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Recognising compressors used for video files

EdcrabEdcrab Actually a hackRegistered User regular
edited October 2008 in Moe's Stupid Technology Tavern
Okay, so I have a great big archive of [strike]porn[/strike] old video captures I've found on one of my aunt's CDs.

The thing is, there's nothing I have that can run them, yet I'm expected to figure out which family etc. is in them. VLC just shows silent, garish static, QuickTime alternates between saying it needs a special compressor and just showing black, and nothing else recognises them. I'm waaaay out of my depth.

Is there any way at all that I can find out what the files need and get the right versions/codecs instead of having to experiment with dozens? I already have DivX, XVid, ZyGo... tons of the things.

Or is the correct response in this situation "beats me" and wash my hands of it? :P

cBY55.gifbmJsl.png
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Posts

  • ZackSchillingZackSchilling Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Even if Quicktime cannot play them, the Movie Inspector (Window menu) will almost always tell you what codec it's using.

    ZackSchilling on
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  • PeregrineFalconPeregrineFalcon Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    First off, install one of the newer FFDShow tryouts. They'll play fucking near anything, and should be your first stop for codecs after a fresh install.

    If they're AVIs, GSpot (lol, given the porn strikeout) will do it, and it's free
    http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

    Anything else, snag yourself a copy of VirtualDUB (also free), open the file, and see if it errors out saying "Filter for FourCC type ABCD not found" - then google the FourCC code and see what pops up.

    And then share your porn.

    PeregrineFalcon on
    Looking for a DX:HR OnLive code for my kid brother.
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  • RandomEngyRandomEngy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    You can also try MediaInfo to find out stuff about it.

    RandomEngy on
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  • bowenbowen Sup? Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    PeregrineFalcon wrote: »
    First off, install one of the newer FFDShow tryouts. They'll play fucking near anything, and should be your first stop for codecs after a fresh install.

    If they're AVIs, GSpot (lol, given the porn strikeout) will do it, and it's free
    http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

    Anything else, snag yourself a copy of VirtualDUB (also free), open the file, and see if it errors out saying "Filter for FourCC type ABCD not found" - then google the FourCC code and see what pops up.

    And then share your porn.

    I recommend GSpot as well. Works on more than AVIs when I tried it.

    bowen on
    not a doctor, not a lawyer, examples I use may not be fully researched so don't take out of context plz, don't @ me
  • EdcrabEdcrab Actually a hack Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Dang it. Good news is that I've managed to play the .avi files (awww, baby footage, how lovely) but all the .movs are coming up as "Unverified Codecs" which I imagine is computer-speak for "your aunt probably used an 80s VCR to record this, seriously, who makes movies in .movs anyway". Either way she can make do with some of the films and teach herself to actually talk to the people who compile her CD archives in future, I really can't be bothered trying to make them play.

    Thanks for the help people!

    Edcrab on
    cBY55.gifbmJsl.png
  • PeregrineFalconPeregrineFalcon Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Edcrab wrote: »
    Dang it. Good news is that I've managed to play the .avi files (awww, baby footage, how lovely) but all the .movs are coming up as "Unverified Codecs" which I imagine is computer-speak for "your aunt probably used an 80s VCR to record this, seriously, who makes movies in .movs anyway". Either way she can make do with some of the films and teach herself to actually talk to the people who compile her CD archives in future, I really can't be bothered trying to make them play.

    Thanks for the help people!

    .mov file has = QuickTime for quite a while now. Try installing QT, or if you hate Apple with a passion, QT Alternative.

    PeregrineFalcon on
    Looking for a DX:HR OnLive code for my kid brother.
    Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
  • ZackSchillingZackSchilling Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    It's probably some ancient format from an ancient digital camera that Quicktime has long since shed. If you wanted to make a project out of it, there are a few things you could do.

    ZackSchilling on
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