Convert non standard avi to standard avi

[Captain315]

I have an avi file that properties say is an avi 2.0 file. However, every program I try to use to convert it to DVD format gives some different error number. When trying to play it on MediaPlayer and other programs, it says the file type is not supported even though it's supposed to play avi files. I'd like to know if there is a "simple" way of converting this file to one that can be used by standard programs. I think it was done with a trial copy of Vegas.

Thanks!

[redwudz]

AVI comes in many different flavors. Have you ran it through AVIcodec or Gspot to see what they say? The OS 'properties' don't really give you enough information. Also you might try VLC Media Player as it plays most files without external codecs, in case this is a codec problem.

As far as converting, find out what format it is, and then you may figure out what is needed to convert it.

[Captain315]

Thanks redwudz! I got Gspot and AVIcodec to identify it as an AVI v2.0 by Sony Media. It still won't load into any programs I have that can change it to DVD format but now it plays on the MediaPlayer for some reason. This is not making me happy as they are family films where the original tape has been recorded over now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated by this rank amateur.

[redwudz]

Give this a try, download the Panasonic DV codec and see if that works. Microsoft calls the DV codec used by the OS 'dvsd' and identifies it as a Sony codec. If that seems familiar, then it might be the answer.

After install, if it works, you should be able to open the file with VirtualDub or VD Mod or be able to encode it with TMPGEnc or other encoders to convert it to MPEG-2 for DVD.

[Captain315]

redwudz:
I don't know how to thank you for your advice. I downloaded the codec like you suggested and now everything works great. I just wish I had the knowledge you do about this stuff. I get about as mixed up as a turkey feather in a hurricane reading these posts and guides. I never know which ones to try and when I do, I get so frustrated when none of them work. Which, makes me even more confused.

Thanks for taking the time to help out this old man. It is greatly appreciated.

[redwudz]

You are welcome. I got 90% of my knowledge about video from hanging around this site. It just takes a while for most of it to make sense.