Forcing all streams to 16:9 PanasoncViera

[eluxoso]

I have been using Mezzmo for quite a while and found it to be a reliable tool.

Until recently.

Now any video that is wider than 16:9 is being scaled to fill the entire screen instead of projecting letter box (which is what I want) as it did previuosly.

there's a special gold star to the person who is first to point out the option I've missed....


Just to make it tougher, I DO have Always fix aspect ratio selected on the performance tab of the device options.

Mezzmo 3.4.4
Vierra 2011 model

[Paul]

Hi eluxoso,

Please post the FFmpeg information for one of the videos that is not displaying on your Viera TV correctly. Right-click on the video in Mezzmo and click 'Get FFmpeg Informaton'.

[eluxoso]

ffmpeg version N-50460-g393dcbf Copyright (c) 2000-2013 the FFmpeg developers
built on Jun 27 2013 17:20:20 with gcc 4.6.2 (GCC)
configuration: --enable-memalign-hack --arch=x86_64 --target-os=mingw32 --cross-prefix=x86_64-w64-mingw32- --enable-static --disable-shared --enable-zlib --disable-postproc --prefix=/home/peter/ffmpeg/build/gpl64 --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libx264 --enable-gpl --extra-libs='-lx264 -lpthread' --enable-runtime-cpudetect --extra-cflags=-I/home/peter/cc64/include --extra-ldflags=-L/home/peter/cc64/lib --pkg-config=pkg-config --disable-w32threads --enable-zlib
libavutil 52. 17.103 / 52. 17.103
libavcodec 54. 92.100 / 54. 92.100
libavformat 54. 63.102 / 54. 63.102
libavdevice 54. 3.103 / 54. 3.103
libavfilter 3. 41.100 / 3. 41.100
libswscale 2. 2.100 / 2. 2.100
libswresample 0. 17.102 / 0. 17.102
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'C:\Users\xxxx\xxxx\xxxx\xxxx.m4v':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 0
compatible_brands: mp42isomavc1
creation_time : 2013-06-28 18:48:53
encoder : HandBrake 0.9.8 2012071700
Duration: 02:15:02.31, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 11049 kb/s
Chapter #0.0: start 0.000000, end 523.690000
Metadata:
title : Chapter 1
Chapter #0.1: start 523.690000, end 866.616000
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title : Chapter 2
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title : Chapter 3
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title : Chapter 4
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title : Chapter 5
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title : Chapter 6
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title : Chapter 7
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title : Chapter 8
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title : Chapter 9
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title : Chapter 10
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title : Chapter 11
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title : Chapter 12
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title : Chapter 13
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title : Chapter 14
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title : Chapter 15
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title : Chapter 16
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title : Chapter 17
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title : Chapter 18
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title : Chapter 19
Chapter #0.19: start 7506.416000, end 8102.261000
Metadata:
title : Chapter 20
Stream #0:0(und): Video: mpeg4 (Simple Profile) (mp4v / 0x7634706D), yuv420p, 1920x800 [SAR 1:1 DAR 12:5], 10245 kb/s, 23.98 fps, 23.98 tbr, 90k tbn, 24k tbc
Metadata:
creation_time : 2013-06-28 18:48:53
Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: aac (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 159 kb/s
Metadata:
creation_time : 2013-06-28 18:48:53
Stream #0:2(eng): Audio: ac3 (ac-3 / 0x332D6361), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 640 kb/s
Metadata:
creation_time : 2013-06-28 18:48:53
Stream #0:3(und): Subtitle: mov_text (text / 0x74786574)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2013-06-28 18:48:53
At least one output file must be specified

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


---> DB Level Info: 1, 0
---> Frame rate: 23.98
---> Aspect ratio: 12:5 PAR=1:1

[Paul]

Thanks for the FFmpeg information. Mezzmo is transcoding this MKV when using the Panasonic Viera 2011 device profile. Right-click on the MKV in Mezzmo and click Properties. On the Properties dialog, go to the Transcoding tab and select the transcoded file listed there for your Viera TV. Then click the 'Get FFmpeg Information' button and post it here. That will tell us what Mezzmo has transcoded the file to.

[eluxoso]

ffmpeg version N-50460-g393dcbf Copyright (c) 2000-2013 the FFmpeg developers
built on Jun 27 2013 17:20:20 with gcc 4.6.2 (GCC)
configuration: --enable-memalign-hack --arch=x86_64 --target-os=mingw32 --cross-prefix=x86_64-w64-mingw32- --enable-static --disable-shared --enable-zlib --disable-postproc --prefix=/home/peter/ffmpeg/build/gpl64 --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libx264 --enable-gpl --extra-libs='-lx264 -lpthread' --enable-runtime-cpudetect --extra-cflags=-I/home/peter/cc64/include --extra-ldflags=-L/home/peter/cc64/lib --pkg-config=pkg-config --disable-w32threads --enable-zlib
libavutil 52. 17.103 / 52. 17.103
libavcodec 54. 92.100 / 54. 92.100
libavformat 54. 63.102 / 54. 63.102
libavdevice 54. 3.103 / 54. 3.103
libavfilter 3. 41.100 / 3. 41.100
libswscale 2. 2.100 / 2. 2.100
libswresample 0. 17.102 / 0. 17.102
[mpegts @ 000000000031f480] max_analyze_duration 60000000 reached at 60006300 microseconds
Input #0, mpegts, from 'C:\Users\Joint\AppData\Local\Conceiva\Mezzmo\Tran scodingFiles\2D589639-0473-4300-93D1-C7B746426770\Video\328-mpegts-libx264-ac3-sb172.mzt':
Duration: 02:15:02.29, start: 1.400000, bitrate: 5125 kb/s
Program 1
Metadata:
service_name : Service01
service_provider: FFmpeg
Stream #0:0[0x100]: Video: h264 (Main) ([27][0][0][0] / 0x001B), yuv420p, 1920x800 [SAR 1:1 DAR 12:5], 23.98 fps, 23.98 tbr, 90k tbn, 47.95 tbc
Stream #0:1[0x101](eng): Audio: ac3 ([129][0][0][0] / 0x0081), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 448 kb/s
At least one output file must be specified

