Can't play the mp4 file

[Maarten Casier]

I used the Video Download helper but I can't play the files downloaded with it.
I tried to play it with VLC (gives in the top of the window some colours but no recognisable form), Windows Media Player (stays black screen), Real Player (does nothing) and Quicktime (doesn't want to play at all) but nothing. I haven't found any likewise problem so, I am the only one?

How can I solve this?

Best,

[mig]

You need to provide the URL of the video page, the version of VDH you are running, and the platform you are running on. Also the variant you pick in the VDH list if there are several.

[Maarten Casier]

Video DownloadHelper 7.1.1

Windows 10

[bert.en...@gmail.com]

Hi,
When downloading from Amazon, I can't play the file or convert it.
I have windows 10 and the latest VDH.
What to do about it?

Cheers,

[mig]

Can you provide the URL of a page containing a video you have problems with ?
Can you use a service like https://expirebox.com/ to upload a short video you downloaded and have problem with, then share the URL ?

[bert.en...@gmail.com]

E.g. Super 8 from Amazon in MP4 format, the only format available for that prime, in 52MB quality.

[mig]

A URL (web address) would be very helpful.

[bert.en...@gmail.com]

https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0TRC9YZ1BG290ICPYXKM4AJHM9/ref=atv_hm_hom_c_4XnlWR_brws_7_7
The trailer works but not the full video
https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0LY0D38NUMWTPSSXMLJNVZWBD7/ref=sr_hom_c_unkc_1_1?sr=1-1&qid=1513496002

[mig]

Maybe they use DRM on the full video. There is no way for VDH to get around that.

[para-lk]

for me the mp4 has taken a couple of hours to download, it shows as the full file size but Quicktime does not recognise it - unable to convert it - and VLC shows it as 0:00:00 play time.   I presume it is just a coding error or something.  It seems that the error occurs at the stage of completion/ changing the file from .part to just .mp4
Today it worked properly for three of the six files from the same general site. 

To avoid going through the download process again (time and data, as I am not on unlimited data and ff is very slow) is there a way to edit the code in the downloaded file so that it is recognised by the players as a video file?
Sometimes the download works correctly - the files are still jerky when played in quicktime and mildly jerky in vlc but that is a small issue. 

Version 7.1.2a5
VdhCoApp 1.1.2

or should I go back to using the latest stable version of vdh ?

I will try to send you the error message that is generated.

[para-lk]

OK - i do realise that is a silly question to ask about editing the file code without seeing the file itself.

[mig]

What you can do is convert the downloaded file, so the QuickTime glitches (a long time issue) will disappear.
When using the local convert feature, pick the "Re-encoded MP4 (h264/aac) format to force the video re-encoding.

[Joejim]

What converting program do u recommend to convert PART to MP4?  I tried several programs but none worked.
Often I record over night, so when I wake no blue icon(record) on VDH icon, but I see PART file in folder.
How can i convert this PART to MP4?  OR is this possible?

[Joejim]

Like OP, I get MP4 file after recording but can't play in any programs (VLC, etc...).
Interestingly MPH-HC player will play audio only but no video.
Is there anyway to convert this MP4 file into playable PM$ with video?

I tried convert with ffmpeg.  .\ffmpeg -i example.mp4 -c copy example2.mp4, .\ffmpeg -i example.mp4 example2.mp4.  Not work

[para-lk]

Thank you Mig for the solution to quicktime glitches - i have not tried it yet but thanks. That is not the real problem. 

The problem is when the file downloads and changes to .mp4 [from .mp4.part] and shows as full size such as 434MB or 1.2MB for a longer video, but cannot be recognised as a video by players quicktime or vlc or mpeg streamclip.

I just reverted from the beta version to the last stable version (7.1.1)  and had the same problem - two files downloaded from same website; one completed and can be played while the other, about the same size, completed but cannot be opened by video players.  Would it help if I sent those two files to you?  Was the error log helpful at all?   

By the way, another file, after the third full download has given a playable result after two not playable.

Thanks for a good product and good luck in your efforts with the ongoing challenge that Firefox has given.

[para-lk]

Hello.  Just an update to the problem of the mp4 that can't be played:

Latest version 7.1.2 -  file naming change noted. Still get a variable result.  Downloaded one video twice today as first wouldn't play but second one does play.  

