software to view SFF files from a CCTV hard disc?

[SH]

I have a CCTV recorder that appeared to have some missing recordings
according to the CCTV management software on some days. I think is is
related to the recent heatwave we had recently.

I pulled the discs out and had a look under Ubuntu.

The actual video recordings are there on the HDD as 4.3 GB files in the
SSF file format.

So I think the issue is with the *.db2 log files that go with each of
the SFF files which was making the front end software "claim" there were
no video recordings of the day in question.

The system has 8 cameras so I am assuming the SSF files is a multiplexed
video file of all 8 video streams.

I have copied an entire day's worth of the (62) SFF files onto another
hard disc (266 GB in total!)

(all the other days show similar daily recorded file sizes and file
quantities so thats how I know there is indeed video files even though
the software says otherwise.

Does anyone know of any video viewers/players that can play SSF video files?

I can run this on either Linux or Windows.

[Brian]

A possibility is Structured Fax Format, it was designed to handle raster
files ( faxes) and it is possible they have used it.

I recall seeing it listed in various conversion tools but not recently,
then I haven’t looked.

Assuming you can find a tool, a batch file to run the command and process
all the files in a directory would speed things up.

Demultiplexing the 8 streams may be more interesting.

[SH]

to confirm the file suffis is SSF, not SFF. and the CCTV is full
colour....

[Brian]

SSF is a format used by Trimble among others. ( the navigation people)

You may be able to use Handbrake ( in Linux) or try one of the online
converters. The latter tend to limit file size and/or number but you will
at least find a tool, even if you then need to buy it.

[Theo]

In uk.d-i-y SH <i.l...@spam.com> wrote:
> Does anyone know of any video viewers/players that can play SSF video files?
>
> I can run this on either Linux or Windows.

Try 'file whatever.ssf' in Linux and see if it reports any clues.

Also try 'strings -n8 whatever.ssf | less' and see if there's any useful
text in there that might be a pointer. (-n8 looks for 8 printable
characters in a row - the default of 4 can produce random garbage if the
file is long)

Theo

[SH]

it seems to me the CCTV recorder multiplexes the 8 camera streams into
one file.

Given there is typically 60 of these SSF files every day, that suggests
each 4.3 GB SSF file is 24 minutes long.

Given that DTT and Freesat broadcast multiplexes that carry several TV
channels, I happen to have DVB tuners in my computer than can record a
multiplex rather than just one channel. I am aware of open source
software that can demultiplex a recorded multiplex into its individual
channels.

So is it too much to hope that the SSF files could be demultiplexed into
8 files using the same demultiplexing software (the words PVAstrumento
and Handbrake come to mind) as hopefully the CCTV uses standard MPEG
codecs to digitise the analogue video, compress it, and make it into a
playable video file that follws some video standard like MPEG?

Co-incidentally, the DVR can export the stored recoerdings to AVI as
well as to SEC format....

[Theo]

Maybe. Or maybe not. It might use a standard format, or it might be
entirely proprietary to your model of recorder. It might be encrypted. We
don't have any information to go on, so you're the only one who can
investigate.

There may be clues: for example a file with the string 'JFIF' in it is
probably a JPEG. Looking for strings in the file and googling them is a
good start.

> Co-incidentally, the DVR can export the stored recoerdings to AVI as
> well as to SEC format....

The time and effort it takes to do that might be instructive as to whether
it's merely shuffling data around, or having to transcode. Inspecting the
exported AVIs and SECs may also offer some clues (eg what codec do they
contain?).

On that note:
https://arindamcctvaccesscontrol.blogspot.com/2022/05/nvr-dvr-ip-camera-file-extensions.html
.ssf - Star DVR Systems (?) Eclipse Client DME Resources Download
.ssf - OpenEye Digital Video Security Solutions (Available via OpenEye site)
.ssf - BKplayer DME Resources Download

ring any bells?

Theo

[Robin]

It might help if you told us the specific CCTV and software you are using.

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

[SH]

Samsung DVR and the software is Wisenet smartviewer

teh samsung DVRs were also markedted under the Techwin Hanwha brand.

The smartphone app is iPolis.

[Tony Gamble]

I used Handbrake with Win 10 to make ours readable last week. There were
some supporting files but all I did was to sent the obvious movie ones
to Handbrake.

Then Joyoshare video joiner to splice them together.

[Robin]

On 12/08/2022 18:17, SH wrote:

And the /precise/ model of the DVR? I ask as some at least use a
proprietary format with recordings locked to the machine (c.f. PVRs
where HD recordings cannot be played back on other machines).

[SH]

SRD-860 DC

[Robin]

2 small points:

a. I can find nothing about that model. Plenty about others in the SRD
series (SRD-850DC, SRD-870DC, etc). But nothing for 860

b. at least of those other models use .SSF files

[Robin]

On 13/08/2022 19:32, SH wrote:

a v v quick look suggests some version BKPlayer *might* do something if
you have .SSF

[SH]

awfully sorry. a mistype, its a SRD 870DC!

[SH]

where can I find bkplayer please?

[Andy Burns]

> where can I find bkplayer please?

<https://spreadys.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/ssf-files-with-bkplayer-exe/>

there's a Part2 linked, no idea if the software is still downloadable?