Xbox 360 May 7th update success stories

[kornesque]

I'll be gone for a few days and won't have a chance to test my media at 0-hour, but if everyone could drop a line with results we'll be able to get a good baseline to compare with current capabilities. Good luck.

[kornesque]

"now that it's out in the wild..."

happy to report 18mbps avg vc-1+wma in a .wmv is playing just dandy. vga fix is also effective. MS hooked it up this time around.

Share your successes and failures here please. let's push vc1 to its max and find out what it is...h264 as well. oh, and the VGA fix works great, thx MS!!

[ACrowley]

"now that it's out in the wild..."

happy to report 18mbps avg vc-1+wma in a .wmv is playing just dandy. vga fix is also effective. MS hooked it up this time around.

Share your successes and failures here please. let's push vc1 to its max and find out what it is...h264 as well. oh, and the VGA fix works great, thx MS!!




My Test encodes with WVC1 1080p 2pass VBR and high Peaks are not playing right!

1. WVC1 1080p 10Mbps VBR /15Mbps Peak : choppy!
2. WVC1 1080p 13Mbps VBr /19Mbps Peak : choppy!
3. WVC1 1080p 17Mbps CBR : smooth !

I cant see an updated Decoder for WMV MP AP ?
Perhaps in CBR Mode ist possible to use higher Bitrates, but the Target is 2pass VBR with high Peaks.
Thats the real Problem of the Decoder


But very nice :

-You can set more AR Options
-You can change Audio Tracks

-H264 in mp4 with Stereo AAC LC is working so far. I made a test with a remuxedd Nero AVC Trailer
-My own Test encodes with Mainconcept Encoder : 720p 6Mbps VBr 8Mbps Peak / 23.976 fps / High Profile 4.1 Level are not working !
However only max 10Mbps ,only Level 4.1, with only 2CH AAC ...buuuhh
-Mp4 remuxed Divx/Xvid on under 6Mbps are not working

[Ronin-7]

Just to add for SD resolutions my own little H.264 tests played using the High-profile in AutoMKV and in MeGUI the CE-HighProfile and HQ Slow test encodes both played back.

Apple 720p trailer failed to play though.

Edit: Must have been something wrong with the Apple trailer tried a few more 720p Apple H.264 trailers in MP4 & MOV containers & they all played no problem.

[Matariel]

What container format and audio/video settings do you use for h264 playback?

I cant get my xbox360 to recognise the .mp4 files I create (High profile h264 level 4.1, LC AAC audio).

[kornesque]

FWIW, my 18mpbs vc1 that plays is a straight remux off of one of my HDDVDs. the original encoding was not touched.

[ACrowley]

FWIW, my 18mpbs vc1 that plays is a straight remux off of one of my HDDVDs. the original encoding was not touched.


How do you mux it properly into wmv ? .... theres no proper Method at the Moment

Are you talking about MediaCenter or Dashoard Player/Streaming? Strange....

I can only tell you that a 2paas VBR 1080p WVC1 encode with 15 and 19Mbps Peak isnt working smooth

[carpetwax]

I havent had any luck with Nero Recode playing...

Encoded with Nero Digital AVC Standard Profile
LC-AAC audio

PAL content (25fps) have tried several different resolutions and bitrates

mp4 files

[easy2Bcheesy]

720p/60 h.264 content High Profile with stereo AAC at 21mbps doesn't work at all. Created with AutoMKV in the MP4 container. However, 21mbps h.264 content created by a client works just fine with choppiness (although it's choppy on my quad core PC so most likely an issue with their encoder).

I'm trying Quicktime Pro (spit) now.

On the plus side, I'm playing 720p/60 VC1 files made with Media Encoder with no problems whatsoever whereas previously they were extremely jerky.

[Ronin-7]

I havent had any luck with Nero Recode playing...

Encoded with Nero Digital AVC Standard Profile
LC-AAC audio

PAL content (25fps) have tried several different resolutions and bitrates

mp4 files

I just tried Nero using the Standard & HDTV profiles on a PAL DVD clip, both encodes played on the Xbox 360.

All settings where left on automatic so not sure what's going wrong you for you, quality was much poorer vs x264 encodes so try XviD4PSP (http://www.winnydows.com/xvid4psp.html) and it's generic MP4 profile instead as that also works for me if you want something with an easy user interface.

Nero Recode version was 2.4.5.0

[kornesque]

lemme see if i can remember the graph correctly, since i'm not at home...this .wmv should play off the dash.

haali splitter (.evo)>video>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>solveig (.wmv)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>audio>wmaudio encoder DMO>>>>^

forget the arrows before "audio"...i can't put blanks in.

