XMedia Recode - mkv settings for LG 3DTV (2011)? VidCoder works, XMedia not

[slit]

As title says, I'm having problems encoding files through latest XMedia with the same configuration as VidCoder, which works perfectly for my TV USB native player but doesn't allow me to burn-in .ass subtitles (which are necessary for 3D viewing). XMedia gives me the "unsupported video codec" message on TV, as well as the error (little X) thumbnail.

Does anyone know which settings should I accomodate in XMedia Recode so I can replicate the functioning VidCoder encoding?

Here is the MediaInfo of a VidCoder-encoded perfectly playable file:

Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 4 / Version 2
File size : 8.75 GiB
Duration : 1 h 30 min
Overall bit rate : 13.8 Mb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2017-08-17T18:32:32Z
Writing application : HandBrake 1.0.7 2017040900
Writing library : Lavf57.7.2 / Lavf57.7.2

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1 h 30 min
Nominal bit rate : 13.5 Mb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 040 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 1.85:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.282
Writing library : x264 core 148 r2708 86b7198
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=2 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=2 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=1 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=10 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=13511 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=20000 / vbv_bufsize=25000 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Default : Yes
Forced : No
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709

[sneaker]

MediaInfo of your XMedia Recode file? (Complete, incl. info about sound, subtitles...)

[videobruger]

Also give the model of the LG TV.

[slit]

The model is LG 42LW4500

Here's the offending MediaInfo from a snippet I've made with the same results:

Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 4 / Version 2
File size : 314 MiB
Duration : 4 min 39 s
Overall bit rate : 9 442 kb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2017-08-22 23:33:10
Writing application : Lavf57.57.100
Writing library : Lavf57.57.100 / Lavf57.57.100
ErrorDetectionType : Per level 1

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Baseline@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : No
Format settings, ReFrames : 5 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 4 min 38 s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Writing library : x264 core 148 r2721
Encoding settings : cabac=0 / ref=5 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0 / me=umh / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=0 / weightp=0 / keyint=239 / keyint_min=23 / scenecut=0 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=0 / crf=18.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=9500 / vbv_bufsize=24000 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / frame-packing=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=0
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No
DURATION : 00:04:39.008000000

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : A_AAC
Duration : 4 min 39 s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 spf)
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -21 ms
Writing library : Lavc57.66.101 aac
Language : English
Default : No
Forced : No


Please note that if I make an Ultra-fast conversion (this is Slow) the file works perfectly.

[sneaker]

Use High Profile level 4.0. Do not use more than 4 ref frames for 1920x1080.

[slit]

Use High Profile level 4.0. Do not use more than 4 ref frames for 1920x1080.

How do I change the ref frames? I can't find the option

[sneaker]

Extra > Number of Reference Frames

[slit]

Extra > Number of Reference Frames

Okay, thank you! This seems to work.

Now, even with Slow profile it seems that there's some blocking on fade-ins and fade-outs (image to black and backwards). What's the best Constant Quality value to keep the file as closer to the original? Don't care about size.

Oh, and if this isn't too much to ask, how can I save a profile on XMedia? When I click the star icon I can only pick existing profiles to add them on Favorites list.

[sneaker]

The lower the value the better the quality. 18 is usually perceived as good. 16 is borderline overkill. You have to experiment a bit yourself.

Can you show the MediaInfo of your current result? Maybe someone can give additional tips about improving fades, then.

[slit]

Sure,

Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 4 / Version 2
File size : 389 MiB
Duration : 6 min 12 s
Overall bit rate : 8 759 kb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2017-08-23 13:14:35
Writing application : Lavf57.57.100
Writing library : Lavf57.57.100 / Lavf57.57.100
ErrorDetectionType : Per level 1

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Baseline@L4 (It says Baseline@L4, shouldn't it say High@L4? That's what I selected in XMedia)
Format settings, CABAC : No
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 6 min 12 s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Writing library : x264 core 148 r2721
Encoding settings : cabac=0 / ref=4 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0 / me=umh / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=0 / weightp=0 / keyint=239 / keyint_min=23 / scenecut=0 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=18.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=9500 / vbv_bufsize=24000 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / frame-packing=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:0.00
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No
DURATION : 00:06:12.268000000

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : A_AAC
Duration : 6 min 12 s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 spf)
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -21 ms
Writing library : Lavc57.66.101 aac
Language : English
Default : No
Forced : No
DURATION : 00:06:12.258000000

[sneaker]

It says Baseline@L4, shouldn't it say High@L4? That's what I selected in XMedia

You have CABAC and bframes turned off. I suggest you hit "Reset" and then set profile, preset, level and quality again. Then check CABAC, bframes and ref frames settings for correctness.

Your maxrate is kinda low. You can set vbv maxrate and vbv bufsize to 20000. qpmin 1. For high quality encodes tune grain can be useful (but not always). AQ mode 3 is biased for darker scenes. Maybe you want to try it.

[slit]

It says Baseline@L4, shouldn't it say High@L4? That's what I selected in XMedia

You have CABAC and bframes turned off. I suggest you hit "Reset" and then set profile, preset, level and quality again. Then check CABAC, bframes and ref frames settings for correctness.

Your maxrate is kinda low. You can set vbv maxrate and vbv bufsize to 20000. qpmin 1. For high quality encodes tune grain can be useful (but not always). AQ mode 3 is biased for darker scenes. Maybe you want to try it.

Wow, so much info Okay, time to read about some obscure terms. Thanks for your help sneaker