damage to iMovie libary / original media files available but only 1kb in size

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frederic1986 Author

Level 1

4 points

damage to iMovie libary / original media files available but only 1kb in size

Hi,

I have used the iMovie library as the storage folder for my original media files (all .mov files between 2020-2021 were imported into iMovie and saved in the library folder structure, approx. 100 GB, stored on an external LaCie hard drive). When I open iMovie, all files show as "missing" (it happened after I renamed some folders in iMovie itself). When I open the iMovie library folder, all the original media files still show in the sub-folders (i.e. iMovie library / 2020 / 03 / Original Media / DSCF5405.mov). However, the file size of original media (all .mov files were in range between 500MB to 2GB, 325 files in total) is reduced to 70 bites. The .mov-files cannot be opened. Unfortunately, the Time Machine Backup is not helping as it did not include the external LaCie harddrive. The external hard drive is two years old and several disk scans show no sign of corruption or damage.

1) I have tried iMovie library backups (unsuccessful).

2) I have attempted data recovery (unsuccessful, the original media files show with file size of 1kb only).

3) I am out of ideas how to resolve this dilemma and would be grateful for any support from the community.

Did anyone experience a similar problem or has suggestions on what might be the issue? Thank you for your help, it is truly appreciated.

(on a sad sidetone: that the mov-files in question are videos of my child between 0-2 yrs., who was just diagnosed with a terminal illness a few weeks ago, I will never give up to retrieve these priceless memories).

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Feb 26, 2022 5:25 AM

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Answer 1

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Feb 26, 2022 9:51 AM in response to frederic1986

Hi, frederic,

So sorry that you are having this trouble. It is hard to determine what happened here without having access to your computer. I am reluctant to suggest procedures that might cause irreversible damage, particularly since the video clips are quite precious in your situation. Try contacting Apple Support and talking to the techs there. They have the capability of remotely accessing your computer, that we cannot do here. Click on the Get Support item in the upper right hand corner of this forum's screen, and navigate to a place where you can enter your phone number. The techs there are pretty savvy and probably will be able to solve your issue.

When you Control-click on the small media file in the iMovie library, and click on Get Info, does it say where the original file is located? When you say that you unsuccessfully tried iMovie library backups, did you use the following file path:

Go/Home/Library/Containers/com.apple.iMovieApp/Data/Library/Caches/iMovieBackups

Good luck with this, frederic. I have a feeling that the techs will be able to resolve the problem.

-- Rich

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Answer 2

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Feb 27, 2022 9:05 AM in response to frederic1986

Ah. An iMovie library cannot be stored on an ExFat drive. ExFat is compatible with a Mac for normal file data, but not for an iMovie library. To store an iMovie library the drive must be formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS. That might be why you are having data retention problems with your library that is stored on an ExFat drive.

Try moving your library to a properly formatted drive per the above, and see if it works. (Copy it over first, and then if it works properly you can delete the library on your ExFat drive.) Or, you can reformat your currently used external drive with the Disk Utility app on your Mac. However, reformatting a drive will erase all data that is on it. So, before reformatting you must back up to another drive all data that you want to keep.

-- Rich

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Answer 3

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Feb 26, 2022 11:36 AM in response to frederic1986

In iMovie, select one of the clips and do a File/Reveal in Finder. Is the original file revealed?

— Rich

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Answer 4

frederic1986 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 26, 2022 11:24 AM in response to Rich839

Hi Rich,

thank you for your quick and helpful reply, I really appreciate it! Yes, I used the file path mentioned above (it took me a while to understand the iMovie backups) but the iMovie library backups did not contain any original movie files. I will follow your guidance right away, reach out to Apple support and very much hope that it will lead to a successful recovery - thank you for your encouragement!

Best wishes,

Frederic

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Answer 5

frederic1986 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 27, 2022 7:14 AM in response to Rich839

Hi,

thank you for your assistance. While iMovie does not allow me to click "File / Reveal in Finder" (field is greyed out) I can access the following folder structure when opening the iMovie library. Folder structure is intact, the original media files show but the data size (all original media files .mov should be between 500MB-2GB) is too small. Through a freakish accident, it appears that iMovie has overwritten all 350+ video files at the same time and now they are all still there but the file size is 1kb or so only. I am interested in your opinion: do you see higher chances of recovery through the programme iMovie or should I try more in-depth data recovery options on the hard drive (assuming, that the data of the original video files cannot have completely disappeared). I hope the screenshots above helps to get an understanding of where the problem seems to lie. Thank you for your support, it is truly appreciated!

Best, Frederic

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Answer 6

frederic1986 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 27, 2022 7:21 AM in response to frederic1986

I'd like to add that the external hard drive from LaCie was/is formatted in "EXFAT" (it was the standard at the time of purchase and as I am not a big techie, I didn't question it as it worked with my Mac). Some other posts I read seem to suggest that this might cause problems with an iMovie library. Has anyone experienced a similar issue and found a way to resolve the sudden data loss?

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Answer 7

frederic1986 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 26, 2022 12:06 PM in response to Rich839

The option "File / Reveal in Finder" is greyed out on all files in the library structure. I am currently researching whether this might be of significance.

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Answer 8

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Feb 26, 2022 12:40 PM in response to frederic1986

Select the file in the iMovie timeline, and do a File/Reveal in Finder.

-- Rich

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damage to iMovie libary / original media files available but only 1kb in size

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