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Mov-av file error
Hello,
In capturing a live HD file from my AJA IOHD in PRO RES 522 the computer froze at the end of the capture and forced me to use Force Quit to close out of Final Cut 6. The file is 112 gig and all the information is there on my disk. But, when I try to open the quicktime file I get the dreaded “not a movie file” error message because it has the .mov-av extenson.
I imagine the header was corrupted and the directory needs to be rebuilt to get access to the file. Does anyone know how to do this? I would like to be able to open it without going to a very expensive data recovery service.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
David Perry
Carmen Productions
Leesburg, VA -
8 Replies
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[David Perry] “I imagine the header was corrupted and the directory needs to be rebuilt to get access to the file. Does anyone know how to do this? I would like to be able to open it without going to a very expensive data recovery service. “
Were you able to actually stop the capture or did you Force Quit during the capture? If you Force Quit during the capture, the file never completed.
If it hung during the completion of the capture, it’s possible the file never completed either. Not sure if a data recovery service could even bring that back.
You we’re rolling any sort of tape backup during the live event?
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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Thank you for your reply Walter.
Capture stopped with the freeze before the file finished. I just opened it in a hex editor. I see that none of the finishing data is there. I will attempt to copy the ending of a good file to this file and see if it will open. I will let you know if it works.
I do have a DVCam tape back up but, there was audio going one channel from the audio board and two channels from an interpreter. Unfortunately I had the audio translation in the 3rd xlr input of the IO/HD and it did not get transferred to the DVCam. Live and learn. I can go back to the translator and have them redo it if necessary.
David Perry
Carmen Productions
Leesburg, VA -
[David Perry] “I will attempt to copy the ending of a good file to this file and see if it will open. I will let you know if it works. “
You’ll be the first.
I don’t mean to sound mean, but your post is exactly why those of us who know better never recommend anyone ever rely on a live capture into the Macintosh. Not ever. Tape rules. Heck, VHS is more reliable than your hard drive.
bogiesan
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Hello,
What a nice sentiment. Obviously you did not bother to read the part where I had it backed up to DVCam. But I suppose VHS is better for you. In fact, the file can be recovered with a program called Treasured. Ok, it costs a few dollars but it works.
But I am sure you get lovely videos using VHS tape. I really don’t know why the rest of us bother to record anything better than that.
David Perry
Carmen Productions
Leesburg, VA -
Hi David – thanks for mentioning Treasured. I wouldn’t have heard of them otherwise. What a clever systems they’ve come up with! I’m definitely adding their site to my go-to bookmarks. The ‘-av’ file question has come up a lot here on the Cow, but so far I’ve missed any mention of Treasured. (Aeroquartet’s app: ‘SimpleMovieX’ app looks interesting too.)
It’s an imperfect world after all, as you point out, and s**t happens. Its good to know there is an option. If you do try to use Treasured please let us know how it works.
Good luck.
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Lars,
I just wanted to let you know that I used the service to repair my 112gb movie and it is spectacular. It took about 30 minutes to upload the movie and 2 hours to get a Movie Repair kit to fix the file. I let it run overnight and this morning it was fixed. Also, I can use the same Movie Repair kit to fix other -av files that did not save correctly for 15 days. After that there is an extension period available for $29.95 if I need to use the service again. Between Treasured, Disk Warrior 4.1 and Boomerang I was able to save all of my files and not go to a Data Recovery service.
David Perry
Carmen Productions
Leesburg, VA -
David, thanks for remembering to post the results!
That first-hand knowledge is invaluable. I’ve often encountered the -av issue, though I have been lucky so far to have had backups. I’m sure one day my luck will run out, and as I said, it really is good to have options.
Thanks again for sharing!
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David Perry: You can move resource information around from functional to non-functional movie clips in order to repair a bad ‘-av’ file. But you will need to know code well enough to restructure some of the more pertinent information (file size, dependencies, etc.) The bottom line; it will likely be easier to re-record.
David Bogie: I’d like to help you: Our studio records digitally only. We capture on both Mac and PC direct to drive. We haven’t had a dropped frame or lost footage for more than five years. We also back up to tape. A person who uses redundancy and technical knowledge, without drawing prejudices between tape or disc (or Mac vs PC), is a person in the know. VHS cassette is not a viable media anymore and hasn’t been since the emergence of DigiBeta or worse yet Mini DV.
David Perry: Try using redundant systems more. You’ll love it and so will your client base when you tell them you haven’t made a single mistake in half a decade. It is a great selling point.
Capt. T. E. Eversole AASET, BMMA, DDM
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