Changing a video File extension?

[niteghost]

I have a .Rmvb video file that I cannot open because it is either corrupted or damaged.
Most Video repIR SOFTWARE REPAIRS VIDEO FILES IN { avi,mP4. mov.mp4 AND SO ON.. } but NOT .RMVB.

- I CANNOT EVEN CONVERT THE FILE IN VLC OR OTHER vIDEO CONVERTING SOFTWARE, I tHOUGHT IF I COULD CHANGE THE FILE
extension from .RMVB TO .AVI or others, I might have a shot of repairing the video file.

- Unfortunately, I cannot Re-download the file again....

[davexnet]

Just change the file extension and try it.

[jagabo]

It's not likely to work because the repair programs still won't recognize the contents.

I know a guy who's a really good spell checker for English. I also have a book written in Chinese. If I replace the cover with an English cover do you think my spell checker will be able to correct the Chinese text?

[niteghost]

It's not likely to work because the repair programs still won't recognize the contents.

I know a guy who's a really good spell checker for English. I also have a book written in Chinese. If I replace the cover with an English cover do you think my spell checker will be able to correct the Chinese text?

- Thanks, I know your "Logic", but I'm desperate !!

[Nilzzon]

Check if mediainfo can read it.
Use a Hexviewer/Hexeditor to read the file, if it just or most zeros then its just garbage.

[lingyi]

As jagabo stated, changing the extension or even the container probably isn't going to do any good, especially for RealVideo (and RealAudio) files which are highly proprietary. As discussed in another thread, most modern media players and editors ignore the extension, relying instead on reading the header of the video to identify.

Your best bet may be downloading the latest Real Media Player, www.real.com (can't believe they're still around!) and if that doesn't work, try older versions of Real Player. As I recall, RMVB (Real Media Variable Bitrate) was always finicky from the time it came out. This was exacerbated by Real constantly updating their players with each new iteration of RealVideo, sometimes breaking playback compatibility of older video and audio files.

Edit: I don't have any .rmvb files, but I do have some old .rm files circa 1996-98 and both VLC and Potplayer have no issue playing them.

[lingyi]

Seems Real has a free video converter. https://www.real.com/mt/features/basic/convert. Not sure if it's built into the latest video player or not. Again, this would be your best chance for file recovery/playback.