Adobe Media Encoder is the hub for encoding media from Adobe media applications. There is one point of confusion for our customers, however, and that is that there are varying forms of Adobe Media Encoder, depending on which application or suite you have installed.
The codecs that are found in Adobe Media Encoder depend on which version of Creative Suite or standalone program that is installed. So, while a codec might be installed in one version of Adobe Media Encoder, it might not be found in another. This has a lot to do with licensing fees that are paid to creators of certain codecs. So, how do you find out which codecs are installed in your version of Adobe Media Encoder?
Adobe Media Encoder CS5.5 enables the following import and export formats when installed by any Adobe CS5.5 application or suite.
Import Formats
Video: AVI, DV, FLV, F4V, Animated GIF (Windows Only), MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MXF, MXF OP1a (CS5.0.2 and later), QuickTime, WMV, P2/AVC Intra, RED RAW (R3D), Video for Windows (AVI, WAV; on Mac OS, requires QuickTime player), Windows Media (WMV, Windows only)
Still-image: Photoshop (PSD), Bitmap, Cineon/DPX (CIN, DPX), GIF, Icon File (ICO), JPEG, PICT, PNG, Targa, TIFF. Adobe Media Encoder CS5.5 can also import files of any still-image format as a sequence.
Audio: Advanced Audio Coding (AAC, M4A), AIFF, ASND (Soundbooth Format), QuickTime, MP3, AVI, WAV (on Mac OS, requires QuickTime Player), WMA (Windows only), WAV
Export Formats
Video: H.264, FLV, F4V
Audio: MP3
If you have Master Collection, Production Premium, Premiere Pro, or After Effects installed, these additional import and export formats are enabled.
Import Formats
Video: DV100, DV50, MPEG4 part 2, XDCAM HD, JPEG 2000, MJPEG, MPEG2, Uncompressed AVI, VC1
Audio: AMR
Export Formats
Video/Image: MPEG-2, MPEG-2 DVD, MPEG-2 Blu-ray, MPEG-4, P2 (MXF), MXF OP1A (Adobe Media Encoder CS5.0.2), QuickTime movie (MOV; requires QuickTime), Windows Media (WMV; Windows only), Video for Windows (AVI; Windows only)
Still-image: Bitmap (BMP; Windows only), DPX, GIF (Windows only), JPEG, PNG, Targa (TGA), TIFF (TIF)
Audio: AIFF, MP3, Waveform (WAV), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), AC3 Dolby audio (except After Effects standalone version)
For more information about supported import file formats, see this page in Adobe Media Encoder Help. For more information about supported export file formats, see this page in Adobe Media Encoder Help.
Now when you encode media using Adobe Media Encoder you’ll know exactly the codecs you should expect to see.


This is slightly misleading, WMV isn’t supported on the Mac
Good point, I’ll make an adjustment to the text.
- Would you happen to know how the codecs that came with my media encoder can be reloaded? I’ve got the master collection CS 5.5.
In Master Collection, you would have all the codecs listed on this page in Media Encoder Help: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/mediaencoder/cs/using/WS725e431141e7ba651e63e3d1267818bc51-8000.html
I’m trying to figure out if Media Encoder can export the following codec on a mac:
Mpeg2 Transport Stream, H.264, 10Mbps constant bitrate
H.264 is MPEG-4 based. I’m not aware of any MPEG-2 based H.264 codec. For more info, contact customer service: http://www.adobe.com/support/service/
I have CS5.5 Master Collection but I am unable to render my avi file into any video formats. Tried just about every combination. The accompanying sound is there, but the screen is black. What am I missing please?
Hi James,
Please bring your question to our forums: http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/premierepro_current
So if i have Premiere 5.5 on my Mac laptop my media encoder cannot export to an uncompressed AVI file.
Can i load a codec on my Mac to have media encoder export an AVI file?
Yes, check out the Flip4Mac plug-in.
On Windows, using AME CS4 I can export to MPEG-1, but I don’t have that option on the Mac version-do I need a plug in (like for an AVI) or is that just a platform limitation?
Is there a way to export WMV with Media Encoder on a Mac? I have Flip4Mac WMV Studio Pro HD but it would like to use AME if possible?
Hello Kevin J Monahan,
The Flip4Mac plug-in in 64-bit AME will not work as it is a 32-bit QT component.
Apple has decided not to offer a 64-bit version of QT. Here’s a post on the Creative Cow which explains the situation: http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/3/921396#921396
Sincerely,
Kevin J Monahan
Quicktime X is 64bit but which is why it is so fast but unfortunately limited to Apple devices
more or less. Thanks for the CC link!
KJM
I thought extra codec depended on what u had installed?
Hi,
I’m having a problem here, hope you guy’s could help.
I need to export a flash video file with dolby surround sound. I received 6 wav tracks from the sound company. How could I combine these sounds into one file (flv file)?
Thanks!