No sound on MPG files played to Sony Bravia 2011

I am having a few frustrations trying to get files playing correctly from Serviio under Windows Home Server 2011 to my Bravia TV.

The TV is a 2011 Bravia KDL-40HX723 recent software updates installed.

I am running Serviio 0.6.1 (I cannot see 0.6.2 for WHS) under Windows Home Server 2011 (WHS).

The file gives the following ffmpeg results:
C:\Program Files\Serviio\lib>ffmpeg -i "e:\ServerFolders\Videos\Kids\Film\Film.mpg"
ffmpeg version 0.9, Copyright (c) 2000-2011 the FFmpeg developers
built on Dec 13 2011 20:46:11 with gcc 4.4.2
configuration: --enable-static --disable-shared --disable-ffplay --disable-ffs
erver --enable-memalign-hack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-librtmp --extra-libs='
-lrtmp -lpolarssl -lws2_32 -lwinmm' --arch=x86 --enable-runtime-cpudetect --enab
le-pthreads --target-os=mingw32 --cross-prefix=i686-mingw32- --pkg-config=pkg-co
nfig
libavutil 51. 32. 0 / 51. 32. 0
libavcodec 53. 42. 0 / 53. 42. 0
libavformat 53. 24. 0 / 53. 24. 0
libavdevice 53. 4. 0 / 53. 4. 0
libavfilter 2. 53. 0 / 2. 53. 0
libswscale 2. 1. 0 / 2. 1. 0
[mpeg @ 017d8200] max_analyze_duration 5000000 reached at 5000000
Input #0, mpeg, from 'e:\ServerFolders\Videos\Kids\Film\Film.mpg':
Duration: 01:48:08.28, start: 1.000000, bitrate: 3630 kb/s
Stream #0:0[0x1e0]: Video: mpeg2video (Main), yuv420p, 720x576 [SAR 64:45 DA
R 16:9], 15000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 50 tbc
Stream #0:1[0x1c0]: Audio: mp2, 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 256 kb/s
At least one output file must be specified

The debug output seemed to indicate that the file was being streamed direct in native format:

2012-05-11 15:45:55,491 DEBUG [ResourceTransportRequestHandler] Resource request accepted. Using client 'IPAddress=/192.168.1.111, Profile=Sony Bravia TV (2011)'
2012-05-11 15:45:55,492 DEBUG [ResourceTransportRequestHandler] Request for resource 37 and type 'MEDIA_ITEM' received
2012-05-11 15:45:55,492 DEBUG [MediaResourceRetrievalStrategy] Getting information about media item 37 (local)
2012-05-11 15:45:55,492 DEBUG [MediaItemDAOImpl] Reading a MediaItem (id = 37)
2012-05-11 15:45:55,493 DEBUG [VideoDAOImpl] Reading a Video (id = 37)
2012-05-11 15:45:55,494 DEBUG [VideoDeliveryEngine] Delivering item '37' for client 'IPAddress=/192.168.1.111, Profile=Sony Bravia TV (2011)'
2012-05-11 15:45:55,495 DEBUG [VideoDeliveryEngine] Delivering file 'Film.mpg' in native format
2012-05-11 15:45:55,495 DEBUG [MediaItemDAOImpl] Getting file of media item 37

The video plays flawlessly but there is no sound apart from the odd fraction of a second here and there.
This happens using Serviio as the server OR using WHS direct. If I play the file through Media Centre on my PC from WHS the sound is fine.

I have tried changing the TV to have the 2010 profile but the same thing happens.

These are recordings lifted from a DVB=T box and converted using MPEG Streamclip. I would be quite happy to use some other sound settings if required to fix these archives. Can anyone explain what is wrong and point me in the right direction for a fix?

R

[Illico]

This is a standard format, this file should be delivered in native format using MPEG_PS_PAL profile :

http-get:*:video/mpeg:DLNA.ORG_PN=MPEG_PS_PAL;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=8d700000000000000000000000000000,
MPEG2 Program Stream Profiling 10Mbps, MPEG2 Video MP@ML, LPCM, AC-3, MPEG-1 L2, MPEG-2 L2
PAL : 720*576 @25Hz

Sony profile 2010 and 2011 use same setting for this video format.