[DeadRinga]

What container format and audio/video settings do you use for h264 playback?

I cant get my xbox360 to recognise the .mp4 files I create (High profile h264 level 4.1, LC AAC audio).

Same. Anyone get the 360 to see the mp4 files?

[ACrowley]

720p/60 h.264 content High Profile with stereo AAC at 21mbps doesn't work at all. Created with AutoMKV in the MP4 container. However, 21mbps h.264 content created by a client works just fine with choppiness (although it's choppy on my quad core PC so most likely an issue with their encoder).

I'm trying Quicktime Pro (spit) now.

On the plus side, I'm playing 720p/60 VC1 files made with Media Encoder with no problems whatsoever whereas previously they were extremely jerky.

ofcourse it will not work cause the H264 Decoder is restricted to 10Mbps

[easy2Bcheesy]

ofcourse it will not work cause the H264 Decoder is restricted to 10Mbps

Well Amir on the AVSForum (big cheese at Microsoft) said otherwise. The point is that my x264 encodes don't play at all on the 360, whereas h.264 encodes from Quicktime Pro play fine.

Has any one else had success with x264 encodes? I tried High Profile with my material.

[ACrowley]

Well Amir on the AVSForum (big cheese at Microsoft) said otherwise. The point is that my x264 encodes don't play at all on the 360, whereas h.264 encodes from Quicktime Pro play fine.

Has any one else had success with x264 encodes? I tried High Profile with my material.


No..you can read it everywhere in all FeatureList thats its only 10Mbps!

And ofcourse x264 encodes wont play ,cause theyre usually encoded @unrestricted Level.
The Xbox360 Decoder can only play High Profile with 4.1 Level and 2.0 AAC LC

For example you can play this Trailer in H264 (NeroAVC 2.0AAC LC)
http://trailer.nerodigital.com/eng/The_Greatest_Game_Ever_Played.html

The H264 Decoder seems to be very intractable

[jpasan]

Same. Anyone get the 360 to see the mp4 files?

Can't see them either. I'm using the dash media player and the media sharing software is Windows Media Player 11 on Windows Vista Business 32-bit

[DeadRinga]

Can't see them either. I'm using the dash media player and the media sharing software is Windows Media Player 11 on Windows Vista Business 32-bit

i read that WMP11 cant share .mp4 files and that the zune software does... but even the zune software cant see them on my end. weird. and BTW, i think i read that the profile the 360 supports is 4.0 not 4.1? -edit: nevermind. just doublechecked. it is 4.1.

[Zero1]

They say 4.1; but it's not full 4.1 support. For starters they fall short on the bitrate, so be warned that there may be others.

[jubilex]

No..you can read it everywhere in all FeatureList thats its only 10Mbps!

No, they said that 10mbps is all that is officially supported, i.e., tested and playing back smoothly.

"Xbox 360 does not specifically block video from playing based on a maximum bit rate, resolution, or frames per second. The maximums listed above for each codec are what we have tested for various video playback sources. Higher rated content will not be blocked, but playback may be less then optimal. Use higher bitrates at your own risk."

[carpetwax]

I just tried Nero using the Standard & HDTV profiles on a PAL DVD clip, both encodes played on the Xbox 360.

All settings where left on automatic so not sure what's going wrong you for you, quality was much poorer vs x264 encodes so try XviD4PSP (http://www.winnydows.com/xvid4psp.html) and it's generic MP4 profile instead as that also works for me if you want something with an easy user interface.

Nero Recode version was 2.4.5.0

It looks like my 360 isn't even trying to play my MP4's.
When I try to play them from the dashboard video option, the files are not even visable.
When playing from the Media Center Extender, there is no pause from the machine 'trying' to play them or anything. Just directly to a message about file not supported.

I have the feeling I have something really stupid simple not set up right or enabled,

*note* when I try to play the files through the Media Center on the vista box, I get teh same non play message. Do I need to get my base machine 'accepting' the files before my extender will?

[bass4040]

Does Mpeg 2 HD transport streams still work using MCE and Hdtvpump on the 360 after this update?

[veffremov]

Does Mpeg 2 HD transport streams still work using MCE and Hdtvpump on the 360 after this update?

The update does not affect the MCX functionality. Nothing is added or removed.

The "VGA fix" would applay to MCX and Games as well.

[veffremov]

For the H.264 the encode must be:

Baseline, Main or High Profile.

L41 max resolution 1920x1088 (1080 cropped).
L > 50 max resolution Width x Height < 414720.