[anuhea55 00]

para-ik....on the issue or the .part file getting converted to an .mp4.  Again, I'm still on FF56+ and VDH 6.3.1 but following all the VDH 7.1+ issues.  Under settings/behavior of 6.3.1, there is a box for "number of download retries"....if this is set to 0, the downloads no longer create a .part file, goes straight to .mp4.  This has to be an option in 7.1.+.  For one thing, with a partial .mp4, the video players like VLC can immediately play and not wait till the .part converts.  I use Potplayer to view partial downloads to make sure things like English subtitles appear on asian videos.  The .part cannot be viewed till completion.  Is the ability to ignore download retries not an option in the 7.1.+?  More reason to stay with 6.3.1.  I stack as much as 20 videos and monitor them in my selected folders and using the FF large green download arrow to follow the progress.  In another thread, I understand that auto-pin is the only way for history, at least for the day, is stored.....not as good.

[Joejim]

anuhea55 00
1.  Maybe I am confused but I am using VDH v 7.1.3a1, and it has "number of download retries" option.  Mine is set to "3"(default?).  So I don;t understand why your VDH v 7.1.+ don't have "number of download retries" ?
2.  About setting "number of download retries" to 0.  If this option goes straight to .mp4(no more .part) then can I use it always? Why set "number of download retries" to 3(default? I think?)?
I had few downloads with .mp4.part extension and can't convert or play anywhere.  So if I had it set at "number of download retries" to 0 then at least I would have partial download to view?
I am total newbie about VDH and whole downloading thing.  I am just trying to understand.

[anuhea55 00]

Joejim....in the 6.3.1 older version (also FF56+) that I'm still using, the "download retries" I reset to 0 instead of 3 or 4. This allowed only the .mp4 file to be created and no .part.  A note here, is that the video's that I download are only .mp4 format to begin with.  I believe that if a video has to be converted from one format to .mp4, this 0 may not work.  My understanding from previous Mig replies to posts is that in the event of any download failures (esp with poor or broken connections) that there is an automatic retry of the download, say 3.  This 0 value forces me to do a manual retry of a failed video.  It also allows me to view the partial .mp4 file to see if subtitles are present on an asian video.  You cannot view a .part, you must wait till after the conversion to .mp4

I just saw you posted a problem about a Tennis.mp4 that could not be viewed in VLC, and no audio in PotPlayer (I use this all the time, more functions than VLC).  If your original identified video is an .mp4 and not streaming or maybe from Utube, try the 0 Retry.  While the download process is going on, go to you folder and view the partial downloading file. Just double-click and your default viewer should play (either VLC or PotPlayer) If this works in 7.1.3a1 then that's great!  Also, Mig always tells the posters that if they have a problem with a video, to post the URL so others can try.  Also, you cannot close the whole FireFox window while downloads are processing.  This will kill the VDH process and you will be left with incomplete files.  You must leave open at least one tab open.

[Joejim]

anuhea55 00
Thanks for your kind reply.  I am downloading live streaming sports(football game) and not a video from FF.  So maybe setting
"download retries" to zero may not work for me, I need to set it at 3.

Also since it is live streaming, sharing URL here is no good cus game is already finished.

BTW I find it interesting that most people are downloading videos with VDH, and not live streaming feeds.  As I understand it live streaming feeds are different than pre recorded videos playing in FF.
Also I have to deal with slow internet speed (5mbps) which causes buffering on live streaming.

Last few days I am getting .mp4 files that I can't play in VLC or other players. Strange.

[para-lk]

Thank you for your comment anuhea55 00
I set the number of retries to zero.   Still get some successful downloads and some that look like they should be successful but are not playable.  The same issue still occurs:  
 
During the download, it still displays the file with '.mp4.part' 
It goes all the way through the download and results in a full size file ending with '.mp4'   I know it is full size because when I have tried multiple times with the same video the file that does work on second, third or fifth download is given the same size as the versions that do not play.  That is, the mp4 that will not play and shows with 0:00:00 time in VLC is 553.7MB   and the file that does play and shows as 49:25 in VLC is also 553.7MB
It eats into my data allowance a lot. :-/

The error occurs at the very end of the download.  I did send mig one of the logs.  Since then i noticed a change in the name given to the file but that has made no difference to the outcomes, just creates more work to recall which video each file is.

It is something that has only occurred since the update of Firefox to 57.  My computer has slowed significantly since that change too.  grrr.  I would like to go back to FF 56 when digital life was more pleasant, but I am concerned by security issues using old version of such programs. 
Now there is a FF 58.  I hope that the speed issue is addressed.  I see from the group that the vdh issues are ongoing with people who have FF 58....

I am confident that mig will find an answer if there is a way to make it more stable.  I've been using 7.1.2.  I am going to give the latest beta version a try for a video that has failed three times at the end. 

