Can't open .avi files from my hard drive in version 7

dafried · Post by **dafried** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:54 pm

I have searched, but can't seem to find the answer to this question: Can VideoStudio 7 work with .avi files?

These are files I have downloaded - legally by purchasing them - and they reside on my HD. I would like to create DVD's from these .avi's, but VideoStudio will not open them. I can use Windows Media Player to watch them.

I receive an error that says the file(s) "is not accessible"

I have downloaded all updates I am aware of for version 7

Thanks in advance,

David

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:10 am

Yes VideoStudio 7 can work with .avi files. But there are many types of .avi as it is what's known as a "container" format.

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:31 am

The files are probably protected by a form of DRM that prohibits anything but playback.

dafried · Post by **dafried** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:39 am

That makes sense. I can see where the provider may not want people making duplicate copies of the files and distributing for profit.

They also make the video available in .mpeg and .wmv, but both of these formats have a smaller file size.

1) Do you think that these formats are more likely to be burned on a DVD?
2) Is there a difference in quality (due to the smaller file size)?

Thanks again

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 3:29 am

I would find out what form of MPEG it is -- MPEG1 and MPEG2 do not support DRM, MPEG4 can, I believe. WMV definitely supports DRM.

dafried · Post by **dafried** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:01 am

Thanks for the quick responses.

I'll check it out.

Not to be evil, but are there tools available to "crack" DRM? My intentions are to remove the video files from my HD and burn them on DVD for my own use only. At the rate I download video files, I'll run out of HD space if I don't.

Thanks again,

David