Panasonic VT50 - Profile Questions

I am pretty tech savvy in general, but quite unfamiliar with DLNA in particular. I have a Panasonic VT50 connected by WiFi to my Windows Vista 64-bit system running the most current version of Serviio (not pro). I'm running into some issues and need some general advice before being able to provide detailed trouble shooting information.

Originally, I just left everything in Serviio at the defaults, with Generic DLNA profile for all devices, including my Panasonic, which was recognized. With this setting, I was able to play most video files (as well as image files), but there were some glitches. I just started to track down the problems, and discovered that perhaps I should have been using a different, more specific profile for my TV.

So I've been playing around with it, and when I chose the 2012 Panasonic G/GT/DT/UT/VT (2011/2012) some files (.m2ts files from my hd camcorder) which would play before no longer played right. Similarly when I chose the 2011 version - some that didn't play right before (certain avi viles) did play, and others that did play before wouldn't.

1. So before I provide specific data on particular file types, what is the correct Profile to use for my TV, and are there any 'tweaks' that need to be applied to it?

2. Related to this, my computer's IP address is shown in Serviio's 'Server Status', and the Device Name is "Windows Media Player" - what is the correct Profile to use here?

3. I've found that if I change Profiles, save/refresh in Serviio, my TV won't connect at all after a change or two, and I'll probably have to reboot the computer to reconnect. Is there a proper way to change profiles in order to do testing without losing the ability to establish a DLNA conection with the tv?

4. A more specific question: I recently purchased a digital copy of Avengers, and it exists on my computer as a DRM protected wmv file. Is there any way to play this on my Panasonic using Serviio?

I appreciate any advice that can be given, and I can provide the ffmpeg info on the .m2ts and .avi files that are giving me trouble once I make sure I've got the basics set up properly.

Anyone?

[DenyAll]

I'm new to all this as well, but will try and help (at least with the first 2):

1. The 2012 Panasonic G/GT/DT/UT/VT (2011/2012) profile is likely the best for you. The other two Pana profiles are expansions on this one, designed to deal with the limitations of those earlier models (eg. the 2011 profile is for TV's that do not support AVI). The profiles for Pana's are rather generic, trying to address a range of TV's that sometimes vary not only by model, but by country released in and by manufacturing run... so yes, they may need tweaking for your specific TV and your specific media files. This is the power of Serviio though - its easy to tweak.
2. Its not related. The profile you assign here will not effect the Panasonic. This is only there if you wished to use you PC as a DLNA media renderer. You will need an external program for this - check the forum for which one - but Windows Media Player cannot be used (although some people have had some success, I haven't).
3. I haven't had any problems assigning renderer profiles, never had to restart to get the server back up again. All I have ever done is pressed Save after changing. Having said that, its not something that I change often.
4. Sorry, cant help.

If I understand it certain files (.m2ts) were playing on the Generic Profile (which does not transcode anything) and no longer plays on the 2012 Panasonic G/GT/DT/UT/VT (2011/2012) profile. I suspect that the profile is transcoding these files - given the file works on the generic profile its likely an easy fix but does need info on that file (ffmpeg -i the file and post the results as a start). Also, have a look at the file profiles.xml in the config folder under Serviio - that file controls which media get transcoded for each profile. I found it reasonably easy to work out (using this as my bible).

Thank you DenyAll. I did a little testing and found that there are 3 problems I'm dealing with:

1. AVI Files:

With the Panasonic 2011/2012 Profile, one AVI files shows "Cannot Read" while a different one plays but appears scrambled (this is not DRM - I made this one myself from camcorder video). With the Generic DLNA profile, both AVI files show "Cannot Read"

The following is the ffmpeg output for the AVI file that shows "Cannot Read" with both profiles:

ffmpeg version 1.1.1 Copyright (c) 2000-2013 the FFmpeg developers
built on Feb 5 2013 21:59:54 with gcc 4.7.2 (GCC)
configuration: --enable-static --disable-shared --disable-ffplay --disable-ffserver --enable-memalign-hack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libass --ena
ble-librtmp --enable-fontconfig --enable-libfreetype --enable-zlib --extra-libs='-lrtmp -lpolarssl -lws2_32 -lwinmm -lexpat -lfreetype -lfribidi -lz'
--arch=x86 --enable-runtime-cpudetect --enable-pthreads --target-os=mingw32 --cross-prefix=i686-w64-mingw32- --pkg-config=pkg-config
libavutil 52. 13.100 / 52. 13.100
libavcodec 54. 86.100 / 54. 86.100
libavformat 54. 59.106 / 54. 59.106
libavdevice 54. 3.102 / 54. 3.102
libavfilter 3. 32.100 / 3. 32.100
libswscale 2. 1.103 / 2. 1.103
libswresample 0. 17.102 / 0. 17.102
Input #0, avi, from 'j:\dvd-rips\lebowski.avi':
Metadata:
encoder : VirtualDubMod 1.5.4.1 (build 2178/release)
Duration: 01:56:58.98, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 478 kb/s
Stream #0:0: Video: mpeg4 (Advanced Simple Profile) (XVID / 0x44495658), yuv420p, 480x272 [SAR 1:1 DAR 30:17], 23.98 tbr, 23.98 tbn, 23.98 tbc
Stream #0:1: Audio: mp3 (U[0][0][0] / 0x0055), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16p, 112 kb/s
At least one output file must be specified

Is there a way to get these AVI files playing properly on my TV?

