Dealing with proprietary formats for audio/video

Some audio and video formats are locked behind proprietary software. They may only play on specialized programs and sometimes only on certain operating systems. If you’ve ever been handed one of these unusual files, you know how frustrating it can be to work with them outside their original ecosystem.

For situations like this, Reduct offers Human Services Import Support as part of our Enterprise Add-On. Our team can convert your proprietary files into standard formats that work seamlessly with Reduct. To learn more, contact sales@reduct.video.

If you’ve not opted for the Human Services Import Support add-on, here are some of the common proprietary formats you might come across and how you can handle them yourself.

DS2 files (Olympus voice recorders)

DS2 is a proprietary format developed by Olympus. Many Olympus recorders let you switch to MP3, a standard format supported by Reduct. Olympus provides instructions for changing the recording format on models like the DS-9500, DS-9000, and DS-2600. There is also a guide that explains how to change the format using the Dictation Module or the Device Customization Program.

G64x files (Genetec Security Center)

G64x (and G64) are proprietary surveillance formats from Genetec’s Security Center.

To use their footage in Reduct, you’ll need to export it to MP4 from Security Center. Genetec provides a walkthrough here: Exporting an MP4 video with Security Center.

If you’ve been given a G64x file and only need to view it, Genetec offers a free Windows-only Video Player.