Can you guys test your .mkv files for playback problems?

[Shield]

I'm getting some artifacting (blocking) type artifacts on a handful of them. Let me know if it's just me.
Thanks,
Shawn

[valnar]

It's probably how it was encoded. There are limitations of how you encode 1080p for each display device. DXVA and BR are the same way. See here.

Download avinaptic. Don't worry that it's in Italian. The program is in English.

Post the report file of one of your working videos, and one that is not working.

[RedCoat999]

I am using Handbrake with no problems

[Shield]

Ok sir.

Up first is Cars, which works great.

Report:


[ About file ]

Name: cars.mkv
Date: 12/03/2008 10:31:51
Size: 3,375,525,107 bytes (3219.152 MB)

[ Generic infos ]

Play duration: 01:56:36 (6996.416 s)
Container type: matroska
Creation time: 12/03/2008 14:17:48 UTC
Number of streams: 2
Type of stream nr. 1: video (V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC)
Type of stream nr. 2: audio (A_AC3)
Audio streams: 1
Muxing Application: libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.0
Writing Application: mkvmerge v1.7.0 ('What Do You Take Me For') built on Apr 28 2006 17:20:19

[ Relevant data ]

Resolution: 1280 x 544
Width: multiple of 32
Height: multiple of 32

[ Video track ]

Codec ID: V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Resolution: 1280 x 544
Frame aspect ratio: 40:17 = 2.352941 (~2.35:1)
Pixel aspect ratio: 1:1 = 1
Display aspect ratio: 40:17 = 2.352941 (~2.35:1)
Framerate: 23.975986 fps

[ Audio track ]

Codec ID: A_AC3
Channels (container): 6
Sample rate: 48000 Hz
Mode: 3 front, 2 rear, 1 LFE

[ About H.264 encoding ]

User data: x264
User data: core 58 svn-736M
User data: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec
User data: Copyleft 2003-2008
User data: http://www.videolan.org/x264.html
User data: cabac=1
User data: ref=5
User data: deblock=1:0:0
User data: analyse=0x3:0x113
User data: me=umh
User data: subme=7
User data: me-prepass=0
User data: brdo=1
User data: mixed_ref=1
User data: me_range=16
User data: chroma_me=1
User data: trellis=1
User data: 8x8dct=1
User data: cqm=0
User data: deadzone=21,11
User data: chroma_qp_offset=0
User data: threads=6
User data: nr=0
User data: decimate=1
User data: mbaff=0
User data: bframes=3
User data: b_pyramid=1
User data: b_adapt=1
User data: b_bias=0
User data: direct=1
User data: wpredb=1
User data: bime=1
User data: keyint=250
User data: keyint_min=25
User data: scenecut=40(pre)
User data: rc=2pass
User data: bitrate=3217
User data: ratetol=1.0
User data: rceq='blurCplx^(1-qComp)'
User data: qcomp=1.00
User data: qpmin=10
User data: qpmax=51
User data: qpstep=4
User data: cplxblur=20.0
User data: qblur=0.5
User data: ip_ratio=1.40
User data: pb_ratio=1.30
User data: aq=1:0.5:13.0
SPS id: 0
Profile: High@L5.1
Num ref frames: 5
Chroma format idc: YUV 4:2:0
PPS id: 0 (SPS: 0)
Entropy coding type: CABAC
Weighted prediction: No
Weighted bipred idc: B slices - implicit weighted prediction
8x8dct: Yes

[ Profile compliancy ]

Profile to check: MTK PAL 6000
Resolution: 1280 x 544 > 720 x 576
Framerate: 23.975986 <> 25
Warning: If you need a more complete report, then click on "DRF analysis"

This report was created by AVInaptic (18-11-2007) on 11 dic 2008, h 15:47:43


Next is Shrek the Third, which in very blocky:


[ About file ]

Name: Shrek The Third.mkv
Date: 18/11/2007 18:56:50
Size: 4,696,938,346 bytes (4479.349 MB)

[ Generic infos ]

