TVs that support streamed Humax foxsat HDR ts file format

Wakelest

08-11-2011

Hi

I’ve got a Samsung UE40D6200 which refuses to play Humax files whether streamed from the computer, streamed from the Humax box or plugged directly into the usb socket. However, ts files that I have created using Raydon’s AV2HDR play perfectly.

Can someone please explain to me why this is the case?

I've compared the files info using ffmpeg and whilst I admit to understanding very little, the obvious differences being the audio codec, and the absence of the teletext and subtitles stream. I’ve managed to work round the limitation of the TV by remuxing the ts files into ts files on the fly so the TV can now read the files stored on my computer and stored on the box – but it’s not perfect as the remux removes the seek “fastforward” capability.

Are there TVs out there that will play these files natively? If so which ones? If I’m going to buy another TV I would like to know which ones support my files without conversion.

Thanks

2Bdecided

08-11-2011

I'd love to know the answer to this too.

My "needs" are even more specialised - I'd like a screen suitable for use as a PC monitor (primary use), streaming files from HDR (secondary use), and Freeview TV (rarely). Freeview HD would be nice, but probably a bit too much to ask for! 24" would be ideal. Beyond 28" would be silly. 16x9 of course.

It'll probably get used with external speakers, as the sound from most flat panels is shocking.

Cheers,
David.

WillowMan

08-11-2011

You might try asking this question on this forum.
http://forum.videolan.org/viewforum....3059db1f46bbd7
VLC can play native .ts files. I use it to play ts files from my Dreambox 7000 on a PC.
There is a lot of experience around the VLC community with regard to streaming and someone may be able to help.

Wakelest

11-11-2011

Originally Posted by WillowMan:
“You might try asking this question on this forum.
http://forum.videolan.org/viewforum....3059db1f46bbd7
VLC can play native .ts files. I use it to play ts files from my Dreambox 7000 on a PC.
There is a lot of experience around the VLC community with regard to streaming and someone may be able to help.”

Thanks - I'll take a look.

Anyone like to recommend a TV that plays Humax TS files (which don't appear to be standard according to my TV) without remuxing? Not one of Raydon's but an original.

Looks like I'll be going round fnac with a usb stick to test this out. Trouble with this approach is it won't tell me whether they will play when streamed.

I suppose it's possible they haven't made one yet and I'll just have to wait.

2Bdecided

11-11-2011

Noticed a weird issue on one TV, not specifically with HDR files but in general with MPEG-2 video: through USB it played correctly, but while streaming across the network it ignored the aspect ratio flag.

So on USB, you got 4x3 or 16x9 as appropriate, but when streaming it assumed square pixels, giving 5x4 (720x576) or even narrower (lower quality channels). In this case, "streaming" was just putting the same USB stick into a DLNA capable NAS and watching across the network.

Cheers,
David.

theShadowman

11-11-2011

The Humax box requires three files to be able to play .TS on the TV. an .NTS and a .HMT. During normal recording these are created automatically. So if you want to play non native .TS files you need the .TS and a .HMT plus a .NTS. Raydon's AV2HD program creates these files for you, hence when you use AV2HD it works OK

2Bdecided

11-11-2011

Originally Posted by theShadowman:
“The Humax box requires three files to be able to play .TS on the TV. an .NTS and a .HMT. During normal recording these are created automatically. So if you want to play non native .TS files you need the .TS and a .HMT plus a .NTS. Raydon's AV2HD program creates these files for you, hence when you use AV2HD it works OK”

No, the OP is doing it the other way around. Playing files from the Humax on a TV - not trying to play anything on the Humax.

He just noted that AVS2HDR files do play on the TV.

Cheers,
David.

machare

11-11-2011

The manual for my Samsung TV says it can play TS files.

However whilst I have managed to find two incompatible TS files (different sources), I have yet to find a compatible TS file. I just wish that the TV was as flexible as VLC which can play files from both sources.

However I did find that I could stream satellite TV from DVBviewer running on my PC to my Samsung TV. Not much use though as I have a satellite receiver directly connected to the TV.

swedish cook

11-11-2011

Originally Posted by machare:
“The manual for my Samsung TV says it can play TS files.....”

As does my Sony BluRay, but it actually only works 50% of the time, so my media player cannot be retired, boo.

fullerlee

16-11-2011

Originally Posted by Wakelest:
“Hi

I’ve got a Samsung UE40D6200 which refuses to play Humax files whether streamed from the computer, streamed from the Humax box or plugged directly into the usb socket. However, ts files that I have created using Raydon’s AV2HDR play perfectly.

Can someone please explain to me why this is the case?

I've compared the files info using ffmpeg and whilst I admit to understanding very little, the obvious differences being the audio codec, and the absence of the teletext and subtitles stream. I’ve managed to work round the limitation of the TV by remuxing the ts files into ts files on the fly so the TV can now read the files stored on my computer and stored on the box – but it’s not perfect as the remux removes the seek “fastforward” capability.

