File format mismatch (VS10)

cyeazel · Post by **cyeazel** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:49 pm

Just wondering why the error message "cannot read file, file format mismatch" is popping up when I try to open my saved project. It is saved as a .VSP file which I thought was the right format.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:43 pm

Are you using File | Open (correct way) or are you trying to open it with the library manager (wrong way)

cyeazel · Post by **cyeazel** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:15 pm

I've tried both methods, each with the same result. It then gives me the option to "relink" (not sure what that means) but still get the same file format mismatch error message.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:44 pm

The Relink message is always, well, linked

to the fact that one or more of the video files used in the project have been moved or changed. If you have moved the file(s), then you have to browse to where they are now located, so that the project VSP file can update itself as to its location (i.e. re-link with that file or files).

If you have changed the file in some other program, then the situation is far more difficult and I am not sure what I can suggest. Normally, you can still open the project but with blank spaces for the files the program can no longer find in their original form. That way, of course, you could simply delete those blanks and insert your new files.

But in this case, if you can't even open the VSP file, then the file format mismatch message is more ominous and it sounds as though one or more of your video files have become corrupted somehow. In that case, I can't think of anything else than to start all over again. Others here, though, may have more constructive suggestions.

cyeazel · Post by **cyeazel** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 1:15 pm

Thanks Ken. It's looking like I'll end up doing just that, starting over. Oh well. Thanks for the help anyways. Not a huge deal, the project wasn't to big to begin with. I just recently defraged my hard drive. Could that have had anything to do with this problem?

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 1:40 pm

De-fragmentation of the hard drive will not affect the linking of the clips.
The usual cause of this problem is the mistaken belief that the project file is a video file and the user subsequently deleting or moving the original video/audio clips.

A project file can be thought of as a long list of instructions sort of like
open c:\someplace\somefile.avi
Now goto time stamp 00.01.11.15 and cut the file in two
Now goto time stamp 00.01.50.12 and cut the file in two
select the middle clip and delete it.
move the last clip so that it overlaps the first clip by 3 seconds
insert a crossfade transition at this overlap point
and so one.....

When you render a project you then create a whole brand new video file.

cyeazel · Post by **cyeazel** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:50 pm

Thank you very much. Very informative.