Universalmediaserver: Unholy screech while trying to play file with DTS:X audio on PS3.

[Tyestor]

Here's the mediainfo: https://pastebin.com/gMuZhAg0

Windows Version: 10/64-bit
UMS version: 6.6.0 Java 8

https://i.imgur.com/nqc2oMF.png

Also, I have the necessary sound options enabled on my PS3.

If you need a log, feel free to ask.

[Nadahar]

We always need a (trace) log, without it we're basicly clueless as to what's happening and can only speculate.

[Tyestor]

@Nadahar I actually just got some time so here's the logs.

ums_dbg.zip

[Sami32]

The first thing that i saw without going deeper, is that we have an audio sample frequency issue, in AudioProperties ?

• From your MediaInfo log: Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
• From your log: sample frequency:null

Matched audio track: id: 0, lang: en, audio track title from metadata: DTS:X/DTS-HD Master Audio / 7.1 / 48 kHz / 7388 kbps / 24-bit, audio codec: DTS, sample frequency:null, number of channels: 8, bits per sample: 16

[Tyestor]

So what does that mean and what can I do about it?

[Nadahar]

@Tyestor It means that we probably have a bug to fix. What would be nice is if we could get our hands on a sample file. If you can't make it available public, you can send a PM on the forum, although it's easier if we all have access to a sample. The sample must reproduce the problem obviously.

[Tyestor]

@Nadahar @Sami32

Hey guys, sorry I've been really busy. The program/command you gave me doesn't work, Sami. It just opens WinDD and does nothing.

I've also had some other recurring problems for a long time, probably not related. I get the error 'This content cannot be played (800288e1)'. Most of these files are VC-1/AVC and have DTS-HD/DTS-DA MA encodes (both 5.1 and 7.1). I also get 'Unsupported Data' occasionally in the Transcode folder for a number for files but I rarely (would like to make it never) have to go in there. This isn't that big of an issue. I'll upload logs of some files I'm having trouble with and also link you to them on the forums.

Here are my audio settings for the below logs.

UMS: https://i.imgur.com/axfKLC4.png - Normally, I have everything unchecked, save for LPCM (but only sometimes). In this case though, it doesn't matter what I have checked.
PS3: https://imgur.com/gallery/f0ttp - Everything not shown is unchecked.

This content cannot be played - 1.zip

This content cannot be played - 2.zip

And for good measure,

Unholy Screech - 3.zip

Pressing select would show 'LPCM' while playing Unholy Screech, but if I unchecked it in UMS, it would still use LPCM. The video works fine, audio doesn't, for the record. A lot of other things just show 'Dolby Digital'.

Anyway, sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[Nadahar]

@Tyestor

FYI: We get all your configuration settings in the "packed debug files", so you don't have to take screenshots of that. We need sample files of content that won't play in most cases (unless the log file reveals an obvious cause). Error messages given by the renderer/PS3 often isn't very helpful to us, as we have noe way of knowing what they actually mean. When you give them, make sure to note that this is from the renderer and not UMS - to avoid confusion. I don't think the output settings in the PS3 has any relevance, I assume you use the PS3 as the renderer (the party which is communicating with UMS) and as such we don't really care what the PS3 does with the content after it has received it. The focus is on delivering the content from UMS to the PS3.

I haven't tested WinDD, but it's a very simply program so I'm pretty confident that it does work. I don't know how computer savvy you are, but it sounds like you've attempted to just doubleclick it (run it like a GUI application). That won't do, as it's a command-line application. Open the command line by running "cmd". Place WinDD and the file you want to process in the same folder, go there using cd in the command line window and then run the WinDD command @Sami32 explained.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Could post a copy of the DD command line you typed ?

Sorry, i was not too explicit on how to use it, hopefully @Nadahar did it, and he is good at that ;-)
The main advantage of this free tiny tool, is that it do not alterate the properties of the media file, like most of the others tools do.

sample frequency:null, same same, without sample it hard to know what's happen, because your MediaInfo log did not give us anything that could explain why, AFAIK.

Not that it will affect your issue, but you should set tsmuxer_forcefps = true in your _ums.conf file_; you can also do that from the GUI in the tsMuXeR video engine parameters while selecting "use FPS from FFmpeg" or something like that.

@SubJunk is the PS3 most experimented guy here, and one of the few having one as well.

[Tyestor]

@Nadahar - I already did all that. I opened an elevated command prompt and extracted WinDD into the movie folder, then changed the directory to that folder. I then ran the command that @Sami32 posted, making sure to change the 'if' and 'of' parameters. Error: 'dd' is not a recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch file. That's probably because the .exe is named 'WinDD' not 'dd'. So I changed it to WinDD. All that command does is open the program, it doesn't create a sample file.

