Tomacro limHD200i HD media player with H.264 [Text View] - Page 8

oldpainless68

09-08-07, 07:23 AM

So do they work? :)

Ok...here goes....ALL files tested on LimHD local Hard Drive

1 = h264-50i-ac3-ac3-srt-srt.mkv

Medinfo:

Complete name : C:\share\media\NFS test files\mkvsamples\h264-50i-ac3-ac3-srt-srt.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 29.2 MiB
PlayTime : 13s 696ms
Bit rate : 18 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-07-13 14:30:41
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Apr 18 2007 19:21:12
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG4 ISO advanced profile
PlayTime : 13s 680ms
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 1088 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 25.000 fps

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : German

Audio #1
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : English

Plays perfect, but you need to switch audio back and forth...but no stuttering or droped audio....

2 = h264-50i-ac3-dts.mkv

Mediainfo:

Complete name : C:\share\media\NFS test files\mkvsamples\h264-50i-ac3-dts.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 29.4 MiB
PlayTime : 20s 384ms
Bit rate : 12 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-07-13 14:29:03
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Apr 18 2007 19:21:12
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG4 ISO advanced profile
PlayTime : 20s 360ms
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 1088 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 25.000 fps

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : German

Audio #1
Codec : DTS
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : DTS 5.1
Language : English

Plays, but VERY slight jerky motion

3 = mpeg2-24p-ac3-lpcm-ac3.mkv

Mediainfo:

Complete name : C:\share\media\NFS test files\mkvsamples\mpeg2-24p-ac3-lpcm-ac3.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 28.8 MiB
PlayTime : 12s 531ms
Bit rate : 19 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-07-13 14:35:58
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Apr 18 2007 19:21:12
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : MPEG
Codec/Info : (MPEG1) MPEG 1 or 2 Video
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 1080 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
Language : English

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Language : English

Audio #1
Codec : PCM
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Language : English

Audio #2
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Language : English

Plays perfect, PCM track is just noise....

4 = mpeg2-60i-ac3-ac3.mkv

Mediainfo:

Complete name : C:\share\media\NFS test files\mkvsamples\mpeg2-60i-ac3-ac3.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 29.1 MiB
PlayTime : 20s 896ms
Bit rate : 12 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-07-13 14:27:30
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Apr 18 2007 19:21:12
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : MPEG
Codec/Info : (MPEG1) MPEG 1 or 2 Video
Width : 1440 pixels
Height : 1080 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : German

Audio #1
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : English

Plays perfect....

5 = vc1-24p-ac3-ac3.mkv

Mediainfo:

omplete name : C:\share\media\NFS test files\mkvsamples\vc1-24p-ac3-ac3.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 29.3 MiB
PlayTime : 33s 856ms
Bit rate : 7265 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-07-13 14:31:56
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Apr 18 2007 19:21:12
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : V_MS/VFW/FOURCC
PlayTime : 33s 791ms
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 1080 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 23.976 fps

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : German

Audio #1
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : English

Plays, but audio only....WMW and I assume VC1 has been disabled in the beta (only for testing purposes)

So, looking good......

av_noob

09-08-07, 08:38 AM

Ok...here goes....ALL files tested on LimHD local Hard Drive
5 = vc1-24p-ac3-ac3.mkv

Mediainfo:

omplete name : C:\share\media\NFS test files\mkvsamples\vc1-24p-ac3-ac3.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 29.3 MiB
PlayTime : 33s 856ms
Bit rate : 7265 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-07-13 14:31:56
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Apr 18 2007 19:21:12
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : V_MS/VFW/FOURCC
PlayTime : 33s 791ms
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 1080 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 23.976 fps

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : German

Audio #1
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : English

Plays, but audio only....WMW and I assume VC1 has been disabled in the beta (only for testing purposes)

Will this be included in the firmware release for public consumption? This is the codec(s) worth supporting in MKV. Thanks.

av_noob

09-08-07, 08:44 AM

Taking a quick look at the device. It seems normally, the HD1 is mounted read-only:

/dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/part1 on /mnt/HD1 type ntfs (ro,noatime,nodiratime,nosuid,nodev,uid=0,gid=0,fmask=0177,d mask=077,nls=utf8,errors=continue,mft_zone_multiplier=1)

How do you start the telnet daemon to look at the device?

oldpainless68

09-08-07, 08:53 AM

Will this be included in the firmware release for public consumption? This is the codec(s) worth supporting in MKV. Thanks.

I have strongly suggested to Jackie that it is....

K

gendvd

09-08-07, 09:04 AM

Hello! Everybody! Now our website www.gendvd.com has been completely restructured and perfected and the website has now become more formal. You can have both retailer order
http://www.gendvd.com/Results2.asp and wholesale order http://www.gendvd.com/Results4.asp on it.You not only can buy HD player you but can buy cable, hard driver of different capacity. Welcome to land and have a look here www.gendvd.com:):):D

gendvd

09-08-07, 09:13 AM

I have strongly suggested to Jackie that it is....

K

Good Evening! Kevin! Maybe I should say good morning.:) ou! I do not know.:D Thank you very much for your kind and valuable feedback. Surely I will reflect all of them to Tomacro.

oldpainless68

09-08-07, 09:26 AM

Good Evening! Kevin! Maybe I should say good morning.:) ou! I do not know.:D Thank you very much for your kind and valuable feedback. Surely I will reflect all of them to Tomacro.

Afternoon now...2:25pm here....:)...and your welcome as always.....

Once the few bugs have been ironed out....this is going to be one hell'ava firmware release!...

K

oldpainless68

09-08-07, 09:29 AM

Good Evening! Kevin! Maybe I should say good morning.:) ou! I do not know.:D Thank you very much for your kind and valuable feedback. Surely I will reflect all of them to Tomacro.

Also like the new site...looks good.....I advise everyone to go and have alook around.....and glad to see no more dodgy disk's.....lol....:D

K

jofa

09-08-07, 09:53 AM

Jackie

You have mail....

K

Best forum post ever....

/J
(Possibly after this post, of course....)

oldpainless68

09-08-07, 10:13 AM

Best forum post ever....

/J
(Possibly after this post, of course....)

:cool::D

K

oldpainless68

09-08-07, 10:39 AM

If the player could just output most major codecs at high bitrates from most major containers and not drop/stutter/freeze on audio video, then EVERYTHING ELSE can be fixed AFTER the player.

But if the player produces crap video/audio output, no amount of internal de-interlacing can fix that.

So, priorities right.

Playback pristine first. Gimmicks come second :)

Well, that's the LimHD....the only audio drop that needs fixing is on MKV (although there's no video stuttering)....

K

oldpainless68

09-08-07, 10:52 AM

So, just as a catch up for people new to this thread that don't want to read all million pages...this is where we are:

AVC/Mpeg4 (AVI/TS container)720p 1080p ac3/dts no problems ave 40+ mbps
Mpeg2 (AVI/TS container)720p 1080p ac3/dts no problems ave 40+ mbps
m2ts 720p 1080p ac3/dts no problems ave 40+ mbps
H.264 (AVI/TS container) 720p 1080p ac3/dts no problems ave 40 + mbps
VC1 (TS/AVI/WMV) 720p 1080p ac3/dts no problems ave 40 + mbps
Divx 720p 1080p no problems
MKV2TS 720p no problems
MP3 no problems
NFS no problems (yet to fully compile max through put)

Oh....and have I ever mentioned the picture quality with HiDef material over HDMI..;)

Work in progress:

MKV 720p 1080p - current beta being tweaked (slight audio drop now and again, but no video stuttering or macroblocks, even on 1080p :D)
DVD ISO/IFO support - current beta being tweaked

On dev roadmap (hopefully)

24 hz option
usb speed tweak
lan speed tweak
FTP option
GUI
Adaptive de-interlacing
NFS mulitiple mounts

No sure if i've missed anything.....but all in all....a pretty impressive new comer to the Hi Def Media Player scene...

K

jliles

09-08-07, 01:46 PM

I hope multiple subs and audio in the MKV container will be on the dev roadmap...

dave843

09-08-07, 02:03 PM

I hope sending HD Audio over HDMI is on the dev roadmap.

d60pdp

09-08-07, 05:44 PM

lundman

09-08-07, 08:03 PM

Don't forget dual audio in .avi problem. The umount issue and

Remote control power-off doesn't actually do much. Turns the screen off, but HD1 is still powered and all USB devices. Similarly, there is no way to "reboot" the device when it does flip out (apart from crash I mean). With the LT2, you can hold remote power button for 5 seconds. But once the very-frequent crashes goes away I suppose it is not so important.

Fuse-1.4 compiled, but hello-fs didn't work so I guess I did something wrong :)

I would much rather have a new beta firmware every week, than one proper every 6 months. Even if I don't try every beta, it is nice to know there is still progress being done, most companies just get the device out then disappear.

russland

09-08-07, 08:12 PM

Remote control power-off doesn't actually do much. Turns the screen off, but HD1 is still powered and all USB devices.

You mean, in order to turn the internal HDD off you need to press switch on the device itself or what? The same applies to external devices, right?

lundman

09-08-07, 08:21 PM

You mean, in order to turn the internal HDD off you need to press switch on the device itself or what? The same applies to external devices, right?

Yeah, for a crash, or just to power off the HD, you have to go to the main unit.

Shame.

zapster

09-08-07, 11:13 PM

DVD ISO/IFO support - current beta being tweaked

And yet one of the most important FEATURES of any playback unit.

oldpainless68

09-09-07, 02:36 AM

And yet one of the most important FEATURES of any playback unit.

For a hard disk media player, I would agree. Tomacro took the stance that they were going to focus their efforts on the the LimHD being a Hi-Def player 1st and foremost, then work on SD stuff.

K

oldpainless68

09-09-07, 02:39 AM

oldpainless68

09-09-07, 02:46 AM

lienly

09-09-07, 03:44 AM

didn't know this player has a thread here.:p

as TW first user, I believe, my quick comment of it is its h264 playback is better than another 2 HD HDD players I have! [iamm 36HD and MB200].
but remote makes annoy noise whenever I press button!:mad:

no time to fully play it eventhou I got it for months.
only share you some photos first.
TW first LimHD200i (http://photo.pchome.com.tw/lienly/044)
b/c now new toy, Onkyo 905, grabs my most attention!!!;)

lundman

09-09-07, 05:23 AM

Not seen the dual audio AVI issue (I dont have any dual audio AVI's lol)....re power off....I guess once the firmware is mature enough and rock solid...then it's not really that much of an issue...

K

I thought we were all going to be able to test the new firmware, but I guess it is an exclusive club :)

Anyway, I can hook you up with one of the ones I have, if it will aid in the support process.

Made the way it should be, can select audio track ok in LinkTheater, VLC, NicePlayer, Windows Media Player etc

oldpainless68

09-09-07, 05:31 AM

I thought we were all going to be able to test the new firmware, but I guess it is an exclusive club :)

Anyway, I can hook you up with one of the ones I have, if it will aid in the support process.

Made the way it should be, can select audio track ok in LinkTheater, VLC, NicePlayer, Windows Media Player etc

I'm sure once these few bugs have been ironed out, Tomacro will make it available........

Can I take you up on your offer of a couple of those AVI's....could you PM a link?

Cheers

K

oldpainless68

09-09-07, 05:33 AM

gendvd

09-09-07, 05:45 AM

[QUOTE=oldpainless68;11560583]Also like the new site...looks good.....I advise everyone to go and have alook around.....and glad to see no more dodgy disk's.....lol....:D

K[/QUOT
Thank you kevin! You have given us lots of good suggestions, and surely we will do more to serve for all our customers. We are grateful for all you warm customers'( friends) kind supports.Best wishes!
Jackie

philmckrackon

09-09-07, 09:22 AM

Yes, very impressive. However, since most of the tested samples were below 30 seconds (except one at 33 sec.), would you please test some full length movies (with file size 5-15 GB) in approx. 10-15 min. from the internal HDD and from the NAS to see how it performs. Anyway, thanks for your good news.

I'm probably not the best person to run LAN speed tests, as I'm using powerline lan adapters (they max at about 20mbps). So all my high bitrate stuff (20mbps+) I have on usb drives and the LimHD drive, everything <20mbps I access via NFS.

Mark or someone else might be able to run some speed tests over a hard wired lan....

K

Here is the MediaInfo from two HD-DVD's I have ripped. I have played both of the entire movies over the LAN from a Thecus N5200 NAS using NFS. These were played using a hard wire and a wireless 802.11n TrendNet adapter. The N5200 is plugged into a TrenNet gigabit switch and the LIM was plugged into the switch for the wired streaming. The LIM was plugged into a TrendNet TEW-630APB and another TEW-630APB was plugged into the switch for wireless 802.11n streaming. The LIM is about 60 feet away from the N5200 in another part of the house with five walls separating them. I am NOT running jumbo-frames on the N5200 because when I do the LIM will not stream from the NAS.

I have had a few problems with this setup and they are -

1) When starting the video, a few times the video would stutter - stopping (not pausing) and restarting (sometimes a few times) solved the stutter problem. After the video started playing normally the video could be paused and restarted without a problem.

2) The LIM will hang when I try and change the audio track on the first rip. The only way to get the LIM going again is by powering on and off the unit.

