ASF DVR video file repairs

[posidon]

Hi
I have got few CCTV footage files .ASF format . These are from local law enforcement agency having crucial evidence. I have tried all possible ways from unable to repair them. Has anyone worked on ASF format on core level ?
I can share video files . Pls. PM & I will send download link.

[Arch Stanton]

How were they corrupted? Were they recovered? Is there actually video data inside them? I am asking because very often when I'm asked to repair photos it concerns incorrectly recovered photos with containing little or no image data.

[digitalferret]

"These are from local law enforcement agency having crucial evidence"

couple of questions:

what is the law enforcement agency's policy regarding disclosure to 3rd parties?
ie would you or any of us be breaking the law or compromising the case?

What sort of content are they expecting to retrieve?
The implications could be dire.

feel free to respond in PM if needs be.

K

[pcimage]

How were they corrupted? Were they recovered? Is there actually video data inside them? I am asking because very often when I'm asked to repair photos it concerns incorrectly recovered photos with containing little or no image data.

Yes, we get that too. Often people just say “it’s only corrupted and just needs repairing” but on further investigation the data is total garbage, or a valid header at best. Then you have to prise the truth out of them!

[posidon]

Hi All friends
Thanks for your help. I will answer all of the queries /concerns -
Arch Stanton --
These are exported video files from a DVR system (model unknown). Exact cause of corruption unknown.I have tried my best before finally posting here.
Files are identified having AVC codec (attached is snapshot). They may or may not have full video data or its corrupted thats why files are not playing.

digitalferret
I have replied to your PM. There is no laid down policy as such. I often helps them in whatever possible ways free of cost. So I look into it as CSR activity (corporate social responsibility) and not as a Business activity .
I think anyone would be interested if work is done rather than its implications. Hundreds of crimes happen every day every hour & no one is interested to what happened in some remote village. So unlike western countries its not strict here is India .Here we are helping in resolving a case and files might be having necessary evidence. I am sure every professional DR specialist will take all precautions while handling client data , in this case it has no commercial importance nor anything to do. I assume that to whom I am sending videos will be ethical and take this case for scientific / technical analysis as a challenge.

pcimage
yes recovered /overwritten data is almost like you said. In this particular case I dont know if anything like this has happened .

Attachments

[digitalferret]

thanks for the private msg.

It's commendable that you show Corporate Social Responsibility, and I also understand that justice often favours the wealthy and am sure more people would offer to help under the terms of "research/challenge".

"I think anyone would be interested if work is done rather than its implications."

Even with charitable intent, that depends on the possible content, and the legal framework around anyone working on that material.

It may be useful, in private, to say what sort of content you are expecting to find.

K

[posidon]

hi
Thanks digitalferret for your understanding. Intention / motive is more important in some cases. I think this one is the same. We must use technology , skillsets for the sake of justice & on humanitarian grounds.

[HaQue]

I assume that to whom I am sending videos will be ethical and take this case for scientific / technical analysis as a challenge.

Have you been on the internet before?

I think anyone would be interested if work is done rather than its implications. Hundreds of crimes happen every day every hour & no one is interested to what happened in some remote village. So unlike western countries its not strict here is India

I kind of understand, and in a perfect world, helping Law Enf. is of course a logical thing to do.

But in your scenario, it also works both ways, with possibilities of wrongful conviction, overstepping boundaries, corruption etc.

I guess having someone on video doing something wrong is case closed. It is not like we can doctor video files at all is it? ... oh wait, deep fakes...

[posidon]

I assume that to whom I am sending videos will be ethical and take this case for scientific / technical analysis as a challenge.

Have you been on the internet before?

I think anyone would be interested if work is done rather than its implications. Hundreds of crimes happen every day every hour & no one is interested to what happened in some remote village. So unlike western countries its not strict here is India

I kind of understand, and in a perfect world, helping Law Enf. is of course a logical thing to do.

But in your scenario, it also works both ways, with possibilities of wrongful conviction, overstepping boundaries, corruption etc.

I guess having someone on video doing something wrong is case closed. It is not like we can doctor video files at all is it? ... oh wait, deep fakes...

Hi HaQue
Have you been on internet before ????? what do you mean?

But in your scenario, it also works both ways, -- Every case ever generated has 2 faces so this is not unique in any ways.

Technology /information is been misused by those who know it , otherwise there would have been no ransomwares -no cybercrimes
I guess having someone on video doing something wrong is case closed. It is not like we can doctor video files at all is it? ... oh wait, deep fakes...[/quote]
?????????? What this means ? I haven't understood a word pls. explain

[michael chiklis]

I admit i didn't read this topic, if you intend to repair damaged ASF files then you can use AsfBin
https://www.videohelp.com/software/AsfBin

[digitalferret]

for any others following,
tried asfbin, it says either no stream information is present, or that critical file header info is missing.
Developers site for further info :
http://www.radioactivepages.com/asfbin.aspx

other repair progs replicate whats already there and cut it at 5k file size.
likely as per above, and expected, headers plus random data.

header is associated with .wmv
no programs so far play the files in their current state.

Recovery programs might have been useful at full device stage, looking for a filetable / deleted files etc
Repair programs are finding nothing other than the header.
K

[Arch Stanton]

So, isn't the most sane thing to try at this point to try to recover them from the original source?

[digitalferret]

pretty much.
with the best will in the world, OP can't work with what he hasn't been been given.

kudos to him for taking it on as a job.