UMS > PS3 > TV, over ethernet/hdmi.

Neither worked.

1. dd if=movie.name.2016.1080p.AVC.DTS-X of=movie-name-sample-file bs=1024 count=10000
2. WinDD if=movie.name.2016.1080p.AVC.DTS-X of=movie-name-sample-file bs=1024 count=10000

Thanks Sami, I'll do that.

[Nadahar]

@Tyestor I'm sorry, I've never tried WinDD and assumed that @Sami32 had verified that it actually behaved like dd. After reading it's documentation I see that it's nothing like dd and can't do what we need in this case. All it can do is to "dump"/copy disk partitions, which is irrelevant in this context.

[Nadahar]

@Tyestor It seems like partcopy should be able to do it. The goal is simply to copy the start of one of the problematic files. Make sure to copy from the very start and some megabytes ahead. There's a limit on 10 MB to attach files here, so to make it simple make sure to take less than 10 MB's, To make GitHub accept the file, add ".txt" to the end of the file name.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor I always use the first link (DD) without any issue. I never used the second link though, but have added it in case the first will not work on Windows version after XP, thinking wrongly that it was the same.

EDIT: After looking at the second link, effectively it doesn't feel the need, i apologize for that :/
Why did you not begin/tried with the first link ?
I didn't see any extension file write in your command line.
dd if=movie.name.2016.1080p.AVC.DTS-X.mkv of=UMS-1258.mkv bs=1024 count=10000

[Nadahar]

@Sami32 I've told you that you have to describe your links 😉 I didn't even see that there were two links.

[Tyestor]

@Sami32 - You're right, I didn't go to the first link, I went to the second, probably because I recognised Sourceforge and I just assumed the first link was a linux binary because the second link had 'WinDD' in it. My apologies.

Oh and I did put .mkv at the end of the command, I just forgot to put that in my comment, sorry.

@Nadahar I'll try that program if dd doesn't work for me.

I'll let you know when I've tested the file.

Thanks guys.

[Tyestor]

@Sami32 Okay, the command/program works now using the first link. Slight issue (or non-issue), the file plays for 5 seconds and then stops, is that the expected behaviour?

Here's the file nonetheless, don't want to slow down this potential bugfix any more than I already have.

j-b-avc-dts-x-ums-sample-file.mkv.txt

[Nadahar]

@Tyestor That is the expected behavior, you have cut of just 1 MB from the start of the file. It might be easier to troubleshoot if we have a little more, could you try with 4096 instead of 1024?

In any case, what's important is that you confirm that the partial file has the same issue with UMS as the original. If so, please upload the small file here so that we can use it for troubleshooting the issue.

Just rename the file so that you add ".txt" to the filename (ignore Windows' warning that this might do terrible things) and drag and drop it into your comment window here. Wait for the file to finish upload, and post the comment.

As said above, I'd prefer if you did a 4 MB version instead of the 1 MB, it gives us a little bit more time when testing.

[Tyestor]

@Nadahar Refresh! :P - I'll be able to test the file in an hour or so. And yeah, I can make it bigger.

[Nadahar]

@Tyestor

Refresh! :P

I blame GitHub 😊

In any case, the file should have the same issue but I'd like for you to confirm before we start working on it.

[Tyestor]

@Nadahar Okay so, changing 1024 to 4096 changed the filesize to 40mb from 10mb, I can't upload it to GitHub :(

[Nadahar]

@Tyestor My bad - forget it, and use the 10 MB fiile. I was a bit quick at reading, @Sami32 had that covered. The size produced is actually 1024 * 10000 😊

I blame ME 😉

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Thanks. Exactly what i was thinking, but that your MediaInfo log didn't show up.

Definitively parsing issues are on our side, not the first ones that said...

[Tyestor]

@Nadahar @Sami32

Okay guys, I just tested the sample file and the sound error is reproduced in it (click). Also, more weirdness, probably unrelated, the thumbnail in both the real file and the sample is garbled/pixelated.

[Nadahar]

@Tyestor The thumbnail issue is probably unrelated, but I just tested on your sample file and my thumbnail looks just fine. I use the latest (unreleased) version. The thumbnail support has been completely rewritten since 6.6.0, so that will likely "fix itself" with the next release.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Could you try with this draft UMS version ? Thanks.
As i'm not familiar or owner of a PS3, i rely on you for the feedback.

https://we.tl/OvE3X4BBLO

P.S. If any issue arise, please, post a new trace log.

