mp4 playback

[frednet]

An issue I long worked around is the inability to playback mp4 in Neobook.
I have tried several flavors and all work in the ms media player but none work in Neobook or Neobook with the dx plugin.
Installing older media-player versions or extra codec packs have been useful workarounds for dedicated computer systems.
It would really nice if mp4 playback was possible in a standard windows 8.1 computer system.
It would be great to be able to use the Neobook media-player on mp4.

I hear others report the can playback mp4 with Neobook-dx, is there some digital rights management issue, country specific stuff??

Any ideas appreciated , Fred

[dec]

Hello,

From my knowledge (triying to help) I think it's a pure codec question. When I start on a PC, one of the first things I do is to install the K-lite Mega Codec Pack, and, after that, every player in my system (usually Media Player Classic, included by K-lite), VLC and Windows Media Player, can reproduce virtually any file format, including MP4. In fact you can see that K-lite specifically include the MP4 codec.

Supports playback of:

AVI, MKV, MP4, FLV, MPEG, MOV, TS, M2TS, WMV, RM, RMVB, OGM, WebM
MP3, FLAC, M4A, AAC, OGG, 3GP, AMR, APE, MKA, Opus, Wavpack, Musepack
DVD and Blu-ray (after decryption)
and many more audio and video formats!

Since I have the MP4 codec installed (at least one, included by K-lite) I can reproduce MP4 audio and video files using the NeoBookDX plugin and also using the simple "PlaySoundFile" native NeoBook action. Then my sugestion is to try to install the appropiate MP4 codec by your application installer. The problem can be to found an appropiate codec, allowed to be distributed by your application without problems.

[frednet]

Hello,

From my knowledge (triying to help) I think it's a pure codec question. When I start on a PC, one of the first things I do is to install the K-lite Mega Codec Pack, and, after that, every player in my system (usually Media Player Classic, included by K-lite), VLC and Windows Media Player, can reproduce virtually any file format, including MP4. In fact you can see that K-lite specifically include the MP4 codec.

Supports playback of:

AVI, MKV, MP4, FLV, MPEG, MOV, TS, M2TS, WMV, RM, RMVB, OGM, WebM
MP3, FLAC, M4A, AAC, OGG, 3GP, AMR, APE, MKA, Opus, Wavpack, Musepack
DVD and Blu-ray (after decryption)
and many more audio and video formats!

Since I have the MP4 codec installed (at least one, included by K-lite) I can reproduce MP4 audio and video files using the NeoBookDX plugin and also using the simple "PlaySoundFile" native NeoBook action. Then my sugestion is to try to install the appropiate MP4 codec by your application installer. The problem can be to found an appropiate codec, allowed to be distributed by your application without problems.

Thanks Dec,
But how can it be a codec question if it runs fine on the same computer in any other app, vlc and ms mediaplayer.
So the codecs are already on the machine, right?

Adding extra codec packs conflicts with other applications like dvd architect ( only with specific codecs that is)
Point also is for my inhouse edit suites i don't want 3 party software running. Spend way to much time tracing software conflicts.
Also i'd like to sell a useful application containing mp4 playback without having to ad 3 party stuff.
So i'd like to know a little more on what is going on.

[dec]

Hello,

I only can say that my computer have the K-lite Codec Mega Pack installed, and then every of the media player programs works fine with MP4, but also NeoBook "PlaySoundFile" action and the NeoBookDX plugin. I am not talking about installing the whole K-lite software, but try to find an specific MP4 codec suitable to be installed. Maybe the applications you refer (VLC, etc.) including the appropiate codec specifically to their use.

In fact I don't know very much in order to how a codec can be installed, if this can be available only for an specific application, etc. On the other hand, if you want to reproduce MP4 files, you need to include "thirdparty" software, the codec, which is mandatory in order to reproduce such file format. Right? Or how do you expect to reproduce this files without the appropiate thirdparty codec installed?

Maybe another partner can help us in this question.

[Neosoft Support]

NeoBookDX uses Microsoft's DirectX/DirectShow which requires codecs in order to play anything. Many codecs are included with the standard Windows installation, although different versions of Windows sometimes include different codecs. Some programs don't use DirectX and include their own code for playing various file formats. Windows Media player uses sort of a hybrid approach with some formats played through DirectX and some through other means.

For NeoBookDX we require codecs. This vastly reduces the size of the plug-in since we don't have ship massive players for every conceivable media format on the planet. Also, we simply don't have the expertise or resources to write our own media players for everything.

