Have you ever inserted your GoPro memory card into your computer, eager to relive your thrilling adventures, only to be greeted by a jumble of unfamiliar files? Among the usual suspects like .MP4 videos, you’ll come across two intriguing companions with the same name but different file extensions: .LRV and .THM files.

Curiosity piqued, you may wonder, “What in the world are these mysterious files, and why do they exist?” Well, fear not, fellow adventurer, for I am here to shed light on the secrets of LRV and THM files and transform you into a GoPro file extension expert!

You see, when your trusty GoPro captures those jaw-dropping moments in all their full-resolution glory, it also automatically generates these additional files for your convenience. Consider them the sidekicks of your epic videos, diligently working behind the scenes to enhance your viewing experience.

First, let’s unravel the enigma of the .THM files. Standing for “thumbnail,” these clever little fellows are crafted with a specific purpose in mind – to provide you with a sneak peek, a glimpse into the captivating content that lies within the corresponding video. So, whenever you browse through your files, these thumbnails allow you to preview what awaits you without the need to open each video individually. It’s like having a visual teaser right at your fingertips!

But what about those intriguing .LRV files? Well, fear not, for they have a vital role to play as well. LRV stands for “low-resolution video,” and these files are like the friendly neighborhood superheroes of your GoPro footage. They serve as the guardians of your precious memories, ensuring smooth playback even on devices that may struggle with the full-resolution videos.

By providing a lower-resolution version of your epic adventures, they make it possible for you to share and enjoy your videos on various platforms, no matter the device’s capabilities.

Picture this: You’re eager to share the exhilaration of conquering that mountain peak or catching that perfect wave. With the help of these humble .LRV files, you can effortlessly transfer your adrenaline-filled exploits to your smartphone or tablet, allowing friends and family to join in on the action, regardless of their device’s horsepower. Isn’t that marvelous?

So, dear reader, armed with this newfound knowledge, you are now equipped to navigate the intricate world of GoPro file extensions. The .LRV and .THM files, like steadfast companions, accompany your high-definition videos, providing enticing previews and versatile playback options.

With their assistance, you can relive your adventures, share your triumphs, and inspire others to embark on their own exhilarating journeys.

Key takeaways

  • The.LRV file helps you to view the video or photos on your GoPro or your mobile phone without having to wait for the transfer of large files.
  • You can even play this file on your Windows or MAC computer simply by changing the file extensions.
  • .THM files are a thumbnail for your videos or your photos. These files are small and compressed.
  • These files will only appear in your system if the SD card is inserted directly in the computer instead of connecting it via USB.

What are .LRV and .THM files?

THM files are thumbnail files. As you probably guessed, THM is a truncated version of thumbnail.

LRV is an acrynoym for low resolution video files.

GoPro action cameras automatically create these two files so they can be used to display preview images and videos on the GoPro’s screen or using the GoPro mobile app.

This way, you don’t have to wait for the camera or phone to process the entire 1080p or 4K file to render a preview: the LRV and THM files take care of that for you.

what is a thm and lrv file

Why does GoPro save a .LRV file?

LRV, as you saw above, is a low resolution video file. The primary reason for saving a second, smaller file is so that it can easily be previewed on your GoPro or your mobile phone.

If you shot a 4K video with max settings and end up with a nearly 2 GB file, you’d have to wait quite a while for all of that data to transfer to your phone and preview on the Quik app.

Not only that, the GoPro and phone’s processor will be overloaded with a lot of unnecessary processing.

The LRV file solves this problem by allowing the GoPro Quik app to pull the low resolution video file from the GoPro.

The low resolution video file can transfer very easily, and will play on your phone very quickly, too.

The LRV video file is just around 5% of the size of the MP4 video file.

How to play LRV files on the computer

You can play an LRV file on your Windows or Mac computer by simply modifying the file extensions.

Right click on the file, and rename it from .LRV to .MP4. Once that’s done, VLC Media Player should be able to recognize it and play it.

Most software available for PC and Mac won’t natively recognize the LRV format.

When you change the LRV file extension, remember to change the filename as well. Otherwise, your original video file and the converted LRV file will end up having the same filename and the old file will get overwritten!

Realistiycally, though, you won’t really need to use LRV files for anything practical. They can come in handy for quickly uploading to social media, but that’s about it.

What are .THM files?

THM files are thumbnail files. A THM file is not exclusive to GoPro. In fact, its an industry standard that you’ll find in most other cameras as well.

The GoPro will generate THM files to make a thumbnail image of your video. The small image file is used to show the thumbnail on the GoPro LCD screen or on your phone through the Quikr app.

Along with being a compressed image, the THM file also stores important metadata like the date and time of recording and the camera settings used to record.

THM files are quite small, as they only use up a few KB. Additionally, the resolution of the THM file image is very low. After all, it only needs to be displayed on a very small screen.

You can convert THM files to open in any programs that open JPG files by changing the file format of the THM file to .JPG. This works with Windows Photo Viewer and Apple Preview, as well as any photo editing software.

Is it OK to delete .THM and .LRV files on my GoPro?

THM files and LRV files are used by your GoPro and the Quikr app to play back previews and videos, so you should not delete them.

Without these files, you will not be able to quickly view the videos on your Quikr app.

However, if you plan on only viewing and editing the videos on your computer, you can get rid of the THM file and LRV file and load up the high-resolution MP4 into your favorite video editing software.

Is it possible to disable THM files and LRV files?

There is no way to disable the THM file and LRV file generation. It’s just a default setting built in to the GoPro – the files will be automatically created in the same folder as the MP4 file.

There’s really no need to delete them either, as THM files created by the GoPro and LRV field hardly take up any storage space on your memory card.

If you try to play a video on the Quik app without these file formats on your memory card, you’ll be prompted to generate new proxy files to enable playback.

When you choose to do so and play the video, then check the memory card, you’ll see the familiar THM file extension in the file explorer once more.

These files are only visible if you insert the SD card

Connecting the GoPro to your computer via USB will keep THM and LRV files hidden.

The only way to “find” these files is to remove the SD card from your GoPro camera and insert it into your computer.

Most people that use digital cameras rarely transfer photos via USB anyway – inserting the SD card is usually the preferred method.

Conclusion

As we reach the end of our exploration into the world of GoPro file extensions, it’s time to reflect on the significance of these unassuming companions, the .LRV and .THM files.

Now, armed with the knowledge of their purpose, you hold the power to unlock the full potential of your GoPro footage. You can effortlessly preview your adventures with a simple glance at the thumbnail files, allowing your anticipation to soar. And when it comes time to share your experiences with the world, the low-resolution video files stand as guardians, ensuring smooth playback and accessibility for all.

But remember, these files are not just for personal enjoyment. They possess the ability to ignite inspiration, spark conversations, and encourage others to embark on their own exciting journeys. They are catalysts for connection, uniting us through shared experiences and fueling the collective desire for exploration.

So, my fellow adventurer, embrace the marvels of these humble file extensions. Dive into the memories they hold, relish in the joy of reliving your triumphs, and allow your stories to ripple through time and space. Share your knowledge, share your passion, and let your GoPro footage become a source of inspiration for others.

Now, as you go forth and continue your daring escapades, always remember the invaluable role of .LRV and .THM files—the unsung heroes of your GoPro adventures. And let the world bear witness to the indomitable spirit of the explorer within you.