wtv files

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › wtv files

rsercombe

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#111233 28-Oct-2012 01:34

Hi, I just managed to get a full epg on my win 7computer using wmc...all excited BUT is there any way to watch recorded tv programmes that are wtv files on ps3 using media server streaming it to my lounge TV? The files do not show in the folder on the ps3!....so close but so far away!....any one have a way around this....it would be much appreciated....thanks for any help in advance...:)

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#707708 28-Oct-2012 06:21

rsercombe: Hi, I just managed to get a full epg on my win 7computer using wmc...all excited BUT is there any way to watch recorded tv programmes that are wtv files on ps3 using media server streaming it to my lounge TV? The files do not show in the folder on the ps3!....so close but so far away!....any one have a way around this....it would be much appreciated....thanks for any help in advance...:)

I think there are tool to extract teh video file from the wtv file (it's a customer microsoft container) and leave just the transport stream - which will them be usable in whatever streaming software you use for the ps3.

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rsercombe

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#707767 28-Oct-2012 09:36

Thanks for the reply...do you mean like using Bigasoft WTV Converter as that sounds like it will work but means lots of extra work...and it says audio may not sync so there is another down load for that! If that happens the idea of simple "relaxing" and watching recordings becomes a time and hassle...although it is still an option if planning ahead with no impulsive watch tv recorded straight away. Also, I fear it is also not free as it says free down load but has a price of $30 us. Hence is there a free option? However it would seem soooo much easier if the PS3 could play these files, so is there a "auto" way of it being done behind the scene? In my googling I have had no success, but is there a ps3 fix as if I can be told "no" then I will look at the option you suggest...although I don't actually understand your wording as I am not in IT, so was my assumption correct?....or is your answer the best option?...if so can anyone explain what is the best down load that is easy to help this ps3 with wtv file problems?...Thanks heaps for replying :)

davidcole

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#707770 28-Oct-2012 09:44

Sorry, the windows media center/anything else combination is not just a straight forward play the file.

If you used media portal/nextpvr or went linux mythtv you could probably skip the extract from wtv step.

There may be command line options for extracting from wtv and you may be able to automate the extraction after the recording finishes, but I haven't investigated this (given I don't use MCE).

cgreenwood

201 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#707803 28-Oct-2012 11:04

This has been a long standing bug bear for me.

The WTV files are playable natively on the PS3 (well they are supposed to be anyway) but there are two major issues: 1. They WILL play but you will not be able to fastforward or skip forward or do anything except play the file start to finish, no good if you to skip adds etc aye. 2. If you are recording from the freeview HD (terrestrial) broadcast the audio format they use (HE-AAC) is not compatible with the PS3 and you will get no sound, some channels have an AC3 track as well but you would need to transcode to file to remove the HE-AAC track and leave only the AC3 one for these files to play. This can be done but is frought with problems and trust me, it is not an avenue worth following.

You are faced with two big pains in the but, the wtv container is an arse and the HE-AAC audio codec is worse.

PS3 media server should theoretically be able to transcode the files on the fly but I have never had any luck with this.

So what to do:
I have struggled with this issue for a long time and the best solution I have found is to use a wee program called MCE buddy, this program will monitor the WMC recorded TV folder and automatically transcode the recorded TV to a format watchable on the PS3. Google it, download it and set it to convert to "M4V apple high quality" and these files will be fully playable on the PS3 with full compatability.

Just a couple of other basics to note, sorry if this is too much info.

Set up a folder to hold the transcoded files and set MCE buddy to output to this folder, then make sure PS3 media server has that folder listed in its "shared folders" list. You can set MCE buddy to then automatically delete the source file, but only do this once you are sure everything is working.

The transcoding is slow and processor intensive but please believe me, it IS the best solution here.

Another post script: MediaPortal is a good alternative to WMC but you will still have the same problem with the HE-AAC audio codec.

rsercombe

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#707839 28-Oct-2012 12:08

Awesome reply...I did a google and before I try your advice can I please get confirmed: There is a newer version 2.3.5 is that the one to use?...also, there is a mc-tv converter that some one said is faster than the buddy in its original state....but it wasn't an auto everything...unless newer version of mc-tv does?....hence buddy or mc-tv?....let me know and thanks for pointing out a fix.....Cheers :)

cgreenwood

201 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#707843 28-Oct-2012 12:21

There is a newer version 2.3.5 is that the one to use?...

