VLC can't recognize the input's format

[sorryaboutthat]

Hi everyone,

I made a long recording using the VLC Convert option (~6 hours, the file is ~3Go). I used the mp4 encapsulation, without audio.
When I try to open the file, I have this error message:
----------------------------------
VLC can't recognize the input's format:
The format of 'C:\Documents and Settings\***\Bureau\***.mp4' cannot be detected. Have a look the log for details."
-----------------------------------
And the log displays:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"main info: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface.
mp4 error: MP4 plugin discarded (no moov box)
avformat error: av_find_stream_info failed
ps error: cannot peek
dummy error: unknown command 'C:\Documents and Settings\***\Bureau\***.mp4'
main error: no suitable demux module for '/://C:\Documents and Settings\***\Bureau\***.mp4'"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media Player Classic won't open it either.

I tested it with small recordings before I did this one, and it was working fine. Is that because the file is too big?
How can I repair my video?
Thanks a mil!

Also, would you know any other good software that can record my webcam for a long time, without having a huge file?? If I can open it in the end that would be even better!

[Lotesdelere]

--------------------------------------------------------
mp4 error: MP4 plugin discarded (no moov box)
--------------------------------------------------------
Media Player Classic won't open it either.

Looks like the header of the file is broken.

How can I repair my video?

I'm not sure you can, but something you can try is to copy the header of a working file and to paste it into the broken file using an hex editor. Make sure to make backups first.

Also, would you know any other good software that can record my webcam for a long time, without having a huge file??

Check the settings about the bitrate used for the recording. But if a lower bitrate results in a smaller file it also means a lower quality.

[smurfix]

If it's a broken file format, it's a very common one.

Code: Select all

$ vlc ph2012-02-27_1920.mp4 VLC media player 2.0.0 Twoflower (revision 2.0.0-0-g421a4fc) [0x1b41108] main libvlc: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface. [mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2 @ 0x7f7b28014b80] moov atom not found [0x1f89a68] mp4 demux error: MP4 plugin discarded (no moov,foov,moof box) [mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2 @ 0x1f8a540] moov atom not found [0x1f89a68] avformat demux error: av_open_input_stream failed

This reliably happens for all downloads from that particular (adult) site.
$50 (or the € or Bitcoin equivalent) to the first person who is able to debug this at least to the point where I can tell the people there what they're doing wrong. Another $50 for a patch that implements a workaround so that VLC can show these files.

File headers upon request.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

PLease share one file.

[smurfix]

I'm not going to, they're (a) copyrighted and (b) huge.
Would the first MByte or so be sufficient?

http://netz.smurf.noris.de/sample.mp4

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

These are not playable, because VLC or ffplay do not find the root moof/moov box

[smurfix]

These are not playable, because VLC or ffplay do not find the root moof/moov box

Well, so what do I do about that?
I mean, these videos play perfectly OK on certain other platforms.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Not with VLC. Those files are not conforming to the spec.

[smurfix]

Not with VLC. Those files are not conforming to the spec.

Not good.
I already asked the publisher which broken software they used for creating these files. No reply so far.

Do you think it'd be possible to implement a workaround for this problem? As others can play them …

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Maybe, fixing the bug would.