF that is missing from WLMM.  For me, problem solved..... with many thanks for the contributions above. 

 

Likely because the converter contained a codec of some sort which allows WMM to read mp4s

Likely because the converter contained a codec of some sort which allows WMM to read mp4s

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One thing is certain...there is no "one-size-fits-all" answer when it comes to video editing.

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Volunteer J - MS-MVP - Digital Media Experience - Notice_This is not tech support_I am a volunteer - Solutions that work for me may not work for you - ***Proceed at your own risk***

format factory is free and works great thanks for freeware alot of people dont have to pay for alot of software.