topic Re: Split files? in Camcorders

Split files?

jla930 — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 12:15:14 GMT

I have a Canon Vixia HF R800. The memory card in it is formatted as exFAT, which supports file sizes greater than 4 GB. However, I shot a continuous video about an hour long, and the camera stored the video on the memoy card as 4 individual files, 3 of them a hair over 4 GB, and the last one a bit under 4 GB. Why is this happening? The memory card should support one large file. I can't find any camera setting that specifies the maximum file size, or anything like that.

Re: Split files?

Tim — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 22:58:08 GMT

Hello jla930,

The camera has the ability to capture files that are 4GB in size or 29m 59s in length, whichever comes first. It does not record clips continuously like a tape would, it breaks them up into 4GB clips. These are able to be merged seamlessly during the post-production process.

Re: Split files?

IamintheUK — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 09:30:44 GMT

ExFAT does not support files larger than 4Gb. For longer the file system would need to be HTFS. There is no setting on the camera to specify the file size, which is also governed by the Bitrate and Framerate that you are shooting at.. If you use Canons' own transfer utility to transfer the files from the camcorder to your computer, the separate files will automatically be combined into one.

Re: Split files?

jla930 — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 21:59:53 GMT

Thank you, Tim. Good explanation.

Re: Split files?

jla930 — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 22:17:45 GMT

lamintheUK,

Plese check your facts.

1). Exfat does support files larger than 4 GB. You’re thinking of FAT32 which does not.

2). You said “HTFS”. Do you mean “NTFS”? A file system does not have to be NTFS for files larger than 4 GB. Exfat will do.

By the way, what is the name of Canon’s transfer utility? Can it be downloaded?

Re: Split files?

IamintheUK — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 22:51:12 GMT

Yes, I meant NTFS. You will find that Canon use FAT32 on their SD cards hence the 4gb max. I misread you post which said ExFAT. You can find the Transfer Utility LE download on the Pixela website.http://www.pixela.co.jp

Re: Split files?

Bansaw — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 17:31:20 GMT

Is it really "seemless" ?

When I zoom in I can se that the audio drops out for a frame or so.

I am not sure of the video drops out for a frame either?

If either of these scenarios are true, then there will be a one-frame glitch.

Re: Split files?

sstehle — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 19:49:51 GMT

"These are able to be merged seamlessly during the post-production process."

How? I'm not a professional videographer. Is there Canon software to download?

We use this camcorder at work to record some of our meetings and responsibility for doing so has changed hands a few times. I do not even know where the original user manual is. We're lucky if we can get the files onto a computer.

This answer is a bit like a recipe for beef wellington that only says "the ingredients are able to be merged seamlessly prior to baking."

Re: Split files?

Bansaw — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 20:28:03 GMT

The Canon camcorder can be plugged into a computer via any USB cable.

Then it will show up on your computer as an external drive.

Then you can browse this external drive for the MP4 files it created.

Copy these MP4s to your computer and then import them into any video editing software such as Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere etc.

And then append the files one after the other.

Re: Split files?

eugenepsantos — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 03:45:28 GMT

Hi Tim,

what software will I use to merged the splitted files from my R500? Would have this software?

Re: Split files?

Bansaw — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 11:57:16 GMT

Any video editor, like Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere.

Re: Split files?

wilri01 — Mon, 06 May 2019 02:12:48 GMT

I see the same problem. But the video DOES advance on the last part of the file, so trimming would leave a video jump.

And the audio mute is on the last 1.5 frames, making it hard/impossible to trim completely.

This is at 60fps .MP4 highest bit rate.

Is there a fix for this for the G40?

I shoot church service each week, so there's 4 of these dropouts every week.

And my memory card is very fast, 128GB 95 mb/sec U3 class 10.

I take the card out and transfer from it for fastest transfer.

Re: Split files?

DavidHautbois — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 18:16:32 GMT

The reference to the Pixela software is faulty in this case - the camera ID # will not let you download the software for a Canon R800. I tried every option using the SN on the bottom of the camers, and it always gives an error.

Re: Split files?

DavidHautbois — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 18:26:33 GMT

Bansaw is correct. Unless there is a way to force the camera to record continuously, you will get ca. 4 gb files, and when you try to assemble them into one file, there is a small dead space, ca. 1 frame, that is clearly audible. For a classical music recording this means anywhere between 1/16th and 1/4 note dropout, clearly unacceptable. Overlapping the files in a video editor leaves a conductor looking herky-jerky, let alone the poor musicians!

Re: Split files?

Ed22 — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 07:33:26 GMT

Thanks for posting I am canceling my R700 order - as this is unacceptable.

Cannon T/S just told me zero drop outs, I seen another blog say the same things.

I can understand he file rollover but not data loss. And Its not documented in the manual

and they lie about it.

This is the difference from Consumer to Pro I guess.

Rather sad.

I might be looking at Sony Panasonic next.

Re: Split files?

Ed22 — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 07:36:05 GMT

Wow I almost bought a R700 - just canceled my order after reading these file rollover issues. Canon told me zero drop outs too. He lied.

Re: Split files?

IamintheUK — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 16:27:32 GMT

This, unfortunately, is the limitation of the FAT file system used on so many cameras. DLSRs have a limitation of 30mins max in HD but not in 4k. For long recordings you should possibly look at using an external recorder which has no file size or time limitations. There is the Blackmagic Video Assist and also the Atomos range which can take a clean HDMI feed from the camera.

Re: Split files?

Ed22 — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 17:27:39 GMT

Thank you for the reply. I understand that the File system has to split and roll over to the next file, no issues there if my one hour recording is 2 files or 10 files. But the Camera CPU and Hardware should have enough buffering to prevent data loss as the CCD images and Audio are still streaming in real time. Yes I thought of another box to record, but sort of defeats the purpose of the camcorder!! We are a small church on a limited budget, I think canon is out. I'm now looking at a Sony CX550V do you know anything about that?

Tnx, Ed

Re: Split files?

CanonFyre — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 00:19:00 GMT

Can anyone tell me the following: Is there a way to change the recording resolution to extend the length of recording to 2 hrs? What setting would allow me to get a solid take of that length without splitting? Thanks in advance.

Re: Split files? 2hr

Ed22 — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 00:45:36 GMT

To record vodeo for 2 hours (120 mintues or 7200 seconds ) the max bit rate would be

4gb meaning

4096 MB / 7200 = .5688

convert bits to bytes 10x seem to be the conversion from expermentation

on my Nikon D7100 Kodak ZX5 and Panasonic FZ200

I dont owhn a canon video camera

so "I Think" the answer is 5.688 mbs

Cross checking it with Canon specs

from https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/camcorders/consumer/vixia/vixia-hf-r800

32GB SD Memory Card in MP4*:
4 Mbps (1280 x 720)**: 17 hrs. 20 min.
17 Mbps (1920 x 1080)**: 4 hrs. 10 min.
24 Mbps (1920 x 1080)**: 2 hrs. 55 min.
35 Mbps (1920 x 1080)**: 2 hrs.

32GB is 8 x your 4GB limit (one file max size we hope)

or take the 35Mbps / 8 = 4.375 Mbps

in any case there is no 5 Mbps recording rate only a

4 Mbps (1280 x 720)**: 17 hrs. 20 min.

17 hours 20 minutes is 17*60 + 20 = 1040 Minutes

1040 / 8 = 130 minutes or 2 hours and 10 minutes

when using the

4 Mbps (1280 x 720)**: 17 hrs. 20 min.

mode

Any one want to confirm my math?

Ed - Prescott Valley AZ