MKV file support ?

[TomT]

Hi
Any way to get MKV support on this box ?

Thanks

 

[fenlander]

Some MKVs work. It depends what's in them.

 

[TomT]

anyway to find out what MKV format is supported ?

 

[fenlander]

I don't think anyone's established a definitive list. Most MKVs contain an x264 video stream and AAC audio, but the precise nature of the data contained in these streams varies. I have seen suggestions that the Hummy rejects some VBR (variable bit rate) streams and 5.1 audio, but others may know better.

Recently video files obtainable from certain web sources have adopted new standards which the Hummy cannot handle. I am fortunate in having a media PC permanently connected and I now find it easiest to play all media not originating on the Hummy directly from the PC, particularly since I discovered that attempting to play some files does not merely fail, but actually causes the Hummy to spontaneously reboot. I have tried recoding some files the Hummy rejects, just to see what works. The results just add to my puzzlement: for example recoding a MKV file to AVI with x264 video at 720p and mp3 audio produced a file that played perfectly on the PC but stuttered badly on the Hummy.

It's also worth mentioning that most DLNA servers appear to ignore MKV files completely, so streaming is a non-starter.

 

[stephen]

most of the ones i try have dts sound tracks which are not supported, i run them through popcorn audio converter which changes them to 5.1 dolby

 

[TomT]

any chance you can explain how you did this with popcorn ?
Thanks

 

[stephen]

just basically select the original file, the on the dts tab on the right select"covert to dolby digital", then start, it makes a new file thats dolby 5.1 instead of the dts

 

[fenlander]

I've been discussing this on another forum and someone came up with a method that seems to work well, though I can't vouch for surround sound as I don't use it.
Open the .mkv file in tsMuxeR (download here). Select Output to be TSMuxing and hit the Start Muxing button. The result is a .ts file that plays on the Humax or on the PC with Splash Player or VLC. Time to mux a 1.4GB .mkv file: approx. 30 seconds.
This works for me with the first couple of problem files I've tried - ones that caused the Hummy to reboot. Please feedback here if this works/does not work for you. Also, I have not tested it, but I'm wondering if this will allow HD files to be streamed with the Humax media server.

[EDIT] No FF/FR/Skip!

 

[TomT]

Thanks. I'll try this. I can live with out the FF/FR for now ( can you post a link to the other forum ?? )

Surely it must be possible to add an mkv codec to this box ! ?

 

[fenlander]

Thanks. I'll try this. I can live with out the FF/FR for now ( can you post a link to the other forum ?? )

Surely it must be possible to add an mkv codec to this box ! ?

Sorry, the other forum is members only - and membership is closed!

 

[TomT]

Interesting.... my MKV files play from the USB, but not via my network ! ?
Why would that make any difference ??

 

[fenlander]

I haven't got anywhere near the bottom of what can be streamed and what cannot....

 

[TomT]

Does seem weird that it works one way, but not the other.
It's not a major issue, I can connect a USB hard disk to it.. but it would be better if I could do it from my NAS.
Wonder if the NAS 'presents' the file differently. I may set up a media server on my PC and try it from that !