Chromecast Compatibility & Transcoding

[Roofus]

Hi

I am still getting incompatibility problems with my Chromecast. I am using a 3rd gen one now but as far as I am aware it has the same capability as my 2nd Gen versions.

Using the Ultra profile by default - Transcode option selected against the device

Problem 1 is No Video or Audio - No error shown in the app

File details are:

Video
ID : 0
Format : MPEG-4 Visual
Format settings, BVOP : No
Format settings, QPel : No
Format settings, GMC : No warppoints
Format settings, Matrix : Default (H.263)
Codec ID : XVID
Codec ID/Hint : XviD
Duration : 43 min 21 s
Bit rate : 978 kb/s
Width : 640 pixels
Height : 352 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.181
Stream size : 303 MiB (87%)

Audio
ID : 1
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 3
Format settings : Joint stereo / MS Stereo
Codec ID : 55
Codec ID/Hint : MP3
Duration : 43 min 21 s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 136 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 41.667 FPS (1152 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 43.2 MiB (12%)
Alignment : Aligned on interleaves
Interleave, duration : 24 ms (0.58 video frame)
Interleave, preload duration : 471 ms
Writing library : LAME3.93
Encoding settings : -m j -V 4 -q 2 --abr 136

I tried to pre-transcode but it ignored the transcoded version and still tried to play the native avi file although not 100% sure if I should have waited until the pre-transcode had finished before i attempted to play.

On the TV I get the spinning arrow, then I see the file name being streamed, then the Mezzmo logo appears on the TV, thats it.


Problem 2 - No Video or Audio - Also see error 2100

Video
ID : 1
Format : HEVC
Format/Info : High Efficiency Video Coding
Format profile : Main@L3.1@Main
Codec ID : V_MPEGH/ISO/HEVC
Duration : 42 min 22 s
Bit rate : 766 kb/s
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.035
Stream size : 232 MiB (92%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC SBR
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity with Spectral Band Replication
Commercial name : HE-AAC
Format settings : Explicit
Codec ID : A_AAC-2
Duration : 42 min 22 s
Bit rate : 68.6 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 23.438 FPS (2048 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : 23 ms
Stream size : 20.8 MiB (8%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Same as above, on the TV I get the spinning arrow, then I see the file name being streamed, then the Mezzmo logo appears on the TV, thats it.

Have tried with both the normal and Ultra Profiles.

After transcoding the latter for Ultra Profile (and waiting for it to complete) it still refuses to play.

For all transcoding I chose the top options, hls h264 aac.

Lastly with the file below I get video but no audio and my volume controls do function (as in I do not get an message about a receiver, but still no sound)

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings : CABAC / 9 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, RefFrames : 9 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 44 min 1 s
Bit rate : 1 010 kb/s
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (23976/1000) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.046
Stream size : 311 MiB (71%)
Writing library : x264 core 142 r2409kMod d6b4e63
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=9 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=10 / psy=1 / fade_compensate=0.00 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=24 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=2 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / fgo=0 / bframes=8 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=60 / rc=abr / mbtree=1 / bitrate=1010 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Commercial name : Dolby Digital
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 44 min 1 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 kb/s
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel layout : L R C LFE Ls Rs
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 31.250 FPS (1536 SPF)
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 121 MiB (27%)
Service kind : Complete Main
Default : Yes
Forced : No


Any help once again, greatly appreciated.

Steve

[Peter]

The Chromecast does not officially support avi files so this might be where the problem lies. The profile does not have any support for avi files indicated, if transcoding is on then Mezzmo will transcode avi files to play them on the Chromecast. Avi files are similar to matroska files so the chromecast may be able to play some without transcoding but since they are not officially supported it may be hit and miss where a small difference can cause the file to fail to play. The best approach is to turn on transcoding for the device in Mezzmo so that they are transcoded by default. If you pre-transcode you will need to make sure to refresh the file listing in the app you are using to stream to the chromecast, using Mezzmo Android a browse is done automatically for the selected file before playing to get the correct item listing but other apps may not do this.

