"Unknown video file" on a .avi -- what could it be?

[Queenredspecial]

I have just downloaded a file (via Transmission) which is .avi, as it should.

However, none of the players I have (RealPlayer, VLC, DjoPlayer, DivX, or Quicktime) will play it.

Am I missing something -- is there a kind of player I don't have yet? Or is it just a corrupt file? Is there a way to find out?

I know very little about the encoding of things, so I would love some specifics. The file is 1.47 GB though, so there is definitely something there.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jackerin]

I would open the file in Hexedit and look at the header and compare with other video formats.

 

[Sorkvild]

Yikes get rid of all those players! Well, VLC is alright but I have never found a file where I absolutely needed it to open it. The only things I install to make sure I can open everything are Perian and Flip4mac.

Perian should be able to open it... if not then it really is some unique codec which I have probably never heard of before.

http://perian.org/