[Joejim]

para-lk
IMHO I don't know why your using VDH for video downloads. 
There several better video download programs than VDH.  I download many videos each day and I don;t use VDH.
Sorry I can't tell you which programs cus owner, mig, may not like it.

I only use VDH for LIVE stream sports games(not videos) playing on websites.

VDH is ok for free but I wouldn't pay because too many obvious problems not fixed, customer service(answering this Google group questions) are TERRIBLE.
when mig finally answers his replies are incomplete (not addressing all questions, only partial so I have to either ask again or forget it and move on),

What you are asking about mp4.part or final mp4 not able to play is a very good question, it happens often BUT mig doesn't answer you.

I am a recent user of VDH and I already stopped asking questions here.
I accept whatever VDH does or doesn't do and live with it.
Life moves on. LOL

[mig]

There are a number of other open threads i participate more actively because they hold information i can work from.

Without a link to the video page, i cannot help.

If the problem is that the resulting video file cannot play, posting a file to a service like https://expirebox.com/ (limited to 200MB) would help to understand whether the file is broken or if it is a player problem.

If there are errors during the download (a number appear in a red square in the toolbar icon), we need a copy/paste of the error and its details.

[anuhea55 00]

para-lk....I am disappointed.  I am still on FF56 and VDH 6.3+ but follow this site for when I do update my system.  In 6.3, if the Number of retries set to 0 instead of 3 or 4 provided a way for the mp4.part file to not appear.  Without the retries=0, an empty .mp4 file holder was in the folder and after processing, the .mp4.part got converted to the .mp4.  With the setting of 0, you could start viewing the partial .mp4 before completion....something you cannot do with the .mp4.part.  Also, if the "properties" of the resulting .mp4 file has the file width/height not appearing when you query the file, then VLC or any other viewer will not see anything.  I see a lot of users having this problem.  Maybe users are interrupting or trying to view the .mp4.part before completion.  However, I am disappointed that retries=0 is not working and eliminating the .part file from appearing.

Joejim...I've seen your frustration but I would like to believe that solutions will be addressed.  HLS streaming that fail...ugh

[Joejim]

mig
Here's my reply to you on another post.
mig
ok .part files are not playable and wasted a recording session.  Life moves on.

But more important question was the first part of my question.  Let me repeat it.

Sometimes I get a MP4 file after download is completed but can't play on any player.
Ex: In VLC, this error, VLC can't recognize the input's format:

The format of 'file:///C:/Downloads/dwHelper/Tennis%20BAD.mp4' cannot be detected. Have a look at the log for details.

This is after I get a popup on lower right corner of my Windows 10 desktop which says VDH file is ready.  It's not a PART file, it's a MP4 file.

So why is this happening?

Can you please answer?

 

I still haven't got an answer.

[Joejim]

mig
I seen several places you ask for URL.  Sure URL is available for video downloads BUT no good for "live streaming like sports games" cus games is over,
URL does you no good.  I am sure you know that.
Maybe most users are only downloading videos but I only use VDH for live streaming sports on websites. HLS streams.

Sure buffering caused by slow internet or server overload will cause recording not to complete.
BUT if download is complete, mp4 file is done, no errors(thus no error report), yet final mp4 can't be played in any media players. 
File size is not zero or few kb, it shows fully downloaded file sizes like 100sMB or GBs for few hrs of recording.
This is THE question.

[Joejim]

mig
Maybe you are one person operation? thus hard to keep up with all the questions?  I can understand.
I also see many questions that me and my friends never experience.
It's a simple process click and download. 

Anyway VDH is better than nothing, when it works great, when not, oh well life moves on,
I have just accepted whatever VDH gives me.
I am tired of searching and posting questions.

[Joejim]

mig
Lastly, if you don;t mind me asking.  Do you know other addons or programs that will download live streaming HLS like sports games?
To clarify, I am not interested in videos like youtube, or tv shows or movies. 
I am only interested in downloading HLS or other format used to broadcast live streaming sports games.

Most people think all downloads are same but they are not as you know.  Videos are not same as live streams.
Thanks for all you do. Wish you much success with VDH.

[Joejim]

mig
one more thing.  I just thought of it.

Here's a link.  I watch ESPN from this site. https://www.streamlive.to/view/48051/ESPN-(HD)
It currently shows URL as
https://streaming1.streamlive.to/edge/xoaaohmeuajfeyf/chunks.m3u8?nimblesessionid=1393286&wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9MS8yOC8yMDE4IDQ6Mjg6MTkgUE0maGFzaF92YWx1ZT0
weWIyK0pKOGlTc1VtaTFUZThTWDZnPT0mdmFsaWRtaW51dGVzPTEwMCZzdHJtX2xlbj0yMA==

But next time URL changes.
Few hours ago I watched Australian Open tennis final LIVE, but currently ESPN is playing pre taped Sports Center program.

