VLC fails to play Arcsoft HD PVR MP4 file output

[Aeneas]

In the past, VLC can play any AV file which Windows Media Player can play.
However, when presented with the MP4 HD PVR file output from Arcsoft, the user is forced to use Windows Media Player instead.
When VLC attempts to play this media, the audio plays, the video is distorted, then crashes within 5 seconds.
http://rapidshare.com/files/260834568/A ... 8.MP4.html

Windows Media Player (WMP) in properties claims to be using (successfully):
Audio codec: Arcsoft Audio Effect HD
Video codec: Cyberlink H.264/AVC Decoder (PDVD6.X)
Bit rate: --
Why does VLC fail to play this media ?

[The HD PVR currently has 3 selectable output file formats, TS, M2TS and MP4]
[The HD PVR currently, is the only product which is capable of receiving an HD high definition picture in component video analog form, from the Cable Set Top Box and pumping it in digitized form into the PC. All the hundreds of STB channels are available through this method, not just the ATSC QAM 9 or 10 unscrambled channels available using ATSC QAM capable TV Tuner cards. Maybe 80 of these channels on cable are officially classified as HD channels].

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

It doesn't play it because it is BROKEN file, with BROKEN CRC on the TS container.

To go around it in VLC, force --demux avformat.

[Aeneas]

It doesn't play it because it is BROKEN file, with BROKEN CRC on the TS container.
To go around it in VLC, force --demux avformat.

What do you think the chances are that you will be able to Fix at least one of these 3 output file formats, implement Wait-Play functionality option, to not terminate but wait for data when VLC reaches the end of the file,
within the next, perhaps, month ?
(Closed Captions BDA TV Tuner text streaming in a separate external window can wait till the month after that).

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

We don't have timeline, especially for broken streams.

[Aeneas]

We don't have timeline, especially for broken streams.

It cannot be a "broken stream" if Windows Media Player can play this particular file format.
Where are you finding this term. Where are you finding the M2TS specification, by the way ?

I have made clear that these file content formats are critical to bring HD video into the PC from the Cable Set Top Box.
And Wait-Play is essential in allowing the player to play that video directly from the saving file to which the video is being saved, live.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

No, this file is corrupted. The fact that your WMP doesn't check the CRC is a bug inside WMP, not inside VLC.
Moreover, you CAN play it in VLC, with:

To go around it in VLC, force --demux avformat.

libdvbpsi error (PSI decoder): TS discontinuity (received 10, expected 0) for PID 0
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!

[Aeneas]

No, this file is corrupted. The fact that your WMP doesn't check the CRC is a bug inside WMP, not inside VLC.
Moreover, you CAN play it in VLC, with:

To go around it in VLC, force --demux avformat.

libdvbpsi error (PSI decoder): TS discontinuity (received 10, expected 0) for PID 0
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!
libdvbpsi error (misc PSI): Bad CRC_32 (0x254e0f1b) !!!

There is no question that if VLC is finding bad CRCs, this is because it is not properly scanning the TS MPEG packets correctly.
Maybe it is not accounting for the Timecodes in these packets.
Windows Media Player is not known for ignoring true data errors and not telling the user about that.

[VLC_help]

You can remux the files to make the work better.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Windows Media Player is not known for ignoring true data errors and not telling the user about that.

WMP doesn't do any TS work. DirectShow filter do it.

And avformat module of VLC doesn't use CRC either.

FOR THE NTH time use --demux avformat in VLC.

[Aeneas]

Windows Media Player is not known for ignoring true data errors and not telling the user about that.

WMP doesn't do any TS work. DirectShow filter do it.
And avformat module of VLC doesn't use CRC either.
FOR THE NTH time use --demux avformat in VLC.

VLC is never used by running it from the Windows XP Command Prompt with a text command.
It may be possible to add that string into a Shortcut, but that would not affect how the program is normally invoked, which is by selecting an AV file from a Windows Explorer display, right-clicking on that file and then selecting VLC, or by simply double-clicking on the AV file, if VLC is registered for that file extension type.
The video player is 99% of the time invoked through its automatic association with the file type.
And that association normally resolves directly to the pathname of an executable.

Are you claiming that you are not intending to fix the executable ?

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Are you claiming that you are not intending to fix the executable ?

I am claiming that the file you submitted is broken.

If you don't want to add this to either your start line of VLC, or your open MRL, I can't do nothing for you now.

[Aeneas]

Are you claiming that you are not intending to fix the executable ?

I am claiming that the file you submitted is broken.
If you don't want to add this to either your start line of VLC, or your open MRL, I can't do nothing for you now.

Is it possible that making this change in the invocation of VLC could break its performance when applied to other categories of AV files ?

The basic issue here is one of priorities. As HD video becomes more available on the desktop, its availability outstrips the availability of necessary and competent tools to play and manipulate that data.
Most of the items I have described allow VLC to play a major role in HD video on the desktop.
What is a more important priority for VLC development than that ?

[VLC_help]

What is a more important priority for VLC development than that ?

Force hardware and software devs to write proper media files.

[fenrir]

Hi,

Ignoring the CRC is not a good solution, it will creates problems with perfectly valid stream that had transport problems (and so have local corruptions). For example, with streams coming from DVB/ATSC satellite, or cable, or terrestrials or from UDP/RTP.
The best solution would be to report the problem to the software vendor that create such streams. The fix on their part is easy to do and then they will create valid TS files. The problem they have is:
"The CRC_32 field in the PSI table named PAT (at least, I could not check PMT) does not have the right value as defined by ISO/IEC 13818-1 annex A"

[Aeneas]

Hi,

Ignoring the CRC is not a good solution, it will creates problems with perfectly valid stream that had transport problems (and so have local corruptions). For example, with streams coming from DVB/ATSC satellite, or cable, or terrestrials or from UDP/RTP.
The best solution would be to report the problem to the software vendor that create such streams. The fix on their part is easy to do and then they will create valid TS files. The problem they have is:
"The CRC_32 field in the PSI table named PAT (at least, I could not check PMT) does not have the right value as defined by ISO/IEC 13818-1 annex A"

Is there any software out there that would scan the file and display the table, packet and headers contained in the file according to the Mpeg specifications ?
My assumption is that VLC is simply not scanning the file properly and thus is looking for CRC at the wrong offsets from the packet headers.

[fenrir]

You can for example use TSReader Lite (the free version).
With it you will have in the "MPEG-2 Statistics" frame: 324 PAT Sections with 324 CRC errors.

[Aeneas]

After installing that program, it states that it "Failed to initialise hardware", on every run attempt, and then terminates.
It seems that that program needs to work with the specific hardware type that it knows.
Clearly, it does not know the HD PVR, since I did not see that in its list on the first install.

[fenrir]

You need to select the File input driver at start.

[Aeneas]

You need to select the File input driver at start.

From the list I picked the closest one, but obviously that did not match.
Now it fails with that error on every invocation, without asking a question.
I tried uninstalling and then reinstall, and still the same error.

[fenrir]

If properly configured (the file is at the bottom of the first dialog at start) I have

[Aeneas]

I tried deleting the whole directory it installs into, then reinstalling.
It still gives the same error.
Must be something installed in the registry in Windows XP.

[Aeneas]

I deleted its whole entry in the registry using regedit, then reinstalled and now I have the TSReader program in its initial state, asking which driver to use.
This time I tried File.dll.
That mode does not recognize the MP4 file and fails immediately.
However it does recognize the "ATSC Arcsoft 1080i 30 secs - 1920x1080.mpg" file (generated by a regular ATSC/QAM PCI-E card, not by the HD PVR) and claims it could not read 324 PAT sections and CRCs.
It clearly does not recognize anything in the file and yet it is playable by Microsoft Windows Media Player.
Clearly VLC and this TSReader program do not know how to read this file.

[fenrir]

And clearly, this file is BROKEN and windows media player ignores the errors.
Why don't you want to report the problem to the software vendor ? They are the one doing the errors and they could fix it easily.

[Aeneas]

And clearly, this file is BROKEN and windows media player ignores the errors.
Why don't you want to report the problem to the software vendor ? They are the one doing the errors and they could fix it easily.

This is nonsense. VLC is simply incapable of reading the file perhaps because it is obvious that different file standards for different products use some of the Pids differently. VLC needs to be fixed.

If VLC is intentionally not playing this AV file because it detects some bad CRCs it claims to be detecting, then turn that refusal to play off in the next release, or make that refusal to play an user-selectable option.

Also, I do not see any way to force this Tsreader application to display each packet.
That is what will prove the truth here.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

And clearly, this file is BROKEN and windows media player ignores the errors.
Why don't you want to report the problem to the software vendor ? They are the one doing the errors and they could fix it easily.

This is nonsense. VLC is simply incapable of reading the file perhaps because it is obvious that different file standards for different products use some of the Pids differently. VLC needs to be fixed.

If VLC is intentionally not playing this AV file because it detects some bad CRCs it claims to be detecting, then turn that refusal to play off in the next release, or make that refusal to play an user-selectable option.

Also, I do not see any way to force this Tsreader application to display each packet.
That is what will prove the truth here.

OK, now, YOU stop right now or you get banned from here. Is that clear?

VLC does the right thing to check the CRC and we already told you 10 times how to override inside VLC.