Some repair file options are not currently supported in Descript Preview or for the web. If you need to use this feature, you may need to open your project in Descript's desktop app.
Descript provides tools to assist with correcting improperly encoded files in the Project panel using the Repair file (beta) option.
Repair video timestamps
Repair video timestamps can help if a specific file is causing issues with playback, exporting or publishing, audio drift, and more. Some example issues are:
- Black frames appearing instead of the video content.
- A/V sync issues after exporting your video, or playback failure in the editor when optimize videos for playback is disabled.
- Issues caused by file format and video codec combinations.
- Not being able to export or publish your project.
Repair video timestamps on a file in the Project panel
- Open the Project panel on the right-hand side. Make sure you're looking at the Files section.
- Click the
Ellipsis button next to the video file you're having trouble with.
- Select Repair > Repair video timestamps.
Repair audio drift
Have you ever noticed an unexpected echo effect after enabling Studio Sound on one of your videos? Does the audio on your video slowly go out of sync over time?
There is a known bug in the Chrome browser (on macOS and Windows) that causes these types of file encoding issues. Descript's Repair audio drift feature can help mitigate the effects of this encoding error allowing your audio to play back normally.
Repair audio drift on a file in the Project panel
- Open the Project panel on the right-hand side. Make sure you're looking at the Files section.
- Click the
Ellipsis button next to the video file you're having trouble with.
- Select Repair > Repair audio drift.
- Descript will begin downloading the source audio if it's not already available, and then apply the repair.
- Once complete, you'll receive a notification that the source file has been replaced with the updated version.
Manually Repairing Videos
If Descript’s Repair audio drift or Repair video timestamps features don’t resolve the issue or aren’t an available option, you can try manually re-encoding your files. This approach can address problems like unexpected echo effects, audio drifting out of sync, black frames, playback failures, or export errors caused by file encoding or codec incompatibilities. Re-encoding ensures your files are optimized for smooth playback, editing, and exporting in Descript.
Manually Re-encode Videos Using VLC Media Player
-
Download VLC Media Player
- If you don’t already have VLC Media Player, download it from the offical website.
-
Open VLC Media Player
- Launch VLC after installing it.
-
Access the Convert/Save Menu
- Go to the File menu at the top of VLC and select Convert/Stream.
-
Add Your File
- In the Open Media window, click Open media... and select the WebM file you want to convert.
-
Set the Output Format
- In the Choose profile window, choose the desired profile (e.g.,
Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)
).
- In the Choose profile window, choose the desired profile (e.g.,
-
Choose Destination File
- Click the Save as File button.
- Click Browse to choose where to save the converted file and provide a name for the file to be created.
-
Start the Conversion
- Click Save to begin the conversion process. VLC will process the file and save it to the selected location.
Manually Re-encode Videos Using HandBrake
-
Download HandBrake
- If you don’t already have HandBrake, download it from the official website.
-
Open HandBrake
- Launch HandBrake after installing it.
-
Add Your File
- Click the Open Source button in HandBrake.
- Navigate to the location of your WebM file and select it.
-
Set the Output Format
- In the Summary tab, set the Format to
MP4
. - Optional: Use the Presets menu on the right to select a configuration like "Fast 1080p30."
- In the Summary tab, set the Format to
-
Adjust Video Settings (Optional)
- Switch to the Video tab and ensure the Video Codec is set to
H.264
.
- Switch to the Video tab and ensure the Video Codec is set to
-
Choose Destination File
- Provide a name for the file, ensuring it has the
.mp4
extension. - Click Browse at the bottom to select where to save the converted file.
- Provide a name for the file, ensuring it has the
-
Start the Conversion
- Click Start to begin the conversion process.
- Wait for HandBrake to finish encoding your file.