Computer can't see some files on SD card

Judy in Texas · 14 Aug 2018

On my Windows 7 Pro computer I set out to copy my new video files from the SD card that I took out of the camera (Canon Vixia HF M41) and found that the computer cannot see the files, although I can see and play them in the camera. The computer can see the files that were recorded earlier.

So, I thought, I'll use the software that came with the camera (Pixela Video Browser) to download them to the computer It downloaded only the files that the computer could see before, not the ones I want.

I will, of course, put a new SD card into the camera to record on in future. But is there a program or bit of knowledge that might allow me to see and copy the files to the computer?

Thank you for your help!

Paul Black · 14 Aug 2018

Hi Judy in Texas,

Out of interest, what are the file formats that your computer can't see?
Have you tried it on another computer?

I hope this helps!

Judy in Texas · 14 Aug 2018

.MTS. However, that is the format of all of them, and each device sees some files but not others. The battery on the camera did run down before I filmed the new ones, but I re-set the date and time, and in the camera these are correctly related to each video (and more recent than any other videos on the card).

Judy in Texas · 14 Aug 2018

Also, you had a very good idea, so I just tried the card in my husband's Windows 8.1 computer and it sees the same files as mine.

Can you tell me which forum my query has been moved to? I see the note that it is moved, but where?

iko22 · 14 Aug 2018

Judy in Texas said:

Can you tell me which forum my query has been moved to? I see the note that it is moved, but where?

You are now in Hardware & Devices.

Paul Black · 14 Aug 2018

Hi Judy in Texas,

Have you tried downloading VLC and playing them?

VLC: VLC Player for Windows

I hope this helps!

Judy in Texas · 14 Aug 2018

Good thought, but that doesn't work either.

Paul Black · 14 Aug 2018

Hi Judy in Texas,

You could try downloading and installing the K-lite code pack [it's free and includes almost all video / audio codecs]: K-Lite Codec Pack - FULL

I found this which might help [it mentions about VLC player which is why I am surprised they didn't play!]: What is MTS/M2TS format?

I also found this which might help: What is Windows Media Player (Wiki)

It actually says near the bottom of the page:

Note: The playback abilities of H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 2, 3GP, MP4 and MOV, AVCHD (.m2ts and .mts) videos and AAC audio are added in Windows Media Player 12.

I hope this helps!

Paul Black · 14 Aug 2018

Hi Judy in Texas,

It would also help if you updated your system specifications in your UserCP > Edit System Spec setup. This will enable us to give you the correct advice!

The tutorial below [Published by Brink and written by CyberZeus] let's you easily see all of your system information, along with the option of making filling out your system specifications here at Seven Forums easier: How to See Your System Specs with "System Info"

I hope this helps!

iko22 · 14 Aug 2018

Use WinDirStat. WinDirStat primary function is for anaylysing storage media for disk usage. WinDirStat can be use it to visualise what is on the media card, as it shows both folders and files, with their names, size, date and location on disk. If a file is unaccessable by Windows, the WinDirStat will flag up an existence of an <unknown> file type. Try your luck with that, see if WinDirStat can find your new file(s) in their respective folders.
WinDirStat - Permalinks to downloads and other content