Problems with MP4 movies on KDL-40EX503

Hi,

I'm having some issues with certain files I've ripped with Handbrake over the years. It appears to be all the MP4 files with the H.264 codec. I can play the files on the TV, but the video has a strange slow motion effect: like it's dropping frames, and the audio is out of sync and stutters. I'm not having any problem with other file formats, and the source files all play fine in QuickTime and VLC.

Here's the info from an example file:

FFmpeg version UNKNOWN, Copyright (c) 2000-2011 the FFmpeg developers
built on Jan 12 2011 19:51:48 with gcc 4.0.1 (Apple Inc. build 5493)
configuration: --enable-static --disable-shared --bindir=/tmp/ffmpeg --disable-ffplay --disable-ffserver --enable-libmp3lame --enable-pthreads --disable-mmx --extra-ldflags=-L/tmp/static/lib --extra-cflags=-I/tmp/static/include
libavutil 50.36. 0 / 50.36. 0
libavcore 0.16. 0 / 0.16. 0
libavcodec 52.108. 0 / 52.108. 0
libavformat 52.92. 0 / 52.92. 0
libavdevice 52. 2. 3 / 52. 2. 3
libavfilter 1.72. 0 / 1.72. 0
libswscale 0.12. 0 / 0.12. 0
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'hpAndTheChamberOfSecrets.mp4':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 0
compatible_brands: mp42isom
creation_time : 2005-12-07 20:51:22
Duration: 02:34:20.80, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 1134 kb/s
Stream #0.0(eng): Video: h264, yuv420p, 720x304, 1003 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 44100 tbn, 50 tbc
Metadata:
creation_time : 2005-12-07 20:51:22
Stream #0.1(eng): Audio: aac, 44100 Hz, stereo, s16, 127 kb/s
Metadata:
creation_time : 2005-12-07 20:51:22

I've also uploaded the debug log file.

Any thoughts as to what this could be? Apologies, but I'm not all that familier with video (or audio!) encoding.

Many thanks,

Alex.

[Illico]

Found Format profile for transcoded file hpAndTheChamberOfSecrets.mp4: AVC_TS_MP_SD_AC3_ISO
The profile is changed to AVC_TS_HD_50_AC3_ISO according to the Sony Profile (.xml)

Could you test locally the following ffmpeg command line?
ffmpeg -i "hpAndTheChamberOfSecrets.mp4" -y -vcodec copy -vbsf h264_mp4toannexb -copyts -acodec ac3 -ab 384k -ac 2 -map 0:0 -map 0:1 -sn -f mpegts "OUTPUT.ts"
And add the OUTPUT.ts result file to the serviio library?

Just tried, but no improvement to either the audio or video.

My mistake the model is the EX and not the NX, though I don't think that really changes things...

[Illico]

No, same DLNA renderer (EX, NX, HX,etc)

[Illico]

Could you use MediaInfo and post result, please?

Here you go:


General
Complete name : /Users/djtrax/Movies/DVDs/hp&TheChamberOfSecrets.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 1.22 GiB
Duration : 2h 34mn
Overall bit rate : 1 134 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2005-12-07 20:51:22
Tagged date : UTC 2005-12-08 03:39:34

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 1 frame
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 2h 34mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 1 004 Kbps
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 304 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.35:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Original frame rate : 12.500 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.183
Stream size : 1.08 GiB (89%)
Writing library : x264 core 34
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2005-12-07 20:51:22
Tagged date : UTC 2005-12-08 03:39:34

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 2h 34mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 128 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 166 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 141 MiB (11%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2005-12-07 20:51:22
Tagged date : UTC 2005-12-08 03:39:34

[Illico]

...
Complete name : /Users/djtrax/Movies/DVDs/hp&TheChamberOfSecrets.mp4
...
Encoded date : UTC 2005-12-07 20:51:22
Video
Format : AVC
Format profile : Main@L4.0
Format settings, ReFrames : 1 frame
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Original frame rate : 12.500 fps
Writing library : x264 core 34
...

OK, it seems that this older encoding (2005-12-07) with old x264 core version (core 34) and originaly low frame rate 12.5 fps could be reasons of your problem.

Could you re-encode your original source with most recent x264 core?

PS: Some renderers, Panasonic for example only support x264 core version >61. For sony I don't know...must be tested.

I'll look into testing and will circle back to the forum. I was hoping to avoid having to re-encode all my DVDs... Thanks for your help.