[anuhea55 00]

Joejim....thanks for the espn link, at least one could try viewing and download something.  So, you say that sometimes files like this work to view and other times not.  I'm not familiar with HLS streams...do you have to watch in the url window the whole telecast before doing the VDH download or do you start the url, then use VDH and let the process work in the background.  You then take the .mp4 after the stream is complete and watch again later on the PC or flash drive to TV?  Boy, that could be a very large 3-4hr show.  I tried downloading a few from you espn and the process is different than from a single mp4.  I see a mp4.part that keeps getting larger but no tracking info appears in the FF large download arrow (may not be avail in FF57).  I will let this run for a little while but the file could get very big.  Hey, the ProBowl stream just finished and I now see a .mp4 file that I can view, even in VLC....granted, I'm still on 6.3.+ and not 7.1.+.  The file width/height properties were listed.  My other stream, Milan soccer is still going.

My other comment a few hrs ago about the part file being replace by a single .mp4 file for single file downloads (when download replies=0) is still important as is the issue of stacking many downloads into a Queue.  7.1+ has to address these too, even if a CoApp is needed.

[mig]

I recorded a couple of minutes of an NBA game and had no problem playing it on VLC.

As i suggested in my previous comment, can you post a sample file to https://expirebox.com/ and share the link ?

[mig]

There is no way to view an HLS download before it is fully downloaded, neither in 6.x nor 7.x. It's just that it is not technically possible.

What's the problem with queueing many downloads on 7.x ? This is supposed to work as expected.

[anuhea55 00]

mig...as you replied on a previous post, the queued issue is fixed as long as the "coapp" is used.  I will have a better feel of this after I switch over to 7.1.  I hope other users are enjoying the stacking feature.  mig...do I understand that the "download retries=0" (like in 6.3+) no longer eliminates the .mp4.part file from being created?  Is there anyway to eliminate the .part and just create directly a mp4.   I often start viewing a partial downloaded .mp4 to see if the quality is good or if hard subtitles appear in the file.  CC type subs, that play on a PC view screen, will not transfer to the .mp4

[mig]

It is unfortunately not possible to check the file being downloaded before the download completes.

[anuhea55 00]

mig...in 7.1+ with coapp, does setting the "download retries" =0 not work anymore.  6.3+ allowed the .part file to not be created.  For single .mp4 file downloads, when set to 0, only the .mp4 file got created.  Thus, a partial file could be viewed using VLC or others.  Does single downloads, using FF57+ now require all files to go thru a conversion of some kind, rather than a straight download.  If so, that's really too bad!!  Is the conversion done at the end of the process and slows the overall time because the .mp4.part has to be re-read and processed...or maybe just a header/footer is added to the output.

[mig]

Simple downloads (1 URL to 1 file) do not go through an sort of conversion unless you request it.
There is no .part file for those downloads but the temporary file cannot easily be played in advance unless you can find it: it is well hidden in the system by the coapp downloads module we use. When the download is complete this temp file is moved to the final destination.

HLS downloads go through a .part file and there is no way to pre-play the video (neither in v6 nor v7).

[anuhea55 00]

Interesting.....so, for a 1 file url download, even though we specify a folder, the temp download is in a temp folder and only when complete it is moved.....this is new for 7.1  Too bad the download does not go directly to the "saved" folder....this new process will really slow my download.... I can no longer view the partial file till all complete.....bummer!!  What is the temp folder's name and is it always the same?

[anuhea55 00]

true, HLS did go thru a .part, but you could see the progress in the "saved folder."  Does the "retries=0" not do anything and having it = to say 3 will actually allow failed downloads to automatically restart 3 more times?

[Alice Jolly]

Well, as I can see that you have used almost all popular video applications to watch your downloaded video. But, don’t forget that your downloaded might not be completed due to which you are unable to play the video. So, for this, I think you should first delete the incomplete downloaded video and again download it and then watch the media in any media player. However, if you still get this error, then you should fix your incomplete MP4 video. You can  click on the below link to know the solution in a better way:

http://www.filerepairtool.net/blog/repair-play-incomplete-mp4-files

[Alastair Battson]

I cannot download this either

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcGsTaq_BAI

everything else downloads but this creates a black file every time with sound but no image.

[jc vdh]

sorry, didn't manage to get this one.

jerome