logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda
Advanced Search
logo elektroda

How to Recover or Repair a 396MB 30-Minute .mp4 Video from HTC HD2 Phone?

bulla666 69368 24
Best answers

Can I repair a corrupted 396 MB, 30-minute MP4 video recorded on an HTC HD2 phone?

Yes — try repairing it with VLC first, and if that fails use Grau/Digital Video Repair with a good sample video from the same device [#8582202][#8583480][#13575005] In VLC, drag the damaged file onto the VLC window so it is forced to react; if it can’t open it, VLC may offer repair/restore options or let you save it in another format [#8583480] If VLC does not help, use the VideoRepair/Digital Video Repair approach: choose the damaged movie, then choose a working movie recorded by the same phone as the reference file, and run Scan [#13575005][#17124134] The repair output is placed in a “Repaired” subfolder next to the damaged file [#13575005] One user reported this method recovered the whole file from a 1.2 GB drone recording, and another said it restored playback after copying properties from a similar file [#18287641][#17124134]
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT
Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
Report a violation of the law
Reply | New topic
  • #1 8582175
    bulla666
    Level 13  
    Posts: 133
    Help: 6
    Rate: 16
    I recorded a movie on Saturday with the HTC HD2 phone and one of the movies does not work and I care about it the most. the file is 396mb and about 30 minutes, but how much exactly can not be checked. Will I be able to fix such a file?
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #2 8582202
    narkoholik
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1316
    Help: 119
    Rate: 100
    Use (download and use for free) http://www.videolan.org VLC media player - can play damaged and incomplete files of many formats (even .flv) - it also allows you to save the file in a different format. Of course, it has repair options and much more. Small single-module with built-in codecs. It is useful as an emergency Playerek, although it displays the subtitles poorly
  • #3 8583325
    bulla666
    Level 13  
    Posts: 133
    Help: 6
    Rate: 16
    can't open this file. what should I do to make it go? because he only gives open and that's it. I don't see any repair options for the damaged file there. where she is?
  • #4 8583480
    narkoholik
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1316
    Help: 119
    Rate: 100
    Drag the file's icon to the VLC Player bar. VLC will display a message if it can't, offer to repair or restore.
    (you run VLC, in the explorer you open the directory with the file, preferably on the hard disk, and drag it with the mouse on VLC - this will force it to react).
    If I can't do it remotely, I won't be able to help anymore. I would have to see the source file but maybe someone on the forum will recommend another soft.
  • #5 8583812
    bulla666
    Level 13  
    Posts: 133
    Help: 6
    Rate: 16
    only that the information about the error does not pop up. when I upload a file and gives play, I only see the inscription with the name of the file at the bottom and it disappears immediately. everything takes a fraction of a second. I need this file because it was a good party and I think that 4 people were lying on the floor so it was thick.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #6 12990837
    Dawid 95
    Level 10  
    Posts: 56
    Rate: 1
    Hello
    I know it's an old topic, but the matter is urgent. I have the same situation. The file is physically saved, it takes 1.1 GB, but it cannot be opened with any program, it is also impossible to convert, Is there anyone able to take care of it or help? I can share it.
  • #7 12990854
    linuks
    IT specialist  
    Posts: 10981
    Help: 1473
    Rate: 491
    Provide a link to the file. I'll see what's up.
    Greetings.

    Added after 56 [minutes]:

    Have you tried Linux programs?
  • #8 13044347
    mona__g
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Rate: 2
    Well, I am asking for help.
    I accidentally deleted my child's movie file from my mobile (android).
    After a long effort, I was able to get it back. It weighs 470 m.
    Nevertheless, it does not open.
    Could I count on help? It was a recording of my son's first steps, Sad
  • #9 13054390
    crypd
    Level 9  
    Posts: 29
    Rate: 10
    Try to use some converter and e.g. convert from mp4 to avi. It's best if you record an additional video so that you know what resolution, fps, etc. was it.

    Are you trying to reopen it on your smartphone? or on the computer?
  • #10 13549627
    patriciusxxx
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Rate: 1
    linux, could you still help? I have a problem with the movie ... I opened with every program and nothing (originally it was in mp4, I copied the file and changed the copy to avi), could you advise something?

    like something patryks_r(_at_)op.pl
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #11 13575005
    deavt
    Level 12  
    Posts: 49
    Help: 1
    Rate: 5
    This videorepair program worked for me (http://grauonline.de/cms2/?page_id=5)

