Read and repair broken MPEG/AVI file

[aq_swe]

I'm not super familiar with the video terminology so forgive me if I write something crazy.
I was recording some data on my computer when I got a blue screen. The video file saved but some of the metadata (or something) seems to be lost. It is approx. 15 GB in size which should be 40 minutes, however, I cannot read it past 3 mins 28 sec. I've been browsing for hours for a solution and I've finally given up. My video file is saved with OpenCv, using MPEG2 codec in .avi format.

• I've tried with VLC, but it gets stuck after 3:28.
• I tried repair with ffmpeg, it stops repairing after 3:28.
• ProjectX, Java OutOfMemory error (probably too big file)
• DivFix++ Seek error - invalid parameter
• Avidemux - Crashes when reading. Tried reading a smaller file in same format: Cannot read Avi File!
• VirtualDub: Cannot read Mpeg2 codec, This software actually fixes the whole index (takes approx 45 min) but then fails to read it anyway.
• Downloaded ffdshow to get Mpeg2 codec (as suggested from a forum), did not work anyway since Vdub cannot read mpeg2
• VirtualDubMpeg2: Still cannot read video.
• TsSplitter: I Could split the file into several segments but any segment beyond 3:28 is unreadable, even to project X, the codec is lost.

I really need this video and I have another one of 120 GB which is several hours of material that is also broken.

Any help is appreciated. I really don't want to give up!

[jagabo]

[*]VirtualDub: Cannot read Mpeg2 codec, This software actually fixes the whole index (takes approx 45 min) but then fails to read it anyway. [*] Downloaded ffdshow to get Mpeg2 codec (as suggested from a forum), did not work anyway since Vdub cannot read mpeg2[*]VirtualDubMpeg2: Still cannot read video.

Keep in mind there are two decoders in ffdshow, VFW and DirectShow. VirtualDub requires the VFW version. Also, if you are using 64 bit Windows, make sure you install the correct version of ffdshow for the VirtualDub you are using. 32 bit ffdshow for 32 bit VirtualDub, 64 bit ffdshow for 64 bit VirtualDub. The 32 bit and 64 bit environments can't see each other's programs or codecs.

[aq_swe]

[*]VirtualDub: Cannot read Mpeg2 codec, This software actually fixes the whole index (takes approx 45 min) but then fails to read it anyway. [*] Downloaded ffdshow to get Mpeg2 codec (as suggested from a forum), did not work anyway since Vdub cannot read mpeg2[*]VirtualDubMpeg2: Still cannot read video.

Keep in mind there are two decoders in ffdshow, VFW and DirectShow. VirtualDub requires the VFW version. Also, if you are using 64 bit Windows, make sure you install the correct version of ffdshow for the VirtualDub you are using. 32 bit ffdshow for 32 bit VirtualDub, 64 bit ffdshow for 64 bit VirtualDub. The 32 bit and 64 bit environments can't see each other's programs or codecs.

Apparently I had some weird version of ffdshow that didn't install VFW correctly. I installed the latest version and now I could actually enable the codec in the VFW configurator. But, the virtualdub still does not work. Is there some setting I have to set or some file I have to move so that virtualdub "sees" the codec?

[jagabo]

Did you enable the "MPEG in AVI" decoder? Might as well enable the "Other MPEG2" decoders too.

Check that ffdshow's MPEG 2 decoder is working with VirtualDub by opening one of your other files that isn't corrupt.

[aq_swe]

Yes, I enabled both decoders named MPEG. I tried opening one of the non-corrupt files also but it does not work. There must be something I'm missing.

[christeena]

Hi,
I had a similar issue in the past and spent hours browsing for a solution. Some articles said it could header file corruption etc and I am not a techy when it comes to Video. Since I was scared to try something manually, I decided to take help of some software. Check if this is of any use: http://divxrepair.sourceforge.net/ and I hope its free.