Its not really a solution, but could you try to add this section on "Sony Profile 2011" (profiles.xml)
between <Transcoding> </Transcoding> in first position

  Code:

         <Video targetContainer="mpeg" targetACodec="lpcm" >
            <Matches container="mpeg" vCodec="mpeg2video" aCodec="mp2" />
         </Video>

This is a standard format, this file should be delivered in native format using MPEG_PS_PAL profile :

http-get:*:video/mpeg:DLNA.ORG_PN=MPEG_PS_PAL;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=8d700000000000000000000000000000,
MPEG2 Program Stream Profiling 10Mbps, MPEG2 Video MP@ML, LPCM, AC-3, MPEG-1 L2, MPEG-2 L2
PAL : 720*576 @25Hz

Sony profile 2010 and 2011 use same setting for this video format.

Its not really a solution, but could you try to add this section on "Sony Profile 2011" (profiles.xml)
between <Transcoding> </Transcoding> in first position

  Code:

         <Video targetContainer="mpeg" targetACodec="lpcm" >
            <Matches container="mpeg" vCodec="mpeg2video" aCodec="mp2" />
         </Video>

OK - it might not really be a solution but it sure as heck fixes my problem. Can I just leave this in place as my fix? Is this only a problem for my model or all 2011 Sonys.

Can I thank you for the quick response. It always amazes me how the support for products like this is often better than for commercial versions.

R

[Illico]

hum..
Could you try to play this sample file ?
18-Sample-MPEGPS-sonypictures_mp2.vob - 7.3 MB

hum..
Could you try to play this sample file ?
18-Sample-MPEGPS-sonypictures_mp2.vob - 7.3 MB

(Sorry for the delay - took me a while to figure out how to get the file availabile under Serviio).

OK, leaving the profile with the extra lines you gave me the file plays fine. Did you want me to test it with the fix taken out?

I am copying both files to a usb drive and will test them direct on the TV to see how they are without Serviio.

hum..
Could you try to play this sample file ?
18-Sample-MPEGPS-sonypictures_mp2.vob - 7.3 MB

[Snip]
OK, leaving the profile with the extra lines you gave me the file plays fine. Did you want me to test it with the fix taken out?

I am copying both files to a usb drive and will test them direct on the TV to see how they are without Serviio.

So the MPG and VOB play fine over DLNA from Serviio with the new config entry added (I haven't tried the vob without this fix).

When placed on a USB stick (FAT32) the Vob is not shown for playback, the MPG is *BUT* the MPG gives some sort of playback not supported error when selected.

R

[Illico]

OK, leaving the profile with the extra lines you gave me the file plays fine. Did you want me to test it with the fix taken out?

Yes please.

[Illico]

When placed on a USB stick (FAT32) the Vob is not shown for playback, the MPG is *BUT* the MPG gives some sort of playback not supported error when selected.

Its probably because *.vob extension is not supported by USB player.
Try rename with .mpg, .mpe or .mpeg extension file ( 18-Sample-MPEGPS-sonypictures_mp2.mpeg)

When placed on a USB stick (FAT32) the Vob is not shown for playback, the MPG is *BUT* the MPG gives some sort of playback not supported error when selected.

Its probably because *.vob extension is not supported by USB player.
Try rename with .mpg, .mpe or .mpeg extension file ( 18-Sample-MPEGPS-sonypictures_mp2.mpeg)

So the Status is :

USB Stick
*.vob - not recognised as video
*.vob.mpeg - perfect playback
myfile.mpeg - shown for playback but get an error code

Serviio - With config fix
All files play fine.

Serviio - Without fix
*.vob plays back fine
*myfile.mpeg - plays back without sound
anotherfile.mp4 - presented as AVC & plays back fine.

[Illico]

So the Status is :

USB Stick
*.vob - not recognised as video
*.vob.mpeg - perfect playback
myfile.mpeg - shown for playback but get an error code

Serviio - With config fix
All files play fine.

Serviio - Without fix
*.vob plays back fine
*myfile.mpeg - plays back without sound
anotherfile.mp4 - presented as AVC & plays back fine.

So this "myfile.mpeg" file has something weird.
You said "These are recordings lifted from a DVB=T box and converted using MPEG Streamclip."

What is the source file format from your DVB-T box?

Look at MPEG Streamclip settings or forum, there's probably something bad.

So the Status is :

USB Stick
*.vob - not recognised as video
*.vob.mpeg - perfect playback
myfile.mpeg - shown for playback but get an error code

Serviio - With config fix
All files play fine.

Serviio - Without fix
*.vob plays back fine
*myfile.mpeg - plays back without sound
anotherfile.mp4 - presented as AVC & plays back fine.

