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What are GoPro LRV and THM Files For? GoPro’s Video File Formats Explained

Wondering what the LRV and THM files are that appear when you shoot GoPro videos? Here's what they do.

GoPro LRV File and GoPro THM File Explained

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 2 months ago // Categories: Video
Tags: GoPro HERO (2018), GoPro HERO Session, GoPro HERO5 Black, GoPro HERO5 Session, GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro HERO7 Black, GoPro HERO7 Silver, GoPro HERO7 White, GoPro HERO8 Black, GoPro HERO9 Black

Deal: GoPro HERO9 Black Bundle

GoPro is running a deal on the new HERO9 Black, their newest and best camera. It's a bundle that includes the HERO9 Black, a 1-year subscription to GoPro, a Magnetic Swivel Clip, a spare battery, a Floating Hand Grip, and a 32GB SD card. It's all for $399.98.

When you go to download video from your GoPro’s memory card, you might have noticed that there are some other files on there in addition to the MP4 video file. They have the same filename but a different extension. The ones you’ll see on the current GoPro are LRV and THM files. Both of them are files used by GoPro’s mobile apps, GoPro and Quik.

So do you need to keep those files too? And are they important? Here’s an explanation and what they are and why’re they’re there. First, the short version, and then the more detailed explanation.

What are GoPro LRV and THM Files For?

LRV files are low-resolution video files used by GoPros as video previews. THM files are JPG thumbnails used by GoPros as photo previews. Both are used by the GoPro mobile apps. You can safely delete both filetypes–they’ll be regenerated from the original MP4 or image file if needed.

What is a THM File on GoPro?

The file extension .THM stands for Thumbnail. It’s a small image file that’s 160 by 120 pixels. It’s what you see in the GoPro app as the thumbnails to visually represent each video file.

What is an LRV File on GoPro?

The file extension .LRV stands for Low-Resolution Video. These are what you’re actually seeing through the GoPro app when you play back the video.

The reason these are used rather than the original MP4 videos comes down to filesize. The high-resolution video files that the GoPro shoots creates very large files. For instance, 1 minute of 4K30 with Protune on generates a file about 450MB in size. Trying to stream that over wifi to your phone app not only strains the speed of the wifi connection, but it also consumes a lot of CPU processing power and therefore eats into the battery life of both your camera and phone. The LRV version of the same video comes to around 20MB. That’s much easier to work with.

These LRV files, then, correspond directly to what’s in the MP4 files but at a much lower resolution and filesize. These are what the GoPro app is referring to when it gives that blue warning at the top that it’s playing back a low-resolution version of the video.

If you’re familiar with working with something like Final Cut Pro X or Adobe Premiere, these LRV files are proxy files similar to the ones you can create in both those editing apps. They offer a lighter weight version of the video that you can use for editing and viewing, and any changes your make can be transposed across to the master video file (MP4) later on.

If you want to take a look at exactly what the LRV file looks like, most apps can’t play that file extension directly. But just change the file extension from LRV to MP4 and it’ll play back like a normal video file.

Do I Need to Save LRV and THM Files?

Not really. The MP4 files are the important ones.

The LRV and THM are used as temporary utility files and contain no useful information beyond the original MP4. So if you have the MP4 files, you’re all set. The others are only used by the GoPro mobile app.

What Happens if I Delete the GoPro LRV and THM Files?

If you’re not using the GoPro app, nothing. Just use the MP4 files for playback or editing in your video editing software.

If you are using the GoPro mobile app, you can try playing back one of the MP4 videos directly. You’ll get a warning that playing back video of that resolution isn’t supported and an offered the option of generating a new proxy version.

GoPro LRV File Missing Warning in GoPro Quick App

GoPro LRV File Generating Progress Indicator in GoPro Quick App

These new proxy versions generated by the app aren’t saved on the memory card–they’re saved in the phone’s storage.

More GoPro Tips & Tricks:

  • GoPro Studio Editing Panel 300x200 - How to Play GoPro CineForm MOV Video Files
    How to Play GoPro CineForm MOV Video Files
  • Video relative sizes GoPro HERO Session 300x200 - Video Modes of the GoPro HERO Session
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    What is GoPro SuperView?
  • MP4Joiner GoPro Video Chapters 300x200 - How to Quickly Join GoPro Video Files That Have Been Split into Chapters
    How to Quickly Join GoPro Video Files That Have Been Split into Chapters
  • GoPro Stabilization Cropping Exmaple 300x200 - Why Is the Video Being Cropped When Using GoPro's Video Stabilization?
    Why Is the Video Being Cropped When Using GoPro's Video Stabilization?
  • Video relative sizes GoPro HERO 300x200 - Video Resolutions, Framerates, and Modes on the HERO (2018)
    Video Resolutions, Framerates, and Modes on the HERO (2018)
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on January 7, 2021

Categories: Video
Tags: GoPro HERO (2018), GoPro HERO Session, GoPro HERO5 Black, GoPro HERO5 Session, GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro HERO7 Black, GoPro HERO7 Silver, GoPro HERO7 White, GoPro HERO8 Black, GoPro HERO9 Black

I may earn a commission for purchases using links on this page. Learn more.

GoPro News & Deals

New Smart Remote GoPro will be announcing the new Smart Remote for the HERO9 Black on December 17, 2020. The HERO9 Black isn’t compatible with the previous version of the Smart Remote.

