Normal MP4(H264) - is that a lost case in PT still?

[NipL]

Hi
Short version - what do I need to run video in PT?
I assemble everything in an NLE of some sort - so just make music synced to video in daw.

Longer version....

Searched a bit and found some posts that AVE conversion of some sort i recommended.

I just need viewing, frame accurate - no editing, writing back audio, extraction audio at all.

Just hear audio from video, if any, is enough. Some are timelapse stuff, so no audio from start.

I'm on windows 7, so no quicktime is installed.

Run video in Cubase today with a VST plugin(new video engine in Cubase is a joke) - so looking at ProTools a bit.

Just seems more cumbersome at first glance - and looking in 12.8.1 manual(which actually still states quicktime is a must).

Tested three NLE, Premiere Elements, PowerDirector and Ner video - and all manage without quicktime today. I do films myself so in control in that way.

And Cubase new video engine also do without it.

So what is the verdict - can PT 12.x - do video MP4(H264) without to much extra operations?
So no need to extract audio - just play it - and no rendering or writing back audio either.

Or is it better to use the VST I use today, in a AAX wrapper like Patchwork or something. I don't get thumbnails but really don't need that either, I make markers for scenes and good enough, I think.

The VST I use is http://vidplayvst.com

But something smooth about how you just drag-n-drop a video on a track like in Reaper or Sonar - without any quicktime as well.

Thanks for any suggestions...