[carpetwax]

I've taken a closer look at the error messages this morning.

The dashboard video option simply doesnt see any files other than WMV. The folders are all there, they just appear empty.
Under the 360 Extender, I can see the mp4 files, but when I try to play them I get the message "The file is not recognised and cannot be played, either the codec is missing of the file is corrupt"
Under Vista Media Center on the PC serving my xbox, I can also see the mp4 file, but when I try to play it I get a different message "WMC cannot find the specified file..."

edit:
Windows Media Player 11 will play my mp4's fine via ffdshow, but it will not add them too its library and I can't seem to find any way of making it accept the mp4 extension. I'm guessing this is what makes the files not even appear in the dashboard video folder.

[ACrowley]

I've taken a closer look at the error messages this morning.

The dashboard video option simply doesnt see any files other than WMV. The folders are all there, they just appear empty.
Under the 360 Extender, I can see the mp4 files, but when I try to play them I get the message "The file is not recognised and cannot be played, either the codec is missing of the file is corrupt"
Under Vista Media Center on the PC serving my xbox, I can also see the mp4 file, but when I try to play it I get a different message "WMC cannot find the specified file..."

edit:
Windows Media Player 11 will play my mp4's fine via ffdshow, but it will not add them too its library and I can't seem to find any way of making it accept the mp4 extension. I'm guessing this is what makes the files not even appear in the dashboard video folder.


The Extender is not updatetd! No H264/Mp4....
The new Video Functions are only for the Dashboard Player!

[crypto]

L41 max resolution 1920x1088 (1080 cropped).
L > 50 max resolution Width x Height < 414720.

Thanks for making that clear. That did the trick. HD encodes using x264 w/ --level 41 option work great. Regarding the AAC 2.0 audio track, only those accounts that download the ipod codec again seem to be able to play audio. That is true, even when the codec displays as already downloaded.

WMV playback is also working great. None of my files had problems with the aspekt ratio anymore, even those cropped, anamorphic and cropped/anamorphic HD encodes. Automatic always did the job.

WMV streaming works better and with higher bit rates than MP4 streaming, although the MP4s are hinted.

This is a great update for the Xbox 360 transforming it into a multi media machine.

[jpasan]

But can you get MP4s to work? Is yes, what did you do?
A great shame was not to include AVI support with MPEG-4 ASP. That would be the real killer feature

[Ronin-7]

But can you get MP4s to work? Is yes, what did you do?

In what context ?

For anything with standard definition resolutions just use the stock high profile setting in AutoMKV or any other program even Nero AVC works.

For high definition resolutions you must modify the profile so it's set at level 4.1

To read the MP4 files burn to disc or put on USB flash, USB external HD.

To read over network from WMP shared media you must have I think at least directshow decoders installed, if it doesn't read them still use the MP4 Tag plugin for WMP (http://www.softpointer.com/WMPTagSupport.htm). Alternatively you can use the Zune software to share media and that should allow the Xbox 360 to see them over the network.

[Deihmos]

I am trying to find a way for WMP 11 to add MP4 files to the library but with no luck. The zune software can share MP4 files but it does not add all of them to the library. If I copy the video to a USB drive it plays on the 360 but not Zune.

I basically need to find a way to add MP4 files to my WMP 11 library so the 360 will see them. Does anyone know how I can do this?

[shaolin95]

I am very happy with the update! My previous 1080P encode of Happy Feet using this script:
cscript.exe "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Components\Encoder\wmcmd.vbs" -input Vtest2.avi -a_input myaudio.avi -output "j:\output.wmv" -v_bframedist 1 -v_bdeltaqp 1 -v_mslevel 1 -v_codec wvc1 -v_keydist 3 -v_mode 2 -v_quality 96 -v_mmatch 0 -v_msrange 0 -v_performance 20 -v_loopfilter 1 -a_codec wmapro -a_setting 384_48_6_16

It used to be very choppy but with the update its perfectly smooth! I am not sure how to accurately measure the bitrate but if someone tells me I will report back.

Also the RESUME and LANGUAGE options are a very welcome. The "black level" setting is cool too.


Regards

[jpasan]

Originally Posted by jpasan View Post
But can you get MP4s to work? Is yes, what did you do?In what context ?

Streaming from PC with WMP. I have Nero Showtime installed and also ffdshow in order to watch x264 files but still can't see the files in the Xbox

[Pitbull_Raven]

What software should one use to recode a mkv to compliant mp4 streams?