HERO8 Black firmware v2.0 now available. Enables webcam mode; enables Display Mod compatibility; expands HyperSmooth 2.0 High and Boost availability to more video settings; general bug fixes. Update through the mobile app or manually.

GoPro Launches New Live Streaming Service for GoPro PLUS. GoPro has launched their own live-streaming platform for PLUS subscribers. It’s a pretty bare-bones offering for now, with livestreams shared with a dedicated URL. This is alongside their efforts to make the HERO8 Black useful as a webcam when connected to a computer (via USB plug-in-play, not requiring the Media Mod accessory with HDMI out). New firmware adds that functionality for Mac users, and the Windows version is in Beta.

New GoPro Zeus Mini Video Light. GoPro has released released a new video LED light designed to complement their GoPro cameras. It’s tiny, waterproof, and has a built-in magnetic swiveling clip. It’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters), has four levels of brightness, and includes a diffuser to cool the color temperature to 5000K. GoPro claims that the built-in battery lasts up to 6 hours (presumably at the lowest brightness setting, although they don’t specify). It’s available now and priced at $69.99.

DJI Osmo Action firmware update adds live streaming. DJI has released a firmware update for the Osmo Action (v. 01.08.00.10) that adds live streaming support, so you can upload directly to platforms like Facebook and YouTube (it goes through the DJI Mimo mobile app). They’ve also improved the in-camera video stabilization. You can find the new firmware here.

New Underwater Housing for GoPro HERO8 Black from Isotta. Isotta, an Italian brand specializing in underwater housings, has announced a new high-quality underwater housing for the HERO8 Black. It’s an aluminum housing depth-rated to 650 feet (200 meters), has a one-handed open/close switch, double o-rings, and can be used with filters. There’s also a dual-handled tray to go along with it. And like all their housings, it’s in their distinctive red. Priced at $450, it’s only for those who need a highly specialized piece of underwater kit. It’s available for preorder from underwater specialists Backscatter.

Light Mod Now Shipping The Light Mod, one of the three new GoPro accessories, is now shipping. It’s a standalone light that is waterproof, rechargeable and compatible with all GoPro mounts. It was originally announced along with the HERO8 Black, but it hasn’t been available until now. It’s priced at $49.99, and you can find them at GoPro.com.

GoPro MAX Now Shipping. The new 360° camera, the MAX, is now shipping.

GoPro HERO8 Black and Max Unveiled. The new GoPro cameras and accessories have been unveiled. I have a rundown of the highlights of the HERO8 Black here.

DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro HERO7 Black. I’ve posted my detailed hands-on comparison of the Osmo Action and the HERO7 Black. There’s a lot similar between the models, but once you start digging down into the details there are differences that can help in choosing between them. And each has strengths the other doesn’t have. You can find my review here.

GoPro HyperSmooth vs DJI RockSteady. The new DJI Osmo Action also has built-in electronic stabilization to smooth out video. They’re calling it RockSteady (GoPro has HyperSmooth). I’ve been out testing them side-by-side. You can see the results here.

GoPro Deals page. I’ve put together a dedicated page on GoPro deals. So if you’re looking for cheap GoPro deals, check it out.

DJI Osmo action 4K Camera. Best known for their camera drones, DJI has released a new 4K action cam that’s taking direct aim at the GoPro HERO7 Black. It shoots up to 4K60 video and 12MP stills, includes electronic stabilization, has high-dynamic range video at 4K30, voice commands, a touchscreen on the back and another smaller live view screen on the front, and is waterproof down to 36 feet (11 meters). It’s priced at $349, and they’re now available at B&H Photo.

Comments

  1. joe wright says

    December 2, 2020 at 5:52 am

    I have been filming and when i looked for the MP4 file there is none all i can see is thm

    Why would i only see the thm file for some of the vidios i filmed?

    I have other vidios with both files just not all

    Reply
    • David says

      December 2, 2020 at 9:19 am

      Any chance you’ve manually deleted some old videos off the card without formatting the card? Sometimes doing that doesn’t clean up the associated metadata files properly. It’s not something I’ve noticed happening myself, and I’m not sure what the cause would be. So long as you’re not actually missing video files, the THM files are harmless, though. If the video files are going missing, that’s another matter!

      Reply
      • Joe Wright says

        December 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm

        Hey thanks

        I worked out that I was looking for footage that was filmed tho I couldn’t find it as the sad card wasn’t compatible so I missed out on all of it
        All part of learning
        Thanks

        Reply
  2. Simon says

    October 28, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    Is there a way to stop my GoPro from creating these files? I never use the app so they just get in my way.

    Reply
    • David says

      October 29, 2020 at 2:55 pm

      No. It’s programmed to create them automatically and there’s no “off” switch.

      Reply
  3. Michael Keefer says

    October 11, 2020 at 11:17 am

    So this/these app are for iPhones ?

    Reply
  4. G says

    April 21, 2018 at 5:00 pm

    Thanks, very helpful!

    Reply
  5. Todd says

    August 17, 2017 at 2:55 am

    I guessed the .thm files were thumbnails but the .lrv files had me stumped, safely deleting them now!

    Reply

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About Me

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

I’ve owned and used every GoPro since the HD HERO and particularly like finding new and different ways to use them to capture photos, video, and time-lapse.

You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com.

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