Below is a nice explanation of what media formats are generally supported by Windows Media Player:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316992/en-us

This is also interesting:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/codecs-frequently-asked-questions#codecs-frequently-asked-questions=windows-vista

[David de Argentina]

Hi Fred,

Take a look of NeoMediaPlayer plugin

http://www.neosoftware.com/neobook/modu ... 13&lid=254

Plugin is a wrapper of the Windows Media Player service.

if Windows Media Player can play the file, NeoMediaPlayer too.

My 0.01

David de ARgentina

[mishem]

You can try to plug zmVLC
But he's still in development.

[frednet]

NeoBookDX uses Microsoft's DirectX/DirectShow which requires codecs in order to play anything. Many codecs are included with the standard Windows installation, although different versions of Windows sometimes include different codecs. Some programs don't use DirectX and include their own code for playing various file formats. Windows Media player uses sort of a hybrid approach with some formats played through DirectX and some through other means.

For NeoBookDX we require codecs. This vastly reduces the size of the plug-in since we don't have ship massive players for every conceivable media format on the planet. Also, we simply don't have the expertise or resources to write our own media players for everything.

Below is a nice explanation of what media formats are generally supported by Windows Media Player:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316992/en-us

This is also interesting:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/codecs-frequently-asked-questions#codecs-frequently-asked-questions=windows-vista

This is interesting reading, I use windows 8.1 and thus mediaplayer 12. The first document you suggest indicates mediaplayer should playback
mp4. Mediaplayer indeed playsback mp4, but neobook dx does not.

The error message means; unable to play file, format is not supported.

I also followed, Davids and Mishems suggestions , they both work and provide mp4 playback.

I am beginning to suspect a little bug.
Can anyone reproduce my problem? (windows 8.1) could it be something to do with my language?
thanks Fred.

[dec]

Hello,

I use Windows 8.1 too in my above test. On the other hand, can remember that I use the "dxCreate", "dxOpenFile" and "dxPlay" actions; I am not sure if this matter, but, maybe you can try with these actions instead "dxPlayVideoFile"?

[frednet]

Hello,

I use Windows 8.1 too in my above test. On the other hand, can remember that I use the "dxCreate", "dxOpenFile" and "dxPlay" actions; I am not sure if this matter, but, maybe you can try with these actions instead "dxPlayVideoFile"?

Hi
I tried your method and it gives exact the same error.
Are you able to play mp4 with neobookdx?

Are you using Intel graphics?
thanks Fred

[dec]

Hello,

Yes; I can play MP4 files as I say above:

I only can say that my computer have the K-lite Codec Mega Pack installed, and then every of the media player programs works fine with MP4, but also NeoBook "PlaySoundFile" action and the NeoBookDX plugin.

I still thinking this is a "codec" question. About the Intel Graphics... I am not sure, to be honest, I think my PC have an integrated audio/video card, maybe Intel... but I am not sure at this time, sorry Fred.

[Neosoft Support]

Here's a method you can use to get a list of all codecs installed on your PC:

1. Open Windows Media Player.
2. Select "About Windows Media Player" from the Help menu.
3. Click on the “Technical Support Information” link at the bottom of the About Window.

This will open a browser window showing the list of installed audio and video codecs.

Maybe dec and frednet can compare codecs and figure out which ones are needed for mp4?

[dec]

Hello,

Following the above instructions I get this video codec information:

ICM Microsoft YUV UYVY msyuv.dll 6.3.9600.16384
ICM Códec Intel IYUV IYUV iyuv_32.dll 6.3.9600.16384
ICM Códec Cinepak por Radius cvid iccvid.dll 1.10.0.12
ICM Microsoft YUV UYVY msyuv.dll 6.3.9600.16384
ICM Toshiba YUV Codec Y411 tsbyuv.dll 6.3.9600.16384
ICM Microsoft YUV UYVY msyuv.dll 6.3.9600.16384
ICM Códec Intel IYUV IYUV iyuv_32.dll 6.3.9600.16384
ICM Microsoft RLE MRLE msrle32.dll 6.3.9600.16384
ICM Microsoft Video 1 MSVC msvidc32.dll 6.3.9600.16384
ICM Xvid MPEG-4 Codec XVID
ICM Lagarith Lossless Codec LAGS lagarith.dll 1.3.27.0
ICM Huffyuv v2.1.1 - CCESP Patch v0.2.5 HFYU huffyuv.dll 2.1.1.1
ICM ffdshow Video Codec FFDS ff_vfw.dll 1.2.4491.0
ICM x264vfw - H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec X264 x264vfw.dll 37.2200.33968.0
ICM VP60® Simple Profile VP60 vp6vfw.dll 6.0.6.4
ICM VP61® Advanced Profile VP61 vp6vfw.dll 6.0.6.4
ICM DivX 6.9.2 Codec (2 Logical CPUs) divx DivX.dll 6.9.2.26
ICM DivX 6.9.2 YV12 Decoder yv12 DivX.dll 6.9.2.26
ICM FM Screen Capture Codec FMVC fmcodec.dll 1.0.0.0
DMO Mpeg4s Decoder DMO mp4s, MP4S, m4s2, M4S2, MP4V, mp4v, XVID, xvid, DIVX, DX50 mp4sdecd.dll 6.3.9600.16384
DMO WMV Screen decoder DMO MSS1, MSS2 wmvsdecd.dll 6.3.9600.16384
DMO WMVideo Decoder DMO WMV1, WMV2, WMV3, WMVA, WVC1, WMVP, WVP2, VC1S wmvdecod.dll 6.3.9600.17238
DMO Mpeg43 Decoder DMO mp43, MP43 mp43decd.dll 6.3.9600.16384
DMO Mpeg4 Decoder DMO MPG4, mpg4, mp42, MP42 mpg4decd.dll 6.3.9600.16384

