MKV files stutter.

.mkv files converted to .mp4 with iFlicks seem to work perfectly. Going to test some more. Though this process takes forever.

Edit: Yup, iFlicks remuxed files work perfectly. What's the process Serviio uses for .mkv files?

Updated list:
Serviio (OSX Client) to Samsung TV = Stuttering playback
Serviio (OSX Client) to Xbox 360 = Stuttering playback
TVMOBiLi (OSX Client) to Samsung TV = Stuttering playback

Serviio (Windows Client) to Samsung TV = Appears to work fine

Really strange...for me the stuttering problem appears a little bit "reversed" compared to zotune:

Serviio (Windows 64bit) to Samsung TV = Stuttering playback for most mkv:s, all other containers work fine
TVMOBiLi (Windows 64bit) to Samsung TV = Appears to work fine

I just upgraded from jre 1.6.0_25(64bit) to 1.7.0_01(64bit), resulting in no difference at all.
Zotune there may be differences in our TV:s hardware (your model ends with PW whereas mine ends with XXE),
but may I ask what java version are you running on your Windows box?

The Windows machine was running java Version 6 Update 26 (build 1.6.0_26-03). The only solution I have found for now is PS3 Media Server to PS3, but it uses like 80% of the CPU, which can't possibly be good in the long run. Have you tried any other Windows computers? I'm using Java 1.6.0_29 on OSX

Here are some Java settings I found in Terminal

  Code:

sage: java [-options] class [args...]
           (to execute a class)
   or  java [-options] -jar jarfile [args...]
           (to execute a jar file)

where options include:
    -d32          use a 32-bit data model if available
    -d64          use a 64-bit data model if available (implies -server, only for x86_64)
    -client     to select the "client" VM
    -server     to select the "server" VM
    -jvm     is a synonym for the "client" VM  [deprecated]
    -hotspot     is a synonym for the "client" VM  [deprecated]
                  The default VM is client.
                 
    -cp <class search path of directories and zip/jar files>
    -classpath <class search path of directories and zip/jar files>
                  A : separated list of directories, JAR archives,
                  and ZIP archives to search for class files.
    -D<name>=<value>
                  set a system property
    -verbose[:class|gc|jni]
                  enable verbose output
    -version      print product version and exit
    -version:<value>
                  require the specified version to run
    -showversion  print product version and continue
    -jre-restrict-search | -jre-no-restrict-search
                  include/exclude user private JREs in the version search
    -? -help      print this help message
    -X            print help on non-standard options
    -ea[:<packagename>...|:<classname>]
    -enableassertions[:<packagename>...|:<classname>]
                  enable assertions
    -da[:<packagename>...|:<classname>]
    -disableassertions[:<packagename>...|:<classname>]
                  disable assertions
    -esa | -enablesystemassertions
                  enable system assertions
    -dsa | -disablesystemassertions
                  disable system assertions
    -agentlib:<libname>[=<options>]
                  load native agent library <libname>, e.g. -agentlib:hprof
                    see also, -agentlib:jdwp=help and -agentlib:hprof=help
    -agentpath:<pathname>[=<options>]
                  load native agent library by full pathname
    -javaagent:<jarpath>[=<options>]
                  load Java programming language agent, see java.lang.instrument
    -splash:<imagepath>
                  show splash screen with specified image

I tried to change som relevant settings in Java Preferences, but I couldn't find any. I also tried using 32bit as prefered. I couldn't set the Cache to higher than 1GB. Any suggestions? Serviio doesn't appear to use any Java Cache anyways.









Edit: Remerging the .mkv did not work either.

.mkv file that Didn't Work (Stuttering):


Remuxed .mp4 file using iFlicks (from .mkv) that Worked (No Stuttering):


I tried remuxing the .mkv with audio from the remuxed .mp4 (mp4a), but that Didn't Work (Stuttering).

I then remuxed the .mp4 that worked into an .mkv again that Didn't Work (Stuttering).

I confirmed that XviD .avi files Worked.

I then remuxed the .avi file into an .mkv that Worked (Slight Stuttering in the beginning).


I also tried changing all sorts of settings in Serviio itself which didn't seem to help. Serviio 0.4 OSX wouldn't work with my TV when trying to play .mkv files (Not Supported Format). Serviio 0.52 OSX kept crashing when trying to Refresh the Library.

