ScanCafe jpeg photo file unrecognized format in iPhoto, not Preview

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Level 1

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ScanCafe jpeg photo file unrecognized format in iPhoto, not Preview

I just received 3 DVDs of 1700 image files from ScanCafe. Unfortunately, almost every photo file, in JPEG format, fails to import (about 30 of 630 on the first DVD). Of 25 folders of photos on the first DVD, 2 folders did transfer. I get a pop up after the files(s) try to import saying "the following files could not be imported. The file is in an unrecognized format." It then lists the files if I tried to import a folder or a selection of several within a folder, or the single file if I tried doing one at a time.

The files have long names such as: 00050_p_r13afjqhgrj0119.jpg. This one didn't import. This one did though: bn_r13afjqhgrj1653.jpg

Importantly, all photos will open if double clicked in Preview.

I've tried dragging single photos or folders into iPhoto. I've tried using the import to Library command, selecting both single photos or folders.

Within a folder that didn't tranfer, I found one or two photos that would transfer.

I tried using a different DVD from Scan Cafe from this order on a different Mac with the same software versions (10.9.2, iPhoto 9.5.1), and got the same error.

I tried downloading the photo files directly from ScanCafe, and I get the same unrecognized format error. These photo files also will open in Preview.

I researched this on the internet and found nothing, then talked to ScanCafe and they didn't know what to do besides send another set of disks (at that point I had not tried downloading the photos directly from them, and this obviously won't fix the problem).

So, the files must not be totally corrupt as Preview opens all of the photos.

Thanks for your consideration and recommendations.

Justin

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Mar 7, 2014 9:16 AM

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Answer 1

jcgraff Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 7, 2014 9:51 AM in response to jcgraff

Although I didn't find anything here on searching before posting above, after posting the "more like this" other posts looked promising.

I tried renaming one of the files opened in Preview, as Old Toad had recommended elsewhere, hopeful that that would allow importation into iPhoto. But, it did not giving the same error "the following files could not be imported. The file is in an unrecognized format." Very bad news.

I tried creating a new iPhoto library and importing the jpeg files, even the renamed one, and got the same eror message.

Here's what I get on Console immediately after trying to import one of the jpeg files, even one that I'd renamed after opening it in Preview to "JillBaby.jpg":

3/7/14 11:47:00.876 AM iPhoto[706]: Failed to create bitmap context color transform

3/7/14 11:47:00.876 AM iPhoto[706]: CGBitmapContextCreateWithData: failed to create delegate.

3/7/14 11:47:04.209 AM mdworker[727]: CFPropertyListCreateFromXMLData(): Old-style plist parser: missing semicolon in dictionary on line 14. Parsing will be abandoned. Break on _CFPropertyListMissingSemicolon to debug.

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Answer 2

Yer_Man

Level 10

165,918 points

Mar 7, 2014 10:39 AM in response to jcgraff

It sounds like there might be minor damage to the metadata on the files.

Try opening one in Preview, then saving it, and then importing the saved version.

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Answer 3

jcgraff Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 7, 2014 10:44 AM in response to Yer_Man

Terrence-

I appreciate your dedication to the support site.

I have already tried that from your recommendations elsewhere, as per my post, and that did not correct the issue.

You had recommended a console error report to someone else with a similar issue. Was my console report helpful?

Best,

Justin

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Answer 4

Yer_Man

Level 10

165,918 points

Mar 7, 2014 11:30 AM in response to jcgraff

As a Test:

Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'

Import a few pics into this new, blank library. Is the Problem repeated there?

Post back with the result.

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Answer 5

ScanCafe

Level 1

0 points

Mar 7, 2014 5:12 PM in response to jcgraff

Hello Justin,

I manage Customer Experience at ScanCafe.

This issue has been reported by a few customers in the past. In most cases this occurs if the color profile of scanned photo is set to anything other than 'sRGB'. You can fix this by manually changing the color profile and renaming each picture (or using a batch edit setting in photo editing program like Adobe Lightroom). I'll have the images re-profiled and delivered to you via a cloud download. You can reach me at carl@scancafe.com.

