Universal Media Server | Forum

I have successfully used UMS in the past to view mpeg video files on an ethernet-connected Sony Bravia KDL-40Z5500U.

I have recently purchased a new computer with specs that allow me to produce HD Video:

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Memory: 16GB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770
Hard Disk on which OS & Programmes saved: SSD, SanDisk SD6SB1M-128G-1006
Hard Disk on which photos and video saved: 2TB
OS: Windows 8.1, 64bit

I am using Cyberlink PowerDirector 13 to produce video projects containing photos and video clips. I saved the projects using 1920 x 1080/24p (16Mbps) H264 AVC initially as mp4 files.

These *.mp4 files run well on PC with Windows Media & VLC Players.

However, when I try to view these files on the Sony Bravia KDL-40Z5500U via UMS (I am using version 4.2.1 of UMS; I have not used older versions to try playing *.mp4 files) I can only hear the audio – no picture is seen (with and without transcode).

(By the way, UMS detects an “Unknown Renderer” in addition to the Bravia TV – I am not sure what this “Unknown Renderer” is, I thought that it might be a Sonos Playbar also in the network but that does not seem to be the case).

I tested *.mp4 files generated using different frame rates and lower resolution (e.g. 1280x720/24p [16Mbps]) but with the same result - can only hear the audio, no picture is seen.

PowerDirector provides the option to save H264 AVC also as M2TS and MKV files. I am able to see and hear the *.m2ts files 'perfectly' on the Bravia after transcoding but the *.mkv files only give audio, no picture (with and without transcode).

Although I could continue to save all my projects to *.m2ts files and view these on my TV, I should prefer to use MP4 as this format seems to be more 'universal' and I want to show the files on different setups. I have also observed that I cannot view the *.m2ts files on my Android tablet either directly or after default conversion by the tablet to *.wmv (the latter produces a small file that gives very jerky video). Whereas, I can view the *.mp4 files on the tablet before and after conversion to wmv. (The *.mkv files on the tablet are like the *.m2ts files – cannot be viewed before conversion and conversion to wmv produces a small file that gives very jerky video).

I am now appreciating that video formats etc. is such a minefield and that I am very ignorant about the subject, so I need help!

I was hoping to be able to render my projects just once to files that could be straightforwardly viewed on my TV via UMS, seen on my PC & tablet, and potentially on a variety of other setups. I was hoping that MP4 would offer this so that is why I should value advice on why I am unable to see these *.mp4 files on my Sony Bravia KDL-40Z5500U using UMS.

I am attaching "debug information" zip file generated when trying to run a short (~2min) Test #01.mp4 file

Thanks for any advice.

I am now able to see and hear *.mp4 files on my Bravia using UMS!

The files tested in my first post were generated using Cyberlink PowerDirecor 13 "Fast Video Rendering Technology: Hardware Video Encoder" - these files only generated audio on Bravia.

I have now produced the same project as an mp4 file using the same resolution, frame rate etc but without using the Fast Video Rendering Technology - I am able to view (& hear) these mp4 files on my Bravia TV via UMS. The details from MediaInfo for the 2 sets of files are only subtly different but obviously sufficient to make a difference.

Add the line

H264Level41Limited = true

to your Bravia conf file that SHOULD fix the issue for the files that would not play. Im assuming a profile higher than level 4.1 was used on the encoded files.

Paradox, thanks for response. Apologies for delay in replying – I have only just read your message.

Frankly, I was not over-concerned that MP4 files generated using “Fast Video Rendering Technology” with Cyberlink PowerDirector 13 Hardware Video Encoder were not showing on my Bravia TV via UMS because it did not take much longer to render my video projects without using “Fast Video Rendering Technology” and the resulting MP4 files were consistently viewable on the my TV via UMS.

However, I have just tried to follow your advice as it would be nice to be able to view the MP4 files generated by fast rendering.

FYI, I am using UMS version 4.2.2.

When I looked at the 'Bravia5500.conf' file in the list of renderers in my UMS folder, the line 'H264Level41Limited = true' was already present.

A ''Sony-Bravia5500.conf'” file was also listed in renderers (this is a newer file – 16/11/14 – than the Bravia5500.file – 9/8/14). This appears to be a significantly different configuration file and did not contain the line 'H264Level41Limited = true' . I did try adding this line to ''Sony-Bravia5500.conf'” (using Notepad++) but I was still unable to view the fast-rendered MP4 files.

If you have any additional suggestions/advice I should be interested to hear from you but, as stated above, I am not very disappointed with my present situation because I am able to view *.mp4 files generated by normal rendering in PowerDirector 13 and also a range of other *.mp4 files.