How exactly is it the realtime playback of .mkv files from Serviio works? I'm not sure what my next step should be. I don't think it has anything to do with Java anymore, since it just happens on .mkv files. Maybe the encoder/remuxer settings are relevant? Is it possible to Remux it realtime to an MP4?

More Activity Monitor statistics while playing:








The low Disk Activity worries me.

Updated list:

MediaLink (OSX Client) to Samsung TV = Not supported format
Playback (OSX Client) to Samsung TV = Not supported format
PS3 Media Server (OSX Client) to PS3 = Extreme CPU usage
PS3 Media Server (OSX Client) to Samsung TV = Stuttering playback
PS3 Media Server (Windows Client) to Samsung TV = Stuttering playback
Serviio (OSX Client) to PS3 = Skipping back or forwards results in blocky picture the rest of the video
Serviio (OSX Client) to Samsung TV = Stuttering playback
Serviio (OSX Client) to Xbox 360 = Stuttering playback
TVMOBiLi (OSX Client) to Samsung TV = Stuttering playback

Serviio (Windows Client) to Samsung TV = Appears to work fine

PS3 Media Server on Windows doesn't seem to work, oddly enough.

Why is it that MP4 (.m4v) works, but not .mkv?

The only problem with this method is that it takes 4 hours to remux something.

Is it possible for Serviio to remux it to .m4v on-the-fly?

Very good question indeed!

h264/x264 streams packed into mkv seems prone to stutter when streamed to many (but not all) C- and D- series TV sets.
Meanwhile, the same streams packed into MP4 and MPEG-TS seem to play smoothly, regardless of bitrate.

I read at a different forum that some containers are hardware decoded inside TV, whereas other containers such as mkv are software decoded.

That would explain differences but not why it works better/worse on different media servers/different OS.

I am trying to find a program that could sniff DLNA streaming and save to log while streaming from Serviio (stutter) vs. TVMOBiLi (no stutter).
The ones I have tried fo far has litterally flooded me with data to much to comprehend. Will report back if I make progress.

Hi please report back if you make any progress. This is a problem for many samsung TV's - most put up with it as it is not too disruptive but seem to defeat the purpose of watching HD if there are glitches in playback....

I've resorted to remuxing to .m4v with iFlicks, but it's kind of a pain. Some files take forever or won't remux at all... Unless I can confirm the stuttering from my Mac to another TV, I don't think the developers are going to prioritize the issue. I've tried using Serviio from a Windows PC using .mkv files 2 times, and it worked fine.

Did you get anywhere with this?

I'm running Lion with a D6530 and I'm getting stutter on a lot of HD files. I can post some details/logfiles if that would be useful?

cheers
Matt

[Cerberus]

Very good question indeed!

h264/x264 streams packed into mkv seems prone to stutter when streamed to many (but not all) C- and D- series TV sets.
Meanwhile, the same streams packed into MP4 and MPEG-TS seem to play smoothly, regardless of bitrate.

I read at a different forum that some containers are hardware decoded inside TV, whereas other containers such as mkv are software decoded.

That would explain differences but not why it works better/worse on different media servers/different OS..

not true. I have plenty of high quality Mkv files that have absolutely no stuttering,

Very good question indeed!

h264/x264 streams packed into mkv seems prone to stutter when streamed to many (but not all) C- and D- series TV sets.
Meanwhile, the same streams packed into MP4 and MPEG-TS seem to play smoothly, regardless of bitrate.

I read at a different forum that some containers are hardware decoded inside TV, whereas other containers such as mkv are software decoded.

That would explain differences but not why it works better/worse on different media servers/different OS..

not true. I have plenty of high quality Mkv files that have absolutely no stuttering,

But Cerberus, you appear to be running on Windows, which has already been stated as ok with Serviio to a Samsung TV apart from sunnyday having a windows issue.

It's looking like a Mac problem isn't it?

[Cerberus]

the flavors are all the same doesnt matter if its linux mac or window its all the same serviio source, the only thing that could be different is ffmpeg.

Really strange...for me the stuttering problem appears a little bit "reversed" compared to zotune:

Serviio (Windows 64bit) to Samsung TV = Stuttering playback for most mkv:s, all other containers work fine
TVMOBiLi (Windows 64bit) to Samsung TV = Appears to work fine

I can confirm I have identical audio stutter as Sunnyday on my Samsung UE32D5005XXE with Serviio (Win 64 bit)
TVMOBiLi (Windows 64bit) to Samsung TV is runnung just fine.

