2011 Panasonic plasma tests on the 42G30

[efex]

May i first ask to use this free program to give details on media files
http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en

I have a 2011 Panasonic Plasma 42 G30 and Twonky is mentioned in theiir manual

So i`ll ask here and if it`s Panasonic i`ll ask them.

I`ve download two sample M2TS (Direct from Blu-ray) that have VC-1 and AVC inside

First one video plays video but audio doesn`t when it should
Video
ID : 4113 (0x1011)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Duration : 11s 700ms
Bit rate : 6 488 Kbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Standard : NTSC
Resolution : 24 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : MBAFF
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.104

Audio
ID : 4352 (0x1100)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : E-AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Duration : 11s 699ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 024 Kbps
Channel(s) : 5 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz

E-AC-3 is Dolby Digital Plus does Twonky support this codec
as the Panasonic G30 Plasma does.....

Second one does not play at all

Video
ID : 4113 (0x1011)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : VC-1
Format profile : AP@L3
Duration : 13s 583ms
Bit rate : 7 241 Kbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.146

Audio
ID : 4352 (0x1100)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Format profile : TrueHD
Duration : 13s 589ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Surround: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz

This is VC-1 Advanced Level 3 (45 Mbit/s 1920 × 1080 / 24 (1080p) with TrueHD (AC-3)

Both play fine on PC

I`d like to know is it Panasonic`s fault

AVC works at Level 4 and 4.1 in my tests with AC3 (would like to try 4.2, 5, 5.1)

Next test was M2TS files of...
AVC 4.1 Video using direct DTS-HD (High Resolution Audio)
and
AVC 4.1 Video using direct DTS-HD (Master Audio)

Could not play audio on both .... G30 only up to standard DTS

This void MKV file worked as well

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L5.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 5 frames
Muxing mode : Container profile=Unknown@5.1
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 55s 541ms
Bit rate : 2 822 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 528 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.424
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Resolution : 24 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.174
Language : English

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 55s 611ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 640 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Surround: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Language : English


I`m avaiable for any test files on the new Panasonic G30 using Twonky

[parnott]

Twonky just streams the file to the TV. The TV has to decode the file and play it. If you have problems then it is most likely the TV cannot play the file.

[efex]

really?

Page 94 of the Panasonic G30 states it can use Dolby Digital Plus but only with a media server
I`m guessing the DLNA content profile for Dolby Digital Plus is either not there or not right.....

Obviosly E-AC-3 is a codec and not a container and under `supported streaming formats` AC3 is listed but there`s more to Dolby Digital Plus than being just `compatible with AC-3

Dolby Digital PlusMain article: Dolby Digital Plus
E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus) is an enhanced coding system based on the AC-3 codec. It offers increased bitrates (up to 6.144 Mbit/s), support for more audio channels (up to 13.1), and improved coding techniques to reduce compression artifacts, enabling lower data rates than those supported by AC-3 (e.g. 5.1-channel audio at 256 kbit/s). It is not backward compatible with existing AC-3 hardware, though E-AC-3 decoders generally are capable of transcoding to AC-3 for equipment connected via S/PDIF. E-AC-3 decoders are also capable of decoding AC-3 bitstreams. Blu-ray Disc offers E-AC-3 as an option to graft additional channels onto an otherwise 5.1 AC-3 stream, as well as for delivery of secondary audio content (e.g. director's commentary) that is intended to be mixed with the primary audio soundtrack in the Blu-ray Disc player.

All i would like to know is this codec able to be used with Twonky from someone who actually knows.
If yes thats great i`ll ask Panasonic whats the problem their side

Thank you

[parnott]

Page 94 of the Panasonic G30 states it can use Dolby Digital Plus but only with a media server
I`m guessing the DLNA content profile for Dolby Digital Plus is either not there or not right.....

All i would like to know is this codec able to be used with Twonky from someone who actually knows.
If yes thats great i`ll ask Panasonic whats the problem their side

I really don't know what you are getting at.

Twonky will analyze files and if the content matches one of the standard DLNA media profiles Twonky will provide that information to the media player. If a file does not match one of the standard DLNA profiles but it is possible the media player could play the file (based upon information the media player has sent) then it will still serve the file.

It is up to the media player (i.e. your TV) to do all the decoding of the file. Twonky does NOT decode the file it just streams the raw data in the file which your TV has requested.

If you are having problems then it is your TV.

[efex]

Twonky will analyze files and if the content matches one of the standard DLNA media profiles Twonky will provide that information to the media player.

Well i think it`s the twonky server not knowing the Dolby Digital plus profile is, as this format is not well used but available to the Panasonic G30.

Can you give me a guarrenteed direct yes that Twonky server does have the *extended* AC-3 format.profile?

As the administrators and moderators haven`t jumped in saying it will work i`m guessing their not sure either.

I`ve decided to ask for direct email support because of this.

[parnott]

Well i think it`s the twonky server not knowing the Dolby Digital plus profile is, as this format is not well used but available to the Panasonic G30.

What makes you think there is a standard DLNA profile that incorporates Dolby Digital plus? Please provide specific references (i.e. links) to the DLNA profile standard that specifies this audio format.

Not trying to be argumentative, but I don't know of any of the standard profiles that support this.

And as I said, if the player says it can play a certain mime-type Twonky will server the file.

[Twonky_Rick]

The only UPnP/DLNA device that I've used that can decode Dolby Digital files is the Western Digital WDTV Live. There may be others, but many devices won't do this over UPnP.

- Rick