Zoom H4N recording fails / corrupt file : See Photo at DVinfo.net

Kelly Langerak · June 23rd, 2011, 02:11 PM

Lately my H4N has created a corrupt file that is not recoverable. It has happened on two different SD cards made by Sandisk SDHC 2. A 4 and a 8 gig card. Anyone else encounter this issue? I always reformat the cards in the H4N before using and it's weird that it happens with about the 4th or 5th audio track I try to record.

http://i53.tinypic.com/2dkk0hi.png

Andy Balla · June 23rd, 2011, 04:12 PM

Never had this issue with the H4n. I also use Sandisk cards, 8 GB, and format them before each new project. Bad memory on the card? I don't know. Could be a strange coincidence with the placement of bad files, which creates the illusion of a pattern?

Evan Donn · June 26th, 2011, 09:09 PM

I've had it happen a couple times. In both cases it occurred when the batteries ran out during recording - apparently the data isn't actually written into the file until you hit stop, so anything that interrupts that could result in the file being corrupted like yours.

Pete Cofrancesco · June 26th, 2011, 10:38 PM

I agree with Evan. A lot of unexpected things happen when the H4N runs low on power. Its unlikely to have 2 cards simultaneously go bad.

June 23rd, 2011, 02:11 PM	#1
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Zoom H4N recording fails / corrupt file : See Photo Lately my H4N has created a corrupt file that is not recoverable. It has happened on two different SD cards made by Sandisk SDHC 2. A 4 and a 8 gig card. Anyone else encounter this issue? I always reformat the cards in the H4N before using and it's weird that it happens with about the 4th or 5th audio track I try to record. http://i53.tinypic.com/2dkk0hi.png

June 23rd, 2011, 04:12 PM	#2
Andy Balla Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 182	Re: Zoom H4N recording fails / corrupt file : See Photo Never had this issue with the H4n. I also use Sandisk cards, 8 GB, and format them before each new project. Bad memory on the card? I don't know. Could be a strange coincidence with the placement of bad files, which creates the illusion of a pattern?

June 26th, 2011, 09:09 PM	#3
Evan Donn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 795	Re: Zoom H4N recording fails / corrupt file : See Photo I've had it happen a couple times. In both cases it occurred when the batteries ran out during recording - apparently the data isn't actually written into the file until you hit stop, so anything that interrupts that could result in the file being corrupted like yours. __________________ My latest short documentary: "Four Pauls: Bring the Hat Back!"

June 26th, 2011, 10:38 PM	#4
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	Re: Zoom H4N recording fails / corrupt file : See Photo I agree with Evan. A lot of unexpected things happen when the H4N runs low on power. Its unlikely to have 2 cards simultaneously go bad.