[antlane]

Since April 0211, none of the nightlies have been able to play back certain H264 content. The build I have from April 17 plays them back perfectly but since then, all builds have been extremely choppy and unwatchable.

I've created log files for both choppy and successful playback (although the successful playback with debug logging enabled was terrible but I think it highlights where the problem might be).

Sample used:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3623045/Luther%20S02E02_009.zip

Choppy log:
http://pastebin.com/6hTg9vyX

Success:
http://pastebin.com/AxK70PKf

Comparing the logs, I think the lines which might show why it's not working are:

Code:

09:45:14 T:102195200   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video: vtb - Opening
09:45:14 T:102195200   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video: vtb - Failed

I might be barking up the wrong tree but it seems to suggest that the VideoToolBox isn't being initialised properly and this makes sense as to why playback is so bad.

I had previously raised this issue in TRAC (http://trac.xbmc.org/ticket/11706) as an RTMP issue but haven't done more investigation and using a locally stored file, I don't think this is the case. As the files used to playback properly on older builds, I'm hoping it's a relatively simple fix. I can update the ticket if necessary.

Thanks in advance!

[antlane]

Here's the mediainfo for the file

Code:

General
Complete name                    : D:\Videos\Luther S02E02_009.mp4
Format                           : MPEG-4
Format profile                   : Base Media
Codec ID                         : isom
File size                        : 47.4 MiB
Duration                         : 2mn 49s
Overall bit rate                 : 2 341 Kbps
Encoded date                     : UTC 2011-07-01 10:39:06
Tagged date                      : UTC 2011-07-01 10:39:06

Video
ID                               : 1
Format                           : AVC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                   : [email protected]
Format settings, CABAC           : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames        : 6 frames
Format settings, GOP             : M=4, N=53
Codec ID                         : avc1
Codec ID/Info                    : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                         : 2mn 49s
Bit rate mode                    : Variable
Bit rate                         : 2 242 Kbps
Maximum bit rate                 : 3 500 Kbps
Width                            : 1 280 pixels
Height                           : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio             : 16:9
Frame rate mode                  : Constant
Frame rate                       : 25.000 fps
Standard                         : PAL
Color space                      : YUV
Chroma subsampling               : 4:2:0
Bit depth                        : 8 bits
Scan type                        : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)               : 0.097
Stream size                      : 45.4 MiB (96%)
Tagged date                      : UTC 2011-07-01 10:39:07

Audio
ID                               : 2
Format                           : AAC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile                   : HE-AAC / LC
Codec ID                         : 40
Duration                         : 2mn 49s
Bit rate mode                    : Variable
Bit rate                         : 96.0 Kbps
Channel(s)                       : 2 channels
Channel positions                : Front: L R
Sampling rate                    : 48.0 KHz / 24.0 KHz
Compression mode                 : Lossy
Stream size                      : 1.92 MiB (4%)
Tagged date                      : UTC 2011-07-01 10:39:07

[davilla]

fixed in git trunk, for some reason, the spc from that video indicates it's interlaced and both vda and vtb decoders reject it. We have relaxed that restriction.

[antlane]

Thanks @davilla! Can't wait for the next nightly to be generated so I can test this out. Hopefully it means I'll be able to use the iPlayer on the latest builds instead of having to use one from April.

[antlane]

Works perfectly! Thanks again, especially for such a quick fix.

I've updated the ticket at http://trac.xbmc.org/ticket/11706 but I can't close it. Perhaps a mod can?

[dazex]

This thread right here is a prime example of how a user is able to help himself by taking the time to properly post a problem report. And thanks to Davilla for being right on top of it.

Wins all around!