Are there TVs out there that will play these files natively? If so which ones? If I’m going to buy another TV I would like to know which ones support my files without conversion.

Thanks”

Hi Wakelest,

I've got a D6100 and have started looking into this.

What tool are you using to remux the ts files? Could you send me the output of
ffmpeg -i yourfile
please?

I've cross compiled ffmpeg to the Humax, and transcoding to an mpeg ps can be done at an acceptable speed (about 100 frames/sec). The problem is, the Samsung is also refusing to play the mpeg ps files too! (They play on just about every other device I've tried).

The Specs suggest it ought to support ts/mpeg2/mpeg audio, albeit at a higher resolution.

Thanks,
Lee

pgerrish

23-11-2011

On this theme I have .ts streaming issues and wonder if anybody can help.

I have upgraded the firmware on the Humax Foxsat box and now wish to stream recorded programmes (realise I cannot do HD as they are encrypted) to Samsung UE40D5500 DLNA enabled TV; there is a Windows 7 machine9 (with Windows Media Player [WMP] setup as DLNA Media Server) on the same network.
[LIST][*]The Samsung AllShare module can see files on the FoxSat via Twonky and can play music and photos but not the video “File format not supported”.[*]I can open and play the .ts files from FoxSat directly without conversion (locally or via network) in WMP12 running on the Windows 7 machine . However if I choose the WMP12 “Play to Function” and select the Samsung TV (visible on the network) it does not playa and get error. WMP12 is meant to transcode on the fly but is obviously not doing.[*]If I play a wmv file I can send it to the TV using the same functionality in WMP12 so streaming does work ( all permissions are set ok)[*]If I use FFCoder (recommended) to convert the .ts file ( or group of file) to a MPEG4 format using default settings (H.264 and AAC) I can then play file on Windows 7 WMP12 and stream to the Samsung TV.[*]I have tried using VLC media player on Windows 7 machine with great disappointment. In the transcoding it produced MPEG4 format that the sound did not play in WMP12 or the conversion was very blocky and also could not work out how to stream to the TV (it does have reserved IP Address) . In theory VLC should have been able to transcode and stream and it may be that I am using all the wrong settings but did look at what the Samsung should support and tried many of the options but I had no luck and a few crashes. (http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...ech/dddlna.jpg)[/LIST]
It has been suggested that it may be to transcode and stream in real time with some tools ( ? FFmpeg ) – but this looks command based and from the deveopement site not even sure what platform it runs on.
Has anybody managed to stream ( and transcode) the .ts files directly from FoxSat to Samsung TV (without static intermediate conversion)?

thanks

Paul (UK)

Wakelest

09-01-2012

Firstly, I should have updated this before now - sorry. You may already have your own solution, but just out of politeness here goes.....

@fullerlee

Quote:
“What tool are you using to remux the ts files? Could you send me the output of
ffmpeg -i yourfile
please?”

I've used many different tools but this one was with ffe.exe (a free GUI for ffmpeg);
This file plays perfectly and also gives me Samsung's fast forward function. Settings were set to copy video codec and selecting ac3 as the audio. This is just a remux as opposed to a full transcode so only takes about 2.5 minutes to process a full movie. (Obviously this is pc spec dependant).

Code:

ffmpeg version N-36036-ga40f43d, Copyright (c) 2000-2011 the FFmpeg developers
  built on Dec 22 2011 13:44:49 with gcc 4.6.2
  configuration: --enable-memalign-hack --arch=x86 --target-os=mingw32 --cross-prefix=i686-w64-mingw32- --enable-static --disable-shared --enable-zlib --disable-postproc --prefix=/media/ffmpeg --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libx264 --enable-gpl --extra-libs='-lx264 -lpthread' --enable-runtime-cpudetect --extra-cflags=-I/home/dennis/cc/include --extra-ldflags=-L/home/dennis/cc/lib --pkg-config=pkg-config --disable-w32threads
  libavutil    51. 32. 0 / 51. 32. 0
  libavcodec   53. 46. 1 / 53. 46. 1
  libavformat  53. 27. 0 / 53. 27. 0
  libavdevice  53.  4. 0 / 53.  4. 0
  libavfilter   2. 53. 0 /  2. 53. 0
  libswscale    2.  1. 0 /  2.  1. 0
[mpegts @ 003f83c0] max_analyze_duration 5000000 reached at 5024000
Input #0, mpegts, from 'C:\Users\Paul\Desktop\ffe\Family Guy_20110516_2323 [copy][ac3].ts':
  Duration: 00:24:10.33, start: 1.400000, bitrate: 3311 kb/s
  Program 1 
    Metadata:
      service_name    : Service01
      service_provider: FFmpeg
    Stream #0:0[0x100]: Video: mpeg2video (Main) ([2][0][0][0] / 0x0002), yuv420p, 720x576 [SAR 64:45 DAR 16:9], 15000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 50 tbc
    Stream #0:1[0x101](eng): Audio: ac3 ([129][0][0][0] / 0x0081), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 128 kb/s
At least one output file must be specified
---> DB Level Info: 8, 4
---> Frame rate: 25.00
---> Aspect ratio: 16:9

I've since managed to get Mezzmo to remux on the fly, to play on the Samsung tv and allow fast forward.