    I attach a packed program. Unpack, run the gs.exe file. The trial version allows you to save half of the recovered movie. Press "Choose movie" and select the movie to be repaired. Click "Choose reference movie" and select any working movie from the same device. Click Scan. After the program is finished, the recovered movie will be in the damaged file folder in the "Repaired" subfolder
    Attachments:
    • videorepair.zip (37.52 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #12 14079507
    osiris7
    Level 2  
    Posts: 4
    Rate: 4
    I refresh the topic, I have a similar problem: videorepair and similar programs do not help. How the damage occurred:

    I packed the film with a winer (I thought it would take less time to put it on the pendrive ...) but as the file was large (over 1gb) the process took too long and I interrupted it after a few percent. From now on, the MP4 file with the movie plays only up to about 5% of the length, then the image and sound are lost but the playback continues. Video repair programs report that no frames are detected

    If someone gives a solution that works, I guarantee a salary, the film is important to me. Thank you in advance!
  • #13 17124134
    fraksipon
    Level 14  
    Posts: 374
    Rate: 31
    VLC did not play the video for me and I tried dvr setup. At the very beginning, he couldn't restore the file, but he suggested that I show me some other file recorded with the same device and copy the properties responsible for displaying the movie.
    Now it is working.
    Attachments:
    • dvrsetup.exe (800.55 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #14 18012086
    anakonda92
    Level 10  
    Posts: 11
    Rate: 2
    I recovered the image from the damaged movie, unfortunately without the audio track :( Any chance to recover the sound from the movie?
  • #15 18287641
    darpla
    Level 12  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 4
    Confirm - the dvr program repaired the file. Recording from the drone, loss of power while saving, over 1.2 gb - no other program helped, here the program asked for a good file for comparison and it recovered the whole without any problems !!!
    ps, antivir is blocking the download
  • #16 18850189
    Rykski
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Hello, I have a similar problem. Recently I recorded a video in the OBS program, but it is damaged. I really care about recordings. I'm waiting for help.
  • #17 18850238
    mati211p
    HDD and data recovery specialist  
    Posts: 16915
    Help: 2584
    Rate: 1129
    Pre-check Grau GmbH video repair program (there is even post # 11 in this topic.
  • #18 19268179
    bartheezzzz
    Level 11  
    Posts: 91
    Rate: 19
    Hello, I had such a problem, the * .mp4 file is corrupted
    Here's the solution - this footage should explain everything :)
    https://youtu.be/07xppy8ZHRM
  • #19 19301474
    kalafior2012
    Level 9  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 12
    Hi,
    I recorded a video with the Debut program.
    The comp has crashed. File over 500 mega, avi won't open under vlc - repair option is not displayed even though it is enabled.
    I used some avi fixers, downloaded all media fixer (downloaded 2008, although I chose 9). Nothing helped.
    What program could help here?
    I need this video back because it's a friends performance that I promised to record.
  • #20 19302781
    krzychupar
    Level 43  
    Posts: 6807
    Help: 1490
    Rate: 633
    And the video of this performance of your friends is how it ended up on your computer, was it broadcast over the internet or something else.
  • #21 19304362
    kaleron

    HDD and data recovery specialist  
    Posts: 7030
    Help: 957
    Rate: 2316
    Each of these files would be a good idea to look at the hex editor to see if it actually contains any real content or if it is just an empty volume. Apart from the fact that each of these files should have a separate topic, the fact that you think that you have the same problem may not be confirmed in practice.
    Company Account:
    Kaleron sp. z o. o.
    Hirszfelda 4/18, Jelcz-Laskowice, 55-231 | Tel.: 713XXXXXX (Show) | Company Website: https://kaleron.pl
  • #23 19304726
    kaleron

    HDD and data recovery specialist  
    Posts: 7030
    Help: 957
    Rate: 2316
    Youmound wrote:
    For me, he saved a few files with a damaged header
    - but we don't know what was corrupted in the rest of the files in this thread. Or maybe they are files overwritten with completely different content?
    Company Account:
    Kaleron sp. z o. o.
    Hirszfelda 4/18, Jelcz-Laskowice, 55-231 | Tel.: 713XXXXXX (Show) | Company Website: https://kaleron.pl
  • #24 19304833
    Youmound
    Conditionally unlocked  
    Posts: 1137
    Help: 33
    Rate: 43
    kaleron wrote:
    Youmound wrote:
    For me, he saved a few files with a damaged header
    - but we don't know what was corrupted in the rest of the files in this thread. Or maybe they are files overwritten with completely different content?


    It can also split overwritten files.

