xvid encoding different for episode 22?

[Darth Binkly]

For a while, I've been streaming Tekzilla via TVersity to my PS3 using the xvid feed. This week for some reason I can't play the episode. Even after completely rebuilding my library, I can play all the old episodes but not this one. It plays fine on my computer, though. I've tried to use GSpot to check out the codecs, and don't see anything different. Has anyone else encountered a problem/know of something that's different? I'm surviving on the low-res quicktime download, and am anxiously awaiting tomorrow's Daily to see if it streams.

If anyone runs a similar setup and knows what's different and how to fix it, I'd appreciate the info!

Thanks!

[bfc]

Same problem here, not only with Tekzilla, but also with the latest episode of Diggnation. Looks like they made some tweaks the encoding algorithm that broke playback on the PS3. Just hope they fix it.

[weirdpixels]

same problem here, I hope they fix it soon :(

[Darth Binkly]

I'm able to get it to work by forcing TVersity to transcode, but would rather have the xvid work since transcoding reduces the quality and also tends to make fast forwarding and rewinding awkward and occasionally unstable. Curiously, I had to set it up to transcode everything--at least the one time I tried, just setting it to transcode Tekzilla didn't work.

[benore]

Looks like all content from 02/29 to present has some codec changes. I watch all my Rev3 content via the PS3. I can view episodes before 02/29 but every episode from that date on gives me a corrupted file message. Hope they are aware of the issue.

[Serafina]

The tech guys are now aware of the problem... we just got a ps3 in house so they're gonna play with that in the next few days and smooth things out for you guys.

in the meantime, the h.264 format should work on the ps3 if you rename (not re-encode) the m4v to mp4.

[Darth Binkly]

Thanks- I have the h.264 feed working now. I thought I had tried it before I settled on the xvid and found that it didn't work, but it works well now.

[benore]

The h.264 rename works on the Large QT but not the HD (I suppose PS3 does not support it). The problem with renaming is I had my rig setup where I did not have to do anything, the content was just "delivered". I have JUICE setup on my Windows machines and then stream all the shows through windows media player on the PS3.

I decided to check all the different formats. Xvid still does not work, flash format is not supported (i guess), WMV format does not work (which is very odd - because I use that format with Ziff's Cranky Geeks), and the QT requires a rename.

Did the tech guys make an encoding change on the 29th of February? That is when all of the shows decided to be unsupported by PS3. Other than renaming is there another viable solution for watching via the PS3?

Benore

[EL1TQFV5]

I'm having a similar problem with the "XviD -large" downloads playing on portable devices. The problem began at episode 22 --- chattering audio during video segments at high bitrate or high compression (scenes w/lots of motion among high contrast images). The problem was especially bad on 0025. I haven't found any easy fix. I also haven't seen this problem in videos downloaded elsewhere. A video quick recompress with virtuadubmod (directly copying the audio stream) fixes the "problem." Something changed in the XviD encoding at Rev3. Improper interleaving and encoding using duplicate video frames (AVIDs) seems a likely cause.

[EL1TQFV5]

Upon further review the audio chattering was evident due to limitations in the hardware devices' input bandwidth. When using an SD Card or as a USB host, bad chattering in about 5 or 6 places. When viewing from HDD or DVD/CD, no problems. The "Ken Burns effect" (panning across a static picture/text) used on for exzmple the GoToMeeting webpage during the ad is one example of when the problem occured. The recompress reduced the overall birate thus "fixing" the problem. These were DivX Certified Archos, Philips, and Mustek devices that can handle 720x480 @ ~4000 kbps ABR. But that bitrate cannot be delivered via USB or MMC on these devices above mentioned. Sorry my English.

[Surefoot]

I waited until the PS3 update 2.20 came out before posting this. I thought it would fix the problem. Since it didn't, here's my theory. I could be totaly wrong though.

I looked at this using GSpot and I do see a difference between the videos that worked before and the ones that don't work anymore.

The videos that worked before are encoded in XviD ISO MPEG-4.

The videos that don't work now are encoded in XviD 1.1.0 Final.

I searched around various sites and the PS3 does not seem to like XviD 1.1.0.

[gimpbully]

stay tuned. I'm building a new xvid/mplayer and should have a random episode re-encoded for your testing pleasure.

[gimpbully]

Alright, please check out Tekzilla 25's Large XviD:
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.avi/bitcast-a.bitgravity.com/revision3/web/tekzilla/0025/tekzilla--0025--frankenbook--large.xvid.avi

[Darth Binkly]

The h.264 rename works on the Large QT but not the HD (I suppose PS3 does not support it). The problem with renaming is I had my rig setup where I did not have to do anything, the content was just "delivered". I have JUICE setup on my Windows machines and then stream all the shows through windows media player on the PS3.

I decided to check all the different formats. Xvid still does not work, flash format is not supported (i guess), WMV format does not work (which is very odd - because I use that format with Ziff's Cranky Geeks), and the QT requires a rename.

Did the tech guys make an encoding change on the 29th of February? That is when all of the shows decided to be unsupported by PS3. Other than renaming is there another viable solution for watching via the PS3?

Benore

Using TVersity, I actually don't even have to rename. Hopefully this will soon be moot, as I'm currently downloading the test xvid.

[gimpbully]

I would sincerely recommend sticking with the h264's. Better quality, hugely wide support and it's not gonna break on the PS3. Especially in regard to how much a finicky bear xvid's can be (we are literally using the exact same encoding flags as before, it's a difference between OS/architecture that made things go south). That said, I'm NOT saying xvids are going away, just that they're a far better option for the PS3. I just honestly don't get why people have such an aversion to h264. It IS the future and it IS better.

[Darth Binkly]

I would sincerely recommend sticking with the h264's. Better quality, hugely wide support and it's not gonna break on the PS3. Especially in regard to how much a finicky bear xvid's can be (we are literally using the exact same encoding flags as before, it's a difference between OS/architecture that made things go south). That said, I'm NOT saying xvids are going away, just that they're a far better option for the PS3. I just honestly don't get why people have such an aversion to h264. It IS the future and it IS better.

FWIW, no dice with the new xvid. I get a "The data type is not supported" error.

I'll just stick with the h264 since it works.

[Darth Binkly]

FWIW, no dice with the new xvid. I get a "The data type is not supported" error.

I'll just stick with the h264 since it works.

I need to add that this was after the 2.20 firmware update. From the TVersity forum it seems that many people are now having this issue with previously compatible xvid files after applying 2.20. I will provide more info after TVersity provides a patch (which they usually do fairly quickly).

[Surefoot]

Test video doesn't work for me either. GSpot says it was encoded in XviD 1.1.2 Final.

Is there any reason why you can't go back to XviD ISO MPEG-4?

[Donno]

Gimpbully, just to let you know that my XBox Media Centre is very happy with the new Xvid encoding. The old files would always require adjustment on the widescreen ratio but the new files are displayed correctly on opening. Thanks!