Mix Max Player Help

[Empty_Space]

Hello everyone I was wondering if anyone has had any success with converting movies to play on the new DSNY mix max players?

it says it plays WMV 9 (simple profile, 220x176 resolution, 30fps, 384 kbps max) + WMA 9 (sample rate of 8-48kHz)

I'm trying to convert from MP4 to the wmv 9 but not haveing any luck. Looking to see if anyone has gotten it to work and how they did it.

Thanks!

[Empty_Space]

Does anyone have any info on this?

[spriggig]

According to another user at Amazon, you can use Windows Media Encoder to convert to a compatible WMV format:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx

Included in that same package is Windows Media Profile Editor. I believe you can use the Profile editor to create a custom profile which can then be selected in the encoder.

I took a shot at it last night but I think I didn't have it setup correctly. I have to do this on the sly because the eight-year-old recipient of this Xmas gift is often hovering about. I'm going to try again tonight and I'll update here when/if I'm successful.

[pholly]

Please do post your results, I'm trying to convert using River Past Video Cleaner Pro but I haven't been able to figure out which setting is making it unplayable on the player. Does windows media encoder allow divx/xvid to wmv, I haven't been able to get it to work. I keep getting an error (invalid or corrupt data was encountered) and I know the files aren't the problem, could it be a codec issue?

[carmenper]

I hope this will help all the people trying to use the windows media encoder for the mix Max Player. Go to http://disney.memorexelectronics.com/html/support.php

There you will get a list of frequently asked questions. I think the question number 6 refers to this issue, just make click to download and print the instructions, they are very clear, and step by step. There is also a link to download the windows media encoder.


Also, for the person asking about conversions using the windows media explorer I found this statement surfing the web:

"Windows Media Encoder only supports file formats associated with the Windows platform. The file formats that Windows Media Encoder supports are: .wma, .wmv, .asf, .avi, .wav, .mpg, .mp3, and .bmp."

I hope this imnformation helps.

Now I have a question,does anybody know if whatever brand of memory expansion cards can be used on this player? Or do we have to wait until Disney releases their own brand?

And is there any way of "telling" the player where you want to save a video, like if you don´t want to use the internal memory but use the expansion card?

Thanks,

Carmen

[spriggig]

The Disney instructions referred to above result in a heavily compressed, unattractive video file. Additionally, the instuctions are not well thought out and force you to follow the same steps every time you want to encode a new file.

I made a PDF file with directions for building your own, custom profile (built with the Windows Media Profile Editor) that will allow you to balance the video quality with the file size that suits your needs. I also included the profile I made that gave me the results I was looking for.

If you've played with Media Encoder a bit and feel comfortable, all you really need to do is load the included profile into the Compression tab and encode your video with those settings. More detailed instructions are in the included PDF.

Please note that I have no intention of maintaining, updating or correcting these instructions, they aren't copyrighted and you may do what you wish with them.

encoding%20video%20for%20the%20disney%20mixmax.zip

[quicksand]

So how do you get a DVD converted to convert with Real Player Encoder???

[Lenroc]

Many thanks to spriggig for posting that profile.

I have created an encoder "Template" that takes this even one step further. I copied the profile spriggig posted into the Template. If the template is placed in the Encoder\Templates subdirectory of the WME installation (normally C:\Program Files\Windows Media Components\Encoder\Templates), a new option, "Convert for Mix Max", will be available on the "Quick Starts" tab of the "New Session" dialog. (This dialog by default pops up when you start the Encoder.)

Just pick "Converrt for Mix Max", and click "Ok".

The program will automatically prompt for your source file. Choose the file, and click "Open".

Next, the program will prompt for the destination file. Choose the destination and pick a new filename, and click "Save".

After a bit of processing, you should be able to click the "Start Encoding" button. Once you do that, your video will begin processing. That's it!

There is definitely room for improvement here. I don't understand all of the options defined here, so there is some inefficiency I am sure. (This was based heavily on the existing Film template.)

