Does Premiere Elements 2018 support H.265 (HEVC) codec?


Unable to load HEVC H.265 files into Premiere Elements 2018? Actually, Premiere Elements version 2018 doesn’t feature HEVC x265 support. To be able to use HEVC video in Premiere Elements 2018, you need to transcode them first.
HEVC H.265 and Premiere Elements 18 workflow
“Hi there, does the new version Premiere Elements 2018 support HEVC H.265? I recently updated to Premiere Elements 2018 from Premiere Elements 15. Unfortunately, I cannot edit some of my videos shot on my new iPhone 8 plus. It probably has something to do with the new codec in iOS11 (HEVC). Any thoughts on this?”

“I bought a Premiere Elements 15 half a year ago. It won’t read H.265 HEVC footage taken with GoPro Hero 6 camera. I know this version doesn’t support the new HEVC codec. My question is that does the new vesion Premiere Elements 2018 already include HEVC support? How can I get Premiere Elements working with my HEVC footage?”

As we’ve stated in the beginning, the new version of Premiere Elements currently doesn’t have support for HEVC H.265 codec. At the present time, to be able to use HEVC video in Premiere Elements, you will need to transcode the footage to an intermediate codec first, such as DNxHD. We explain how to do this via using HD Video Converter:

How to encode HEVC videos to the DNxHD codec for Adobe Elements 2018?

Here’s what you need
HD Video Converter
You can download a demo version (for both, PC and Mac) to have a try. They are not free but it is totally worth it.
HEVC H.265 and Premiere Elements workflow HEVC H.265 and Premiere Elements workflow

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Start up HD Video Converter as an HEVC to Premiere Elements converter. When its main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ to input your source media.
HEVC H.265 and Premiere Elements workflow

Step 2: Choose output format for Premiere Elements
From ‘Profile’ list, select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column. This DNxHD profile is suitable for use in Premiere Elements and other NLEs like Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, Premiere Elements, DaVinci Resolve, Edius and more.
convert HEVC H.265 to Premiere Elements
Important: If you’ve loaded a number of video clips to do batch conversion, please do remember ticking off ‘Apply to All’ option before you start.

Step 3: Custom video and audio settings
If necessary, you can click ‘Settings’ button and go to ‘Profiles Settings’ panel to modify video and audio settings like video encoder, resolution, video bit rate, frame rate, aspect ratio, audio encoder, sample rate, audio bit rate, and audio channels. 3D settings are also available.

Step 4: Start HEVC x265 to DNxHD Conversion for Premiere Elements
When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start format conversion. As soon as the conversion is complete, you can click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the exported DNxHD MOV files for use in Premiere Elements 2018 with optimum performance.

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