Problem with GoPro files with 120mbit bitrate

[smgsmagus 0]

hi!

 

I have a problem with files from GoPro camera (4K , 60fps, 120mbit bitrate). I'm trying to watch them from Nvidia Shield Pro via Emby app, but I see only first frame of the video file. Audio is being passed through without any problems.

embyserver.txt

[ebr 16169]

15 hours ago, smgsmagus said:

4K , 60fps, 120mbit bitrate

Hi.  Pretty sure that is beyond the specs of the device.  We should probably be forcing a transcode.

[smgsmagus 0]

this fits into HDMI 2.0 specs, so should work fine, also VLC can display these files on shield without any issue.

[ebr 16169]

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.

 

[smgsmagus 0]

I tried, result is that I see more than 1 frame, but it stutters a lot, I see maybe 1 frame out of 10 or even 20.

[smgsmagus 0]

I tried also to enable DLNA in Emby and play file with VLC on Shield - works flawlessly. Same as with Kodi via SMB share

[Luke 42077]

On 4/2/2024 at 3:46 PM, smgsmagus said:

I tried, result is that I see more than 1 frame, but it stutters a lot, I see maybe 1 frame out of 10 or even 20.

Hi, what version number did you try?

[smgsmagus 0]

hi, I used the one from link provided above, so I assume latest one.

I did some testing with following GoPro files:

4k 10 bit 60 fps

4k 8 bit 60 fps

4k 8 bit 30 fps

 

none of them works properly, all stuck on a first frame. What is interesting is that on LG TV app these files works properly. On Shield they work in VLC, but not in Emby.

[smgsmagus 0]

I  can record and send you some sample file so you can check on your side - just let me know how.

[rbjtech 5284]

At these bitrates, I suspect it's network bandwidth related.

How are the server and client devices all connected ?  Wifi or Wired ?

Remember the bitrate on 120mbps is above what a wired 100Mbit connection can deliver - so unless you have a great wifi signal on wifi 5 (ac) and above, you are going to have trouble.

Kodi and VLC will be using direct SMB connections, Emby will be using HTTP via the Emby Server - very different methods to transfer the file.

[smgsmagus 0]

I'm on very good wifi AC connection, Shield connectivity is much better than TV. I will understand if that will buffer or stutter, but file should play at least. Here it stops on first frame. 4k 8 bit 30 fps is around 80Mbps bitrate. I had mp4 files with even higher bitrate and they played just fine. I guess this is related to some codec issue which GoPro may use, not to the network. 

[rbjtech 5284]

5 minutes ago, smgsmagus said:

 I guess this is related to some codec issue which GoPro may use, not to the network. 

yes possibly - this is hevc right ? - do you have a media info extract we can look at ?

It could be an extreme profile that the Shield/Emby combo does not like.   Can you compare to the MP4 that does work ?

[smgsmagus 0]

General
Complete name                  : S:\gp\GX010211.MP4
Format                         : MPEG-4
Format profile                 : Base Media / Version 1
Codec ID                       : mp41 (mp41)
File size                      : 118 MiB
Duration                       : 11 s 11 ms
Overall bit rate               : 90.1 Mb/s
Frame rate                     : 29.970 FPS
Encoded date                   : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC

Video
ID                             : 1
Format                         : HEVC
Format/Info                    : High Efficiency Video Coding
Format profile                 : Main@L6@Main
Codec ID                       : hvc1
Codec ID/Info                  : High Efficiency Video Coding
Duration                       : 11 s 11 ms
Bit rate                       : 89.8 Mb/s
Width                          : 3 840 pixels
Height                         : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio           : 16:9
Frame rate mode                : Constant
Frame rate                     : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Color space                    : YUV
Chroma subsampling             : 4:2:0
Bit depth                      : 8 bits
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)             : 0.361
Stream size                    : 118 MiB (100%)
Title                          : GoPro H.265
Language                       : English
Encoded date                   : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC
Color range                    : Full
Color primaries                : BT.709
Transfer characteristics       : BT.709
Matrix coefficients            : BT.709
Codec configuration box        : hvcC

Audio
ID                             : 2
Format                         : AAC LC
Format/Info                    : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                       : mp4a-40-2
Duration                       : 10 s 965 ms
Bit rate mode                  : Constant
Bit rate                       : 192 kb/s
Nominal bit rate               : 48.0 kb/s
Channel(s)                     : 2 channels
Channel layout                 : L R
Sampling rate                  : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                     : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode               : Lossy
Stream size                    : 253 KiB (0%)
Title                          : GoPro AAC
Default                        : Yes
Alternate group                : 1
Encoded date                   : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC

Other #1
ID                             : 3
Type                           : Time code
Format                         : QuickTime TC
Duration                       : 11 s 11 ms
Bit rate mode                  : Constant
Frame rate                     : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Time code of first frame       : 02:08:48;06
Time code of last frame        : 02:08:59;05
Time code, stripped            : Yes
Title                          : GoPro TCD
Language                       : English
Encoded date                   : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC

Other #2
ID                             : 4
Type                           : meta
Format                         : gpmd
Codec ID                       : gpmd
Duration                       : 11 s 10 ms
Bit rate mode                  : Variable
Title                          : GoPro MET
Language                       : English
Encoded date                   : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2024-04-10 20:38:48 UTC
Duration_LastFrame             : -1

sure, here it is:) I took the 8 bit example as it has the smallest bitrate.

