VIDEO_TS Files/External Hard Drive

[marabunta]

Hi All,

Wasn't sure where to put this question, but I'm pulling my hair out over it.

I have a number of films stored on external harddrives as VIDEO_TS files. A few months ago I was watch Rohmer's La Collectioneuse with Mac DVD Player and the image suddenly froze. I tried to restart play again, same thing, scanning through the film it reachs a particular point then freezes, usually crashing the player.

Next I tried VLC, same thing in same spot, always crashes the player.

Lastly, I played one the VOB file in VLC. As soon as it reached that point the image freezes, the dot in the bar marking the film's place scrolls along for about 7 minutes of film time, then resumes. The Player doesn't crashed.

I have begun to look at other films on this drive [Elements 1tB] and on other drives [Verbatim 1tB]. I have already found several films on different harddrives displaying the same problem. It's never in exactly the same spot, can vary in length, but is essentially the same sort of problem.

I have surface scanned the drives using TechTool Pro, comes back clean.

I ripped all of the films using Mac the Ripper.

So. My question(s):

1. If anyone know exactly what this, has ecountered it themselves, then obviously, HELP!

2. Is there any software that can test VIDEO_TS files and tell me exacxtly what sort of a corruption there is, if any at all?

3. Anyother ideas? What am I missing?

Thanks to everyone.

[setarip_old]

Hi!

Check to see if your system is overheating...

[Ghitulescu]

Probably an error on the physical file. The external HDDs have a life, too.

[marabunta]

Hi, thanks.

Don't think it's overheating. Does overheating cause file corruption? As I said I did do a surface scan, which came back fine. I would have thought that heat would simply damage sectors, but am not sure.

The files are definitely damaged. They don't work properly even when I copy them.

I just want to know how this happened so that it doesn't happen again...am worried about my collection. I know, backup, but would still like to know what has happened.

Like I said, some kind of tool that could analyse the video files, or the corruption in them would be very useful...

[setarip_old]

Don't think it's overheating. Does overheating cause file corruption?Overheating can cause any number of different temporary and/or permanent behavioral problems.

For you to simply say, "I don't think it's overheating" is shortsighted on your part, without having checked the system's temperature and without opening the case and cleaning out grease and dust bunnies that may have accumulated - and making certain that all connections are secure and all cards properly seated...

[marabunta]

Hi again setarip_old, sorry I dismissed your suggestions so quickly.
By system, do mean the EHDs or my laptop?

I don't use them [EHDs] unless I'm watching a film; otherwise they're stored in the shade, dry cool etc. Should I actually take them apart and clean them?

As for the laptop, well yes sometimes it feels hot after extended use, but the fact that only EHD files seem to be damaged makes me rule out laptop overheating, at least for now.

Am I right here?

Thanks again for replying.