XviD Files - Cannot Skip Forward or Back

[sundevil]

I've been using GB-PVR for well over a year. I'm a big fan. Great job sub!

Question... the skip forward, skip backward, and resume features do not seem to work when playing XviD files through an MVP. Is this a known limitation of the XviD file format?

Are there any file formats which provide the skip forward, skip backward, and resume features - and also preserve AC3 sound quality (5.1)?

Is there a format of choice?

Thanks!

Brent

[sub]

Yes, this is a know limitation. The MVP can only play MPEG1/2 files, so when you try to play an xvid file it creates a temporary MPEG2 on the fly and starts playing that file. While this conversion is underway, you cant skip or FF past the point the conversion is up to.

Is there a format of choice?

With the MVP you should stick with formats that are supported natively - specifically MPEG2.

[sundevil]

OK, thanks for the info sub.

One other question... can MPEG2 files contain DVD quality video and AC3 audio? I am under the impression they can, it's just that they'll be much larger than XviD files given comparable video quality.

Sound right?

Thanks,

Brent

[sub]

can MPEG2 files contain DVD quality video and AC3 audio?

Yes. DVDs are effectively MPEG2 files. That said, the MVP cant play AC3 audio so you'll have to stick with the standard MPEG1 Layer2 audio.

[sundevil]

Interesting... so the MVP cannot play AC3 sound. So, if I have an XviD file with AC3 sound, GP-PVR converts both the XviD video to MPEG2 video and the AC3 sound to MPEG1 Layer 2 sound, correct?

Can standard MPEG1 Layer2 audio contain 5.1/surround sound? In other words, is the MPV capable of playing any 5.1 format? For example, when I played an XviD movie through the MVP, sound came through my back speakers, which led me to believe I was hearing 5.1 surround sound. Was this just MPEG1 Layer 2 stereo?

Thanks,

Brent

[sub]

So, if I have an XviD file with AC3 sound, GP-PVR converts both the XviD video to MPEG2 video and the AC3 sound to MPEG1 Layer 2 sound, correct?

Correct.

Can standard MPEG1 Layer2 audio contain 5.1/surround sound?

No, I dont believe so.

[zehd]

Interesting... so the MVP cannot play AC3 sound. So, if I have an XviD file with AC3 sound, GP-PVR converts both the XviD video to MPEG2 video and the AC3 sound to MPEG1 Layer 2 sound, correct?

Can standard MPEG1 Layer2 audio contain 5.1/surround sound? In other words, is the MPV capable of playing any 5.1 format? For example, when I played an XviD movie through the MVP, sound came through my back speakers, which led me to believe I was hearing 5.1 surround sound. Was this just MPEG1 Layer 2 stereo?

Thanks,

Brent

You won't get 5.1 from an MVP. That is a limitaion of the audio hardware in the MVP.

That said, I have been able to get 4 channel surround using a Prologic Amp.

Since the surround sound is multiplexed it comes through the Left and Right audio connectors on the MVP, to the amp, which decodes the surround and gives 4 channels.

I don't remember needing to do anything special to make that work.

[sundevil]

Thanks for the feedback guys. That probably explains it. I am running out of the MVP into a ProLogic Amp, which appears to simulate surround sound. Now if only I could find a client that plays XviD natively!

Frank, that's a great quote. I agree, there's nothing like a clean install. I've followed that philosophy for years myself.

Brent