Problems reading .mts files (possibly corrupted)

[moxiecat]

Hello all,

I have about 22 .mts files recorded by a Canon HD camcorder on a Flash memory card. I have tried to read the files in a few different MTS programs (VLC, iSkysoft, Pavtube) but most of the files only play a few seconds of stuttered video--even though many of the files are 1-2 GB in size. So the files are probably corrupted, although the camcorder's owner (not me) says that when the video was first recorded, it DID play back on the camera.

Since the files copy over to the computer fine, I am guessing that the video IS still there. I mean, the files are those large sizes for a reason, right?

I have also tried programs to "recover" the data straight from the card. I have tried CnW Data Recovery, PhotoRec, TestDisk, Recuva, and Stellar Phoenix. But none of these programs have been able to create MTS or M2TS files that play either.

Then I found the following thread in this forum, where two posters had my EXACT problem.
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/307689-corrupt-mts-file-(incorrect-length)

So following member Soopafresh's advice in that thread, I tried Tsmuxer on the files. But Tsmuxer just gives me the message:
Unsupported format. Some tracks not recognized. This tracks was ignored.

However, Soopafresh did manage to recover one of the poster's problem files with Tsmuxer. I have PM'd him, but haven't heard back, so I thought posting to this forum in general might turn up some answers. (I'm dying to know why it worked in that case but not for me!--but I don't want to resurrect a year-old thread.)

The video files were from a wedding, so it's pretty priceless video, but at this point I am beyond frustrated. So I am posting in this forum to see:
1) If anyone has any additional advice or assistance
2) If anyone can recommend a professional data recovery service that can retrieve .mts files from a memory card.

Thanks to everyone for any help possible.

[aedipuss]

are you using the computer in your profile? if so then try the files on a more powerful machine and they may play fine.

[moxiecat]

Oh, gosh, no, that is ancient info. I probably haven't updated it from when I first joined VH.

I have tried the files and assorted programs on both a Windows machine running Vista (Intel Core 2 Duo at 2 GHz, 4 GB RAM) and a MacBook Pro running OS 10.5 (2.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM). Both computers are about 2 years old.

[aedipuss]

thank goodness, it was listed as a pretty ancient machine....

what does mediainfo report about the files? copy/paste the text mode output.

will avidemux load the files? if so try re-writing them. video copy and audio copy.

[moxiecat]

Here is the MediaInfo details for one of the files (it is 1.12 GB, plays a few garbled seconds only). I will check out avidemux next and get back to you.

General
ID : 0 (0x0)
Complete name : C:\Users\Public\00052.MTS
Format : BDAV
Format/Info : Blu-ray Video
File size : 1.12 GiB
Maximum Overall bit rate : 18.0 Mbps

Video
ID : 4113 (0x1011)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Codec ID : 27

Audio
ID : 4352 (0x1100)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : 129
Duration : 32ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 256 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -65ms
Stream size : 1.00 KiB (0%)

[moxiecat]

Update: avidemux gives a message: "Cannot open the file."

By the way, thank you for your help. I hadn't said it before, and I really appreciate it.

[moxiecat]

I have posted the info that was requested. Can anyone help? Please? There must be people on this forum who have dealt with corrupted MTS files before!

I'm also interested in recommendations for services that do this type of file recovery--I realize it may be beyond my abilities.

[jagabo]

The fact that MediaInfo doesn't say more about the video isn't a good sign. I would try programs like TsMuxer(GUI), TsPacketEditor, TsSniper and see if any of them can recover anything.

[moxiecat]

Thanks, Jagabo,

I have tried TsMuxer. It gives the message: Unsupported format. Some tracks not recognized. This tracks was ignored.

I'm not aware of those two other programs, but I will check them out and post back. Thanks very much for giving me some direction.

[moxiecat]

Here is what TsPacketEditor says when it loads one of the files:
Unknown File Type, aborting...

TsSniper says something similar:
Unsupported file format!
The file being loaded does not contain a usable video track.
Such files are currently not supported.

I think I am now officially giving up.

What would you guys do next if you were in my position? You have a Flash card with 22 MTS files from a wedding, and so you desperately want to rescue/read them. Would you next look for a service that does professional data recovery? And if so, who? I could really use a recommendation on the next step I should take with this.

[dylz]

I would try tsdoctor trialversion to see if it can repair http://www.cypheros.de/tsdoctor.html

[jagabo]

There are also professional services that perform this type recovery.

[moxiecat]

Dylz--Thanks for the recommendation--I'm a little intimidated because that site (and presumably the program) are in German though!

Jagabo--Are there any specific services/companies you would recommend? I figured these types of services were out there, but I was ideally looking for a recommendation.