2. DRM Protected WMV File:

This is a Digital Copy of the Avengers that I purchased and can play on my PC, but when I play through Serviio, it plays, but appears scrambled. Since I own the rights to this movie, is there a way to make this movie play properly?

Here is the ffmpeg output for this file (showing the DRM problem, as expected):

ffmpeg version 1.1.1 Copyright (c) 2000-2013 the FFmpeg developers
built on Feb 5 2013 21:59:54 with gcc 4.7.2 (GCC)
configuration: --enable-static --disable-shared --disable-ffplay --disable-ffserver --enable-memal
ign-hack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libass --enable-librtmp --enable-fontconfig --enable-libfreety
pe --enable-zlib --extra-libs='-lrtmp -lpolarssl -lws2_32 -lwinmm -lexpat -lfreetype -lfribidi -lz'
--arch=x86 --enable-runtime-cpudetect --enable-pthreads --target-os=mingw32 --cross-prefix=i686-w64-
mingw32- --pkg-config=pkg-config
libavutil 52. 13.100 / 52. 13.100
libavcodec 54. 86.100 / 54. 86.100
libavformat 54. 59.106 / 54. 59.106
libavdevice 54. 3.102 / 54. 3.102
libavfilter 3. 32.100 / 3. 32.100
libswscale 2. 1.103 / 2. 1.103
libswresample 0. 17.102 / 0. 17.102
[asf @ 035C5AE0] Ext DRM protected stream detected, decoding will likely fail!
[asf @ 035C5AE0] DRM protected stream detected, decoding will likely fail!
[asf @ 035C5AE0] Digital signature detected!
[wmv3 @ 035CC740] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
Guessed Channel Layout for Input Stream #0.0 : stereo
Input #0, asf, from 'j:\DigitalMovies\The_Avengers_PC_EN.wmv':
Metadata:
encryption : ASF Extended Content Encryption
ASF_Protection_Type: DRM
ASF_Key_ID : qISibJ7KIkW+EKjmVzzMKA==
ASF_License_URL : http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dl ... =newclient

WMFSDKVersion : 12.0.7601.17514
WMFSDKNeeded : 0.0.0.0000
VBR Peak : 660
IsVBR : 1
Buffer Average : 151
Duration: 02:22:55.83, start: 0.041000, bitrate: 2336 kb/s
Stream #0:0(eng): Audio: wmav2 (a[1][0][0] / 0x0161), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 128 kb/s
Stream #0:1(eng): Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 720x404, 2200 kb/s, 23.98 tbr
, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
At least one output file must be specified

3. MKV Files:

I have an .mkv file that plays properly on my PC, but doesn't even appear on the list of movies through Serviio, with either profile, even though it's in the same folder as all the other movies that it does see. Is there any way to have Serviio list and play these files?

[DenyAll]

1. I cant see anything on the ffmpeg -i that stands out (maybe someone else can advise. The DAR looks unusual but that shouldn't cause this problem). Have you tried these files from a USB stick on the Panasonic? I suspect they cannot play natively by the TV and will need to be transcoded or converted. Try playing them with the Panasonic Viera E/S/ST/VT (2011) profile (this profile transcodes all AVI files. Not suggesting this is the answer, but another pointer to getting it). We need to determine what makes these AVI's different to those that play - perhaps compare ffmpeg -i's with a file that works
2. No experience here, but my guess is that you cannot stream DRM files - otherwise it would be very easy to circumvent the protection (others may have "non guess" answers for you though)
3. Unfortunately not all MKV's (or any video file for that matter) are created equal. Depends on the video and audio codecs used, bit rates, etc. You will need to do an ffmpeg -i on the offending file to expose these. When you say it is in a folder with other movies, are these other mkv's? If so you may want to compare a working file with a non-working one using ffmpeg or MediaInfo. You could try the 2010 profile (this transcodes all MKV's - once again not an answer, just a pointer to it). Remember to press save when changing renderer profiles.

[zip]

some of these might be FFmpeg problem, I suggest you keep trying to use the latest from Zeranoe.

In response to DenyAll:

When I copy the avi files I'm using to test onto a USB stick and plug directly into the TV, the TV's Media Player shows the correct USB device present, but when I choose the option to list the available Videos (or music or photo), neither file is even shown or listed. In other words, the TV doesn't seem to recognize AVI as a valid media file extension.