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

[Paul]

Mezzmo is maintaining the same resolution and aspect ratio of your original video file when transcoding it and then streaming the transcoded file to your TV. When the video is playing, press the Options button on your remote control and change the Aspect Ratio setting that should be listed there. Depending on your Viera model, you should have a few different aspect modes to choose from. This may fix the problem for you.

[eluxoso]

3 options "original" gives me 16:9 centred on the screen about 80% size; Aspect 1 & Aspect 2 both give fullscreen 16:9
What is weird is that this has worked perfectly since I first got Mezzmo and has only been an issue since 3.4.4
Of course, timing could be coincidental & I've been through every option on the TV I can think of too

[eluxoso]

Now this is downright strange.
I went to the transcoding subdirectory and grabbed the mzt file mentioned above. copied it over to my video directory and renamed it to a ts file.
Fired up Mezzmo and hit play and.... perfect aspect ratio.
Quit that.
Played the original file and same Aspect ratio problem.
Went back to the transcoded file that played perfectly a moment ago.... now *it* has A/R problem too.

Looking at some other server forums it looks like Panasonics can bit a bit picky with a/R information - & that remuxing seems to be problematic.

Not sure what to do next - but that's what I know so far

[Paul]

That is strange. If it's a Viera firmware issue, try turning off your TV and then turning it on again (you may even want to pull the power plug out to stop your TV from just going into standby mode - so that the TV's firmware is fully rebooted). See if that fixes the aspect ratio again for the copied transcoded .ts file.

Regarding remuxing, Mezzmo server does remux video and audio streams inside video files when possible for faster transcoding. As a test, you can try transcoding without remuxing and see if that changes things. You will need to pre-transcode the video. Right-click on the original video in Mezzmo and click 'Pre-transcode Files'. On the Pre-transcode Files dialog, select your device and click 'Choose Formats'. On the Pre-transcode Formats dialog select the bolded format and then select the 'Force full transcode of all channels' checkbox (this setting stops Mezzmo remuxing). Click OK and then select the 'Pre-transcode files even if they match the devices supported formats' checkbox. Click OK and wait until the video has been fully transcoded. Try streaming it now.

[Champ70]

I got the same A/R problem after updating to 3.4.4 version.

Using Mezzmo for about two years and previously everything was ok with aspect ratio. I have Panasonic Viera G30, 2011 model.

[eluxoso]

For now it seems to be ok: here's what I did, not sure what, if anything changed but...
I changed the profile from Viera 2011 to Viera 2011 DTS
In device option I turned off the AR correct

If I understand AR correction - this should do the exact opposite of fixing the issue...

What is strange is that I only turned it on AFTER I started having AR issues - so it couldn't have been the cause, but maybe part of the fix?

[stevemaximus]

For now it seems to be ok: here's what I did, not sure what, if anything changed but...
I changed the profile from Viera 2011 to Viera 2011 DTS
In device option I turned off the AR correct

If I understand AR correction - this should do the exact opposite of fixing the issue...

What is strange is that I only turned it on AFTER I started having AR issues - so it couldn't have been the cause, but maybe part of the fix?

I had this exact same issue with my 2013 Panasonic Viera TC-L50E60. The only way I found to fix it was the same way you did. I had to use the Panasonic Viera (2011 models, NTSC) profile.

[Champ70]

Thank you, guys, for your advice. I`ll try to use your method.

BTW, Eluxoso, tell me where is AR correct option?? I couldn`t fins it.

[Paul]

Thanks for sharing your fix. We'll look into this also with our Viera TV models.

[Paul]

Update: We may have found a fix for this issue. If you are experiencing this aspect ratio problem with your Viera TV, then please email us at support [at] conceiva [dot] com and we'll provide an updated device profile.

[shengdiya]

I Using Mezzmo for about one years.

[JMC]

Seems interesting, I've been talking with Chris about this some time ago by email.

--- snip ---
I try to give you an example:

http://kundendienst.orf.at/technik/16_9/bsp02.jpg

Without transcoding I see the aspect ratio on the right: Black bars top/bottom. Sound is also no Problem and I can enable subtitles but can't see them.

With transcoding I see the picture on the right: Egghead and no black bars. Using this I can't set subtitels on the TV and there are no subtitels displayed.

Original video has black bars and TV won't crop them. But all this happened on 3.3.0.0 (afair) and now I'm on 3.4.1.0.

--- snip ---

Is this the fix/problem you found?

[Paul]

Is this the fix/problem you found?

Yes - it seems certain Viera models handle the aspect ratio of videos differently to other DLNA devices, so we've created a device profile to handle these models better. It will be included in the upcoming Mezzmo v4.0 or you can email us at support [at] conceiva [dot] com now to get early access to it.

[tompoole84]

please can you send me the profile for Panasonic TX-L42E5B I was using serviio for free and never had any aspect ratio I bought mezzmo as the reviews from what few I found said it was better at everything and yet I have yet to see this so far a waste of money but if you can fix the aspect ratio bug it would be a great help

[Paul]

Please email us at support [at] conceiva [dot] com and we'll provide the device profile to try.