I put in bold the lines which contain the MP4 word. Searching for "mpg4decd.dll" file in my PC I can found in this places:

Code: Select all

C:\Windows\System32\MPG4DECD.DLL
C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-mpg4decd_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16384_none_f54552d07da365de\MPG4DECD.DLL


This is apparently a Microsoft Windows DLL included by the system, at least here in Microsoft Windows 8.1. My Windows Media Player "DRM" version is 11.0.9600.16384. One more thing to say is I can't remember if my system is capable to reproduce MP4 files BEFORE I install the K-lite Mega Codec Pack, since I install this software from the scratch...

Hope this information can help in some way.

[frednet]

Sorry for the delay, took me way to much time to figure out how to get a search result in notepad, Some things used to be easier:)
As you can see I also have the right dll's I gues.
The mui stuf has to do with multilanguage setup
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd319073%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
I wonder if its a muli language issue.
An other option would be 32 vs 64 bit windows
David are you working 64 bit like i do?

Thanks, Fred.

ICM Microsoft YUV UYVY msyuv.dll 6.3.9600.17415
ICM Logitech Video (I420) i420 lvcodec2.dll 13.80.853.0
ICM Cinepak-codec van Radius cvid iccvid.dll 1.10.0.12
ICM Microsoft YUV UYVY msyuv.dll 6.3.9600.17415
ICM Toshiba YUV Codec Y411 tsbyuv.dll 6.3.9600.17415
ICM Microsoft YUV UYVY msyuv.dll 6.3.9600.17415
ICM Intel IYUV-codec IYUV iyuv_32.dll 6.3.9600.17415
ICM Microsoft RLE MRLE msrle32.dll 6.3.9600.17415
ICM Microsoft Video 1 MSVC msvidc32.dll 6.3.9600.17415
DMO Mpeg4s Decoder DMO mp4s, MP4S, m4s2, M4S2, MP4V, mp4v, XVID, xvid, DIVX, DX50 mp4sdecd.dll 6.3.9600.17415
DMO WMV Screen decoder DMO MSS1, MSS2 wmvsdecd.dll 6.3.9600.17415
DMO WMVideo Decoder DMO WMV1, WMV2, WMV3, WMVA, WVC1, WMVP, WVP2, VC1S wmvdecod.dll 6.3.9600.17415
DMO Mpeg43 Decoder DMO mp43, MP43 mp43decd.dll 6.3.9600.17415
DMO Mpeg4 Decoder DMO MPG4, mpg4, mp42, MP42 mpg4decd.dll 6.3.9600.17415

Code: Select all

"C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-mp4sdecd.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16384_en-us_963eb8cdf6342caf\mp4sdecd.dll.mui"
"C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MP4SDECD.DLL"
"C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-mp4sdecd_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.17415_none_a3d4c7f78889337c\MP4SDECD.DLL"
"C:\Windows\System32\MP4SDECD.DLL"
"C:\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_microsoft-windows-mp4sdecd_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.17415_none_fff3637b40e6a4b2\MP4SDECD.DLL"
"C:\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_microsoft-windows-mp4sdecd_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16384_none_ffa6c89f4120382a\MP4SDECD.DLL"
"C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-mp4sdecd_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16384_none_a3882d1b88c2c6f4\MP4SDECD.DLL"
"C:\Windows\System32\en-US\mp4sdecd.dll.mui"
"C:\Windows\SysWOW64\en-US\mp4sdecd.dll.mui"
"C:\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_microsoft-windows-mp4sdecd.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16384_en-us_f25d5451ae919de5\mp4sdecd.dll.mui"

[dec]

Hello,

I am working on a Windows 32 bits. Note the DLL have a "DRM version". I am in Spain and run an spanish Windows version.

Are you tried with different MP4 files?