Please disregard the mkv issue: for some reason, the mkv file didn't show up when I listed movies by Title, but when I accessed it by Folder, it was shown, and played fine.

So it comes down to two problems: AVI files and DRM protected WMV files.

some of these might be FFmpeg problem, I suggest you keep trying to use the latest from Zeranoe.

As per my first post, I'm new to this aspect of technology, and actually have no idea what you're talking about here. Could you be more specific about what exactly you're suggesting that I do and try?

Is it even theoretically possible to have my TV play DRM protected WMV files, that I own a valid license to on my PC, from my PC via DLNA? If so, how?

Thanks!

[Illico]

As per my first post, I'm new to this aspect of technology, and actually have no idea what you're talking about here. Could you be more specific about what exactly you're suggesting that I do and try?

Serviio is based on ffmpeg.exe transcoder ( ./serviio/lib/ffmpeg.exe)

For windows OS, latest ffmpeg build are available here:
http://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/

Zip suggest to replace the official serviio/ffmpeg version by the latest zeranoe build (make a backup before) .

As per my first post, I'm new to this aspect of technology, and actually have no idea what you're talking about here. Could you be more specific about what exactly you're suggesting that I do and try?

Serviio is based on ffmpeg.exe transcoder ( ./serviio/lib/ffmpeg.exe)

For windows OS, latest ffmpeg build are available here:
http://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/

Zip suggest to replace the official serviio/ffmpeg version by the latest zeranoe build (make a backup before) .

Thanks for the reply.

Which version - Static, Shared, Dev?

Once downloaded and unzipped, I guess I just copy the folders/files into the Serviio folder (over-writing whatever is there, after backing them up as you suggest)?

Or is it just the ffmpeg.exe file that I need to use to replace the one supplied with the Serviio installation?

Thanks.

[Illico]

Static and simply replace the ffmpeg.exe file (backup before)

OK, almost all the way there. I replaced the ffmpeg.exe file, and also chose the Panasonic 2011 Profile, and now can play essentially all of my files, with the exception of 1 particular avi file, which I'm not going to worry about, since all the others are fine, and the DRM protected WMV file.

Replacing the ffmpeg.exe file alone, with the Panasonic 2012 profile, did not produce any improvement.

Then I chose the Panasonic 2011 Profile, and that made the difference, so I'm guessing the file change wasn't relevant.


---The last remaining issue is the DRM Protected WMV file - is there a way to get this playing via DLNA?? I do own a legitimate license on the PC this file is being played from, so it wouldn't seem like I'm violating any legal restrictions by wanting to play it on a different display. Any suggestions, or is this impossible to do?---

As I said above, it plays, but is scrambled.

[zip]

DLNA doesn't support DRM files and I'm not sure if FFmpeg could even decode it

DLNA doesn't support DRM files and I'm not sure if FFmpeg could even decode it

Bummer - that's kind of what I figured.

Guess I can convert it to a different format and see if I can work around it that way.

Thanks for the help.

[DenyAll]

Please disregard the mkv issue: for some reason, the mkv file didn't show up when I listed movies by Title, but when I accessed it by Folder, it was shown, and played fine.

I know you said your'e not fussed with it, but this is likely an easy fix. Serviio uses the file name to find metadata for the movie - I suspect you just need to rename the file in accordance with
this guide to align to the name that themoviedb.org (or thetvdb.com for TV series) wants to see (for a movie, its generally movie name.mkv or movie name (year).mkv. There are some renaming tools available here which help if you get stuck (Filebot or The Renamer are quite good), or just visit themoviedb.org to find the matching movie name and use it as a filename.

Please disregard the mkv issue: for some reason, the mkv file didn't show up when I listed movies by Title, but when I accessed it by Folder, it was shown, and played fine.

I know you said your'e not fussed with it, but this is likely an easy fix. Serviio uses the file name to find metadata for the movie - I suspect you just need to rename the file in accordance with
this guide to align to the name that themoviedb.org (or thetvdb.com for TV series) wants to see (for a movie, its generally movie name.mkv or movie name (year).mkv. There are some renaming tools available here which help if you get stuck (Filebot or The Renamer are quite good), or just visit themoviedb.org to find the matching movie name and use it as a filename.

Thanks - at this point I only have the one mkv file, so it'll be easy enough to just rename it.

I'm more bummed out about the DRM issue, as it seems patently unfair. And it looks like it'll cost me at least $36 for software to remove the DRM protection and create a new file that I can stream via DLNA. None of the free stuff I've found will do it.

[DenyAll]

Yeah, seems that the people that thought of DRM (but didn't think thru how people would actually use it) will end up encouraging people to bypass it, or simply to become pirates and avoid it .

Forgot to state - after renaming your file you will need to refresh your library (force refresh). You can then use MediaBrowser (if on a Pro license) to see whether it appears in the Movies area - saves running back and forth to the TV. Good luck