opening mp4 files using the video editor in blender

Support Compositing and Post Processing
1

hi I’m new to blender, I came here in 2013 but didn’t do much.
I want to use the video editing feature of blender so I can use it in Debian since there is no sony vegas for linux.
while opening an mp4 file it says something like the file format in the file is not supported.
What can I do? I want to do things basic like adding audio tracks lowering volume, making edits and cuts to the video, add a titler and things like that. and save it again as mp4.

2

Sorry, but if Blender wont recognize it you would have to transcode it (to a blender friendly format) with Handbrake or VLC

3

How would you go about doing that? Or is it possible?