Capture error, Unknown File problems-..

I am capturing to disk using “Capture Now” from a Canon GL-2, to an external drive attached to my MacBook using FCP 5.1. I have done this many times, have not had problems with it before now, and have done it again since, so I know that the system is configured correctly.
At the end of a class I recorded, I pressed Escape to end the capture, and received the spinning ball. The computer was completely paralyzed, the mouse moved, but could not activate the dock, the clock stood still, I could not switch apps or force quit. After waiting for 15 minutes I decided to shut down by holding the power button. The resulting file from the capture was a file that contains all the info from the capture (I can tell from the file size), but since FCP could not correctly close the import, some vital information was not written to the file. This was an isolated incident, but I need the video from the capture.
I cannot find any way to make it a recognizable file, I have tried FCP, QuickTime, Compressor, iMovie, MPEG Streamclip, and others as well. Under info, the file type says that it is a quicktime movie as it should, but the duration, dimensions and preview do not show up.
Final Cut Pro Error message: File Error: Unknown File.
QuickTime: Error opening movie, the movie could not be opened.
Has anyone encountered this before? How can I recover the information from the file? The video contained in it is very important. Thank you for the help!
MacBook   Mac OS X (10.4.7)   2.0 GHz, 2 GB Ram

True, Canons don't do well with other firewire devices, I have discovered that out before using a different drive, but I do not think that it has anything to do with the problem in this case. As to why I can't recapture, by "capturing to disk" I meant going straight to disk, no tape, just directly into FCP from the GL-2. I thought I used the correct terminology for that, but I guess I should have been more specific. Since I can't go back in time to recapture (I'm not meaning to be sarcastic or harsh by saying it like that), I am stuck with only this corrupted file, that contains all of the video, but cannot be read (at least easily). So my only option is to somehow fix this file, extract the video, or forget about it....
Anything else? I don't know how to find documentation about the inner-workings of these files, so if someone knows these things, or if it is even possible, please help! Thank you!

Similar Messages

  • File Error:  Unknown file.  - Importing problem

    I recently had some problems getting my FCP 5.0.4 to launch. To make a long story short someone in this forum said that my version of FCP was out of date with my current Macbook Pro running 10.5.5. I found this a little odd because I've had this computer for over six months and have been running FCP the whole time without a single problem. Since funds are tight and I don't have the money upgrade I did some troubleshooting to see if I could make it work again.
    I did remember that I had recently moved some of my older quicktime codecs into my library/quicktime folder and when I removed them I was able to launch and run FCP.
    Now when I try to import files I'm getting a "File Error: Unknown file" error message. I am able to view all the quicktimes and am only able to import a few quicktimes. I have quicktimes from the last six years that I'm trying to import so there's a good variety of different codes that were used. But I am able to watch all of the quicktimes via Quicktime.
    Any suggestions why I might be getting this problem? Any way to fix this without upgrading? Thanks

    *I recently had some problems getting my FCP 5.0.4 to launch.*
    The reason is because that version of for PPC Macs, and you have an Intel Mac.
    *Someone in this forum said that my version of FCP was out of date with my current Macbook Pro running 10.5.5*
    It doesn't matter which OS version is running. You need an Intel/UB version of FCP to run on a Intel Mac.
    *Any way to fix this without upgrading?*
    It's not a problem. It's an incompatibility. Because you have run it for some time without an incident is incidental to its incompatibility.

  • "File error: unknown file" upon movie import

    Got a DVD. Extracted the footage with Mac the ripper. Created an mp4 file with Handbrake. It plays fine in Quicktime at 720 by 480 and 23.98 FPS. I've tried importing it into FCP and I get the error, "File error: unknown file". FCP sequence presents are 24 FPS...I've also tried switching it to 23.98 FPS. I've re-encoded the movie in Quicktime to a .mov file with "DV/DVCPRO - NTSC" compression and it still will not import. Any suggestions?

    Tried making an AVI in Handbrake. Handbrake just froze everytime and it would never finish.
    I should also note that FFMpeg did not like the footage either and would not convert it to a file of any kind.
    So I put the DVD into a consumer DVD player and used my Panasonic DVX100B camera to record the footage in VCR mode. The tape turned out fine.
    BUT...
    I am trying to capture the footage from another low end Canon camera. Usually there is no problem. However, with this particular footage from this cursed DVD, I get a "general error" when I try to capture the footage in FCP.
    No matter what file format or media is used, this footage will not import into FCP. It must be watermarked to not like FCP.
    Any further suggestions???

