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VFW_E_NO_TIME_FORMAT
Meaning
Windows documents VFW_E_NO_TIME_FORMAT as “Cannot get or set time related information on an object that is using a time format of TIME_FORMAT_NONE”. Here, a caller requests time-based information from an object whose active seeking format is TIME_FORMAT_NONE.
Relevant contract
Start with the filter graph, device or persisted configuration that first returned the result.
Conditions that can produce it
- Cause 1: the filter intentionally exposes no seekable timeline.
- Cause 2: the graph is live and has no stable duration or position.
- Cause 3: the application selected TIME_FORMAT_NONE and still issued a time query.
Evidence worth preserving
- Evidence 1: current and supported time-format GUIDs.
- Evidence 2: seek and duration capabilities.
- Evidence 3: stream type, live-source state and call sequence.
Correction strategy
- Action 1: disable timeline UI for non-seekable objects.
- Action 2: select a supported non-NONE format before querying.
- Action 3: handle live streams through events or counters instead of fabricated media time.
Retry and recovery
Retry rule: Retry only after the object advertises and selects a real time format.
Example incident
A capture preview graph reports TIME_FORMAT_NONE, but the application asks for duration every second; capability-gating the query removes it.
How it differs from nearby results
VFW_E_NO_TIME_FORMAT_SET means selection has not occurred; VFW_E_NO_TIME_FORMAT means the object is explicitly operating with no time format. Keep those cases separate because their next actions are different.
Official Microsoft references
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