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Hard drive issue, "unsupported" videos

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yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member -  
ziggourat Posted messages 24643 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -
Hello,
I bought a "storex" brand hard drive with a capacity of 1TB. ==> Here is the descriptive link to my purchase:
https://www.boulanger.com/c/carte-tv#message_code=20

The problem is that I have movies with very large sizes (>5Gb) in .avi format and these are not playable on my multimedia hard drive, which tells me that the file is "not supported"..

I converted my video to .wmv, the size is lower (<2Gb) and these work fine, but by doing this I lost some quality, and given my large number of movies, if I have to convert them all, I'm in trouble.. :'(
Does this "unsupported" video problem come from the format, a special codec, or the size being too massive???

I checked myself, my hard drive is formatted by default in "ntfs".

I hope I have provided enough information for you to continue helping me!

Thank you, yoyo072613

20 answers

  1.
    Le n'haricot Posted messages 176 Status Member 77
     
    Transfers to external hard drives are limited to 4 GB if formatted as FAT32... To successfully transfer more than 4 GB, the hard drive must be formatted as exFAT (FAT64).

    FAT32 (FAT for File Allocation Table) is a file system. Using 28-bit addresses, it allows for the creation of small allocation units on large disks: this results in greater management complexity than its predecessors FAT12 and FAT16 (larger code in memory and slightly heavier execution), but substantial savings in disk space, with the average half-block lost per file never exceeding 256 KB.

    Contrary to what its name suggests, the FAT32 file system does not use 32-bit disk addresses, but 28-bit addresses (whereas FAT12 does use 12-bit disk addresses, and FAT16 uses 16-bit addresses).

    FAT32 Limitations

    Technical
    Maximum file size: 4 Go minus 1 byte, or 4,294,967,295 bytes (232-1).
    Maximum partition size: 16 Tb (theoretically)
    Maximum number of files: approximately 268,000,000 (2^28 = 268,435,456)
    On Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7, formatting in FAT32 is limited to 32 Go (if you choose a higher value, only NTFS will be offered). Furthermore, although at first glance the "format" command in the command line does not seem to have this restriction, it also fails (after a certain amount of time spent formatting the volume). However, third-party software can indeed format larger partitions as FAT32 (see the article on disk partitions for a non-exhaustive list of such utilities). This limitation is not based on anything concrete, and earlier versions of Windows are not affected by it.

    exFAT or FAT64

    exFAT is what one might call a "FAT 64," with modern limits, particularly regarding file sizes. Where FAT32 limits files to 4 GiB and partitions to 2 TiB (32 GiB under Windows using the partition utility), exFAT extends to 64 ZiB for partitions (1 ZiB is equivalent to approximately 1 billion TiB, precisely 1,073,741,824) and 16 EiB for files (1 EiB is equivalent to approximately 1 million TiB, exactly 1,048,576).

    How to convert from FAT32 to exFAT:

    https://forum.pcastuces.com/sujet.asp?f=1&s=43249

    Good luck!
    3
  2. gej62
     
    What is the codec of your avi file?
    For your 700MB in avi the codec may be in xvid, dx50.
    Open your avi with vlc.
    Then click on "tools"
    Then "codec information"
    Click on "codec"
    You will have the video and audio codec under stream0 and stream1.
    Then write it down for us.
    Otherwise, use mediainfo.
    Afterwards, it may not be the codec but the container used. As long as we don't have the details of the video, we can only assume. If we can do without re-encoding, it's worth a try.

    The ideal would be to have this kind of information.

    Format: MPEG-4
    Format identifier: Base Media
    Codec identifier: isom
    File size: 499 MB
    Duration: 15 min 11 s
    Average bitrate: 4,592 Kbps
    Movie name: Sintel
    Performer: Durian Blender Open Movie Project
    Application used: Lavf54.63.104
    Copyright: Copyright Blender Foundation | durian.blender.org
    Comment: Encoded in DivX Plus HD!

