Samsung TV with Emby App doesn't play most MP4 files

[olli14 1]

I have many movies (mkv files and ts files and mp4 files) on my Linux Mint pc. Emby server is running on this pc. With the Emby app on my Samsung TV I can look all movies that have ts file or mkv file. But I can't l look most of my mp4 files. When I try to look one of my mp4 files I get an error after a few seconds someting like this: "There is no stream available at the moment. Please ask your administrator".

I tried to enable and disable different transcode settings (see pictures "Einstellungen1.png" and "Einstellungen2.png"). With these different transcode settings I tried to play the mp4 file "22 Kugeln" and made transcode logs and also the emby log. Attached the logs.

Further I opened some mp4 files with Mediainfo. You find the Mediainfo of those four mp4 files (Dampfnudelblues.mp4 and 22Kugeln.mp4 and DerSchatzimSilbersee.mp4 and Schweinskopfaldente.mp4) attached. Only mp4 file "Dampfnudelblues" is playing.

When I compare the MediaInfo I see that all mp4 files with "bit rate mode = variable" are not playing. Only mp4 files that have "Bit rate mode = constant" are playing.

When I play for example "22 Kugeln.mp4"  without using Emby then my Samsung TV is playing this mp4 file.

Need help please.

 

ffmpeg-directstream-erster Versuch1.txt ffmpeg-transcode-zweiter Versuch3.txt ffmpeg-directstream-vierter Bersuch4.txt ffmpeg-transcode-erster Versuch3.txt ffmpeg-transcode-zweiter Versuch2.txt ffmpeg-directstream dritter Versuch1.txt ffmpeg-directstream-vierter Versuch3.txt ffmpeg-transcode erster Versuch2.txt ffmpeg-directstream-dritter Versuch2.txt ffmpeg-directstream-vierter Versuch1.txt embyserver.txt ffmpeg-directstream-zweiter Versuch1.txt ffmpeg-directstream-dritter Versuch4.txt ffmpeg-directstream-vierter Versuch2.txt DerSchatzimSilbersee-Mediainfo.txt Schweinskopfaldente-Mediainfo.txt 22Kugeln-Mediainfo.txt Dampfnudelblues-Mediainfo.txt

[SamES 977]

It could be the variable rate, but I suspect it is possibly one of these causing the issue

 

[olli14 1]

A few minutes ago I copied some files that Emby doesn't play (e.g. Schweinskopfaldente) to an USB Stick. This USB Stick I put into my Fritzbox. Then I turned on my Samsung TV and get access to the USB Stick in my Fritzbox. The Samsung TV now plays the files that doesn't work with Emby. But why? Why does these files play with an USB stick in my Fritzbox but doesn't play with Emby? It is my understanding that Emby server should open a port and the Emby client app get access to the files via this port? But I think that it isn't so easy, right?

When it is not necessary that emby transcodes these mp4 files (because my Samsung TV can play these mp4 files itself) why does these mp4 files doesn't work with emby?

[SamES 977]

Whaty if you put the USB directly in the TV, then use the TV's internal media player?

[olli14 1]

When I put the USB Stick in TV then TV doesn't show the USB stick. Don't know why. The USB stick has format Ext4. Probably that is reason.

But my understanding is that my TV internal media player DOES play the mp4 files (because they play when USB Stick is in Fritzbox ). And they  don't play when using emby.

[olli14 1]

OK. Now I have format an USB stick with FAT. Then copied mp4 file "22 Kugeln.mp4" on the USB stick. Put USB stick in Samsung TV and the TV played "22 Kugeln.mp4"

[SamES 977]

All the log file show the transcode reason as : TranscodeReasons=DirectPlayError

This means that the internalplayer had an unknown/unreported error when attempting to DirectPlay,  Generally, if a file plays via USB then it should play fine with the internal player in the Emby client, but on recent models that's not always true.

