In Maya, create an and check the box for Use Image Sequence .
If your video won't load, it is likely a missing system-level codec rather than a Maya bug. Maya.mp4
Use the Maya Hardware 2.0 renderer to output a sequence of frames, then compile them into an MP4 using video editing software. Quick Tips for Maya Video Workflow In Maya, create an and check the box for Use Image Sequence
Some third-party plugins can force real-time MP4 playback on image planes by using custom FFmpeg builds . Exporting MP4 via Playblast Quick Tips for Maya Video Workflow Some third-party
If you use an MP4 on an image plane, it may drastically slow down your viewport. If it does, switch the image plane's display mode to None when you aren't actively using it as a reference. codec issues - Forums, Autodesk
Many professionals playblast to a high-quality .avi or .webm format and then use Clipchamp or Handbrake to convert it to a standard H.264 MP4 for sharing.
Before working with heavy video files, ensure Autosave is enabled under Windows > Settings/Preferences > Preferences > Files/Projects to prevent data loss if a codec causes a crash.