MP4 / ASF video format

[tomasino]

I've RTFM'd and searched the Forum -

I'm working with .ASF files. The doodad creating the .ASF files is a very compact MP4 dvr. (http://www.helmetcamera.com/acart/agora.cgi?product=Mini_Recording_Devices) From what I've read so far, .WMV is a subset of .ASF - all microsoft stuff. It's not clear to me yet if this can be considered MP4 - maybe on the hairy edge of MP4.
Some info. here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Media_Video

I've taken my .ASF files and converted them to .AVI and that works fine in the Video Viewer.

HOWEVER, the manual indicates that if the system has the codec installed or the format is supported by DirectShow the video viewer should be able to play the file. .ASF is not a recognized extension in the File navigation dialog.

Any chance there's a way to load .ASF in the Video Viewer?
Or just do the .AVI conversion and move on? (which is working perfectly.:cool:)

Many thanks.

[Bob L]

ASF is a whole different interface... but there may now be internal DirectShow hooks that would allow them to be read by the viewer... simply drop the extension listbox in the viewer Open File command and then set it to *.* to see all your files... then try opening one of the ASF files and see what happens.

Let us know.

Bob L

[tomasino]

doh! I knew that. Get this message trying to load .ASF..
<><><>
Warning! Trouble Building Video Graph!

[Dave Labrecque]

doh! I knew that. Get this message trying to load .ASF..
<><><>
Warning! Trouble Building Video Graph!
I my experience, that usually means the Viewer can't read that format/codec. :(

[tomasino]

I my experience, that usually means the Viewer can't read that format/codec. :(

Thanks guys.
No big whoop. The .AVI stuff is working great.

And I have to say how blown away I am with the video editing features. I've had a bunch of people suggesting that I use all kinds of different apps for video editing - and I checked out a few - non of 'em come close to SawStudio for straight ahead editing - which is all I want to do.

Saweeet!:D

[tomasino]

ASF is a whole different interface... but there may now be internal DirectShow hooks that would allow them to be read by the viewer...

I think I see part of the "difference".
.ASF is a streaming format - the file is opened and read 'till there's no more data.
.AVI has a nice beggining and an end (like a .wav).

[Bob L]

Yes... if you notice... most streaming formats do not seek frames very well... that is a must for using it in the SS timeline... everytime you move the cursor the video must seek frames.

Bob L

[tomasino]

More .ASF adventures to share.

Every now and then still have cause to convert .ASF to .AVI and I 've used a number of different applications to do this. But have finally settled on a couple.

Free: ASFTools (http://www.geocities.com/myasftools/index.html)
Pretty much does one thing - converts .ASF, .WMV and .WVA --to--> .AVI... If it works on your flavor of .ASF great. Seems to work on most but not all.


Little $$: River Past Video Cleaner (http://www.riverpast.com/en/prod/view/?id=10) (recommended often on this forum)
I finally bought the 'Lite' version. Works great, fast and is very versitile.
Will probably reach for this one first from now on.