Problems openinng AVI files (Platinum 14)

E-J wrote on 1/20/2020, 9:15 PM

Hi all, new to the forum.

I have some security footage from a neighbor's camera system that he wants me to put put on a DVD.

Every time I try to open one of those files I get an error message: "Warning: an error occurred while opening one or more files. An error occurred while opening a codec."

The same happens with (the trial of) Movie Studio 16.

I can open and play the videos just fine with VLC Media Player (although they're rotated 90 degrees counter clockwise).

All of this is on a Windows (8.1) PC, by the way.

How can I make this work in Movie Studio?

Thank you,

Erik

 

 

Comments

EricLNZ wrote on 1/20/2020, 9:26 PM

VLC has its own codecs which aren't available to VMS. We need to find out the codec that your neighbour's camera used. Start here https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-how-to-post-mediainfo-and-vegas-pro-file-properties--104561/

and post the details.

E-J wrote on 1/20/2020, 9:57 PM

That was fast, thank you!

MediaInfo reports the following:

General
Complete name                            : C:\Users\Erik\Desktop\came3_2020-01-13__20-19-36_20-38-20__Chn3.avi
Format                                   : AVI
Format/Info                              : Audio Video Interleave
File size                                : 140 MiB
Duration                                 : 18 min 45 s
Overall bit rate                         : 1 044 kb/s

Video
ID                                       : 0
Format                                   : H.265
Codec ID                                 : H265
Duration                                 : 18 min 45 s
Bit rate                                 : 969 kb/s
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate                               : 30.000 FPS
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.016
Stream size                              : 130 MiB (93%)

Audio
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : ADPCM
Format profile                           : A-Law
Codec ID                                 : 6
Codec ID/Hint                            : CCITT
Duration                                 : 18 min 43 s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 64.0 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 1 channel
Sampling rate                            : 8 000 Hz
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Stream size                              : 8.57 MiB (6%)
Interleave, duration                     : 40  ms (1.20 video frame)

 

robertOZ wrote on 1/21/2020, 12:24 AM

I don't think that MS14 would be capable of opening H.265 files, I have MS16 Platinum which can open H.265 (HEVC) files, you may need to convert them to another format

Last changed by robertOZ on 1/21/2020, 12:40 AM, changed a total of 1 times.

 

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Musicvid wrote on 1/21/2020, 2:25 AM

H265 in an AVI wrapper is another frankenfile.

No version of Vegas would be able to open it natively.

I see an x265vfw codec in a search, but you are entirely on your own.

Knowing the avi container limitations, such a file must be large and inefficient.

E-J wrote on 1/21/2020, 10:45 PM

Thanks folks.

I'll try finding that codec. If all fails I can still put the files on DVD and add VLC for "easy" viewing.

Too many codecs.....

😐

 

EricLNZ wrote on 1/22/2020, 1:21 AM

As VLC plays the files you could try using VLC's Convert/Save option to create files VMS can handle. Or use Handbrake which has a Batch (Queue) function.

EricLNZ wrote on 1/22/2020, 1:25 AM

I'll try finding that codec. If all fails I can still put the files on DVD and add VLC for "easy" viewing.

Are you putting the files on a DVD as merely files and not a Video DVD? In which case I'd go for Handbrake as its mp4 files should not pose problems with playing.

E-J wrote on 1/22/2020, 2:55 PM

Hi all.

My intention is to create a regular video DVD, for playback in either a DVD player or PC. Putting the original files, plus a copy of VLC, on a "data DVD" would be a workaround, though less convenient, of course.

Handbrake, unfortunately, is not much help. I tried to open the files; but the program keeps telling me "no valid source or files found", followed by "this could be due to one of the following reasons", after which 3 reasons are listed.

However, with VLC I managed to convert the file into an MP4 file. That file I can play just fine in Windows media player (12.0.9600.19482).

But: I can't open it in MV14. Once again it tells me "warning: an error occurred while opening one or more files. The file is most likely corrupt or of an unknown format." I get the same error message in the trial of MV16.

MediaInfo lists the following about the file VLC created:

General
Complete name                            : C:\Users\Erik\Desktop\ttttttttt.mp4
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media
Codec ID                                 : isom (mp41/avc1)
File size                                : 181 MiB
Duration                                 : 18 min 43 s
Overall bit rate                         : 1 353 kb/s
Encoded date                             : UTC 2020-01-22 19:26:01
Tagged date                              : UTC 2020-01-22 19:26:01
Writing application                      : vlc 3.0.8 stream output

Video
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4
Format settings                          : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 4 frames
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 18 min 43 s
Bit rate                                 : 1 156 kb/s
Nominal bit rate                         : 3 500 kb/s
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Variable
Frame rate                               : 9.972 FPS
Minimum frame rate                       : 4.286 FPS
Maximum frame rate                       : 10.000 FPS
Original frame rate                      : 30.000 FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.056
Stream size                              : 155 MiB (85%)
Writing library                          : x264 core 155
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x13 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=abr / mbtree=1 / bitrate=3500 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2020-01-22 19:26:01
Tagged date                              : UTC 2020-01-22 19:26:01
Color range                              : Limited
Color primaries                          : BT.601 PAL
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.470 System B/G
mdhd_Duration                            : 1123422
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : MPEG Audio
Format version                           : Version 1
Format profile                           : Layer 3
Format settings                          : Joint stereo / MS Stereo
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-6B
Duration                                 : 18 min 43 s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 192 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Sampling rate                            : 44.1 kHz
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 25.7 MiB (14%)
Writing library                          : LAMEU/‰A9‚tI¦&saœ
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2020-01-22 19:26:01
Tagged date                              : UTC 2020-01-22 19:26:01


I don't have a whole lot of time left to experiment this afternoon; but will later tonight. In the meantime, if anyone has any other hints they will be welcomed with open arms!