[smgsmagus 0]

and here for example is file from DJI drone which works without problems:

 

General
Complete name                  : S:\HGQW5800.MP4
Format                         : MPEG-4
Format profile                 : Base Media
Codec ID                       : isom (isom/iso2/mp41)
File size                      : 182 MiB
Duration                       : 16 s 250 ms
Overall bit rate               : 94.0 Mb/s
Frame rate                     : 29.970 FPS
Encoded date                   : 2024-04-06 12:41:05 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2024-04-06 12:41:05 UTC
Writing application            : DJI Mini4 Pro
Cover                          : Yes
snal                           : (Binary)
tnal                           : (Binary)

Video
ID                             : 1
Format                         : HEVC
Format/Info                    : High Efficiency Video Coding
Format profile                 : Main@L5@High
Codec ID                       : hvc1
Codec ID/Info                  : High Efficiency Video Coding
Duration                       : 16 s 250 ms
Bit rate                       : 90.5 Mb/s
Width                          : 3 840 pixels
Height                         : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio           : 16:9
Frame rate mode                : Constant
Frame rate                     : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Original frame rate            : 29.970 (29970/1000) FPS
Color space                    : YUV
Chroma subsampling             : 4:2:0
Bit depth                      : 8 bits
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)             : 0.364
Stream size                    : 175 MiB (96%)
Encoded date                   : 2024-04-06 12:41:05 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2024-04-06 12:41:05 UTC
Color range                    : Limited
Color primaries                : BT.709
Transfer characteristics       : BT.709
Matrix coefficients            : BT.709
Codec configuration box        : hvcC

Other #1
ID                             : 2
Type                           : meta
Format                         : djmd
Codec ID                       : djmd
Duration                       : 16 s 250 ms
Bit rate mode                  : Variable
Title                          : DJI meta
Default                        : No
Alternate group                : 5
Encoded date                   : 2024-04-06 12:41:05 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2024-04-06 12:41:05 UTC

Other #2
ID                             : 3
Type                           : meta
Format                         : dbgi
Codec ID                       : dbgi
Duration                       : 16 s 250 ms
Bit rate mode                  : Variable
Title                          : DJI dbgi
Default                        : No
Alternate group                : 5
Encoded date                   : 2024-04-06 12:41:05 UTC
Tagged date                    : 2024-04-06 12:41:05 UTC

 

[Happy2Play 9780]

My guess as @rbjtechelude to is "Main@L6@Main" level 6 encoding.  Most clients complain about higher than 5.1, not saying it isn't possible but is outside the norm.  As you mentioned no issues with L5 encodes.

[Luke 42077]

On 4/11/2024 at 8:40 PM, Happy2Play said:

My guess as @rbjtechelude to is "Main@L6@Main" level 6 encoding.  Most clients complain about higher than 5.1, not saying it isn't possible but is outside the norm.  As you mentioned no issues with L5 encodes.

Ah yes, that could be the issue.

[smgsmagus 0]

any hope to fix it?

[rbjtech 5284]

High Efficiency Video Coding tiers and levels - Wikipedia

The Shield Pro is not capable of natively playing back 4K/120fps  - as it has an HDMI 2.0 interface.   Thus any other software that 'works' is tricking you into it playing back - it's likely doing it at 60fps - the max the Shield Pro can handle.

Are there maybe any settings on the GoPro to reduce the fps to 60 - and use the hevc 5.1 profile ?

[smgsmagus 0]

hi

if you will read this thread carefully, you will see that problem is not with files with 120fps, but less. It seems not to be HDMI issue ( as VLC is capable of opening these files), but Emby capability to play Main@L6@Main HEVC files. Even 30fps files are failing.

[rbjtech 5284]

2 minutes ago, smgsmagus said:

hi

if you will read this thread carefully, you will see that problem is not with files with 120fps, but less. It seems not to be HDMI issue ( as VLC is capable of opening these files), but Emby capability to play Main@L6@Main HEVC files. Even 30fps files are failing.

It's both - HDMI 2.0 is not capble of playing of playing 4K@120fps.

So even if the Shield could play L6 profiles - which it cannot - then HDMI would not allow it anyway.

If you look at your mediainfo output that I asked for for originally, you will see that even 30 fps is written as an L6 profile.   This is totally unnecessary and is the reason why they are failing because the Shield does not support this profile.

This looks a bug to me on the GoPro firmware - it should be recording 4K 30 or 60fps as L5.0 or 5.1 - both of which the shield supports.

[TylerS8271018 0]

On 4/2/2024 at 9:56 AM, ebr said:

Hi.  Pretty sure that is beyond the specs of the device.  We should probably be forcing a transcode.

I have the same problem and just found this post.  GoPro videos not playing on Nvidia shield. 

Is it possible for me to force a transcode manually?  It would definitely be nice to be able to play the raw GoPro files.  

[TylerS8271018 0]

well, just to follow up, I output some of the gopro video using H265 from davinci resolve and that also won't play (on the newest version of nvidia shield pro).  My server is a DS920+.

Here's a picture of the "stats for nerds".  My understanding is this should be working okay with direct play?

 

 

[ebr 16169]

11 hours ago, TylerS8271018 said:

Is it possible for me to force a transcode manually?

Try selecting "Playback Correction" from the cog menu during playback repeatedly until it plays properly.

[Suryardan 0]

I had similar trouble with high-bitrate files until I switched to videos shot on Insta 360 from https://www.amazon.com/stores/Insta360/page/2A4E9629-9C41-48D0-B37A-F3A6CF3D74D9 . The files seem way easier to handle in Emby, especially with playback and direct streaming. I don’t even need to remux most of them. Might be worth checking out if you're looking for smoother handling without changing too much in your setup.

Edited May 13, 2025 by Suryardan

[Shanefalk 9]

I had the same issue, and lowering the bitrate using HandBrake fixed it for me. Also noticed that some players had trouble with GoPro's high frame rate videos.