MP4 file cannot be detected in VLC

[Joejim]

I am using VDH v7.1.3a1, After recording is finished and .part file is converted to a .mp4 file. Normally I can play .mp4 file in VLC or other player.
 But when I try to play in VLC, I got this error.

VLC can't recognize the input's format:

The format of 'file:///C:/Downloads/dwHelper/Tennis.mp4' cannot be detected.
Have a look at the log for details.

I also tried PotPlayer, File exists but don;t have any video.

So what happened?  Can I recover my recording so I can play in VLC?

[anuhea55 00]

Joejin...I also posted to your other inquiry about 4hrs ago....part file.  I was thinking about your issue here.  If you are using windows/explorer....I found that when you select the .mp4 file (just one mouse click) you will see the file width/height/length on the right side of the menu.  If there is only the size and no w/height, then you will not be able to view.....something went wrong with the download.  I have my explorer (Win10) on the top line next to the File button....go to view/select the "details pane."  When you select a file, an area on the right side will now show details about the file/size/width/height/length.  I always also have my list of files with "detail" rather than icons.  You can custom the columns to add the length (time video plays).  These settings are folder specific so you can do this even to a flash drive (I transfer asian videos to view on TV).  Just rt mouse the area next to the Size and scroll down the More to check Length.  This adds an extra column for time entries.

There is also another item I remembered from a previous post.  That is about the properties of the save-as folder.  Under Customize there an option to change a folder to video....I'm not exactly sure if this would make a difference...something you could investigate.

[Joejim]

anuhea55 00
Thanks again for your replies.
 BTW it seem you are the only on replying to this, so maybe my questions are not experienced or interest to others? 
To me this is a common problem that everybody should be interested. IMHO

Yes I already use DETAIL view of files,
Good playable MP4 files have length shown, but bad non-playable file show no length, thus players(VLC, etc..) confirm no video exist though VDH has downloaded it as MP4 file.

Mystery is why IF download is completed with PART file and converted to MP4,
and shows popup lower right corner desktop, VDH file READY to use, but file Length is 0, and no video exists.
Downloading is one thing, many factors can effect download quality, even stop downloads,
But AFTER download is completed and good PART exist, why converting to MP4 is such a problem?

There are many mysteries in life like UFO but converting good PART to MP4 shouldn't be such a mystery.  Maybe I am on wrong planet? haha

As to properties of the save-as folder to video? It is already Optimized for Videos under Customize tab.  I think Video is default option.

[anuhea55 00]

Joejim....you seem to imply that downloading these types of Streaming video's....that you occasionally get a good .mp4 file that you can view.  Why it sometime works for you is strange, other than the source of you streams.  Since I mostly download full .mp4 files, I have my VDH settings to 0 download retires...thus I do not get any .part, just a view-able .mp4.  Is it possible that there are other files that you can select under the 3balls indicator?  For single files, I only select the ones that indicate a MB size....generally looking for the largest that indicates a higher quality .mp4.....like 1280x720 format.  For streaming, I do not have any experience as to what to expect.  Other posters out there should have better answers.  I do know that if the file size does not list width/height or length, it will not play or be recognized by players.  The .part file conversion is mainly done by VDH conversion and probably no standalone converter available.  If you only get a .part, then I believe the process failed.  Try different files, streaming, individual and go to different sites.  If you do have URL's to post, more the better so others can look at them....maybe even On Demand stored videos.   Maybe you could list both good and bad files from similar sites.  There are so many issues with Utube and Vemeo, but yours could be just as important....at least to you.

[Joejim]

anuhea55 00
Thanks for your reply.  All due respect, I don't think you quite understand my question. But thanks for trying.
I am only interested in downloading live sports broadcasts like games.  I am not interested in downloading videos like Youtube or tv shows or movies, only LIVE games.
VDH allows me to download anything (well almost anything) that is playing in Firefox.  In my case PART file must exist then convert to MP4 later, unlike your case.

My primary question to VDH here(developer or expert VDH) is why after download is completed and PART exist, then final MP4 can't be played. 
It's a question of how VDH is converting PART to MP4? which is not a difficult or unique only to VDH.  It's very common process.
As I said most convert fine to MP4 but some not. 
It's little frustrating thinking that live games was downloaded as MP4 only to find it not playable later.

I get a sense that most people use VDH to download videos, movies, etc...and not LIVE games.
Posting live game URL here is no good cus games is already finished thus that URL stream don;t exist anymore.

At the end of the day, VDH is better than nothing, I can live with it as is.  Whatever it gives me. I am grateful for any live games that I can record and watch later.
 Also most games are on torrent within few hours anyway.  So it's not the end of the world not  have playable MP4 files from VDH.

Again thank for try to help.  Have a nice day. :):)