If you want, you can send me a PM with a link for me to download one of these files for testing

[olli14 1]

In google search for "mediathekwebview" or use this link. On this site search for "22 Kugeln". I have downloaded highest quality. That is the file I use.

 

[SamES 977]

7 hours ago, olli14 said:

In google search for "mediathekwebview" or use this link. On this site search for "22 Kugeln". I have downloaded highest quality. That is the file I use.

 

It says I don't have permission.

Can you please put a file on a OneDrive/GoogleDrive/Dropbox or some other service and send me a link via PM?  Thanks

[pektoral 22]

Hi olli14,

same problem here, but i know what is the problem.
On some cheap samsung tv´s there is no playback for 50 frames movies of the german tv station.
Just check your tv information, emby is doing everything well in this case.
You could just convert to 25 frames, but this is causing very bad quality and bucking.

Kind regards,
pektoral

[pektoral 22]

Just to provide additionally information:

https://forum.mediathekview.de/topic/3268/framerate-problem

I have 2 Samsung TV´s one can only play 25 frames, nothing more.
The second one is able to play all framerates without any problems.

Kind regards,
pektoral

[SamES 977]

2 hours ago, pektoral said:

Hi olli14,

same problem here, but i know what is the problem.
On some cheap samsung tv´s there is no playback for 50 frames movies of the german tv station.
Just check your tv information, emby is doing everything well in this case.
You could just convert to 25 frames, but this is causing very bad quality and bucking.

Kind regards,
pektoral

Thanks for providing this information. That is good to know. 
 

@olli14for reference, this is the codec matrix from Samsung. 

https://developer.samsung.com/smarttv/develop/specifications/media-specifications/2021-tv-video-specifications.html

I think that your model is a 21TV_BASIC1, but as @pektoralhas pointed out. Samsung does release certain models in different markets and for suppliers that is further restricted, and even for ‘normal’ models, this matrix isn’t always 100% reliable. 
 

The ‘DirectPlayError’ is triggered when the TV can’t playback the original file using the player that is available to apps, in which case we will try and transcode the video to make it playable. 
 

In this case, we can’t ‘fix’ anything to make it work, but if you can narrow down and prove that it is the framerate, or some other parameter then you could manually convert them to avoid this error. 

[olli14 1]

Sorry but I don't understand.

When I put the movie "22 Kugeln.mp4" on a USB stick, put this USB stick in my Samsung tv then the tv plays this movie without any problems with it's internal media player.

But when I try to play this movie "22 Kugeln.mp4" (it is the same movie, the same file!!!) via emby than the movie doesn't play.

[pektoral 22]

Hallo Olli,

ich gehe mal davon aus du sprichst Deutsch?
Wenn du die Datei über den USB Stick abspielen kannst, dann sollte das Playback eingentlich auch mit Emby funktionieren.
Versuch dochmal die Datei in einen .mkv Container zu packen oder in ein anderes Format zu konvertieren und dann nochmal abzuspielen.
Testweise könntest du auch mal einen kurzen Teil der .mp4 Datei auf 25 Frames reduzieren, nur um zu schauen ob das
funktioniert.

Kannst du bitte mal die Modellnummer deines Samsung TV posten?

LG pektoral

Edited January 27 by pektoral

[SamES 977]

1 hour ago, olli14 said:

Sorry but I don't understand.

When I put the movie "22 Kugeln.mp4" on a USB stick, put this USB stick in my Samsung tv then the tv plays this movie without any problems with it's internal media player.

But when I try to play this movie "22 Kugeln.mp4" (it is the same movie, the same file!!!) via emby than the movie doesn't play.

The player that is made available to apps like emby does not always have the full capability that is available when playing media via USB.  It's just the way that Samsung have implemented it, and we are limited to the functionality that they have made available.

[pektoral 22]

Hello Olli,

maybe you can try this video for testing? This video has also 50 frames but is vp9 encoded.

https://nrodlzdf-a.akamaihd.net/de/zdf/25/01/250114_2305_sendung_ary/1/250114_2305_sendung_ary_4328k_p19v17.webm

Another case could be the variable bitrate in your mp4 files...

