V 2.6.2.4 Apparent Pre-Transcoding inconsistencies ???

[mezzmo@mvg.za.net]

Hi All

I have seen a few (pre)transcoding issues reported on the forums for files that either: used to play and now do not, or seem to suddenly behave strangely.

Can anyone give some advise on my issue:

-File 1 - avi
-File 2 - mp4

Both pre-transcoded using mezzmo for my Sony KDL-32EX600 TV as follows:

Sony Bravia KDL, mpegts, h264, ac3

File 1 - plays on the TV perfectly. No stuttering etc. FFWD/RWND give no issues.

File 2 - plays poorly. Audio stuttering and Lip Sync issues. Lip Sync aggravated by FFWD and RWND. The only way to correct the Lip Sync is to stop and start the play back again. Play back does start where it left off (which is great!)

Confirmed that the file is not being transcoded on the fly via the Status Tab in Mezzmo.

If "Original File" is selected in the Transcoding tab, the file does not show as a valid file on the TV, so is not available for playing.

What I find odd is that both files have been transcoded to the same format, so surely the playback experience on the TV should be the same?

I have since deleted File 2, so no FFmpeg information... Will need to re-rip this DVD.

Any feedback/comment would be great.

Otherwise still loving Mezzmo :-)

Mark

[Paul]

Hi Mark,

Mezzmo uses ffmpeg.exe for transcoding and it may produce different results if the input files are different (i.e. different formats, bitrates, sampling rates, number of audio channels, etc.) even though the intended output format is broadly the same. Once you re-rip the DVD and re-test, let us know the results. We can tweak the device profile that you are using so that it fixes the stuttering issue (e.g. could be a too high bitrate that your TV is struggling to play).

[mezzmo@mvg.za.net]

Hi Paul.

I have restored the file from backup, and these are the FFmpeg outputs of the two files:

File 1 - Plays Fine:
ffmpeg version N-40693-gc457a29 Copyright (c) 2000-2012 the FFmpeg developers
built on May 15 2012 12:57:14 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=/home/peter/ffmpeg/build/gpl --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libx264 --enable-gpl --extra-libs='-lx264 -lpthread' --enable-runtime-cpudetect --extra-cflags=-I/home/peter/cc/include --extra-ldflags=-L/home/peter/cc/lib --pkg-config=pkg-config --disable-w32threads
libavutil 51. 51.100 / 51. 51.100
libavcodec 54. 21.101 / 54. 21.101
libavformat 54. 5.100 / 54. 5.100
libavdevice 53. 4.100 / 53. 4.100
libavfilter 2. 73.100 / 2. 73.100
libswscale 2. 1.100 / 2. 1.100
libswresample 0. 11.100 / 0. 11.100
[avi @ 0153be80] max_analyze_duration 5000000 reached at 5005000
Input #0, avi, from 'C:\Users\Mark\Videos\TINTIN EP 19 20.Title1.DVDRip.avi':
Metadata:
title : TINTIN EP 19 20.Title1.DVDRip
artist : Mark
album : TINTIN EP 19 20
encoder : Lavf51.19.0
Duration: 00:46:31.35, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 1566 kb/s
Stream #0:0: Video: h264 (Constrained Baseline) (H264 / 0x34363248), yuv420p, 624x480 [SAR 1:1 DAR 13:10], 29.97 fps, 29.97 tbr, 29.97 tbn, 59.94 tbc
Stream #0:1: Audio: ac3 ([0] [0][0] / 0x2000), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 224 kb/s
At least one output file must be specified


---> DB Level Info: 13, 578
---> Frame rate: 29.97
---> Aspect ratio: 13:10

File 2 - Stutters and FFWD and RWND bad:

ffmpeg version N-40693-gc457a29 Copyright (c) 2000-2012 the FFmpeg developers
built on May 15 2012 12:57:14 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=/home/peter/ffmpeg/build/gpl --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libx264 --enable-gpl --extra-libs='-lx264 -lpthread' --enable-runtime-cpudetect --extra-cflags=-I/home/peter/cc/include --extra-ldflags=-L/home/peter/cc/lib --pkg-config=pkg-config --disable-w32threads
libavutil 51. 51.100 / 51. 51.100
libavcodec 54. 21.101 / 54. 21.101
libavformat 54. 5.100 / 54. 5.100
libavdevice 53. 4.100 / 53. 4.100
libavfilter 2. 73.100 / 2. 73.100
libswscale 2. 1.100 / 2. 1.100
libswresample 0. 11.100 / 0. 11.100
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'C:\Users\Mark\Videos\The.Adventures.Of.Tintin.201 1.CAM.x264.AAC\The.Adventures.Of.Tintin.2011.mp4':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 0
compatible_brands: mp42isomavc1
creation_time : 2012-01-03 03:41:55
encoder : HandBrake 0.9.4 2009112300
Duration: 01:39:35.48, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 1224 kb/s
Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p, 720x304, 1098 kb/s, 25 fps, 100 tbr, 90k tbn, 50 tbc
Metadata:
creation_time : 2012-01-03 03:41:55
Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 120 kb/s
Metadata:
creation_time : 2012-01-03 03:41:56
At least one output file must be specified


---> DB Level Info: 30, 100
---> Frame rate: 25.00
---> Aspect ratio:

Strange this is see is that the file withthe issues actually has a LOWER bit rate?

What do you think?

Using Sony Bravia KDL profile.

Thanks
Mark

[Paul]

Hi Mark,

That does looks odd. Please send us a set of logs for the file that stutters - we may be able to see something that's going wrong. Please turn on logging (see http://forum.conceiva.com/showthread.php/419-FAQ-How-to-turn-on-diagnostic-logging) and restart your Mezzmo server. Stream the file and, when it starts to stutter, stop your Mezzmo server and exit Mezzmo. Zip up the logs and send them to us at support [at] conceiva [dot] com.

[mezzmo@mvg.za.net]

Hi Paul

Logs sent.

Thanks

[Paul]

Thanks - got your logs and we'll respond after we analyze them.

[FreeRyde]

Try the latest ffmpeg Windows executable here:

http://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/

Download the latest version under 32 or 64-bit Builds (Static) .
Extract the ffmpeg.exe file from the 'bin' folder in the archive.
Overwrite the ...\Conceiva\Mezzmo\ffmpeg.exe with this file.

[mezzmo@mvg.za.net]

Try the latest ffmpeg Windows executable here:

Tried the latest version. Still the same stuttering and the pre-transcode used 98%CPU. Looking forward to hearing from Paul after sending in the offending file.

[Paul]

Got your email and we're downloading the video file now. We'll report back with our findings.