    Video
    ID: 1
    Format: AVC
    Format/Info: Advanced Video Codec
    Format profile: Main@L4.0
    Format parameters, CABAC: Yes
    Format parameters, RefFrames: 1 frame
    Codec identifier: avc1
    Codec identifier/Info: Advanced Video Coding
    Duration: 15 min 10 s
    Bitrate type: Variable
    Bitrate: 4,426 Kbps
    Nominal bitrate: 4,217 Kbps
    Width: 1,920 pixels
    Height: 872 pixels
    Display aspect ratio: 2.2
    Frame rate type: Constant
    Frames per second: 24.000 fps
    Resolution: 24 bits
    Colorimetry: 4:2:0
    Image type: Progressive
    Bits/(Pixel*Frame): 0.110
    Stream size: 481 MB (96%)
    Library used: x264 core 129
    Encoding parameters: cabac=1 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x131 / me=dia / subme=2 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=4 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=abr / mbtree=1 / bitrate=4217 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.41 / aq=1:1.00

    Audio
    ID: 2
    Format: AAC
    Format/Info: Advanced Audio Codec
    Format version: Version 4
    Format profile: LC
    Format parameters, SBR: No
    Codec identifier: 40
    Duration: 15 min 11 s
    Bitrate type: Variable
    Bitrate: 163 Kbps
    Maximum bitrate: 192 Kbps
    Channels: 2 channels
    Channel positions: L R
    Sampling: 48.0 KHz
    Resolution: 16 bits
    Stream size: 17.7 MB (4%)

    slts
    2
  3. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
     
    And then VLC gives me the following codec: DV Video (dvsd)
    1
  4. gej62
     
    Identifier of the codec: dvsd
    Commercial name: DVCPRO
    not supported by your HDD

    in the AVI you can find as codec.
    mpeg 4
    h264
    xvid
    divx5
    h263
    h263h+
    etc etc etc....

    you need to re-encode your videos
    I'll check the technical sheet again.
    ttyl
    1
    1. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
       
      Alright, thank you very much for everything.
      Is it better to re-encode or convert the videos to another format? Which of the two solutions will allow me to lose the least quality (as these are old films)?
      Re-encoding is done with software, I suppose. Is there a better one than others in this field?
      0
    2. gej62
       
      You need to re-encode in a format compatible with your HDD using the h264 codec either in mkv or m2ts.

      You say that you have already encoded it, but that you have a loss of quality. What software did you use?
      I have videos of this type; I will try an experiment in mkv (h264) and let you know about the software.
      Here’s a small link to help you get familiar with it.
      http://transcode-graphic.com/les-formats-video/
      Later.
      0
  6. ziggourat Posted messages 24643 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   5 340
     
    Hello,

    DV (Digital Video) seems to be relatively little read by multimedia devices.
    Unfortunately, this is the case with yours, which, between us, doesn't seem to be the most "popular" device according to the comments and specifications on Homecine_compare: https://www.homecine-compare.com/lecteur-STOD5221TO-STOREX-D-522-1-To.htm

    Solution: you need to transform your file or re-encode it. Given that the bitrate of this format is around 25 MB/s (which is high), you will need to be careful with this rate during the operation. Choosing H264 in MP4 or MKV containers, or even M2TS, could be wise.
    Another option could also be considered ;)
    However, I think you might still experience some loss.

    Best regards
    -- 
    Long live Bobo! ~ Little fish will grow big ~
    1
    1. yoyo072613
       
      Thank you very much.
      0
    2. yoyo072613
       
      Sure, I'm considering possibly bringing my hard drive back to the store and buying another one. Could you recommend one that plays the Digital Video codec?
      0
    3. ziggourat Posted messages 24643 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   5 340
       
      No, I haven't seen one despite a few small searches. Even high-end devices (DVICO, DUNE, POPCOR, and others) do not offer playback of DV.
      I actually came across an old message I made in 2009 on another forum, and I see that apparently not much has changed since then.

      Generally speaking, you either use editing software to work on videos made with a camcorder like miniDV, I suppose, to be able to output them in a "readable format."
      Or you need to "convert" them. Admittedly, this can take time, but some software allows you to line up multiple files. Thus, after performing a test to check the "quality" that suits you, you can let the computer do the work overnight, for example.

