Xoom video playback help

[mightylos8]

Hi all:

I've checked the forums, and couldn't find anything on this. I transfered an mp4 (.m4v) onto my Xoom, and it shows up choppy and freezes up. The files plays fine on my computer, using wmp. I've tried to download different video players on my Xoom but no luck.

Anyone know how I can fix this? Thanks all!

 

[anon(259366)]

Hey, I feel your pain. I spent several hours looking for a solution to this, but I did find one. You will have to re encode the movies to play well on the Xoom. The most painless way to do this that I found (and I tried a lot of software) is a program called DVD Catalyst. DVD Catalyst 4 | Tools4Movies - Home of DVD Catalyst The devs of that software actually made a software update exclusively for the Xoom. They have documentation on how to convert the files, but it's super easy. You just drag a file into the software and select the Xoom preset that you want. I have thrown WMV, AVI, and even high def MKV files at this, and they all play smooth as butter on the Xoom now. The software is on sale for 10 bucks, WELL worth it, trust me on this. And no, I don't work for them.

 

[Vudumedic]

Have to second that recommendation for DVD catalyst works great. Although I've had issue trying to convert wmv digital copies over, it's probably just user error on my part. As far as throw a DVD in the drive and let it go it works incredibly.

 

[anon(259366)]

If the wmv digital copies you're talking about are DRM protected, like from a purchased DVD or something, then I think DVD Cat won't be able to do them. I remember seeing something about them not being able to re encode DRM protected digital files.

 

[Russcausier]

What about the picture quality,is it good with catalyst?

 

[anon(259366)]

Picture quality is quite good. They have a few presets: Xoom - default, Xoom (quick) - for slow PCs, Xoom HQ 1, Xoom HQ 2, Xoom 1080 HQ 1, Xoom 1080 HQ 2. File sizes and encoding times will go up the higher up the quality scale you go. I used a HD MKV to test on the 1080 HQ 1 setting, and the quality was great, playback was smooth. That same file I couldn't get to run at more than 5 FPS with any other player (QQplayer, Rockplayer), or with other encoders I had used.

 

[mightylos8]

Thanks MorbidNoodle & Vudumedic for the information. I think I'll give this one a try. I spent countless hours converting my blu rays to digital (using DVDFab), and they work great streaming to my ps3. I just got so frustrated when they didnt play on the Xoom! One more question - do you know if DVD Catalyst 4 will allow the converted digital movies to play on other tablets, not just the Xoom? I am guessing that they will, just want to make sure. I saw that HTC Flyer video, and I think I'm itching to get that tablet once the 10 inch version comes out!

Thanks again!

 

[silvra7]

So is handbrake the only option for those of is that forsake Apple mobile products but are mac computer users for life? What are the best settings? I got the xoom preset but the file size for an hour+ show was too big.

 

[acozzens]

i've got to finish up some work right now, i am using handbrake.
here's a quicky:

ipod or iphone-ipodTouch
max out the resolution ( max 1280 of course )

what is too big a file size ?
you can go to video/ and set a target size. I do that for podcasts.

I have 4 movies on this thing already.
hurt locker, iron man 2 look good. it ain't tough.
iron man 2 came off a bluray which i ripped with dvd fab originally.
just plop a dvd in, turn on handbrake, use ipod or iphone-ipodTouch.

if it doesn't work for you, i'll eat my computer screen.

I don't mind a big file 1gb is fine.

I have a large library. ps3 no sweat, xbox no sweat.
i'm streaming all over the joint. use handbrake all the time.
I stream off of a freenas server, and I also stream off of whs 2011. you don't need a server to do this, i'm just saying.

I had the exact same problem choppy choppy nasty.
swapped to ipod or iphone-ipodTouch setting you can use either of them. web optimized button didn't matter I tested it. click it or don't.

i'm sure dvd catalyst is easy, but so is handbrake. i convert videos all the time.

perhaps i'll do a writeup, because soon this may become sticky worthy.

 

[silvra7]

in terms of file size being too big I'll use iTunes as a reference. Their SD movies are approximately 1.5g and their HD are about 4. So if handbrake is spitting out a SD movie at 4+g file size that's too big.

 

[Suntan]

I tested this a bit last night using Handbrake. It can definitely be done and it?s not too hard. So far all my playback on the Xoom has been with Rockplayer lite.

Personally, I am a big believer in re-encoding videos to best optimize playback on a portable device, even if they can natively handle the original file. Therefore, I?ll always convert the file to 1280xXXX progressive output. That said, it kinda depends on what source you are starting out with.

Handbrake?s de-interlacing is not the best, so if you are converting a recorded 1080i broadcast (Tv show) you?ll likely get some de-interlacing artifacts (I?m debating about playing with some other options to achieve better deinterlacing.)

For converting Blu ray rips, I?ve so far just left the framerate at the native 24p and the Xoom plays them fine, although you get the usual judder that occurs when playing 24p material back at 30fps. I still need to play around and see how well the handbrake handles telecineing the material. It may provide a little better results.

In any case, set the output resolution to 1280 by 720 for 16x9 material, or set it to 1280 by 544 for cinemascope material but be aware that BRs are encoded 16x9 (non-anamorphic) so adjust the cropping if it doesn?t automatically pick it up the black bars on the top and bottom.

Set the encoder settings to 3 B frames and turn all the other options off. For target bitrate, so far 1GB per hour (for fullscreen 16x9 content) gives a decent tradeoff of quality to size, imo. You?ll still see some blocking in fast motion of scenes with fog/fire, but otherwise it is acceptable. Increase if you have space to spare and want better image quality. Obviously, cinemascope material can get away with a lower bitrate as the image on the screen is smaller.

One last note, if you are converting DVDs, don?t be too surprised to find they look less than stellar on the Xoom. DVDs have a native resolution of 720x480 to begin with (I wouldn?t bother encoding it at anything other than the native res.) So don?t be surprised when up scaling at playback to 1280x720 causes it to look soft. It?s not the Xoom?s fault as the source material you start with isn?t good enough to watch at that resolution, held a foot or two from your face.

-Suntan