Unable to open video file

AnimeDudde · Post by **AnimeDudde** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:28 am

Describe your problem: When I try to open a certain video file in Ulead Video Studio 11, it gives me an error(shown below). I know the file is not corrupted because there are others I have like it that also will not open, however it opens any other .avi file fine. Windows movie maker also has no trouble opening this file.

Properties of your source files (format, file size, where did you get it?):

The file is a .avi

Project Properties (important):
I don't know how to answer this, all I do when I open videostudio is try to open this file and it won't open, so I can't even begin my project.

Error Codes (if any):

Product Version: VS 11

Post by **Ron P.** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:46 am

This is one of those strange WMV files wrapped in an AVI container, why this is done is beyond me. It should just be enclosed in it's own WMV...

Where did the source clip(s) come from? It may be that you need to convert it to some other format before inserting it into VS. Try running it through Windows Movie Maker, and saving it as just a WMV file, without that avi extension. You could also try using Super (google for it), to convert it.

By the frame sizes, this appears to a some form of High-Def video. Those are another difficult format to edit. Sorry I'm not versed enough on HD video to provide more help with them.

AnimeDudde · Post by **AnimeDudde** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:08 am

I'll try converting it to WMV, but will that result in a lot of quality loss? Do you know if the newer versions of VS would still have the same problem? I was planning on getting the trial for the new VS so if upgrading can fix the problem then I'm all for it.

Post by **Ron P.** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:05 am

No the file is not "avi". AVI is just a container, a wrapper, that is commonly used for DV, Xvid, DivX, MOV, and even MPEG-4. Look at the second image you provided it states that it is a WMV9. Where ever the file came from used the Windows Media Video codec, but for some reason wrapped it in an AVI container. The main reason that WMM will accept it, is that it is a WMV file.

Where did the file come from, Internet download, DVR, camcorder? You might also check to see if you have Windows Media 9 Encoder series installed.

There's not much difference between VS11.5+ and VS ProX2 in the file formats they can edit. So upgrading just for that reason probably will not accomplish much for you right now.

Loss of quality is going to be a problem for you anyway if you are intending on producing a DVD. The file will have to be converted to MPEG-2 for SD, or AVCHD/Blue-Ray or HDV for High-Def. The positive aspect is that you're starting with a High-Def video, so down-converting to Standard Def (SD), you will not loose much quality.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:30 pm

... And just as a minor experiment, make a copy of the file, then change its extension from .avi to.wmv and see if that will open -- as long as you have the Windows Media 9 Encoder installed as suggested above.

AnimeDudde · Post by **AnimeDudde** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:52 pm

The file was an internet download, I forgot where exactly I downloaded it from though. I do have Windows Media Encoder Series 9 installed. I tried changing the file name to .wmv but I still got the same error.

However when I used WMM to convert it to a WMV, VS was able to open it! I have a few other files that I can do the same with, the only downside is that it takes about an hour to convert them, but at least it works. Thank you!