My .MOV files wont´t play - Track-data is missing, can they be reconstructed?

aage · March 21, 2020, 02:44:24 PM

Hi

My .MOV files won't play and that's why I, once again, turn to this forum.

Years ago Phil and the forum helped me create a number of EXIF commands (too clear all tag-data) and a script that calculates the age of my kids and rename all media files based on create date, device and calculated kids age. It have made my organizing very structured and I still rund this script on all my files. I just love it !!

The EXIF-commands executed on all my media-files are at the bottom of this post.

Reecently I found that a number of my .MOV files count play. The are stacked in the first frame and all have the length of 10 seconds. I have spent hours searching the internet and now have an idea why that is.

I have used EXIF commands to look in to my files that won't play and compared them with files that works perfect. The main-reason for my .MOV files to fail is the missing Track-info.

I have tried all kinds of movie-repair-tools uploading a file that won't play together with a file (that I think is recorded with the same Iphone) - but none of the movie-repair-tools seems to be able to fix this for me.

I have read about HEX editing and I found this article (https://exiftool.org/forum/index.php?topic=9005.msg46748), that is the most detailed instructions that I have come across - Good Job !

However, this article does not focus on my issue, so I thought I would try my luck with the EXIF-doctors once again and see if anyone will be able to help me out.

Question 1:

Is it possible to fix this issue for files with this amount of data (extracted by EXIF-commands) OR are critical data lost forever and can't be reconstructed ?

Data for .MOV-file (size 92kb) that does not play:
—————————————————

EXIF command:
exiftool -a -s -g1 -u /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/MOV_Rep/07082011_142633_L4Y_J1Y3M_0001.MOV

EXIF command result:
---- ExifTool ----
ExifToolVersion : 10.43
---- System ----
FileName : 07082011_142633_L4Y_J1Y3M_0001.MOV
Directory : /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/MOV_Rep
FileSize : 90 kB
FileModifyDate : 2015:04:06 09:30:30+02:00
FileAccessDate : 2020:03:21 18:45:15+01:00
FileInodeChangeDate : 2020:03:21 08:55:45+01:00
FilePermissions : rwx------
---- File ----
FileType : JPEG
FileTypeExtension : jpg
MIMEType : image/jpeg
Comment : AppleMark.
ImageWidth : 480
ImageHeight : 640
EncodingProcess : Baseline DCT, Huffman coding
BitsPerSample : 8
ColorComponents : 3
YCbCrSubSampling : YCbCr4:2:2 (2 1)
---- JFIF ----
JFIFVersion : 1.01
ResolutionUnit : inches
XResolution : 72
YResolution : 72
---- ICC-header ----
ProfileCMMType : appl
ProfileVersion : 2.0.0
ProfileClass : Display Device Profile
ColorSpaceData : RGB
ProfileConnectionSpace : XYZ
ProfileDateTime : 2005:04:01 01:01:01
ProfileFileSignature : acsp
PrimaryPlatform : Apple Computer Inc.
CMMFlags : Not Embedded, Independent
DeviceManufacturer :
DeviceModel :
DeviceAttributes : Reflective, Glossy, Positive, Color
RenderingIntent : Perceptual
ConnectionSpaceIlluminant : 0.9642 1 0.82491
ProfileCreator : appl
ProfileID : 0
---- ICC_Profile ----
RedMatrixColumn : 0.41629 0.22168 0.01364
GreenMatrixColumn : 0.39319 0.70328 0.09132
BlueMatrixColumn : 0.15471 0.07504 0.71992
MediaWhitePoint : 0.95045 1 1.08905
ChromaticAdaptation : 1.04788 0.02292 -0.0502 0.02959 0.99048 -0.01706 -0.00923 0.01508 0.75168
RedTRC : (Binary data 14 bytes, use -b option to extract)
GreenTRC : (Binary data 14 bytes, use -b option to extract)
BlueTRC : (Binary data 14 bytes, use -b option to extract)
VideoCardGamma : (Binary data 48 bytes, use -b option to extract)
NativeDisplayInfo : (Binary data 56 bytes, use -b option to extract)
ProfileDescription : Composite NTSC
ProfileCopyright : Copyright 2007 Apple Inc.
---- Composite ----
ImageSize : 480x640
Megapixels : 0.307

Data for .MOV-file (size 17MB) that works perfectly and plays correct (and that I think is created by same Iphone as the file that won't play - BUT I AM NOT 100% SURE)
———————————————————————————-

EXIF command:
exiftool -a -s -g1 -u /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/MOV_Rep/Apple_24082011_104540_L4Y_J1Y3M_0001.MOV

