PS3 now plays HE-AAC (via DLNA in my example)

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lyonrouge

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#95323 30-Dec-2011 20:48

I applied a recent update (not sure how long it has been pending), but this now allows me to play most FreeView content, however, some content (Chuck is an example) that has some form of DRM.

This maybe well known but I didn't see a post on Geekzone so just put it out there.

Background : DLNA server is a Panasonic DMR-XW380.

ruffies

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#570330 18-Jan-2012 11:53

Hi.

Can you explain a little better what you mean?
To get FreeView files with HE-AAC audio to play on my PS3 I have been following the procedure as outlined HERE.

But it would be far easier if the PS3 could just play the audio as you say.

Cheers!

Ben.

ruffies

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#570332 18-Jan-2012 11:54

Sorry.

It seems I'm not allowed to post links yet.

But this is the method:

- Open the WTV file from WMC in Windows Movie Maker (Live Essentials in Windows 7)
- Cut out the ads (commercials) and trim the start and end
- Export with the recommended settings (wmv format)

So, this will now play on the PS3, but there will be no audio

- Open the file in "PS3 Video 9" (Google this program)
- Run through the process and convert the video

This produces an MP4 video with AAC audio, which is natively supported by PS3. There are no audio sync issues that have been experienced by previously trying to convert HE-AAC audio.

Jaxson

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#570339 18-Jan-2012 12:09

There is a version 4.xx firmware out now for the PS3 I think.
Maybe that added native support for this audio format. Cool if it did!

dontpanic42

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#570341 18-Jan-2012 12:13

I've just tested an HE-AAC file recorded on PlayTV and transferred to the homescreen, however the audio did not play.

PS3 Firmware version: 4.00

Perhaps the Panasonic has had an update that transcodes the audio on the fly?

I might try a few other HE-AAC files to see if they work.

lyonrouge

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#570354 18-Jan-2012 13:00

Good point, I'll try some PlayTV and Windows Media Server content to compare.

cgreenwood

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#647547 28-Jun-2012 12:16

I might try a few other HE-AAC files to see if they work

How did you get on with this? Am quite keen to know if the PS3 can now handle HE-AAC.

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lyonrouge

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#647606 28-Jun-2012 13:35

This worked briefly, but then DRM was introduced to many FreeView channels and it no longers works.

cgreenwood

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#647650 28-Jun-2012 14:46

I can play my freeview recordings on the PS3 once the HE-AAC track has been removed or transcoded, does this process somehow remove the DRM?

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#647667 28-Jun-2012 14:55

As I understand it the PS3 still does not play the HE-AAC audio in videos, when played directly from the Videos section of the cross menu bar. ie, if you grab a freeview HD video clip from somewhere, the PS3 won't natively play the audio in it.

The PlayTV product is software mated to a plug in external usb twin tuner unit. The software part can play the HE-AAC audio, so it's kinda annoying they didn't incorporate that ability within the base PS3 unit, given it was a 'media centre' concept.

lyonrouge

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#647676 28-Jun-2012 15:25

cgreenwood: I can play my freeview recordings on the PS3 once the HE-AAC track has been removed or transcoded, does this process somehow remove the DRM?

Yes.

The DRM is rudimentry but semi respected by my Panasonic PVR (DLNA server). So far only One News would play through the PS3. I'll check again tonight.

Edit: sadly RemotePlay is still not working, so all this is somewhat ignored by me now.

cgreenwood

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#648085 29-Jun-2012 11:20

I did some testing on this last night with some interesting results.

TV1 2 and 3 all play on the PS3 with no transcoding - not really a surprise there as these channels are broadcast with an AC3 track as well as the HE-AAC.

Four, Prime and ChoiceTV don't, but they never have so no surprises there.

Here is where it gets interesting, U and TVNZ7 play fine too - despite having confirmed on my PC that the recordings only contain one audio track, namely the HE-AAC one!

Furthermore I have compared via MediaInfo on the PC the HE-AAC from Four and Prime with that of U and TVNZ7 and can see no difference. So why should one play ok on the PS3 and one not? Beats me.

Did not get around to testing Maori, TV3+1 or C4 but I imagine they will be in the same boat os Four and Prime.

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lyonrouge

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#648560 30-Jun-2012 08:56

due to the compatibility issues I have with my array of devices I convert all content to h.264/AAC. I'm currently working on a polling software solution to poll the Panasonic recorder and pull down anything new to WHS2011 via MediaConverter7

note: MediaConverter 7 respects the DRM and will not convert DRM content, and example is TV3, Terra Nova was broadcast in DRM whereas the program before it (Destroyed in seconds) was not, MediaConverter7 converts the tail of the previous program then stops when the DRM (Terra Nova) material starts. I've taken this a message to say "you're not allowed" and have left it at that.

lyonrouge

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#651653 6-Jul-2012 08:22

My Panasonic Freeview PVR has a converter function, the converted material does not have the DRM and handbrake can convert it. The first item on this list is the original recorded material, I know items with the 'i' icon in Windows Media Player are DRM, after conversion, the icon does not display and I can convert that material.