Audio & video software forum: What is an FLV_27 file? What software will convert it?

Hi Bob,

Thanks for replying.

Right after posting my question, I thought to check the MediaInfo, and I copied and pasted it in response to Kees' reply. I initially found that it is an FLV_27 file by checking the file's Properties and saw .flv_27, and the name of the file itself has .flv_27 at the end of it. The MediaInfo confirmed it.

The downloaded file is a documentary film, and I know it's a risk to download from file sharing sites. When you say there are sites that install infected decoders, do you mean free file converter software? I'll try the VLC Media Player you recommended and see if it will open the file and convert it.

Here's my little collection. All free.

VLC PLAYER
MEDIA INFO

HANDBRAKE
DVD FLICK
IMGBURN

Each of the tools are pretty easy to use in my opinion. There is one other but I haven't needed it for a long time which is Virtual Dub.
Bob

Thanks for the suggestions. I have ImgBurn, and I'm going to search online for the specific directions how to convert the FLV file. I've only used ImgBurn once to burn a DVD, so I'm not famliar with the method. I just now tried to use the VLC Media Player to convert the file, but obviously did it incorrectly because the output was a text file. I made a copy of the original file just in case something like that happened. At WikiVideoLAN.org instructions on how to transcode using the VLC Media Player mention selecting the Transcode option to use the Transcode Wizard, but I can find no Transcode option. I can usually figure out how to use software programs, but this is a challenge. I think I need to do some more looking online for instructions for -- if that fails I'll try one of the programs you suggested.

Thanks for the link to the VLC Media Player. It opened the file and played the video. I think I'll be able to figure out how to use the program to convert it to a format I can burn to a DVD because I want to be sure to save it permanently.

Kees-
Thanks for replying.

I downloaded a documentary film from PutLocker.com which is a file storage and sharing site. The film was shared by a user. I downloaded it using DownloadHelper rather than clicking on the websites Download button. I don't know if that's relevant, but thought I'd add it. DownloadHelper is a program that I already have.

I thought to right click on the file in my download folder and select MediaInfo, I found out more about it. The format is AVC which is an Advanced Video Codec, and it is an FLV file. Here's the copied and pasted information from the MediaInfo Details:

General
Complete name : C:\Users\Dawna\dwhelper\_27maysles_bros._grey_gardens_1975_b72f1.flv_27
Format : Flash Video
File size : 338 MiB
Duration : 1h 40mn
Overall bit rate : 471 Kbps
Tagging application : Yet Another Metadata Injector for FLV - Version 1.4

Video
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L3.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : 7
Duration : 1h 40mn
Bit rate : 400 Kbps
Width : 624 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 1.300
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.056
Stream size : 282 MiB (84%)

is to NOT help with anything that has to do with pirated copyrighted material. So unless you provide the full details of that documentary and show that the maker allowed copying, there's no help for you here.

Of course, I'm not accusing you of downloading such pirated content. But it happens so often that we need to make sure before continuing.

Kees

Kees-

I didn't think about the source of the film when I downloaded it. The site user who shared the file may have pirated it or may have purchased it legitimately from some place like Amazon where I saw it offered for sale. As far as my having used DownloadHelper to get the film, I didn't hesitate because the website offered the option of a free account with the words, "Get an account today, and enjoy all the features of the site!" and then asked for $5.99 to download the film. The other websites I found that offered a free download of the film require the user to install some software in order to download, and this is risky.

I am thinking that was created from iPhone-iPAD, I saw the FLV-27 on a friend's system and the item was sent from a handheld. Otherwise I think FLV just designates flash.