Kind regards,
pektoral

[olli14 1]

47 minutes ago, pektoral said:

Hallo Olli,

ich gehe mal davon aus du sprichst Deutsch?
Wenn du die Datei über den USB Stick abspielen kannst, dann sollte das Playback eingentlich auch mit Emby funktionieren.
Versuch dochmal die Datei in einen .mkv Container zu packen oder in ein anderes Format zu konvertieren und dann nochmal abzuspielen.
Testweise könntest du auch mal einen kurzen Teil der .mp4 Datei auf 25 Frames reduzieren, nur um zu schauen ob das
funktioniert.

Kannst du bitte mal die Modellnummer deines Samsung TV posten?

LG pektoral

 

Ich hatte den Film "22 Kugeln" auch schon mal mit MKVToolnix in eine MKV Datei umgewandelt und auch mit MKVToolnix in eine TS Datei umgewandelt. Beide Male hatte Emby den Film nicht abgespielt.

Kennst du eine Software, die unter Linux die Frame Rate von 50 Frames auf 25 Frames reduzieren kann? Wobei das ja völlig sinnlos für mich wäre. Ich will ja nicht Filme aus einer Mediathek erstmal umständlich bearbeiten müssen, um sie dann über Emby abspielen zu können!

Ich bin mir auch sicher, daß ich bereits Filme mit Emby abspielen konnte, die 50 Frames hatten. Der einzige Unterschied, den ich feststellen konnte zwischen Filmen, die über Emby abspielbar waren oder halt nicht abspielwar waren, war die Tatsache, daß die nicht abspielbaren Filme "Bit rate mode variable" hatten.

Die Modellnummer ist GU50AU7179UXZG

 

Edited January 27 by olli14

[pektoral 22]

Hallo Olli,

es gibt natürlich mit ffmpeg Win/Linux eine Möglichkeit das ganze auf 25 Frames zu reduzieren.
Davon würde ich dir aber dringend abraten, danach hast du einen nicht mehr ansehbaren Film (es ruckelt übelst).
Ich habe alles dazu ausprobiert, das Ruckeln bleibt, warum ist natürlich klar...

Ich würde erstmal die vp9 Datei mit 50 Frames mit Emby testen (siehe Link oben) und schauen ob diese eventuell funktioniert.
Sollte das der Fall sein, kannst du versuchen mal eine deiner Problem mp4 Dateien in vp9 zu konvertieren.

Zum Beispiel so:

ffmpeg -i QUELLDATEINAME -c:v libvpx-vp9 -crf 5 -tune 0 -an -b:v 6M ZIELDATEINAME.webm

LG pektoral

[pektoral 22]

Hi Olli,

sorry, hier die richtigen Parameter für ffmpeg in VP9, der Parameter -an war falsch.

ffmpeg -i QUELLDATEINAME -c:v libvpx-vp9 -crf 5 -tune 0 -c:a copy -b:v 6M ZIELDATEINAME.webm

LG pektoral

[olli14 1]

Hi pektoral

the file with vp9 and 50 frames (your link) also doesn't work.

1. At the moment I can say that all mp4 files I have tested so far and which don't play with Embny have frame rate 50. BUT: when I put these files (with frame rate 50) on an usb stick every file plays fine with the internal media player of my Samsung tv.

2. At the moment I can say that all mp4 files I have tested so far and which play with Emby have frame rate 25.

3. So it seems that it is not "bit rate mode = variable".

Something that I absolutely don't understand: does Samsung really limit the functionality of the player that is made available to apps like emby so that the player has not the full capability? It seems to be like that. But WHY?

So it seems that I have no chance to play these "frame rate 50" mp4 files with emby!?

[pektoral 22]

10 hours ago, olli14 said:

Hi pektoral

the file with vp9 and 50 frames (your link) also doesn't work.