[Roofus]

Hi Peter

The 1st example, the avi, no Transcode is triggered, its simply streams (or not). I have turned logging and emailed them to support if that's any help and sent screen shots.

The 2nd and 3rd examples are mkv's.

I can confirm under the device settings "transcode" option is ticked.

Steve

[Peter]

The logs show the Chromecast is using the Generic Device (NTSC) profile, so you should change the device profile for device 192.168.0.13 to Google Chromecast (Ultra) to resolve the issue.

[Roofus]

Hi Peter

Ok, now I am using a different device with no naming overlap etc. I have success on 2 out of the three file type. My problem now remains "just" with the following mkv files ...

This does not play, it will not trigger a transcode ....

Format : HEVC
Format/Info : High Efficiency Video Coding
Format profile : Main@L3.1@Main
Codec ID : V_MPEGH/ISO/HEVC
Duration : 42 min 22 s
Bit rate : 766 kb/s
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.035
Stream size : 232 MiB (92%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC SBR
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity with Spectral Band Replication
Commercial name : HE-AAC
Format settings : Explicit
Codec ID : A_AAC-2
Duration : 42 min 22 s
Bit rate : 68.6 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 23.438 FPS (2048 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : 23 ms
Stream size : 20.8 MiB (8%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No

And this plays just file without a transcode ...

Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4
Format settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, RefFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 42 min 12 s
Bit rate : 5 166 kb/s
Width : 1 912 pixels
Height : 1 072 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.105
Stream size : 1.52 GiB (91%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709

Audio #1
ID : 1
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID : A_AAC-2
Duration : 42 min 12 s
Bit rate : 126 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -42 ms
Stream size : 38.0 MiB (2%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Is there any way the first file format can trigger a transcode?

The problem I can see is to get a previous problem working you suggested using the Ultra profile and the Chromecast Ultra will support HEVC but the 2nd & 3rd Gen do not and you do not have a Gen 2/3 profile which falls between the two profiles.

I am as always happy to test anything.

Steve

[Peter]

The only difference between the Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra profiles is the support for HEVC, so if the HEVC files do not play you should change to the Google Chromecast profile so that they will be transcoded.

[Roofus]

Hi Peter, I swapped over to the Ultra profile because of support for AC3 in the earlier profile because early chromecasts would just play this audio. If I swap back it will start to try and pass through the audio again for those files.

I seen to be stuck needing both profiles and having to either manually transcode or continually swap profiles depending on the file type.

Steve

[Peter]

The Google Chromecast profile does not have AC3 support in Mezzmo 5.2.0.0 so it should be fine to switch back to this profile and AC3 will be transcoded.

[Roofus]

Hi Peter

Ok, I have no idea why at the very start I had a problem with E-AC3 files wanting to pass the audio to a separate decoder but the problem has vanished, it was because of this problem you sent me the Ultra profile to test.

So back to the standard profile I have checked a sample of every file type I have with both with a 2nd Gen & a new 3rd Gen and can say every file plays apart from one exception, the full details of my tests are attached but the only file type I cannot get to play is:

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.1
Format settings : CABAC / 6 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, RefFrames : 6 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 42 min 20 s
Bit rate : 3 778 kb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.076
Stream size : 1.12 GiB (91%)
Writing library : x264 core 148 r2721
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=6 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x131 / me=umh / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=0 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=18 / lookahead_threads=4 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=6 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=3778 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=24000 / vbv_bufsize=24000 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2017-05-14 07:12:25
Tagged date : UTC 2017-05-14 07:12:25
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC Main
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Codec ID : mp4a-40-1
Duration : 42 min 20 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 kb/s
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel layout : C L R Ls Rs LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 116 MiB (9%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1
Encoded date : UTC 2017-05-14 07:12:25
Tagged date : UTC 2017-05-14 07:12:25

This just dropped back to the Mezzmo logo.

All other AVC/AAC's play apart from this "AAC Main" file type.

Steve

[Peter]

This file will be streamed without transcoding so it could possibly be due to the 6 audio channels, do you have any other files with 6 audio channels that play? It could also be due to the embedded subtitles.