So this "myfile.mpeg" file has something weird.
You said "These are recordings lifted from a DVB=T box and converted using MPEG Streamclip."

What is the source file format from your DVB-T box?

Look at MPEG Streamclip settings or forum, there's probably something bad.

That sounds likely. The file format is a .rec file that is a normal mpeg transport stream (.ts?) with a bit of extra information at the front.I will go find some more details to try and solve this.

Just for interest the extra lines for the profile do what to the stream? Transcode it? I assume this process is perhaps more tolerant of any errors in the MPEG Streamclip output and then output an error free file. Pretty sure I will be able to fix this if I get the files transcoded/recoded.

Thanks very much for your help in narrowing down the problem.

[Illico]

That sounds likely. The file format is a .rec file that is a normal mpeg transport stream (.ts?) with a bit of extra information at the front.I will go find some more details to try and solve this.

Could you provide information about this *.rec file format (ffmpeg -i <file>, and MediaInfo tools result in text format )?

That sounds likely. The file format is a .rec file that is a normal mpeg transport stream (.ts?) with a bit of extra information at the front.I will go find some more details to try and solve this.

Could you provide information about this *.rec file format (ffmpeg -i <file>, and MediaInfo tools result in text format )?

Apologies for the delay, work is stopping me from playing with this any further at the moment.

The .rec file format is a MPEG Transmission Stream (.ts) with an additional header (approx 4kb) for the DVB-T programme information. Documentation for the file format is here http://www.toppy.org.uk/documents/Structure%20of%20Recorded%20File%20in%20TF5000PVR%20%28Feb%2021%202004%29.doc

Details of the .rec header are in this post http://forum.toppy.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3316

I am reasonably sure I could get Serviio to simply recognise .rec files and transcode to mpg if I sit down for an hour or so. The only downside is I usually want to edit to remove adverts etc anyway so have to do some editing and may as well then save as an mpeg file at the end of this process.

Out of interest I have tried a conversion using a trial edition of VideoReDo and this has no sound issues. I am assuming that either there is a problem with MPEG Streamclip or more likely there is an issue in the .ts stream due to poor signal quality or something which VideoReDo fixes and MPEG Streamclip cannot.

I will get the MediaInfo out by this weekend.

R

[Illico]

I am reasonably sure I could get Serviio to simply recognise .rec files and transcode to mpg if I sit down for an hour or so.
The only downside is I usually want to edit to remove adverts etc anyway so have to do some editing and may as well then save as an mpeg file at the end of this process.

Ok,
To know if Serviio can recognise this *.rec file, please try this command line locally and post the log here : ffmpeg.exe -i XXXX.rec
You can also try to provide MediaInfo tools result.

EDIT: It seems that, there is a patch to support TOPPY .rec file : http://ffmpeg.org/pipermail/ffmpeg-deve ... 55546.html
But I'm not sure it was released in official build.

That sounds likely. The file format is a .rec file that is a normal mpeg transport stream (.ts?) with a bit of extra information at the front.I will go find some more details to try and solve this.

Could you provide information about this *.rec file format (ffmpeg -i <file>, and MediaInfo tools result in text format )?

So I have been toying with a smaller file also recorded on the Topfiled and it gives the following information:

FFMPEG:
E:\ServerFolders\Videos\Topfield>c:ffmpeg -i "Curb Your Enthusiasm-2-2.rec"
ffmpeg version 0.9, Copyright (c) 2000-2011 the FFmpeg developers
built on Dec 13 2011 20:46:11 with gcc 4.4.2
configuration: --enable-static --disable-shared --disable-ffplay --disable-ffs
erver --enable-memalign-hack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-librtmp --extra-libs='
-lrtmp -lpolarssl -lws2_32 -lwinmm' --arch=x86 --enable-runtime-cpudetect --enab
le-pthreads --target-os=mingw32 --cross-prefix=i686-mingw32- --pkg-config=pkg-co
nfig
libavutil 51. 32. 0 / 51. 32. 0
libavcodec 53. 42. 0 / 53. 42. 0
libavformat 53. 24. 0 / 53. 24. 0
libavdevice 53. 4. 0 / 53. 4. 0
libavfilter 2. 53. 0 / 2. 53. 0
libswscale 2. 1. 0 / 2. 1. 0
[mpeg2video @ 003ff8e0] mpeg_decode_postinit() failure
Last message repeated 10 times
[mpegts @ 003f8200] max_analyze_duration 5000000 reached at 5016000
[NULL @ 02c9dc80] start time is not set in estimate_timings_from_pts
[NULL @ 02ca3f40] start time is not set in estimate_timings_from_pts
[NULL @ 02caa200] start time is not set in estimate_timings_from_pts
[NULL @ 02cb04c0] start time is not set in estimate_timings_from_pts
[NULL @ 02cb6780] start time is not set in estimate_timings_from_pts
[NULL @ 02cbca40] start time is not set in estimate_timings_from_pts
Input #0, mpegts, from 'Curb Your Enthusiasm-2-2.rec':
Duration: 00:37:17.69, start: 47815.263122, bitrate: 2405 kb/s
Program 8261
Metadata:
service_name : ITV1
service_provider: ITV
Program 8325
Metadata:
service_name : ITV2
service_provider: ITV
Program 8643
Metadata:
service_name : Rabbit
service_provider: Teletext Limited
Program 8384
Metadata:
service_name : Channel 4
service_provider: Channel 4 TV
Program 8452
Metadata:
service_name : Channel 4+1
service_provider: Channel 4 TV
Program 8448
Metadata:
service_name : E4
service_provider: Channel 4 TV
Program 8442
Metadata:
service_name : More 4
service_provider: Channel 4 TV
Stream #0:0[0x24e]: Video: mpeg2video (Main) ([2][0][0][0] / 0x0002), yuv420
p, 544x576 [SAR 32:17 DAR 16:9], 15000 kb/s, 26.89 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 50 tbc
Stream #0:1[0x24f](eng): Audio: mp2 ([4][0][0][0] / 0x0004), 48000 Hz, stere
o, s16, 192 kb/s
Stream #0:2[0x250](eng): Audio: mp3 ([4][0][0][0] / 0x0004), 0 channels, s16
(visual impaired)
Stream #0:3[0x251](eng): Subtitle: dvb_subtitle ([6][0][0][0] / 0x0006)
Stream #0:4[0x83b]: Unknown: none ([11][0][0][0] / 0x000B)
Stream #0:5[0x8fd]: Unknown: none ([11][0][0][0] / 0x000B)
Stream #0:6[0x8fe]: Unknown: none ([11][0][0][0] / 0x000B)
Stream #0:7[0xbbb]: Unknown: none ([5][0][0][0] / 0x0005)
Program 8577
Metadata:
service_name : Gay Rabbit
service_provider: Teletext Limited
Program 8500
Metadata:
service_name : Channel 5
service_provider: five
Program 8361
Metadata:
service_name : ITV1 +1
service_provider: ITV
At least one output file must be specified



Mediainfo:
General
ID : 8197 (0x2005)
Complete name : C:\Films\Curb Your Enthusiasm-2-2.rec
Format : MPEG-TS
File size : 642 MiB
Duration : 37mn 16s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 2 406 Kbps

Video
ID : 590 (0x24E)
Menu ID : 8442 (0x20FA)
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@Main
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Custom
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=12
Codec ID : 2
Duration : 37mn 16s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 2 093 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 15.0 Mbps
Width : 544 pixels
Height : 576 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Active Format Description : Letterbox 16:9 image
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan order : Top Field First
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.267
Stream size : 558 MiB (87%)

Audio
ID : 591 (0x24F)
Menu ID : 8442 (0x20FA)
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 2
Codec ID : 4
Duration : 37mn 16s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -569ms
Stream size : 51.2 MiB (8%)
Language : English

Text
ID : 593 (0x251)
Menu ID : 8442 (0x20FA)
Format : DVB Subtitle
Codec ID : 6
Duration : 36mn 53s
Delay relative to video : 9s 566ms
Language : English

Menu
ID : 270 (0x10E)
Menu ID : 8442 (0x20FA)
Duration : 37mn 16s
List : 590 (0x24E) (MPEG Video) / 591 (0x24F) (MPEG Audio, English) / 593 (0x251) (DVB Subtitle, English)
Language : / English / English
Service name : More 4
Service provider : Channel 4 TV
Service type : digital television

[Illico]

Do you try to add the *.rec file to the serviio library ?

How can I add the *.rec file to the libary?
Serviio dosn't show my recordings from the topfield srp 2100 in the video folder, when i change the file from *.rec to *.ts serviio shows it in the folder an plays it but i have a black screnn and no audio.
I tried to play it on sony bravia 2011.

Regards
Jörg

[Illico]

Any news about this ?
Is it possible to upload a sample file somewhere for testing ?