Play duration: 01:32:46 (5566.112 s)
Container type: matroska
Creation time: 18/11/2007 18:53:51 UTC
Number of streams: 2
Type of stream nr. 1: video (V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC)
Type of stream nr. 2: audio (A_AC3)
Audio streams: 1
Muxing Application: libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1
Writing Application: mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Feb 21 2007 23:40:55

[ Relevant data ]

Resolution: 1920 x 1072
Width: multiple of 32
Height: multiple of 16

[ Video track ]

Codec ID: V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Resolution: 1920 x 1072
Frame aspect ratio: 120:67 = 1.791044 (~16:9)
Pixel aspect ratio: 1:1 = 1
Display aspect ratio: 120:67 = 1.791044 (~16:9)
Framerate: 23.975986 fps

[ Audio track ]

Codec ID: A_AC3
Channels (container): 6
Sample rate: 48000 Hz
Mode: 3 front, 2 rear, 1 LFE

[ About H.264 encoding ]

User data: x264
User data: core 56 svn-682C
User data: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec
User data: Copyleft 2005
User data: http://www.videolan.org/x264.html
User data: cabac=1
User data: ref=5
User data: deblock=1:0:0
User data: analyse=0x3:0x133
User data: me=umh
User data: fpel_cmp=sad
User data: subme=5
User data: me-prepass=0
User data: brdo=0
User data: mixed_ref=1
User data: me_range=16
User data: chroma_me=1
User data: trellis=1
User data: 8x8dct=1
User data: cqm=2
User data: deadzone=4,6
User data: chroma_qp_offset=0
User data: threads=3
User data: nr=0
User data: decimate=1
User data: mbaff=0
User data: bframes=3
User data: b_pyramid=1
User data: b_adapt=1
User data: b_bias=0
User data: direct=3
User data: wpredb=1
User data: bime=1
User data: keyint=250
User data: keyint_min=25
User data: scenecut=40(pre)
User data: rc=2pass
User data: bitrate=6107
User data: ratetol=1.0
User data: rceq='blurCplx^(1-qComp)'
User data: qcomp=0.60
User data: qpmin=10
User data: qpmax=51
User data: qpstep=4
User data: cplxblur=20.0
User data: qblur=0.5
User data: ip_ratio=1.40
User data: pb_ratio=1.30
User data: zones=122955,133443,b=0.15
User data: aq=1:0.3:15.0
SPS id: 0
Profile: High@L5.1
Num ref frames: 8
Chroma format idc: YUV 4:2:0
PPS id: 0 (SPS: 0)
Entropy coding type: CABAC
Weighted prediction: No
Weighted bipred idc: B slices - implicit weighted prediction
8x8dct: Yes
Custom intra4X4 luma:
15 6 15 22
6 7 25 30
15 25 38 48
22 30 48 96
Custom intra4X4 chromau:
16 6 24 72
6 8 41 144
24 41 96 200
72 144 200 255
Custom inter4X4 luma:
4 11 15 22
11 11 25 30
15 25 38 48
22 30 48 96
Custom inter4X4 chromau:
5 16 16 16
16 16 16 56
16 16 72 96
16 56 96 128
Custom intra8X8 luma:
24 7 7 12 15 20 21 23
8 9 14 15 18 21 23 21
10 12 15 17 17 21 26 20
14 15 17 17 18 33 30 23
15 17 17 21 26 39 39 29
18 18 20 24 33 39 41 35
21 24 29 34 39 45 45 38
27 35 36 39 38 38 38 38
Custom inter8X8 luma:
6 10 13 13 15 16 18 22
10 10 12 15 15 16 21 24
13 12 15 16 19 21 25 27
13 15 16 21 24 28 30 34
15 15 19 24 30 36 37 40
16 16 21 28 36 42 45 52
18 21 25 30 37 45 55 72
22 24 27 34 40 52 72 96

[ Profile compliancy ]

Profile to check: MTK PAL 6000
Resolution: 1920 x 1072 > 720 x 576
Framerate: 23.975986 <> 25
Warning: If you need a more complete report, then click on "DRF analysis"

This report was created by AVInaptic (18-11-2007) on 11 dic 2008, h 15:47:00

[valnar]

The first one is 720p encoded correctly (should work on both HD100 and HD200).

