Videoredo TVSuite4 mkv not playing

[ttfitz]

I am having what seems to me an odd problem, and hope maybe someone can help me. I am trying to use VideoReDo TVSuite4 to edit my ts files created by NPVR, to remove the commercials and transcode to AVC. On my main computer I do this, saving my files in M2TS format (because I used to do this to run on my PS3), and everything plays fine through NPVR via Videos, but I've been experimenting with saving in MKV on my homegrown PVR system, since NPVR doesn't recognize M2TS as a file extension to keep around in the database.

And that's where I run into problems - NPVR won't play the MKV files created by VRD. The odd part, at least to me, is that it WILL play MKV files that I download, of the same encoding and resolutions. I'm guessing I might need to change some settings in VRD, but thought I'd check here and see if anyone knew what might be going on with this.

Any ideas? If you need any more info, files, etc. let me know.

Thanks.

[sub]

NextPVR doesn't play much part in playback of MKV files. It just ask Windows to play the file, and Windows chooses the appropriate decoders and splitter etc. So in this case, it sounds like Windows isn't able to find a set of components that'll play these MKV files.

[ttfitz]

NextPVR doesn't play much part in playback of MKV files. It just ask Windows to play the file, and Windows chooses the appropriate decoders and splitter etc. So in this case, it sounds like Windows isn't able to find a set of components that'll play these MKV files.

Hmm. I have no problem with the files playing in video players such as Windows Media Player, VLC media player, or Media Player Classic. Wouldn't I have a problem with these if Windows was the problem?

[sub]

To see the components Windows is choosing, download and run GraphEdit or GraphStudioNext (http://code.google.com/p/graph-studio-ne...p&can=2&q=) and select 'Render Media File' from the 'File' menu, then choose your MKV file.

Windows Media Player used to be a good comparison, but isn't any more, since they no longer use the same directshow components as other windows players. VLC isn't directshow based.

[ttfitz]

To see the components Windows is choosing, download and run GraphEdit or GraphStudioNext (http://code.google.com/p/graph-studio-ne...p&can=2&q=) and select 'Render Media File' from the 'File' menu, then choose your MKV file.

Windows Media Player used to be a good comparison, but isn't any more, since they no longer use the same directshow components as other windows players. VLC isn't directshow based.

Okay, I downloaded GraphStudioNext and did as you said, and the graphs for both a downloaded file that works, and a VRD file I created look the same. The downloaded file plays right, the VRD file just gives a blank screen.

I've attached screenshots of the graphs, in case I'm missing something - Homeland is the one that works, Saturday Night Live does not. I'm not sure what to do now.

EDIT - I should add, when I play both files in GraphStudioNext, they both play fine.

[sub]

Okay, I downloaded GraphStudioNext and did as you said, and the graphs for both a downloaded file that works, and a VRD file I created look the same. The downloaded file plays right, the VRD file just gives a blank screen.

I've attached screenshots of the graphs, in case I'm missing something - Homeland is the one that works, Saturday Night Live does not. I'm not sure what to do now.

EDIT - I should add, when I play both files in GraphStudioNext, they both play fine.

So you're saying that when you use 'render media file' with the VRD file, you can hit the 'play' button and it plays fine, but when you try playing the same file in NextPVR, it doesn't play? These two actions should give identical behaviour.

If that's the case, play the file in NextPVR, then post the npvr.log and I'll see what it says.

[ttfitz]

So you're saying that when you use 'render media file' with the VRD file, you can hit the 'play' button and it plays fine, but when you try playing the same file in NextPVR, it doesn't play? These two actions should give identical behaviour.

If that's the case, play the file in NextPVR, then post the npvr.log and I'll see what it says.

Yep, that's what happens. Log is attached. Thanks.

[sub]

These are the directshow files Windows is choosing:

2014-05-29 00:11:32.447 [DEBUG][1] Graph filter list:
2014-05-29 00:11:32.447 [DEBUG][1] - Default DirectSound Device
2014-05-29 00:11:32.447 [DEBUG][1] - EVR Renderer
2014-05-29 00:11:32.447 [DEBUG][1] - ffdshow Audio Decoder
2014-05-29 00:11:32.447 [DEBUG][1] - MPC - Video decoder
2014-05-29 00:11:32.447 [DEBUG][1] - T:\capturetv\Dad April\Saturday Night Live_20131127_21002300.mkv

I can tell what the source filter it has chosen is, since it just show the name.

Most notable difference is that it's using EVR vs VMR in GraphEdit. Also, for some reason Window's has chosen not to include AC3 Filter.

You could maybe try switching to VMR in the NextPVR settings to see if it has any difference. Alternatively try modifying the graph in GraphEdit to switch to EVR, and remove the AC3 Filter, to see if it still plays.

[ttfitz]

These are the directshow files Windows is choosing:

I can tell what the source filter it has chosen is, since it just show the name.

Most notable difference is that it's using EVR vs VMR in GraphEdit. Also, for some reason Window's has chosen not to include AC3 Filter.

You could maybe try switching to VMR in the NextPVR settings to see if it has any difference. Alternatively try modifying the graph in GraphEdit to switch to EVR, and remove the AC3 Filter, to see if it still plays.

Thanks, switching to VMR in NextPVR seems to have fixed it. I had to do a little more messing around on the other machine (it didn't actually play in other players on that one), but now the file is playing properly.

Appreciate the help.

[sub]

Ok - glad you got it working.

Only working with VMR sounds like some limitation of the "MPC - Video decoder" your machine is picking for playback of these files.