Mezzmo 2.7.1 and Dish Hopper/Joey Issues (still)

[tropez]

This problem will not seem to go away. Some time ago I had issues and gave up. Now I'm back with a fresh install, determined to get this setup working.

I have about 250 or so movies encoded with Handbrake using the AppleTV and AppleTV 2 profile. I really don't want to re-encode those, and even if I did, I don't know what I would change.

Here are my log files:

368

Here's a video of the problem in action:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUyKLl1kGtg

Here's the FF info for the two test files i'm using:

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:\movies\[2012] Amazing Spider Man (PG-13).m4v':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 0
compatible_brands: mp42isomavc1
creation_time : 2012-12-11 20:41:02
encoder : HandBrake 0.9.8 2012071700
Duration: 02:16:17.99, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 1284 kb/s
Chapter #0.0: start -0.083411, end 466.999867
Metadata:
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Metadata:
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Metadata:
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Metadata:
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title : Chapter 5
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title : Chapter 6
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Metadata:
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title : Chapter 8
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title : Chapter 9
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title : Chapter 11
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title : Chapter 13
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Chapter #0.14: start 6737.397333, end 7253.913333
Metadata:
title : Chapter 15
Chapter #0.15: start 7253.913333, end 8177.994789
Metadata:
title : Chapter 16
Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p, 720x352 [SAR 1408:1215 DAR 64:27], 670 kb/s, 23.98 fps, 59.94 tbr, 90k tbn, 180k tbc
Metadata:
creation_time : 2012-12-11 20:41:02
Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: aac (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 159 kb/s
Metadata:
creation_time : 2012-12-11 20:41:02
Stream #0:2(eng): Audio: ac3 (ac-3 / 0x332D6361), 48000 Hz, 5.1(side), s16, 448 kb/s
Metadata:
creation_time : 2012-12-11 20:41:02
Stream #0:3(und): Subtitle: mov_text (text / 0x74786574)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2012-12-11 20:41:02
At least one output file must be specified


---> DB Level Info: 30, 100
---> Frame rate: 23.98
---> Aspect ratio: 64:27


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:\movies\[1987] Adventures in Babysitting (PG).m4v':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 0
compatible_brands: mp42isom
creation_time : 2008-11-07 21:49:13
encoder : HandBrake 0.9.2 2008022300
date : 1987
Duration: 01:42:15.21, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2905 kb/s
Chapter #0.0: start -0.083417, end 294.293979
Metadata:
title : Chapter 1
Chapter #0.1: start 294.293979, end 677.051354
Metadata:
title : Chapter 002
Chapter #0.2: start 677.051354, end 884.008104
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Chapter #0.18: start 5228.264688, end 5430.133021
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Metadata:
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Chapter #0.21: start 5835.788271, end 6135.212396
Metadata:
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Stream #0:0(eng): Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p, 712x354 [SAR 8:9 DAR 2848:1593], 2549 kb/s, 23.98 fps, 23.98 tbr, 48k tbn, 47.95 tbc
Metadata:
creation_time : 2008-11-07 21:49:13
Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: aac (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 159 kb/s
Metadata:
creation_time : 2008-11-07 21:49:13
Stream #0:2(eng): Audio: ac3 (ac-3 / 0x332D6361), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 192 kb/s
Metadata:
creation_time : 2008-11-07 21:49:13
Stream #0:3(eng): Subtitle: mov_text (text / 0x74786574)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2008-11-07 21:49:13
At least one output file must be specified


---> DB Level Info: 51, 77
---> Frame rate: 23.98
---> Aspect ratio: 2848:1593

[Paul]

Hi tropez,

A few things to try:

1. In Mezzmo, go to the Media Devices dialog and edit your Dish Hopper device(s). In the Device Settings dialog, go to the Transcoding tab and turn off transcoding and delete your transcoded files. Save this setting and restart your Mezzmo server. Try streaming your videos now to your Dish Hopper/Joey. If they do not play, then we know that your videos' formats are not compatible for your Dish Hopper/Joey devices since Mezzmo is just streaming the original files to your Dish Hopper/Joey. If they do play, then we can tweak the Dish Hopper/Joey device profiles to allow these formats to be streamed without transcoding.

