DLNA Device wont play movies after Metatag

I have to meta-tag my MP4 files. I use MetaX. Once I tag and save the tag info to the file Serviio will no longer play the file. it will still play with iTunes and all others.

The device having the problem is a Dish Hopper. It selects the Generic DLNA Profile and it works if I don't tag the file. Once I tag the file the only profile that will work is DirecTV HD-DVR, but that profile dose not format right, each movie is a different size. I have worked on this and troubleshooted for 10 hours today. can anyone help.

Also I have been in contact with the maker of MetaX all day. So far it looks like the problem is with Serviio as all other devices play the files after tagging except Serviio.

John

[DenyAll]

It selects the Generic DLNA Profile and it works if I don't tag the file.

The Generic Profile streams the file as is.

The fact that it works without MetaX tagging means your Dish Hopper supports that file type natively. Once you tag the file with MetaX, and still using the Generic Profile, Serviio will still stream the file as it is --> however your Dish Hopper that can no longer support the file. This suggests that MetaX is doing something to the file that makes it incompatible with the Dish Hopper (not with Serviio).

You could test this using another media server to stream the MetaX file (eg Windows Media Player will stream the file natively) - I think you will find the same outcome (works without MetaX, won't work with).

The DirecTV HD-DVR profile forces the file to be transcoded - you haven't stated what you mean by "does not format right", but in any case, transcoding should be avoided if you can (and given your Dish hopper supports MP4's natively you can avoid it). If you want to pursue using MetaX then perhaps post MediaInfo and ffmpeg -i information for the file and let's see what its doing.

Well not sure whats going on with the file. I have been in contact with MetaX and Serviio and so far know fix, no help to fix. The problem is I have ran MetaX on all my mp4 files so none of them work now with Serviio on the Hopper. Even when I run programs to remove ALL tag info the files still wont play!

And FYI, the files work fine with iTunes and Apple TV after using MetaX.

John

[DenyAll]

If you want to pursue using MetaX then perhaps post MediaInfo and ffmpeg -i information for the file and let's see what its doing.

Having said that their may not be an easy fix - I suspect the Dish Hopper cannot play the file once MetaX has changed it. Have you tried playing the file directly to the Dish Hopper (not always definitive, but is there a USB port and does the file play via that?).

If the Dish Hopper cannot play the file and you still want MetaX (does it provide anything that the metadata scraper in Serviio doesn't) then you must transcode it. What did you get when you used the DirecTV HD-DVR profile (what wasn't working)?

ps. Yes, some devices/software may play it. Some devices (maybe your Dish Hopper) are more particular about the files they will accept....

How do I get the MediaInfo and ffmpeg -i information? I am not a programmer. I just want to tag the files. I have spent 3 weeks now emailing and posting on this!

Maybe Serviio can work directly with MetaX to figure this out. MetaX has wonderful support and will get right back to you. you can Contact Dan at danhi@danhinsley.com

Also I tried to use a USB with the hopper. It formatted the USB device and now I cant use it!

[DenyAll]

How do I get the MediaInfo and ffmpeg -i information?

Mediainfo: click on the link in my signature.
ffmpeg -i: http://wiki.serviio.org/doku.php?id=file_np.

So here is file info, before (working) and after tagging, (not playing)

and like I said I can clear all Metadata and save the file and it still doesn't play.

John

[DenyAll]

Doesn't reveal much unfortunately.

Shooting in the dark here - perhaps MetaX is corrupting the container. Try remuxing the file by using the command:

ffmpeg.exe -i "c:\ht.mp4" -c copy -map 0 "C:\test.mp4"

and test the resultant test.mp4 file.

If this doesn't work, not sure anything else will allow you play the file natively to this device. Which leaves you with transcoding the file - so we will need to create/use a profile that transcodes the file and still "looks right" (you weren't detailed in your earlier post - what didn't look right?).

So I ran ffmpeg.exe -i "c:\ht.mp4" -c copy -map 0 "C:\test.mp4" on one of the metatagged file and at least it is trying to play now. I can here it but screen is black. What now?

John

[DenyAll]

That is the one outcome I didn't expect (the video stream was only copied by that command, so it shouldn't be any different).

What "didn't look right" when it was transcoded (from your first post)?

>edit: just had another thought. Looked at your ffmpeg outputs again. MetaX is creating a second video stream (Stream #0:2: Video: mjpeg, yuvj420p(pc, bt470bg/unknown/unknown), 2000x3000 [SAR 1:1 DAR 2:3], 90k tbr, 90k tbn, 90k tbc) which may be the culprit (I suspect it is the movie thumbnail?). Try removing it (I hope I have this command right, without the file its impossible to test):

ffmpeg.exe -i "c:\ht.mp4" -c copy -map 0:0 -map 0:1 -map 0:3 "C:\test.mp4"

(You do this to the file that MetaX outputs)

Well ya, the file now plays again in Serviio but now has no thumbnail in iTunes, so this defeats the whole thing. the only reason I am meta tagging the movies is because iTunes doesn't do it very good job of it.

If I leave the file as is when I download all will work fine and Serviio will tag them, all is great, except there will be no metadata in iTunes. Something that should be so easy?

Something Else I noticed about Serviio is if I put a "home movie" in the folder, Serviio wont display it. I have to name the "home movie" the name of a real movie for it to show up.

John

[atc98092]

Something Else I noticed about Serviio is if I put a "home movie" in the folder, Serviio wont display it. I have to name the "home movie" the name of a real movie for it to show up.

John

It won't appear under Movies or Titles, but you should see it in folders and playlists. To appear under Movies or Titles, it has to be recognized, and your title doesn't match anything.

ok, on the folders and playlists. got it.

thanks,
John

[DenyAll]

Well ya, the file now plays again in Serviio but now has no thumbnail in iTunes, so this defeats the whole thing

Understood, but at least we know the culprit. Your Dish Hopper doesn't like this extra video stream when embedded in the file.

Perhaps talk to the MetaX developer and see if there what options exist for thumbnail inclusion (different resolutions, can it store as a jpg rather than video, can it store as a separate file, etc).
Transcoding should work, so still not sure what the issue was there.