1. At the moment I can say that all mp4 files I have tested so far and which don't play with Embny have frame rate 50. BUT: when I put these files (with frame rate 50) on an usb stick every file plays fine with the internal media player of my Samsung tv.

2. At the moment I can say that all mp4 files I have tested so far and which play with Emby have frame rate 25.

3. So it seems that it is not "bit rate mode = variable".

Something that I absolutely don't understand: does Samsung really limit the functionality of the player that is made available to apps like emby so that the player has not the full capability? It seems to be like that. But WHY?

So it seems that I have no chance to play these "frame rate 50" mp4 files with emby!?

Hi Olli,

i have checked your tv playback capabilities, you should be able to play up to 60 frames. (see my picture included)
So the problem on your side should not be the framerate limit of some samsung tv´s.
My guess is still the variable bitrate...could you provide a small sample?
If you want a quick solution without reencoding just use a firestick with the emby android app.

Kind regards,
pektoral
 

[SamES 977]

21 hours ago, SamES said:

I think that your model is a 21TV_BASIC1, but as @pektoralhas pointed out. Samsung does release certain models in different markets and for suppliers that is further restricted, and even for ‘normal’ models, this matrix isn’t always 100% reliable. 

Please note my previous comment - just because it's in the matrix, it doesn't mean it will play.

To clarify, we pass the file url directly to the Samsung avplayer.  Aside from setting the player dimensions, there are no parameters to be set.  We don't set fps, bitrate or any other parameters.  The player will try and play it and if successful, then all good.  If it does not, then it will throw an error and we handle it as best we can.

If we know that the file is not compatible (using the matrix as a guide) then we won't attempt to DirectPlay, we will convert the video or audio as necessary.

[olli14 1]

@pektoralUntil now I used an Android TV box with Kodi and Emby client. For live tv we use the tuner inside the Samsung tv,  for Amazon Prime we use the app  inside the Samsung tv, but for my movies we used the Android TV box with Kodi. So two devices. I don't have a problem to control both devices with remotes but my wife isn't so happy with this solution. So when everything is working on only one device (on the Samsung tv with emby for the movies) it would be better.

 

@SamES

All the movies are playing fine when they are on an USB stick. The Samsung avplayer plays them all. When using emby you pass the url directly to the Samsung avplayer. When aside from the player dimensions no other parameters to be set: why does e.g. movie "22 Kugeln.mp4" doesn't play when it plays when using a USB stick? Do you attempt to convert the video AFTER you get a DirectPlay error? Or do you attempt to convert the video immediately because you know that the file will not play anyway (using the matrix as a guide)? Can I have setting default in my "player dimension"?

[SamES 977]

5 hours ago, olli14 said:

All the movies are playing fine when they are on an USB stick. The Samsung avplayer plays them all. When using emby you pass the url directly to the Samsung avplayer. When aside from the player dimensions no other parameters to be set: why does e.g. movie "22 Kugeln.mp4" doesn't play when it plays when using a USB stick?

When playing using the USB stick it's not using exactly the same avplayer that we use. The built-in media player app sometimes has more capabilities than we can use with avplayer in the app.  avplayer is an application library, it's not an app.

5 hours ago, olli14 said:

Do you attempt to convert the video AFTER you get a DirectPlay error? Or do you attempt to convert the video immediately because you know that the file will not play anyway (using the matrix as a guide)? Can I have setting default in my "player dimension"?

For example, if we know that all 2022 models don't support 50fps, or models after 2017 don't support DTS, then we will convert the file first.  However, where this is not known or, when there are 'special' models that have limited features that we're not aware of, then we attempt the conversion after we receive the DirectPlay error.

[olli14 1]

Is there a way (with some kind of a trick) to install the emby app of another Samsung tv so that my Samsung tv plays e.g. "22 Kugeln.mp4" and all other mp4 files?

Of course I could buy e.g. a fire tv stick for playing all these mp4 files. I can handle all this stuff (using Samsung emby app or fire tv stick) . BUT: .my wife can't handle all this stuff. So only one device would be better.