topic Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions in Other TVs

2011 Sony Bravia models do not support AVI (OpenDML) file format

Ignukas — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 06:39:44 GMT

It seems currently 2011 Bravia models support MPEG-4 video format natively, but only at SD resolutions. Is there a chance this limitation would be removed anytime soon? This limitation prevents MPEG-4 HD videos from being played from HDD or DLNA. On DLNA transcoding can be used to play these, but then all MPEG-4 videos would be transcoded. And finally - if MPEG-4 is already there, why should we watch poor quality transcoded videos?

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 10:02:34 GMT

Hi there

It sounds like more of a problem with the file/s and the codecs used. I have a 2011 TV, and play MPEG4 content in 1080p resolution just fine.

What model 2011 TV have you got?

What actually happens when you play the files?

Try using a program called media info : HERE and look indepth at the codec/s that are used and whether it is supported by the TV

Cheers

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Ignukas — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 19:36:44 GMT

My TV is KDL-40HX720.

I've checked several problematic files on MediaInfo - all of them are MPEG-4 Visual (XviD) encoded AVIs (OpenMDL). When I try to play those TV displays "Playback not available" message.

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Anonymous — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 20:00:41 GMT

Hi there

According to the manual : HERE

USB playback of the following video file formats is available:

- AVCHD (files with the extension “.mts” or “.m2ts”)
- MP4 (AVC) (files with the extension “.mp4”)
- MP4 (MPEG4) (files with the extension “.mp4”)
- MPEG1 (files with the extension “.mpg”)
- MPEG2 (files with the extension “.mpg”)
- DivX (files with the extension “.divx” or “.avi”)
- WMV (files with the extension “.wmv” or “.asf”)"

There is no mention of using the Xvid HD codec. Therefore you will need to convert those problem avi files to a codec that the TV supports natively.

Cheers

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Ignukas — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 06:47:59 GMT

Hi, I'd like to agree with you. But I've got other "MPEG-4 Visual (XviD)" encoded videos and those are playing fine. The only difference I noticed is the file format: the other video files I'm able to play are shown as "AVI" while those TV can't play are "AVI (OpenDML)".

So I think I was wrong thinking it's HD related issue. However this makes sense as traditional AVI is limited to 2 GB file size. While OpenDML AVI supports greater file sizes. This explains why HD AVI files cannot be played on TV while most SD AVI files can.

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Ignukas — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 06:48:25 GMT

So, is there any chance Sony would add full AVI (including OpenDML) support to older Bravia TVs? What about newer TVs? Do they support OpenDML AVIs?

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 11:27:09 GMT

@Ignukas wrote:
So, is there any chance Sony would add full AVI (including OpenDML) support to older Bravia TVs?

I think it is pretty safe to say that Sony will not be adding OpenDML support to older Bravia TV's, probably due to 2 reasons. First one is that after a year or 2, Sony do not develop new features to the TVs, and the only firmware updates are minor bugfixes. A second reason is that it would consume more processing that the older TV's cannot handle.

@Ignukas wrote:
What about newer TVs? Do they support OpenDML AVIs?

Again, if its not in the specifications, unfortunately its probably not supported.

I had the same types of issues a while ago, file codecs and containers not supported. You must remind yourself that its a TV and not a computer (thats what I did anyhow, as it makes it easier for me). In the end, I purchased a Network Media Player which resolved all my issues. You might want to investigate the same.

Cheers

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Ignukas — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 07:52:43 GMT

Quinnicus, I absolutely understand your points, but cannot agree they are sufficient.

First of all adding file format doesn't require neither much space on ROM (which might be an issue on older TVs when implementing new features) nor additional processing power as it's not a codec, but a file structure format.

Secondly OpenDML is still AVI - just a newer version of it (17 years old in fact), so I would consider this a bug: TV specs say it must support AVI format, which I read as "all official versions of AVI available on release date".

And finally less than two years have passed since I bought my HX series Bravia TV. It was quite pricey and I would expect appropriate customer care level.

I've got a DLNA server to play my media. But I must switch between different profiles in order to play AVI files on the TV as my DLNA server considers AVI and OpenDML AVI as the same (and I agree with this): when playing original AVI files I use 2011 Bravia profile as it would stream the file without transcoding; and I must switch to 2010 Bravia profile to transcode OpenDML AVI files.

Regards

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 14:29:55 GMT

@Ignukas wrote:

Quinnicus, I absolutely understand your points, but cannot agree they are sufficient.

Hi there, I think the points I posted are valid, but I probably missed off one. And I would guess its the most important - Economics! At this moment in time, only 1 person is having an issue (that Sony are aware of), thats you by the way It probably comes to the Cost vs Benefits issue. However if there are loads of people that have this issue Sony might probably give it further consideration. The cost to implement this is not just a quick firmware update, its development, testing, and various other costs to implement.

