The Philips (2009) transcodes all MKV and MP4 files which may be an overkill depending on which model Pana you have.
In the latest (1.4.1.2) Panasonic profiles most of the cases
where the video needs to be transcoded and is likely to have > 16:9 aspect ratio (ie. h264 video) have been set to pad the video to display the proper aspect ratio. The majority of problems arises when video is being remuxed.
So we are faced with a choice:
- Transcode all [h264] video even where remuxing will suffice. This will then transcode all video even where the aspect ratio is 16:9 or 4:3 (these ratios can be remuxed fine - its only where the aspect ratio is greater than 16:9 we have a problem);
- Stay as-is, remuxing many h264 cases, and have the user edit the profile where it is causing them grief.
The first option loads up CPU usage, and will not be welcomed by lower powered devices (eg. NAS's). The second option is causing more problems as widescreen (>16:9) video is becoming the norm. My two cents worth - I'm probably leaning toward the first option (transcode all H264 video even when remuxing would suffice) but think more discussion on this is needed.
There is a third option (and not one I necessarily favour) but it requires coding in Serviio - have a matches option for aspect ratio - eg.
<Matches container="*" vCodec="h264" vAspectGreaterThan="16:9" />
This would allow these video files to be intercepted early in the profile and the video transcoded, and later in the profile have the standard remuxing commands to pick up the rest. Once again, more discussion as I fear this would make the profiles very complex (you may end up duplicating a lot of commands, one for the >16:9 case and one for the 16:9 and below).