Transcoding HD video for Panasonic BDP

[River]

I have a Panasonic DMP-BDT110 (http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMP-BDT110) configured in Mezzmo (2.5.0.0) with the Panasonic BDP profile. Tanscoding HD videos will work, however, they will be downgraded to SD as the following log shows:


D:\Applications\Mezzmo\ffmpeg.exe -i "Z:\Video\Divx\SomeVideo.mkv" -y -vcodec mpeg2video -b:v 8600000 -maxrate 10000000 -bufsize 5000000 -g 18 -r 29.97 -vf "scale=720:406" -acodec copy -sn -f vob -threads 4 -pix_fmt yuv420p -copyinkf -sc_threshold 1000000000 -coder ac -qmin 1 -cmp 2 -subcmp 2 -flags +loop -mbd bits -bsf h264_mp4toannexb -fflags +genpts+ignidx+igndts -deinterlace "Z:\Transcoded\D8482CA2-3508-4927-8D87-1D2E98DC2963\Video\6945-mpeg_ntsc-mpeg2video-ac3.mzt"

ffmpeg version N-36036-ga40f43d, Copyright (c) 2000-2011 the FFmpeg developers
built on Dec 22 2011 13:44:49 with gcc 4.6.2
configuration: --enable-memalign-hack --arch=x86 --target-os=mingw32 --cross-prefix=i686-w64-mingw32- --enable-static --disable-shared --enable-zlib --disable-postproc --prefix=/media/ffmpeg --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libx264 --enable-gpl --extra-libs='-lx264 -lpthread' --enable-runtime-cpudetect --extra-cflags=-I/home/dennis/cc/include --extra-ldflags=-L/home/dennis/cc/lib --pkg-config=pkg-config --disable-w32threads
libavutil 51. 32. 0 / 51. 32. 0
libavcodec 53. 46. 1 / 53. 46. 1
libavformat 53. 27. 0 / 53. 27. 0
libavdevice 53. 4. 0 / 53. 4. 0
libavfilter 2. 53. 0 / 2. 53. 0
libswscale 2. 1. 0 / 2. 1. 0
Input #0, matroska,webm, from 'Z:\Video\Divx\SomeVideo.mkv':
Duration: 00:49:43.64, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 4307 kb/s
Stream #0:0(eng): Video: h264 (High), yuv420p, 1280x720, SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9, 23.98 fps, 23.98 tbr, 1k tbn, 47.95 tbc (default)
Stream #0:1: Audio: ac3, 48000 Hz, 5.1(side), s16, 448 kb/s (default)
w:1280 h:720 pixfmt:yuv420p tb:1/1000000 sar:1/1 sws_param:
[scale @ 01b208a0] w:1280 h:720 fmt:yuv420p -> w:720 h:406 fmt:yuv420p flags:0x4
[B]Output #0, vob, to 'Z:\Transcoded\D8482CA2-3508-4927-8D87-1D2E98DC2963\Video\6945-mpeg_ntsc-mpeg2video-ac3.mzt':
Metadata:
encoder : Lavf53.27.0
Stream #0:0(eng): Video: mpeg2video (hq), yuv420p, 720x406 [SAR 406:405 DAR 16:9], q=1-31, 8600 kb/s, 90k tbn, 29.97 tbc (default)
Stream #0:1: Audio: ac3, 48000 Hz, 5.1(side), 448 kb/s (default)
Stream mapping:
Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (h264 -> mpeg2video)
Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (copy)
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
[mpeg2video @ 01a46e40] rc buffer underflow
frame= 44 fps= 0 q=2.0 size= 54kB time=00:00:01.43 bitrate= 308.3kbits/s dup=9 drop=0
frame= 80 fps= 0 q=2.0 size= 278kB time=00:00:02.63 bitrate= 864.0kbits/s dup=16 drop=0
...


No maximum video size is defined in the performance tab in the device profile (manually setting it to 1080 doesn't change anything), video bitrate is set to best quality and the connection is set to gigabit.