One thing specifically is that for some reason this template defaults to two-pass encoding. This obviously makes it twice as slow. It might be better quality in the end, but I haven't really tried to do a direct comparison.

If anyone can improve on this, please post it back here!

mixmax.wme

[wmtemna]

I am curious.. I am trying these steps to encode a one hour TV show for my daughter (specifically Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer).. I am finding the output file to be over a gig.. Is it just me or does that seem excedingly large for that low of resolution? Also, it seems to be telling me it will take 18 hours to encode it.. I would think on an Intel P-D 945 it would be a little faster.. It only takes two hours to convert a DVD to XviD on this machine..

Edit: Looking at the output file, the movie is like 54 minutes long, but the file is over 7 hours long.. i.e. there are over 7 loops of the movie in this file.. Anyone know how to make it stop after the first time?

[Lenroc]

Which steps are you following, wmtemna?

My 1/2 hour shows are generally ending up at 60-70MB, as a guide.

[rubi]

I don't know what I am doing wrong. I have followed every different set of directions I can find, including those found here and every single time media encoder shuts down. I'm sooooo frustrated please tell me in idiot terms what I could be doing incorrectly I'm not brain dead but I can not seem to get this infernal thing to work!

[jooinym]

Hi all. Could someone point me to the best software to convert DVD to "whatever" format, so that I could use the Media Encoder to convert that "whatever" to WMV?

I have used xDVD with terrible quality result and the AVI format created with AutoGK seems to crash the Encoder.

Thanks in advance.

[jenny*leigh]

Hi! I'm new here. I was able to convert a normal .wmv file to a Mix Max playable version via Windows Media 9. However, video was way jumpy. Anybody have any ideas? But, many thanks to those who posted the profile!! It's a start! I've looked all over the internet for simpler software (free or for sale) and I didn't find anything easier to use that would allow all the specifications this system requires. I'm a huge Disney fan, but I wish they'd made an easier to use product!!

About DVD conversion, my husband has a Zune (which uses regular .wmv format) so we use a software package "DVD to Zune". (Then we were able to convert to the "MixMax" .wmv format.) There are many programs on the internet that will do this. The only one I DON'T recommend is DVDPean. The free trial worked fine, so I bought it. I had many system errors went I tried to convert with this program, and I've had no response from the company's customer service after two emails. I spent $50 on the pro version.

Good luck!

[heinrke]

Here is the problem I am having. When following the instructions, the audio is windows media audio 9.1. The only selection is windows media audio 9.2. From other forums, this will not work with Disney Mix Match. I have tried it and the audio is about 20 seconds behind the video, and the video chops off the first 20 seconds, but the audio starts from the beginning thus out of sync. How do I install or roll back to version windows media audio 9.1. I have searched extensively, but no luck. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the Media Encoder version 9 from Windows website, but always installs windows media audio 9.20

Thanks.

[Fused0ne]

I am to looking for a way to get the videos to work. I got one for my nephew and have spent hours, HOURS trying to find a program that worked. Windows Media Encoder crashes.

I found one though, http://www.pocket-dvd-wizard.com/ it only lets u do 5 min in trial but Itried it and it did play on the Mix Max. I cant afford to buy it yet though so I am stuck. But if you can I suggest you try that.

[BixMix]

I’ve learned a lot about video conversion by giving my kids the Mix Max players. Although since I didn’t know much of anything beforehand, I’m no pro now. In any case, here’s what works for me.

I back up the DVD to my hard drive using RipIt4Me, and then combine the VOBs using VOB2MPG. I use SUPER to convert the MPEG to an AVI, choosing DivX as the video codec and MP3 as the audio. This combination has been the most consistent for me in preventing error messages in Windows Media Encoder.

SUPER also allows me to increase the volume on the file. Without that increase, my kids have to remember to adjust the volume when they switch from videos to MP3s or suffer the blast from the much louder MP3s.

I have played around with various settings within the Windows Media Encoder and have used the profiles posted earlier in this forum (excellent work). Beyond personal aesthetics, I think that the movie itself to some extent may determine what works & looks “best”. My advice is to experiment.