So, I tried re-encoding the source using Handbrake, and the play back on the TV is still pretty poor. It's better than the original file, but it still looks like frames are dropping, and the audio is out of sync. Here's the media info of the re-encoded file:

General
Unique ID : 222041782232562888037916563513914752740 (0xA70BB115430958BB4E71D6E3836CFEE4)
Complete name : /Users/djtrax/Movies/TEST/HARRY_POTTER_PHILOSOPHERS_STON.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 1.70 GiB
Duration : 2h 26mn
Overall bit rate : 1 671 Kbps
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.5
Writing library : libmkv 0.6.4.1

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L3.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=32
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 2h 26mn
Nominal bit rate : 1 500 Kbps
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 416 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.40:1
Original display aspect ratio : 2.40:1
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.200
Writing library : x264 core 112
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=6 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=2 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=0 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=1500 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=3 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Language : English
Color primaries : BT.601-6 525, BT.1358 525, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M
Transfer characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix coefficients : BT.601-6 525, BT.1358 525, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : A_AAC
Duration : 2h 26mn
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Language : English

Menu
00:00:00.000 : Chapter 1
00:03:55.199 : Chapter 2
00:07:50.839 : Chapter 3
00:11:46.999 : Chapter 4
00:17:39.719 : Chapter 5
00:20:50.039 : Chapter 6
00:23:40.759 : Chapter 7
00:27:38.439 : Chapter 8
00:29:48.519 : Chapter 9
00:32:41.559 : Chapter 10
00:36:16.439 : Chapter 11
00:39:47.279 : Chapter 12
00:44:19.599 : Chapter 13
00:48:24.759 : Chapter 14
00:52:48.719 : Chapter 15
00:58:25.599 : Chapter 16
01:01:06.999 : Chapter 17
01:05:01.279 : Chapter 18
01:10:47.571 : Chapter 19
01:17:00.291 : Chapter 20
01:20:28.091 : Chapter 21
01:24:54.611 : Chapter 22
01:27:56.811 : Chapter 23
01:32:44.691 : Chapter 24
01:38:22.451 : Chapter 25
01:44:36.651 : Chapter 26
01:48:42.651 : Chapter 27
01:53:19.051 : Chapter 28
01:58:40.411 : Chapter 29
02:01:43.891 : Chapter 30
02:05:33.331 : Chapter 31
02:08:48.451 : Chapter 32
02:11:51.371 : Chapter 33
02:15:56.051 : Chapter 34
02:18:17.291 : Chapter 35


As a test I also encoded the file using MPEG-4, which worked a lot better:


General
Complete name : /Users/djtrax/Movies/TEST/HARRY_POTTER_PHILOSOPHERS_STON.m4v
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 1.70 GiB
Duration : 2h 26mn
Overall bit rate : 1 667 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2011-02-06 20:35:20
Tagged date : UTC 2011-02-06 21:10:37
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.5 2011010300

Video
ID : 1
Format : MPEG-4 Visual
Format profile : Simple@L1
Format settings, BVOP : No
Format settings, QPel : No
Format settings, GMC : No warppoints
Format settings, Matrix : Default (H.263)
Codec ID : 20
Duration : 2h 26mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 1 500 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 2 514 Mbps
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 416 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.40:1
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Minimum frame rate : 20.000 fps
Maximum frame rate : 86.538 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.200
Stream size : 1.53 GiB (90%)
Writing library : Lavc52.94.3
Encoded date : UTC 2011-02-06 20:35:20
Tagged date : UTC 2011-02-06 21:10:37

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 2h 26mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 164 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 267 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 172 MiB (10%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-02-06 20:35:20
Tagged date : UTC 2011-02-06 21:10:36

Text
ID : 3
Format : Apple text
Codec ID : text
Duration : 2h 26mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 bps
Stream size : 840 Bytes (0%)
Encoded date : UTC 2011-02-06 20:35:20
Tagged date : UTC 2011-02-06 21:10:37

Any thoughts?

Cheers,

Alex.

[Illico]

So, I tried re-encoding the source using Handbrake, and the play back on the TV is still pretty poor...

Which Handbrake Preset did you use?
x264 level and profile are low (Main@3.0), a higher profile could be better: High@4.1
Probably :https://trac.handbrake.fr/wiki/BuiltInPresets#highprofile

Okay, I'll give this a try and will circle back with my results. Thanks again.

Same problem with the high profile:

General
Complete name : /Users/djtrax/Movies/TEST/HARRY_POTTER_PHILOSOPHERS_STON.m4v
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 1.73 GiB
Duration : 2h 26mn
Overall bit rate : 1 695 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2011-02-10 18:45:57
Tagged date : UTC 2011-02-10 20:17:46
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.5 2011010300

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L3.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 2h 26mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 1 078 Kbps
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 416 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.40:1
Original display aspect ratio : 2.40:1
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Minimum frame rate : 8.340 fps
Maximum frame rate : 86.538 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.144
Stream size : 1.10 GiB (64%)
Writing library : x264 core 112
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=3 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date : UTC 2011-02-10 18:45:57
Tagged date : UTC 2011-02-10 20:17:46
Color primaries : BT.601-6 525, BT.1358 525, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M
Transfer characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix coefficients : BT.601-6 525, BT.1358 525, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 2h 26mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 164 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 267 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 172 MiB (10%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-02-10 18:45:57
Tagged date : UTC 2011-02-10 20:17:45

Audio #2
ID : 3
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : ac-3
Duration : 2h 26mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 468 MiB (26%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-02-10 18:45:57
Tagged date : UTC 2011-02-10 20:17:45

Text
ID : 4
Format : Apple text
Codec ID : text
Duration : 2h 26mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 bps
Stream size : 840 Bytes (0%)
Encoded date : UTC 2011-02-10 18:45:57
Tagged date : UTC 2011-02-10 20:17:46