The second video is 1080p and encoded incorrectly. Too many ref frames. It's also set for High@L5.1, but that doesn't matter as much. It won't work because it's out of spec.

All my MKV files play fine on the HD200, whether 720p or 1080p, as long as I encoded them correctly.

[evilpenguin]

What are the max ref frames?

[valnar]

1080p = ref 4
720p = ref 8 (I think), but you don't really need to go over 5 anyway. I use 5 for DVD too.

If you want it to have good DXVA and other hardware player compatibility, I usually disable B-pyramids and p4x4. Keep profile to High@L4.1

Obviously there are other parameters which are good if lowering the size is desirable, but those above are important for compatibility. This is my biggest beef with Handbrake. It works, but it's not optimal.

[evilpenguin]

Would you mind posting the x264 options you use?

[valnar]

I use a CQ mode instead of 2-pass. I just pulled it from a custom profile I created for AutoMKV without cleaning it up, so adjust accordingly.

 --pass 1 --crf 22 --stats "C:\AV\AutoMKV\.stats" --progress --keyint 250 --bframes 3 --qpmin 10 --qpmax 51 --no-psnr --mixed-refs --trellis 1 --ref 3 --filter -2,-1 --subme 9 --direct auto --vbv-bufsize 14000 --vbv-maxrate 24000 --me umh --no-ssim --level 4.1 --weightb --b-adapt 2 --partitions p8x8,b8x8,i4x4,i8x8 --8x8dct --threads auto --thread-input --aq-mode 1 --aq-strength 1

[Taddeusz]

It's funny because I've never had a problem with my MKV files in Windows or on my HD100. I use Handbrake for SD DVD's and MeGUI to transcode my BD movies. I use about the same settings for both which is as follows from Handbrake's advanced page:

Here is the report from my latest one:

[ About file ]

Name: Pan's Labyrinth.mkv
Date: 9/12/2008 06:16:16
Size: 3,840,595,580 bytes (3662.677 MB)

[ Generic infos ]

Play duration: 01:59:09 (7149.184 s)
Container type: matroska
Creation time: 9/12/2008 12:15:04 UTC
Number of streams: 2
Type of stream nr. 1: video (V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC)
Type of stream nr. 2: audio (A_AC3)
Audio streams: 1
Muxing Application: libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1
Writing Application: mkvmerge v2.4.0 ('Fumbling Towards Ecstasy') built on Oct 11 2008 20:13:15

[ Relevant data ]

Resolution: 1920 x 1036
Width: multiple of 32
Height: multiple of 4

[ Video track ]

Codec ID: V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Resolution: 1920 x 1036
Frame aspect ratio: 480:259 = 1.853281 (~1.85:1)
Pixel aspect ratio: 1:1 = 1
Display aspect ratio: 480:259 = 1.853281 (~1.85:1)
Framerate: 23.975985 fps

[ Audio track ]

Codec ID: A_AC3
Channels (container): 6
Sample rate: 48000 Hz
Mode: 3 front, 2 rear, 1 LFE

[ About H.264 encoding ]

User data: x264
User data: core 65 r1046M 71d34b4
User data: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec
User data: Copyleft 2003-2008
User data: http://www.videolan.org/x264.html
User data: cabac=1
User data: ref=4
User data: deblock=1:0:0
User data: analyse=0x3:0x113
User data: me=umh
User data: subme=6
User data: psy_rd=1.0:0.0
User data: mixed_ref=1
User data: me_range=24
User data: chroma_me=1
User data: trellis=0
User data: 8x8dct=1
User data: cqm=0
User data: deadzone=21,11
User data: chroma_qp_offset=-2
User data: threads=3
User data: nr=0
User data: decimate=0
User data: mbaff=0
User data: bframes=3
User data: b_pyramid=1
User data: b_adapt=1
User data: b_bias=0
User data: direct=3
User data: wpredb=1
User data: keyint=240
User data: keyint_min=24
User data: scenecut=40(pre)
User data: rc=crf
User data: crf=25.5
User data: qcomp=0.60
User data: qpmin=10
User data: qpmax=51
User data: qpstep=4
User data: ip_ratio=1.40
User data: pb_ratio=1.30
User data: aq=1:1.00
SPS id: 0
  Profile: High@L4
  Num ref frames: 4
  Chroma format idc: YUV 4:2:0
PPS id: 0 (SPS: 0)
  Entropy coding type: CABAC
  Weighted prediction: No
  Weighted bipred idc: B slices - implicit weighted prediction
  8x8dct: Yes