Hope this helps,

General #0
Complete name : \\N5200\media\Video\DVD\The Hitcher HD\hitcher.ts
Format : MPEG-4 Transport
Format/Family : MPEG-4
File size : 5.52 GiB
PlayTime : 1h 23mn
Bit rate : 9435 Kbps

Video #0
Codec : AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec profile : High@L5.1
PlayTime : 1h 23mn
Bit rate : 8242 Kbps
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 1088 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
PixelAspectRatio : 1.000
DisplayAspectRatio : 1.765

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Bit rate : 640 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Rear: L R, Subwoofer
Sampling rate : 48 KHz

Audio #1
Codec : AC3
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : L R
Sampling rate : 48 KHz

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

General #0
Complete name : \\N5200\media\Video\DVD\The Italian Job HD\ijob.ts
Format : MPEG-4 Transport
Format/Family : MPEG-4
File size : 6.81 GiB
PlayTime : 1h 50mn
Bit rate : 8822 Kbps

Video #0
Codec : AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec profile : High@L5.1
PlayTime : 1h 50mn
Bit rate : 8015 Kbps
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 1088 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
PixelAspectRatio : 1.000
DisplayAspectRatio : 1.765

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Bit rate : 640 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Rear: L R, Subwoofer
Sampling rate : 48 KHz

madshi

09-09-07, 11:17 AM

Thanks to oldpainless68 once again for your tests!!

Ok...here goes....ALL files tested on LimHD local Hard Drive

1 = h264-50i-ac3-ac3-srt-srt.mkv

Medinfo:

Complete name : C:\share\media\NFS test files\mkvsamples\h264-50i-ac3-ac3-srt-srt.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 29.2 MiB
PlayTime : 13s 696ms
Bit rate : 18 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-07-13 14:30:41
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Apr 18 2007 19:21:12
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG4 ISO advanced profile
PlayTime : 13s 680ms
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 1088 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 25.000 fps

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : German

Audio #1
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : English

Plays perfect, but you need to switch audio back and forth...but no stuttering or droped audio....
What do you mean with "you need to switch audio back and forth"? Don't you get any audio otherwise?

Do both audio tracks work? What about the subtitles? Can those both be activated/displayed, too?

2 = h264-50i-ac3-dts.mkv

Mediainfo:

Complete name : C:\share\media\NFS test files\mkvsamples\h264-50i-ac3-dts.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 29.4 MiB
PlayTime : 20s 384ms
Bit rate : 12 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-07-13 14:29:03
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Apr 18 2007 19:21:12
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG4 ISO advanced profile
PlayTime : 20s 360ms
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 1088 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 25.000 fps

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : German

Audio #1
Codec : DTS
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : DTS 5.1
Language : English

Plays, but VERY slight jerky motion
Do both audio tracks play correctly?

So, looking good......
Well, it's looking better. But from my 5 MKV samples only one sample plays without any issues. That's not "good" for me yet... :)

d60pdp

09-09-07, 11:52 AM

...
I have had a few problems with this setup and they are -

1) When starting the video, a few times the video would stutter - stopping (not pausing) and restarting (sometimes a few times) solved the stutter problem. After the video started playing normally the video could be paused and restarted without a problem.

2) The LIM will hang when I try and change the audio track on the first rip. The only way to get the LIM going again is by powering on and off the unit.
...

Thanks for your test which is exactly what I am looking for.
I am wondering if these problems existed when playing from the internal HDD?

philmckrackon

09-09-07, 12:13 PM

Thanks for your test which is exactly what I am looking for.
I am wondering if these problems existed when playing from the internal HDD?

I'll transfer both of the files (rips) I used and test them off of the HD. I'll post back when I check them.

skylla

09-09-07, 12:26 PM

It is possible to have also a newer beta firmware for testing?
I'v a lot of different MKV and other types.
If not, when could a new firmware ready for download?

philmckrackon

09-09-07, 04:43 PM

Thanks for your test which is exactly what I am looking for.
I am wondering if these problems existed when playing from the internal HDD?

When switching the audio tracks on either the HD or NFS the LIM either locks up or looses picture. I have not been able to get the NFS or the HD to stutter when starting either one of the videos again. It doesn't happen very often that I get the stutter so I haven't been able to narrow down the cause.

andrei_g

09-09-07, 06:13 PM

I can attest to the drive mounting and not unmountin problem too. My dvd drive doesn't get unmounted and needs resets too after a LimHD usage session, when I unplug it and plug it back into a laptop !!!.

Also I want to add these bugs to the list: the zoom factor, brighteness, contrast, saturation and output (as in the HDMI output settings : resoulution and interlaced or not) go bonkers sometimes (when stop happens in dvd playback for instance) and these settings are stored in at least 2 places: when i go back to the settings UI the sliders are still in the same places e.g. the slider for brightness is in the middle but the brightness is maxed out and moving thre brightness slider one step to the left darkens the image a lot. So there are things not in sync related to the UI and the actual state of the hardware.

The more important aspect of this problem is that the output HDMI resolution that the LimHD displays seems to contradict in various ways what the projector: I managed to get the player into a state that when selecting 480i output reported 1080i on the projector and a little bit later selecting 480i on the LimHD reported 480p. The seling point for this player, for me, was that it outputs 480i over the HDMI so I can use my HQV chip in the projector for scaling and deinterlacing of a direct digital signal from a dvd. I'm not completely sure it does that because my projector displays as input either 480p or 1080i signals when the player displays 480i output. Btw can anyone attest that the LimHD can really output 480i through HDMI ?

So there are a some biggish software issues with this player when it comes to playing DVD materials (I didn't have time to dwelve in the HD world yet and the kind of movies I need this player for are mainly DVDs for now).

phew

09-09-07, 06:46 PM

We -for the most part-, bought a known beta unit with beta firmware.

Now, -having installed nothing other than 'beta' or 'trial' firmware-, we are waiting on an official release of another 'beta'!!!

I'm confused now!....Are we 'beta' buyers not allowed to comment on 'beta' firmware (foolishly I thought that to be the idea).

To test this future product, I would think the more information that you get back from a 'beta' copy, the better it would be for both future customers and the producer of the unit?

If you want it tested then allow everyone that’s paid for the ‘beta’ unit to test it, that way you’ll get an honest assessment of the firmware rather than one individuals (who’s viewpoint I respect) response
.

russland

09-09-07, 07:30 PM

av_noob

09-09-07, 08:41 PM

I suspect too, that the teams (Tamacro and TVIX) are waiting to reverse engineer each others code-fixes. They both are hot to get MKV support going but newer firmware's (releasing anytime now) have been missing in action. Its probably just a cat and mouse game anyway, just release the payload all ready so we can move on to waiting for the next rev. :-)

av_noob

09-09-07, 08:45 PM

I'm confused now!....Are we 'beta' buyers not allowed to comment on 'beta' firmware (foolishly I thought that to be the idea).

To test this future product, I would think the more information that you get back from a 'beta' copy, the better it would be for both future customers and the producer of the unit?

I think a better "beta" program should probably be implemented that lets (the owers of the unit) us download the firmware. Better yet, just open the firmware up and lets dive into this thing with open arms (and a newly recompiled linux distro)!

lundman

09-09-07, 08:55 PM

I liked that they posted Beta firmware on the www, I could chose if it was worth checking out. If we can run it, you'll hear about the problems much faster :)

Hi-Jack

09-09-07, 11:40 PM

As a matter of fact, Dvico didn't have a public beta testing team for long time. However, when more and more people asked for it, they allowed a small group of users to participate in tests and report feedback through the MPC forum.
They got MKV rolling like in 5 days with extensive tests.

DViCo has a BETA FTP and has done beta with MPC for years now. It's us
who do the pre beta and tell them when ready for public release in tests. The
current release is "beta" by the way and it's not the first one... Official version is still 1.0.43...

As for Tomacro... I hate playing games and it comes down to this...
I agree we bought a beta device (and it still is) and then get no access to
beta. However, new units sold are already loaded with newer FW then us
early adopters have access to and that's a real blow for me to Tomacro's policies and attitude as a brand working with the scene. It's more working with a few people and resellers blabbing about it than anything else except a few who do tremendous good work up here...

(Information about resellers changing web site, Rhisc receiving new units and
such is what we get here instead of info on the player FW release. Sure we
hear about what has been tested by a few using 30 second samples but
that's no match against mass testing, is it?)

We seem once more to be caught up more in "reading" wonderfull things
and "hearing" about them instead of abilities to verify. Are we going down
the same road as the wonderfull things we heard about "mkv" added to
only find out "nada" was working? (It was tested too, wasn't it?)

Would it only be an audio drop issue remaining which is causing almost 2
weeks delay now? Would it not be time to offer an update release, also from
Tomacro's page where they still state the release will be available a week
ago...?

Oh well... time will tell...

enjoy
Hi-Jack

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 02:36 AM

Thanks to oldpainless68 once again for your tests!!

What do you mean with "you need to switch audio back and forth"? Don't you get any audio otherwise?

Do both audio tracks work? What about the subtitles? Can those both be activated/displayed, too?

Do both audio tracks play correctly?

Well, it's looking better. But from my 5 MKV samples only one sample plays without any issues. That's not "good" for me yet... :)

Audio plays on all MKV's. No subs.

K

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 02:37 AM

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 02:40 AM

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 02:49 AM

DViCo has a BETA FTP and has done beta with MPC for years now. It's us
who do the pre beta and tell them when ready for public release in tests. The
current release is "beta" by the way and it's not the first one... Official version is still 1.0.43...

As for Tomacro... I hate playing games and it comes down to this...
I agree we bought a beta device (and it still is) and then get no access to
beta. However, new units sold are already loaded with newer FW then us
early adopters have access to and that's a real blow for me to Tomacro's policies and attitude as a brand working with the scene. It's more working with a few people and resellers blabbing about it than anything else except a few who do tremendous good work up here...

(Information about resellers changing web site, Rhisc receiving new units and
such is what we get here instead of info on the player FW release. Sure we
hear about what has been tested by a few using 30 second samples but
that's no match against mass testing, is it?)

We seem once more to be caught up more in "reading" wonderfull things
and "hearing" about them instead of abilities to verify. Are we going down
the same road as the wonderfull things we heard about "mkv" added to
only find out "nada" was working? (It was tested too, wasn't it?)

Would it only be an audio drop issue remaining which is causing almost 2
weeks delay now? Would it not be time to offer an update release, also from
Tomacro's page where they still state the release will be available a week
ago...?

Oh well... time will tell...

enjoy
Hi-Jack

5 samples?....I posted info on whole MKV films....but here are some more just for you.....

Media info:

Format : Matroska
File size : 12.3 GiB
PlayTime : 2h 24mn
Bit rate : 12 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-06-25 17:47:59
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Feb 21 2007 23:40:55
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG4 ISO advanced profile
PlayTime : 2h 24mn
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 800 pixels
Aspect ratio : 2.400
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Language : English

Audio #0
Codec : DTS
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Language : English

Plays perfect...but slight audio drop for a split second every one and again....

Mediainfo:

Format : Matroska
File size : 4.37 GiB
PlayTime : 2h 1mn
Bit rate : 5134 Kbps
Movie name : Hotel.Rwanda.2004.HDTV.720p.x264-NWO
Encoded date : UTC 2007-07-15 09:57:15
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Jun 27 2007 15:53:08
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG4 ISO advanced profile
PlayTime : 2h 1mn
Width : 1280 pixels
Height : 544 pixels
Aspect ratio : 2.35
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Language : English

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Language : English

Same as above...

mediainfo:

Format : Matroska
File size : 4.37 GiB
PlayTime : 2h 2mn
Bit rate : 5102 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-05-20 15:16:23
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Feb 21 2007 23:40:55
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG4 ISO advanced profile
PlayTime : 2h 2mn
Width : 1280 pixels
Height : 544 pixels
Aspect ratio : 2.35
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Title : The Frighteners
Language : English

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : AC3 5.1
Language : English

Same as above....

Mediainfo:

Format : Matroska
File size : 7.92 GiB
PlayTime : 1h 52mn
Bit rate : 10 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2007-02-19 15:13:45
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.0 ('After The Rain Has Fallen') built on Jan 13 2007 19:58:56
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.0

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-4 AVC
Codec/Info : MPEG4 ISO advanced profile
PlayTime : 1h 52mn
Width : 1280 pixels
Height : 688 pixels
Aspect ratio : 1.860
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Title : def-totrec
Language : English

Audio #0
Codec : DTS
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Title : DTS
Language : English

Same as above...

All play fine over my crappy powerline LAN adaptors, apart from the 1st one, which plays fine from a USB drive....

And like I have said....I have sent Jackie an email about BETA testing...

Lastly - Hi-Jack - I would not ship a LimHD with the current beta, and have made my views know on that...

K

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 02:52 AM

Jackie

I have sent you an email re beta testing.

One solution could be to use the FTP site with logon's for those that want to sign up to beta testing?....I do agree, more people doing more test's would help the development...

K

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 03:15 AM

Are we going down
the same road as the wonderfull things we heard about "mkv" added to
only find out "nada" was working? (It was tested too, wasn't it?)

My last thing - I don't want to get into this with you...but the last cut played MKV EXACTLY the way I reported it to the board - eg NO 1080p's working, and A/V sync issues with 720p....I dont lie.

