Repairing a corrupt mkv file

[Kairo]

First off, let me say that I am not wanting to re-encode the file. I only want to change the container file from mkv to avi because mkv is not compatible with the hardware I want to view it on. I have an mkv file that plays just fine on any of the software players I have on my PC, I was wanting to change the container file so that I might play it on a hardware divx player I have.... Here is the problem, when I try to convert it direct stream copy using VirtualDubMod I get an error. The file is 352mb, VDub will start processing the file but freezes at 132mb. Its because of a corrupt frame but for the life of me I can't figure out how to fix it. I know how to correct bad frames in an avi file but I can not find anything for mkv. I've googled it and found nothing and I looked for tools on this site to fix the problem and nothing works. I have many other files from the same source and with the same specs that do not have this problem. I've tried using MKVextract to demux the video and audio streams but I get a similar error. VDub says the file might have a variable framerate but I'm pretty sure it has a constant frame rate because I've checked the headers, unless the headers are wrong? Anyway how can I fix this bad frame (if thats whats wrong?) so I can convert the file?

[redwudz]

I don't think you will find a way to change the format without re-encoding. Direct stream copy, if it works, would just give you another .mkv file.

You can limit the quality loss by the encoder adjustments, though. You might try looking at it in Gspot 2.52, it should be able to give you more info. I wouldn't be surprised if the file has variable audio or video.

If you can locate the corrupted frame, you may just have to cut it out with VD.

[Kairo]

Direct stream copy, if it works, would just give you another .mkv file

Thats not true, although I do appreciate your trying to help. It will change the file container from mkv to avi, but I do not get a complete file. It only processes part of the file.... up to frame 27039 then it stops. I can't even re-encode the file because I get the same error. Same thing with MKVextract, It only processes part of the file. I've tried bypassing the bad frame but I still get the same error! WTH? The file has 73,041 frames and is 40min, 36.236sec. It has a frame rate of 29.97fps, the codec is Divx 5.0 fourcc code DX50. What doesnt make any sense is that if I can decode the file just fine why can't I demux it? Below are some pics of what Im trying to do.

[Kairo]

Problem solved.... I had to frameserve to another instance of VDub and re-encode , but now I have audio sync issues that I am currently working on right now.