[Tyestor]

@Sami32 @Nadahar

Hey guys, I am happy to report that that build works perfectly (as far as I can tell anyway). It even fixed the garbled thumbnails (on the problem file in question/the sample file, some other files still have bunk thumbnails). I tested with LPCM audio only selected, everything else unchecked and then I tested with all four settings checked, both times the file played perfectly, no 'unholy screech' =)

Here's the log files, for good measure: DTS-debug-logs.zip

When I get the time, I'm going to create an issue ticket and see if I can get my other problems resolved, you guys are great.

[Nadahar]

@Tyestor Credits go entirely to @Sami32 for this 😉

[Tyestor]

@Nadahar

Okay :D

@Sami32

There may be one problem file, I was going through a bunch of different things and playing them to see if they had audio still and came across one that doesn't after change to this build. I will post a sample file/logs/mediainfo as soon as I'm done testing the rest of the files.

EDIT: There's actually two problem files.

This is a weird/annoying one. The status bar in my PS3 shows 'Dolby Digital 5.1' as the audio stream (the other movies I tested showed 'Dolby Digital 2.0'). I get no audio, I am assumed that is because I disabled all 5.1 and 7.1 LPCM audio streams in my PS3's audio settings. I assumed correctly. I re-enabled all 5.1 audio settings (probably only needed 48khz) and I got the audio back.

However, I disabled those for a reason. Dolby Digital 5.1 audio DVDs (at least the ones that I tested) have missing audio channels (voice) when I have those LPCM audio streams enabled. It's going to get really annoying if I have to keep switching settings every time I switch, it would be nice if UMS could downmix 5.1+ audio to stereo.

File 1 Sample: no-audio-sample-file.mkv.txt
File 1 Mediainfo: Uploading no-audio-mediainfo.txt…
File 1 Logs: no-audio-debug-logs.zip

As for this one...well, let's just call it 'unholy screech the second'.

File 2 Sample: unholy-screech-2.mkv.txt
File 2 MediaInfo: unholy-screech-2-mediainfo.txt
File 2 Logs: unholy-screech-2-debug-logs.zip

I don't know what's wrong with File 2, maybe it has something to do with the video length in MediaInfo being mismatched with the actual length (mediainfo: 4 h 2 min vs actual runtime: 3h 13 mins 54s).

Thanks guys.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Thank you to you to have taken the time to report and give log and sample file, that really helped a lot ;)

The images/thumbnails fixes come from @Nadahar and @valib amazing work :wink:

As i said, "a draft"; some important points was not yet properly fixed in it, just dirtly patched for testing.
You should try that one before any new report related to DTS: (if not related, you should open an other issue, imho)
https://we.tl/XA2BmhyRMd

EDIT: If you still have an audio issue with a file, i will really LOVE have a sample :wink:

[Tyestor]

@Sami32

The new build doesn't fix File 2's problem, no regressions as far as I can tell.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Maybe a video sample from file 2 ? :wink:

Yes, the duration mismatch could be the culprit, but a sample should help us.
Before send us the sample, test it and verify that you still get the issue, as the duration mismatch will be gone.

[Tyestor]

@Sami32 I already posted a sample ;)

I did some more testing, though. Unticking 'Keep DTS Tracks' fixes File 2 (audio plays properly), so I'm assuming it's being transcoded to something. Unticking 'Keep AC-3 tracks' fixes File 1, that I'm assuming that's also being transcoded to something. The first file you fixed works fine with 'Keep DTS Tracks' ticked.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Sorry, i have refreshing browsing issue ;) Thanks.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Yes, you was right, that your issue come from, your second video file is truncated so the duration mismatch.
When transcoded, FFmpeg fix it on the way.

Right now, i don't really know how to handle broken file, i will think about. I can recognize them and make them automatically transcoded, but it should be as the last resort if i don't find a better way.

[Tyestor]

@Sami32 That's okay dude, do what you can =)

[Sami32]

@SubJunk Do automatic transcoding for broken / truncated files seem acceptable to you ?
Or do you have an idea how to handle it ?

[Nadahar]

@Sami32 Does the renderer refuse to play it simply because the size/duration is wrong? Most players handle truncated files relativly well in my experience.

[Sami32]

@Nadahar No.
The problem is that for _PlayStation_ renderers the audio is defered to _tsMuXeR_, and it's hardcoded.
If _tsMuXeR_ was not used for such case it will be fine, IMHO.

