Transcoding files times out before they begin

[Zato]

Trying to play AVIs or MPGs that require transcoding - sometimes works fine on my MVP. But most of the time there is a pause, then disconnects from the server. I assume it timed out before the stream started.

Best solution for this? I assume there is a delay setting, but I don't want to add a delay to normal video, only the files that need to be transcoded. Though if I HAVE to do it for both, that's fine.

Thanks!

On a side note, what format do I need to convert these files to in order to avoid the transcode? I know this has been asked over and over Sorry. Any program recommendations to do this conversion? I tried using the "Transcode" in the MVP menu but it didnt seem to do anything.

[zehd]

Trying to play AVIs or MPGs that require transcoding - sometimes works fine on my MVP. But most of the time there is a pause, then disconnects from the server. I assume it timed out before the stream started.

Best solution for this? I assume there is a delay setting, but I don't want to add a delay to normal video, only the files that need to be transcoded. Though if I HAVE to do it for both, that's fine.

Thanks!

On a side note, what format do I need to convert these files to in order to avoid the transcode? I know this has been asked over and over Sorry. Any program recommendations to do this conversion? I tried using the "Transcode" in the MVP menu but it didnt seem to do anything.

Interesting that you say AVIs and MPGs that need to be transcoded. Because I was going to say, if you have a video in MPEG format, it will not require transcoding. Of course that is not entirely true as there are qualities the MPG needs to have before the MVP can play them natively

GB-PVR records MPGs that can be played on the MVP natively. So looking at the Quality panel in the Capture Source setting in Config, will give you an idea... (eg 720x480 vid 6000bits, aud 224 etc)

Also in the config.xml, the ffmpeg command line for transcoding on-the-fly will give you an idea of a file that is playable...

If your mpg won't play, it means that the MVP is probably trying to play the file natively, but can't. Certainly GB-PVR does not call a transcoder if the file type is MPG... it only calls ffmpeg on NON-MPGs

Anyway, once you find the output parameters you like, ffmpeg will take most input file types and transcode them to an MVP playable file.. So just about any of the most common avis (divx/xvid/mp4 etc) will get transcoded on-the-fly...


Or....
ZProcess will install in seconds and takes care of all of your settings. The defaults are based on the GB-PVR defaults, with only minor tweaks. You will need to download and install MEncoder/mplayer though. Even if you want to transcode with ffmpeg, you will still need mplayer.

I'm in the process of updating the wiki page so that it's even more obvious what files must be installed for ZProcess to work. But generally, it's a pretty basic easy install. (Just double click and answer PAL or NTSC, restart the GB-PVR recording service)

And any questions, I'm around (for the most part) to help as many others are too

[Zato]

Thanks Zehd, you are freaking awesome. Let me digest some of the info.

Just to be clear, the files I am trying to play are downloaded off the net. Native GBPVR recorded shows don't have this issue.

The downloaded video might work one time, and another not.. so I assume it's just the transcode/timeout thing I described.

Thanks!!

[Zato]

I found the option under GVPVR, MVP tab - to increase the delay on playback. I upped it from 6000 to 10000 and it's been working like a charm so far. Long delay before it starts, obviously, but at least it starts .

I'm going to look into installing ZProcess next.