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Recovered XDCam raw BPAV files
Hello all.
This may be the toughest thing I’ve asked for yet. I was handed an SD card recently that had been used to record video from the EX-3 using the SD card adapter. The card had accidently been erased and the video is important. I was able to recover the files and retrieve the raw .mp4 file but they are unplayable in VLC and in the XDCam browser and Transfer application. The file size is normal,typically over 100 megs, but not playable. In the retrieved BPAV folder from the card I noticed some oddly named files, not the typical files found in the BPAV folder. There was no TAKR folder, just the CLPR folder and I think some files with the extension .slv or something odd. I don’t remember the actual extension. However I do remember seeing such files when I mounted another card to a Mac that had been removed improperly and the camera was asking for the data to be restored. Those files too were oddly named files and the TAKR folder was missing. If you put the card back in the camera the camera prompts for a command, either “execute” or not. If you execute you usually recover your scrambled data and see precious video again. If you ignore and mount the card to a computer, you get what I got. A BPAV folder without a TAKR folder, some oddly named files and .MP4 files that don’t play back in any application.
So (deep breath) I transfered my recovered BPAV folder from my hard drive to an SxS card and placed it in an EX-1. As I expected, based on having seen the oddly named files in the BPAV folder the last time I saw a corrupted card, I got a “restore media” prompt and I selected “execute.” Then I waited. The progress bar went to 15% and then stalled. Nothing else happened. I turned off the camera and tried again, getting stuck at 15% bar once more. I’m out of ideas.
This leaves me at an impasse. I have .MP4 files that appear to be the full size but do not play back in the computer applications nor in the camera. My questions or requests become this: can anyone suggestion a plan I have not tried, and 2.) Does anybody know how to manipulate .MP4 files that aren’t normally playable in VLC or other applications to make them playable? Thanks everybody.
-Scott
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22 Replies
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Hi Scott,
You need to pick the MP4 files and make a new BPAV folder.
You have to do that with SONY Clip Browser.
Once you have the new BPAV folder, you can upload it to an SxS card, or even more simple, just put it inside another folder in your Finder and run SONY Transfer.
If SONY Clip Browser do not accept the MP4 to make a new BPAV, I know only one professional solution to recover the pictures.
BTW you can play the MP4 with ffmpgx, the problem is that the export options are not appropriate for editing.
best,
rafael -
I had a gonzo cameraman that I trusted to do the same thing–he was originally taught to use Sony XDCam Browser to transfer the BPAV folders, and instead, without my looking, he only dragged and dropped the mp4 files over without all that other stuff! Gads! So there is a plugin for Final Cut Pro you can get to edit those stand-alone mp4 files: https://www.calibratedsoftware.com/MP4EXImport_Mac.asp Its from Calibrated Software and they actually have a plugin that will allow Final Cut Express to see Sony XDCam as well.
Greg Ondera
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I think the big concern is that the raw MP4 files aren’t playable in VLC. You can try the other suggestions but those usually work if the MP4 is playable.
Try using File/Import in ClipBrowser 2.5.1 and see if creating a new BPAV helps.
See this
https://www.aeroquartet.com/wordpress/2009/08/06/a-guided-tour-to-movie-repair/
This is the site
https://aeroquartet.com/
his offer
https://aeroquartet.com/movierepair/repair.htmlHis name is Benoît Joossen and seems to be an expert at file recovery and seems XDCAM and “pro” format savvy.
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Hi I faced a similar issue – could play the clip in the camera after restoring the media but it would not transfer via my express card reader in my macbookpro or via a usb card reader. Each time clipbrowser attempted to transfer, the program would say that the media has been ejected and clipbrowser would no longer display anything from the SXS card (as i I just pulled the card out). Anyway, I read these threads, and examined the menu in the camera browser. I decided to DIVIDE the corrupted clip into 2 pieces (just decided to divide it right at the beginning as a shot in the dark). Then I copied the new clip (the second piece) to a fresh card in slot b (which supposed recreates the BPAV folder) and wallah! I successfully got most of my clip (minus a couple of seconds of footage in the beginning). I can live with that for now. Not sure what lead to the corruption in the first place but sure am glad I could extract most of the clip as noted above! hope this helps!
Rob E.
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Neat suggestion. I would guess if the clip became corrupted at the head or tail, splitting it in camera could do the trick as you noted. Thanks for that first hand experience doing that!
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Hi Scott,
I’ve gone through the exact same experience, and tried every suggestion, unfortunately to no avail..
the only thing that enabled me to view the files was treasured, although if you’ve investigated this you’ll become aware that a fee is involved – and i’ve had trouble uploading and completing their quoting system.. so i’m yet to test the service and am a little skeptical..
so im still holding onto the hope of finding some other way to restore these MP4 files to working order..
i wanted to know if you’d found a solution.. i’ve tried the calibrated plug-in, uploading and restructuring BPAV files onto the original memory card, using different recovery programs, ffmpegx, upgrading VLC player… all with the same result.. recovered media, with all the accidently deleted full size MP4 files, unplayable and unable to be recognised by anything..
has anyone been able to actually play MP4 files after recovering them from a formated card?? these replies don’t seem to take into account that recovering the media seems to somehow alter the MP4 files and render them invalid..
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I’m talking to a codec expert right now in Austin Texas who says he is able to demux the MP4 file using a piece of hardware which he can then use to recombine into something useable. I’m still waiting to hear back from him (it’s only been a week) and when I do, I’ll be sure to pass this information along to you and this board. Sorry to hear you also had the same situation. I would love a prosumer grade answer to this problem since it’s very likely to happen again when you deal with uninitiated people. Thanks for the response and good company.
_________
I make movies, not a living.
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Does anyone have a short example unrecognizable “recovered” mp4 file they could drop into my iDisk public folder ( member name is andymees ) ?
Cheers.
Andy -
Hey Guys
I tried to salvage the sample clip with an alternative video file recovery tool from Digital Rebellion, called File Salvage, but sadly was unsuccessful (as the raw codec is not supported). They also have a QT repair tool but of course these are not QT movies. Looks like, if you can’t reshoot, then Treasured may still be the best bet.
Sorry I couldn’t be more help
Andy -
thanks for your efforts, i ended up going with treasured and despite being a little costly it successfully restored all of the files i managed to recover.. would be interested to see if anyone comes across the same problem and finds a different solution in the future
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