Good luck, everyone, and enjoy!

heinrke: I use 9.2 for the audio because I can’t find the 9.1 either, and I’ve never had a problem. Perhaps your sync problems are in the original that you’re trying to encode. I’ve had a lot of sync problems in my various encoding experiments especially when I was trying to increase the volume.

jooinym: I like AutoGK, but I switched to Super because of the sound increase (which AutoGK may do but I couldn’t figure out how). Perhaps you should try using DivX as the video codec in AutoGK.

[spriggig]

BATCH ENCODING!
It seems silly to have missed this when I looked before, but anyway...

Here's a link that will help you figure out how to batch encode with Windows Media Encoder (encode multiple videos one after the other automatically):

http://www.webelez.com/Using_Windows_Batch_Media_Encoder.htm

[Mcam]

Disney Mix Max.

I use the Dvd Shrink and Decrypter. It creates and ISO file. I have not been able to find any directions to help me convert those files to be able to load in disney Mix max.

Do you need to copy them on an SD card when you do get the file? HELP!

[rolandjunog]

This has been a MAJOR frustration for me, as I can see it has been for others.

I tried at first, after reading the instructions on how to use the windows media convertor, to simply set dvdshrink up to NOT spit the VOB files, then I renamed the VOB file to .mpg.

Windows media would start converting, then after about ten minutes, it quit and said it was done. I knew this couldn't be right, so I checked the converted wmv file and it was only four minutes long.
what it DID convert was beautiful though for the size.

So I spit the VOB'S and figured I'd rejoin the wmv's afterward. It converted the first VOB beautifully, then the second it said "invalid file". Each time I tried with different movies to encode the split files, half would say invalid file.

So I tried using the "no1 dvd convertor" to take it directly to wmv. The audio was about 3 seconds out of sync so that didn't work.

Anyone know why it won't convert the full movie?

[BixMix]

It seems to me that you're missing some middle steps. You need to provide Windows Media Encoder with either an AVI or a WMV file. Perhaps it will work with other formats, but errors are certainly fewer.

Use Media Coder, Super, AutoMKV, or similar tools to convert your DVDs, VOBs or whatever to AVIs.

Then you can use WME to format your video for the MixMax.

[jackvolsfan]

I use 2 different programs to convert my file to standard wmv. I use IMtooDVD ripper for converting DVD's and I use WinAVI to covert avi, mpg, etc to standard WMV, Then i use Windows Media Encoder to encode the standard WMV to the Mix Max WMV. It takes a while to this, but it does work. I use the PDF instructions and have to enter the values each time. I am going to check out the batch converting in the link above later. I hopes this helps the earlier poster with coverting DVD's

[qcrist2]

does anyone have linoric's progam working????

[Rabunaisky]

For anyone that is still having a hard time with this, I think I may have found something to help. I acutally just stumbled arossed it while installing a WMA to MP3 Converter. It is called Switch Sound, when you go to to install it, it will give your 4 options of what to install, the last one is a video converter. I was able to run an AVI thru it and switch it's resolution to 220X176 at the same time. I converted it to WMV. My problem I was having before was with the Window Media Encoder, everytime I went to run a video thru it, even with the profile in the above thread (Thank you by the way, Spriggig!!), it would come up with 10 errors and wouldn't convert. I think because it was an AVI file. Now that I ran it thru Switch Sounds video converter, Windows Media encoder just finished encoding it, and it is now playing in my windows media player. I am so excited, this is the farthest I've ever got. By the way, the sound is totally in sync, and the video is not choppy, or horrilble looking. I'll let you know how it goes when I try it on the Mix Max, I am optimistic!