[benwaggoner]

I made this http://216.99.212.230:6969/torrents/Elephants_Dream_WMV.torrent?9C267F763BFE9570D5C439ADD8B6D0D73C7708E6 sample file using the Elephant's Dream source, with 10 Mbps average and 25 Mbps peak, and 5.1 24-bit WMA Pro audio. Works great for my on my stock Premium with the spring update.

The .torrent also includes the .pproj I used to make the PNG sequence into an AVI, a screen shot of the WMV PowerToy settings I used, and the Windows Media Encoder session file.

[Ronin-7]

Deihmos & jpasan try the WMP MP4 tag plugin (http://www.softpointer.com/WMPTagSupport.htm) that makes MP4 files show in the WMP library.

It's working for me and I can play the encodes over the network.

(Just in case you have to use the WMP media sharing feature for this to work as far as I know other software media/servers don't work at the moment with the new update)

Edit: Question for anyone more knowledgeable on the matter, I have a load of my movies in H.264/AAC LC/MKV containers using MKV-Merge and YAMB I can put them into MP4 containers that play on the Xbox 360 but they lose their anamorphic setting is it possible to set this in the MP4 file ?

I know that's not a problem for the console as it can stretch to fill the screen in the display options but it would be nice to keep the anamorphic setting for PC/Media Centre playback.

[Pitbull_Raven]

I have a load of my movies in H.264/AAC LC/MKV containers using MKV-Merge and YAMB I can put them into MP4 containers that play on the Xbox 360

Is there any way we could get you to please elaborate on how to? I can't seem to get create any (at least compliant with the x360. I have tested out samples and it's streaming to the box w/o problems, so that's not the problem, for sure.

:thanks:

[Deihmos]

Deihmos & jpasan try the WMP MP4 tag plugin (http://www.softpointer.com/WMPTagSupport.htm) that makes MP4 files show in the WMP library.

It's working for me and I can play the encodes over the network.

(Just in case you have to use the WMP media sharing feature for this to work as far as I know other software media/servers don't work at the moment with the new update)

Edit: Question for anyone more knowledgeable on the matter, I have a load of my movies in H.264/AAC LC/MKV containers using MKV-Merge and YAMB I can put them into MP4 containers that play on the Xbox 360 but they lose their anamorphic setting is it possible to set this in the MP4 file ?

I know that's not a problem for the console as it can stretch to fill the screen in the display options but it would be nice to keep the anamorphic setting for PC/Media Centre playback.

i tried that application before and it did not work. i am using WMP 11 with Windows vista.

[Ronin-7]

i tried that application before and it did not work. i am using WMP 11 with Windows vista.

Hmm working on XP fine for me, I have a Vista box but have not tried it out with that.

On my XP machine I have;
ffdshow tryout beta2
Haali Media Splitter
WMP Tag plugin installed

And that's all there is to it. I will test with Vista and let you know if it works could be the plugin needs to be updated for Vista WMP11.


Is there any way we could get you to please elaborate on how to? I can't seem to get create any (at least compliant with the x360. I have tested out samples and it's streaming to the box w/o problems, so that's not the problem, for sure.

First I used MKVExtractGUI (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/MKVExtractGUI) (put in folder of MKVMerge (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/mkvtoolnix)) and extracted the raw H.264 video and audio.

Then I used YAMB (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/YAMB) and inputed both files into it and muxed them into an MP4.

As it happens I was lucky because my movies were encoded with the MeGUI HQ-Slow profile which plays back on the X360 under SD resolutions as all my movies where 720x576 or lower. I also used 2 channel AAC LC for most of them so avoided another pitfall in the audio but in some cases you may need to redo the audio but that's a lot easier and quicker than redoing the entire thing from scratch.

If your not sure about why a certain video isn't playing & forgotten what it was encoded at an easy way I find is to just mux with video only and see if it plays, if the video is compatible it will play & that tells you if the audio is the culprit.

[carpetwax]

i tried that application before and it did not work. i am using WMP 11 with Windows vista.

I have the same problem.

Vista x64
I installed the plugin, and it shows under installed plugins within WMP11.
When I use the file->open within WMP11 to open an mp4, my mp4's now show under the 'all media' description. Before the plugin I would have to select 'all files'
However, they still wont add to the library when I run them or when I try to have them added to the library automatically.

[Deihmos]

I have the same problem.

Vista x64
I installed the plugin, and it shows under installed plugins within WMP11.
When I use the file->open within WMP11 to open an mp4, my mp4's now show under the 'all media' description. Before the plugin I would have to select 'all files'
However, they still wont add to the library when I run them or when I try to have them added to the library automatically.