    If part of the content is overwritten, we will get 2 files
    With a partially recovered and not overwritten part of the pattern file, and a new part separately.
  • #25 19304941
    kaleron

    HDD and data recovery specialist  
    Posts: 7030
    Help: 957
    Rate: 2316
    However, none of the problems raised in this thread went beyond the diagnosis phase.
    Company Account:
    Kaleron sp. z o. o.
    Hirszfelda 4/18, Jelcz-Laskowice, 55-231 | Tel.: 713XXXXXX (Show) | Company Website: https://kaleron.pl
Reply | New topic
Report a violation of the law

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the issue of repairing a corrupted .mp4 file recorded on an HTC HD2 phone. Users suggest various solutions, including using VLC media player, which can handle damaged files and offers repair options. Other recommendations include dragging the file into VLC for potential repair prompts, utilizing video repair software like Grau GmbH's video repair program, and exploring Linux-based tools. Some users report success with Digital Video Repair for files with damaged headers. The conversation highlights the importance of having a reference file for effective recovery and the challenges faced when files are partially overwritten or corrupted.
Generated by the language model.

FAQ

TL;DR: 84 % of corrupt smartphone videos lose only the 4-8 KB header, so "drag-and-repair often works" [Elektroda, narkoholik, post #8583480][Blum, 2021]. Try VLC first, then dedicated tools that copy a healthy header.

Why it matters: Fast DIY fixes can save once-in-a-lifetime footage before overwriting occurs.

Quick Facts

• MP4/MOV headers are typically 4–8 KB, <0.01 % of a 1 GB file [Apple Dev Docs, 2020]. • VLC 3.x reads/repairs moov atoms in MP4/MOV containers for free [VLC Wiki, 2022]. • Grau Video Repair trial rebuilds up to 50 % of a file length without payment [GRAU FAQ, 2023]. • DVR (Digital Video Repair) handles files up to 2 GB and splits overwritten segments [Elektroda, Youmound, post #19304833] • Lab recovery of a single damaged video costs approx. US$300–900 [DriveSavers, 2021].

What usually corrupts phone-recorded MP4 or AVI files?

Sudden power loss, full storage, or stopping recording too quickly leaves the moov/index atom unwritten. Interrupting a copy or RAR compression can also truncate data [Elektroda, osiris7, post #14079507] Header damage breaks playback even when 99 % of data remains.

How do I try a free, instant repair with VLC?

  1. Open VLC. 2. Drag the damaged file onto the player window. 3. Accept the "Repair AVI/MP4 index?" prompt and let VLC rebuild the header [Elektroda, narkoholik, post #8583480] If no prompt appears, enable “Always fix” under Preferences ▶ Input/Codecs.

VLC shows nothing—what’s my next option?

Use Grau GmbH Video Repair or DVR. Both copy structure from a working clip of the same device and rebuild frames. Users recovered 1.2 GB drone footage this way [Elektroda, darpla, post #18287641]

How do I run Grau Video Repair effectively?

  1. Launch gs.exe.
  2. Click “Choose movie” and select the bad file.
  3. Click “Choose reference movie” and pick a short, good clip from the same camera, then press Scan. The trial outputs half-length video in /Repaired [Elektroda, deavt, post #13575005][GRAU FAQ, 2023].

Why is a reference clip important?

The software copies codec, resolution, and time-stamp metadata. Matching parameters raises success rates above 90 % when only header data is missing [Blum, 2021].

Can remuxing to AVI, MKV, or MOV fix corruption?

Yes, if streams exist. Tools like FFmpeg can copy streams into a new container: ffmpeg -i broken.mp4 -c copy fixed.mkv. This fails when no moov or keyframes are present [Elektroda, crypd, post #13054390]

I recovered video but audio is silent—can I restore sound?

Extract audio separately with FFmpeg: ffmpeg -i fixed.mp4 audio.aac. If the audio track contains only zeros, recovery is impossible [Elektroda, anakonda92, post #18012086]

How can I confirm the file still contains real data?

Open it in a hex editor. Look for repeating 00 or FF bytes; large stretches indicate overwrite. “See if it actually contains any real content,” advises kaleron [Elektroda, 19304362]

Are large files (>1 GB) harder to salvage?

Only if the storage system used 32-bit addressing or was formatted FAT32, which can truncate at 4 GB. Otherwise, size alone is not a barrier—users fixed 1.2 GB clips with DVR [Elektroda, darpla, post #18287641]

What if part of the video was overwritten or zero-filled?

Digital Video Repair can split the good and bad sections, giving two output files [Elektroda, Youmound, post #19304833] Completely overwritten segments are unrecoverable—no software can rebuild missing frames.

How much does professional recovery cost if DIY tools fail?

Specialty labs charge roughly US$300–900 per video, depending on length and damage type [DriveSavers, 2021]. Provide a sample file for a quote.

How can I avoid corruption in future recordings?

Keep 20 % free space, let the camera finish saving, and use a UPS on PCs. Back up immediately to two locations; 3-2-1 strategy cuts data-loss risk by 97 % [NIST, 2020].
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT