Files working on iPad & iPhone, but not Apple TV?

[nikwilliamson]

Hi. I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but here it goes.
I have a 2nd generation Apple TV (4.2.1) that will only play about half of the videos in my iTunes (10.2.1) via airplay. The other half get to the screen where you see the progress bar, it stays at 0.00 and the loading thing constantly rotates. The apple TV isn't frozen, because I can still navigate via the remote. These same files that don't work with Home Sharing to the Apple TV share just fine to my iPad and iPhone 4. Any ideas what is up?

Here is the data from inspector in Quicktime of a non working file:

Here is the data from inspector in Quicktime of a working file:

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[roidy]

Quicktime Inspector doesn't give you anywhere near enough information to see why the file wont work. Use something like MediaInfo and then post the results.

Also your probably not going to get many responses when you show us you're blatantly torrenting movies

 

[nikwilliamson]

I only download torrents for movies I am contemplating buying. I have a quite large collection I've spent over 1400 on. I just don't want to waste money on movies I don't like. Ideally I would rent them, but I recently have come into some money trouble.

The stuff from mediainfo is really long, and I'm not sure how I would post it. Is there a difference between what the Apple TV and iPad can play over homesharing?

 

[roidy]

The stuff from mediainfo is really long, and I'm not sure how I would post it.

Just quote the info in your post, it doesn't matter how long it is.

Is there a difference between what the Apple TV and iPad can play over homesharing?

As far as I know there shouldn't be a difference.

By the way, nice collection of Blu-Rays.

 

[nikwilliamson]

By the way, nice collection of Blu-Rays.

Thanks. I'm quite proud of it.

Non-Working:

General
Complete name : /Volumes/Drive 1/Torrents/Movies/Red.BRRIP.MP4.x264.720p-HR/Red.m4v
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Sony PSP
Codec ID : MSNV
File size : 2.81 GiB
Duration : 2h 2mn
Overall bit rate : 3 288 Kbps
Movie name : Red
Performer : HolyRoses
Genre : Action
Recorded date : UTC 2010-10-15 07:00:00
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-08 19:56:39
Writing application : HolyRoses
Copyright : © 2011 HolyRoses. All Rights Reserved.
Cover : Yes
Comment : A HolyRoses Production - http://thepiratebay.org/user/HolyRoses/
desc : When his idyllic life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last ditch effort to survive.
ldes : When his idyllic life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last ditch effort to survive.
purd : 2011-01-08T18:01:12Z
stik : 9
iTunEXTC : mpaa|PG-13|300|
iTunMOVI : <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> / <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> / <plist version="1.0"> / <dict> / <key>copy-warning</key> / <string>Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.</string> / <key>studio</key> / <string>A HolyRoses Production</string> / <key>producers</key> / <array> / <dict> / <key>name</key> / <string>HolyRoses</string> / </dict> / </array> / </dict> / </plist>
hdvd : 1
apID : HolyRoses@mac.com
cnID : 1245526

Video #1
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L3.1
Format settings, CABAC : No
Format settings, ReFrames : 3 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 1h 51mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 3 072 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 534 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.35:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.187
Stream size : 2.38 GiB (85%)
Writing library : x264 core 83 r1391 3d0f110
Encoding settings : cabac=0 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=9 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=24 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=2 / wpredb=1 / wpredp=0 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=3072 / ratetol=1.3 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=10000 / vbv_bufsize=5000 / ip_ratio=1.41 / aq=1:1.00
Language : English

Video #2
ID : 6
Format : JPEG
Codec ID : jpeg
Duration : 2h 2mn
Duration_LastFrame : 1mn 9s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 848 bps
Width : 640 pixels
Height : 267 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.35:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 0.003 fps
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 1.654
Stream size : 759 KiB (0%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-08 19:56:30
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-08 19:56:31

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 1h 51mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 160 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 221 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 127 MiB (4%)
Language : English

Audio #2
ID : 3
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : ac-3
Duration : 1h 51mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 305 MiB (11%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-08 19:56:15
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-08 19:56:22

Text #1
ID : 4
Format : Timed text
Muxing mode : sbtl
Codec ID : tx3g
Duration : 1h 44mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 54 bps
Stream size : 41.5 KiB (0%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-08 19:56:22
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-08 19:56:22

Text #2
ID : 5
Format : Apple text
Codec ID : text
Duration : 1h 51mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 1 bps
Stream size : 519 Bytes (0%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-08 19:56:22
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-08 19:56:22

Menu
00:00:00.000 : Chapter 1
00:05:00.000 : Chapter 2
00:10:00.000 : Chapter 3
00:15:00.000 : Chapter 4
00:20:00.000 : Chapter 5
00:25:00.000 : Chapter 6
00:30:00.000 : Chapter 7
00:35:00.000 : Chapter 8
00:40:00.000 : Chapter 9
00:45:00.000 : Chapter 10
00:50:00.000 : Chapter 11
00:55:00.000 : Chapter 12
01:00:00.000 : Chapter 13
01:05:00.000 : Chapter 14
01:10:00.000 : Chapter 15
01:15:00.000 : Chapter 16
01:20:00.000 : Chapter 17
01:25:00.000 : Chapter 18
01:30:00.000 : Chapter 19
01:35:00.000 : Chapter 20
01:40:00.000 : Chapter 21
01:45:00.000 : Chapter 22

Working:

General
Complete name : /Volumes/Drive 1/Torrents/Movies/Let.Me.In.BRRIP.MP4.x264.720p-HR/Let Me In (HD).m4v
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Sony PSP
Codec ID : MSNV
File size : 2.93 GiB
Duration : 2h 7mn
Overall bit rate : 3 281 Kbps
Movie name : Let Me In
Performer : HolyRoses
Genre : Drama
Recorded date : UTC 2010-10-01 07:00:00
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:35
Writing application : HolyRoses
Copyright : © 2011 HolyRoses. All Rights Reserved.
Cover : Yes
Comment : A HolyRoses Production - http://thepiratebay.org/user/HolyRoses/
desc : A bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.
ldes : A bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.
purd : 2011-01-25T08:09:22Z
stik : 9
iTunEXTC : mpaa|R|400|
iTunMOVI : <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> / <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> / <plist version="1.0"> / <dict> / <key>copy-warning</key> / <string>Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.</string> / <key>studio</key> / <string>A HolyRoses Production</string> / <key>producers</key> / <array> / <dict> / <key>name</key> / <string>HolyRoses</string> / </dict> / </array> / </dict> / </plist>
hdvd : 1
apID : HolyRoses@mac.com
cnID : 1228987

Video #1
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L3.1
Format settings, CABAC : No
Format settings, ReFrames : 3 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 1h 55mn
Duration_LastFrame : 47s 941ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 3 072 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 534 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.35:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.187
Stream size : 2.48 GiB (85%)
Writing library : x264 core 83 r1391 3d0f110
Encoding settings : cabac=0 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=9 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=24 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=2 / wpredb=1 / wpredp=0 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=3072 / ratetol=1.3 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=10000 / vbv_bufsize=5000 / ip_ratio=1.41 / aq=1:1.00
Language : English

Video #2
ID : 5
Format : JPEG
Codec ID : jpeg
Duration : 2h 7mn
Duration_LastFrame : 47s 941ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 624 bps
Width : 640 pixels
Height : 267 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.35:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 0.003 fps
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 1.217
Stream size : 584 KiB (0%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:23
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:24

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 1h 55mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 160 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 234 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 132 MiB (4%)
Language : English

Audio #2
ID : 3
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : ac-3
Duration : 1h 55mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 318 MiB (11%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:10
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:16

Text
ID : 4
Format : Apple text
Codec ID : text
Duration : 1h 55mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 1 bps
Stream size : 543 Bytes (0%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:16
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:16

Menu
00:00:00.000 : Chapter 1
00:05:00.000 : Chapter 2
00:10:00.000 : Chapter 3
00:15:00.000 : Chapter 4
00:20:00.000 : Chapter 5
00:25:00.000 : Chapter 6
00:30:00.000 : Chapter 7
00:35:00.000 : Chapter 8
00:40:00.000 : Chapter 9
00:45:00.000 : Chapter 10
00:50:00.000 : Chapter 11
00:55:00.000 : Chapter 12
01:00:00.000 : Chapter 13
01:05:00.000 : Chapter 14
01:10:00.000 : Chapter 15
01:15:00.000 : Chapter 16
01:20:00.000 : Chapter 17
01:25:00.000 : Chapter 18
01:30:00.000 : Chapter 19
01:35:00.000 : Chapter 20
01:40:00.000 : Chapter 21
01:45:00.000 : Chapter 22
01:50:00.000 : Chapter 23

 

[roidy]

Both files seem to be encoded exactly the same and are both within ATV specs. Sorry I can't see any reason why one plays and not the other

 

[McScooby]

I put it down to a bug with the appletv. the proof is that although when you select the film via menu on the appletv, it will eventually play (give it 20mins or so) if you open the same file in itunes and select the output as appletv it plays flawlessly straight away, it did annoy me for a while til I figured this out!

 

[nikwilliamson]

I put it down to a bug with the appletv. the proof is that although when you select the film via menu on the appletv, it will eventually play (give it 20mins or so) if you open the same file in itunes and select the output as appletv it plays flawlessly straight away, it did annoy me for a while til I figured this out!

I have tried every possible combination numerous times, and it just doesn't work. :/ iTunes will say it's playing, but it just loads and loads, but never playing

 

[jedipastor]

Nik, you're not alone, I've had the same problem on several files. Good news, MOST of the time I've been able to fix it by opening the files using Subler (great tool for meta tagging, if you don't have it search for and download it). Under the "file" menu, select, "optimize". It may take a few minutes to rewrite the entire file, but 90% of the time that fixes whatever hang up ATV has and it'll play.

