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[djloewen]

As the title says.

I'm using the 750 in Media Center Extender mode. I can see my .mkv files, but when I try to play them I just get the audio with a black screen. They play fine on my computer. Can anyone else get this working?

[johnnyv5]

How did you get the MKV to even start playing?  When I select a MKV it tells me the file is corrupt or the correct codec are not installed...

jv

[djloewen]

I've tried it on two different machines, in two different ways. All of the software I mention below is free.

On the first, I installed the Haali Media Splitter to recognize the .mkv extension, and the "ffdshow-tryouts" codec to decode the H.264 video stream inside. It plays fine in Windows Media Player and in Media Center, but on the DSM-750 I jusst get a black screen with sound.

On the second, I installed the new DivX 7 codec, which comes with both the .mkv splitter and the H.264 codec. It played in WMP at that point but Media Center still couldn't see the file, so I had to manually add the .mkv extension to the registry (a google search will show you how to do this). After that it showed up and played in Media Center just fine, but still just a black screen with audio on the Extender.

So, uh, Dlink? Any help here? Has anyone got it working?

[johnnyv5]

I can play the mkv in media center on the PC and see the file in the extender, just can not play the file on the extender.  It gives me the codec error on the extender.  I called Dlink and they want me to return the unit to newegg.  I'm starting to think it's the firmware...  I may save my self the $8 for shipping and wait for a firmware update....  Anyone able to play the MKV natively on the 750?  If not, what are you converting the mkvs to in order to get them to play on the 750?

jv

[djloewen]

What audio/video codecs are in your file? .mkv typically has H.264 video streams, but it can technically hold any stream.

Also, as a note, I had the same audio-only results with the DSM-750 before even upgrading to the 1.02 firmware. So nothing has even changed for me with the new firmware update.

[johnnyv5]

The video stream is AVC, so that may be my problem....  What or how can I change the stream to a different stream?  I'm assuming I need to change it to h.264....

jv

[djloewen]

that's not your problem. H.264 = AVC. What you've got there is a normal .mkv, that this device SHOULD now play. Dlink/ECF/Eric? Anything?

EDIT: your video codec is fine anyway. What about the audio? Since it only plays the audio anyway, that's probably where your problem is.

[johnnyv5]

My 750 won't even begin to play the mkv.  It'll get the corrupt or no codec error right off the bat.  I was able to get one MKV to convert to MPG using mkv2vob and play flawlessly, so I'm hoping I have success with other mkvs.  I'll use this method in the meantime as my PS3 will play these mpg also....

jv

[johnnyv5]

Looks like I'm going to have to redo all my mp4s.  I have to convert them back to mkvs then transcode them into mpgs using mkv2vob.  I really wish MKvs worked with media extender.  It would save me one less step....  Actually I wish tversity worked w/ mp4s so I didn't have to do this at all....

jv

[johnnyv5]

For those that want to play MKvs.  Use MKV2VOB but make sure you configure it to always transcode if the bitrate video stream is over 2mbps.  For file extension I use mpg and MPEG-2 for transcoder.  It takes some time if you have to transcode, but works great.  You can find the bitrate by using Media Info.  This is a good thing because only some of the MP4s that I have are over 2mbps.  Until DLink fixes the playing of MKV's this is what I have found works.  The files play wonderfully in Media Extender mode....

jv

[djloewen]

lol thanks, but I'll wait until Dlink gets things working as advertised. I'm of the opinion that these devices should work for us, not us for them. Not that I don't really enjoy converting/transcoding/remuxing, of course.

[johnnyv5]

True, true!  I don't mind putting in the work when my 2 year old looks at me and says "Toy Story, Daddy?".... 

jv

[ECF]

I see that you are using TVersity hacking the registry and using codecs installed on the PC. .mkv should play natively on the DSM-750 Therefor able to play back via USB direct. Using the media server program hacked may be the issue you are seeing as to why is is telling you it is corrupt or no codec installed.

Have you tried playing them from a flash or thumbdrive on the DSM-750 directly I did not see mention of this in this forum if it has been tried?   

[djloewen]

-The files I have play fine from a USB drive.
-I am not using TVersity at all.
-If I don't install a codec the files don't show up in Media Center, so I have no way of playing them.
-Of the two machines I tried, I only edited the registry on one, and that was just to add the .mkv as a recognized video file type

ECF, the title of this thead is "mkv in Media Center mode - audio, but no video". So, do mkv files work for you in Media Center mode?

[ECF]

I see. Cause you stated

lol thanks, but I'll wait until Dlink gets things working as advertised. I'm of the opinion that these devices should work for us, not us for them. Not that I don't really enjoy converting/transcoding/remuxing, of course.

Matroska works great on this device the problem is that MCE does not yet support this file format and I think it will take a little more then just telling MCE it can play this HD format. I think MCE will need an update to properly playabck Matroska via MCE extenders but I will look into it further.