Using Video
You can import video files into Ableton Live for syncing with your audio projects. For tips on configuring, playing, and exporting video, follow the steps in this guide. For a detailed description of Live’s video features visit the Live User Manual.
This guide offers recommendations for:
Importing video
Optimizing playback
Windows video settings
Exporting video
Troubleshooting video issues
Importing video
Live can import the following video files for syncing video with audio projects:
| macOS | Windows |
| MOV (QuickTime Movie) MP4 (H.264) M4V |
MOV (QuickTime Movie) MP4 (H.264) AVI |
If a video can’t be imported, you may need to convert it to MP4 or MOV using a conversion tool such as Handbrake.
Image files cannot be imported.
Note: Live 10 Intro and Live Lite do not support video. Learn more about included Live features.
Optimizing playback
- Formats: Use .mov or .mp4 files for the best compatibility.
- Codec: Use H.264 as it provides high-quality compression.
- Keyframes: We recommend using videos with a keyframe every frame, or at least every two frames. Lower keyframe amounts may result in stuttered or glitchy playback.
Note: Videos using these settings may use significant disk space. When exporting video from Live, you can choose different encoding options to reduce file size.
Windows video settings
Before using video in Live on Windows:
- Run Windows Update and install any available updates.
- Update your graphics card driver.
Codecs
Live 12 no longer requires third-party codecs for video import on Windows.
In Live 11 and earlier, you need to install an additional codec to use video on Windows:
Haali Media Splitter
During installation, enable support for the formats you want (e.g., MKV, MP4, AVI). After installation, you can adjust Haali Media Splitter Settings from your Start menu.
Note: Haali Media Splitter can only decode video files with dimensions of up to 1080p.
Codec Management
As Haali Media Splitter is the only third-party codec that currently functions with Live 11 on Windows, we recommend you avoid conflicts with other third-party codecs. To avoid video issues in Live 11:
- Uninstall any other codecs you have manually installed such as FFDShow or K-Lite
- Leave only the Haali Media Splitter installed.
- You can see manually installed codecs and uninstall them in Start → Settings → Apps → Installed Apps.
macOS exclusive formats on Windows
Although some Windows codec packs may claim to support them, certain Mac-only proprietary formats such as M4A or ALAC may not work on Windows. To convert these files, use a video converter such as Handbrake.
Exporting video
To configure video encoder settings in Live:
- Go to File → Export Audio / Video (CMD + SHIFT + R).
- Enable Create Video.
- Select a Video Encoder type from the dropdown menu, then press Edit to open Video Export Settings. The available encoding options are specific to your computer’s operating system and installed codecs.
Note: on macOS, if Create Video is greyed out in the Export dialog, enable Encode PCM in the audio export settings.
The following settings offer a good balance of quality and efficiency for most projects:
| macOS | Windows | |
| Encoder |
MPEG-4 Movie is a general video format supporting various codecs like H.264 and AAC, compatible with multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Android). Apple MPEG-4 Movie is an MPEG-4 file optimized for Apple devices and software (iPhones, Macs, QuickTime). QuickTime movie (.mov) is a multimedia format used for video, audio, and text, supporting various codecs. It can be used for high-quality video editing and playback, especially on Apple devices and software. |
MPEG-4 movie offers a balance of quality and compatibility. Options depend on your installed encoders. If using Haali Media Splitter, you can select Matroska (MKV) if available. |
| Resolution |
1920x1080 (Full HD) |
|
| Framerate |
30 fps for standard use |
|
| Bitrate |
5,000 - 10,000 kbps for 1080p video Higher bitrates (e.g., 15,000+ kbps) improve quality but also increase file size significantly. For smaller file size, you can reduce the bitrate, but this can affect video quality. |
|
Troubleshooting video issues
If you run into problems with video in Live, see our dedicated article Troubleshooting issues with video.