Unreadable or corrupt file

I use one of those mini video recording devices (ie. cctv, spy cams, pin hole cams) that takes mini sd cards to record on to.

My question is, lately I've been getting "unreadable or corrupt" files and therefore I can't transfer the files onto my hard drive. The memory size is accurate (so it seems data has been recorded) but the file itself is not movable or able to be copied due to the error message.

It happens to about 10% of all my recordings (so 1 in 10 video files is unreadable/corrupt and the other 9 are all ok and transferrable).

What I'd like to know is what is the cause of this error? Is MORE likely that there is something wrong the mini sd card itself or MORE likely that the error is being caused by the device / mainboard and screwing up the file during saving?

I've done various things like chkdsk, error scan/reporting, mini sd format, and each time it still makes those unreadable/corrupt files.

I'm wondering what is is more likely to be the cause of this problem?

 

I'm also wondering if possible a dying battery or battery that is shortened in life may cause these unreadable/corrupt video files when it's trying to save it?

The video recording doesn't stop or die in the middle of recording. It completes the recording and I can start recording another file or just turn it off. It's only when I plug in the usb cable and attempt to transfer the files that some of them end up being unreadable/corrupt.

 

The most likely in my humble experience is the usb socket becoming worn and/or some of the internal solders breaking, if I dump a USB thumb drive it's because of this. They fail intermittently first and then only when I get sick of wiggling the drive to get it to work I get a new one. This problem is compounded if the laptop/computer is old, the cable is old and the camera and cable has had a hard life.

Again in my experience when the memory modules die they die forever, this doesn't mean this happens as a rule, if someone can show numbers that the failure rate of memory chips is larger that the failure rate of male USB connectors I will concede.

Try eliminating one of the three, so connect to a new computer/USB socket or buy a new cable.

 

The mini sd card is put into an SD adapter. Then the SD is put into a USB flash case. Then you insert the usb into the computer.


Yes, I've heard about the usb cables or the usb flash drive itself wearing out and having to be wiggled to get it to connect. But I don't this has anything to do with my original question.


Are you saying that the video files that are corrupt/unreadable are caused by a faulty usb connector or the flash drive? I'm pretty sure I've never heard of that.
I've never heard of files becoming corrupt because my usb connection was bad.

Once the file is saved onto the memory card, isn't it at that point the files is either GOOD or BAD?

So I was wondering if it's the actual mini sd card that is faulty and causing these intermittent unreadable/corrupt files OR if it's the actual recording device's mainboard/chips when processing the files is doing something wrong and creates these unreadable corrupt files?

 

Agreed, another method would be to connect the sd card directly to a laptop with an sd card port, if you can read and write files without corruption you can be pretty sure it's something to do with the adapter setup you have or at least it gives you somewhere to focus.

The reason I suggested changing the cable,usb or adapter socket is it's one of the few things you actually can change. Small cameras or memory cards/sticks are solid state with nothing you can repair or swap out, if it stops working you simply have to purchase a new device. So there is no magic answer to your question or common way they fail you just have to try and eliminate one of the variables.

 

ok, good suggestions.

I am able remove the mini sd and insert another one if I had another. I'll have to buy another mini sd card and test it out and see if I still get the 1 in 10 unreadable/corrupt files.

Thanks for your suggestions....i'll report back ...may take some time though.

 

Just to put this other thought out there, I have seen adapters go bad as well. Even had an SD adapter which failed right out of the package.

 

Ok, update: I got another mini sd card and replaced it in the recording device. So far there have been no more corrupt / unreadable video files (knock on wood). So it seems like the issue was the mini sd card and replacing it with a new one fixes the issue.

I'm still surprised that was the issue. I didn't know that mini sd cards could go bad like that especially since it was only a couple years old.

I can still use that mini sd for a regular usb flash card.