software to view SFF files from a CCTV hard disc?

[SH]

I have a CCTV recorder that appeared to have some missing recordings according to the CCTV management software on some days. I think is is related to the recent heatwave we had recently.

I pulled the discs out and had a look under Ubuntu.

The actual video recordings are there on the HDD as 4.3 GB files in the SSF file format.

So I think the issue is with the *.db2 log files that go with each of the SFF files which was making the front end software "claim" there were no video recordings of the day in question.

The system has 8 cameras so I am assuming the SSF files is a multiplexed video file of all 8 video streams.

I have copied an entire day's worth of the (62) SFF files onto another hard disc (266 GB in total!)

(all the other days show similar daily recorded file sizes and file quantities so thats how I know there is indeed video files even though the software says otherwise.

Does anyone know of any video viewers/players that can play SSF video files?

I can run this on either Linux or Windows.

[Brian]

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.

[SH]

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

[Brian]

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.

[Theo]

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

[SH]

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

8 files using the same demultiplexing software (the words PVAstrumento and Handbrake come to mind) as hopefully the CCTV uses standard MPEG codecs to digitise the analogue video, compress it, and make it into a playable video file that follws some video standard like MPEG?

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

[Robin]

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

[SH]

Samsung DVR and the software is Wisenet smartviewer

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

The smartphone app is iPolis.

[Tony Gamble]

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.

[Robin]

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).

[SH]

SRD-860 DC

[Robin]

2 small points:

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

[Robin]

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

[SH]

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

[SH]

where can I find bkplayer please?

[Andy Burns]

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