Missing MP4 files? Possible solution (work in progress, need your input)

Background: I recently updated to the 2.02.xx firmware. Simultaneosly (this was a bad idea), I had my hard drive containing all ripped/encoded movies hooked up to my Desktop as I was redoing a lot of things.

So, I plug the hard drive into the router, and all movies/episodes are showing up under network shares. The few that I try all work flawlessly. I enable media library, and many of the movies/episodes disappear. In fact, actual numbers were 406 files, but only 364 were now visible.

So I’m trying everything thatI can think of. Disabled/enable media library. Clear media libary. Show hidden folders and delete anything added by the WDTV (.wdtv folders, cover art, backdrops, etc.). I finally just do a complete reset of the WDTV, still no dice.

So I used one of the excellent guides here to roll back to the 2.01.xx firmware. And here’s where I found the culprit. Those “missing” files are showing up as AUDIO files as opposed to video files. Loaded up “The Lion King” and I could hear the movie, but not see it (disabling media library fixes this).

Solution:  I’ve just downloaded MP3tag to see if I can make any changes. I’ll report back if there’s any progress. In the meantime, if anyone has any other suggestions related to this issue, please chime in. If you also had missing files, see if they show up as audio like mine did.

Note 1: So far, I’ve compared two files that are very similar. Both were ripped on the same day from Blu-Ray using MakeMKV, and then encoded to .mp4 container using Handbrake with the same settings. They are essentially identical. WDTV sees one as a video file, and one as an audio file. Cannot figure out why. In this case, the two movies are “Law Abiding Citizen” and “The Lorax.”

Note 2: Relaized that I posted in the wrong forum. I’ll request moderator move.

Additionally, I followed the advice here:  http://community.wd.com/t5/WD-TV-Live-Streaming/Some-of-my-mp4-video-files-play-but-I-can-t-see-the-video-I-only/td-p/743612

Downloaded Media info, and doesn’t matter which file, all are profile 4.1, and none are 10-bit. Info returned for both movies (LAC and Lorax again) is identical aside from bitrates.

Note 3: I loaded both movies with MPC-HC and extracted their media info. To me, they look identical (again, bitrates will vary). But perhaps the eyes of forum members here can detect something that I’m missing. Again, to ensure clarity, the WDTV is detecting Law Abiding Citizen properly, but detects Lorax as an audio file. None of my other media players have this issue, and it’s only like that on the WDTV when Media Library is enabled.

Law Abiding Citizen:

General
Complete name : \WDTVLIVE\Network_Share_Drive\Movies\Movies L\Law Abiding Citizen (2009).mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 4.65 GiB
Duration : 1h 58mn
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 5 636 Kbps
Movie name : Law Abiding Citizen: Extended Director’s Cut
Encoded date : UTC 2014-06-05 08:21:59
Tagged date : UTC 2014-06-05 13:46:30
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.9 2013052900

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 1h 58mn
Bit rate : 5 341 Kbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 800 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.40:1
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Minimum frame rate : 23.256 fps
Maximum frame rate : 1 000.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.145
Stream size : 4.41 GiB (95%)
Writing library : x264 core 130 r2273 b3065e6
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=62500 / vbv_bufsize=78125 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date : UTC 2014-06-05 08:21:59
Tagged date : UTC 2014-06-05 13:46:30
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 1h 58mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 288 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 426 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 245 MiB (5%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-06-05 08:21:59
Tagged date : UTC 2014-06-05 13:46:29

Menu
ID : 3
Codec ID : text
Duration : 1h 58mn
Encoded date : UTC 2014-06-05 08:21:59
Tagged date : UTC 2014-06-05 13:46:30
Bit rate mode : VBR

The Lorax:

General
Complete name : \WDTVLIVE\Network_Share_Drive\Movies\Movies L\The Lorax (2012).mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 3.05 GiB
Duration : 1h 26mn
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 5 059 Kbps
Movie name : Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
Encoded date : UTC 2014-06-05 17:57:15
Tagged date : UTC 2014-06-05 22:10:00
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.9 2013052900

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 1h 26mn
Bit rate : 4 715 Kbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 040 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 1.85:1
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Minimum frame rate : 23.256 fps
Maximum frame rate : 25.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.098
Stream size : 2.84 GiB (93%)
Writing library : x264 core 130 r2273 b3065e6
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=62500 / vbv_bufsize=78125 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date : UTC 2014-06-05 17:57:15
Tagged date : UTC 2014-06-05 22:10:00
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 1h 26mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 339 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 465 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 209 MiB (7%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2014-06-05 17:57:15
Tagged date : UTC 2014-06-05 22:09:59

Menu
ID : 3
Codec ID : text
Duration : 1h 26mn
Encoded date : UTC 2014-06-05 17:57:15
Tagged date : UTC 2014-06-05 22:10:00
Bit rate mode : VBR

Note 4:  So viewing “files” shows all of the media, shown as either video or audio. Going to videos won’t show the file types mis-associated as audio. Somehow, I managed to “glitch” the WDTV, and upon reboot, it thought the Lorax and the other 2 “audio” files were now videos. Content info was downloaded and these three now work fine.

