Kodak Zx1 - Problem Playing MOVs Created with FFMPEG

[misnardi]

Dear friends,

I have been successful in using "ArcSoft MediaImpression for Kodak" to create 720p/60 MOV files that play on the Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera. I simply copy the MOV files so created to the camcorder's SD card, where they are recognized and can be played without problem.

However, I have not yet been successful in using ffmpeg to create 720p/60 MOV files that play on this camera. I have tried using H.264 Access Unit delimiters and have even pasted a special "udta" (user data) atom into the "moov" atom that appears to be necessary for playback.

Here is a sample ffmpeg command line that I have been using to try to create a playable MOV file:

>ffmpeg -s hd720 -r 59.94 -i 102_0004.yuv -r 59.94 -vcodec libx264 -b 15000k -flags2 aud 102_0005.MOV

where 102_0004.yuv was created from 102_0004.MOV (a short clip created by the Zx1) as follows:

>ffmpeg -i 102_0004.MOV -pix_fmt yuv420p 102_0004.yuv

Any suggestions?

[poisondeathray]

Use mediainfo (view=>text) on a file from the camera

It may need lower specs, like AVC Main or Baseline, lower number of b-frames, disabling b-pyramid, fewer reference frames, lower bitrates, things like that.

[pr0cs]

anyone else have any hints on how to convert source video to something the device will play?
This is what the files generated by the device follow but I cannot replicate the exact same settings with some of the software I've tried (Super, Handbrake, Media Impression for Kodak, etc)

Format                           : MPEG-4
Format profile                   : QuickTime
Codec ID                         : qt  
File size                        : 59.3 MiB
Duration                         : 44s 244ms
Overall bit rate                 : 11.2 Mbps
Movie name/More                  : KODAK Zx1 Pocket Video Camera
Encoded date                     : UTC 2010-01-30 10:00:36
Tagged date                      : UTC 2010-01-30 10:00:36
Origin                           : Digital Camera
AMBA                             : 


Video
ID                               : 1
Format                           : AVC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                   : Main@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC           : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames        : 4 frames
Frame mode                       : Frame doubling
Codec ID                         : avc1
Codec ID/Info                    : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                         : 44s 244ms
Bit rate mode                    : Variable
Bit rate                         : 11.1 Mbps
Width                            : 1 280 pixels
Height                           : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio             : 16:9
Frame rate mode                  : Constant
Frame rate                       : 29.970 fps
Original frame rate              : 14.985 fps
Resolution                       : 8 bits
Colorimetry                      : 4:2:0
Scan type                        : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)               : 0.401
Stream size                      : 58.4 MiB (99%)
Title                            : Ambarella AVC / Ambarella AVC
Language                         : English
Encoded date                     : UTC 2010-01-30 10:00:36
Tagged date                      : UTC 2010-01-30 10:00:36

Audio
ID                               : 2
Format                           : AAC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version                   : Version 4
Format profile                   : LC
Format settings, SBR             : No
Codec ID                         : 40
Duration                         : 44s 53ms
Bit rate mode                    : Constant
Bit rate                         : 128 Kbps
Channel(s)                       : 2 channels
Channel positions                : Front: L R
Sampling rate                    : 48.0 KHz
Stream size                      : 688 KiB (1%)
Title                            : Ambarella AAC / Ambarella AAC
Language                         : English

[misnardi]

Thank you for your posts.

I have been successful in creating MOV files in ArcSoft MediaImpression (v2.0.24.586) that play back on the Zx1. This is what I did:

1. I imported the file (in this case a standard-definition WMV file) into ArcSoft's Media Player
2. I selected the Save/Share button and selected "PC" format
3. I clicked on the "Advanced" button and selected MOV(720P) file format and 59.9 fps. It warned me about the change in aspect ratio.
4. After clicking "OK", MediaImpression converts the file to MOV.
5. I renamed the file to a naming format recognized by the Zx1 (e.g., 113_0099.MOV).
6. I transferred the MOV file to the Zx1's SD card. It was recognized in the thumbnail view and played correctly.

[pr0cs]

Thanks misnardi for that post. The ArcSoft software is pretty terrible but you're right, if you use their 'create movie' feature you can convert your content to MOV that is playable on the ZX1. The goofy thing is that if you use their conversion feature the ZX1 isn't listed as a output device and none of the other Kodak output templates work either.
At least I can use the ZX1 as a playback device now, thanks for you reply.. It is much appreciated.
Hopefully someone will figure out what is missing when using other software to convert to the MOV container. Sure would be nice if Kodak had some actual documentation or support on this matter.

[misnardi]

Agreed. I am also starting to perform experiments to deduce which QuickTime atoms are required for playback on the Zx1. I start by capturing a MOV clip on the Zx1. Then I use a hex editor to search for and replace an atom's 4-character type with the characters 'free'. This essentially forces the player to ignore that atom and any information it contains. After modifying an atom's type, I see whether the modified MOV slip is still playable on the Zx1.

With a test MOV clip, I so far found that the following atoms are NOT essential for playback:
- sound 'trak' (when this atom is converted to free, the sound stops playing on the Zx1)
- video 'edts'
- video 'tapt'
- video 'dinf'
- video 'hdlr' (in minf atom)
- video 'stsc'
- video 'sdtp'

I so far found that the following atoms ARE essential for playback:
- video 'stss'
- video 'ctss'
- video 'stco'
- video 'stsz'
- moov 'udta' (user data atom)
- moov udta 'AMBA' atom

This last atom, AMBA, appears to be a proprietary atom which is required for playback. I cannot find any documentation for it online. Since FFMPEG does not insert an AMBA atom in the user data atom, this could contribute to the reason why FFMPEG MOV files don't play back on the Zx1 (at least that is my theory).

[poisondeathray]

I'm not sure how accurate it is, but mediainfo reports a frame doubling (original FPS is 14.985) , not sure how to do that with ffmpeg, or to use frame repeat flags

Just curious, why would you want to play files back with the camera?

[misnardi]

The camera can act as a portable, inexpensive test pattern or signal generator. I like to test consumer flat panel displays with specialized A/V HD test patterns that I create, and having the ability to plug the Zx1 into the flat panel display via HDMI is a very handy thing.

[pr0cs]

Just curious, why would you want to play files back with the camera?

The device comes boxed with composite video and audio cable, it is easily plugged into my DVD player in my car making it VERY easy for me to keep the kids entertained while travelling (as opposed to carting around a bunch of DVDS).
buy a few 4gb SD cards and I'm set for those long road trips, no more screaming kids.

I haven't found any decent QT Atom viewer/editor and some of the libraries/source I've seen (I'm a Java developer) doesn't work or craters the application when trying to load a sample MOV file from the camera.

If there were better examples on adding a new ATOM (AMBA) then I could probably write some source to 'update' any MOV file that was missing the ATOM but met the video/audio requirements.
Sadly I know nothing about the MOV container (or AV containers for that matter)