"The file format Is invalid" playing large AVI file (193656)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2.1
- Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2.5
- Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q193656 SYMPTOMS
When you try to play a large audio-video interleave (AVI) file, you may
receive the following error message:
The file format is invalid.
CAUSE
This error message can occur when you try to play an AVI file that is
larger than 2 gigabytes (GB) in size. Limitations exist with Microsoft
Video for Windows solutions that limit AVI files to the same maximum file
size as the FAT16 file system, which is 2 GB minus 1 byte.
On computers using the FAT32 file system, the maximum file size is 4 GB
minus 1 byte, which is larger than Video for Windows is designed to
handle. AVI files created by Video for Windows that exceed 2 GB in size
appear invalid or damaged to AVI file players.
RESOLUTION
When you are using Video for Windows-based programs, limit the size of
AVI files that you create to less than 2 GB.
MORE INFORMATION
Programs using Microsoft DirectShow can create AVI files that exceed 2 GB
in size on computers using the FAT32 or NTFS file system.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 8/29/2006 |
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| Keywords: | kberrmsg kbprb KB193656 |
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