---- ExifTool ----
ExifToolVersion : 10.43
---- System ----
FileName : Apple_24082011_104540_L4Y_J1Y3M_0001.MOV
Directory : /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/MOV_Rep
FileSize : 17 MB
FileModifyDate : 2015:04:05 22:25:25+02:00
FileAccessDate : 2020:03:21 18:45:16+01:00
FileInodeChangeDate : 2020:03:21 08:53:00+01:00
FilePermissions : rwx------
---- File ----
FileType : MOV
FileTypeExtension : mov
MIMEType : video/quicktime
---- QuickTime ----
MajorBrand : Apple QuickTime (.MOV/QT)
MinorVersion : 0.0.0
CompatibleBrands : qt
Wide : (Binary data 0 bytes, use -b option to extract)
MovieDataSize : 17297855
MovieDataOffset : 36
MovieData : (Binary data 17297855 bytes, use -b option to extract)
MovieHeaderVersion : 0
CreateDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:40
ModifyDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:52
TimeScale : 600
Duration : 12.72 s
PreferredRate : 1
PreferredVolume : 100.00%
MatrixStructure : 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
PreviewTime : 0 s
PreviewDuration : 0 s
PosterTime : 0 s
SelectionTime : 0 s
SelectionDuration : 0 s
CurrentTime : 0 s
NextTrackID : 3
Model-dan : iPhone 4
SoftwareVersion-dan : 5.0
ContentCreateDate-dan : 2011:08:24 12:45:40+02:00
GPSCoordinates-dan : 55 deg 53' 49.56" N, 11 deg 36' 27.00" E, 0 m Above Sea Level
Make-dan : Apple
Unknown_free :
HandlerType : Metadata Tags
Make-dan-DK : Apple
CreationDate-dan-DK : 2011:08:24 12:45:40+02:00
GPSCoordinates-dan-DK : 55 deg 53' 49.56" N, 11 deg 36' 27.00" E, 0 m Above Sea Level
Software-dan-DK : 5.0
Model-dan-DK : iPhone 4
Free : (Binary data 1016 bytes, use -b option to extract)
Model : iPhone 4
SoftwareVersion : 5.0
ContentCreateDate : 2011:08:24 12:45:40+02:00
GPSCoordinates : 55 deg 53' 49.56" N, 11 deg 36' 27.00" E, 0 m Above Sea Level
Make : Apple
CreationDate : 2011:08:24 12:45:40+02:00
Software : 5.0
---- Track1 ----
TrackHeaderVersion : 0
TrackCreateDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:40
TrackModifyDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:52
TrackID : 1
TrackDuration : 12.72 s
TrackLayer : 0
TrackVolume : 0.00%
MatrixStructure : 0 1 0 -1 0 0 720 0 1
ImageWidth : 1280
ImageHeight : 720
CleanApertureDimensions : 1280x720
ProductionApertureDimensions : 1280x720
EncodedPixelsDimensions : 1280x720
Unknown_edts : (Binary data 28 bytes, use -b option to extract)
MediaHeaderVersion : 0
MediaCreateDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:40
MediaModifyDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:52
MediaTimeScale : 600
MediaDuration : 12.75 s
MediaLanguageCode : und
HandlerClass : Media Handler
HandlerType : Video Track
HandlerVendorID : Apple
HandlerDescription : Core Media Video
GraphicsMode : ditherCopy
OpColor : 32768 32768 32768
HandlerClass : Data Handler
HandlerType : Alias Data
HandlerVendorID : Apple
HandlerDescription : Core Media Data Handler
Unknown_alis : (Binary data 4 bytes, use -b option to extract)
CompressorID : avc1
SourceImageWidth : 1280
SourceImageHeight : 720
XResolution : 72
YResolution : 72
CompressorName : H.264
BitDepth : 24
VideoFrameRate : 29.969
SyncSampleTable : (Binary data 60 bytes, use -b option to extract)
IdependentAndDisposableSamples : (Binary data 386 bytes, use -b option to extract)
SampleToChunk : (Binary data 68 bytes, use -b option to extract)
SampleSizes : (Binary data 1540 bytes, use -b option to extract)
ChunkOffset : (Binary data 108 bytes, use -b option to extract)
HandlerType : Metadata Tags
CameraIdentifier : Back
FrameReadoutTime : 32082 microseconds
---- Track2 ----
TrackHeaderVersion : 0
TrackCreateDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:40
TrackModifyDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:52
TrackID : 2
TrackDuration : 12.72 s
TrackLayer : 0
TrackVolume : 100.00%
MatrixStructure : 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Unknown_edts : (Binary data 28 bytes, use -b option to extract)
MediaHeaderVersion : 0
MediaCreateDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:40
MediaModifyDate : 2011:08:24 10:45:53
MediaTimeScale : 44100
MediaDuration : 12.75 s
MediaLanguageCode : und
HandlerClass : Media Handler
HandlerType : Audio Track
HandlerVendorID : Apple
HandlerDescription : Core Media Audio
Balance : 0
HandlerClass : Data Handler
HandlerType : Alias Data
HandlerVendorID : Apple
HandlerDescription : Core Media Data Handler
Unknown_alis : (Binary data 4 bytes, use -b option to extract)
AudioFormat : mp4a
AudioChannels : 1
AudioBitsPerSample : 16
AudioSampleRate : 44100
Unknown_chan : (Binary data 16 bytes, use -b option to extract)
PurchaseFileFormat : mp4a
Unknown_mp4a :
Unknown_esds : (Binary data 43 bytes, use -b option to extract)
Unknown_0x0000 :
TimeToSampleTable : (Binary data 16 bytes, use -b option to extract)
SampleToChunk : (Binary data 284 bytes, use -b option to extract)
SampleSizes : (Binary data 2208 bytes, use -b option to extract)
ChunkOffset : (Binary data 100 bytes, use -b option to extract)
---- XMP-x ----
XMPToolkit : Image::ExifTool 9.55
---- XMP-dc ----
Subject : Apple, 24082011, L4Y, J1Y3M
---- Composite ----
AvgBitrate : 10.9 Mbps
GPSAltitude : 0 m
GPSAltitudeRef : Above Sea Level
GPSLatitude : 55 deg 53' 49.56" N
GPSLongitude : 11 deg 36' 27.00" E
ImageSize : 1280x720
Megapixels : 0.922
Rotation : 90
GPSPosition : 55 deg 53' 49.56" N, 11 deg 36' 27.00" E

