iPhone video playback wrong orientation (and possible reason)

[frankzhlew 0]

Hi,

For the longest time, I've been perplexed by the fact that SOME iPhone videos can play correctly while others have the wrong orientation. Same recording phone, same server, same client, but different results. Today I looked into some transcoding logs and found out the possible reason. But I still need help with why this occurred.

Background info:

Operating System: Linux version 4.4.302+ (root@build5) (gcc version 12.2.0 (GCC) ) #72806 SMP Thu Sep 5 13:44:44 CST 2024
OS/Process: x64/x64
Emby Server version: 4.8.8.0
Operating system: Unix 4.4.302.0

(The server is hosted on a Synology NAS)

Client: Sony Android TV app and Emby Web. Both are the latest versions.

(All videos play with the CORRECT orientation on iOS app)

 

When the videos are played on Sony android TV app and Emby Web, they'll transcode. And the log shows the different parameters used. Here are the screenshots.

The video played UPSIDE DOWN has this extra parameter in the log: "Rotation":0.

The video played CORRECTLY does NOT have that parameter. 

This is consistent throughout all the iPhone videos played on these clients. 

BUT my question is: why the different parameterization for the same files? What's the trigger? The source files are from the same iPhone using the same codec and similar bitrates. 

Can we get rid of the trouble-making parameter to ensure correct orientation in playback?

Please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide to help resolve this issue.

Thanks!

[frankzhlew 0]

Bumping this up because the video playback orientation issue hasn't been resolved for a long long time. If there's any important info missing in my post, I'll gladly provide them. 

[Luke 38862]

@frankzhlew

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

[frankzhlew 0]

Thanks for the response. Here's the required info:

• Describe the problem in your own words, including what you're trying to accomplish, and where you're getting stuck. Make sure to indicate which Emby App you're using. If you're using a browser, then please indicate what browser you're using.

Videos taken from the same iPhone SOMETIMES played in wrong orientation. The issue occurs on Web App (Opera) and Android TV app. The issue does not occur on the iOS app. I'm focusing on Web App for now.

• If you saw error messages, please tell us what they were. If the problem is difficult to explain, please include screenshots that demonstrate the issue.

Videos recorded by the same iPhone are treated differently. 

Sometimes they are played directly without transcoding, with correct orientation:

Sometimes they are transcoded, also with correct orientation:

But sometimes they are transcoded into wrong orientation:

• Please attach the server log from the time frame the activity occurred. See the section below titled Emby Server Logs. Please supply the full and complete log file, and avoid attempting to extract relevant sections. Everything is relevant to us. If a server transcoding log (ffmpeg log) was also generated during playback (in the server logs folder), please attach that as well.

Server log: embyserver.txt

ffmpeg logs: ffmpeg log - correct orientation.txt and ffmpeglog - wrong orientation.txt

Please see the original post as to the difference I spotted between the two log transcode logs. 

• If you are using the Roku or Android TV specific app, please also follow the instructions below to send a log from the app.

I'm focusing on the web app. 

 

 

Let me know if I need to add anything else. Thanks!

embyserver.txt ffmpeg log - wrong orientation.txt ffmpeg log - correct orientation.txt

[Luke 38862]

Hi, we're looking into it. Thanks for reporting.