Want to Play a Movie in iTunes facing problems ?

[marcusalwayswins]

I am trying to watch a movie in iTunes as in the.mobie file is pn my desktop and I have added the file to the iTunes yet when I play it plays the file but does not show the images the video just keeps playing but with only dialogues.. any idea how can I have itiunes play it smoothly ? the reason I want to play it only in iTunes because I want to Airplay the audio from it and I have the Homepods and a third party airplay player which is only Airplay-1 hence I need to play it in iTunes !

Any help ?

 

[HDFan]

.mobie

What's a .mobie file? Doesn't look like a standard video file format.

 

[0128672]

I'm thinking it's a typo for movie. What's the actual file name extension of the file you're trying to play?

 

[marcusalwayswins]

I'm thinking it's a typo for movie. What's the actual file name extension of the file you're trying to play?

.MP4

 

[marcusalwayswins]

I meant Movie File yes it was a typos.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

Despite being a .MP4 file still for some reason iTunes cannot play it properly.

 

[arw]

Despite being a .MP4 file still for some reason iTunes cannot play it properly.

mp4 says nothing about the contained video codec.
You‘d have to use a tool like Mediainfo to see the actual information. Where does the file come from - did you encode it yourself? Also Subler should show more details when you open the file.
Have you tried simply routing the whole system sound to the desired Airplay receiver? It should be possible to select it in System settings > sound > output > Airplay Homepods. Or is this only possible for 3rd party Airplay receivers?
edit: of course only iTunes lets you send the audio to different Airplay1 receivers at the same time and then the above doesn‘t help.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

mp4 says nothing about the contained video codec.
You‘d have to use a tool like Mediainfo to see the actual information. Where does the file come from - did you encode it yourself? Also Subler should show more details when you open the file.
Have you tried simply routing the whole system sound to the desired Airplay receiver? It should be possible to select it in System settings > sound > output > Airplay Homepods. Or is this only possible for 3rd party Airplay receivers?
edit: of course only iTunes lets you send the audio to different Airplay1 receivers at the same time and then the above doesn‘t help.

So what do you suggest I should be doing ? No someone has given me that file. I have not made it. Yes only iTunes can play media in Airplay-1and Airplay-2 at the same time.

 

[arw]

So what do you suggest I should be doing ? No someone has given me that file. I have not made it. Yes only iTunes can play media in Airplay-1and Airplay-2 at the same time.

Download MediaInfo for free from their homepage (GUI v22.06) install it and open your mp4 file with MediaInfo.
Then post the Video section containing the codec info.
This is just to see what video codec is used in the mp4 file and if it is compatible with iTunes.

Spoiler: MediaInfo Video section

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format-Profil : High@L4.1
Format-Einstellungen : CABAC / 8 Ref Frames
Format-Einstellungen für CABAC : Ja
Format-Einstellungen für ReFrames : 8 frames
Codec-ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Dauer : 1h 23min
Bitrate : 1 465 Kbps
Breite : 720 Pixel
Höhe : 576 Pixel
Bildseitenverhältnis : 16:9
Modus der Bildwiederholungsrate : konstant
Bildwiederholungsrate : 25,000 FPS
Standard : PAL
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scantyp : progressiv
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.141
Stream-Größe : 870 MiB (78%)
verwendete Encoder-Bibliothek : x264 core 148 r2708 86b7198
Kodierungseinstellungen : cabac=1 / ref=8 / deblock=1:-1:-1 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=9 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.15 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-3 / threads=3 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=60 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=62500 / vbv_bufsize=78125 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Default : Ja
Forced : Nein
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.601 PAL
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.601
Duration_Source : General_Duration

 

[marcusalwayswins]

So it can be a .MP4 file which iTunes can play but it can still have a different codec on which it is made which may not be compatible with iTunes. That's what you are saying right ?

 

[arw]

So it can be a .MP4 file which iTunes can play but it can still have a different codec on which it is made which may not be compatible with iTunes. That's what you are saying right ?

Yes.
.MP4 is just the so-called "container" (like .mov, .ts, .mkv). It doesn't say anything about the actual audio and video codec (the format) that is used in the file.
There are Apple-compatible standards that can be selected in the program used to create the video file.
But a .mp4 might as well contain a video or audio codec (or even a different profile) that is incompatible with iTunes but plays fine in other video players.
Does your file play with video in other players like VLC or IINA?

 

[MarkC426]

Is this a purchased movie from Apple iTunes.
Is it something downloaded from the internet.