Is there a solution to this? I have been searching around forever with no luck. I have Vista 32bit.

[carpetwax]

I'm currently downloading the zune software for Vista.
(I dont actually have a Zune)

I figure that the Zune plays mp4's, therefore the zune software might enable adding of the mp4's to the library.

I will let you know how it goes

[Deihmos]

I'm currently downloading the zune software for Vista.
(I dont actually have a Zune)

I figure that the Zune plays mp4's, therefore the zune software might enable adding of the mp4's to the library.

I will let you know how it goes

The Zune software works but I was looking for a way without it. The Zune software does not add all MP4 to the library either and it cannot play all. If I put the video on a usb drive it will play on the 360 but not with Zune.

[carpetwax]

OK, It worked. Sort of.

The zune software looks like it's jsut a derivative of WMP11. It adds my mp4 files to its library.
In the 360 dashboard I had to go into the settings and disconnect it from the Computer I had set it to, then reconnect and I now had two options, one with the Zune symbol beside it.
I connected to this one and I can now see and play my mp4 files.

Regular WMP11 still wont add my mp4's to its library. It would be nice to have a proper solution to this so that I dont have to have a second Version of WMP installed parallel, but it will do for now.

[carpetwax]

The Zune software works but I was looking for a way without it. The Zune software does not add all MP4 to the library either and it cannot play all. If I put the video on a usb drive it will play on the 360 but not with Zune.

Ahh, the mp4 encodes I have worked. (which is enough for me thankfully, I encode them all the same way)
All made with nero recode. Various bitrates and resolutions in the Standard AVC profile.


But would definatly be nice to find a solution without Zune.

[slow4mula]

i tried a standard avc encode with stereo (2channel) using nero burned to a cd and it worked fine...

i tried a standard avc with 5.1 channel aac audio and it says it's unsupported. i know the xbox 360 doesn't support 5.1, but it would be nice if it could still play 2 channels.

[Deihmos]

Nero Digital seems to be a lot faster than Nero Digital AVC. I did both and I see no quality difference but nero digital takes one quarter of the time of AVC.

WHat is the difference ?

[carpetwax]

AVC is H.264

Sounds like your encoding at a bit rate higer than you might need to with AVC.
Try maintaining the same resolution but dropping the AVC bitrate by 30% or so and see if that compares well to the non AVC encode.

If it does you then have the option to save storage space at the cost of encode time.

I push my bitrates down fairly low so that I can use the same encode on both my PSP and TV Via the 360.
96kbps audio LC-AAC
500kbps video 720x480 (no cropping, no added letterboxing)

The saved space probably doesn't mean very much with the cost of Hard Drive storage, but its handy for my 4 gig of PSP storage.

[Ronin-7]

Just tested the Tag plugin on Vista and it doesn't work tried messing about in the registry but with no luck.

If you really don't want to use the Zune software you could try contacting the author (http://www.softpointer.com/contact.htm) and see if they will update it to work on Vista.

[Deihmos]

AVC is H.264

Sounds like your encoding at a bit rate higer than you might need to with AVC.
Try maintaining the same resolution but dropping the AVC bitrate by 30% or so and see if that compares well to the non AVC encode.

If it does you then have the option to save storage space at the cost of encode time.

I push my bitrates down fairly low so that I can use the same encode on both my PSP and TV Via the 360.
96kbps audio LC-AAC
500kbps video 720x480 (no cropping, no added letterboxing)

The saved space probably doesn't mean very much with the cost of Hard Drive storage, but its handy for my 4 gig of PSP storage.

I see what you are saying. Still AVC is so much slower but yes the file size is much smaller. i dropped the bitrate to around 500kbps and it will take a little over an hour to encode a 2 hour dvd. Without AVC it's 20 minutes but the file size is much larger.

[tomos]

Ahh, the mp4 encodes I have worked. (which is enough for me thankfully, I encode them all the same way)
All made with nero recode. Various bitrates and resolutions in the Standard AVC profile.


But would definatly be nice to find a solution without Zune.

well, without zune, the encodes i've made with megui (4.1 profile) work fine on the xbox after renaming them to wmv. wont show up without doing this.

tried to mux AAC audio along with it but it wont work at all

---

EDIT

works with 2ch AAC audio in mp4, renamed to wmv.

[Pitbull_Raven]

I'm freakin' out here. I can't figure out how do recode a high def mkv file. All I can find is how to make 720*576 recodes to MP4. If I wanted 720*576 I'd stick to my DVD's.

Anyone have the time to setup a step-by-step guide for idiots like me?