K

madshi

09-10-07, 04:11 AM

Audio plays on all MKV's. No subs.
Can you switch between the two audio language tracks? Do both play correctly? And is sub support on the todo list?

Thank you!! :)

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 04:39 AM

Can you switch between the two audio language tracks? Do both play correctly? And is sub support on the todo list?

Thank you!! :)

Yes, you can switch between the audio tracks.....I don't know about subs SRT...but I would assume so (Jackie - SRT and UTF-8 subs are the common format for MKV subs....could you pass this on..cheers)

K

chuna

09-10-07, 04:39 AM

What about full movies of bit rates of over 30Mbit? How do they play? I have heard the LIM can play 40Mbit bit rates?? Does a full movie play at these bit rates smoothly?

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 04:47 AM

What about full movies of bit rates of over 30Mbit? How do they play? I have heard the LIM can play 40Mbit bit rates?? Does a full movie play at these bit rates smoothly?

Yes play no problems....for very high bitrate files, always best to play them from the Lim hard disk or usb

K

gendvd

09-10-07, 09:31 AM

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gendvd

09-10-07, 09:39 AM

One more thing I want to mention. I know lots of customers would like to test the new firmware version, but now it is only a test version,so we do not suggest our customers to adopt this version. so we only send it to our old customer Kevin to test. If anyone really want to test the new version, please send email to us gendvd2000@yahoo.com, we will send it to you.But if the unit is broken or have any problems caused by the version testing, we will not afford the responsibility. thank you for your understanding.

chuna

09-10-07, 10:21 AM

Yes play no problems....for very high bitrate files, always best to play them from the Lim hard disk or usb

K

What kind of size are those files for a full movie? Which ones have you tried? Do you have the encoding info on those?

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 10:48 AM

What kind of size are those files for a full movie? Which ones have you tried? Do you have the encoding info on those?

Can't remember who posted em...(please come forward..lol)

But there were BD rip samples

cr_cut.ts

and

mi_cut.ts

However, mediainfo will not reveal their bitrates....but pretty sure they are 30mbits+

I have also tested an Mpeg2 files that peaked at 55mbits i think, and AVC upto about 45mbits...It's in this thread somewhere...

K

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 11:38 AM

Hi-Jack

09-10-07, 03:23 PM

Can't remember who posted em...(please come forward..lol)

But there were BD rip samples

cr_cut.ts

and

mi_cut.ts

However, mediainfo will not reveal their bitrates....but pretty sure they are 30mbits+

I have also tested an Mpeg2 files that peaked at 55mbits i think, and AVC upto about 45mbits...It's in this thread somewhere...

K

"Not sure", "i think" and "pretty sure"...
Sounds interesting...

http://rapidshare.com/files/40694093/mi_cut.ts
http://rapidshare.com/files/40697976/cr_cut.ts

( Excuse me my sarcasm :-) )

Enjoy
Hi-Jack

russland

09-10-07, 03:52 PM

Don't see a joke here so didn't understand sarcasm :confused:
These two files were uploaded by me to rapidshare, I bet Kevin remembers it.
When some people started telling that TViX cannot handle VC-1 format I decided to test it myself. I got these samples from the Internet and used a simple FileSplit tool to extract a small sample based on 182-byte length packets.
TViX plays both files nicely with the latest FW, however, it doesn't support HD audio (either as passthrough or decode). So, you have to switch to PCM stream.

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 04:04 PM

oldpainless68

09-10-07, 04:06 PM

"Not sure", "i think" and "pretty sure"...
Sounds interesting...

http://rapidshare.com/files/40694093/mi_cut.ts
http://rapidshare.com/files/40697976/cr_cut.ts

( Excuse me my sarcasm :-) )

Enjoy
Hi-Jack

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

K

av_noob

09-10-07, 06:47 PM

I got these samples from the Internet and used a simple FileSplit tool to extract a small sample based on 182-byte length packets.

Do you remember the tool? ..and does it split just vc-1 files too? Thanks.

russland

09-10-07, 07:02 PM

Well, the tool was FileSplit (http://www.partridgesoft.com/filesplit/). This tool is very simple: it takes any file and can split it into parts. It doesn't have any other logic. Then I remembered reading that TS (Transport Stream) files usually have blocks with 188 byte length. I got it from TSRemux forum (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=125447).
So, what I did was just using that tool to split the first 100000 blocks of 188 bytes. This gave me the beginning of the clip. I assume that this technique should work with any video, VC1, h264, Mpeg2, etc.
Note that m2ts files have different size blocks - 192 bytes per one. This is according to the same forum.

gendvd

09-10-07, 07:16 PM

What kind of size are those files for a full movie? Which ones have you tried? Do you have the encoding info on those?

Hello chuna,
Follows is 1080p movie "300" blue-ray rip file info:
General #0
Complete name : E:\07.07.31.300.Blu-Ray.REMUX.VC-1.1080p.LPCM.Dolby.TrueHD.DD51.F_Silu\300.Blu-Ray.REMUX.VC-1.1080p.LPCM.Dolby.TrueHD.DD51.F_Silu.disk1.ts
Format : MPEG-1 Transport
Format/Family : MPEG-1
File size : 4.30 GiB
PlayTime : 1s 536ms
Bit rate : 28 Mbps

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
PlayTime : 1s 504ms
Bit rate : 640 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
ChannelPositions : Front: L C R, Rear: L R, Subwoofer

Audio #1
Codec : AC3
PlayTime : 1s 472ms
Bit rate : 640 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
ChannelPositions : Front: L C R, Rear: L R, Subwoofer

Audio #2
Codec : AC3
PlayTime : 1s 536ms
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
ChannelPositions : Front: L C R, Rear: L R, Subwoofer

We tested this file on limHD200i, playback fluently without any drop.
About mediainfo free version, please download it from our website.
http://www.gendvd.com/MediaInfo.rar

av_noob

09-10-07, 11:10 PM

Hello chuna,
Follows is 1080p movie "300" blue-ray rip file info:
General #0
Complete name : E:\07.07.31.300.Blu-Ray.REMUX.VC-1.1080p.LPCM.Dolby.TrueHD.DD51.F_Silu\300.Blu-Ray.REMUX.VC-1.1080p.LPCM.Dolby.TrueHD.DD51.F_Silu.disk1.ts
Format : MPEG-1 Transport
Format/Family : MPEG-1
File size : 4.30 GiB
PlayTime : 1s 536ms
Bit rate : 28 Mbps

Something seems very odd with infomation provided. Can a VC-1 be muxed into a TS (if so how would it be MPEG-1)?? Also the playtime reads 1s 536ms, for a 4.30GB file that doesnt seem right at all though it played fine? Interesting.

chuna

09-11-07, 12:26 AM

Something seems very odd with infomation provided. Can a VC-1 be muxed into a TS (if so how would it be MPEG-1)?? Also the playtime reads 1s 536ms, for a 4.30GB file that doesnt seem right at all though it played fine? Interesting.

Yeah how is a Blu Ray movie ripped to 4.3GB possible in High Def plus 28Mbit Bit rate??

Hi-Jack

09-11-07, 01:26 AM

Well, it's probably just a cut of the movie for testing they use... The real size is 21.95 gigabyte of this file...

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 02:02 AM

The clue was in the title...

300.Blu-Ray.REMUX.VC-1.1080p.LPCM.Dolby.TrueHD.DD51.F_Silu.disk1.ts

K

lundman

09-11-07, 02:35 AM

Oh, it is a good thing you added cables and so on, it took me quite a while to find a VGA->Component cable here, but eventually found a local shop with them, and the VGA->D4 connectors that are the most popular connectors in Japan.

Incidentally, do you want Japanese locale for the device? I didn't see any easy local files in there, it seems compiled into curacao or I would have just done it.

lundman

09-11-07, 05:15 AM

Any news on firmware?

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 05:43 AM

Any news on firmware?

I guess all the feedback has made it's way back to Tomacro so they are probably hard at work.....Jackie has offered if anyone wants to sign up to test this beta to send Jackie an email...

K

lundman

09-11-07, 05:52 AM

Yeah I dropped her a message, but my timezone is opposite theirs and they might not like me anyway :) They might have an ETA on the next one...

Halcy

09-11-07, 07:21 AM

I hope that the Tomacro people would consider, that there is no way they can test all the possible combinations and even most common video files by themselves or with the help of a few volunteers.

If they want to test the capabilities of their beta, they might consider releasing a "no support given beta" combined with a strict web-form for giving feedback on specific codec/container/audio/bit-rate combinations.

That is the only way to quickly/deeply/widely assess what works and what does not work with a certain firmware.

If they however use a short/shallow/narrow beta test and then expect it to work, they will only get angry comments from their users for all the features/clips that did _not_ work with that firmware.

Just my 2cents worth.

phew

09-11-07, 08:00 AM

And they say the HD-DVD VS Blu-Ray war is over/still going (depending on what stats you read).....biggest con going........now if they would just all move to digital distribution.......now there's a thought?..:rolleyes:

I wonder if this http://www.betanews.com/article/New_Chinese_Involvement_Could_Trigger_HD_DVD_Price_Plunge/1189196071
will help focus the minds of the Blue Ray & HD DVD camps?

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 08:24 AM

I wonder if this http://www.betanews.com/article/New_Chinese_Involvement_Could_Trigger_HD_DVD_Price_Plunge/1189196071
will help focus the minds of the Blue Ray & HD DVD camps?

Let's hope it doesn't go the way of SVCD...another way of avoiding retooling production lines and paying royalties.

I just wish that they'd move, in part at least, to a digital distribution service. Most people in the developed world have access to high speed broad band. I can download a 720p H.264 AC3 4.5 gig movie in just over real-time. I'd gladly pay £3.00+ a movie to download and keep. It removes the need for production and distribution (not a bad thing for old planet earth). Forget about DRM, cus in the famous words of the Princess from Star Wars..."the more you tighten your grip, the more they will slip through your fingers"....

Oh well...back to the real world of stores making money and politics...there's my rant for the day........MEDIC!!!!

K

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 08:27 AM

Now I've taken my pills.....Jackie, any feedback from Tomacro?

K

gendvd

09-11-07, 09:09 AM

Hello everybody! Thank you for your attention.
1.The treatment of Limhd200 after upgrade failed.
Tomacro 0625 version of firmware adds protection ability, if the upgrade failed (Whatever the reason), when you set the unit , pressing the OK button boots until all the VFD all lights become bright. The website of the manufacturers said so. But we forget the most crucial one: At this moment you display certainly does not display anything. Most people will think that machine can not be set up again. Then you need patience, drink a cup of tea or coffee. After about 20 minutes, after finding all of the Limhd200VFD lights put out and the machine automatically shut down of the machine. Reset the machine pressing Ok boot. That will be OK.

2.Some tricks to broadcast VC-1.

When one plays VC-1 films, some netizens said it usually does not play fluently. If the film is put into the external USB hard drive, this phenomenon will appear. If you deposit the films into Limhd200’s own hard drive, the problem will be solved. However, if you followed this way but it still does not play fluently, you should turn off power then turn on Limhd200, then play VC-1 films in the built-in hard disk, the problem will be solved.

Mophun

09-11-07, 09:19 AM

I'm getting impatient.
Already requested the beta firmware, and hope to install it soon.
I also mounted the romfs to see how nfs/samba is used, and how the userinterface is implemented. There maybe room for customisation.

gendvd

09-11-07, 09:36 AM

Now I've taken my pills.....Jackie, any feedback from Tomacro?

K

Hello! kevin! If there are any feedback,I will tellyou at once.Thank you for your attention.:):D

Meenenator

09-11-07, 09:43 AM

I just wish that they'd move, in part at least, to a digital distribution service. Most people in the developed world have access to high speed broad band. I can download a 720p H.264 AC3 4.5 gig movie in just over real-time. I'd gladly pay £3.00+ a movie to download and keep. It removes the need for production and distribution (not a bad thing for old planet earth). Forget about DRM, cus in the famous words of the Princess from Star Wars..."the more you tighten your grip, the more they will slip through your fingers"....
K

I have been talking about this for ages (feel like it anyway) to my friends. So I have to agree with you totally ;)

digitalkid2

09-11-07, 10:29 AM

I have been talking about this for ages (feel like it anyway) to my friends. So I have to agree with you totally ;)
IMO digital distribution will be as you say BUT here in the USA there is little to no chance the digitally distributed material will be DRM free. And yes someone somewhere will figure a way around it but it may require too much effort. DRM'd WMV HD is a good example of this.

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 10:46 AM

IMO digital distribution will be as you say BUT here in the USA there is little to no chance the digitally distributed material will be DRM free. And yes someone somewhere will figure a way around it but it may require too much effort. DRM'd WMV HD is a good example of this.

I think WMV-HD is a very good example of why DRM does not work. For every measure there is always a counter-measure. Charge £15 for a DVD, and you help set up a piracy operation in China that will flood the market with a copy for £5........but charge £3.50 ish to download a HD film.....you've just taken out the reason why they are in business.

I hear Apple are trying a few things without DRM....

I if wasn't so lazy, I'd go looking for some venture capital and set-up a site, do a deal with the movie distribution/studio companies on a revenue split, hire some of the guys from the encoding scene to downsize (30gig > 4.5)the BD and HD-DVD releases, offer memberships that pay on a per download basis, sell the media players etc and see what happens........oh well, back to the pills....MEDIC!!

