Unable o open XXXX.avi

[marsheng]

I have a new mini recorder which records 720x480 at 29.897 fps. Video studio says Unable to open file *****.avi for all of the files. They play perfectly well with MS media player, VCL, Quicktime etc so what is wrong ?

[Ken Berry]

You say mini recorder, but what exactly is it: make, model? Unless we know the format it uses, it is difficult to say. And yes, VS can open some .avi files. But the problem is that there are over 800 video formats which use the .avi extension. And unless the relevant codec is on your computer and accessible to VS, it will have difficulty...

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi marsheng

and how are you trying to “open” the Avi file.
If you are using File Open Project then that is incorrect, this is used to open your Project Files (VSP)

Video files are “Inserted” to the timeline using one of the File-Insert Media Media options.
I tend to right click the timeline and select Insert Video…….

[marsheng]

Thanks for the relies. (Not sure why I don't get an email when I get a reply!!!)

The camera is a 'no name' brand from China.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/hd-720p-5- ... -lcd-55939

I am importing onto the time line.

Media info gives

Audio Codec PCM
Complete name : C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\New Folder (3)\SUNP0013.AVI
Format : AVI
Format/Info : Audio Video Interleave
File size : 66.8 MiB
Duration : 39s 897ms
Overall bit rate : 14.1 Mbps

As my computer can play the clips with other all other programs, the codec must be on my machine so why can't VS find them?

A sample can be found here http://www.marshland.co.nz/ftp/SUNP0011.AVI

[Ken Berry]

Is that a certain pop-up container mall I spy there in Christchurch???

As you may guess, I had no difficulty opening that sample file from the link you gave in VS X4. So what version of VS are you using?

VS also tells me it is an MJPEG (Motion JPEG) clip, which is an older but good quality format -- in some ways the predecessor of the the DV/AVI format. A lot of digital still cameras still use it as their standard definition video format. It does, of course, require the MJPEG codec to be on your computer. But since you say the file plays in other players on your set-up, yes, we have to presume you have the relevant codec. I have been able to play MJPEGs on successive versions of VS since about version 10 onwards. So I am at a bit of a loss to know what to recommend.

Curiously enough, when I first opened your clip, it identified itself as a DivX file -- though as I say, its properties are clearly MJPEG (and I have confirmed this with GSpot). Moreover, in my Windows Explorer/Computer screen, the clip has a DivX icon representing it. Yet even more curiously, I have Nero set as my default program to open MJPEGs...

So about the only thing I can think of to suggest is a bit counter-intuitive. And again it relates to what version of VS you are using. If it is X4, then I find that the latest release of DivX works fine with it. But if it is an earlier VS, then you might need to roll-back your DivX to the version which came with VS. And then you might see some change in the ability of your VS to recognise your file format...

Another thought as a footnote: GSpot tells me my MJPEG codec lives in Windows\System32 in a file called quartz.dll. That comes as part of the Windows package, as far as I am aware. So I am even more mystified why you cannot open your video in VS.

[marsheng]

I'm on XP

Neither 11 12 or X4 pro will open the files. Linked up to DivX and installed the latest software and no difference.

see http://www.marshland.co.nz/ftp/Fault.JPG

I have quartz.dll in the system32 directory

Yep it is the container city. It was busy on Sunday and very well done.

[Ken Berry]

Well the only other thing I can think of would be to go a Google search for an mjpeg codec -- if there wasn't one on any disc which may have come with the recorder -- and install it. Not sure exactly where it would go, but I personally would probably put it in the Windows\System32 folder (and also in the main Corel X4 folder). If you have a codec pack, there will be one there, but I am definitely not advising you to install the whole codec pack -- just the mjpeg one...

But it's very strange that the clip works fine in my set up yet I have done nothing special to get it to do so...

You could also try a free video converter program like SUPER. I would suggest converting it to DV/AVI which would give you excellent quality. It is very editable and virtually lossless, and converts readily in the end to DVD-compatible mpeg-2. Or you could try mpeg-2 direct.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi
As far as I know the Mjpeg codec is installed with Video Studio
Check the AVI compressions available.
---------------------
If you add any video clip to the library
Then Share Create Video File- Custom
Save type As – Avi
Options
Avi tab-Compression

Does Mjpeg Compressor show in the list

Your video Sample

What does seem strange is the Frame Rate of 29.897fps

I would have expected 29.97fps.

Are you able to change the cameras settings.

[Trevor Andrew]

Thanks for the relies. (Not sure why I don't get an email when I get a reply!!!) [/url]

Hi

I have altered your profile to set “Notify me upon Replies by Default”

You should now receive notifications

I notice that you have also disabled the option for Users can contact me by e-mail:
Please view your User Control Panel to set the options you require.

[marsheng]

If you add any video clip to the library
Then Share Create Video File- Custom
Save type As – Avi
Options
Avi tab-Compression

Does Mjpeg Compressor show in the list

Yes it shows on the list.

Very interesting - read on

I used Ver 11 just to see if there is any difference.

I opened a MOV file - Create Video -Custom - AVI - Set it to MjPeg and clicked ok -
It rendered the clip in about 40 seconds and then responded

Unable to open file !!!!!

Media classic and VCL both play the new AVI file.

Looks like VS is not loading some file used in playbacks.
I'll try the clips on another computer and see what happens.