I’m trying to figure out a way to replicate this glitch with my other folders so that the “audio” files will no longer display incorrectly. I’m 99% certain now that this is a bug with the WDTV and not an issue with how I made the files.

Note 5: At this point I cannot replicate the glitch. If media library is turned off, I can see and watch these videos, but cannot get content info. If Media library is turned on, numerous videos are mislabeled as audio files. Attempting to watch these videos (must be done under the “Files” menu) results in only audio playback, though I’ve occasionally gotten it to glitch and display the active video frame. Can’t seem to reliably reproduce this.

It should be noted that when media library is disabled, the files all show up properly as “video,” so the glitch must be with the way that the media library manager works. I may have to try some older firmwares until I get one that works.

Not a note, so won’t label it as such. More of an update.

I’m giving it a break so that I can work on other things. I upgraded back to 2.02.32, since that clearly wasn’t the problem. I also called WD’s 1-800 number to file a bug report. They said I should get an email within 1-2 business days, or 2-5 business days (yes, they actually said that).

So I’ll check back on this post in a day or two to see if anyone has any feedback on this issue.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the WD Community.

We appreciate the time and effort that you are putting into this case. 

We have passed this along to support.

Maybe the “Variable” fps is throwing things out ?

Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Minimum frame rate : 23.256 fps
Maximum frame rate : 1 000.000 fps   :dizzy_face:

Try using “Constant  aka. Same as source” framerate in Handbrake

That is the result of “same as source” for that movie. Additionally, that’s the movie that’s working :slight_smile:

hmmf go fiqure :neutral_face:    if you did select “same as source” in Handbrake, then it doesent look right to me … oh well.

Out of curiosity … i had some mp4’s that had problems playing as well

one thing you could try if you feel like experimenting … is to remux the MP4 to Version 1 Base Media (you won’t lose any video/audio quality and it will only take several minutes)

Using AVIdemux    http://fixounet.free.fr/avidemux/

import your video … select  “Copy” for Video and “Copy” for Audio and in “Output Format” select  “MP4 Muxer”

(don’t select MP4v2 Muxer)

let me know how you go :smiley:

Same as source does still allow for variable framerate so there’s that. I’ve encoded some test file on 4.1 high with Handbrake on constant frame rate (24.000) and it works just fine on the Live.

There are two options for same as source - constant, and variable.

By choosing variable, Handbrake assigns the same timestamps per frame as the original. If the source is truly constant, then it will remain constant even with variable selected. This is true to source.

By selecting constant, Handbrake takes the average reported framerate and makes it constant. This is not true to source, but should be close enough that the vast majority don’t notice.

It is highly unlikely that this is the issue with the WDTV anyway, though I’m open to being wrong. In the meantime, I’ve aborted plans to get a second WDTV for the bedroom. I’ve ordered something else that should offer decent local streaming + the usual suspects, and if it does as I hope, I’ll order a second and move over to this product entirely.

My current setup is WDTV for the living room, Roku (with Chaneru app) and Chromecast in the bedroom. I’ve been experimenting to find the ideal streamer for all of my needs, and none of the above have met it, but the WDTV is OH so close.

Hi Medion,

have you tried to rename your problem mp4 files using extension m4v instead of mp4? Of course you’ve to rescan the folder/media you placed them.

Perhaps this is a simple logic error like: If extension is mp4 and there is an AAC audio track → it must be an mp4 audio file. :angry:

I apologize for the slow response.

My WDTV is boxed up and being sold. I’ve moved on to a new streaming product. Android TV EASILY plays XBMC/Kodi, which makes local playback (in my case, over my network) a dream.

WDTV is still more “powerful” in what it can handle/see in some ways. For example, Kodi (I’m still getting used to that) on my desktop will see the USB hard drive plugged into my router and access the files. Kodi on Android TV will only access it via a media server or SMB share. Not a big deal (irrelevant in my case), but an important distinction for some.

However, there’s only one Android TV-based device out today, and it does have some limitations. I think that WD would be wise to adopt either Android TV or an XBMC/Kodi-based setup out of the box for their next gen products. This way they can profit off the hardware and sell more hard drive, while leaving the software in the hands of more capable people. The firmware on the WDTV is a disaster and the reason why I bailed.

I apologize if I came across as “advertising” a competing product. The truth is that it’s not superior all around, just for my needs. If WDTV wants to remain in this market then they will need to adapt to this competition. I’m rooting for you guys and will certainly be paying attention to your next streaming product.

As long as Android doesn’t get Autoframe (24 FPS), I don’t see it as a viable replacement (and I do love XBMC).