WMV File Playback Issue on Netgear Media Player

[gonwk]

Hi folks,

I have several Windows Media Video (WMV) files that they play just fine on my Media Netgear EVA9100 (FYI ... is like Western Digital HD Media Player) ...

Here is my problem or issue ... these WMV files play fine but when I try to Fast Forward the video ... it fast forwards but when I stop ... the darn thing goes back to the Start of the file and start palying from the beginning.

So, if I have watched half of the episode ... now I have to go back and re-watch it again.

Following is the Text File of the WMV File that I extrated using MediaInfo for your info.

General
Complete name : G:\1 Serial - xyz\xyz.001.wmv
Format : Windows Media
File size : 224 MiB
Duration : 32mn 41s
Overall bit rate mode : Constant
Overall bit rate : 956 Kbps
Maximum Overall bit rate : 71.8 Kbps
Movie name : xyz
Performer : xyz
Encoded date : xyz
Copyright : xyz
Video #1
ID : 5
Format : VC-1
Format profile : MP
Codec ID : WMV3
Codec ID/Info : Windows Media Video 9
Codec ID/Hint : WMV3
Description of the codec : Windows Media Video 9
Duration : 32mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 651 Kbps
Width : 384 pixels
Height : 288 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Nominal frame rate : 30.000 fps
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.235
Stream size : 152 MiB (68%)
Language : xyz
Video #2
ID : 6
Format : VC-1
Format profile : MP
Codec ID : WMV3
Codec ID/Info : Windows Media Video 9
Codec ID/Hint : WMV3
Description of the codec : Windows Media Video 9
Duration : 32mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 217 Kbps
Width : 384 pixels
Height : 288 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.078
Stream size : 50.8 MiB (23%)
Language : xyz
Video #3
ID : 7
Format : VC-1
Format profile : MP
Codec ID : WMV3
Codec ID/Info : Windows Media Video 9
Codec ID/Hint : WMV3
Description of the codec : Windows Media Video 9
Duration : 32mn 42s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 87.0 Kbps
Width : 384 pixels
Height : 288 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate : 12.500 fps
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.063
Stream size : 20.3 MiB (9%)
Language : xyz
Video #4
ID : 8
Format : VC-1
Format profile : MP
Codec ID : WMV3
Codec ID/Info : Windows Media Video 9
Codec ID/Hint : WMV3
Description of the codec : Windows Media Video 9
Duration : 32mn 42s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 40.0 Kbps
Width : 192 pixels
Height : 144 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate : 12.500 fps
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.116
Stream size : 9.36 MiB (4%)
Language : xyz
Audio #1
ID : 1
Format : WMA
Format version : Version 2
Codec ID : 161
Codec ID/Info : Windows Media Audio
Description of the codec : Windows Media Audio 9.1 - 8 kbps, 8 kHz, mono (A/V) 1-pass CBR
Duration : 32mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 40.0 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 32.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 9.36 MiB (4%)
Language : xyz
Audio #2
ID : 2
Format : WMA
Format version : Version 2
Codec ID : 161
Codec ID/Info : Windows Media Audio
Description of the codec : Windows Media Audio 9.1 - 8 kbps, 8 kHz, mono (A/V) 1-pass CBR
Duration : 32mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 20.0 Kbps
Channel(s) : 1 channel
Sampling rate : 44.1 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 4.68 MiB (2%)
Language : xyz
Audio #3
ID : 3
Format : WMA
Format version : Version 2
Codec ID : 161
Codec ID/Info : Windows Media Audio
Description of the codec : Windows Media Audio 9.1 - 8 kbps, 8 kHz, mono (A/V) 1-pass CBR
Duration : 32mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 16.0 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 16.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 3.74 MiB (2%)
Language : xyz
Audio #4
ID : 4
Format : WMA
Format version : Version 2
Codec ID : 161
Codec ID/Info : Windows Media Audio
Description of the codec : Windows Media Audio 9.1 - 8 kbps, 8 kHz, mono (A/V) 1-pass CBR
Duration : 32mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 8 000 bps
Channel(s) : 1 channel
Sampling rate : 8 000 Hz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 1.87 MiB (1%)
Language : xyz


So can someone help me ...