  • File Error: Unknown File - when doing save as

    yet another variation on the file problems i am having.
    opened an aotosave file and tried to 'Save project as",
    wont do it, reports "File error: unknown file"
    the same error i get often when trying to "save as" the original,
    and the same error i get if i make a copy of the FCP file in the finer, open it and try to save it, it wont do it.....
    so with the main sequence in my project getting lost ("not found"),
    i now find that its almost impossible to make a backup that works....
    anyone know about this SERIOUS FAULT.
    i can think of no reason why it cant handle the most basic act of keeping assets attached to the program.
    new computer, new drives, new everything..
    i am now working really scared, when it loses the main sequence again (1 hour), the latest backup that might work could be anything from 1 - 5 days old, who knows, and there goes days of work...
    ======================================
    FCP6
    HDV captures.
    Main sequence is prores render.
    Files and media on one 750G drive in the Mac Pro box.
    deleted all render files yesterday, now only about 15 there.
    changed MP3 tracks to aif.
    have done FCP resue often
    have done permissions
    have upgraded to 10.4.10

    i now find that its almost impossible to make a backup that works....
    anyone know about this SERIOUS FAULT.
    i can think of no reason why it cant handle the most basic act of keeping assets attached to the program.
    new computer, new drives, new everything..
    Except that this issue is almost always totally unrelated to FCP at all.
    Paulo has dome great anecdotal advice but this is usually a fiel permissions problem. No idea how it gets changed but you can run Disk Utility and repair permissions. Do it twice. then Get Info on your drive and see what the privileges are. Do the same for your FCP projects folders. Get info on your FCP project file itself.
    You need to get this figured out before you invest any more time in editing.
    bogiesan

  • File Error: Unknown File, Cannot Save

    I hope this is only a matter of healthy file management, but I'm quite confused and hope someone can clear this up into something of a simple science. On the otherhand, could this be a LIMITATION of FCP?
    -Have been editing a sequence from a larger film on a second computer. That sequence has been worked on over several days and saved (of course). However, upon saving last night, was an error message: "File error: Unknown File" and the project could not be saved.
    -This is quite possibly due to the fact that both the media and project files have been copied over the network to the first computer where the master project is being assembled.
    -HOWEVER, no media files claimed to be offline, everything was editable AND the FILE WOULD NOT SAVE through multiple attempts
    -ALSO, the other open project WOULD NOT SAVE either (its files where never moved or otherwise tampered with. It was a small and entirely local operation).
    -SAVING was finally accomplished ONLY by saving the project file to the LOCAL HD rather than the EXTERNAL DRIVE where the MEDIA and PROJECT FILES originated and had been previously saved to.
    -All other attempts to save to the EXTERNAL were met with the message "FILE ERROR: UNKNOWN FILE" This compromised saving process resulted in the loss of all work, edits, etc. on the LESSER and EXCLUSIVELY local project.
    -AFTER saving to the LOCAL HD, the project COULD BE once again saved to the EXTERNAL HD. This flow seemed very strange to me.
    -Has anyone else encountered this problem, and what can I correct in my processes to avoid this.
    --*Also, the First computer encountered the same problems at the same time, after both EDITING & SAVING had taken place since the last FILE COPYING. Again, work was lost.
    Thanks for any help you can offer.
    G5 Dual 2 GHz PowerPC   Mac OS X (10.4.5)   1.5 GB ram

    Do people search this forum at all?!?
    Check your project for CMYK files.
    Search this forum for General Error.
    This was discussed about 90 minutes ago.

  • FCE 4 Suddenly Stops Recognizing Certain Files It Previously Recognized (File Error: Unknown File)

    FCE 4 has suddenly stopped recognizing certain files that it has recognized without a problem for the past several years I’ve used the program. It won’t recognize 1920x1080 mp4, but it WILL recognize 1920x1080 mov and it WILL recognize 1080x720 mp4. All .h264 codec. Using AIC 1080x60i in FCE. It also won’t recognize .jpg or .tif. There was no software update that could have thrown this off. It was a working one day, not working the next kind of situation. Files play fine in QT. Reinstalled the program. I still get the same File Error: Unknown File. Any ideas?
    Thank you!