What version of MacOS and iTunes are you using.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

Yes.
.MP4 is just the so-called "container" (like .mov, .ts, .mkv). It doesn't say anything about the actual audio and video codec (the format) that is used in the file.
There are Apple-compatible standards that can be selected in the program used to create the video file.
But a .mp4 might as well contain a video or audio codec (or even a different profile) that is incompatible with iTunes but plays fine in other video players.
Does your file play with video in other players like VLC or IINA?

Here you go...Media Info information.

 

[arw]

Here you go...Media Info information.

View attachment 2083027

Ok. The problem seems to be the codec profile.
The older, more compatible codec is H.264 (AVC) and the newer H.265 (HEVC / High Efficiency Video Codec).
For each codec, various parameters and profiles are possible.
Your file uses a 10-bit profile of HEVC (Main 10@L4@Main) which normally plays fine in iTunes and Quicktime.
So apparently the encoding person used a custom library or some custom encoder settings which seem to be incompatible with iTunes and Quicktime. (Details can bee seen in MediaInfo under "View > HTML")
Your only solution is to re-encode the video with a program like Handbrake (available for Windows and macOS).
There you can pass-through the audio but must select a compatible codec for video.

• "Format" must be "MP4-File"
• "Video" > "Videoencoder" you can select H.264 or H.265 (even the 10-bit versions work in iTunes)
• I'd select "H.264" and "Constant Quality > RF 19" for maximum compatibility and fine visual quality (although always worse than the original)
• H.265 offers smaller file sizes for the same visual quality but takes much longer to encode unless using hardware accelerated encoding (which delivers inferior results compared to a CPU encode).
• "Audio > Codec > AAC Passthrough"

 

[marcusalwayswins]

Ok. The problem seems to be the codec profile.
The older, more compatible codec is H.264 (AVC) and the newer H.265 (HEVC / High Efficiency Video Codec).
For each codec, various parameters and profiles are possible.
Your file uses a 10-bit profile of HEVC (Main 10@L4@Main) which normally plays fine in iTunes and Quicktime.
So apparently the encoding person used a custom library or some custom encoder settings which seem to be incompatible with iTunes and Quicktime. (Details can bee seen in MediaInfo under "View > HTML")
Your only solution is to re-encode the video with a program like Handbrake (available for Windows and macOS).
There you can pass-through the audio but must select a compatible codec for video.

• "Format" must be "MP4-File"
• "Video" > "Videoencoder" you can select H.264 or H.265 (even the 10-bit versions work in iTunes)
• I'd select "H.264" and "Constant Quality > RF 19" for maximum compatibility and fine visual quality (although always worse than the original)
• H.265 offers smaller file sizes for the same visual quality but takes much longer to encode unless using hardware accelerated encoding (which delivers inferior results compared to a CPU encode).
• "Audio > Codec > AAC Passthrough"

Yes I have Handbrake now Handbrake already has Presets especially Apple Presets in which you can convert the Videos. So are you suggesting I convert the file by selecting the properties manually ? like you have listed above. Or do I select the Apple Presets available in Handbrake.

 

[arw]

Yes I have Handbrake now Handbrake already has Presets especially Apple Presets in which you can convert the Videos. So are you suggesting I convert the file by selecting the properties manually ? like you have listed above. Or do I select the Apple Presets available in Handbrake.

The Apple Presets change unnecessary stuff like the framerate or sub-optimal encoding methods with the goal of maximum ease and compatibility.
I use and prefer the settings I suggested (don't re-encode audio, keep original framerate and use a higher constant quality) but of course you can use a preset.
Lower RF values deliver higher video quality.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

The Apple Presets change unnecessary stuff like the framerate or sub-optimal encoding methods with the goal of maximum ease and compatibility.
I use and prefer the settings I suggested (don't re-encode audio, keep original framerate and use a higher constant quality) but of course you can use a preset.
Lower RF values deliver higher video quality.

What do you mean by keep orignal framerate but higher quality ? Can you give an example ?
Do you mean like 1080P @ 60 FPS something like that ?

 

[arw]

What do you mean by keep orignal framerate but higher quality ? Can you give an example ?
Do you mean like 1080P @ 60 FPS something like that ?