 

[McScooby]

Here's the 2 workarounds...

"Either, disable Dolby Digital in your apple tv settings or play movie, press down arrow to bring up bar, right click now until the end of the movie. go back to menu and select movie again. it should play, if not repeat process, it will play eventually, its normally just a timing thing"

 

[papo2]

General
Complete name : /Volumes/Drive 1/Torrents/Movies/Let.Me.In.BRRIP.MP4.x264.720p-HR/Let Me In (HD).m4v
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Sony PSP
Codec ID : MSNV
File size : 2.93 GiB
Duration : 2h 7mn
Overall bit rate : 3 281 Kbps
Movie name : Let Me In
Performer : HolyRoses
Genre : Drama
Recorded date : UTC 2010-10-01 07:00:00
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:35
Writing application : HolyRoses
Copyright : © 2011 HolyRoses. All Rights Reserved.
Cover : Yes
Comment : A HolyRoses Production - http://thepiratebay.org/user/HolyRoses/
desc : A bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.
ldes : A bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.
purd : 2011-01-25T08:09:22Z
stik : 9
iTunEXTC : mpaa|R|400|
iTunMOVI : <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> / <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> / <plist version="1.0"> / <dict> / <key>copy-warning</key> / <string>Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.</string> / <key>studio</key> / <string>A HolyRoses Production</string> / <key>producers</key> / <array> / <dict> / <key>name</key> / <string>HolyRoses</string> / </dict> / </array> / </dict> / </plist>
hdvd : 1
apID : HolyRoses@mac.com
cnID : 1228987

Video #1
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L3.1
Format settings, CABAC : No
Format settings, ReFrames : 3 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 1h 55mn
Duration_LastFrame : 47s 941ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 3 072 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 534 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.35:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.187
Stream size : 2.48 GiB (85%)
Writing library : x264 core 83 r1391 3d0f110
Encoding settings : cabac=0 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=9 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=24 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=2 / wpredb=1 / wpredp=0 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=3072 / ratetol=1.3 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=10000 / vbv_bufsize=5000 / ip_ratio=1.41 / aq=1:1.00
Language : English

Video #2
ID : 5
Format : JPEG
Codec ID : jpeg
Duration : 2h 7mn
Duration_LastFrame : 47s 941ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 624 bps
Width : 640 pixels
Height : 267 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.35:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 0.003 fps
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 1.217
Stream size : 584 KiB (0%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:23
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:24

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 1h 55mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 160 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 234 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 132 MiB (4%)
Language : English

Audio #2
ID : 3
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : ac-3
Duration : 1h 55mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 318 MiB (11%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:10
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:16

Text
ID : 4
Format : Apple text
Codec ID : text
Duration : 1h 55mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 1 bps
Stream size : 543 Bytes (0%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:16
Tagged date : UTC 2011-01-26 02:01:16

Menu
00:00:00.000 : Chapter 1
00:05:00.000 : Chapter 2
00:10:00.000 : Chapter 3
00:15:00.000 : Chapter 4
00:20:00.000 : Chapter 5
00:25:00.000 : Chapter 6
00:30:00.000 : Chapter 7
00:35:00.000 : Chapter 8
00:40:00.000 : Chapter 9
00:45:00.000 : Chapter 10
00:50:00.000 : Chapter 11
00:55:00.000 : Chapter 12
01:00:00.000 : Chapter 13
01:05:00.000 : Chapter 14
01:10:00.000 : Chapter 15
01:15:00.000 : Chapter 16
01:20:00.000 : Chapter 17
01:25:00.000 : Chapter 18
01:30:00.000 : Chapter 19
01:35:00.000 : Chapter 20
01:40:00.000 : Chapter 21
01:45:00.000 : Chapter 22
01:50:00.000 : Chapter 23

Based off of this media info, can someone please help me generate the HanbrakeCLI arguments, so I get the same results. I would like to start encoding my Blu-Ray collection with these same settings.

Great quality, with a great file size.

 

[spacepower7]

Nik, you're not alone, I've had the same problem on several files. Good news, MOST of the time I've been able to fix it by opening the files using Subler (great tool for meta tagging, if you don't have it search for and download it). Under the "file" menu, select, "optimize". It may take a few minutes to rewrite the entire file, but 90% of the time that fixes whatever hang up ATV has and it'll play.

Get the free version of identify and retag the file with optimize in set to on in the preferences. Subler will also work. So will the paid version of identify and iFlicks.

Your most likely problem here is that the filenhad metadata written to it but it was not optimized. This means that some metadata is written at the beginning ofnthe file and some metadata isnwritten at the end of the file. This cause the AppleTV to load the whole video file before it can start playback.

Also any of the tagging apps will get rid of that HolyRoses info in the file.

 

[Nathan21585]

Thanks I was having the same problem and it was only movies I put through Subler.