But if i touch to that part, i'll make a different PR, as it could be never accepted.
What i can do now, it's add an entry in the logger for such case, avoiding us to search for nothing, as you already know that we're very lucky when users test or post their media samples and MediaInfo log.

[Tyestor]

@Sami32 @Nadahar

We can close this ticket as the problem I had initially has been resolved thanks to @Sami32's excellent work. You can also merge the open pull request that relates to this issue (if/when it's ready). I can open a new ticket and with the relevant information that relates to the new issue (the truncated/broken .mkv file), and you can create a new PR for that issue, if you wish.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Could you try this new version, and post a new log after having reset the cache and runned a new library scan ? Thanks.
https://we.tl/Pl9UfUZGvQ

It has a better broken media files logger that will give me a "real" view of your media files status.
As you had to cut your media files to be able to post them here, it could have alterate the true nature of your media.

I added it to the dtshd PR, but the merge of my very modest work doesn't depend on me, but on BigBrother :wink:

Note: To produce a more verbose MediaInfo's log, you need to select "Advanced mode" in "Debug" tab.
P.S. Your MediaInfo log for the first sample doesn't have a correct link.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor If you're still interested, i did a quick fix for your AC3 issue with your PS3.
So let me know if you want test it, i'll post you a download link.

[Tyestor]

Hey sorry @Sami32, I've been sick the last week or so + I had family visiting. I haven't had the time to do any tests so I will get on that ASAP. Please post the new link (i'll do the old build too, if necessary).

Thanks mate!

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Here it is:
https://wetransfer.com/downloads/0f3b8c74718a23c6aa612f24329ca7eb20170521185652/d1394f817ceded6cc78ed1974a816c4b20170521185652/33f42d

Please, whatever will be your feedback, post your new log, thanks.

EDIT: Don't forget to post the advanced _MediaInfo_ log, as i already explained above, for your _Kingdom.of.Heaven.2005.3in1.Ultimate.Edition.1080p.BluRay.x264-CtrlHD.mkv_ file.

[Tyestor]

Hey @Sami32

Got some time finally.

Here's the missing mediainfo files, advanced mode of course.

File 1: no-audio-mediainfo.txt

File 2: unholy-screech-2-advanced-mediainfo.txt

I will test the movies and post logs shortly. Am I right in assuming that I only need to use the latest build you posted (in your last comment)? Or should I also test with the previous build, the one you posted 13 days ago?

I apologise for my slowness on this issue the past two weeks.

[Tyestor]

@Sami32 @Nadahar

Okay, so, for File 1 (aka no-audio), your latest build seems to have fixed the incorrect detection of the audio stream, it now shows 'Dolby Digital 5.1' in the PS3 status bar instead of, IIRC, LPCM 2.0. However, I still have a problem with it. For every other file I have checked, even ones that have 5.1 audio streams, they display 2.0 in the status bar.

This leads me to believe that UMS, or my TV, or SOMETHING, is detecting my audio settings on my PS3 (I have all 5.1/7.1 LPCM audio streams disabled as they cause missing voices/low voices) and is forcing the 5.1 files I play to be re-encoded. This does not seem to be the case with File 1 as I get no audio unless I enable 5.1 LPCM on my PS3. However, that is unacceptable because I would constantly have to enable/disable it after/before playing video games, watching dvds and other movies off my PC.

I am doing the UMS logs now with build 'ums-PS3_AC3_transcoding_issue-8a2cfd6.exe'. Because of my edit below, I'll be doing the logs with the settings on that break the movies.

HP1: HP1_debug_logs.zip
KoH: KoH_debug_logs.zip

EDIT: I forgot to mention, there has been essentially no change to File 1/2's behaviour regarding the audio options in UMS. Unticking 'Keep DTS Tracks' fixes KoH and unticking 'Keep AC-3' fixes HP1. However, for HP-1 it actually changes the audio down to stereo from 5.1, keeping Dolby Digital, according to the PS3 status bar.

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Sorry, i guess that i was not clear for the _MediaInfo_ log :/
So if you could post again the 2 new logs...more one of a MKV file displayed as 2.0.

File 2: Normal, as nothing was done, as i still don't have the _MediaInfo_ log that i asked.
I cannot fix it if i don't understand what happen. That's said, it's only one file ;)

For every other file I have checked, even ones that have 5.1 audio streams, they display 2.0 in the status bar.