2. If the files do not play with transcoding turned off, then we know that the files must be transcoded to a compatible format before they can be played (due to the Dish Hopper/Joey firmware not being able to decode & play your files' formats). Please turn transcoding back on (as per step 1). Now right-click on one of the videos in Mezzmo and click 'Pre-transcode Files'. In the Pre-transcode Files dialog, select your Dish Hopper device and click Choose Formats. In the Transcoding Formats dialog, select the bolded format and click OK. Click OK to start transcoding. Wait until the video has been fully transcoded (watch the Transcoding pane in Mezzmo) and, once it is completed, then try streaming this video again. If it plays fine, then we know that the Dish Hopper/Joey is able to play fully transcoded (compatible) files but struggles with files transcoding on-the fly.

Let us know how you go.

[tropez]

1. Same thing happened as my video shows. The video tries to play for a couple of seconds, then changes to the next movie in the list, then a few seconds later, it's back to the movie list. Nothing plays.

2. None of the formats are bolded, but there are a few options. I tried both and get errors on both.

369370371370

It looks like it's saying that the files are already in a compatible format and don't need transcoded. Maybe this is the root of the problem?

[Paul]

Hi tropez,

Thanks for the testing feedback.

1. This shows that your Dish Hopper cannot play your M4V files natively, so we will have to transcode them to another format.

2. Let's try to force pre-transcoding. In the 'Pre-transcode Files' dialog, select the 'Pre-transcode files even if they match the device's supported formats' checkbox. And in the 'Pre-transcode Formats' dialog, select the 'Force full transcode (no remuxing)' checkbox. Now when you try to pre-transcode a file, it will always be transcoded.

Let us know how you go.

[tropez]

Interesting.

I just downloaded iSedora (http://www.isedora.com/).

I was able to stream these same movie files from the same server without any transcoding. They played the first time and played without a hitch. So I don't think it's the file format, it has to be something in the software. Fast forward even works.

I'm trying your suggestions but it really does look to be a software issue as of right now.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=q4CrnDGWCwQ

[Paul]

Hi tropez,

That's a good hint regarding iSedora. If we can see what iSedora is sending to your device, then we can replicate it with Mezzmo. I'm not sure if you are familiar with Wireshark (Ethereal as it used to be called), but it's very simple to use and I would greatly appreciate it if you would help us by installing Wireshark (you can download it from http://www.wireshark.org) and follow a few steps:

What you will need to do in Wireshark is the following:

1) turn off your device

2) stop your Mezzmo server if it's running

3) run Wireshark

4) go to Capture -> Interfaces

5) in the dialog that pops up click the Start button opposite your network card (if you have multiple, please choose the one that's connected to the device)

6) turn on your device

7) run iSedora and try streaming a file to your device

8) click on Capture -> Stop in Wireshark

9) click on File -> Save in Wireshark and save the file as a Wireshark/tcpdump format (default)

10) zip it up and send it to us at support [at] conceiva [dot] com.

[Ajax]

I am having the same issue files will not play through my hopper, stream flawlessly with iSedora.

[Paul]

Hi Ajax,

It's best we see a set of Mezzmo logs when you stream the video file to your Hopper. Turn on logging (http://forum.conceiva.com/showthread.php/419-FAQ-How-to-turn-on-diagnostic-logging) and restart your Mezzmo server. Stream the video file and when it fails, stop your Mezzmo server and exit Mezzmo. Zip up all the logs and email them to us at support [at] conceiva [dot] com. Also send us the FFmpeg information for the video file that you tried to stream. Right-click on the video in Mezzmo and click 'Get FFmpeg Information'.

In addition, email us the Wireshark logs when you stream the same video file with iSedora. See the post above to do this - http://forum.conceiva.com/showthread.php/5536-Mezzmo-2-7-1-and-Dish-Hopper-Joey-Issues-(still)?p=20983#post20983

[Ajax]

Just downloaded new version of Mezzmo. I no longer have issues with playback

[Paul]

Thanks for letting us know, Ajax. Glad you are up and running now :)