@Ignukas wrote:

I've got a DLNA server to play my media. But I must switch between different profiles in order to play AVI files on the TV as my DLNA server considers AVI and OpenDML AVI as the same (and I agree with this): when playing original AVI files I use 2011 Bravia profile as it would stream the file without transcoding; and I must switch to 2010 Bravia profile to transcode OpenDML AVI files.

Can I assume that you are using Serviio as your DLNA Server Software? If so, you can edit the profiles.xml file to make changes to the code to implement the same transcoding abilities on files from one profile to the other, or add other transcoding abilities. It can take a little trial and error to figure it out (so backup that file first)

To be honest, I dont know the implications of OpenDML, but my theory is : There is more than one way to skin a cat. Meaning if one way doesnt work, try another. Or start a campaign and to gain enough supporters.

Hope that helps anyway.

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Nielsen — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 16:42:23 GMT

I think SONY's policy on media playback is clear and has been for some time now. Any "bugs" on codec and file format natively in TV's are covered by the Homestream DLNA server solution. Your profile bug just needs fixing.

I was and is specially annoyed by the jpeg subsamling bug, which still makes the Picasa app. useless.:smileyd_oh:

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support MPEG-4 at HD resolutions

Catmambo — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 08:13:04 GMT

I've never specifically come across an OpenDML avi file although a bit of Googling turns up a bunch of results. Judging by broader internet trends, many users seem to have abandoned .avi container for video, instead switching to .mp4 or .mkv as it offers more benefits such as better compatibility. Always recommend the very good 'Handbrake' software if you are after batch converting video files into .mp4.

Thanks

2011 Sony Bravia models do not support AVI (OpenDML) file format

Ignukas — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 08:01:06 GMT

Not user friendly at all! If I was the only one at home I might bother with converters etc. But not my wife...

I wonder if Serviio is able to detect different AVI versions? I do not want to transcode AVI files supported by TV, as it reduces quality significantly.

I just want to turn on TV, find my video and play it. But because of this file format support inconsistency at least one third of my files are not playable without additional hasle. And I cannot accept it. Sorry!

As ultimate solution I see changing my TV to Apple's one once it is available and use AirPlay. No need for converters or DLNA servers! No need to transcode and loose quality! If Sony doesn't want to give acceptable user experience - Apple does...

P.S. There are many more people having the issue. One of several similar issues on Serviio forum: http://forum.serviio.org/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3683

The problem is that in most cases the issue is incorrectly identified as HD/SD or codec issue.

Cheers

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support AVI (OpenDML) file format

Batfinkk — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 08:20:01 GMT

But this is the point - .avi is diminishing rapidly in popularity and use of this particular flavour of avi is basically non existent. Batch convert all your legacy files to mp4 as a one off and you are all set, its not even a manual job. Curious as to the source of these files and if they are still being supplied in this format. Any quality loose is likely to be negligible, but have you tried to see what the results are like?

Are we talking about the same Apple, the masters of proprietary and closed ecosystems? You'd prefer to move from a open platform and standards to a closed one?

Apple TV today natively doesn't support anything other than its own formats. 3rd party apps have incredibly mixed success with streaming, so I personally wouldn't hold out for Apple TV to be the perfect solution.

Re: 2011 Sony Bravia models do not support AVI (OpenDML) file format

Ignukas — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 09:52:12 GMT

Lets compare two thigs:

Currently: When I want to watch a video (and about one third of my videos I get are .avi) I try to play it using Serviio server on my Mac. Very likely it wouldn't work. If so I have to convert it (the only option to play it from USB drive), or transcode it on DLNA. And lets be honest - OpenDML is not the single case...

Converting is not something my wife would be able to do on her own every time something new is on our library (and I travel a lot, so most of the time she's home alone).

DLNA is very nice thing if not transcoding as it brings quality issues: inconsitent aspect ratios, lower frame rate and other. Still I could live with this if it worked. But in this particular case Sony Bravia does play .avi files, but not all of them (actually a small portion of those as the supported AVI only allows file sizes up to 2 GB). So I have to use one profile to play supported AVI files, and another to play newer (17 years old) AVI file format files. Why!?

Using "proprietary and closed" Apple solution: Open the file on VLC or any other player on my Mac. Click Airplay and choose Apple TV to extend your desktop. now you can watch whatever you want on your TV regardless of codec, file format and without quality loss. You can also download free "Remote" apps to your mobile in order to control the thing.

Well, I'd say it's better (at least for me) something "proprietary and closed" and working than something not working or working inconsistently. And Sony doesn't make it easier.

Of course there are downsides. But all I want when I come back home for weekend is to sit back, relax and not deal with video converters, profile tweeking etc. I've done enough of this when I was student.

Cheers