ReelWorkshop runs entirely in your browser tab, using FFmpeg compiled to run there for both preview and export. That means the files you import need to be in a format the browser and that in-browser engine can decode, which rules out a small number of less common camera and screen-recording formats.
Likely cause: an unusual codec inside a common container
A file can have a familiar extension like .mov or .mp4 while containing a codec that isn't broadly supported, such as certain professional or camera-specific codecs used for higher-end capture. The extension alone doesn't guarantee compatibility — the codec inside it matters more.
Fix: re-export or convert before importing
Run the file through a converter or your phone/camera's own export settings first, targeting a standard H.264 MP4 or MOV. Most phones already record in a compatible format by default, so this mostly affects footage pulled from a dedicated camera, drone, or older device.
| Format situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Standard phone-recorded MP4/MOV | Should import directly, no conversion needed |
| Camera footage with a less common codec | Re-export as H.264 MP4 using your camera's software or a converter first |
| Screen recording in an unusual container | Convert to MP4 before importing |
| Very old or obscure file type | Convert to MP4/H.264; check the current supported list in the app |
Prevention for future shoots
- Set your camera's recording format to a standard MP4/H.264 profile if it offers a choice, rather than a proprietary or professional codec.
- Test one clip from a new camera or app before importing your whole shoot, so you catch format issues early.
- Keep a converted, standard-format copy of footage you plan to reuse across multiple projects.
An unsupported format doesn't mean the footage is bad quality — professional and camera-specific codecs are often higher quality than what browsers can decode, they just need converting first.
When this isn't the right tool
If your workflow depends on ingesting raw camera-native codecs without a conversion step, a desktop NLE with native codec support is a better fit for that ingestion stage; you can still bring the converted footage into ReelWorkshop afterward for the compilation and export steps.
Does converting a file lose quality?
Re-encoding always involves some quality tradeoff, but exporting to a standard H.264 MP4 at a reasonably high bitrate keeps the loss minimal for compilation purposes.
Which formats definitely work?
Standard MP4 and MOV files using H.264 video import reliably; check the current supported list in the app since it can be updated over time.
Can I import audio-only files?
No, ReelWorkshop works with video clips you filmed, not standalone audio tracks.