I tried to change the profile to Panasonic BDP (MKV) or Panasonic BDP (MPEG-TS). In that case it transcode in HD but no video seam to work (even SD video).

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Paul]

The 'Panasonic BDP' device profile does limit video files to 720x576 pixels since this is what we found Panasonic BDPs are limited to based on our own testing and from user feedback. When we tried higher dimensions, the Panasonic BDP would refuse to play the file.

If you wish you can remove this dimension limit in the device profile and see if your model does support higher dimensions. Here's how to do it:


Stop your Mezzmo server & exit Mezzmo.
Go to the DeviceProfiles folder (see http://forum.conceiva.com/showthread.php/467-FAQ-Where-are-device-profiles-located) and locate the 'PanasonicBDP.prf' file.
Make a backup of the 'PanasonicBDP.prf' file and call it 'PanasonicBDP.bak'.
Edit the 'PanasonicBDP.prf' file with a text editor like Notepad
In the file, look for: <dimensions width="720" height="576" /> and remove these lines. Save the PRF file.
Delete all *.PRO files in the DeviceProfiles folder.
Run Mezzmo and go to the Transcoding Settings dialog and delete all your transcoded files.
Start your Mezzmo server and see if the file streams.

Let me know how you go.

[River]

Well... It look like you are right. I followed your procedure, the video got transcoded in HD but the file refuse to start (there is no error message, it just refuses to start). Panasonic BDPs DLNA is support is really minimal (and disappointing) because loading the same original MKV (before transcoding) from a usb drive work perfectly.

Thanks for the help.

[Paul]

Sorry it did not work out - but you had the same experience that we had in our Panasonic Blu-ray player testing. It seems the current range of Panasonic Blu-ray player models can stream up to 720x576 pixels. So, that's how our device profile is configured so that you can stream all your files without problems.

[sfuller]

Sorry it did not work out - but you had the same experience that we had in our Panasonic Blu-ray player testing. It seems the current range of Panasonic Blu-ray player models can stream up to 720x576 pixels. So, that's how our device profile is configured so that you can stream all your files without problems.

I tried every setting I can think of because I prefer Mezzmo--weird thing is it used to work--I have a 210.

[Paul]

I tried every setting I can think of because I prefer Mezzmo--weird thing is it used to work--I have a 210.

Sorry - what is exactly the problem you are having streaming to your Panasonic BDP?

[sfuller]

mkv files that are 1280x720 don't display with the correct aspect ratio--they are the correct width but are too narrow. The same file appear correctly with Powerdvd. If the I try the 2012 BDP they error.

[Paul]

Make sure you are using the 'Panasonic BDP' device profile for your device.

Make sure you have transcoding turned on so that Mezzmo will ensure your MKV will be transcoded to the correct aspect ratio. Check the transcoding checkboxes in the Transcoding Settings dialog and the Device Settings dialog (Transcoding tab) for your Panasonic BDP device (go to Media Devices and edit the device to display the Device Settings dialog).

Go to the Device Settings dialog (Transcoding page) and delete all your transcoded files. Try streaming again.

If it is still wrong, please post the FFmpeg information on the MKV file. Right-click on the MKV file in Mezzmo and click 'Get FFmpeg Information'.

[sfuller]

All those setting are correct. If I play the mzt files with Zoom Player they also have the black bars at the top and bottom. If I play the file natively from the shared drive thru the BDP they look normal (but are slow).