Question 2:

If it is possible to fix my files, can someone explain how - in a kind of step-by-step guide ?

Below are the EXIF-commands listed in the sequence that they are executed on all my files:

STEP 1: Delete all XMP-tags exiftool -Keywords= -Subject= -LastKeywordXMP= -XPKeywords= -r -overwrite_original /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/Test_UnDone

STEP 2: Add XMP-tags to all files (tag´s are not added to MOV and AVI files)
exiftool -config /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/Exif_DONE_DOC/Aage6_TEST.config -ext MOV -ext MOD -ext JPG -ext AVI -ext MPG -ext PNG '-subject<${MyFileName2;s/_\d+\..*$//;}' -sep "_" -overwrite_original -r /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/TEST_ORG

STEP 3: Move all files (JPG+AVI+MOD+MOV+MPG) to new folder-structure
exiftool -config /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/Exif_DONE_DOC/Aage6_TEST.config -ext MOV -ext MOD -ext JPG -ext AVI -ext MPG -ext PNG '-directory</Users/MyMAC/Desktop/TEST_RENAMED/$MySortDate/' -d "%Y/%m" -r /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/TEST_ORG

STEP 4 : Sort and Rename all files in NEW folderstructure to add correct trailing numbers based on the FULL filename (date, minute, second)
exiftool -config /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/Exif_DONE_DOC/Aage6_TEST.config -ext MOV -ext MOD -ext JPG -ext AVI -ext MPG -ext PNG -r -overwrite_original -fileOrder MySortName '-filename<$myfilename%+.4nc.%e' /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/TEST_RENAMED

Kind regards
/Aage

StarGeek · March 21, 2020, 05:50:23 PM

Quote from: aage on March 21, 2020, 02:44:24 PMReecently I found that a number of my .MOV files count play.
...
Data for .MOV-file (size 92kb) that does not play:
—————————————————

EXIF command:
exiftool -a -s -g1 -u /Users/MyMAC/Desktop/MOV_Rep/07082011_142633_L4Y_J1Y3M_0001.MOV

EXIF command result:
---- ExifTool ----
ExifToolVersion : 10.43

---- File ----
FileType : JPEG
FileTypeExtension : jpg
MIMEType : image/jpeg
Comment : AppleMark.
ImageWidth : 480
ImageHeight : 640
EncodingProcess : Baseline DCT, Huffman coding
BitsPerSample : 8
ColorComponents : 3
YCbCrSubSampling : YCbCr4:2:2 (2 1)
---- JFIF ----
JFIFVersion : 1.01
ResolutionUnit : inches
XResolution : 72
YResolution : 72
...

Exiftool is identifying that as a jpg file, not a mov file. All the data shown there is for a jpeg image file, not a video.

Also, that's a very old version of exiftool. You might want to update, especially if you're using it on video files as there were a few bug fixes from that time I believe

ExifTool Forum

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My .MOV files wont´t play - Track-data is missing, can they be reconstructed?

aage

StarGeek