Amazon FireTV Cube 3rd gen issues

[Prydwyn 6]

Not an Alexa problem, but wasn't sure where else to post this.

Just acquired a FireTV Cube 3rd Gen.. Emby won't play any h265 mkv 4K content, with 1080p mp4 files only plays sound with a black screen. 720p mp4 files play ok. Not an issue with the files, as when I switch to the app on my Samsung TV (which the Fire Cube is connected to), they play fine.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas as to a solution?

Thanks in advance

[Luke 42077]

Hi.  Can you try sideloading our standard android app on the same device and see how that compares?

https://emby.media/emby-for-android.html

Thanks.

 

[Prydwyn 6]

HI Luke,

Thanks for the suggesion - I just sideloaded the Emby Android client 3.2.92, but with exactly the same results. 4K content doesn't play... just a black screen and after a few seconds says that there are no compatible streams. 1080p content plays sound with a black screen, and 720p content plays fine. Didn't have any problems with the FireTV Cube 2nd gen, so probably an issue with the new version of the Fire Cube? (FYI, the Cube was running version 2.079a from the Amazon store).

If I switch to the Tizen client on the TV all formats play OK - but I would rather play through the Cube as it is paired with a couple of Alexa Studios for the improved sound.

[ebr 16171]

 

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

 

[Prydwyn 6]

Hi ebr,

Here are 3 logs (I've prefixed the '4K_' to them) from this morning after I sideloaded the Android client onto the FireCube. I'll get some 1080p logs as soon as I can.

Thanks for looking.

 

 

4K_ffmpeg-transcode-9d550a55-b451-4ded-b6f3-4a27e7c97781_1.txt 4K_ffmpeg-transcode-5d52d8c8-2640-4647-8271-92b047579d41_1.txt 4K_ffmpeg-remux-0590d9a4-b8e9-4c8f-a323-7f80222d8044_1.txt

[ebr 16171]

Using the TV app can you please play that item for a few seconds and then follow the instructions to send a log from the app?

 

 

[Prydwyn 6]

Just sent two logs direct from the Fire TV app (2.0.79a)... The first was an attempt a 4K playback. After a few seconds of a spinning circle it dumped me back to the app and the message along the lines of "Given up. Too may errors" (it wasn't on screen for long) appeared.

The second log is for playback of 1080p - Black screen, but the sound was playing. Hope these help, and thanks for your assistance.

[ebr 16171]

Hi.  How was this item created?  Something about it is not right.

playerFailed [eventTime=5.66, mediaPos=0.00, window=0, period=0, errorCode=ERROR_CODE_DECODING_FAILED

 

[Prydwyn 6]

I created the logs as per the instructions in the link you sent. I turned on the debug options, played the 4K film until it failed and dropped me back to the title page, then I went to the home page and sent the log directly from the app.

Same procedure for the 1080p, except that as it was playing (sound only) I let it run for a few seconds before exiting the film, and then continued as above. 

[pwhodges 2012]

He means how was the media you were playing created?  The log shows that it could not be decoded.

Paul

[Prydwyn 6]

Ah, I see... I don't know, I didn't create it. But it does play correctly on the Samsung TV version of the app, and my Lenovo android tablet. But the the problem is not with just that file - I have tried at least 6 different 4k and 1080p files and they all exhibit the same issue when playing on the FireTV Cube 3rd gen.

[ebr 16171]

2 hours ago, Prydwyn said:

I have tried at least 6 different 4k and 1080p files

Did they all come from the same place?

[Prydwyn 6]

No, different sources... The only common link is that they won't play on the FireTV Cube 3rd Gen using client 2.0.79a, or sideloading the Android app. They do play on my PC using Emby web interface and Emby Theatre, my Android phone, my Android tablet, and my Samsung 4K TV. They also play if I open them in DivX media player. The issue is not with the files... it is something to do with the 3rd gen Fire TV Cube, as at least 2 of them I watched over Christmas on the 2nd gen Cube without any issues.

[ebr 16171]

16 hours ago, Prydwyn said:

The issue is not with the files... it is something to do with the 3rd gen Fire TV Cube

Well, it is likely both.  Something about the encoding of these files is tripping up the decoder on the cube.

[Luke 42077]

Can you provide a sample video for testing?

[Prydwyn 6]

After some other issues with the Cube (that may or may not be related) Amazon are sending me a replacement. That is due to arrive tomorrow - so once I've got it set up I'll be able to see if the problem remains. If I still have it I'll try and send a file for testing. I'll let you know once I've tried it.

Thanks for your assistance so far.