“Prior to updating the software I had no issues... [with CC 2018] I frequently get 'Cannot read from source' errors, or Media Encoder just hangs.” Adobe · 8 years ago

is a solid choice if you are maintaining a legacy project or using an older Mac that cannot run newer Creative Cloud versions. However, if your hardware supports it, upgrading to newer versions (v26.0+) is recommended for modern GPU acceleration and support for current RAW camera formats.

Users on Adobe Community have noted mixed experiences with this version on older hardware:

“It’s a versatile and powerful tool that seamlessly integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications... consistently delivers top-notch results.” Software Advice

: Version 12.1.2 introduced critical updates, including Variable Frame Rate (VFR) support for H.264 and H.265 containers, which is vital for footage from smartphones or DJI drones.