K

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 10:57 AM

Hello! kevin! If there are any feedback,I will tellyou at once.Thank you for your attention.:):D

Thanks Jackie.....look forward to any news..

K

av_noob

09-11-07, 11:45 AM

I wonder if this http://www.betanews.com/article/New_Chinese_Involvement_Could_Trigger_HD_DVD_Price_Plunge/1189196071
will help focus the minds of the Blue Ray & HD DVD camps?

Not to mention triple layer discs having been approved (http://www.screendigest.com/online_services/intelligence/video_and_dvd/updates/vi-060907-ec3/show) putting the size of HD-DVD @ 51gb which is slighty higher than the dead-ray 50gb. :-)

digitalkid2

09-11-07, 11:48 AM

I think WMV-HD is a very good example of why DRM does not work. For every measure there is always a counter-measure. Charge £15 for a DVD, and you help set up a piracy operation in China that will flood the market with a copy for £5........but charge £3.50 ish to download a HD film.....you've just taken out the reason why they are in business.

I hear Apple are trying a few things without DRM....

I if wasn't so lazy, I'd go looking for some venture capital and set-up a site, do a deal with the movie distribution/studio companies on a revenue split, hire some of the guys from the encoding scene to downsize (30gig > 4.5)the BD and HD-DVD releases, offer memberships that pay on a per download basis, sell the media players etc and see what happens........oh well, back to the pills....MEDIC!!

K
There is no way the media industry in the US will ever go with no DRM for digital video. They may have lost the battle in the music arena but they will fight to the bitter end when it comes to video. BTW most people in the USA do not purchase pirated stuff and a lot of pirated stuff has been nearly ruined by the pirating process. My point on WMV HD is that it is way more complicated to decrypt than mpeg2 and there is an extremely small population of people successfully ripping it as compared to mpeg2.

av_noob

09-11-07, 11:48 AM

Let's hope it doesn't go the way of SVCD...another way of avoiding retooling production lines and paying royalties.

I just wish that they'd move, in part at least, to a digital distribution service. Most people in the developed world have access to high speed broad band. I can download a 720p H.264 AC3 4.5 gig movie in just over real-time. I'd gladly pay £3.00+ a movie to download and keep. It removes the need for production and distribution (not a bad thing for old planet earth). Forget about DRM, cus in the famous words of the Princess from Star Wars..."the more you tighten your grip, the more they will slip through your fingers"....

Sadly the MPAA would never let this happen for fear of losing billions in profits.

av_noob

09-11-07, 11:53 AM

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 11:54 AM

Of course you are right....slow day...lol...but if you look at the way DVD went....I think piracy cost them about £120 billion over the term of the product...although I maybe wrong.....

Anyways...back to waiting for the next cut.....and perfect 720p and 1080p MKV playback....

K

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 12:07 PM

There is no way the media industry in the US will ever go with no DRM for digital video. They may have lost the battle in the music arena but they will fight to the bitter end when it comes to video. BTW most people in the USA do not purchase pirated stuff and a lot of pirated stuff has been nearly ruined by the pirating process. My point on WMV HD is that it is way more complicated to decrypt than mpeg2 and there is an extremely small population of people successfully ripping it as compared to mpeg2.

I agree on the point of WMV-HD.....that's why it's never taken off as a commercial format....

As an example....at the orginal Playstations's peak....at my son's school, one of the main reason it was so popular is that virtually everyone had their PS chipped, and Sony knew this...but they did their maths...even tho little Jonny got a PS so he could get some free games from his mates.. he'd also end up buying a load too.....at the other end, the Dreamcast flopped....and by the time it was cracked and the bootdisk was out (and it's rumored that seeing what was going on with the PS, Sega may have helped with the indirect creation of the bootdisk by letting some details slip into the hacker community) it was too late...

Anyway...enough of my wittering on.....or someone's gonna tell me I'm talking BS...:o

K

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 12:21 PM

Not to mention triple layer discs having been approved (http://www.screendigest.com/online_services/intelligence/video_and_dvd/updates/vi-060907-ec3/show) putting the size of HD-DVD @ 51gb which is slighty higher than the dead-ray 50gb. :-)

Just a quick question for the folks here:

Does anyone think that a movie needs 50gb of space with the H.264 or the VC1 codec?

K

digitalkid2

09-11-07, 12:40 PM

I agree on the point of WMV-HD.....that's why it's never taken off as a commercial format....

As an example....at the orginal Playstations's peak....at my son's school, one of the main reason it was so popular is that virtually everyone had their PS chipped, and Sony knew this...but they did their maths...even tho little Jonny got a PS so he could get some free games from his mates.. he'd also end up buying a load too.....at the other end, the Dreamcast flopped....and by the time it was cracked and the bootdisk was out (and it's rumored that seeing what was going on with the PS, Sega may have helped with the indirect creation of the bootdisk by letting some details slip into the hacker community) it was too late...

Anyway...enough of my wittering on.....or someone's gonna tell me I'm talking BS...:o

K
What is the relationship between WMV HD and VC-1?

BTW WMV with or without DRM never really took off, DRM is not the only reason nor the main reason it did not take off.

dp70

09-11-07, 12:42 PM

dp70

09-11-07, 12:44 PM

Kevin, does the current firmware you're testing fix the zoom-on-stop and loss-of-settings problems with DVD VOB/IFO playback?

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 01:21 PM

Kevin, does the current firmware you're testing fix the zoom-on-stop and loss-of-settings problems with DVD VOB/IFO playback?

Nope...but I've reported the whole DVD IFO/vob thing back to Jackie..

K

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 01:25 PM

A 2-hour movie in 1080p H.264 at 24 Mbps should only require about 22 GB or so... but if you want room for special features in HD, alternate versions, etc. then having extra space will ensure that the movie itself doesn't have to be compromised to fit everything on the disc. I wonder how reliable these triple layer discs will be, though...

That was kinda my point though....even at 1080p...what movie would require CBR @ 24mbps? (I agree if we are still talking mpeg2, but H.264 or vc-1?)

Like I said before...I think this whole HD-DVD VS Blu-Ray is one big con job in order for the industry to sell you more of the stuff that you NEED..lol...

Tomorrow I'm gonna post a clip of Shooter....and I want someone to tell me the bitrate and res.....without cheating......I promise, you will be blown away...

K

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 01:32 PM

What is the relationship between WMV HD and VC-1?

BTW WMV with or without DRM never really took off, DRM is not the only reason nor the main reason it did not take off.

VC1 was added as part of the WMV-HD encoding package...(WME etc)

Agree about WMV...it's crap....but WMV-HD using the VC-1 codec had real potential.....

K

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 02:05 PM

digitalkid2

09-11-07, 02:13 PM

At this point, I'm tempted to say we are getting off topic.....but...after thinking about, I'm not sure we are. The reason for owning a hard disk based Hi-Def media player is that prehaps we don't want to be bound to a single format?...I think that was the very reason why the MKV format (if you can call it that...and yes, there is some irony there, but only out of frustraton on the part of the codec community) was born to some extent.

How many times do you watch outakes, alternative endings, pictures of the actors?

Me, (and I only speak for me on this point)...I want to watch the film in Hi-Def...that's it...

Blu-ray...Hd-DVD...blah blah blah...

Anyhows....on this topic (unless I have to explain myself)....I'm done....back to the reason we are here...the LimHD 200i....and to all the support we can give Tomacro with the firmware (although they are not doing too bad a job!!..lol)..

K
You forgot HD VMD.

Oh and for clarity I use DRM to represent any form of encryption for any video format...I know it is generally specific to WMV but in this case I was lazy and used it to cover any and all copyright protection schemes including those on HD DVD, Blue Ray DVD, HD VMD DVD, DVHS

Heck if it were not for defeated encryption you would not have much use for the Lim.........

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 04:06 PM

Heck if it were not for defeated encryption you would not have much use for the Lim.........

Does this not add further weight to my point?

Anyways guys...time to log off....see ya soon..

K...

digitalkid2

09-11-07, 04:12 PM

Does this not add further weight to my point?

Anyways guys...time to log off....see ya soon..

K...
Not really....it just means that the Lim and all the hard work is at the moment, heavily dependent on defeating copyright protection. Another way of saying this is that if the media industry does come up with something tougher to defeat then your lim will end up as an expensive paper weight or door stop because in its current state it is not really good for anything else!

oldpainless68

09-11-07, 04:33 PM

Not really....it just means that the Lim and all the hard work is at the moment, heavily dependent on defeating copyright protection. Another way of saying this is that if the media industry does come up with something tougher to defeat then your lim will end up as an expensive paper weight or door stop because in its current state it is not really good for anything else!

You know...I'm supprised at you...you normally fight fair...lol...but the moment my backs turned...:rolleyes:

IF the media industry comes up with something else...1- wont just affect the Lim, 2-won't stop me playing what I've already got, 3-someone will crack it anyway...

Nextime....don't wait till you think I've gone!

fruitopia

09-11-07, 04:48 PM

digitalkid2

09-11-07, 05:32 PM

You know...I'm supprised at you...you normally fight fair...lol...but the moment my backs turned...:rolleyes:

IF the media industry comes up with something else...1- wont just affect the Lim, 2-won't stop me playing what I've already got, 3-someone will crack it anyway...

Nextime....don't wait till you think I've gone!
No sneekiness intended, I was fairly certain you were still around and if not it would be there when you were...

It is true, it will not just affect the lim(however I think the lim is especially affected because at the moment it does the more basic things very poorly as compared to other cheaper more mature players)....and yes someone will crack it but whether it is easy to use(the decrypting procedure) is another story.

I have to admit that I caved into the temptation....it seemed to be a circular argument...copyright protection....networked media player and back again.

However, IMO I think the lim needs to work a bit more on the more mundane stuff like being able to stream to the lim from anywhere on your network from multiple drives and servers. Having to stream from the internal HDD to the lim is a severe limitation IMHO.

av_noob

09-11-07, 05:47 PM

Honestly that wouldn't be so bad if I could just FTP the files over .. but we cant. :-(

digitalkid2

09-11-07, 05:51 PM

Honestly that wouldn't be so bad if I could just FTP the files over .. but we cant. :-(
Being able to FTP files would make it a little better but not by much. My wife and I watch and delete 1-6 shows in an evening but we never know which show we will choose to watch until we choose it. At any given time I have several hundred recordings to choose from (TV shows, commercial DVDs, family video and so on) and we require a GUI and a remote at the TV so that we can view what is available and then make a choice.

av_noob

09-11-07, 05:52 PM

Of course you are right....slow day...lol...

extremely slow. Nevertheless worth the typing on days like this! :D

av_noob

09-11-07, 05:56 PM

Just a quick question for the folks here:

Does anyone think that a movie needs 50gb of space with the H.264 or the VC1 codec?

K

LOTR (ALL 3!)

Seriously though its not just the movie to be concerned with but extra "crap" and different languages (audio/subs). Oh and if you hit the hybrid discs which could contain both DVD-VOBs for regular DVD systems and H.264 Hi-Def for HD systems, then the size doubles.

av_noob

09-11-07, 06:02 PM

Like I said before...I think this whole HD-DVD VS Blu-Ray is one big con job in order for the industry to sell you more of the stuff that you NEED..lol...

:eek: Please tell me that statement is a joke. Otherwise, you have been watching way too many conspiracy movies. These different camps didn't secretly get together to rape the consumer (though it does seem that way sometimes). Its no different than any other competition fighting for the market and $$. [think tvix and tamacro as an example]

av_noob

09-11-07, 06:06 PM

Being able to FTP files would make it a little better but not by much. My wife and I watch and delete 1-6 shows in an evening but we never know which show we will choose to watch until we choose it. At any given time I have several hundred recordings to choose from (TV shows, commercial DVDs, family video and so on) and we require a GUI and a remote at the TV so that we can view what is available and then make a choice.

Valid point. Any network improvement would be progress at this point.

digitalkid2

09-11-07, 06:32 PM

pc01

09-11-07, 09:33 PM

lundman

09-11-07, 10:38 PM

I ordered a LimHD player from Jackie, can't wait to play with it whenever it comes. But before hand, I was wondering if it can be used as an external HD via a USB2.0 port? Is that how people transfer files between computers and the player? Or via Network?

Perry

Only via USB for now, and only as NTFS (or ext2 I suppose). It is read-only NTFS when the player is active, so no network access.

I almost have FUSE compiled but having some issues getting it to work :)

dave843

09-11-07, 10:40 PM

I was wondering if it can be used as an external HD via a USB2.0 port? Is that how people transfer files between computers and the player? Or via Network?

Perry

There are 3 USB ports on the lim. 2 are for plugging in external hard drives or DVD players. The other one is for connecting the lim to your computer.

The only way to transfer files to it currently is to actually plug it into your computer by USB. To your computer, it just looks like an external hard drive. You copy files to that drive like normal, eject the drive, and voila, your files are now on the lim.

Hopefully they will add a way to copy files across a network.

lundman

09-11-07, 11:46 PM

russland

09-12-07, 12:14 AM

If they went kernel version 2.6 it would be trivial, as it is, fuse/ntfs-3g/anything needs to be back ported to 2.4. Or change it to "ext3" and compile that for 2.4, but then you can't use it as a USB device(with Windows, as easily).