Q1: Why is this happening with this WMV file?

Q2: Can this WMV file be Fixed Without Re-Encoding it? or Converting it to an AVI? And can you suggest what Software to use?

You know something like MPEG4Modifier tool that fixes AVI's.


Please add any other comments or feedback that I did not think about.

Thanks,

G!

[yoda313]

I don't have your player but I do have a question for you. WHen you say "stop" are you pressing the play button to exit the fast forwarding? If you are doing something else I would press the "play" button and see if that helps.

One thing I could offer is at least on my wdtv media player it seems I jump past my play point that I want if I am on the top fast forwarding speed. I generally fast forward at 4x to make sure I stop where I want to.

To your issue does this phenomenon happen on all fast forwarding speeds? I assume your player probably goes up to 16x fast forwarding time. Does this happen at 2x, 4x, 8x AND 16x speeds? I would try again and see if it does. If it doesn't happen at a given fast forward speed I would stick with that fast forward speed and not bother reencoding the file.

[gonwk]

Hi Yoda313,

Thanks for your reply ... you are always helful.

BTW Yoda, do you happen to be using WDTV Media Player!?!?

Yoda, I have to check on your suggestions and see what happens and then post back ...

You are right though, I am not too crazy about converting these WMV's to AVI's ... takes about 30 minutes for each and Ireally don't want to smokemy 3 year old Gateway laptop with it's T-5750 ... can't afford to buy a new one right now.

I was hoping that there was a "Simple" fix like fixing the Header or Adding the Missing Header ... I am just guessing ... that is why I posted here to see if some WMV expert can chime in and Save the Day for me.

Oh well ... have not given up Hope yet.

Appreciate your continued help & support.

G!

[yoda313]

do you happen to be using WDTV Media Player!?!?

Actually I did mention it in my post. I am using the first generation wdtv media player - the "full size" one not the mini.

Unfortunately I don't know if there is a quick fix to your issue. Try the fast forwarding speeds and see if it might help. It won't hurt trying.

----------------------------------

One other thing you MIGHT be able to do is to remux the video into a different container. This is vc1 from what is shown in your first post. I do not know what formats like vc1. You could try remuxing into m2ts or ts depending on what your media player can handle. I guess mp4 or mkv can also handle vc1 but I really don't know the particulars about vc1 and what containers work well with it.

It would be a trial and error thing. THough remuxing is really quick and won't eat time or change the video.

Winff or tsmuxer would be a place to start on remuxing. I can't make promises that remuxing the video into a new container will solve any fast forwarding issues. Its just the next easiest thing to try.

Thanks for your reply ... you are always helful.

You are welcome. I'm always glad to help where I can and when I have the time.

Of course I'm limited by my experience. I can only comment on what I've done and what I've read. Beyond that I have to stand aside and let those more knowledgeable step in. Which in some areas of video doesn't take much. But at least I'm willing to learn alongside the experts and admit when I don't have a clue.

[El Heggunte]

If I am not mistaken, MediaInfo said you have an ASF file that contains several video and audio streams. AFAIK, such uncommon files can be played "100% OK" only through Windows Media Player or (who knows?) through Xbox. Not all software/firmware is designed to be as "WMV-capable" as the official ASF player(s) from Microsoft.

[gonwk]

Hi Yoda313 & El Heggunte,

@ Yoda313, sorry about the Media Player bit ... I must have, again, have one eye shut .
Yoda, I tried your earlier suggestion and I fast forwarded at different speed and what not ... nothing works ... always goes back to the beginning.
However, I just saw your other suggestion of using a "different" container and remuxing ... I will try that ... that might do the trick ... I will post back. THANKS Again!

@ El Heggunte, Thanks for your help also. I was wondering the same thing ... 4 different Audios with different settings but all the "same" language ... that was confusing.

Appreciate both of You and your inputs & feedbacks!

G!

[yoda313]

However, I just saw your other suggestion of using a "different" container and remuxing ... I will try that ... that might do the trick ... I will post back. THANKS Again!

Let us know. As I mentioned I am not well versed in vc1 nor wmv for that matter. There may be limitations on what containers like with vc1/wmv info. Good luck and let us know how it goes.