I came across this whilst doing a movie search just as an experiment. I thought I might post it here though I'm not sure what to make of it. It's supplied here as I found it (except for the size change.) Comments from mods & members welcome! Although I disagree with part of it. Some apps such as VLC can play partial movies.


There are now a lot of 'fake' or wrongly named movies in circulation, also some deliberately corrupt files.

If you are aware of this, it's very simple to make sure you don't waste your time and bandwith downloading the wrong file.

1: As soon as you try to start the download and the file is in your queue (whether it's actually downloading or not), right-click it and select
'Search for Alternates'

Look at the filenames that the search produces.

If they are mostly the same as the file you want, then it's probably OK.

If they are mostly different - other film titles, not just format variations, then the file you are downloading has probably been re-named.

2: As soon as you have the first few megabytes of the movie (5 - 10MB), play it and check the title!

Normal programs (such as MS Media Player) cannot play incomplete .AVI files, as there is an index block at the end of the file.

Get 'VirtualDub' (at virtualdub.com) - this is a small, neat (and free) Video Editor program,
which will load and play partial .AVI files.

Just copy the partially downloaded movie file. Click ones on the incomplete file so it's highlighted then use "Ctrl C" then "Ctrl V" and you will have a usuable copy, then run VirtualDub, load the file and press the play button.

- Don't try and play the file while it is actually downloading! This either won't work, or may mess up the download. Copy it first - you can copy it while it's downloading, and play the copy.

Good luck....

(This file was made by ?somebody?, and was updated by SC. thanx to ?somebody?)
please share this file to reduce renameing films

Hello, great info. I tried it using limewire pro but I cant search for alternates, really really wish we could do this. Spent two and half days downloadding i robot that turned out to be bogus movie. wish people would not do it. I know if i download a bogus movie i delete it as soon as i know it. I hate it when it happens to me and i dont want it to happen to someone else.

Hi there,

I know it's been a while since you posted this topic LoTR but I can't right click and search for alternates . Could you tell me why??

Also while trying to download something. One of the file extension thingys was called VOB, what is this please??

And finally.....LOL.....even though I filtered out files with the extension .wmv I still got one, errrrrrr, why???

Thanks loads, Lindy xxxxx

P.S. Spot the Giraffe...heeheehee

Attached Images

giraffe.gif (69.4 KB, 351 views)

A VOB (Video OBject) contains several streams multiplexed together: Video, Audio and Subtitles. Video is MPEG-2, audio can be AC-3, Linear PCM, Mpeg 2 multichannel or MPEG1 layer2 2 channel audio. Under Tools>Options>Filters>Keywords you have an option box to filter out .vbs files. Unless you have a demux program these might not be much use to you. Generally when video files are muxed there's an index file that lists the contents of each vobs so I'm really not sure how you'd work with a single vobs file. (vobs files are separate files but as a package & catalogued by an index-list file; generally vobs 1.0 or 1.1 or something..)

I am surprised a wmv file slipped thru. If it did I'd be very very wary of it! It could have an invisible extension (just guessing) & is actually an exe & possible a virus or spyware or dialler. Stay away from it & don't attempt to open it!

I'll answer the other question as soon as I find out myself! lol (& I was going to have some time off; only a pm took my attention.)

Greetings Lindyloo,

I have encontered the same on wmv files, and as LotR said it has another extension added to it. The ones I noticed had mp3 and mpg extension, but both also had wmv in the title.

Hope this helps.

Smile and be happy.

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Thanks for that LoTR,

My Brother advised me to put another few file extension thingy ma jigs into my filter thing. (EEEEh! I'm forgetting myself, if you have problems with my technical jargon just say.....) He mentioned about invisible files. I've configured my Boyfriends LW to my liking. With any luck he'll just think that the file he's after isn't there for the sharing. OOOOh I'm power mad.....lol

You go and have some time off now..........have fun

Hugs Lindy xxx

Thanks Fabion,

I didn't realise that you had posted a reply after LoTR. I just posted mine but didn't look.
Thanks again

Lindy xx

P.S. Do you like my Giraffe???

Hey it's cute ... but cheeky!