Help with transcode

[avemestr]

A small challenge for the bright video people at MR

I have a problem with an old video file. It was downloaded about 4 years ago, and I believe the format to be some kind of WMV.

I'm unable to play it in QuickTime and VLC. VLC says: "Cannot open codec (Windows Media Video 9)" followed by: "no suitable media decoder for fourcc 'WMV3'. VLC probably does not support this audio or video codec".

I've tried opening it in Handbrake. It says no valid source selected.

I've tried with Flip4Mac (Windows Media Components for QuickTime). That seems to open it in right size, but is unable to play it.

If anyone here wants to give it a go, it would be greatly appreciated. The video can be downloaded here:

[link removed after solution was found]

Filesize about 302MB. It should have a running length of about 20-30 minutes. The file has lost its extension at some point in time. I would expect it to be .wmv.

(The file contains an interview from a public, state-owned, European TV-station, and will most likely be boring for most people to watch, unless you know a Scandinavian language. Also, don't fear any copyright issue.)

I'd appreciate any kind of tips and tricks, but of course, if you're simply able to transcode it into a "modern" format for me, I'd be eternally grateful

Thanks in advance!

[simsaladimbamba]

I get a 404 error when opening that link and right click > save content from link gets me an empty HTM file. Is it a .zip file or the original file? Maybe try zipping that video and then offering that to be downloaded, and don't use spaces with the file name.

[avemestr]

Ah, sorry!

I've fixed the link now: [link removed after solution was found]

It's a zip file with the original file inside it. The original have lost its extension at some point

[Quotenfrau]

no luck here.

> mediainfo Emil\ Bier.mov 
General
Complete name                            : Emil Bier.mov
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : QuickTime
Codec ID                                 : qt  
File size                                : 289 MiB
Duration                                 : 27mn 35s
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 1 464 Kbps
Movie name                               : den 11 time onsdag, 10/17/2007 22:59
Movie name/More                          : recorded onsdag, 10/17/2007 22:59 on ODP169DR2a
Performer                                : DR
Description                              : recorded onsdag, 10/17/2007 22:59 on ODP169DR2a
Encoded date                             : UTC 2009-03-05 22:40:26
Tagged date                              : UTC 2009-03-05 22:40:37
Writing library                          : Apple QuickTime
Copyright                                : Copyright 2007 
com.apple.quicktime.author               : DR

Video
ID                                       : 3
Format                                   : VC-1
Codec ID                                 : WMV3
Codec ID/Info                            : Windows Media Video 9
Codec ID/Hint                            : WMV3
Duration                                 : 27mn 35s
Bit rate                                 : 1 380 Kbps
Width                                    : 512 pixels
Height                                   : 288 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Variable
Frame rate                               : 25.000 fps
Minimum frame rate                       : 2.994 fps
Maximum frame rate                       : 26.316 fps
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.374
Stream size                              : 272 MiB (94%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2009-03-05 22:08:55
Tagged date                              : UTC 2009-03-05 22:40:37

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : WMA
Format version                           : Version 2
Codec ID                                 : WMA2
Codec ID/Info                            : Windows Media Audio
Duration                                 : 27mn 35s
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 82.0 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel positions                        : Front: L R
Sampling rate                            : 44.1 KHz
Bit depth                                : 16 bits
Stream size                              : 16.2 MiB (6%)
Language                                 : 7
Encoded date                             : UTC 2009-03-05 22:08:55
Tagged date                              : UTC 2009-03-05 22:40:37

tried with Handbrake and VideoMonkey. It seems M$ audio and video file, but in a QuickTime container.

Are you sure there is no DRM restriction?

[Menneisyys2]

MP4Tools demuxes the two (audio + video) tracks just fine from the MOV file. However, they are unplayable by VLC and can't be added to an MKV file (which can hold WMV + WMA) via Mkvtoolnix.

[initialsBB]

A colleague at work has Flip4Mac Studio Pro HD, the file opens and converts to mpeg4. Send me your email address via private message and I'll send the file to you.

[MisterMe]

Flip4Mac Studio Pro HD is simply one of several paid levels of the Flip4Mac WMV components.

[initialsBB]

The free player doesn't do transcoding, only one of the 3 paying ones allow it.

[avemestr]

initialsBB is my savior! Transcoded beautifully. Thanks a lot!

Also, thanks to Quotenfrau for digging out the video-info. I didn't have the date of airing on-file, so that's also a help!

Thanks all!