Anyone found a solution to get rid of this in Serviio, or do we have to hope for a new release will solve this?

[Cerberus]

nope as no one is providing ANY information on the files that are not playing, and currently i have no stutter on any of my files from my samsung devices.

http://wiki.serviio.org/doku.php?id=file_np

http://wiki.serviio.org/doku.php?id=vbitrate

I belive it's the mix of Serviio and 'Samsung D serie 5000' who have a conflict.
Samsung Allshare have exactly the same problem, but as mentioned before is TVMOBiLi running fine.
Please notice its only audio stutter. Video and subs are running perfekt.

Her some info from a MKV with audio stutter (Win7 64 bit/Serviio 0.6.0.1):

C:\Program Files (x86)\Serviio\lib>ffmpeg.exe -i "D:\t3.mkv"
ffmpeg version N-31480-g8bc3a48, Copyright (c) 2000-2011 the FFmpeg developers
built on Jul 14 2011 23:37:53 with gcc 4.4.2
configuration: --enable-static --disable-shared --disable-ffplay --disable-ffs
erver --enable-memalign-hack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-librtmp --extra-libs='
-lrtmp -lpolarssl -lws2_32 -lwinmm' --arch=x86 --enable-runtime-cpudetect --enab
le-pthreads --target-os=mingw32 --cross-prefix=i686-mingw32- --pkg-config=pkg-co
nfig
libavutil 51. 11. 0 / 51. 11. 0
libavcodec 53. 8. 0 / 53. 8. 0
libavformat 53. 6. 0 / 53. 6. 0
libavdevice 53. 2. 0 / 53. 2. 0
libavfilter 2. 25. 0 / 2. 25. 0
libswscale 2. 0. 0 / 2. 0. 0
[matroska,webm @ 00338a20] Estimating duration from bitrate, this may be inaccur
ate

Seems stream 0 codec frame rate differs from container frame rate: 47.95 (200000
00/417083) -> 23.98 (24000/1001)
Input #0, matroska,webm, from 'D:\t3.mkv':
Duration: 02:34:23.29, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 640 kb/s
Stream #0.0(eng): Video: h264 (High), yuv420p, 1280x528, PAR 1:1 DAR 80:33,
23.98 fps, 23.98 tbr, 1k tbn, 47.95 tbc (default)
Stream #0.1(eng): Audio: ac3, 48000 Hz, 5.1, s16, 640 kb/s (default)
At least one output file must be specified

C:\Program Files (x86)\Serviio\lib>

Any suggestions?

[Cerberus]

C/D devices work exactly the same, and i dont see any of this and looking at that file there is nothing special about it. can you upload the file somewere (free) so i can use it in test to see if i can replicate this? i have a feeling its a bad file rather than serviio.

If it's a bad file all my mkv files must be bad, because i have stutter in all 6 movies i have testet with Serviio. Theese movies all run fine on a WD TV live and as mentioned before with TVMOBiLi as media server.
I would prefer to use Serviio because of a fine interface and great subtitle support.

As far as I know Samsung UE32D5005 is their low end model with the 'All Share' feature and have a different CPU than their high end models. Perhaps it's the reason. Please notice Sunnyday had the same problem with his D5005XXE TV and Serviio.

I dont know a place to upload, but I will try to find out a solution in the weekend, if you think it could help.

[zip]

It's possible that TVMobili transcodes the file, thus 'fixing' the audio stream.

[Cerberus]

If it's a bad file all my mkv files must be bad, because i have stutter in all 6 movies i have testet with Serviio. Theese movies all run fine on a WD TV live and as mentioned before with TVMOBiLi as media server.
I would prefer to use Serviio because of a fine interface and great subtitle support.

As far as I know Samsung UE32D5005 is their low end model with the 'All Share' feature and have a different CPU than their high end models. Perhaps it's the reason. Please notice Sunnyday had the same problem with his D5005XXE TV and Serviio.

I dont know a place to upload, but I will try to find out a solution in the weekend, if you think it could help.