ffmpeg version N-49584-g5a83115 Copyright (c) 2000-2013 the FFmpeg developers
built on Feb 4 2013 20:20:22 with gcc 4.7.2 (GCC)
configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-w32threads --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-fontconfig --enable-frei0r --enable-gnutls --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libcaca --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgsm --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopus --enable-librtmp --enable-libschroedinger --enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvo-aacenc --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libx264 --enable-libxavs --enable-libxvid --enable-zlib
libavutil 52. 17.101 / 52. 17.101
libavcodec 54. 91.100 / 54. 91.100
libavformat 54. 61.104 / 54. 61.104
libavdevice 54. 3.103 / 54. 3.103
libavfilter 3. 35.101 / 3. 35.101
libswscale 2. 2.100 / 2. 2.100
libswresample 0. 17.102 / 0. 17.102
libpostproc 52. 2.100 / 52. 2.100
Input #0, matroska,webm, from 'F:\dnla\magic.city.s01e01.720p.bluray.x264-demand.mkv':
Duration: 00:55:34.21, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 5618 kb/s
Chapter #0.0: start 0.000000, end 97.097000
Metadata:
title : 00:00:00.000
Chapter #0.1: start 97.097000, end 600.892000
Metadata:
title : 00:01:37.097
Chapter #0.2: start 600.892000, end 1235.401000
Metadata:
title : 00:10:00.892
Chapter #0.3: start 1235.401000, end 1711.460000
Metadata:
title : 00:20:35.401
Chapter #0.4: start 1711.460000, end 2359.399000
Metadata:
title : 00:28:31.460
Chapter #0.5: start 2359.399000, end 3246.702000
Metadata:
title : 00:39:19.399
Chapter #0.6: start 3246.702000, end 3334.211000
Metadata:
title : 00:54:06.702
Stream #0:0(eng): Video: h264 (High), yuv420p, 1280x720, SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9, 23.98 fps, 23.98 tbr, 1k tbn, 47.95 tbc (default)
Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: ac3, 48000 Hz, 5.1(side), fltp, 640 kb/s (default)
Stream #0:2(eng): Subtitle: subrip
At least one output file must be specified

<MEZZMO>: Child process ended with code: 109, ExitCode=1


---> DB Level Info: 41, 100
---> Frame rate: 23.98
---> Aspect ratio: 16:9

[Paul]

Thanks for the information. One additional request - right-click on the video file in Mezzmo and click Properties. Go to the Transcoding tab and click Get FFmpeg Information for the transcoded file. Post that information here. That will tell us what Mezzmo has transcoded the file to.

[sfuller]

DS Src : File Source (Async.) (240-mpeg_ntsc-mpeg2video-ac3-sn.mzt)
Splitter : MPEG2 Program
Video : MPEG2 Video
Audio : AC3

[sfuller]

ffmpeg version N-49584-g5a83115 Copyright (c) 2000-2013 the FFmpeg developers
built on Feb 4 2013 20:20:22 with gcc 4.7.2 (GCC)
configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-w32threads --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-fontconfig --enable-frei0r --enable-gnutls --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libcaca --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgsm --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopus --enable-librtmp --enable-libschroedinger --enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvo-aacenc --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libx264 --enable-libxavs --enable-libxvid --enable-zlib
libavutil 52. 17.101 / 52. 17.101
libavcodec 54. 91.100 / 54. 91.100
libavformat 54. 61.104 / 54. 61.104
libavdevice 54. 3.103 / 54. 3.103
libavfilter 3. 35.101 / 3. 35.101
libswscale 2. 2.100 / 2. 2.100
libswresample 0. 17.102 / 0. 17.102
libpostproc 52. 2.100 / 52. 2.100
[mpeg @ 020a95a0] max_analyze_duration 60000000 reached at 60026633 microseconds
Input #0, mpeg, from 'O:\ext-media\240-mpeg_ntsc-mpeg2video-ac3-sn.mkv':
Duration: 00:56:44.35, start: 0.533367, bitrate: 2830 kb/s
Stream #0:0[0x1e0]: Video: mpeg2video (Main), yuv420p, 720x576 [SAR 1:1 DAR 5:4], 29.97 fps, 29.97 tbr, 90k tbn, 59.94 tbc
Stream #0:1[0x80]: Audio: ac3, 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 384 kb/s
At least one output file must be specified

<MEZZMO>: Child process ended with code: 109, ExitCode=1

[sfuller]

I was able to get the BDT210 working by switching to the Panasonic BDP MPEG-TS profile--most mkv's work. Transcoding seems immediate, but FF, etc is very very slow. Some MKVs just get a blank screen with no error. The log files correctly indicate that file is already transcoded, and the transcoded file plays with no issue in Zoom player.