Passport changed three movie files to MPEGs; can I get the video back?

WD External and Portable SSD External SSD for Windows
1

I’ve stored about a dozen movies in a file on a My Passport Ultra. A couple of weeks ago, I watched one, and checked another; both were working fine. Then last night, when I opened the file, I discovered that these two and another had been converted from MP4s to MPEGs, and only the soundtracks would play. Is there any way of retrieving the video portions of the films? They were originally on VHS, and I used the Arc Soft Showbiz program to convert the tapes to digital files. So far, the rest of the films are intact. I’d appreciate any help anyone could give. Thanks!

3

Hi, Martok,

The videos were taped on VHS from a television set, then converted to digital using the Arc Soft Showbiz program. Also, my laptop Windows 10 recently suffered an upgrade freeze; after trying every other fix, I had to uninstall and reinstall Windows 10. I also changed security systems from Avast to TotalAV. TotalAV conflicts with Thunderbolt Service, and told me to delete it, so I deleted Thunderbolt. Could this be the problem? I just discovered that the majority of my other video files are now coming up as MP4s too. The ones that still come up as videos are identified as MP4Videos. Does that make sense to you?

Thanks so much for your help.

Christine

5

They’re MP4s.

I scanned both the laptop and Passport, no viruses on either.

Thanks so much,

Christine

6

The file extensions read 1.MP4

8

Hi, Martok,

Your question prompted me to double-check. The ArcSoft Showbiz program converted the VHS tapes to files identified as MP4s on my computer. The malfunction, whatever it was, changed them to .mpgs, sound only, both on the Passport, and, I’ve discovered, in the Videos file on my computer.

So the problem seems to be not just with the passport. My laptop Windows 10 recently suffered an update freeze; after trying every other fix, I had to uninstall and reinstall Windows 10. I also changed security systems from Avast to Total AV. Total AV conflicts with Thunderbolt Service, and told me to delete it, so I deleted Thunderbolt. Maybe this is the problem. I just discovered that the majority of my other video files are now coming up as .mpgs too.

Thank you so much for responding so many times. At this point, I’m just discouraged and not in any frame of mind to try to fix this. I also have the flu, and may take a crack at this problem when I recover and my head is a little more clear. You’ve been very nice, but sound like you’re losing patience too.

Thanks so much for your help.

Christine