[Rabunaisky]

Okay, so it worked, the video is in my daughter's Mix Max!!! This made my whole day, I've been trying to figure out how to get a movie on there since last Christmas! OH, by the way, the program I used to convert the movie to WMV, was by the company I listed above I believe, but it is called Prism Video Converter. It is a really simple basic program to convert AVI, etc to what you need them to be. In this case, WMV so you can use the Windows Media Encoder to finish preparing and encoding it for the Mix Max.
I sure hope this helps someone. I know it frustrated me to no end!
Good Luck!

[MacDude]

Thanks to everyone who helped. I bought one of these Disney Mix Max players for my soon to be 8 yr old granddaughter. I loaded music, no problem. I loaded photos, no problem. Tried to load video and nothing worked until I followed the Win Media Encoder instructions

http://digiblue.com/customer-service/guides/qsg/DMP9050_WMV_encoding.pdf

The one change was in not finding the audio setting for 9.1 but 9 worked and others have reported 9.2 worked. Since the device is High School Musical themed, I downloaded HSM clips from YouTube (using Firefox and download helper plugin). I then converted the flv files to wmv using Free FlV Converter (great program). Finally, I converted the files using Win Media Encoder with all of the settings in the pdf noted above. Make sure you get ALL of the settings.

The only problem I had is that 2 files kept giving me error messages when encoding. I can't seem to figure out what is "corrupt" in the files because they play perfectly in Win Media 11. So I'll just have to find some other files, I guess.

Has anyone else solved the corrupt file error?

MacDude

P.S. Now I know why people just buy thier kids iPods (my wife thinks the GD is too young but iPods and Tunes are a whole lot easier).

[silly.ol.ryan]

I want to give a shout out to spriggig and post #6! Your instructions are fantastic – I might never have figured out the right settings on my own!

I just recently picked up two of these on clearance for $9 a piece. My daughters treat them like the greatest toys they have ever owned.

Earlier this year, I converted my DVD collection to M4V format (QuickTime format for iPhone 4 & iPod Touch). My process was this, for anyone interested:
- Use AnyDVD from Slysoft to crack the encryption
- DVDShrink to rip them to my Hard Drive in an unencrypted DVD format
- HandBrake to pull them from unecrypted DVD format to M4V, but still preserve chapter breaks. It has all the good presets built in for iPhone, iPad, etc.

So now that I have them in M4V, I found that Windows Media Encoder 9 wouldn't read that format. So…
- Format Factory from Softonic batch converted them to MPEG. It should have been able to convert them directly to the needed WMV format, but my initial attempts to figure out the right settings failed miserably.
- Finally Windows Encoder 9 brought them to the WMV format the way that Disney Mix Max likes them.
This all leads to a question. Windows Encoder 9 is no longer available, replaced by Microsoft Expression Encoder 4. It appears to be a much more powerful program, and can batch convert the files from my native M4V format and convert to the right WMV destination. However, I must be doing something wrong, because it is taking about an hour and a half to convert 24 minute television episodes. On the same computer, Windows Encoder 9 can convert them from MPEG to WMV in 4-5 minutes.

I've attached my "Disney Mix Max.xml" preset file, made with Microsoft Expression Encoder 4 Service Pack 2, found in "D:\Documents and Settings\[user]\My Documents\Expression\Expression Encoder\JobPresets" if anyone wants to use what I have created. If you can determine better settings, I'd appreciate the information!

[aitae]

solution may be 4 years too late but i got this working today. Download for free (when installing uncheck the toolbar install and search changer) this FREE program called FREE VIDEO CONVERTOR at http://www.koyotesoft.com/ . After installing, under output format, choose MP4. Use these settings:

Video section:

Codec: MPEG-4
Size: 320X240 (220 X176 if you have the older 1st generation model)
Aspect: No Change
Fps: 23.976
BitRate: 128 (seems perfect for a kid, use 256 for high quality)

Audio Section:

Codec: AAC
Frequency: 44,100 (any higher and audio ends sooner then media)
Channel: 1 (or 2)
Bite Rate: 48 (others may work but this one is good for me)

When you go to trasfer it to your disney mix master it will say it might not play but it does. As a side note: never could get WMV movies working on no matter how many different settings I tried.