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VFW_E_UNSUPPORTED_STREAM
Meaning
Windows documents VFW_E_UNSUPPORTED_STREAM as “Cannot play back the file. The format is not supported”. Here, DirectShow recognizes the file but cannot render one or more streams because their format or combination is unsupported.
Relevant contract
Start with the filter graph, device or persisted configuration that first returned the result.
Conditions that can produce it
- Cause 1: the container includes an unsupported elementary stream.
- Cause 2: the parser emits a subtype with no downstream path.
- Cause 3: the file combines tracks in a way the selected source filter cannot expose correctly.
Evidence worth preserving
- Evidence 1: container type and complete track inventory.
- Evidence 2: per-pin media types and render results.
- Evidence 3: whether partial rendering succeeds for other streams.
Correction strategy
- Action 1: select supported tracks or permit explicit partial playback.
- Action 2: install approved transforms for required streams.
- Action 3: convert the file when the source or parser cannot expose a usable topology.
Retry and recovery
Retry rule: Retry after track selection, filter inventory or file conversion changes.
How it differs from nearby results
VFW_E_UNKNOWN_FILE_TYPE means the container was not recognized; it means the container was recognized but a contained stream cannot be handled.
Example incident
A container holds playable video plus an unsupported data stream and strict rendering treats the whole operation as failed; rendering only required pins avoids it.
Official Microsoft references
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