Unexpected file format - any new tricks?

[fingerbreaker]

I'm using Ultimate 2020. I'm getting an "Unexpected File Format" notice during the initial loading of a project. If I hit "OK", the program crashes. I'm pretty sure it's because I mindlessly added a Quicktime clip to the project. Since it wasn't playing back correctly, I converted the video in a separate program to an mp4 and replaced the clip with the new one (mp4) so I thought the trouble was gone. Or maybe the converted file has some problem with it (I just used a video editor that came with my Windows 10 pc). But anyway, the program never opens to allow me to delete the troublesome clip or try anything.

Anyway, I've read a few threads about this issue and it seems like the only solution is to backup frequently cause you ain't gonna solve it, but I was just hoping someone had a new idea for a workaround. I tried deleting the suspect clip from the folder thinking it might give me a file not found/relink option from which I could somehow get rid of the clip, but I still got the unexpected file format error.

Redoing this project from scratch would be time-consuming so just hoping there's another way before I resign myself to that reality.

Thanks in advance,
FB

[fingerbreaker]

By the way I just tried opening the file in x9 and it didn't work. None of my U20 projects open at all in x9 - maybe that's expected.

[tletter]

By the way I just tried opening the file in x9 and it didn't work. None of my U20 projects open at all in x9 - maybe that's expected.

Yes it's expected as Corel dropped the ability to export to previous VSP versions with VS2020, i.e. if you save a VSP in VS2020/2021, you wouldn't be able to open it in an earlier version of VS.

I tried deleting the suspect clip from the folder thinking it might give me a file not found/relink option from which I could somehow get rid of the clip, but I still got the unexpected file format error.

Perhaps you could try starting VS and deselecting the relink checking option, remove all sources from the expected paths, and then open your VSP. This may allow the VSP to open and then you could go from there.

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[fingerbreaker]

I tried the suggestion and unfortunately it didn't work. It did turn out that the converted video was itself corrupt - I couldn't even delete it from my pc, nor the folder it resided in. I ran a checksum and that got rid of the file. But even with that file gone (and even removing all of the clips from the project folder) the project would fail in the same way, so I'm out of luck. I don't know why I didn't just use VS itself to convert the quicktime mov to mp4 instead of the stock windows app.

Basically, always make frequent backups, and always right before introducing a clip you're not sure will be assimilated trouble-free.

Thanks,
FB