How to Recover .REC Files from External Flash Drives: Full Guide

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .REC file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .REC Files from External Flash Drives: Full Guide

What is a .REC file?

A REC file contains video created by a Topfield PVR digital video recorder, a device used to record standard and high definition television programming. It is saved in a proprietary compressed format that can be viewed on a Topfield PVR device or with various third-party video players.

What Are Common Causes of ".REC" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes for ".REC" files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".REC" files while organizing or deleting other files on their computer or storage device.
  2. System or software errors: System crashes, software conflicts, or errors in the recording software can lead to the loss or failure of ".REC" files.
  3. File system corruption: Corruption in the file system of the storage device can cause ".REC" files to become inaccessible or lost.
  4. Power failure: Sudden power outages or improper shutdowns can interrupt the recording process and result in ".REC" file loss or failure.
  5. Virus or malware attacks: Viruses or malware can infect the storage device and corrupt or delete ".REC" files.
  6. Hardware failure: Issues with the storage device, such as a hard drive failure or SD card corruption, can lead to the loss or failure of ".REC" files.
  7. Formatting or reformatting: Accidentally formatting or reformatting the storage device without proper backup can erase all ".REC" files stored on it.
  8. Human error: Mistakes like accidental formatting, improper handling of storage devices, or mistakenly overwriting ".REC" files can cause their loss or failure.

It is important to regularly back up ".REC" files to prevent loss and use reliable data recovery software or services in case of accidental deletion or other failures.

How to recover lost ".REC" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".REC" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".REC" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".REC" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".REC" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".REC" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".REC" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo topfield PVR Recording image file file?

Programs that open ".REC" files

Windows
Squared 5 MPEG Streamclip Squared 5 MPEG Streamclip
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
Elecard MPEG Player Elecard MPEG Player
DRD Systems VideoReDo DRD Systems VideoReDo
Mac
Squared 5 MPEG Streamclip Squared 5 MPEG Streamclip
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
Eltima Elmedia Player Eltima Elmedia Player
Linux
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player

Additional Information

  • File type: Topfield PVR Recording

  • File extension: .REC

  • Developer: Topfield

  • Category: Video Files

  • Format: N/A

  • File types that use the extension .REC:

    • Topfield PVR Recording

    • eJuice Me Up Recipe File

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (2)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:11 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .REC files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
  • Shoaib
    Shoaib 26.07.2022 06:22 #
    Dear i have dash cam in my car whenever i want to watch those videos on my Smart phone my sd card is showing.rec files in storage but i can't play it please tell me solution
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is ".REC Recovery" and how does it work?

    ".REC Recovery" is a term commonly used to refer to the process of recovering files from a storage medium that has been damaged or corrupted. It is often used when trying to retrieve files from a memory card, USB drive, or external hard drive.

    When a storage medium gets damaged or corrupted, the file system may become unreadable, preventing access to the stored data. In such cases, a data recovery software or tool can be used to scan the storage medium and attempt to recover the lost or deleted files.

    The ".REC" extension is often used to indicate recovered files. When the recovery software scans the storage medium, it looks for file signatures or patterns to identify the files that can be recovered. These recovered files are then saved with the ".REC" extension to indicate that they are recovered versions of the original files.

    It's important to note that the success of the recovery process depends on various factors, such as the extent of damage or corruption, the file system used, and the effectiveness of the recovery software. In some cases, the recovered files may be partially or completely corrupted, and not all files may be recoverable.

    Therefore, it is recommended to stop using the damaged storage medium as soon as possible to prevent further data loss and to consult a professional data recovery service if the data is critical or if the recovery process seems complex.

  • Can ".REC Recovery" be used to recover deleted or lost files from various storage devices?

    Yes, ".REC Recovery" can be used to recover deleted or lost files from various storage devices. It is a file recovery program that is designed to scan storage devices such as hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, and other media to find and recover deleted or lost files. However, it is important to note that the success of file recovery depends on various factors such as the extent of file fragmentation, the condition of the storage device, and the actions taken after data loss.

  • Are there any limitations or specific requirements for using ".REC Recovery" software?

    There are some limitations and specific requirements for using ".REC Recovery" software. Here are a few:

    1. Compatibility: The software may have specific compatibility requirements, such as the operating system version, processor type, and available memory. It is important to check the system requirements of the software before installing it.
    2. File System Support: ".REC Recovery" software may have limitations in terms of the file systems it supports. Some software may only work with specific file systems like NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT. Ensure that the software supports the file system of the storage device you want to recover data from.
    3. Storage Device Types: The software may have limitations on the types of storage devices it can recover data from. It may support hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, etc., but not all devices may be supported. Check if the software is compatible with your specific storage device.
    4. Trial or Paid Version: Some ".REC Recovery" software may have limitations in the trial or free version, such as a limited number of recoverable files or limited recovery options. To utilize the full functionality of the software, you may need to purchase a paid version.
    5. Technical Expertise: Data recovery software often requires some technical knowledge to operate effectively. Understanding the software's interface, recovery process, and options may be necessary for successful data recovery.
    6. Data Overwriting: If the data you want to recover has been overwritten by new files or the storage device has been physically damaged, the recovery software may not be able to retrieve the data.

    It is recommended to carefully read the documentation or user guide provided with the ".REC Recovery" software to understand any specific limitations or requirements before using it.

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