PS. Your trouble ticket is already forwarded to our editing team for re-work.

Sincerely,

Carl

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Answer 6

jcgraff Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 8, 2014 5:32 AM in response to Yer_Man

Terrence-

As per my initial posts, I tried creating a new iPhoto library before asking for assistance. But I did get the idea from researching your advice to others before me.

Unfortunately, it did not help.

While at work yesterday, I was called by the director of customer experience with ScanCafe. The problem may well be as detailed in his note.

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Answer 7

Yer_Man

Level 10

165,918 points

Mar 8, 2014 5:37 AM in response to jcgraff

Let's see if the sRGB profile helps. If it does, I'm curious as to what the original profile was.

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Answer 8

Old Toad

Level 10

215,412 points

Mar 8, 2014 9:29 AM in response to jcgraff

Try the following on one or two image files:

1 - download and unzip Convert to JPG and Embed sRGB.zip

2 - drag the selected image files onto the app.

3 - try to import the converted files into iPhoto.

OT

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Answer 9

jcgraff Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 9, 2014 11:15 AM in response to Old Toad

Ran the automator. When I selected the first photo file in one of the folders, it did fix the problem allowing iPhoto to import the file. When I selected a folder of 30 photos I've copied from DVD to my desktop, and selected the folder within automator, the script fails on the "Apply ColorSync Profile" step. When I open the folder within the script and select all 30 photos together the script runs, takes about 40 seconds to apply colorSync profile to the images and completes the workflow. Unfortunately, when those photo files are dragged singly or as a group to iPhoto, they do not import. I ran the script twice on the group. I get "the file is in an unrecognized format".

After that I went back to try importing single photos starting with number 2, then tried number 10, from the folder on my desktop. Even running the script on a single file, after running it on the group in the folder peviously, it did not allow other photos to import. That may be because I tried running the script on all the files in that folder previously.

So, I tried deleting the folder of photos on the desktop, and recopied them from DVD to desktop starting fresh in case the bulk attempt had somehow corrupted them, then ran the automator script on photo #2 and #10 that I had tried to convert and import in paragraph 2 above. Strangely, even going through this step did not allow me to open the photos.

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Answer 10

Old Toad

Level 10

215,412 points

Mar 9, 2014 11:25 AM in response to jcgraff

Rather than drag the folder on the app open the folder, select the photos and drag them onto it. See if that will do the trick.

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Answer 11

ScanCafe

Level 1

0 points

Mar 10, 2014 6:14 AM in response to jcgraff

Hello Justin,

For some reason changing the color profile alone does not help. You need to rename the file as well. Please try this step and I'm sure it'll work.

Thanks,

Carl

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Answer 12

jcgraff Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 10, 2014 9:25 AM in response to ScanCafe

Carl with ScanCafe has worked with me directly and is arranging for new DVDs to be sent to me with corrected photo files. This is the best option since there are 1700 photos and the above options did not give a quick fix.

JG

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Answer 13

jcgraff Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 21, 2014 5:22 AM in response to jcgraff

I received replacement photo disks from ScanCafe today. The corrected files fixed the problem with importing into iPhoto.

Thanks to those that assisted.

JG

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Answer 14

joiede

Level 1

5 points

Jun 24, 2014 6:02 PM in response to Old Toad

I'm having the same problem and ScanCafe is sending me new disks with the format adjustment. HOWEVER... there are 1500 of them, and I've already spent a huge amount of time with the files already, deleting some, organizing the rest into folders and renaming them - before trying to import them into iPhoto. I do not look forward to repeating this process.

Interestingly, when I look at the info on the photo files (Get Info) they are a MIX of two formats, some are the correct sRGB which should import, and some are OS14000_A2_B8_mG. What the heck!?

Without "Getting Info" on every **** file, is there a way to separate the wheat from the chaff, so at least I can import the good ones?

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Answer 15

Yer_Man

Level 10

165,918 points

Jun 24, 2014 10:29 PM in response to joiede

You can use Color Space or Color Profile as criteria in a Finder Search.

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