Advice sought: Easy Linux system for cloning and copy EXT4 movie files

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gustov

197 posts

Master Geek
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#312364 10-Apr-2024 18:28

I have an almost full 2Tb removable drive that has recorded TV programmes over many years. The file format for my recorder saves the programmes in the EXT4 format.

I have no experience of Linux but would like to install a Linux operating system on an unused PC so I can copy and or clone the various EXT4 formatted TV programmes I have on this external USB drive.

I would be grateful for any advice for the simplest and easiest Linux system that will allow me to copy, clone and manage the EXT4 files. I won't need to use the Linux for anything else, unless I get bitten by the Linux bug. Thank you.

RunningMan

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#3216677 10-Apr-2024 18:38

Do you mean the disk is formatted ext4, or the files themselves have an .ext4 extension?

gustov

197 posts

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+1 received by user: 35

#3216686 10-Apr-2024 19:05

Oh my poor explanation. The disc was formatted by my recorder in EXT4. I can't view its content if I plug the external USB hard drive into Windows 10.

Each TV programme is made up of several file types, can't recall all their names but *.idx is one of them.

nztim

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TEAMnetwork

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#3216687 10-Apr-2024 19:12

Just run a ubuntu live cd and copy them to a NTFS drive on your PC

I doubt the files though even once copied will be an a readable format

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

davidgo2

46 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 15

#3218407 14-Apr-2024 19:27

Not sure if you are aware, but EXT4 is about as close to the default filesystem as you get on Linux. There are exceptions for custom hardware like routers - but any mainstream Linux distro will have no problem reading and writing ext4.

Ubuntu is a common go-to. Linux Mint is sometimes said to be a bit more Windows-like and Elementry OS a bit more Mac like. Both Ubuntu and Mint have live USB's you can run - I've not looked at Elementry OS.

You will also want to consider how the drive you copy the files onto is formatted - FAT32 (VFAT) is typically associated with a maximum file size of 4 gigs and a drive of up to 2TB and will have the best OS support if you can manage with the limitations - note particularly the 4 gig limitation may be a problem for video. If you can't live with the 4 gig limitation, use NTFS.

anatokidave

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#3218437 14-Apr-2024 20:54

If you want to format a new external drive that can be read by a number of devices and OS's, how about formatting in exfat. No size limitations ... A quick online search will provide more info.