@pgerrish
I've had much the same experience as you -
Computer to TV using wmp ‘play to’ function - I can stream many file types including TS files but not 'Humax ts' files.
Computer to TV using the tv to request the file- I can stream all file types including TS files and 'Humax ts' files.

Quote:
“I can open and play the .ts files from FoxSat directly without conversion (locally or via network) in WMP12 running on the Windows 7 machine . However if I choose the WMP12 “Play to Function” and select the Samsung TV (visible on the network) it does not playa and get error. WMP12 is meant to transcode on the fly but is obviously not doing.”

I'm only guessing but I think the TV tells WMP12 it can play ts files so it isn’t going to transcode it into another ts file.

Quote:
“It has been suggested that it may be to transcode and stream in real time with some tools ( ? FFmpeg ) – but this looks command based and from the deveopement site not even sure what platform it runs on.”

Mezzmo worked very well except the lack of fast forward for 'humax ts' files, I've now managed to edit the profile for the TV within Mezzmo to get it to remux the 'humax ts' files without this problem.

Quote:
“Has anybody managed to stream (and transcode) the .ts files directly from FoxSat to Samsung TV (without static intermediate conversion)?”

Yes - if you mean files currently on the humax machine streamed from the box to a Samsung tv - You have to use the TV to request the file if it's a bog standard Humax ts file (this way the file gets remuxed by your media server so the Samsung can cope with it); you can use the WMP play to function if it's a proper ts file. This file has to be delivered from the box to the computer, the computer remuxes the file into a 'proper' ts file which can then be delivered to the Humax. I've got a wired Cat5 connection and it just about manages it.
The trick is to get your Media server to remux the ts file when needed.

If you've found any better solutions let us know - if you want more details just ask.

Wakelest (France)

2Bdecided

09-01-2012

I wonder if it's something about the re-muxing, or the fact you're transcoding MPEG-1 layer II audio to Dolby AC-3, that makes it work?

I think I've seen a Samsung TV happily play content with MPEG-1 layer II audio silently, having said on-screen that the audio codec wasn't supported. That wasn't a Humax file though - it was a file I recorded from Freeview years ago.

Cheers,
David.

Wakelest

09-01-2012

Thanks for the suggestion, the audio may make a difference - the originals have several streams, this could be causing the TV to refuse the files as all the remuxes have one for video and one for audio,

The humax ts files don't play on the Samsung in their unadulterated state

Quote:
“ Stream #0:0[0x1450]: Video: mpeg2video (Main) ([2][0][0][0] / 0x0002), yuv420p, 720x576 [SAR 64:45 DAR 16:9], 15000 kb/s, 27.10 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 50 tbc
Stream #0:1[0x1451](eng): Audio: mp2 ([3][0][0][0] / 0x0003), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 256 kb/s
Stream #0:2[0x1452](NAR): Audio: mp2 ([3][0][0][0] / 0x0003), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 256 kb/s
Stream #0:3[0x1453](eng): Subtitle: dvb_teletext ([6][0][0][0] / 0x0006)”

Whereas if I remux them using the same video codec I can use either the original MP2 audio or AC3 and they play on the Samsung

This will play perfectly

Quote:
“Stream #0:0[0x100]: Video: mpeg2video (Main) ([2][0][0][0] / 0x0002), yuv420p, 720x576 [SAR 64:45 DAR 16:9], 15000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 50 tbc
Stream #0:1[0x101](eng): Audio: mp2 ([3][0][0][0] / 0x0003), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 256 kb/s”

So will this

Quote:
“Stream #0:0[0x100]: Video: mpeg2video (Main) ([2][0][0][0] / 0x0002), yuv420p, 720x576 [SAR 64:45 DAR 16:9], 15000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 50 tbc
Stream #0:1[0x101](eng): Audio: ac3 ([129][0][0][0] / 0x0081), 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 128 kb/s”

One consistent difference - the additional streams are removed.

2Bdecided

10-01-2012

The reported frame rate in the original file is weird - 27.10fps. Don't know if that's relevant. The PIDs(?) are different too of course.

However, I think you've hit on the important thing - multiple audio tracks. I'm not sure the DLNA specs support multiple audio tracks in one file, while Freesat PVRs are required to record them (to support AD on playback).

If I'm right about the DLNA specs, then in this respect, the Humax hack isn't DLNA compliant, because it doesn't remux what's stored to create a single audio stream file. This could explain a lot of the compatibility issues people see.

Cheers,
David.