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Hello everyone,

I have an issue with one of our old DVR at the office. We need to export some evidence from it and I got a .dvr file.

Unfortunately, the original bundle is no more, so I tried to convert it.

No matter what I do, it fails.

So far, this is what i have done :

==> Open it in players such as Windows Media Player or VLC => Fail

==> Use detection software such as MediaInfo to get data about codecs => Fail

==> Tried to convert it using Handbrake => Fail

==> Tried to change the extension (various ones, mpg,mp4,…)=> Fail

I thought my file was corrupted so I try to export another history sample, devices says it’s OK, same result.

Before creating this topic, I searched various forums, find similar questions, tried suggested solutions but it doesn’t work at all.

I contacted our supplier, to get some help. They don’t have those devices anymore nor original software that comes with it. It seems the original supplier is out of business too (no more emails or website).

Device details :

==> Clover TFT1904DVR from cloverusa.com

==> Export to .dvr file only

Have you ever experienced a similar situation or do you know what converter ( if it exist, free or non-free ) could be useful ?

Any suggestion is appreciated.

Thanks,

5 Spice ups
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As far as i can tell it uses an MJPEG stream.

I have found two solutions so far this link show the user has had success using “Handbrake” to convert the dvr stream

the other is an activex player to view the content… I would personally try the first solution.

link to first solution

link to second solution

http://www.cctvforum.com/post-95721.html

hope this helps

EDIT

Just read that you had tried already with handbrake.

How big is the file? Could you open it in notepad++ and past the first ten or so lines here? Just want to see if there is any identifying header info.

Also try this freeware tool called GSpot (yeah i know…ignore the name)

Let me know what that identifies the file as.

1 Spice up
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I had trouble viewing an old video from a DVR a while back and found a player that worked. Not sure it will work for you, but worth a try.

http://yamb.unite-video.com/features.html

1 Spice up
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FFMPEG is the only other media tool I can think of that would be able to convert this file if it was possible.

FFMPEG is 1 step above VLC but you have to use the Linux command line to convert.

other than that

its sounds kinda proprietary for an off brand DVR.

1 Spice up
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Most times the native format is a proprietary encoding that requires a special player for integrity of evidence reasons. That’s why video editors and re-encoders don’t usually work. Buying cheap no-name brands is what commonly ends up being the situation your in. But I could have sworn the .DVR extension was discussed on here before and someone was able to identify the product and a download for the player. I will look around.

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Actually, re-reading your post, you should be able to export a standalone or installed player to go with the DVR file. Do you see that option?

But if push comes to shove, you can always use the camera phone method of export.

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Digital forensics shops use specialized software to forensically preserve the digital evidence from DVRs. I have a coworker who does this type of work.

If the attorney is concerned about forensically preserving the evidence for court, I would suggest contacting a digital forensics firm to handle it. You probably don’t want to be involved in a court case, and have the other side try to tear you apart for “modifying” the evidence and not using sound evidence handling procedures.

But if you want to do it yourself, DVR Examiner is excellent.
http://dmeforensics.com/Technology/DVRExaminer

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Hi everyone,

First of all, thank you for all your help and replies.

Let me a few hours to check all your suggestions and I will let you know what worked for this specific case.

Obviously, it will help me to change this piece of hardware quickly after.

** UPDATE **

The story so far :

==> Gspot cannot get the container information, says it’s not available.

==> Yamb and BSplayer cannot read the file

==> On the DVR, I have no options for the export. I plug the USB stick and trigger the export physical button. The settings menu offer to change various settings (continuous or on event recording, show or hide labels and so on) but nothing regarding the export.

==> After a check, we have no digital forensics firms here. If we really want one, we will need to get one overseas. Sounds more troublesome. DVR Examiner seems a great product, but I cannot use it yet. This DVR is using an old IDE Hard Drive and I have to find a device to plug it into.

It really seems it uses a proprietary codec or container and need the original cd. I will check my boss if he agrees to push it one step further or to discard it.

Once again, thanks