How to play MP4 files - easy - the solution

[JTBM]

I have just spent 2 hours trying to play MP4 video (AVC + AC3) (Windows XP and Vista)

MPC showed the movie flawless - with no sound.

SMPlayer played the sound, but no picture.

At this point I was releaved that the file is OK.

I was not able to find a program what would play the crappy MP4 format.

However I was stupid not to think of it before, I am using MKVtoolnix since mkv was invented - I simple converted the MP4 to MKV using MKVtoolnix.

Now everythink works as clockwork. No more stupid, unknown, non-working videoformat...

So don't try to install 20 programms, codecs, whatever, don't read through tons of forum, just convert the damn MP4 to MKV and it does work...

[Inspector.Gadget]

That sounds like a splitter problem, not a general problem with the MP4 container.

[roozhou]

Which version of MPC and MPlayer are you using?

[Keiyakusha]

Maybe this is Haali splitter problem... I can't play mp4-with-ac3 files with sound too. Gabest's splitter works fine.

[xyly]

Maybe you can just change your .mp4 splitter to HAALI, or use garbest mp4 splitter.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Why did you generate a "crappy" .MP4 file in the first place?

[JTBM]

I am using Haali splitter, because it is getting updated once in a while. Unfortunatelly it doesn't properly support MP4 files, especially AVC + AC3.

However Haali is the better splitter for MKV.

I have now installed Gabest splitter and using it only for MP4 files. This has solved the problem.

So:
MP4 -> Gabest
MKV -> Haali

I have tried one other splitter, but it was not working.

[Ghitulescu]

I use VLC, since I cannot install anything on my company PC.

[roozhou]

If MP4 is created with initial delay, like what official x264 does, MPC/Gabest MP4 splitter does not handle it properly while Haali does.

[Keiyakusha]

Don't know if this is it, but for example Gabest's splitter makes x264 output 1 (or more?) frame shorter. Found this when I was trying to calculate ssim and ends up with unbelievably low values.
[Dreaming mode on]Ahh if Haali makes his splitter opensource... I believe then it will get updates faster, MPC-HC devs will be able to drop some buggy Gabest's splitters, etc... EDIT: I forgot about renderer. We need it too! ;)[/Dreaming mode off]

[SeeMoreDigital]

Why did you generate a "crappy" .MP4 file in the first place?I'm interested in your answer please?

[Keiyakusha]

SeeMoreDigital
Sorry, do you asking me? If so what do you mean by "crappy"? I like mp4 more then mkv. I use mkv only if I want to include some formats, officially unsupported by mp4.

[stax76]

I'm interested in your answer please?

Don't you have more interesting things to care about. :)

[SeeMoreDigital]

SeeMoreDigital
Sorry, do you asking me? If so what do you mean by "crappy"? I like mp4 more then mkv. I use mkv only if I want to include some formats, officially unsupported by mp4.No, not you. The question was in response to the original posters opening comments!

[JTBM]

I'm interested in your answer please?
I don't create content, I just try to watch it.

[SeeMoreDigital]

I don't create content, I just try to watch it.In that case you have broken the forums rules. And that goes for anybody else who offers help!

I suggest you read forum rule 6.

[stax76]

And that goes for anybody else who offers help!

I guess you mean me because I asked if you don't have better things to care. Somehow I knew you just wanted to hear that he didn't create the file just to accuse him of a rule 6 violation. I don't know if you have ambitions to become a moderator and if this is a easy or fun job, I doubt so. I think such Sherlock Holmes behavior is lame and people are way too quick here to assume rule 6 violations. So far there isn't any proof of a rule 6 violation or breaking of any law.

[JTBM]

I didn't break rule 6, I didn't create the content, but it is not illegal in any way.

[JTBM]

Well, I was too quick to report success...

I cannot install Haali and Gabest splitter at the same time.
Wenn I've installed Gabest splitter to play MP4, this broke Haali's splitter...
Gabest splitter is also not available stand alone on the net, just as part of a codec pack, what can break my carefully setup system, so it is really dangerous to use.

There is no other splitter, what actually works.

So the best solution is the first one, convert MP4 to MKV and forget about the scrapp...

[SledgeHammer_999]

I cannot install Haali and Gabest splitter at the same time.
Wenn I've installed Gabest splitter to play MP4, this broke Haali's splitter...

Probably they have different "merit". When you installed gabest splitter it probably assigned a higher merit to itself thus it is chosen automatically when you try to decode a MP4 file.


Gabest splitter is also not available stand alone on the net, just as part of a codec pack, what can break my carefully setup system, so it is really dangerous to use.

It is available in three places. In MPC's site, in MPC's(pathced by clsid) site and in MPC-HC's site. I think MPC-HC's version is the latest so I'll link to it:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/mpc-hc/files/

1.Search and download: ***MP4Splitter.zip
2.Extract the "MP4Splitter.ax" to "C:\WINDOWS\system32"
3.Then click on Start->Run
4.type regsvr32 MP4Splitter.ax and press enter. A message should popup confirming success.
5.If you want to uninstall it type: regsvr32 /u MP4Splitter.ax

[JTBM]

I have installed MP4 splitter, set a higher merit as Haali and MPC still using Haali...

MP4 is way too much pain in the ass, it definatelly doesn't worth it, mkv is working just fine, MP4 must be converted and deleted...

[stax76]

MP4 is way too much pain in the ass, it definatelly doesn't worth it, mkv is working just fine, MP4 must be converted and deleted...

This issue is due to the DirectShow architecture which is great for power users but not suitable for average users. Because of this all players prefer internal filters by default. Same problem can occur for mkv, for instance some users might install DivX mkv splitter and it might not work well.

The root of the issue is AC3 in MP4 is rather new so you got to wait until applications catch up.