I use 2.2 and that works fine for me, so have never felt the need to upgrade to 2.3.5, however I am sure that either will work.

also, there is a mc-tv converter that some one said is faster than the buddy in its original state

Never tried mc-tv, you will have to try it and see, I don't think I would bother with it if it does not automatically manage the conversion though. I think that any difference in transcode speed will be minimal, much more dependant on things like your hardware, what resolution the video file is in (ie HD or not) and which format you are transcoding to.

If it works then let me know :)

I can only give advice about what I have tried and MCE buddy works great for me.

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dontpanic42

1574 posts

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#707858 28-Oct-2012 12:35

http://experts.windows.com/frms/windows_entertainment_and_connected_home/f/49/t/95712.aspx

rsercombe

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#707866 28-Oct-2012 13:09

Thank you soooo much...It works a treat....no need to buy a recording device for the lounge where the play TV for ps3 is great BUT crap with its epg...now any series links or clashes of recording with the kids can be solved by using my computer with wmc...once I sorted out the epg for that.

I feel so relieved to put this to rest...it has been painfully long winded researching etc, so to have you and the other posters help is a credit to you all.

Thanks sooo much for your kindness :)

rsercombe

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#707867 28-Oct-2012 13:10

Thanks for the link...it just baffled me so made the decision easier to go with cgreenwood. Thanks for caring.

cgreenwood

201 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#707870 28-Oct-2012 13:14

No worries, I got plenty of help here when I first met this problem. Pay it forward and help others where you can.

rsercombe

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#708862 30-Oct-2012 08:04

Hi, sorry if this should be a new topic...as the mce buddy 2.2 and 2.3.5 and 2.3.6 all error. Originally 2.3.5 was working fine then say 1 hour later when doing another test I got "The MCEBuddy service is unavailable. Please start from Windows control panel or check engine connection." I have re installed lots following the specific instructions and tried different versions. I even restored my computer back to before I started with mce buddy and redid 2.3.5 and then realised a newer 2.3.6 was available so uninstalled and installed that....however, all things still have same red error...that flashes on start up.

So confused...don't know how to fix or what to check as my powers of googling are exhausted.

I found this site, but don't understand it :

http://www.pcmediacenter.com.au/forum/topic/46789-error-on-update-mcebuddy-service-unavailable/

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help in advance :)

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cgreenwood

201 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#708941 30-Oct-2012 09:33

I hit this problem too. Not got time right now but will post how i got around this tonight. Are you windows xp, vista, or 7?

cgreenwood

201 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#709353 30-Oct-2012 18:43

I am going to assume you are using Windows 7.

This error was caused for me by the MCE buddy “service” failing to start with windows, I am not sure why this happened but clearly it is not an isolated problem because it looks like it has happened to you also.

Think of a windows service as a program that runs behind the scenes, there will usually be dozens of these “services” running at any one time, all chugging away doing things that you don’t even know about to keep the computer going. MCE buddy has a service that needs to be running for it to work; you can check whether it is running or not by opening the Task Manager (control alt delete and select "start task manager"), select the services tab and scroll down to the MCE buddy service (you can sort these alphabetically by name if this makes it easier) and it should say “running” in the "Status" column, if it says “stopped” you have found your problem. You can then start the service manually by right clicking on it and selecting “start service” and this should fix your problem, but this is only temporary fix because the next time you reboot your computer the service may fail to start again.
I managed to fix this by setting the service to a “delayed start”, this is how to do that: Back in Task Manager on the services tab click the button on the bottom right that says “services...”, in the new window that opens scroll down until you find the MCE buddy service, right click it and select properties, on the "General" tab change the Startup type from “Automatic” to “Automatic (delayed start)” click OK and you are done. You can test whether this worked by rebooting your computer and going back to task manager and seeing if the service is running.
Good luck, if this doesn’t fix things for you then unfortunately you are beyond my help but maybe someone else will offer a suggestion.

rsercombe

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#709649 31-Oct-2012 08:07

Hi, Thanks for your reply, yes win 7 x64 and my buddy was running so I still need a plan B...I did a restore again as wierd things happening like wmplayer could not play a file that I had before saying not enough memory!...very wierd...so I am back to starting again...I will hope that some one has other ideas or that a newer version may come soon that actually works....Thanks for your clever reply, I only wish it was that problem! :)

rsercombe

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#711612 4-Nov-2012 08:59

Hi, I fixed it by unselecting the comskip...at least I can fast forward the ads! Thanks for all your help. :)

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