Recordings will be converted on the fly to MP4 or MKV

[Robert X. Gonzalez 4]

I noticed recently (within the last two updates) that occasionally, some recordings are done automatically as a MKV file vs MP4.  I check the settings and there used to be an option to select, but this option is gone and evidently Emby selects.  When Emby selects, it, and it seems to now default to MKV, I am no longer able to view ANY program recorded as the screen is black yet the audio is there.  I have un-selected the auto setting but not sure now what it will record under.  How can this be fixed or adjusted?  I have lost many recordings, at least unable to view either on my Emby Server or my TV using a Roku.  Just a black screen with audio.

Edited August 20, 2017 by Robert X. Gonzalez

[Luke 37178]

Hi @@Robert X. Gonzalez, why do you think you're unable to view them? Can we please look at an example? Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. thanks !

[Robert X. Gonzalez 4]

Sir, thank you for the quick response.  Attached are the server logs, hope I did it correctly and what you need.  Additional information and clarification:

 

- Started when it appears to me with Automatically convert recordings to a streaming friendly format option.  Prior, I always selected MP4, never MKV

- I also discovered that usually, the file I select in Emby, e.g., Battlestar galactica 5 will no longer play but instead, unable to read plays another episode. This I first noticed last week with NOVA and thought it was a network issue so deleted the episode, but now MKV is default and want to MP4 as default.

- when I use ROKU, only a black screen with full audio is visible (plays selected movie or episode though)

- I attempted to convert from MKV to MP4 and still black w/audio

- I unchecked the AUTO convert and now recordings are TS which I can watch and later convert manually to MP4 but right now am concerned as about a weeks worth of recordings are no longer watchable.  If at least I could convert them to MP4 but that option does not realize a watchable video.

- Am concerned, can the MKV videos be saved?  Is there a way to manually select MP4 under current Version 3.2.27.0?

 

Let me know what else you need please.

server-63638739436.txt

server-63638784000.txt

server-63638812448.txt

server-63638816808.txt

[Robert X. Gonzalez 4]

Sir, I got suspicious of the FFMPEG and updated it with a current copy from: https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds. I downloaded version 20170817-92da230 (3.3.3).  In addition, I also unchecked hardware encoding for HVEC and MPEG2.  I did some test recordings with the AUTO MKV / MPEG4 enabled again and this time recordings are back to what it was, view-able and of course sound as always.  I also updated Emby to Version 3.2.28.0 BEFORE I updated FFMPEG etc but did not make a difference.  I used the Static vs. the Shared FFMPEG - hope this is correct and this update corrected my issue.

 

Sadly, I am not able to view previous recordings from 14 AUG through this morning, as they remain with a black screen and normal audio.  Post ffmpeg update recordings so far are fine to include using ROKU and direct play from the hard drive.  Is there any way to salvage the prior recordings; with the old ffmpeg?

[jasonmcroy 315]

I came in here tonight to post about the selector for recording as MKV vs MP4 as well. What I am saying is the option is missing in Live TV - Settings. (screen shot below)

 

However, for me it's not an issue per se because Live TV still automatically records to the MKV format. I am only pointing it out for those that may want it to record as MP4 (I always prefer recording to MKV myself). 

 

This began with the latest update (at least that I noticed).

 

[Luke 37178]

I came in here tonight to post about the selector for recording as MKV vs MP4 as well. What I am saying is the option is missing in Live TV - Settings. (screen shot below)

 

However, for me it's not an issue per se because Live TV still automatically records to the MKV format. I am only pointing it out for those that may want it to record as MP4 (I always prefer recording to MKV myself). 

 

This began with the latest update (at least that I noticed).

 

Capture.JPG

 

The issue is that we can't play in progress mp4 files, so that's why it was taken away.

[Luke 37178]

Hi @@Robert X. Gonzalez, are you able to play one of those older recordings in something like Vlc? That would be a good thing to check. Thanks !

[jasonmcroy 315]

The issue is that we can't play in progress mp4 files, so that's why it was taken away.

 

Ok, makes sense. Like I said, I prefer the MKV anyway. Perhaps the label underneath should be removed?

[Robert X. Gonzalez 4]

- Up till the previous version, was recording strictly using MP4 with no issue.

- Do not play in progress

- Once AUTO took over and MKV the default was no longer able to view ANY MKV recordings, only can see BLACK screen w/audio even on ROKU

- FFMPEG was updated and now new recordings with AUTO and MKV can be viewed normally to include ROKU

- ALL MKV recordings made from 14 AUG through yesterday AM (pre- FFMPEG update) cannot be view even with updated FFMPEG

- copy and paste of MKV made under old FFMPEG are not view-able on any computer or ROKU

- Deleted but still have available the MKV recordings made between 14-20 AUG as they are not playable.

[Luke 37178]

Are you able to play one of those older recordings in something like Vlc? That would be a good thing to check. Thanks !

[SWKerr 4]

Had a major issue on my unRAID server and had to reinstall.  I noticed the same issue where selecting mp4 or mkv is no longer and option.  It appears to record mkv by default.  I am ok with this as I was using mkv as I had noticed that mp4 would not playback live and I do watch News and sports at near real time.  

 

But...It would be better if the message changed to indicate mp4 was no longer an option.  I spent some time trying to select mkv again before seeing this post. 

[Luke 37178]

Thanks for the feedback, we'll do that.