software to view SFF files from a CCTV hard disc?

A possibility is Structured Fax Format, it was designed to handle raster files ( faxes) and it is possible they have used it.

I recall seeing it listed in various conversion tools but not recently, then I haven’t looked.

Assuming you can find a tool, a batch file to run the command and process all the files in a directory would speed things up.

Demultiplexing the 8 streams may be more interesting.

to confirm the file suffis is SSF, not SFF. and the CCTV is full colour....

SSF is a format used by Trimble among others. ( the navigation people)

You may be able to use Handbrake ( in Linux) or try one of the online converters. The latter tend to limit file size and/or number but you will at least find a tool, even if you then need to buy it.

Try 'file whatever.ssf' in Linux and see if it reports any clues.

Also try 'strings -n8 whatever.ssf | less' and see if there's any useful text in there that might be a pointer. (-n8 looks for 8 printable characters in a row - the default of 4 can produce random garbage if the file is long)

Theo

it seems to me the CCTV recorder multiplexes the 8 camera streams into one file.

Given there is typically 60 of these SSF files every day, that suggests each 4.3 GB SSF file is 24 minutes long.

Given that DTT and Freesat broadcast multiplexes that carry several TV channels, I happen to have DVB tuners in my computer than can record a multiplex rather than just one channel. I am aware of open source software that can demultiplex a recorded multiplex into its individual channels.

So is it too much to hope that the SSF files could be demultiplexed into

Co-incidentally, the DVR can export the stored recoerdings to AVI as well as to SEC format....

It might help if you told us the specific CCTV and software you are using.

Samsung DVR and the software is Wisenet smartviewer

teh samsung DVRs were also markedted under the Techwin Hanwha brand.

The smartphone app is iPolis.

I used Handbrake with Win 10 to make ours readable last week. There were some supporting files but all I did was to sent the obvious movie ones to Handbrake.

Then Joyoshare video joiner to splice them together.

And the /precise/ model of the DVR? I ask as some at least use a proprietary format with recordings locked to the machine (c.f. PVRs where HD recordings cannot be played back on other machines).

SRD-860 DC

a. I can find nothing about that model. Plenty about others in the SRD series (SRD-850DC, SRD-870DC, etc). But nothing for 860

b. at least of those other models use .SSF files

a v v quick look suggests some version BKPlayer *might* do something if you have .SSF

awfully sorry. a mistype, its a SRD 870DC!

where can I find bkplayer please?

there's a Part2 linked, no idea if the software is still downloadable?