I have a multimedia file with an avi extension. Every tool I have tried (GSpot, VirtualDub, MediaInfo, XVideoConverter etc) either says it is not an avi file, or fails to display any information. The file plays perfectly in VLC (but not in any other player) so I know it is a genuine multimedia (video + audio) file. Does anyone have any idea how I can find out what format the file uses - I want to convert it to a DVD.

Hi PJ!

Well, when not identified as AVI then not AVI.
You can play it in VLC. What decoding method is used by the player? Audio/Video info? What codecs are used when playing?

Hi chp

How can I find out audio/video info, and what codecs VLC is using when playing?

Well some programs read the file header to identify the file whereas others identify by file extension. So possible has wrong extension..but can still be identified in VLC with its built-in codec support.

VLC should be a drop down menu that gives you info on the various streams (one for audio, one for video and any extra streams)

Hi Mishcabob,

The file has an avi extension, but it is not correct. If I go VLC -> View -> Stream and Media Information, VLC pops up a box containing the word "General". Nothing else. I can't seem to find any other stream info from VLC. My VLC is VLC Media Player 0.7.2.

I think latest is 0.81 if want to try that. I prefer using Zoom player personally so don't have a lot experience using VLC to be honest.

Could try renaming extensions to MPG if that helps. Could be VLC uses it's own built-in codecs so won't have info. Have you tried installing K-lite codec pack and using MPC to play it? As long as you have proper codecs.... GSPOT should identify what it is.

try those things and get back to us

Hi Mishcabob,

I finally had a flash of inspiration - the file turned out to be a bin file(!) VLC can play bin files (I don't know of any other player that can do that). I think that explains why none of the programs such as GSpot could identify it. The bin was an SVCD, so I used VCDGear to extract the mpg files, and then TMPGEnc/BeSweet to convert to DVD standard. The result now plays ok in my DVD player.

Thanks for the help/advice.

Thought the extension had to be wrong.

Incidently, could have made a cue file and burned image to disc if was already SVCD. Would save you lots of extra steps.

The image was split into two disks, and I wanted to join them and burn to one. I didn't know how to join bin files without extracting etc (is it actually possible?), and anyway, the two images were too big to fit onto a single SVCD, so I had to use a DVD - hence the decision to convert.

OK. Usually SVCDs come as 2-3 discs. what i do is just burn images (BIN/CUE) to 2-3 CDR/RW disks.

Don't forget VCD/SVCD use mode 2 for burning i.e. about 735 Mb for 74min discs and 795 Mb for 80min discs

Anyway glad you got it sorted out