pleas help with files that "can't be played, possibly corrupt, missing

[joeAgain------]

(like possible missing headers, footers, frames, incomplete, etc....I don't know what!)

I have a bunch of downloaded video files that when I try to open and play them in most every type player, a popup comes up saying it can't be played because file is possibly corrupt, etc. Most are ones I can't get again, so would like to try fixing before deleting them.

Is there a really good "fixer/repaired" program that Really Works to fix the headers, footers or other corrupted format or missing parts that keep them from playing?

I've seen a range prices between $19 to $39 for such media fixing programs on a Google search. I even tried one(shareware) and it didn't work.

Are there any that really DO fix them for most video types for sure?

When I right click and chose "Properties" on them, I get a number of different things. Some say "mpeg files", others just say "media file", so I have no idea the true file types. If they are "mpeg's", I don't know if they are type 1, 2 or 4, or what.

AND is there a free program that would tell me all the technical info about them?

[guns1inger]

Start by using G-Spot (latest beta), mediainfor or avicodec to identify what type of video and audio you have, and what codecs you require to play them back. I don't have very much faith in so called repair software. Most of them are useful in a very limited number of circumstances, and outside of those they are useless. So work out what you have and what you need first. They might not be broken.

[Baldrick]

vlc media player

[jimmalenko]

Naivety has led me to believe at one point or another that corruptions of the sort you describe are fixable.

However practice has shown me that as a golden rule, if AVISynth can't open it (so I can reencode it), then it's not worth the time or hassle even trying to repair it. Unfortunately that's the price you pay (there's always a hidden cost somewhere ) when you download.

[joeAgain------]

Forgive me Jimmalenko, but I looked at AVISynth, and don't understand it. It also appears WAY to complicated for me.

And Baldrick,
VLC Media Player is one that I try now and then with some. But sometimes doesn't play at all(and just sits there, and doesn't say "why" it won't work)sometimes the scroll bar moves with no video playing.

There are LOTs of media/mpeg "Fixer" programs out there I've seen advertised....Do None of them work? How can they advertise and sell them(so many brands/maker)?

Can really None of them work at all?

[joeAgain------]

Would it help if I just downloaded and installed ALL the available video codec bundles I can find?


(How do I get my "Profile" to quit showing the former signature that no longer applies (for the past 2 yrs?) Removing it....and chosing "NO, don't show Sig" seems to not stop it from showing ever post!

[zoobie]

Would it help if I just downloaded and installed ALL the available video codec bundles I can find?

If you've been here 2 years, you already know the answer to that one.

[joeAgain------]

Forgive me, Zombie
I haven't done anything video(only music and audio) in the past couple years....and haven't posted or visited here in a Long time about video.

Which answer should be obvious?
(the one about installing all the codec I could find?, or the one about why I can't get the old "signature" about Dazzle Mpeg from showing now?)

Please tell me.
Something tells me I can have "too many" codecs installed. Is that right?
Could they conflict with each other, or something?

Sorry for being so ignorant about codecs.

[mats.hogberg]

Something tells me I can have "too many" codecs installed. Is that right?
Could they conflict with each other, or something?

Spot on.

/Mats

[joeAgain------]

If I get a popup saying an mpeg file is not supported, how do I get the codecs it might need?

[The1]

Make sure you have the latest driver for your graphics card.

Make sure you have the latest DirectX9.0c if your using windows see here

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.mspx

For a codec pack try this:

http://www.codecguide.com/about_mega.htm

And if all that doesn"t help I've got no idea.

[zoobie]

Sorry...I shouldn't have posted that
It's pretty well agreed here that dl'ing codec packs isn't recommended.
So the VLC didn't play it?
You need to get in there with a tool and see what specific codec it's using

[The1]

Download G-Spot it will more than likely be a .rar file (compressed) to open it the best thing to use will be this:
http://www.7-zip.org/
Download 7 Zip .exe double click to instal then go to your .rar file right click, select 7-Zip select, extract file and there you have it the famous "g spot"
Load your file and you should know what it is.
Good luck.