Data recovery for films: This is how even defective film files run again

1. MPEG2Repair: Repair broken TV streams

2. Project X: Rescue Corrupted MPEG2 Files

3. Digital Video Repair: Repair Xvid, mpeg4, 3ivx or Angel Potion movies

4. Conclusion: First try, then delete

5. Data recovery for other formats

Downloaded or encoded video files are often corrupt. So that the entire film is not lost, it is worth saving the data with the right programs. With the three tools that we present to you here, data recovery usually succeeds without any problems.

MPEG2Repair: Repair broken TV streams

MPEG2Repair fixes errors in TV and HD streams converted to MPEG2 format. These must be in “.ts”, “.tp” or “.trp” format. The freeware recognizes picture dropouts and encoding errors and corrects them for smooth playback. MPEG2repair does not require any installation. The small program occupies only 0.2 megabytes of hard disk space.

Use the button in the “Input File” line to select the stream file. In the line below you determine the storage location of the corrected file. After ticking “Repair Errors” and clicking on “Start”, MPEG2repair starts the correction.

Project X: Rescue Corrupted MPEG2 Files

Project X separates audio and video tracks, finds and corrects errors, and corrects errors in time-shifted video and audio material. The program occupies 20 megabytes of hard disk space and works under Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. Although the program requires a certain amount of training, it produces good results.

Digital Video Repair: Repair Xvid, mpeg4, 3ivx or Angel Potion movies

With Digital Video Repair you can have avi files reconstructed so that missing parts of the video no longer cause playback to stop. The clear interface of the program also makes it easier for you to navigate through the defective files. The program is compatible with Windows and Linux as well as with macOS.

Conclusion: First try, then delete

Before you start deleting damaged AVI, DIVX or MPEG2 video files, it is worth using one of the programs presented. Defective areas are detected, corrected or removed so that at least uninterrupted playback is possible. You can usually save your defective film files in this way.

With the exception of “Project X”, the programs do not require installation and are very easy to use. In some cases, the media players themselves correct incorrect sections of a video. These include the VLC Media Player and the GOM Player.

Data recovery for other formats

Of course, you can’t just save movies you thought were lost before you lose them forever. You can also restore photos, entire folders and other files with the right programs. Just take a look at our article list.

So that you don’t have to waste hours recovering data afterwards, we always advise you to make regular backups. This also applies to your film files. You can find out more about this in our big comparison of the best backup software.