TV Plays AVI Files, and MP4 Files, but not them all!!

Hey Everyone.

My kids have a small 20 inch tv with a usb port, and for any parent who has experienced the rate at which kids go through physical dvd's, you can relate to the need to have a USB stick and compatible tv.

Anyway, i have noticed that the TV's play both AVI files and MP4 files. What i have also noticed however, is that they don't play every single mp4 file and every avi. Now i know there are many versions of avi files as i googled it before i posted, and i kind of know what codecs are now (roughly). I also know you can download additional codecs if required.

What i was hoping someone could tell me is this: Lets say i have 2 movies both are avi files. one of them works on my kids tv and the other doesn't. On the avi movie that does play on the tv, how do i find out WHY its worked and the other hasn't?

Would be ever so grateful for any help in this.

John

 

The TV manual should list the format of compatible files.

You could compare one that works with one that doesn't by using the likes of MediaInfo (the link is a portable version that doesn't try to install adware).

http://www.videohelp.com/download/MediaInfo_GUI_0.7.72_Windows_i386_WithoutInstaller.7z

This example shows the video has a resolution of 576x320 using the XviD codec.
The audio is mp3.
Compare yours and note the difference between a working and non working example.

 

You sir, are a gentleman, going to give this a go now.Many Thanks Sir.

 

Hey Everyone.

Still having a kind of hard time trying to work out things....

I've uploaded the format list taken from the Kids tv manual which is attached.

Anyway, i downloaded a movie, of mp4 type, i have ran it through media file and attached it also. This file doesn't play on the tv.

Despite saying it plays MP4, this doesn't play and was wondering if anyone could shed any light, not only on why this doesn't play, but what format i should convert to in order to be watchable according to the tv's format list.

 

According to the TV chart, mp4 should have a maximum resolution of 1024x768 and use mpeg2 video/mp3 audio.
Your file is 1920x1040 and uses avc video and aac audio.
It would have to be converted to meet the specs.

Try the portable version of VidCoder.
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/VidCoder
If you have a problem, post back.

 

Thanks, i've downloaded it but unsure what to set settings to?

I've gave it a try and chose the mpeg 2 option

 

From your problem I gather you are living in the US. What I found in my research a few years ago is that any movie that used XVID or MP4(10)will simply not play. Be it a TV or a DVD player. Same model of either device sold in Canada will handle these files without a problem. Same model of these very same devices sold in SE Asia will even handle MKV containers with absolutely any codec. Incidentally Sony is an exception to the rule. It simply wouldn't play anything other then the basic format of a mastered dvd. LG was another culprit in that it would not play any file beyond 1 gb, it would simply quit. Samsung was my best bet. I purchased one and its USB port comfortably powers any port powered hard disk and plays everything under the sky except of course the latest H/X265 HEVC video.

Your best recourse would be to buy a media player like Phantom by Hornettek as I did some 7 years ago for US$ 100/-. It plays anything you throw at it at full 1080p resolution, even those ripped at 18 mbps and 650 kbps AC3 without dropping a single frame.