Keep in mind that TViX can read/write NTFS partitions easily through FTP or as a USB device connected to your PC.

lundman

09-12-07, 12:58 AM

Keep in mind that TViX can read/write NTFS partitions easily through FTP or as a USB device connected to your PC.

I must have missed something? I don't have a tvix, nor do I want one, so I'm not sure how that's relevant. Unless you are hinting to me that it has FUSE ported to 2.4.22 kernel? If so, I shall steal it!

russland

09-12-07, 01:09 AM

chuna

09-12-07, 02:07 AM

I thought that devices from both manufacturers share a lot of code which was provided by Sigma. I am not a Linux guru but believe that their FW use the same kernel. Don't know how they implemented NTFS support though.

I am yet to see the GPL code that they are yet to release. The Tvix only has the Kernel and not the full GPL code on their site. Hopefully they will post it somewhere soon.

Hi-Jack

09-12-07, 02:08 AM

For the LimHD200i, we would need it first to show it can handle mkv right (new firmware pending) and perform well on others. As far as i read the commercials in this thread it is a matter of days and I look forward to seeing it.

- DVD ISO must perform well including all options (Angles, Subtitles, Chapters)
- RAW DVD (ViDEO_TS)
- NTFS should be Read/Write
(from Tomacro, not custom development as many people can't use it, installing it would void warranty so we can't consider it if not supported/provided by the manufacturar)
- FTP ability with reasonable speed (If the LimHD200i only supports HD files, huge in size, it won't cut it to have 2MBps transfer speed)
- Detect SMB shares instead of limit to 1 shared folder / device or offer 2-4 sources
- Browse music during playback (Keep list source available)
- Make display usefull for music (use display to show titles / folders)

Tomacro should less concentrate on having a few people test and blab about FW updates and open beta testing to public does it want to make serious progress and tackle more problems. I'm still convinced Tomacro has very limited resources to make progress in development and has an issue in QA as well (so prooves the previous update with broken mkv, the web site which is not kept up to date and communication with the scene seems to only happen on a very selective base (no decent PR behind the brand).

When all this is done, i'll consider the limHD200i a worthy brand / player and would actually be able to recommend it, believing the unit has a future next to upcoming EM8634 generation. So far, the way things go convinces me there's an inproper balance between what they want to achieve and what they can achieve with the limited resources they have or should I say "great ideas"and "potential" executed totally wrong...

Enjoy
Hi-Jack

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 02:55 AM

:eek: Please tell me that statement is a joke. Otherwise, you have been watching way too many conspiracy movies. These different camps didn't secretly get together to rape the consumer (though it does seem that way sometimes). Its no different than any other competition fighting for the market and $$. [think tvix and tamacro as an example]

No, I don't do conspiracy....

Right now, the two camps are trying to outdo each other...and the main focus seems to be who can produce the biggest disc....the forums are full of fan boys for each camp all saying their format is the best because blah blah blah.

My point was do we really need 50gig for a Hi-Def movie?...me, I just can't see it. Take a step back, and ask yourself some common sense questions, that's all I'm saying.

K

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 02:56 AM

There are 3 USB ports on the lim. 2 are for plugging in external hard drives or DVD players. The other one is for connecting the lim to your computer.

The only way to transfer files to it currently is to actually plug it into your computer by USB. To your computer, it just looks like an external hard drive. You copy files to that drive like normal, eject the drive, and voila, your files are now on the lim.

Hopefully they will add a way to copy files across a network.

Jackie has said that cut, paste and delete is on the way..

K

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 02:59 AM

- DVD ISO must perform well including all options (Angles, Subtitles, Chapters)
- RAW DVD (ViDEO_TS)
- NTFS should be Read/Write
(from Tomacro, not custom development as many people can't use it, installing it would void warranty so we can't consider it if not supported/provided by the manufacturar)
- FTP ability with reasonable speed (If the LimHD200i only supports HD files, huge in size, it won't cut it to have 2MBps transfer speed)
- Detect SMB shares instead of limit to 1 shared folder / device or offer 2-4 sources
- Browse music during playback (Keep list source available)
- Make display usefull for music (use display to show titles / folders)

Enjoy
Hi-Jack

Agree with all of those....apart from your dig on FTP. The Lim does not only support Hi-Def material......what's the FTP speed on the Tvix?

K

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 03:02 AM

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 03:08 AM

However, IMO I think the lim needs to work a bit more on the more mundane stuff like being able to stream to the lim from anywhere on your network from multiple drives and servers. Having to stream from the internal HDD to the lim is a severe limitation IMHO.

I take your point, the firmware is not mature yet...still a very young player, but Tomacro do seem to have a little about about them, being able to crack 1080p MKV playback, even after it was said it couldn't be done, as an example.

Right now, the Lim will play from 4 sources, 1 - internal hard drive, 2 - USB drive 1, 3 - USB drive 2, 4 - NFS source.

I agree, being able to mount multiple shares is a must have for a future firmware.

K

lundman

09-12-07, 03:39 AM

5 - Samba source ?

Multiples would be nice, but at least with samba you can cross device boundaries.

Hi-Jack

09-12-07, 03:43 AM

Agree with all of those....apart from your dig on FTP. The Lim does not only support Hi-Def material......what's the FTP speed on the Tvix?

K

5 tot 8 MBps.
Not really very performant but 4X as fast as the others based on EM86** chipset. (Usually 1.5 on DVD players which incorporate FTP and very unstable) Off course LimHD200i not only supports HD but it's the "main" function and would be most used for HD files (no other reason brings the Tomacro on top of first choice) and should perform like that. (USB is a backup option to transfer files fast but usually PC in different room or upstairs)

Enjoy

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 04:12 AM

5 tot 8 MBps.
Not really very performant but 4X as fast as the others based on EM86** chipset. (Usually 1.5 on DVD players which incorporate FTP and very unstable) Off course LimHD200i not only supports HD but it's the "main" function and would be most used for HD files (no other reason brings the Tomacro on top of first choice) and should perform like that. (USB is a backup option to transfer files fast but usually PC in different room or upstairs)

Enjoy

Fair point....

K

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 04:25 AM

5 - Samba source ?

Multiples would be nice, but at least with samba you can cross device boundaries.

Have you managed to get get good performance from SMB?....the last time I tried it it was not as fast as NFS...

K

fruitopia

09-12-07, 06:37 AM

I can't answer that one, as I don't know what raw format HD-DVD files are in, or if they need to be remuxed 1st.....but in general, very high bitrate files work best from the interal hard drive..

K

thanks....I got an email from Jackie saying there is no evo support which what I guess I need :( & :confused:

philmckrackon

09-12-07, 06:54 AM

I have been skimming through this thread and a lot of this stuff is over my head...lol...hoping someone can just let me know if I will be able to play my ripped hd-dvd (vc-1) files (from anydvd) which are on external hard drives and watch them on my hdtv. If so, would it be better to buy one with a hdd?
thanks ahead for any advice.

I can't answer that one, as I don't know what raw format HD-DVD files are in, or if they need to be remuxed 1st.....but in general, very high bitrate files work best from the interal hard drive..

K
HD-DVD's rip to an .EVO file. They can not be played on the LIM. Also, HD-DVD audio is DD+ and need to be converted too. Here is an great guide that I found on Doom9 that shows the basics on getting the EVO into a MKV format with h264 encoding. I remux MKV to TS because the LIM does not support MKV playback very well yet.

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1035422#post1035422

As for the external hard drive or internal hard drive? You can always add an internal at a later date if you wanted to. I stream over a wireless 802.11n and a wired LAN with the high bitrate HD material I rip. I have a very fast NFS NAS server though.

lundman

09-12-07, 07:06 AM

Have you managed to get get good performance from SMB?....the last time I tried it it was not as fast as NFS...

K

Ah, sorry, I missed the HD-source qualifier.. but I must admit I had not tested it.. it was enough to play all my SD content for sure.. LOTR 1080p plays, but does stutter, but it does the same off the HDD (ie, firmware related).

Anyway, I get;
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 243793920 Jun 9 1970 sample.avi

time dd if=/mnt/smbfs1/tmp/sample.avi of=/dev/null bs=1500
real 1m 50.77s

time dd if=/mnt/nfs1/Users/lundman/sample.avi of=/dev/null bs=1500
real 0m 49.23s

Yeah, quite the difference.

2.1Mb/s vs 4.8 Mb/s (17MB/s, 38 MB/s)

Yeah, multiple NFS is a must now.:) I can do it from telnet but really, the device needs to support it without any chances.

It might be possible to play with the TCP window settings, but again.. unmodified needs to play HD contents. NFS will just about do that.

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 07:14 AM

thanks....I got an email from Jackie saying there is no evo support which what I guess I need :( & :confused:

Google TSremux too.......:cool:

K

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 07:17 AM

2.1Mb/s vs 4.8 Mb/s (17MB/s, 38 MB/s)

Goodwork...so with a wired lan, the Lim can support NFS @ 38 MB/s?

K

lundman

09-12-07, 08:04 AM

Yep, that is what I got.

I've tried my files. It certainly plays better now, most things play great. Well done Tomacro, thank you.

However:

* Occasionally sound will disappear. I have yet to find a way to bring it back, apart from Stop and Play again
* Time jump fails in some files still. (Definitely works in a lot more files, so they fixed something)
* AVI multiple audio tracks still does not work. (Works ok in other containers, .example .ts)
* JPG viewing is pretty much unusable, but I would rather not focus on that, video first!

Multiple mounting appears to have been fixed, in that NFS is umounted!
Ejecting CD works! However:

* it Ejects without umount, so CD mounts slowly increase /mnt/USBx mount-points. Eject 10 DVDs and you are full up.

ChristopheCherel

09-12-07, 08:26 AM

I just arrived from big WE without Internet... Raaaaahh!
Well done Tomacro! Great! Bravo ;)

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 08:27 AM

gendvd

09-12-07, 08:35 AM

Hello! Everybody! Since now so many customers order Lim directely from us and the market has been enlarged greatly.We sincerely hope you can join us to be our distributor or retailer.The benefits surely is attractive.
If you want, please send E-mail to us. gendvd2000@yahoo.com

gendvd

09-12-07, 08:45 AM

welcome to our refreshed website www.gendvd.com and if you order recently you will get a $50 worth gift. surely you will get a surprise.Do not lose this good chance.

ChristopheCherel

09-12-07, 11:16 AM

What is the maximum capacity for the inside hard disk? 500 Go? 750 Go? 1 To?
Tnx.

UP! Tnx.

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 11:18 AM

UP! Tnx.

I think it goes upto 1T...Jackie can you confirm?

K

ChristopheCherel

09-12-07, 11:20 AM

i just bought my Lin on www.gendvd.com :)

(don't bit me HiJack...! ;))

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 11:20 AM

i just bought my Lin :)

Welcome to the club....

K

ChristopheCherel

09-12-07, 11:21 AM

I think it goes upto 1T...Jackie can you confirm?

K

I could be nice...

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 11:23 AM

i just bought my Lin on www.gendvd.com :)

(don't bit me HiJack...! ;))

Naa....he's ok.......even Hijack admit's the LimHD is top's for Hi-Def playback...

"LimHD200i not only supports HD but it's the "main" function and would be most used for HD files (no other reason brings the Tomacro on top of first choice)"

K

ChristopheCherel

09-12-07, 11:57 AM

Welcome to the club....

K

Tnx! :)

ChristopheCherel

09-12-07, 11:58 AM

Naa....he's ok.......even Hijack admit's the LimHD is top's for Hi-Def playback...

"LimHD200i not only supports HD but it's the "main" function and would be most used for HD files (no other reason brings the Tomacro on top of first choice)"

K

Ok, cool! :)

Mophun

09-12-07, 12:23 PM

Ah, sorry, I missed the HD-source qualifier.. but I must admit I had not tested it.. it was enough to play all my SD content for sure.. LOTR 1080p plays, but does stutter, but it does the same off the HDD (ie, firmware related).

Anyway, I get;
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 243793920 Jun 9 1970 sample.avi

time dd if=/mnt/smbfs1/tmp/sample.avi of=/dev/null bs=1500
real 1m 50.77s

time dd if=/mnt/nfs1/Users/lundman/sample.avi of=/dev/null bs=1500
real 0m 49.23s

Yeah, quite the difference.

2.1Mb/s vs 4.8 Mb/s (17MB/s, 38 MB/s)

Yeah, multiple NFS is a must now.:) I can do it from telnet but really, the device needs to support it without any chances.

It might be possible to play with the TCP window settings, but again.. unmodified needs to play HD contents. NFS will just about do that.

Lundman,
PLease tell us how to gain telnet access to the Lim.
It would help me a lot.
Thanks.:)

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 12:45 PM

Jackie

I think I MAY have found the issue with 720p and 1080p MKV playback and the audio drop issue.

It seems that I get no audio drop on an MKV that has been encoded with Constant Frame Rate (CFR) enocoding, but the audio drop seems to happens with Variable Frame Rate encodes (VFR) (most 1080p MKV's are VFR to maximize bitrate, and some 720p MKV's). If this is the case, even though the VFR's are in sync, as the Lim reads the audio and video timecode tables, it drops the audio now and again to keep the audio and video in sync....Jackie: if you need any samples, let me know. Should not be too difficult to fix...

