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Almost every file has a certain 'header part' in the file-data to identify the nature of the format. Now, when for example a file gets the wrong extension-name to associate with, it's causing trouble. Then it's important to check the header line of the file, to identify which format is the real one. So it can be corrected by renaming the extension. This can be checked by opening the media-file with an ascii-editor, like NotePad or equivalents. (I use F3 of TC for this, although I sometimes have to rename the extension to a false one, like 'MP8' to prevent TC for just showing the file itself) Codes will be there, shown as blocks, but some recognizable strings will be shown at the first lines. A list of typical strings found in different formats: Bitmaps: BMP - First chars : "BM" JPG - On first line : "JFIF" JPG - From camera with EXIF data : On first line "Exif", two blocks, then "II" PNG - On first line : "PNG" GIF - First chars : "GIF89a" (very old GIFs : "GIF87") TIF - (no compression) First chars : "II" JP2 - On first line : "jP" PSP - First chars : "Paint Shop Pro Image File" Video: MPG - After three codes : "º!" AVI - On first line : "RIFF" and "AVI LIST" WMV - First chars : "0&²uŽfÏ" FLV - First chars : "FLV" RM - First chars : ".RMF" SWF - First chars : "FWS" FLA - (Flash project) First chars : "ÐÏࡱá" MP4 - On first line : "mp41" MOV - Variable so far. I noticed the presence of the string "moov" Some audio formats as well: WAV - On first line : "RIFF" and "WAVEfmt" WAV - (Compressed ADPCM) "RIFF" and "WAVEfmt 2" AU - First chars : ".snd" IFF - (Amiga) Some strings : "FORM - SVXVHDR - CHAN - BODY" AIF - (Apple) Some strings : "FORM - AIFFCOMM - SSND" WMA - First chars : "0&²uŽfϦ٠ª bÎl" OGG - First chars : "OggS" FLAC - First chars : "fLaC" RA - First chars : ".RMF" Some other formats: ZIP - First chars : "PK" |