      Finally, I'm giving you my opinion: look at the comments and their number, which are often a good indicator of the device.
      When I see in the comments on the Boulanger website that people mention a lack of reliability of the product, I tend to be wary. But this doesn’t mean that your multimedia hard drive is poor, of course.
      0
  7. Helping Posted messages 448 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   49
     
    Hello!
    Did you at least install ADOBE? ...
    0
  8. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
     
    ADOBE ??
    A link would be very helpful..
    0
  9. sataroz Posted messages 54 Status Member 26
     
    Supported video formats and codecs: MKV, H.264, MPEG2, MPEG4, RM/RMVB, M2TS, WMV

    While this one https://www.boulanger.com/c/disque-dur-externe#message_code=20

    Supported video formats and codecs: AVI, MKV, MOV, TS/TP, MP4/M4V, VOB, WMV, RM/RMVB, M2TS, FLV. Codec: H.264, Xvid, VC1, WMV6/9, REAL8/9/10

    Really out of luck.
    0
  10. Helping Posted messages 448 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   49
     
    Alright! :)
    www.adobe.com/
    Good luck! I hope it works out! ...
    0
  11. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
     
    I don't see how this software would be useful to me? :3
    0
  12. Helping Posted messages 448 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   49
     
    Well, you can't watch videos, so this software might be useful...
    0
  13. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
     
    Are you sure that with this hard drive I could watch my movies over 5GB in .avi format without any issues?
    0
  14. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
     
    I'm talking about watching my videos on TV through my multimedia hard drive!!!
    Everything works perfectly on my computer.
    0
  15. sataroz Posted messages 54 Status Member 26
     
    Yes, since the .avi format is supported, when you buy a multimedia hard drive, you need to read the formats and codecs line carefully.
    0
    1. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
       
      On the packaging of my hard drive, the .avi format is clearly listed!!
      And it plays 700MB .avi movies very well...
      0
    2. sataroz Posted messages 54 Status Member 26
       
      strange it doesn’t appear in the video formats and codecs, and yet I’ve looked on other sites and it’s the same thing
      0
    3. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
       
      I just tried right now with another Western Digital hard drive where the .avi format is indeed present, and my large videos still don’t work.. :(
      0
    4. sataroz Posted messages 54 Status Member 26
       
      But it's to watch them on your TV with your multimedia hard drive, right? And your computer can read big .avi videos even when they are stored on the multimedia hard drive?
      0
    5. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
       
      Yes, that's exactly it!
      1
  16. Helping Posted messages 448 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   49
     
    Sorry, I misunderstood it -_-!
    0
  17. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
     
    It's okay, thanks anyway for taking an interest..
    Do you have any idea why my hard drive won't play videos larger than 5GB in .avi??
    0
  18. Helping Posted messages 448 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   49
     
    Well, surely the problem comes from the hard drive! Otherwise, I can't help you... Sorry! :(
    0
  20. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
     
    Good evening, here’s some news from my research..

    First of all, I did some tests and concluded that my issue with "unsupported" videos on my multimedia hard drive didn’t come from:

    - The .avi format (since I tried other 700MB movies in .avi that work perfectly).
    - The size of the videos (since I own a movie larger than 5GB in HD that works perfectly)

    I conclude that this problem is more likely related to the codecs..

    Is there a codec expert in this community?

    Thank you for continuing to help me.

    Yoyo072613
    0
  21. yoyo072613 Posted messages 22 Status Member 2
     
    Here is the information provided by MediaInfo:

    General
    Full name: F:\Yoann\Super 8\Cassette n°12\Vidéo 3.avi
    Format: AVI
    Format/Info: Audio Video Interleave
    Commercial name: DVCPRO
    Format profile: OpenDML
    File size: 5.10 GiB
    Duration: 25min 18s
    Overall bit rate type: Constant
    Average overall bit rate: 28.9 Mb/s

    Video
    ID: 0
    Format: DV
    Commercial name: DVCPRO
    Codec ID: dvsd
    Codec ID/Hint: Sony
    Duration: 25min 18s
    Bit rate type: Constant
    Bit rate: 24.4 Mb/s
    Encoded bit rate: 28.8 Mb/s
    Width: 720 pixels
    Height: 480 pixels
    Screen format: 16/9
    Frames type: Constant
    Frames per second: 29.970 fps
    Standard: NTSC
    Color space: YUV
    Chroma subsampling: 4:1:1
    Color depth: 8 bits
    Scan type: Interlaced
    Scan order: Bottom field first
    Compression mode: Lossy
    Bits/(Pixel*Frame): 2.357
    Stream size: 5.09 GiB (100%)
    0