- I prefer the framerate setting "Like original" which in your case is 24p as iTunes/Quicktime play 24p fine. I'm not entirely sure if you achieve the exact same result with 30/60 fps Max.
- The preset "Apple1080p30" sets the quality to RF 22 whereas I found 19 to be the minimum in regard to encoding artifacts (this is for an unaltered Bluray source; for your already compressed HEVC source it might be unnecessarily low and 22 is alright).
- I also pull the lower preset slider from "medium" to "slower" which increases encoding time but reduces file size.
- If you use the Apple preset, make at least sure to use the original compatible sound track as PassThrough without re-encode. This includes AAC and AC3 (Dolby Digital) codecs.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

- I prefer the framerate setting "Like original" which in your case is 24p as iTunes/Quicktime play 24p fine. I'm not entirely sure if you achieve the exact same result with 30/60 fps Max.
- The preset "Apple1080p30" sets the quality to RF 22 whereas I found 19 to be the minimum in regard to encoding artifacts (this is for an unaltered Bluray source; for your already compressed HEVC source it might be unnecessarily low and 22 is alright).
- I also pull the lower preset slider from "medium" to "slower" which increases encoding time but reduces file size.
- If you use the Apple preset, make at least sure to use the original compatible sound track as PassThrough without re-encode. This includes AAC and AC3 (Dolby Digital) codecs.

Man ! I am getting bugged up with this encoding time that Handbrakes takes for a 2GB File to enocode to a MP4 File with these specifications. It is showing 4 Hours just to complete such a small file. Have a look at the Presets that I have kept.

 

[arw]

Man ! I am getting bugged up with this encoding time that Handbrakes takes for a 2GB File to enocode to a MP4 File with these specifications. It is showing 4 Hours just to complete such a small file. Have a look at the Presets that I have kept.

Yes, that's normal if you have a slow CPU. What device are you using?
With your settings I get an encoding speed of ~60 fps on a 12 core 2,7 GHz Xeon and the file would finish in <1 hour.
To boost speed:
- You could click on "Video Codec" to see if there is a "Quick Sync" or "VideoToolbox" option (hardware acceleration)
- You can move the "Encoder Preset" slider to left (ultrafast) and/or click "Fast Encode"
With your source material, the quality is already suboptimal and I sense speed is your priority.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

Yes, that's normal if you have a slow CPU. What device are you using?
With your settings I get an encoding speed of ~60 fps on a 12 core 2,7 GHz Xeon and the file would finish in <1 hour.
To boost speed:
- You could click on "Video Codec" to see if there is a "Quick Sync" or "VideoToolbox" option (hardware acceleration)
- You can move the "Encoder Preset" slider to left (ultrafast) and/or click "Fast Encode"
With your source material, the quality is already suboptimal and I sense speed is your priority.

Ok let me try this.
The Video Codec does not have Quick Sync or Video Tool box option.

But if I keep the Encoder Preset to Ultrafast and keep Fast Encode will there be a further drop in quality if the Video as it is already sub-optimal quality ?

 

[arw]

But if I keep the Encoder Preset to Ultrafast and keep Fast Encode will there be a further drop in quality if the Video as it is already sub-optimal quality ?

Yes, and additionally the file size grows (the same would be true for an untouched Bluray source).
You could increase the RF value (to a.e. 17) to counteract the quality aspect but dependent on your display / TV size, maybe you won't even see a decrease in quality.
And don't be surprised, in any case, the resulting file will be significantly larger than the original HEVC encoded one (~2x).

edit: My mistake, it's Fast Decode, not Encode so just forget ticking the option. The rest remains valid.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

Yes, and additionally the file size grows (the same would be true for an untouched Bluray source).
You could increase the RF value (to a.e. 17) to counteract the quality aspect but dependent on your display / TV size, maybe you won't even see a decrease in quality.
And don't be surprised, in any case, the resulting file will be significantly larger than the original HEVC encoded one (~2x).

edit: My mistake, it's Fast Decode, not Encode so just forget ticking the option. The rest remains valid.

Hey you know what now. Though the movie is playing fine in iTunes player it doesn't seem to be airplaying the audio to the Homepods.or other Airplay-1 speaker. That option of Airplay just does not appear when I play the movie in iTunes player.

 

[arw]

Hey you know what now. Though the movie is playing fine in iTunes player it doesn't seem to be airplaying the audio to the Homepods.or other Airplay-1 speaker. That option of Airplay just does not appear when I play the movie in iTunes player.

I had never tried it before and thought you had it working with previous movies.
But I can confirm when playing a movie, only AirPlay receivers that support Audio AND Video (like the AppleTV) are visible and only one receiver can be selected at once.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

I had never tried it before and thought you had it working with previous movies.
But I can confirm when playing a movie, only AirPlay receivers that support Audio AND Video (like the AppleTV) are visible and only one receiver can be selected at once.

But I did not understand this, if I am playing movie through iTunes why would anyone want to use Apple TV in it ? Where does Apple TV fot in this entire scenario? How will it help and what will it do ? Or rather what can it do ?