Case Study: Rescuing Lost Wedding Footage from a Corrupted SD Card

September 4, 2024
Michelle West
Case Studies

Rescuing Lost Wedding Footage from a Corrupted SD Card

Client:
Robert Mazur, R.E.M. Video and Photography

Device Type:
128GB SanDisk SD Card

Turn Around:
7 Business Days *

Profession:
Professional Photographer & Videographer

Location:
Winnetka, Illinois

Robert Mazur, the owner of R.E.M. Video and Photography in Winnetka, IL, is a seasoned professional with a reputation for delivering high-quality work in both video and photography. For Robert, reliability in data storage and retrieval is crucial, especially when working with irreplaceable footage from significant events like weddings.

Robert’s business has relied on DriveSavers Data Recovery to handle critical data loss situations on multiple occasions. This case study details the most recent instance involving a 128GB SD card that contained essential wedding footage and how DriveSavers successfully recovered the lost data.

Data Loss Situation

During a wedding, Robert attempted a same-day edit—a highlight reel created from footage shot earlier in the day to be shown at the reception. The 128GB SanDisk SD card appeared to be functioning correctly in the camera, with all video files visible. However, when he tried to access the files on his computer for editing, the card displayed an error, and the files became inaccessible.

Recognizing the importance of the footage for the wedding couple, Robert needed a solution fast. The footage was vital and could not be recreated, so he sent the SD card to DriveSavers, hopeful that they could once again perform their “miracle work.”

If you have incredibly sensitive data that needs to be recovered, my question is: why wouldn’t you go with the best?–Robert Mazur, R.E.M. Video and Photography

Data Recovery Solution

Upon receiving the SD card, an initial inspection by DriveSavers data recovery engineers revealed that while the card could be mounted, it appeared logically empty. This suggested a corruption of the file system, an issue that can occur due to improper ejection of the card or sudden power loss during data transfer.

To recover the files, the team used specialized data recovery tools and techniques. First, they created a complete image of the SD card to safeguard against further data loss during recovery attempts. Then, using advanced recovery software and proprietary methods, they performed a deep scan to locate the missing files. Through this process, the team successfully recovered 20.9GB of video files. The recovery also involved carefully reconstructing the file system and verifying the integrity of each recovered video file to ensure they were free of corruption.

Summary

Thanks to the expertise of the data recovery engineers at DriveSavers, who successfully retrieved all of the lost video files from the SD card, Robert Mazur met his commitment to the wedding couple. The recovered footage was fully intact and ready for use.

Robert expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “If you have incredibly sensitive data that needs to be recovered, my question is: why wouldn’t you go with the best? For me, it’s a no-brainer—DriveSavers has always been there for us. We’ve always trusted them, and yes, we would always recommend them.”

This case highlights the importance of having a reliable data recovery service that understands the unique workings of SD cards and the needs of photographers and videographers. DriveSavers remains a dependable partner capable of recovering irreplaceable footage and photographs, ensuring that businesses can continue to deliver on their promises.

*DriveSavers Standard Turnaround times are 1-2 Business days, Economy 5-7 Business days, and Priority 24/7 service – on occasion, unique circumstances require more time and are approved by the customer.

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