What does HRESULT 0x00040260 (VFW_S_ESTIMATED) mean?

Status / error code:

Category:

Constant name:

Source:

Facility:

Operating System:

Description:

VFW_S_ESTIMATED reports that DirectShow returned the requested value as an estimate whose exact accuracy is not guaranteed.

Previous	Next
VFW_S_RPZA	VFW_S_RESERVED

VFW_S_ESTIMATED

DirectShow returned an estimated value

VFW_S_ESTIMATED is HRESULT 262752 (0x00040260) from Video for Windows. The documented description is “The value returned had to be estimated; It's accuracy can not be guaranteed.” The high-order severity bit is clear, so this is a success result, but it carries more information than plain S_OK.

The requested media value was produced, but the component had to estimate it and cannot guarantee exact accuracy.

Where the result is encountered

This result can appear in duration, position, bitrate, or timing queries; record the producing interface and method.
This result can appear in formats without complete indexes; record the producing interface and method.
It can appear in live or variable-rate streams; record the producing interface and method.

Diagnostic sequence

Capture the raw HRESULT 0x00040260 immediately after the returning method and record whether the caller used SUCCEEDED, FAILED, equality testing, or exception translation.
Verify the method-specific state: the caller knows the estimate’s uncertainty and does not use it as an exact edit, billing, or synchronization boundary.

State to verify

The central question is whether the caller knows the estimate’s uncertainty and does not use it as an exact edit, billing, or synchronization boundary.

Correct handling, retry, and recovery

Display or use the estimate with appropriate tolerance. Re-query after indexing or more data becomes available, and avoid irreversible decisions based solely on the estimate.

Evidence to preserve

Preserve queried property and time format.
Preserve estimated value.
Preserve source index availability.
Preserve stream duration and bitrate behavior.
Preserve later measured value for comparison.

Difference from nearby HRESULT values

S_OK can indicate an exact documented result; it explicitly lowers confidence in the returned value.

Developer and administrator guidance

Practical validation scenario

A player estimates duration for a damaged variable-rate file. It shows an approximate timeline, updates it after scanning more samples, and prevents frame-accurate trimming until a reliable index exists.

References

Looking for a different code? Search another status or error code.