corrupted .mp4 h.264

[bluesky1]

Thanks for reading,

I have an unreadable .MP4 file made from my Samsung camcorder. The recording stopped abruptly and I believe it did not write certain 'code' at the end of the file that makes it playable.

I opened a working file and also the damaged file from the camcorder in a HEX editor and started to make some comparisons.

Toward the end of the code in the WORKING file I noticed some text in English followed then by blank lines, I think signifying the end of the file. These lines of code look like parameters or something that makes the file readable (It even contains the word Samsung somewhere toward the end in there too).

This sequence seems to start at the word 'moov'.

I've read about moov atoms here: http://atomicparsley.sourceforge.net/mpeg-4files.html

As interesting as this all is, it hasn't helped.

The code in the CORRUPTED video file ends abruptly (visually) and does not contain these parameters starting at moov and no blank lines of code - It just simply ends. Which is why I think the video is unreadable.

Things I have tried:

1. Tried copying the some, all, and different parts of code from the corrupted file and placing it in the somewhere in the middle of the good code, to see if it will somehow display some frames from the unreadable file. I'm not sure if I am saving the modified file in the HEX editor correctly, or if there's an extra step I'm missing.

Result = FAIL.

2. Copying everything from 'moov' onwards from the good file and pasting it at the end of the corrupted file.

Result = FAIL.

3. Using a QuickTime movie compiler/repairer using Java SE that was supposed to make sense of it and reconstruct the contents of my corrupted file. I found this from a guide somewhere online.

Result = FAIL.

4. Using some utils like 'All Movie Fixer' (or something to that effect) which 'seemed' like it was doing something because it took 2 hours for the program to complete the task.

Result = FAIL.

5. And some programs that apparently repair lost/damaged files to no effect! No luck there.

Hopefully this is an indication of how desperate I am. I would really like to restore this video. After researching this as much as I can there seems to be a big grey area in this topic. To add, lots of search results on this type of issue seem to lead me to website trying to sell me a miracle fix program.

Any help or ideas will be very greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Bjs]

Welcome bluesky1 ... just incase

While the files do contain similar information much is unique for each individual file ... the only time these will be the exact same is to take a copy of the original file and compare side by side (rather pointless exercise).

Unless the original device is capable of playing the file until the end point then you might try vlc in transcode mode ... if vlc cannot play the file then consider it a loss.

Generally when these problems occur its because the operator failed to take into account the recording time vs battery time ... if shooting for extended period it is recommended to connect to mains power or risk corrupting the recording.

Word of advice ... When using recovery or repair programs never work with the original ... unless the original cannot be transferred / copied as this could lead to further file damage / corruption.

[Baldrick]

As a last solution you can try something like treasured and they might help you.

[bluesky1]

Thanks for the replies thus far Bjs & Baldrick,

No luck, The original device (Samsung Camcorder) cannot play the original file at all, let alone trying transcode the file through VLC.

I've seen the utility 'Treasured' pop up now again as a last resort problem solver. From what I understand it tests a small portion of the corrupted file and, if recoverable, will provide you with a preview of the contents!

My issue with this (on principle) If the data IS recoverable, why can't I do it myself? AND What is this application doing to detect the presence of video media in damaged files to provide a preview?

Surely, someone has come across a similar issue and repaired the file them self? Perhaps, maybe I'm not skilled enough to do it! Hence the post =)

Any further ideas out there will be welcomed.

[felixwings]

it is better to try with http://grauonline.de/cmsimple2_6/en/?Solutions:HD_Video_Repair_Utility
it is not a freeware...but half of te video can be repaired freely wth demo version...

[Baldrick]

Please stop dig up old threads. The video repair tool is already in our tools list.

[felixwings]

alrit moderator..am sorry....i jst tried to help smone i found on my way in search of a solution for my problem...anyway thnks n wish u a happy new year¬

[filmboss80]

alrit moderator..am sorry....i jst tried to help smone i found on my way in search of a solution for my problem...anyway thnks n wish u a happy new year¬

Not buying your excuse. You just joined up on this forum, and all your posts so far have been made on a half-dozen or so old, dormant threads. In every one of them, you advertised payware, and there appeared to be no effort on your part to first search this forum for superior and/or free alternatives.

Not a great way to make friends here.

[felixwings]

i got it..and accepted bro...
i'l take into account of ur advice...sorry again!