DC++

Partial films not working with VLC anymore in 0.706

Asked by weston

I just started using .706 (upgraded from .699) and suddenly viewing .avi films while you are downloading them does not work as before. It used to be that you just opened the file in VLC, repaired the broken file and then the film would start. I disabled segmentated downloading, but now VLC just freezes up when I try to open a file with it. Choosing not to repair the film works, but thats not the ideal way to view it.

Something must have changed in the way the partial files are stored even without segmented downloading, which makes these files impossible to handle for VLC. Does anyone know if it is possible, though the settings, to make the partial downloads 0.699-style again?

Thanks

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eMTee (realprogger) said : 		#1

The latest version is 0.707. It fixes a problem continuing downloads started with 0.699 and earlier. Sorry to say but those of your pending downloads what was continued in 0.706 will be probably corrupted.
To try to salvage some of your partial downloads, stop DC++ go to the unfinished folder and see if there's some duplicate uninished files which differ only the .antifrag extension in the end. If you find some, delete the ones which have .antifrag in the end. Then upgrade to 0.707 and finish all your downloads with that version.

For more information about how downloads work check out the Help page of the Settings/Downloads in DC++ and also read this faq : https://answers.launchpad.net/dcplusplus/+faq/127

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weston (tomas-w-grill) said : 		#2

Thanks for the swift response!

Tried upgrading to 0.707, but it did not improve the situation. The problem affects new downloads as well, so it is not a 0.699 -> 0.706 issue.

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eMTee (realprogger) said : 		#3

Ok I thought I answered your question. Yes the partial downloads are changed from 0.706, I provided the links where you can see how. And no, there's no way to to make the partial downloads 0.699-style again.

Probably VLC can't handle the new structure of the unfinished files (and its ok, every player designed primarily to play normal files, not corrupted ones). Btw have you tried it with other players? Winamp, MPlayer?...

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weston (tomas-w-grill) said : 		#4

Sorry for the confusion...

Winamp doesnt play partial .avis (not my version at least). MPLayer can play them, but with the same limitations as VLC (actually it doesnt seem like it can seek at all, just play it from the start).

The VLC/Fast Connection/DC++ (pre 0.7) combo is unbeatable, as you pretty much got video on demand (start watching the second you start downloading). It seems this broke down with the new version.

I guess I got my answer, but it seems my problem has not been solved :)

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Pietry (pietry) said : 		#5

Perhaps convert this into a bug/wishlist ?

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eMTee (realprogger) said : 		#6

And what would be the solution from DC++ side? Antifrag is mandatory, and hopefully it works well by 0.707... The fact that the players can't do much with an unfinished (thus corrupted) file which is allocated to its final size and filled with zeros is normal. In my point of view doing anything with the unfinished file is a misuse of DC++ and I bet arnetheduck shares my opinion... but let's try :)

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weston (tomas-w-grill) said : 		#7

Thanks for your time, adding the idea to the bug/wishlist seems like a good idea. I just have to add that I really disagree with the notion that this not working is "normal" and using unfinished files is "misuse". What you got is a feature that apparently was completely unintended, but great nevertheless. Protect it for gods sake, its the only reason for me (and I cant possibly be the only one) to use DC++ :)