Playing unfinished download files

[jdr]

Instead of streaming videos on the web, I download them using google chrome. This creates a .crdownload file that I can play with VLC while the download is happening.

Of course, as with most video formats, the index part of the file is not completely operationnal until the file has finished downloading. This makes VLC produce an error message asking if I want to rebuild the index file, or play the damaged file.

Playing the damaged file as it is building ALWAYS works except for .mp4 original file types, I would like to know if there is a way I can play those mp4 files as they are downloading in any manner because it's annoying to have to find .avis for the direct downloads I am making.

Thank you !

I run MAC OS X 10.6.8 and VLC 1.1.3

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

I doubt you can for mp4.

[jdr]

Why so ?

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Because mp4 have info at the end of the file.

[jdr]

I'm assuming that most formats have information at the end of the file, but just as it asks me to play an AVI file without fixing it, couldn't VLC play a mp4 file with the information it's currently downloading or is all this information useless without the data at the end of file ?

Should I bring this issue to the VLC media feature request ?

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Yes. because you can play avi without the info at the end (but you cannot seek), while this is more complex for mp4.

[Sudharsun]

Hi All,

I am using Win 7 and earlier, I used to play the video files with .crdownload extension using VLC. But now I am not able to do so. Is there any changes have been made in new VLC version in such a way it wont run those files? Downloading the entire huge sized file is really a pain in back. Kindly help me to resolve it.

[Antinatalist]

Why has this feature been discontinued?


https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-easy-wa ... deo-files/

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

It's still there. Not all file formats can do that though.

[Antinatalist]

Hmmm. What stands in thw way to support all formats?
Why opponents can support more file formats?

[one_post_only]

Hello, I recommend you using vlc stream. This is how I use it:
Start download in chrome, copy url of source, cancel download. In vlc click Media -> Open Network Stream and paste copied url. Server must have enabled allow you to choose offset from which download starts(e.g. webshare.cz does). I recommend to set higher cache for uninterrupted play, 20 minutes is good for me.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Formats stand in the way of partial file playback. Some formats carry essential data at the end of the file, or do not multiplex different tracks according to timeline.

[tyeth]

Remember, not all mp4's are the same, like avi they are a container and can have video and audio encoded in various formats (different codecs to decode/play)

Hello, I recommend you using vlc stream. This is how I use it:
Start download in chrome, copy url of source, cancel download. In vlc click Media -> Open Network Stream and paste copied url. Server must have enabled allow you to choose offset from which download starts(e.g. webshare.cz does). I recommend to set higher cache for uninterrupted play, 20 minutes is good for me.

This is the solution. If the web host supports resumable downloads then VLC can request the last part of the file to read the index it needs (assuming the file format requires it), it will then start again at the beginning and download and display the frames you desire... If the host doesn't support resuming downloads then you better pray the file format is compatible with not having the index at the end.

You can also try loading the partial download in vlc, type * into the file open box and it displays all files, or in windows explorer / etc by copying the .crdownload/.part file and pasting it back with the name but removing the .crdownload, and then trying to play it with vlc.
(Careful you don't leave that file with the same name as the download will have when it finishes, or leave vlc playing the partial download - I append something to the beginning for example to avoid the conflict as I had a few downloads restart because the file was in use / name conflict)