Error when loading .mat file with scipy.io (ValueError: Mat 4 mopt wrong format)
<p>I'm currently trying to load a .mat file in python using scipy and the following bit of code:</p>

<pre><code>from scipy import io as sio
data= "file.mat"
output= sio.loadmat(data)
</code></pre>

<p>However when running the command I get the error: </p>

<pre><code>ValueError: Mat 4 mopt wrong format, byteswapping problem?
</code></pre>

<p>What does this error message mean? Is there an issue with the file I'm trying to load?
I'm quite the novice when it comes to programming so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated : ) If there is a better way to load .mat files in python I'm open to hearing those too.  Thanks in advance!</p>