Can someone else also verfiy these findings?

Hope this helps the Tomacro team...

K

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 04:00 PM

UPDATE: just watched a few films...eg MKV 720p's....and no audio drop. So I'm pretty sure it's a VFR issue..

K

oldpainless68

09-12-07, 04:15 PM

And just in case someone brings it up....we are talking about framerates...not bitrates...

K

fruitopia

09-12-07, 05:24 PM

HD-DVD's rip to an .EVO file. They can not be played on the LIM. Also, HD-DVD audio is DD+ and need to be converted too. Here is an great guide that I found on Doom9 that shows the basics on getting the EVO into a MKV format with h264 encoding. I remux MKV to TS because the LIM does not support MKV playback very well yet.

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1035422#post1035422

As for the external hard drive or internal hard drive? You can always add an internal at a later date if you wanted to. I stream over a wireless 802.11n and a wired LAN with the high bitrate HD material I rip. I have a very fast NFS NAS server though.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the help. I'm trying to understand this stuff, but as you can tell, I'm really scratching my head reading these threads...lol! Is the quality of the video as good after doing all that converting and remuxing?

digitalkid2

09-12-07, 05:34 PM

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the help. I'm trying to understand this stuff, but as you can tell, I'm really scratching my head reading these threads...lol! Is the quality of the video as good after doing all that converting and remuxing?
It is watchable but it is NOT as good as it was....too me it seems like a monumental waste of time, effort and PQ.

av_noob

09-12-07, 06:52 PM

My point was do we really need 50gig for a Hi-Def movie?...me, I just can't see it. Take a step back, and ask yourself some common sense questions, that's all I'm saying.

K

We absoultely need 50+ gb! As a matter of fact I'd prefer even more space than today's consumer offerings. Take a step back too and think big .. really really big .. 3.9 terabytes (TB) BIGGGGG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_Versatile_Disc)!! Yep thats right 3.9TB, enough to hold about 5,500 hours of audio/video with today's mpeg4/h.264 codec. That just over a year of uninterrupted movie times, wouldnt you want to have you ENTIRE movie collection on 1 disc? I would.

As a side note: 3.9TB, IMHO, is still very small compared to the realm of possibilities. This is simply what the studios are using today (on a professional level). By the time we [the working man] can afford it, PB will be out.

Alas, you did say commen sense .. 50+ GB is probably enough for movie using the latest AVC codec's but I want RAW :D .. and you just cant fit it with that minimal space. :-)

av_noob

09-12-07, 06:58 PM

Hello! kevin In recent few days the new version will be published.

From the TOMACRO official website(http://www.tomacro.com/english/index.htm):

The new firmware is in the test now, we'll release it next week.
TOAMCRO Tech. 8/25-2007

I have already prepared about 100 MKV movies, and want to carry on a test, thus only wait until next week.

I too have many MKV's waiting for full-screen action, any word on the firmware? I know Jackie offered it up via email but I'd prefer an official release from the manufacture's site.

lundman

09-12-07, 09:15 PM

Are you testing the new beta?...if so have you had a chance to test some MKV's?

K

Yeah I am, and yes I have. They all play, but some of them you can not time-jump which is annoying. I have one .mkv that kills the system every time.

lundman

09-12-07, 09:17 PM

Lundman,
PLease tell us how to gain telnet access to the Lim.
It would help me a lot.
Thanks.:)

Sorry, I can not do that, nor risk that you brick it. If you know Unix it really isn't very hard, if you privmsg me I can give you hints.

The biggest reason I picked this player IS that I can play around with it. I know Unix, and enjoy the challenge.

When it all just works, that'll be a boring day :)

av_noob

09-12-07, 11:21 PM

I'm having trouble getting me network access back on the lim. I've been using the network portion fine (SMB) but the other night I accidently clicked on NFS (opps!) I waited and waited and decided it was time to power the lim off with the button on top.

My lim's network has not worked correctly since. I've done some extensive wire sniffing and reconfigure many aspects of my home lan to accomdate the lim but its just not being nice to me right now. So far the only thing the lim is doing is

1) Sending a DHCPDISCOVER to broadcast address requesting a offer
2) DHCP server sends a DHCPOFFER back to the broadcast address

--The problem is here (at step 3) where the lim never sends a DHCPREQUEST to the OFFER. Because of this, the lim never gets an IP address "allocated" and I can not ping the device whatsoever. Of course trying to browse SMB results in blank screen.

Interesting enough steps 1 and 2 repeat indefently until the lim is turned off (which is probably normal behavior since it just wants a friggen IP address). I've tried several things to restore my lim:

1) downgraded the firmware
2) upgraded the firmware to latest beta on website
3) reset factory defaults (through setup)
4) changed cables and started to trace the packets

A few questions. Has anyone seen this before? I've tried the hard reset per the manual but it does not seem to take, any other reset method(s) I can try? I've almost got my self convinced the USI embedded network port (http://ultsol.com) has gone bad, so I must ask is the yellow light solid and bottom green light flicker ever so often?

Finally, do any beta testers/insiders/employees know if the next firmware cut will have any network fixes, so to speak, that might help me?? Thanks in advance to all.

kg99

09-12-07, 11:35 PM

av-noob

Have you tried giving the Lim a static ip address?
Then do a power off reset of the Lim..
This might work..

cheers..

lundman

09-12-07, 11:40 PM

Sounds like you should flush the IP cache on your DHCP server.

dp70

09-13-07, 02:13 AM

Jackie and Fan, please grab this ZIP file (http://192.67.78.42/tmp/tomacro_bad_wav_files.zip) containing two sample WAV files which do not play on the limHD200i. The limHD doesn't crash, but it just blacks the screen momentarily and goes back to the file selector. These files were made with a little pocket audio recorder I bought this week (Zoom H2 (http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1916)) which records uncompressed stereo WAV files at 44.1, 48, and 96 KHz sample rates, 16 or 24 bits per sample. The files I'm sending are 48KHz/16bits and 48KHz/24bits.

I thought the limHD would be a great way to stream WAV files digitally from my editing PC to the SPDIF input of my receiver in the home theater. (Or, I could connect the H2 directly to a host USB port of the limHD and play the raw files that way, since the H2 mounts as a flash drive.) Interestingly, if I open the files in the audio editing program Audacity and resave them, they play OK on the limHD, so there's probably some unexpected RIFF header chunk in the original files that's throwing the limHD off...

(Sorry to bring up yet another item unrelated to HD picture quality. Others are covering that area pretty well, so I've been looking at other features like this and VOB/IFO playback. Uncompressed PCM audio with these parameters could certainly be considered HD...)

madshi

09-13-07, 03:08 AM

It is watchable but it is NOT as good as it was....too me it seems like a monumental waste of time, effort and PQ.
You can remux VC-1 and MPEG2 HD DVD and Blu-Ray discs into e.g. MKV without reencoding and without any loss of PQ.

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 03:34 AM

You can remux VC-1 and MPEG2 HD DVD and Blu-Ray discs into e.g. MKV without reencoding and without any loss of PQ.

That's what I thought.......

Videohelp.com is a good place to look..

K

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 03:35 AM

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 03:36 AM

Yeah I am, and yes I have. They all play, but some of them you can not time-jump which is annoying. I have one .mkv that kills the system every time.

I've not had any MKV's with timegoto issues, just the audio drop which I'm pretty sure is the VFR issue I've posted...

K

Tri

09-13-07, 04:07 AM

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 05:44 AM

Hi,

I get audio drop when I play converted .wkv to .avi in my Sarotech 570 (sorry for the intromission :)). Maybe it's the same problem and I am converting from a VFR file. How do I check this?

Have you tried MKV2TS?....I dont know anything about your player, but give that a try...

K

Tri

09-13-07, 07:04 AM

Have you tried MKV2TS?....I dont know anything about your player, but give that a try...

K
I used River Past Video Cleaner but I will use the one you advice. Many thanks for your help.

Meenenator

09-13-07, 07:32 AM

IMO digital distribution will be as you say BUT here in the USA there is little to no chance the digitally distributed material will be DRM free. And yes someone somewhere will figure a way around it but it may require too much effort. DRM'd WMV HD is a good example of this.

First off, sorry for beiing so off-topic ;)

Digitalkid2, I see your point. They want to protect their material.

However, what the industry does not see (IMHO) is that if I pay to download a movie I'm less eager to just distribute it to all of my friends. Heck... why should I pay and they leach on me.
Same goes with DVD, HD-DVD and BD (in fact all optical media). Off course I loan my DVDs to good friends (if they ask), and maybe they take a backup of it.
But, there is no way I will loan my collection to a friend (good or remote) just for the purpose of him copying it...

So sell them cheap and make 'em available for d/l. More will buy, and less illegal copying/distribution. There will of course allways be those that say free is better, so you can't compete with that.
The sad thing is that today there are no good alternatives in Europe for doing this. I can stream a movie from my ISP however, but at less than 700MB Divx quality... not an option.

Ok, I'll go away now... again sorry for off-topic. Oldpainless started it :p

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 07:41 AM

First off, sorry for beiing so off-topic ;)

Digitalkid2, I see your point. They want to protect their material.

However, what the industry does not see (IMHO) is that if I pay to download a movie I'm less eager to just distribute it to all of my friends. Heck... why should I pay and they leach on me.
Same goes with DVD, HD-DVD and BD (in fact all optical media). Off course I loan my DVDs to good friends (if they ask), and maybe they take a backup of it.
But, there is no way I will loan my collection to a friend (good or remote) just for the purpose of him copying it...

So sell them cheap and make 'em available for d/l. More will buy, and less illegal copying/distribution. There will of course allways be those that say free is better, so you can't compete with that.
The sad thing is that today there are no good alternatives in Europe for doing this. I can stream a movie from my ISP however, but at less than 700MB Divx quality... not an option.

Ok, I'll go away now... again sorry for off-topic. Oldpainless started it :p

:D:D:D:D:D

digitalkid2

09-13-07, 08:52 AM

You can remux VC-1 and MPEG2 HD DVD and Blu-Ray discs into e.g. MKV without reencoding and without any loss of PQ.
That is good to know....how big are the remuxed files?

digitalkid2

09-13-07, 08:58 AM

av_noob

09-13-07, 09:08 AM

av-noob

Have you tried giving the Lim a static ip address?
Then do a power off reset of the Lim..
This might work..

cheers..

Yep, I see the static IP address (w/MAC) in my arp table but still cannot ping the host, I get:

ping: sendto: No route to host
ping: sendto: Host is down

Sounds like you should flush the IP cache on your DHCP server.

Done that. Actually I completely removed the router and used a cross-over cable and tftpd32 (http://tftpd32.jounin.net/) from my IBM to test. Still no go --just the DISCOVER and OFFER packets as before.

av_noob

09-13-07, 09:12 AM

I 've tried the hard reset per the manual but it does not seem to take, any other reset method(s) I can try?

Does anyone have sound instructions for performing a hard reset?

I've almost got my self convinced the USI embedded network port (http://ultsol.com) has gone bad, so I must ask is the yellow light solid and bottom green light flicker ever so often?

Can anyone take a peek and see if the resulting lights are the same?

Finally, do any beta testers/insiders/employees know if the next firmware cut will have any network fixes, so to speak, that might help me?? Thanks in advance to all.

Because the network worked before I shut down the lim in the middle of a NFS connection, I'm leaning more towards a screwed up /etc/eth0 or something. I guess its not totally impossible that my lan jack on the lim has gone bad but it all stopped working after the last power-down in the middle of NFS. :confused:

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 09:14 AM

Well Jackie....I think we can safely say we are all looking forward to the next cut..:)

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 09:17 AM

Does anyone have sound instructions for performing a hard reset?

Can anyone take a peek and see if the resulting lights are the same?

Because the network worked before I shut down the lim in the middle of a NFS connection, I'm leaning more towards a screwed up /etc/eth0 or something. I guess its not totally impossible that my lan jack on the lim has gone bad but it all stopped working after the last power-down in the middle of NFS. :confused:

Wish I could help....but I think Lundman is better placed to help you on this one....

K

lundman

09-13-07, 09:23 AM

Don't think it'd be broken, more likely it hosed something stored. Setting a static IP on your network does not work? No ping etc?

phew

09-13-07, 10:44 AM

av_noob,

>Can anyone take a peek and see if the resulting lights are the same?
Yes, just as you described in the above post.

If you have installed another version of the FW it will have deleted your original network settings and set itself up with an IP of 192.168.18.123(I think) which may be outside of your sub-net.

Try setting the Lim with a static IP and use something like Advanced IP/LAN scanner from www.radmin.com to see if that can locate the Lim.

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 10:53 AM

post 1,925....;)

russland

09-13-07, 11:07 AM

post 1,925....;)

Well, people from TViX camp contribute to this thread more then your team in our thread.
I must admit that the process or improving a media player is quite interesting and keeps me excited. However, I don't watch movies that often giving my 4100SH to my wife. As lundman noticed, when it works it is not interesting anymore.

Tri

09-13-07, 11:13 AM

Have you tried MKV2TS?....I dont know anything about your player, but give that a try...

K
It seems that MKV2TS only converts to .ts files and not .avi or I am missing something?