As they need to be transcoded or remuxed on PS3 renderer, it use your AC-3 2 channels user's setting. That's perfectly fine, so if it doesn't work same with your File 1, that mean that i missed or forgotten something.
I'll check at your log. Thanks for report ;)

[Tyestor]

Hey @Sami32

Sorry about that.

HP1: HP1-mediainfo-advanced-full-parsing-d0.txt

KoH: KoH-mediainfo-advanced-full-parsing-d0.txt

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Thanks :+1:

When you play _Kingdom.of.Heaven.2005.3in1.Ultimate.Edition.1080p.BluRay.x264-CtrlHD.mkv_ with VLC, or any other that you'll named, what is the duration displayed ?

EDIT: if it's 3h 13 mins 54s, you should report it here, explaining your duration issue and attach the same sample that you did here, and i'll contact you back if he need more informations or the original file.

EDIT: I saw that you use _MPlayer_ for the thumbnails, you should try without it with the next UMS version ;-)

[Sami32]

@Tyestor OK, i think i get your AC-3 issue, it was a multiple bugs issue ;)
But i'll need that you joint an other log while you're playing a video file (AC-3) that work and also Harry Potter with and without "AC-3 remux option". Thanks for your understanding.

As a workaround for now, i think that if you use _AviSynth/FFmpeg_ video engine from the #--TRANSCODE--# folder, your Harry Potter movie should play AC-3 fine.

EDIT: I don't understand why you want remux AC-3, as near all your files will need to be transcoded because you have choosen to "downgrade" to 2 channels only. So why not only unselect "Remux AC-3" ?

In your case, the logic should be to not remux AC-3 at all, and if what i suspect is true, this file work as expected, but the others doesn't, also if you like it as it's ;)

File 2: I'll need an other log with at least a video having DTS (not DTS-HD) playing fine.

[Tyestor]

@Sami32

So if I'm understanding correctly you need me to

1. Check if KoH has the correct/incorrect time in MPC-HC (this is what I use), and if it has the correct time, open a new issue with the UMS logs, mediainfo, sample file and other relevant information.

2. Post logs, mediainfo and sample from another video file that has AC-3 audio that works on my PS3. This might be difficult, but I have a pretty large collection, so I will nonetheless look.

3. Post logs, mediainfo and sample from another video file that has DTS audio NOT DTS-HD.

4. Disable MPlayer thumbnails in the stable version of 7.0 :P

Okay so, as far as I can tell, my TV (Toshiba Regza) is stereo. It's pretty old, but it does have a number of HDMI ports, it's 1080p and it does have some kind of Dolby tech in it (it just says Dolby Digital and Dolby Volume on the front). It also has surround virtualisation (the menu labels these settings completely uselessly as 'cinema' and ....something else I completely forgot, but it's useless, I assure you).

I have no idea where the manual/specsheet is so I can't be sure what is actually in the thing and I can't find the real model number on it anywhere so even though I found a Regza manual online, it's a manual for multiple models. Even so, the specsheet I found was also utterly useless. So now I'm operating under the assumption that my TV is stereo. Should I not be? Should I change the AC-3 re-encoding option back to 5.1?

[Sami32]

@Tyestor
1) If the time indicated by MPC-HC when playing KoH is not the same as the MediaInfo duration, report the issue at the MediaInfo link given above.
2) Yes, but sample should not be need. From what i saw you've some 50 movies.
3) yes, from a DTS that work, if you ever have one, but sample should not be need.
4) No. Just use MEncoder to play the movie, and post a log if you got audio playing correctly.

Go in "Transcoding Settings" tab, then in "Audio settings" sub tab, and unselect "Keep AC-3 tracks" and all the others audio options, while having your maximum channels set to 2.
Then, all your movies should play as expected, at least your AC-3 audio ones, if not select "Encoded audio passthrough for AC-3 and DTS".

[Sami32]

@Tyestor I think that i have finally tackled your issues...
Could you give a try to that buid and give feedback ? (need a clean install to have effect)
https://we.tl/lCggUKiLxm (this link is valid for 7 days)

Thank you for your help :+1:

Note: As it is a testing build, be aware that the subtitles are totally disabled.
If you get an incorrect aspect ratio, just add this line into your renderer's configuration file:
KeepAspectRatio = true

[Sami32]

@Tyestor Well, i've done 2 more fixes since then, so that time should be the good one ;)
I've already included your renderer.
https://we.tl/Rd9xR1BB1s (link valid for 7 days, will work correctly only with a clean install)

Note: In case you don't use the latest firmware, go in the "Transcode Settings" tab then in the "Audio settings" sub tab. From there, unselect "Keep AAC-LC tracks".