Do Sony .m2ts files play on WDTV plus? Options

[DavidJ]

I just got a new Sony HDR-CX110 HD camcorder and tried to play its .m2ts files on my WDTV plus (firmware 1.04.10_B). The playback pauses after a few seconds, sometimes stops completely, the audio is delayed, and in general it is not successful in playing these files.

The WDTV literature claims that .m2ts files are supported. A quick Internet search finds people raving about how well it works. So... why can't I play these files? Is anyone else having problems with this?

[Rev Drew]

moved from Gen1 to live plus..

[WDUser]

.M2TS files from a BR disc should play back fine. Check your files with MediaInfo. If they use a proprietary Sony codec, they won't play properly (similarly for .M2TS files produced by Panasonic, Canon etc. camcorders).

[DavidJ]

This is what MediaInfo says. Thanks for your help.

CODE

General
ID                               : 0 (0x0)
Complete name                    : D:\Sony\20101226090447.m2ts
Format                           : BDAV
Format/Info                      : Blu-ray Video
File size                        : 80.9 MiB
Duration                         : 39s 512ms
Overall bit rate                 : 17.2 Mbps
Maximum Overall bit rate         : 18.0 Mbps

Video
ID                               : 4113 (0x1011)
Menu ID                          : 1 (0x1)
Format                           : AVC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                   : High@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC           : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames        : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP             : M=1, N=30
Codec ID                         : 27
Duration                         : 39s 472ms
Bit rate mode                    : Variable
Bit rate                         : 16.2 Mbps
Maximum bit rate                 : 16.0 Mbps
Width                            : 1 920 pixels
Height                           : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio             : 16:9
Frame rate                       : 29.970 fps
Color space                      : YUV
Chroma subsampling               : 4:2:0
Bit depth                        : 8 bits
Scan type                        : Interlaced
Scan order                       : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)               : 0.261
Stream size                      : 76.3 MiB (94%)

Audio
ID                               : 4352 (0x1100)
Menu ID                          : 1 (0x1)
Format                           : AC-3
Format/Info                      : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension                   : CM (complete main)
Codec ID                         : 129
Duration                         : 39s 552ms
Bit rate mode                    : Constant
Bit rate                         : 256 Kbps
Channel(s)                       : 2 channels
Channel positions                : Front: L R
Sampling rate                    : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth                        : 16 bits
Compression mode                 : Lossy
Delay relative to video          : -67ms
Stream size                      : 1.21 MiB (1%)

Text
ID                               : 4608 (0x1200)
Menu ID                          : 1 (0x1)
Format                           : PGS
Codec ID                         : 144
Duration                         : 38s 974ms
Delay relative to video          : -67ms

[WDUser]

According to the Manual (Appendix - Pg. 154):

 M2TS_on_Live_Plus.png ( 80.14K ) Number of downloads: 2


Maybe the files are violating the compatibility specs in some way, but I'm not enough of a video expert to figure it out. You may want to ask WD Support, or on a site such as videohelp.com

Also, you can try to downgrade (see Tutorials section for help) to firmware version 1.03.49, since 1.04.10 has many people complaining about files skipping etc. So maybe it's not the files after all...

P.S. If you're trying to play over the network, try to play from a fast USB pen drive instead.

-----

Late Edit: See this post for a probable cause.

[DavidJ]

Also, you can try to downgrade (see Tutorials section for help) to firmware version 1.03.49, since 1.04.10 has many people complaining about files skipping etc. So maybe it's not the files after all...

I tried to downgrade but there is no choice to upgrade the firmware from USB, only from the network.

I did upgrade to the latest firmware and the situation has improved. For the first 5 seconds or so, the clip plays without sound, then it pauses while the sound plays, and then everything is fine from then on.

Based on that, it looks like WD is trying to improve this so maybe I'll wait for the next firmware upgrade and see if it gets fixed.

[Leandro]

Hello, I bought this beatiful device and it plays almost everything, but.... When I try to play M2TS filmed with my Canon Vixia HD21 (1920x1080) it says the format is not being recognized.

Important: I haven't done any firmware update.

Will any update do any good? Which firmware do you recommend? I see latest firmware on WD page is 1.04.10 (1/2010)

Any help will be appreciated!!!!!!

[Leandro]

Firmware update completed. M2TS files plays just fine. Remember, from Canon Vixia.

[WDUser]

Thanks for letting us know Leandro.