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 11:18 AM

Well, people from TViX camp contribute to this thread more then your team in our thread.
I must admit that the process or improving a media player is quite interesting and keeps me excited. However, I don't watch movies that often giving my 4100SH to my wife. As lundman noticed, when it works it is not interesting anymore.

Fair point....will take that one on board..

K

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 11:19 AM

It seems that MKV2TS only converts to .ts files and not .avi or I am missing something?

Will your player play H.264 TS files?

K

Tri

09-13-07, 11:28 AM

Will your player play H.264 TS files?

K
No...just AVI(DivX, XviD),WMV9,TP,ASF, ISO, VOB, IFO, DAT,MP4, MPG...

oldpainless68

09-13-07, 11:31 AM

No...just AVI(DivX, XviD),WMV9,TP,ASF, ISO, VOB, IFO, DAT,MP4, MPG...

Ah...sorry.....It's a common reported problem using that converter for MKV>AVI......have you had a look www.videohelp.com for a different tool?

K

madshi

09-13-07, 01:21 PM

That is good to know....how big are the remuxed files?
Usually the video data of the movies itself is between 9GB (e.g. "Lady in the Water") and 25GB (e.g. "Apocalypto" and "Casino Royale"). A Blu-Ray AC3 audio track usually consumes about 350-650MB. A HD DVD E-AC3 track consumes about 350-1600MB. PCM tracks can be between 3GB and 8GB. Lossless compressed audio tracks (DTS Master Audio and TrueHD) are between 1GB and 4GB.

av_noob

09-13-07, 01:34 PM

Don't think it'd be broken, more likely it hosed something stored. Setting a static IP on your network does not work? No ping etc?

Nope. I tried setting static and using the defaullt 192.168.18.223. I'm hoping a hard reset erases everything! ::crossing fingers::

av_noob,

>Can anyone take a peek and see if the resulting lights are the same?
Yes, just as you described in the above post.

Thank you. I'm leaning towards something screwy in the firmware/settings.

If you have installed another version of the FW it will have deleted your original network settings and set itself up with an IP of 192.168.18.123(I think) which may be outside of your sub-net.

Try setting the Lim with a static IP and use something like Advanced IP/LAN scanner from www.radmin.com to see if that can locate the Lim.

Tried setting a static on my subnet, tried using the defaults .. no dice. Advanced LAN scanner shows only my IBM host (192.168.18.1) and nothing more. I also down-graded my firmware to 070707 and still nothing. The real question becomes does erasing firmware really mean erasing firmware?

I'm still consused on the hard reset, I can't seem to make it work if it does work!? I really miss the network on the lim. I did send an email to Tomarco support describing my problem.

Maybe Jackie has suggestions?

Thanks.

jofa

09-13-07, 02:06 PM

digitalkid2

09-13-07, 02:57 PM

Usually the video data of the movies itself is between 9GB (e.g. "Lady in the Water") and 25GB (e.g. "Apocalypto" and "Casino Royale"). A Blu-Ray AC3 audio track usually consumes about 350-650MB. A HD DVD E-AC3 track consumes about 350-1600MB. PCM tracks can be between 3GB and 8GB. Lossless compressed audio tracks (DTS Master Audio and TrueHD) are between 1GB and 4GB.
Thank you.

av_noob

09-13-07, 04:45 PM

Well, I don't know your complete network configuration, but on a small home network I beleive it is rather unusual to have your IBM as 192.168.18.1

It is common to have the router, configured as .1 and all other units on the same net as something else. The other units will use .1 as gateway when they want to reach other networks.

What's the IP of your router?
Is the PC using static address 192.168.18.1

Try having the router as .1, the PC as .2 and the lim static as .3

Unless you really know that the PC shall be .1 one of course.
Just giving some ideas...
But if your PC and router has the same IP it explains why LAN scanner only finds one of them.
On my net it found all my stuff, including the router on .1. (and PC not on .1)
/J

I should have mentioned that the previous tests were conducted with a cross-over cable from the limHD200i and the IBM laptop (I also tried a straight-through cable too). I assigned the .18.1 IP address to the LAPTOP as to test the lim out-of-the box, which did not work for me. I also tried several static IP addresses on the lim, none were successful.

As far as I can tell the lim is transmitting data (TX) but not reading data (RX) on its port. I'm not 100% sure if its hardware or some botched up setting stored deep inside the lim.

ultimately I need a way to completely reset the lim and erase any and all settings from its memory/flash chip. If anyone can provide instuctions on this I would be most thankful.

lundman

09-13-07, 07:01 PM

oldpainless68

09-14-07, 04:11 AM

gendvd

09-14-07, 09:32 AM

I should have mentioned that the previous tests were conducted with a cross-over cable from the limHD200i and the IBM laptop (I also tried a straight-through cable too). I assigned the .18.1 IP address to the LAPTOP as to test the lim out-of-the box, which did not work for me. I also tried several static IP addresses on the lim, none were successful.

As far as I can tell the lim is transmitting data (TX) but not reading data (RX) on its port. I'm not 100% sure if its hardware or some botched up setting stored deep inside the lim.

ultimately I need a way to completely reset the lim and erase any and all settings from its memory/flash chip. If anyone can provide instuctions on this I would be most thankful.

We offered our preview links of threads about NFS and Samba setup states, hope they are useful for you.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11068568&postcount=1058
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11040343&postcount=990

Also we attached several limHD200i firmwares download link for you:
http://www.gendvd.com/content.asp?ContentID=5

Upgrade or down-grade firmware will erase all settings. Maybe all questions will be resolved.

oldpainless68

09-14-07, 01:04 PM

We offered our preview links of threads about NFS and Samba setup states, hope they are useful for you.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11068568&postcount=1058
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11040343&postcount=990

Also we attached several limHD200i firmwares download link for you:
http://www.gendvd.com/content.asp?ContentID=5

Upgrade or down-grade firmware will erase all settings. Maybe all questions will be resolved.

Hi jackie...re NFS...you should include Mark's guide, as the one you've posted only works on unix os....

Lastly, any news on the next cut?

K

jofa

09-14-07, 01:57 PM

post 1,925....;)

Oh, how did I miss this one?!
Just recently the really informative "Jackie, you have mail" post won "best post ever", and then already this!

We have a new winner: post #1926 by oldpainless68. Congratulations... :p

This thread is getting "better and better"...

(Yes, I DO see the irony of posting an equally stupid, off topic post, and there by cluttering the thread even more my self. :D Shields up...)

j

conker2007

09-14-07, 03:26 PM

Hi, everyone,

TOMACRO released New Beta Firmware Build1.60beta3-070914.

http://www.tomacro.com/english/Download.htm

I have already downloaded it, :) ... ...

russland

09-14-07, 03:32 PM

Hi, everyone,

TOMACRO released New Beta Firmware Build1.60beta3-070914.

I have already downloaded it, :) ... ...

Give us your feedback.

conker2007

09-14-07, 03:44 PM

Give us your feedback.

Okay, I'll test my 78 MKVs and report the result. :)

oldpainless68

09-14-07, 04:16 PM

Oh, how did I miss this one?!
Just recently the really informative "Jackie, you have mail" post won "best post ever", and then already this!

We have a new winner: post #1926 by oldpainless68. Congratulations... :p

This thread is getting "better and better"...

(Yes, I DO see the irony of posting an equally stupid, off topic post, and there by cluttering the thread even more my self. :D Shields up...)

j

Yaaaawn....I feel spleepy........

oldpainless68

09-14-07, 04:18 PM

Hi, everyone,

TOMACRO released New Beta Firmware Build1.60beta3-070914.

http://www.tomacro.com/english/Download.htm

I have already downloaded it, :) ... ...

Jackie....I had no heads up on this one:confused:........so peeps..there you go..:D

K

russland

09-14-07, 04:20 PM

Yaaaawn....I feel spleepy........

Oh, come on.
This is first FW release that fully supports MKV files and you feel sleepy?
I should've bought limHD myself.

oldpainless68

09-14-07, 04:32 PM

Oh, come on.
This is first FW release that fully supports MKV files and you feel sleepy?
I should've bought limHD myself.

Nope...that was the post that had that effect (:)).....so, now everyone can get testing....:D

K

manusia

09-14-07, 06:42 PM

av_noob

09-14-07, 11:28 PM

> No route to host

That's a problem on your PC btw, it knows of no way to talk to the network on which the Lim is connected.

If your Lim is: 192.168.18.223

Show me your "ipconfig /all" for that network, and output of "netstat -nr". (ifconfig -a if Unix).

If 192.168.18. is a class-c (255.255.255/0, or /24) then your PC needs to also have an IP in 192.168.18. and you should have a route for it, but if the netmask is correct, that should be automatic).

I should of mentioned the "no route to host" was on my MacBook Pro over wireless before I took my network (with router) out of the configuration. My Mac clearly had the address (IP/MAC) in the ARP table at one time but couldnt reach it after the unit stop RX from the wire.

Have you manged to sort the issue?

K

Nope. The newest firmware didnt help either. I'm hoping the next firmware release will have a new BOOT update that might fix the sucker. So for now, the network in my lim is hosed. All I can say is this (http://www.khaaan.com/)!!!

We offered our preview links of threads about NFS and Samba setup states, hope they are useful for you.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11068568&postcount=1058
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11040343&postcount=990

Also we attached several limHD200i firmwares download link for you:
http://www.gendvd.com/content.asp?ContentID=5

Upgrade or down-grade firmware will erase all settings. Maybe all questions will be resolved.

Thanks Jackie for the reply. Nothing helped and I've tried many things even consulted my network engineering friends who all confirm something is wrong.

Any chance of getting my unit repaired under warranty? Or any option of repair?

Hi, everyone,

TOMACRO released New Beta Firmware Build1.60beta3-070914.

http://www.tomacro.com/english/Download.htm

I have already downloaded it, :) ... ...

Thanks. I downloaded it tonight and first impression is ok so far. Making certain changes in the setup results in the system returing to the main menu. I'll try some MKV's tomorrow (over the weekend) and report back findings. Hopefuly they got WVC1 playing from mkv.

andrei_g

09-15-07, 01:28 AM

Can anyone kindly direct me to some firmware upgrade instructions that are clear ?

LianLi

09-15-07, 03:04 AM

Anyone lose audio on .wmv files? with the new beta firmware 140907

conker2007

09-15-07, 03:23 AM

LimHD200i test - MKV playback:

I have tested 87 MKV movies, the test result:

All 58 x264 720p: Perfect Playback – No Stutter, No MicroBlocks
All 29 x264 1080p: Perfect Playbackk – No Stutter, No MicroBlocks

But All EAC3(DDplus) tracks do not output sound.

cheers,
Conker

conker2007

09-15-07, 03:24 AM

Can anyone kindly direct me to some firmware upgrade instructions that are clear ?

If you are use a firmware Build 070707 or more recent edition,

upgrade the Application all right.

conker2007

09-15-07, 03:27 AM

Anyone lose audio on .wmv files? with the new beta firmware 140907

Try to use DPCM setting.

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 03:36 AM

Hi,
I has installed and just tested the latest beta firmware.
The reading of my file MKV 1080p are ok!
My I encountered a problem for my video configuration. When I configure my Lim out of PAL (I am in Europe) with 720p my screen does not answer more. with the encian firmware this configuration functioned to perfection!!
Thank you Jackie/Fan for your answer!

When the screen goes blank after your new choice, press left then press enter, switch off on the remote, now switch back on, and your choice will be set..

K

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 03:56 AM

Mark, I assume you've got the new cut and are testing too?...

K

Hi-Jack

09-15-07, 04:43 AM

oldpainless, doesn't seem to work. Can't even get the settings correct for HDMI as it will
return to main and reload SD right away. Not sure why the press left and enter is for
(no confirmation box) but neather the button presses or reboot will offer the desired
effect to have HDMI activated.

This issue could be avoided by detecting HDMI (Auto Sense-HDMI) or making the TV
Output not as limited to only switch between resolutions but also outputs (Tomacro?).
I feel this issue is another blame on Tomacro QA as normal users will have issues with it
(i'm abnormal and still have issues with finding a way to get HDMI being held as setting)

Firmware is still beta though and issues are to be expected.
Hopefully we don't have to wait a month for this to be resolved...

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 04:53 AM

Ok....now had a chance to take a look at the new cut...

MKV - 720p & 1080p (H.264/Mpeg2 AC3/DTS etc)

All plays perfect - no macroblocks, no stuttering and no audio drop....

DVD ISO

It works!...chapters next/back, menu (use function button), the zoom issue has been resolved (zoom on DVD ISO has been disabled, probably to solve the issue, I guess most of us can live with that)....

TS/AVI 720p & 1080p etc (H.264/AVC/VC1/Mpeg2 AC3/DTS etc)...(have not tested dual audio AVI's though)

No change, all perfect

WMV-HD 720p & 1080p (with VC-1 codec etc)

No sound (WMA) unless you select DPCM.......and then it's stereo. Shame as the version two releases ago decoded the WMA as DD...which was good...Jackie, can this be added back in?

HDMI

When selecting res etc....sometimes the screen goes blank but the Lim is still waiting for the command to be confirmed...as a work around, after entering your selection, when the screen goes blank...press left as to select yes, and then enter to confirm...the screen will then come back with the changes..

All in all....the best release yet....well done to the Tomacro team...

Wishlist for next cut.....

