Android App and 5.1 problem

[phiso]

Hi

I've been using the Mezzmo Pro server for a long while with no problems. However, as my Sony Bravia TV is a pig for streaming subtitles (which my daughter needs) and no longer has apps such as My5, I decided to get an Amazon Fire Stick and installed the Mezzmo Android app.

The FS with the Mezzmo Android App solves the subtitles issues and the FS itself gives access to My5 etc but it has introduced a new issue.

My TV is connected to a Sony 5.1 receiver via the HDMI ARC connection but on the Mezzmo App I am only getting Dolby 2.0 showing on the receiver display. Netflix/Amazon Prime video all show 5.1 as does the Mezzmo server if I switch back to it on the TV (but then I'm back to the subtitles issue again). I'm at a loss to see why this is happening, can you help?

The FS is using the Conceivia Mezzmo (Android) profile.

Sony Bravia KDL 55W815B
Sony STR-DH820 receiver
Maxon Fire Stick 4k 2019 model

Thanks

Phil

[Paul]

Hi Phil,

Check the following:

* The video file you are streaming has 5.1 audio channels. Right-click on the file in Mezzmo and click 'Get FFmpeg Information'.
* The video has been transcoded by Mezzmo. Right-click on the file in Mezzmo and click 'Properties'. On the Properties dialog, go to the Transcoding tab and see if there is a transcoded file listed there for your FS. If there is, select it and click 'Get FFmpeg Information' to see how many audio channels have been encoded.

The above should give you some clues where the 2 channel audio is emanating from.

[phiso]

Hi Paul

Thanks for the pointers.

So, I've looked at two separate video files, both should be 5.1 and they play as 5.1 on the Mezzmo Server and the Emby trial.

1: Here are the file audio details from FFmpeg Information:

Video 1 (x264)

Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: ac3, 48000 Hz, 5.1(side), fltp, 640 kb/s (default)

Stream #0:2(eng): Audio: truehd, 48000 Hz, 7.1, s32 (24 bit)

Video 2 (mkv)

Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: dts (DTS), 48000 Hz, 5.1(side), fltp, 1536 kb/s (default)

Both video 1 and video 2 play only as Dolby Digital 2.0 through the FS.

2. Transcoding is interesting, as neither video is transcoded automatically; Mezzmo states both files are supported by the device and so do not need transcoding.

I notice that all my devices have a recommended audio/video format in bold text (the Bravia for example is mpeg-ac3) but there is no recommended format for the FS; is this the cause of the problem?

I've forced transcoding of video 2 to matroska h264 - ac3 to see if that makes a difference - it didn't; even though it shows as having been transcoded for the FS, audio is still 2.0.

I've forced transcoding of video 1 to h264 (29fps) - aac but again still only Dolby 2.0.

Emby plays both files at 5.1

Very strange.

Thanks

Phil

[Paul]

Hi Phil,

If Mezzmo is streaming the files directly to your FS without transcoding, then Mezzmo server is simply delivering the files without any modification and it cannot be the cause of the 5.1 to 2.0 audio channel change. This tells us the change from 5.1 to 2.0 audio channels must be at your FS or at your receiver receiver (via ARC). My guess is that your receiver is limited to 2 channel audio via ARC. You may need to do some reading in your receiver's manual and/or research n the web regarding this.

[phiso]

Hi Paul

I understand, but if the receiver was limited as suggested wouldn't Netflix/Amazon Prime/Emby all suffer the same problem? All those apps are on the FS & yet all deliver 5.1 (Emby using the same source files).

Thanks

Phil

[Paul]

Hi Phil,

I think I understand now. The Mezzmo Android app's video player is decoding the incoming audio as PCM for playback, which may explain why you are getting only 2 channel audio. We have planned to improve this in an upcoming release.

A solution for you now is to stop using Mezzmo Android's video player and choose your own video player (MX Player, VLC, etc.). Go to Settings in Mezzmo Android and turn off the "Use Internal Video Player" checkbox. Now Mezzmo Android will use whatever video player app you have installed on your Android device.