[jagabo]

Jagabo--Are there any specific services/companies you would recommend?

No. I've never used any of them or heard from anyone who has.

Be careful about downloading software to fix your files. This is a very common vector for malware.

[dylz]

Try seagate file recovery http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=file-recovery&vgnextoid=3cec96...001a48090aRCRD

[moxiecat]

Yes, to be honest I am wary of downloading more software to fix this problem. I've already tried at least 5 recovery programs and assorted programs that play/analyze MTS files.

[shaema]

I have got an HF S11 Canon Camcorder which output mts files. It came with ImageMixer software.

I don't know if this helps but I am just wondering whether the Canon HD camcorder that was used to film the wedding came with its own software which might be able to read these files. You could check this website for the software program for this particular model (http://www.pixela.co.jp/oem/canon/e/).

Could you try to put the card in a similar camcorder and see if the files are playable and if so they are not corrupted.

[moxiecat]

Hi Shaema,

Unfortunately, I believe that's the first thing the camcorder owner tried. He says that when the files were first recorded, they played fine on the camcorder. It was only later that he tried to play them back and the camcorder wouldn't read them--nor would the computer software that came with the camcorder. So I went in the other direction, guessing that maybe if the files were examined by themselves, separate from the consumer software, they might be easier to access. (Oh well!)

I don't know where we would get a similar camcorder, unfortunately.

Thanks for the ideas though!

[shaema]

Is it possible for you to upload one small file to MediaFire.com and provide us with a link to have a look at?

[moxiecat]

I can upload a file, yes. That would be great. Let me find one that's not too large and exhibits the error. Hang on...

[moxiecat]

I have uploaded one of the smaller "problem" files.

The file is 27 MB in size. But when it is loaded into iSkysoft Video Converter (and presumably other programs) it shows up as only 1.5 MB and 1 second long.

Here's the file:
www.lycoming.edu/choir/problem-file.mts.zip

I had to zip it because the server did not seem to like the file with the .mts extension for some reason.

Looking forward to anyone's thoughts. If I need to upload the file differently, or provide a larger file, just let me know. Thanks!

[dylz]

I tried your 27mb sample in avidemux dgavc and tsmuxer, I got it to play but all that's on it is a black screen so I think them files aren't repairable and you have to recover it properly.

I would try ISOBuster if it was on a cd/dvd but since it's on a flash card I can only throw suggestions out there so try this http://www.cardrecovery.com/

Might not be free so try to see if it finds and recovers the file as there's mixed reviews.

I did delete a mpeg on my main harddisk and deleted maybe two files after it well I recovered it with photorec but it was corrupted. I could watch the video in wmp it was 40gb for 1min and I gave up cause I guess I overwritten it but deleteing a file or two after , make sure you didn't delete anything on the flash after or it might not be recoverable or recoverable only by professionals.

[moxiecat]

Hello Dylz,

Thanks for your recommendations.

Unfortunately, I no longer have the card, only the files. I had the card for about three months but after all my efforts turned up nothing, the owner wanted the card back, and I don't blame them. They are thinking of taking the card to a professional service--although the prices they are getting are in the $1,000 range! So I don't know what they're going to do. I said if more suggestions turned up relating to the actual MTS files here on VH, I would try them out.

I did try to recover the card "properly," (as you put it) using a few different tools such as CnW Data Recovery, PhotoRec, TestDisk, Recuva, and Stellar Phoenix, but none of them were able to create playable MTS files. But maybe a pro would be able to use those types of programs better than I could, so they're probably better off going in that direction anyway.

If anyone else wants to try the file, you're welcome to do so! I can't leave it on that server forever but it can stay for a little while. Thanks.

[jagabo]

I don't think the files are fixable. At least the sample file you uploaded. It looks like the the transfer from the flash card was messed up. About 1 second of audio and video appears to be repeated over and over again.

[moxiecat]

When you say "transfer from the Flash card," as far as I can tell, this is the exact file that resides on the Flash card. It was 27 MB on the card and 27 MB after it was copied to the computer. The computer never had a problem connecting to the card or accessing the data on it, and all the MTS files copied from the card to the computer without any notification or oddity. So maybe I'm misunderstanding your meaning, but I don't think the files became corrupted in the process of transferring the files from the Flash card to my computer.

So where did the corruption happen? Do you think it happened as the camcorder was recording to the Flash card? In other words, the camcorder recorded for 30 seconds, or whatever, but the Flash card only got that first second and recorded it over and over again. The camcorder thought 30 seconds was recorded, and the file showed that size, but in reality, it was only the same second being repeated because the card had malfunctioned. I don't know, that the best theory I can come up with.