WMV-HD WMA audio when digital encoded selected added back in
HDMI selection fixed
24hz option added
Multiple NFS mounts
NAS support
FTP support (copy, paste & delete)
FLAC support as an audio format and support for an audio track in MKV's
Ability to build MP3 playlists and save them on the hard drive
Deinterlace option for SD material

Add these and the Lim will be perfect....well, I did say it was a wishlist...lol

K

PS - Mark....looks like the deinterlacing on SD material has not been implemented yet....can you confirm?

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 05:33 AM

I have to say, once the two bugs/issues (you guys might find some more) have been resolved....the need for the next generation of 86X4 devices is starting to look a little redunant...for me anyway..

K

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 05:34 AM

av_noob

09-15-07, 07:49 AM

lundman

09-15-07, 08:20 AM

Unfortunately .avi files with dual audio tracks does not work still.

Otherwise, great firmware.

av_noob

09-15-07, 08:35 AM

Can anyone kindly direct me to some firmware upgrade instructions that are clear ?

I created a cheat sheet and saved it next to my lounge chair. I've attached it for anyone to use. :)

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 08:42 AM

I created a cheat sheet and saved it next to my lounge chair. I've attached it for anyone to use. :)

Nice one...useful for new owners . After 707, I up update the app, I dont bother with the boot.

K

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 08:45 AM

I would glady buy the next version for 1000gb/wifi/any network that is stable!

I thought the Lim could take an interal 1T drive...pretty sure it can. If multiple NFS mounts, FTP and NAS support are added...then the network side is pretty much done. Lundman ran some tests on a hardwired NFS connection and got 38mbps....not sure if that can be tweaked..

K

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 08:57 AM

One last thing.....I ran into some guys a couple of other forum's and they had no idea that Hi-Def disk based MKV players are available....so spread the word that there are now two...

K

sansp00

09-15-07, 09:04 AM

Add these and the Lim will be perfect....well, I did say it was a wishlist...lol

Wow, that's a overstatement ...
*Maybe* for HD & SD, but where are the rest of the media player features like a decent music player, internet content and picture viewer that the rest of us use ? For that price I expect a bit more than just HD and SD video playback.

Patrick S.

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 09:12 AM

Wow, that's a overstatement ...
*Maybe* for HD & SD, but where are the rest of the media player features like a decent music player, internet content and picture viewer that the rest of us use ? For that price I expect a bit more than just HD and SD video playback.

Patrick S.

Well, it's horses for courses...there are lots of media players to chose from...I dont know if they have the features your after....but I know a lot of folks that would kill for perfect MKV/TS/AVI 720p and 1080p playback with great picture quality over HDMI....

The music playback on the Lim is pretty good over optical...sounds as good as my Denon 2910.....as for picture playback, it does the job....no internet content though (I use my PC for that)....

Just my two cents...

K

manusia

09-15-07, 09:23 AM

The Lim is fast perfect!

If it will do all that, player walk will be best the media current:

WMV-HD WMA audio when digital encoded selected added back in
HDMI selection fixed
24hz option added
Multiple NFS mounts
NAS support
FTP support (copy, paste & delete)
FLAC support as an audio format and support for an audio track in MKV's
Ability to build MP3 playlists and save them on the hard drive
Deinterlace option for SD material

phew

09-15-07, 09:37 AM

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 09:39 AM

av_noob,

If you are still not getting a network connection with the Lim then list your network settings/setup and maybe someone will see something that'll help you fix it.

Local IP's: Lim IP, Router IP, Windows/Linux box IP.
Are you using a 1G switch etc.

Just a suggestion, but prehaps av_noob should PM Lundman with these details?

K

digitalkid2

09-15-07, 09:44 AM

digitalkid2

09-15-07, 09:49 AM

Well, it's horses for courses...there are lots of media players to chose from...I dont know if they have the features your after....but I know a lot of folks that would kill for perfect MKV/TS/AVI 720p and 1080p playback with great picture quality over HDMI....

The music playback on the Lim is pretty good over optical...sounds as good as my Denon 2910.....as for picture playback, it does the job....no internet content though (I use my PC for that)....

Just my two cents...

K
Not quite on the over HDMI(still sounds pretty buggy)! And there are also a host of other players with great picture quality!

The Lim is like owning a very fast great looking car that only runs sometime, has no brakes and costs a small fortune......the people who buy it convince themselves and tell others that it is really fast and looks great!

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 09:54 AM

Not quite on the over HDMI(still sounds pretty buggy)! And there are also a host of other players with great picture quality!

The Lim is like owning a very fast great looking car that only runs sometime, has no brakes and costs a small fortune......the people who buy it convince themselves and tell others that it is really fast and looks great!

:rolleyes: you again!...:D

As a forum, all constructive feedback and comments are always welcome...;) My father once said "Never give a stray dog a bone"...."why" I replied..."he'll keeping coming back" replied my father.........................

K

Hi-Jack

09-15-07, 10:30 AM

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 10:42 AM

Tried several files and they work just fine. (Some play on TViX and not on Lim, some play on Lim and not on TViX) I can verify no micro blocks issue (newer sdk it seems) so playback is now at the level one should expect on HD. Well done Tomacro...

The HDMI is a concern though.
Just can't get it to work to conduct proper tests (don't want component, want HDMI) :-)

ENJOY

That's odd...using the method posted I had no issues....here's what I did..

1 - select pal/ntsc
2 - select 16:9
3 - select HDMI....screen goes blank, press left then enter to confirm. Reboot.
4 - select 720p...screen goes blank, press left then enter to confirm....

All should work.....let me know if the above sorts the issue for you..

Lastly, have you found an MKV that will not play on the Lim?...any chance could you post the mediainfo as I've not found any that wont play yet....

K

philmckrackon

09-15-07, 10:48 AM

Hmm... I have a problem. After doing the firmware upgrade I now have a LIM that never gives a video signal. Here are the steps I followed.

1) Put the firmware files in the root of the HD and also in a folder call 'update'
2) Selected 'upgrade boot' (I did not know you could skip this step)
3) After video signal loss (about 5 min), then turned off and on the LIM
4) Selected 'upgrade app'. The erase and write proceedure finished.
5) After video signal loss (about 35 min), then turned off and on the LIM

After that no matter how many times I cycled power the Lim never booted (VFD turns on but video signal is never achieved)

I then tried the restore function, 'hold the OK button until all the VFD is lit up' then wait aprox 35 mion or so until the VFD blanks, then cycle power.

I still have no signal from the LIM. I have tried the HDMI cable as well as RCS composite cable.

Any ideas? I hate to think it bricked on me.

Thanks,

digitalkid2

09-15-07, 10:54 AM

:rolleyes: you again!...:D

As a forum, all constructive feedback and comments are always welcome...;) My father once said "Never give a stray dog a bone"...."why" I replied..."he'll keeping coming back" replied my father.........................

K
I consider my comments to be constructive....I want the Lim to succeed in its entirety. You in many ways are doing Tomarco and the Lim a dis-service by glossing over the basic issues and repeating your mantra of 'and it has great picture quality'.

What the real goal of my comments are, is to get Tomarco focused on fixing the things that will really make their player stand out from the rest and not be appealing only to the small crowd of folks with MKV fever.

The saying that comes to mind regarding the Lim is; 'The tail is wagging the dog! and not the dog wagging the tail!'

phew

09-15-07, 11:10 AM

philmckrackon,

Have you tried using the 'VIDEO MODE' button on the remote?

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 11:15 AM

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 11:17 AM

Sorry Phew...looks like we both posted at the same time...

K

av_noob

09-15-07, 11:19 AM

av_noob,

If you are still not getting a network connection with the Lim then list your network settings/setup and maybe someone will see something that'll help you fix it.

Local IP's: Lim IP, Router IP, Windows/Linux box IP.
Are you using a 1G switch etc.

I've completely removed my network from the equation. I ended up getting a LAN tester and sure enough the lim is transmitting (TX) just NOT reading (RX). I also re-ran the same test from my laptop. The configuration is

lim --> cross-over cable --> IBM laptop

set IBM laptop to static ip with the following settigns:

IP: 192.168.1.1
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Mask: 255.255.255.0

I then enabled tftpd32 deamon on 192.168.1.1 interface and set my pool starting at .2 - 50 .. the following is captured in the log after I turn on the lim:

Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:36:53.270]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:36:55.634]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:36:55.634]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:36:57.136]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:36:57.276]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:36:58.778]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:38:01.418]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:38:03.641]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:38:03.651]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:38:05.153]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:38:05.424]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:38:06.926]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:39:09.576]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:39:11.659]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:40:17.724]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:40:19.226]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:40:19.236]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:40:20.738]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:40:20.738]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:40:22.241]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:40:22.251]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:40:23.753]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:41:25.872]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:41:27.374]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:41:27.384]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:41:28.886]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:41:28.896]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:41:30.399]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:41:30.399]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:41:31.901]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:42:34.020]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:42:35.532]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:42:36.023]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:42:37.525]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:42:38.026]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:42:39.528]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:43:41.177]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:43:42.679]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:44:49.325]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:44:50.827]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:44:50.837]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:44:52.339]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:44:52.349]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:44:53.851]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:44:53.851]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:44:55.353]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:46:48.716]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:46:50.739]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:46:50.749]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:46:52.251]
Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:C6:50:B8:14 [15/09 10:46:52.712]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.1.2 [15/09 10:46:54.214]

again this confirms the lim is sending data but not receiving it. Whilst that was occuring I ran a ping test against the .2 address with the following commands: ping 192.168.1.2 -t

The response was:
Pinging 192.168.1.2 with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out. (repeat 74 times)
..
Ping statistics for 192.168.1.2:
Packets: Sent = 74, Received = 0, Lost = 74 (100% loss),

I'm still unsure if the problem is hardware or software. I'm really hoping Jackie can help me RMA or repair the unit I miss watching my SD from the file-server.

Just a suggestion, but prehaps av_noob should PM Lundman with these details?

K

I would be more than happy to PM, my only concern is that without network access than any approach (other than through a firmware execution) would be futile. Lundman please correct me if I have another option.

I agree and I still believe that Tomarco is selling their product using false advertisement. Their add should say 'Still Under Development not all features work at this time and may or may not ever work'.

It would be nice if they answered thier support emails from customers who spend ~$450; I sent an email off about my network issue last week. A simple reply does work too.

Tried several files and they work just fine. (Some play on TViX and not on Lim, some play on Lim and not on TViX) I can verify no micro blocks issue (newer sdk it seems) so playback is now at the level one should expect on HD. Well done Tomacro...

The HDMI is a concern though.
Just can't get it to work to conduct proper tests (don't want component, want HDMI) :-)

ENJOY

I did not have any HDMI issues, though I was already setup to use HDMI before I upgraded. I'm still a believer that "erasing firmware" doesn't really erase all aspects of the firmware. speaking of firmware, why the hell does it take so long to upgrade? Its like copying 1kb/sec to the EPROM. :-/

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 11:26 AM

It would be nice if they answered thier support emails from customers who spend ~$450; I sent an email off about my network issue last week. A simple reply does work too.
/

Have you tried emailing Fan or Jackie directly?

K

av_noob

09-15-07, 11:34 AM

Have you tried emailing Fan or Jackie directly?

K

No. I sent email to the address listed on the TOMACRO site (http://www.tomacro.com/english/contact.htm). I was waiting for Jackie to reply (on this board) to see if she can help otherwise. I had assumed that Jackie and Fan were salespeople vs. employees of TOMACRO.

oldpainless68

09-15-07, 11:37 AM

No. I sent email to the address listed on the TOMACRO site (http://www.tomacro.com/english/contact.htm). I was waiting for Jackie to reply (on this board) to see if she can help otherwise. I had assumed that Jackie and Fan were salespeople vs. employees of TOMACRO.

Jackie is an agent (of some standing, mainly due to this forum) and Fan is a Tomacro employee on support...

Jackie/Fan come on....this guy is being keep waiting!

K

phew

09-15-07, 11:43 AM

av_noob

09-15-07, 12:02 PM

While setting up nfs I noted that if I used the 1G switch to connect to the Lim that it would cause problems and only got a result when I used the 10/100 ports from my router.

If your laptop is the 43p or above it'll have a 1G ethernet card, that may be causing some of the problems you've listed in the previous post.

I wish it had Gig-E... sadly its an older x31 Intel PRO/100 card. I tried AUTO negotation, 10 FULL, 10 HALF, 100 FULL, and 100 HALF. I remember reading your post earlier which was one of the reasons I removed my network from the equation. I didn't want the 2 routers and 1 unmanaged switch causing more "tracing" headaches for me during my troubleshooting.

As a side note, the lim worked great on my home network before all this happened. I had a statically assigned DHCP address and was using SMB from my Windows server. Its when I choose NFS and didnt wait during the "Please Wait" screen (shame on me, but it was taking forever!) I ended up powering down the unit with the power button on top. Its never worked right since.

One last thing, the last firmware in which my lim's nic worked (1.60 beta2) when I turned it on the device showed up on my Vista desktop asking for permission to my media (some sort of UPNP broadcast did this, I remember Mark F saying something about it too). I've never seen the device since (understandably if the interface in the lim died or the software has something stuck wrong).

Thank you for your suggestion (and everyones feedback) this forum is a great place to share/exchange ideas.