D/C series have EXACT the same support i know i have been going over the sink iformation from them for last week


megaupload.com

I don't have audio stutter but I have problems with the video buffering all the time. I have a D6530 and I'm running 10.7.2 Mac OS Lion. I have a top notch draytek router with a rock solid wireless N signal between my laptop and my TV.

output from my file:

ffmpeg -i Downloads/Avatar.1080p.SBS.FULLHD3D/ancient-avatar.3d.1080p.x264.mkv
ffmpeg version 0.9, Copyright (c) 2000-2011 the FFmpeg developers
built on Dec 18 2011 16:33:23 with gcc 4.2.1 (Apple Inc. build 5666) (dot 3)
configuration: --prefix=/Volumes/Ramdisk/sw --enable-gpl --enable-pthreads --enable-version3 --enable-libspeex --enable-libvpx --disable-decoder=libvpx --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libtheora --enable-libvorbis --enable-libx264 --enable-avfilter --enable-libopencore_amrwb --enable-libopencore_amrnb --enable-filters --arch=x86_64 --enable-runtime-cpudetect
libavutil 51. 32. 0 / 51. 32. 0
libavcodec 53. 42. 0 / 53. 42. 0
libavformat 53. 24. 0 / 53. 24. 0
libavdevice 53. 4. 0 / 53. 4. 0
libavfilter 2. 53. 0 / 2. 53. 0
libswscale 2. 1. 0 / 2. 1. 0
libpostproc 51. 2. 0 / 51. 2. 0
Input #0, matroska,webm, from 'Downloads/Avatar.1080p.SBS.FULLHD3D/ancient-avatar.3d.1080p.x264.mkv':
Metadata:
title : AVATAR - SBS-3D - 1080P - ANCIENT
Duration: 02:41:41.72, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 11564 kb/s
Stream #0:0(ger): Video: h264 (High), yuv420p, 1920x1080, SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9, 23.98 fps, 23.98 tbr, 1k tbn, 47.95 tbc (default) (forced)
Metadata:
title : AVATAR - SBS-3D - 1080P - ANCIENT
Stream #0:1(ger): Audio: ac3, 48000 Hz, 5.1(side), s16, 384 kb/s (default) (forced)
Metadata:
title : GERMAN - AC3
Stream #0:2(eng): Audio: dts (DTS), 48000 Hz, 5.1(side), s16, 1536 kb/s
Metadata:
title : ENGLISH - DTS
Stream #0:3(ger): Subtitle: text (default) (forced)
Metadata:
title : GERMAN - FORCED
Stream #0:4(ger): Subtitle: text
Metadata:
title : GERMAN - NORMAL
At least one output file must be specified



cheers
Matt

Perhaps we can narrow the stuttering problem down to only occur on D-series.
Just like boink reported, the problem concerns only audio. Maybe this specific problem occurs on D500x only.
Perhaps a better name would be "audio glitch".

In a recent thread at Samsung Cnet forum a moderator hinted that the DLNA specs does not cover AVC and if it is working on any TV it is purely coincidental:
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-13973_102-5 ... date-1026/

I have uploaded an example file wich causes audio stuttering/glitches every now and then, at least every 30 seconds.
http://uploading.com/files/eae3ca5f/clip.mkv/ (approx 146 MB)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Serviio\lib>ffmpeg.exe -i "clip.mkv"
ffmpeg version N-36193-gf514695, Copyright (c) 2000-2011 the FFmpeg developers
built on Dec 26 2011 17:55:53 with gcc 4.6.2 (I have replaced serviio bundled ffmpeg with a more recent one, to no avail)
<snip>
libavutil 51. 33.100 / 51. 33.100
libavcodec 53. 48.100 / 53. 48.100
libavformat 53. 28.100 / 53. 28.100
libavdevice 53. 4.100 / 53. 4.100
libavfilter 2. 54.100 / 2. 54.100
libswscale 2. 1.100 / 2. 1.100
libswresample 0. 5.100 / 0. 5.100
libpostproc 51. 2.100 / 51. 2.100
Input #0, matroska,webm, from 'clip.mkv':
Metadata:
title : Avidemux
AUTHOR : Avidemux
ENCODER : Lavf53.24.0
Duration: 00:02:55.88, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 6784 kb/s
Stream #0:0: Video: h264 (Main), yuv420p, 1264x720 [SAR 1:1 DAR 79:45], 50 fps, 50 tbr, 1k tbn, 100 tbc (default)
Stream #0:1: Audio: ac3, 48000 Hz, 5.1(side), s16, 448 kb/s (default)

Edit: Some previously omitted media info has now been inserted