[ Profile compliancy ]

Profile to check: MTK PAL 6000
Resolution: 1920 x 1036 > 720 x 576
Framerate: 23.975985 <> 25
Warning: If you need a more complete report, then click on "DRF analysis"

[ Chapters ]

00:00:00.000: 00:00:00,000 - 00:05:51,184
00:05:51.184: 00:05:51,184 - 00:11:29,647
00:11:29.647: 00:11:29,647 - 00:14:51,891
00:14:51.891: 00:14:51,891 - 00:18:09,380
00:18:09.380: 00:18:09,380 - 00:24:51,532
00:24:51.532: 00:24:51,532 - 00:31:12,329
00:31:12.329: 00:31:12,329 - 00:38:33,269
00:38:33.269: 00:38:33,269 - 00:42:56,115
00:42:56.115: 00:42:56,115 - 00:46:16,232
00:46:16.232: 00:46:16,232 - 00:48:16,310
00:48:16.310: 00:48:16,310 - 00:55:37,751
00:55:37.751: 00:55:37,751 - 01:02:35,710
01:02:35.710: 01:02:35,710 - 01:07:57,532
01:07:57.532: 01:07:57,532 - 01:12:53,536
01:12:53.536: 01:12:53,536 - 01:16:42,765
01:16:42.765: 01:16:42,765 - 01:21:43,607
01:21:43.607: 01:21:43,607 - 01:25:11,982
01:25:11.982: 01:25:11,982 - 01:31:27,816
01:31:27.816: 01:31:27,816 - 01:36:26,698
01:36:26.698: 01:36:26,698 - 01:43:04,011
01:43:04.011: 01:43:04,011 - 01:52:18,774
01:52:18.774: 01:52:18,774 - 01:59:08,933
01:59:08.933: 01:59:08,933 - [undefined]

This report was created by AVInaptic (18-11-2007) on 12 dic 2008, h 10:22:46

[QueOnda]

So, If I have a MKV file which is encoded out of spec and now deleted the original file, could I re-encode the out of spec MKV file to in-spec to get it to work?

[valnar]

Originally Posted by QueOnda

So, If I have a MKV file which is encoded out of spec and now deleted the original file, could I re-encode the out of spec MKV file to in-spec to get it to work?

Sure... you'd take a quality hit for the re-encode, but of course.

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

It's funny because I've never had a problem with my MKV files in Windows or on my HD100. I use Handbrake for SD DVD's and MeGUI to transcode my BD movies.

MeGUI works fine for HD. The latest profiles are all correct. SD is much more forgiving so almost anything works unless you purposely throw the parameters out of whack. Handbrake works fine, it's just their profiles aren't very optimized (the last time I checked). If you create your own, you can squeeze a bit more quality or file size out of it.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by valnar

MeGUI works fine for HD. The latest profiles are all correct. SD is much more forgiving so almost anything works unless you purposely throw the parameters out of whack. Handbrake works fine, it's just their profiles aren't very optimized (the last time I checked). If you create your own, you can squeeze a bit more quality or file size out of it.

I don't use any of MeGUI's profiles for my video. I have my own. It's basically the same one I also use with Handbrake. Seems to work well enough for both HD and SD.

[camens]

Which profile in MeGUI should I use? Is it different for every BD movie or can I always use the same profile?

[valnar]

Originally Posted by camens

Which profile in MeGUI should I use? Is it different for every BD movie or can I always use the same profile?

Looking at the current crop of MeGUI profiles, none are perfect, but I'd start with DXVA-HD-Extra Quality and adjust the VBV Buffer Size and VBV Maximum Bitrate down to 24000. Take Reference frames down to 3 to be safe, move Trellis to "1- Final MB". That should do it.

You may also want to do a 1-pass with CRF if file size (2-pass) is not important.