    Have you tried trashing uour FCE preferences? That is usually the first step when FCE begins to act in unexpected ways. Reinstalling the app will not overwrite existing preferences - you need to trash them.
    You can download Preference Manager from Digital Rebellion (free) and it will do all the work for you. Do a Google search.
    MtD

  • Error - Unknown File

    I have been given a Quicktime file and want to import it into Final Cut Pro. When I do so I get the error - unknown file. What could be causing this, and how do I solve the problem?

    QuickTime is just a container.
    What codec is the video file? Where did it originate? What camcorder?
    Does it open in the QT Player?
    What information do you get there if it does open?

  • File Error:Unknown File.

    I am getting a "File Error:Unknown file" when i try and save my project. So i am not able to save any changes i make to my project. any thoughts?

    Try FILE>Save Project As.
    does that work?
    Shane

  • File Error: Unknown File when trying to render a Motion Lower third

    I'm getting this: "File Error: Unknown File" when trying to render a Lower third made in the Motion tab. I'm using FCP 6.0.6 and haven't had any issues with this before. It seems to work fine if there is just text, but as soon as I apply any effect, like a drop shadow, I get that error message.
    Thanks,
    Joe

    What's the exact format of the video you're working with and the exact specification the sequence you're editing in?

  • File Error - Unknown file when trying to import from HDD camera

    I recently purchased a Panasonic SDR-H80 and am trying to get my widescreen footage into FCP. I converted the .MOD files to .m4v files in Handbrake, and they play and look fine in the Finder. However, when I try to move them into FCP, I get a dialog that says "File Error - Unknown file." I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here. Can anybody help?

    I converted the .MOD files to .m4v files in Handbrake .... I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here
    What you're doing wrong is using Handbrake and trying to use .m4v files in FCP. Neither is the correct process in preparing for editing.
    Try using MPEG Streamclip and a format that actually works natively in FCP. .m4v is a final delivery format- not for editing. A search on this forum would have revealed that to you in a matter of seconds: http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?objID=c206&search=Go&q=handbrake
    -DH

  • File Error: Unknown File when saving

    I tried to save my project to the drive I've been working in and saving all day. And all of a sudden Im getting a new error: File Error: Unknown File. What's that all about? It saved fine to another drive.

    km@ms, Welcome to the forums.
    You have posted in a topic started by someone else in the pro video discussions.
    While someone here may well have an answer for you, it would be far better to ask your question as it's own topic. As a rule, you will receive an answer much sooner.
    Here is a link to the general discussion category for Mac OS X 10.4:
    http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=177
    Here is the link to the "Pages" forum. http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1191
    While your issue is unrelated to that software product, you stand a better chance of finding someone familiar with Quark and .eps files there.

  • "File Error: Unknown File" when rendering

    Hi,
    When attempting to render any clip I get a "File Error: Unknown File". Help?
    I'm using FCP 6.0.5 with video content from a Canon consumer HD camera.
    Thank you,
    Tim Moore

    switch the location of your render files and see if that helps. I had this happen week before last and it drove me crazy (crazier) I switched scratch disks and met deadline. Now it all behaves like it never happened. some bit stuck somewhere, that took the machine being off for a while to cure

  • Render Error: Unknown file

    I tried to edit an old project today and when I tried to render it gave me the error: File Error: Unknown File. Now I get the same error on every project.
    Any thoughts?

    Does it always happen when rendering the same section of clips? If so, you may have a corrupted clip or other media ... or an image file in CMYK, Indexed or Grayscale color mode. FCP works only with RGB color mode images.
    -DH

  • Why do I keep getting render error unknown file?

    My video and sound files are imported into the project as .MOV files. For some reason they will not render when I am working on my project. Render Error: Unknown File.

    Mark, that's all a bit odd. If the program's got a bug in it, wouldn't it show up on all computers?
    Although your files are contained as .mov files, do you know what codec was used to compress them?

  • On final Cut express I try to import a video but it says error: unknown file. What should I do?, On final Cut express I try to import a video but it says error: unknown file. What should I do?

    I try to import a video but it says error: unknown file. What should I do?

    Where are you importing from, a camera, a file?????
    Please provide some type of specific info regards the import.
    FYI: FCE works with only DV, HDV and AVCHD codecs.
    Al

Maybe you are looking for