Codec issues, recovered MP4s unplayable.

I accidentally formatted an XCSD card and after attempting to recover the data on my own eventually figured that using Recuva would be my best hope at retreival. The files were indeed found and I was able to save them to my C drive but no matter which media player I attempt to open and view them with they are not playable and no specific reason is given beyond that maybe a certain codec is missing or that the input isn't accepted but, again, without saying exactly why.

For reference, the files were originally captured in the XAVC S HD format, recorded on a Sony FDR-AX33 Handycam and my home computer system is a Microsoft Surface Pro 6.

Any thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Have you tried VLC? That can play most things whatever the codec. (It can even play damaged files - provided that the files isn't too corrupted).

https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.en-GB.html

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-update-vlc-codecs

A company called Aero Quartet can repair damaged XAVC and other video files, but they charge for the service.

(The prices seem fairly high to me, but if it's something important, like a wedding video, that needs to be fixed then no doubt worth it).

https://aeroquartet.com/

No doubt you will find other video repair services with a google.

On 28/06/2020 at 23:45, nukecad said:
<div class="ipsQuote_contents">
	<p>
		Have you tried VLC? That can play most things whatever the codec. (It can even play damaged files - provided that the files isn't too corrupted).
	</p>

	<p>
		<a href="https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.en-GB.html" rel="external nofollow">https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.en-GB.html</a>

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-update-vlc-codecs

	<p>
		A company called Aero Quartet can repair damaged XAVC and other video files, but they charge for the service.


		(The prices seem fairly high to me, but if it's something important, like a wedding video, that needs to be fixed then no doubt worth it).

https://aeroquartet.com/

	<p>
		No doubt you will find other video repair services with a google.
	</p>
</div>

Yes, I have tried VLC and it will not accept the input. My problem seems to be all too easily identified by the computer but it will not tell me what the problem actually is or provide any suggestions of how to remedy the problem.

Maybe submitting a sample to that (or another) recovery service for a free diagnostic scan may better indicate what the problem actually is with the files?

Quote
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	<h3>
		What can Aero Quartet offer you?
	</h3>

	<ul><li>
			FREE diagnostics and preview with <b>Treasured</b>
		</li>
		<li>
			FREE sample of repaired video
		</li>
		<li>
			Try before you buy with a FREE trial of your <b>Repair Kit</b>
		</li>
	</ul><p>
		 
	</p>
</div>

In Recuva advanced mode have a look at the file header. Does it have a recognisable file signature? Is it all zeroes? Does it look valid or garbage?