Trying to view i8910 encoded 1280x720 HD recorded content on a �Full HD� Samsung LCD TV (A656 series)
*sigh* my journey continues � this is proving difficult.
In one of my other threads in this forum, I discussed how I was unable to DLNA serve any .mp4v-es (that is 320x240, or 640x480, 720x480(D1), 1280x720; with AMR 8kHz (yes, 8 kHz I believe, truly medieval) file through router to my PS3 via the DLNA wireless standard. So�
Aim: � Can I ever see the Omnia i8910�s camera�s recorded 1280x720 .mp4v-es (AMR audio) 7.5 mbps stream on my Samsung A656 series LCD TV bought last year?
Result: Here is my journey during the last three hours�
1. I build a home theatre PC from scratch (I am a professional who uses IT/networks, my selfbuild record is 75 mins), Intel quad-core with a X4500 chipset and HDMI, (2gb/1TB). Now, freshly install XP (already slipstreamed (nLite) with SP3 plus updates+Firefox etc.), +update this month�s security updates, add antivirus, go online via a 802.11g router.
2. Record 4 test movies outside in the street on the i8910 (5secs each) at each of the 4 resolutions the i8910 supports = plenty of sounds and moving content.
3. Configure PC�s display to 1920x1080, also 1360x768 works. Play a Blu-ray. All fine. Everything works.
4. Download the latest Samsung PC studio � first interesting thing to note: on the Samsung UK support site and filename it is version 7.2.18.9, but on installation it installs as 7.2.20.3 in the dialogues, mmm� that is slack (?), and watch as i8910 driver software installs ok.
5. Connect i8910 via micro-USB to full USB cable. I8910 connects and is seen by Samsung PC studio.
6. To be �safe� I copy over the 4 i8910 .mp4 files onto the desktop.
7. I double click the 320x240 file; it is associated already under its .mp4 tag to Samsung PC Studio. Yay! It works � Audio and Video, but what�s this? Samsung�s PC Studio�s multimedia viewer program does not auto-size the image to 4:3 and it plays back in a very odd manner, not even widescreen, but squashed vertically. Look into the program�s options, fix this � but it doesn�t remember it! BORING. *bug*
8. So � everytime you open a new .mp4 in the Samsung Studio program�s multimedia viewer, you must resize it to 100%. Irritating.
9. 640x480, plays fine; 720x480, plays fine � now, here it comes� oh! The SOUND is so AWFUL � it really is bad. Now I have it up on the LCD TV itself this is incredibly poor. What went wrong here, Samsung? It is 8 kHz let�s face it, do you remember that? My first music sampler in 1987 (1987!) ran at 8 kHz in its WORST setting, it even did 4 secs at 44.1 kHz mono back then. There is not even proper lip sync. The movie also stutters a little bit.
I am shocked.
10. I try the 1280x720 HD ready .mp4 file, as popularised by Samsung and, arguably, the handset�s strongest marketing feature (Samsung�s own commercial, see elsewhere + a major feature how this handset differentiates itself from the current mobile phone market) -
Yes, you guessed it, it doesn�t even play with Samsung�s own PC studio software installed. Nothing, just a great big crash of the software and the �send report� to M$ appears. Amazing. I am shocked for the second time.
OK. Install Nero 7 that came with the Blu-ray. Showtime 3. The 1280x720 file� here we go� no picture! But the bad audio exists! Well, at least I heard something. (ok, I know, other newer versions of Nero exist, but I can�t risk buying more software for this test)
Next up, download and install the latest VLC 0.9.x.
Yay! I see a picture!!! But� NO sound (which is probably a good thing as 8kHz AMR sounds awful.
VLC reports:
Audio � decoded blocks � 0
No suitable decoder module:
VLC does not support the audio or video format �samr�. Unfortunately there is no way for you to fix this.
Video � decode blocks 184 / Displayed frames 180, lost frames � 0.
10,794 kb Read, input bitrate 6,719 kb/s; demuxed 10,275 kb/s; stream rate (in this case) was 7,872 kbps.
This was ~ a 8 second clip.
Shocked again� � the picture quality was also poor � stuttering slightly every ~ 0.25 sec throughout the 8 sec.
It certainly does not look smooth as the advertised 24 fps.
Conclusion:
As an End-user this is proving a nightmare to get the 1280x720 working, not even with Samsung�s own PC Studio software. I WILL beat it & let you know how I get on.
Sure, I can spend the next few evenings honing my conversion skills, but I really shouldn�t have to.
I give up for today, and look into how to convert .mp4-amr to .mp4-aac, but please, if anyone out there can point me to a posting which gives me a howto, then I will stop these posts!
Let me be frank. I am fortunate enough to own and be able to record HD video using Canon technology, etc., but if Samsung promises me HD recording and I am in the market for a new �premium� mobile phone, I do not expect Canon results, but at least I expect it to work �easily� and, in addition, not use a sound codec that was popular in the early 1980s.
But thanks again to Samsung, it is a great premium product in other respects, but let�s add that �icing to the cake�! (the cake being an outlay of anywhere between 450-900 GBP depending on contract or otherwise)