Thanks.

 

Musicvid wrote on 1/22/2020, 3:56 PM

You will need constant frame rate, not variable.

You will want AAC audio, not MP3

You will want to match your source frame rate

If the file opens in VLC, Handbrake won't be far behind. Keep updating.

E-J wrote on 1/24/2020, 10:15 PM

Pardon my late reply. I injured my right arm two days ago and wasn't able to do much for a few days.

With VLC I was able to convert the original file to something that both MS14 and Handbrake can open.

It plays in MS14; but the sound is messed up, even though I picked AAC audio from the conversion options window. It just sounds like digital gibberish.

MediaInfo says this about the new file:

General
Complete name                            : C:\Users\Erik\Desktop\1111111.mp4
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media
Codec ID                                 : isom (mp41/avc1)
File size                                : 28.9 MiB
Duration                                 : 21 min 2 s
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 192 kb/s
Encoded date                             : UTC 2020-01-25 03:58:04
Tagged date                              : UTC 2020-01-25 03:58:04
Writing application                      : vlc 3.0.8 stream output
Comment                                  : QuickTime 6.0 or greater

Video
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4
Format settings                          : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 4 frames
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 21 min 2 s
Bit rate                                 : 90.1 kb/s
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Variable
Frame rate                               : 9.979 FPS
Minimum frame rate                       : 2.500 FPS
Maximum frame rate                       : 30.010 FPS
Original frame rate                      : 30.000 FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.004
Stream size                              : 13.6 MiB (47%)
Writing library                          : x264 core 155
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x13 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=23.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2020-01-25 03:58:04
Tagged date                              : UTC 2020-01-25 03:58:04
Color range                              : Limited
Color primaries                          : BT.601 PAL
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.470 System B/G
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 21 min 2 s
Source duration                          : 21 min 2 s
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 96.0 kb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 256 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 44.1 kHz
Frame rate                               : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 14.5 MiB (50%)
Source stream size                       : 14.5 MiB (50%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2020-01-25 03:58:04
Tagged date                              : UTC 2020-01-25 03:58:04
mdhd_Duration                            : 1262367

(QuickTime doesn't play it at all, though no error messages)

I see the framerate is still variable. I did quite a bit of searching but I'm still in the dark about which video formats are constant, and which variable.

Hints will be appreciated.

Musicvid wrote on 1/25/2020, 10:13 AM

The options to save mp4 with aac and 'Constant / Same as Source' frame rate are available in Handbrake.

VLC doesn't expose all the controls.

E-J wrote on 1/28/2020, 9:38 PM

The options to save mp4 with aac and 'Constant / Same as Source' frame rate are available in Handbrake.

I'm not following. Now it sounds like you're referring to importing the original file again. No?

E-J wrote on 2/2/2020, 9:41 PM

I get what you are saying; yet I feel like like I'm on a completely different page.

I can't open the original file in HandBrake. So how can I encode it?

I'm probably not seeing the forest because of the trees; but what am I missing?

Thank you.

Musicvid wrote on 2/2/2020, 10:17 PM

If it won't open in Handbrake, download an x265vfw codec and install it in Vegas, where it should show up in Vegas as an AVI custom encoder. That codec name must be exact.

My apologies; I was sick and forgot that you had already tried HB.

Have you tried the nightly version? https://handbrake.fr/nightly.php

You see, Handbrake uses the same libraries that were developed by VLC. So it's just a version difference. The confusion was all mine!

E-J wrote on 2/3/2020, 9:59 PM

No need to apologize. I am still recovering from my arm injury; I know all too well what being sick is like.

And I have to say that I'm far from an expert at this. I've used Vegas for many years for vacation and home videos with various digital camcorder files; but never ran into this issue. All of the codecs... Chinese to me.

I have tried the Nightly version, after you mentioned it. Same result; the file doesn't open. I did post a message on their forum, and provided them with a link to one of the first videos made with those cameras. Perhaps they can improve their software with it down the road.

However, there's some good news! After playing with various settings in VLC I managed to convert the original file into something that Movie Studio likes. I used the "Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)" profile. What I didn't realize at first is that those profile are customizable; and selecting the proper options there did the trick.

Thank you (all) for all your time and helpful hints! A lot of "reading between the lines" on my behalf (my better half always claims that's dangerous; but in this case it paid off 😄)

Erik

Musicvid wrote on 2/4/2020, 9:49 AM

However, there's some good news! After playing with various settings in VLC I managed to convert the original file into something that Movie Studio likes. I used the "Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)" profile. What I didn't realize at first is that those profile are customizable; and selecting the proper options there did the trick.

Feel free to mark one of the replies as The Solution if you wish.

Glad you found the needed VLC settings!

E-J wrote on 2/6/2020, 10:20 PM

A quick follow-up, for those who may run into a similar issue.

As mentioned earlier I contacted the HandBrake team, explaining the situation; and provided them with a sample file.

They've come up with a fix/patch; and the new version should be available in a week or so. From what I can see it looks great. That discussion can be found at https://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=39824&p=188592#p188592

You gotta love hard-working FREEware coders! 👍

Musicvid wrote on 2/7/2020, 5:47 PM

Thanks for following up x2!