This DVRConv and Engine update brings FFmpeg 8 support, improved decoding and conversion. It also adds support for new proprietary formats, encrypted Hikvision IMKH MP4 files, clearer encryption warnings, and fixes a crash affecting some HEIC files.
Hello everyone and welcome to a brand-new update of Amped DVRConv and Amped Engine. With this release, we have added support for many new proprietary formats and variants. We have updated our video libraries and we have also started to add support for some encrypted formats. Our goal is to support more and more encrypted formats in the near future!
Read on to find out more!
Key Takeaways
- You get full support for FFmpeg 8, bringing better decoding, conversion, timing data handling, and fewer errors.
- Encrypted Hikvision IMKH MP4 files can now be decoded natively using a matching .password file.
- Clearer warnings help you identify when a file is encrypted, eliminating a codec or container as a potential decoding issue.
Video Library Improvements
FFmpeg is the library pack responsible for decoding and converting video formats in our products. Every time FFmpeg undergoes a major update, we have to test it thoroughly to ensure that it is fully compatible with the Amped Engine and forensically safe to implement. With this update, we introduce full support for the new FFmpeg 8 libraries. In turn, the update will translate to better decoding, better conversion, better support for timing data and fewer overall errors.
Support for Encrypted Videos
We have started implementing some support for a very limited amount of encrypted formats, a trend we hope will improve in the near future! With the assistance of some very helpful users, we are pleased to report that the new version of the programs now supports encrypted .mp4 – IMKH Hikvision videos. Before today, it was only possible to decrypt these videos using the proprietary Hikvision software, but Amped Engine can natively decode these. If you load an encrypted IMKH Hikvision file, you will get an error message informing you a .password file is required.
To decrypt such a file:
- simply create a text file with Notepad or similar,
- enter the password in the newly created text file
- and save it with a “.password” extension in the same folder as the encrypted video file, as shown below.
Then, drop the video in DVRConv/Engine again and it will be decrypted and converted as required.
When dealing with some other encrypted files that cannot be decrypted, the user will be informed with a pop-up message so that he/she is aware that the issue is not due to the video codec or container used. This could be useful for troubleshooting or for implementing an appropriate acquisition strategy.
Decoding Formats
With every release of DVRConv and Engine, we introduce support for new proprietary formats and variants. Supporting a new format does not equate to a finished project. DVR manufacturers continue to update their own systems, players and encoding methods. For this reason, it is important we keep talking to our users to ensure the support for that format is current and kept up to date. In this release, we have added support for:
- 2 new file extensions,
- 5 new variations of already-supported formats.
Other Improvements and Bug Fixes
We keep improving current features and fixing bugs. Below is the list of all the minor improvements and bug fixes we have added to this release.
- DVRConv: The redundant “Keep Stripped files” string in Program Options has been relabelled to “Keep Temporary Files”.
- Fixed a bug causing the programs to crash when decoding some HEIC files.
Don’t Delay – Update Today
If you have an active support plan, you can update straight away by going into the menu About > Check for Updates within DVRConv and Engine. If you need to renew your SMS plan, please contact us or one of our authorized distributors. And remember that you can always manage your license and requests within the Amped Support Portal.
FAQ – DVRConv and Engine Update 41489
Yes, but support is currently limited. This release adds native support for encrypted Hikvision IMKH MP4 files, with further encrypted formats planned for future updates.
Create a plain-text file containing the password, save it with a .password extension, and place it in the same folder as the encrypted video. Drop the video into DVRConv or Engine again to decrypt and convert it.
The software displays a message explaining that the file is encrypted. This helps you separate encryption from codec or container issues and helps determine if a different acquisition approach is needed.
FFmpeg 8 provides better decoding and conversion, improved handling of timing data, and fewer processing errors across supported video formats.