MKV files Freeze SMP

[#1]

I've recently started using Handbrake 0.9.6 to make my MKV files as I have for the last 2 years with version 0.9.5. My problem is that the WDTV SMP freezes about 20-30 seconds after the movie starts to play these new MKV files and have to perform a hard reset or the player won't play any other files. I've read thru the forum and see that others have had similiar issues. I've had this problem using firmware versions 1.06.15 & 1.07.15. 

I don't have any problems watching these MKV files using the WDTV Live or WDTV Live Plus so the problem as we all know is with the WDTV SMP. I've included the MediaInfo of 3 files that the SMP can't play. 

I'm hoping that this problem can be resolved ASAP.

 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> 
- <Mediainfo version="0.7.54">
- <File>
- <track type="General">
  <Unique_ID>157771697019136716609150950092375318698 (0x76B1B93BA90C3320D024D094073BE0AA)</Unique_ID> 
  <Complete_name>C:\Users\Danny\Desktop\Our Idiot Brother\Our Idiot Brother.mkv</Complete_name> 
  <Format>Matroska</Format> 
  <Format_version>Version 2</Format_version> 
  <File_size>4.35 GiB</File_size> 
  <Duration>1h 29mn</Duration> 
  <Overall_bit_rate_mode>Variable</Overall_bit_rate_mode> 
  <Overall_bit_rate>6 924 Kbps</Overall_bit_rate> 
  <Writing_application>HandBrake 4405svn</Writing_application> 
  <Writing_library>libmkv 0.6.5</Writing_library> 
  </track>
- <track type="Video">
  <ID>1</ID> 
  <Format>AVC</Format> 
  <Format_Info>Advanced Video Codec</Format_Info> 
  <Format_profile>Main@L4.0</Format_profile> 
  <Format_settings__CABAC>Yes</Format_settings__CABAC> 
  <Format_settings__ReFrames>4 frames</Format_settings__ReFrames> 
  <Codec_ID>V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC</Codec_ID> 
  <Duration>1h 29mn</Duration> 
  <Bit_rate>5 225 Kbps</Bit_rate> 
  <Width>1 920 pixels</Width> 
  <Height>1 080 pixels</Height> 
  <Display_aspect_ratio>16:9</Display_aspect_ratio> 
  <Frame_rate_mode>Variable</Frame_rate_mode> 
  <Frame_rate>23.976 fps</Frame_rate> 
  <Color_space>YUV</Color_space> 
  <Chroma_subsampling>4:2:0</Chroma_subsampling> 
  <Bit_depth>8 bits</Bit_depth> 
  <Scan_type>Progressive</Scan_type> 
  <Bits__Pixel_Frame_>0.105</Bits__Pixel_Frame_> 
  <Stream_size>3.28 GiB (75%)</Stream_size> 
  <Writing_library>x264 core 119</Writing_library> 
  <Encoding_settings>cabac=1 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=6 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=2 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=3 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00</Encoding_settings> 
  <Language>English</Language> 
  <Default>Yes</Default> 
  <Forced>No</Forced> 
  <Color_primaries>BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177</Color_primaries> 
  <Transfer_characteristics>BT.709-5, BT.1361</Transfer_characteristics> 
  <Matrix_coefficients>BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177</Matrix_coefficients> 
  </track>
- <track type="Audio">
  <ID>2</ID> 
  <Format>DTS</Format> 
  <Format_Info>Digital Theater Systems</Format_Info> 
  <Format_profile>MA / Core</Format_profile> 
  <Codec_ID>A_DTS</Codec_ID> 
  <Duration>1h 29mn</Duration> 
  <Bit_rate_mode>Variable</Bit_rate_mode> 
  <Bit_rate>1 561 Kbps / 1 510 Kbps</Bit_rate> 
  <Channel_s_>6 channels</Channel_s_> 
  <Channel_positions>Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE</Channel_positions> 
  <Sampling_rate>48.0 KHz</Sampling_rate> 
  <Bit_depth>24 bits</Bit_depth> 
  <Compression_mode>Lossless / Lossy</Compression_mode> 
  <Default>Yes</Default> 
  <Forced>No</Forced> 
  </track>
  </File>
  </Mediainfo>


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> 
- <Mediainfo version="0.7.54">
- <File>
- <track type="General">
  <Unique_ID>15965955038606242552177680621004147328 (0xC02EE5BE95C690B9CA1A30F0B4C4A80)</Unique_ID> 
  <Complete_name>C:\Users\Danny\Desktop\The Matrix\The Matrix.mkv</Complete_name> 
  <Format>Matroska</Format> 
  <Format_version>Version 2</Format_version> 
  <File_size>7.40 GiB</File_size> 
  <Duration>2h 16mn</Duration> 
  <Overall_bit_rate>7 770 Kbps</Overall_bit_rate> 
  <Writing_application>HandBrake 4445svn</Writing_application> 
  <Writing_library>libmkv 0.6.5</Writing_library> 
  </track>
- <track type="Video">
  <ID>1</ID> 
  <Format>AVC</Format> 
  <Format_Info>Advanced Video Codec</Format_Info> 
  <Format_profile>Main@L4.0</Format_profile> 
  <Format_settings__CABAC>Yes</Format_settings__CABAC> 
  <Format_settings__ReFrames>4 frames</Format_settings__ReFrames> 
  <Codec_ID>V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC</Codec_ID> 
  <Duration>2h 16mn</Duration> 
  <Bit_rate>6 975 Kbps</Bit_rate> 
  <Width>1 920 pixels</Width> 
  <Height>796 pixels</Height> 
  <Display_aspect_ratio>2.40:1</Display_aspect_ratio> 
  <Frame_rate_mode>Variable</Frame_rate_mode> 
  <Frame_rate>23.976 fps</Frame_rate> 
  <Color_space>YUV</Color_space> 
  <Chroma_subsampling>4:2:0</Chroma_subsampling> 
  <Bit_depth>8 bits</Bit_depth> 
  <Scan_type>Progressive</Scan_type> 
  <Bits__Pixel_Frame_>0.190</Bits__Pixel_Frame_> 
  <Stream_size>6.64 GiB (90%)</Stream_size> 
  <Writing_library>x264 core 120</Writing_library> 
  <Encoding_settings>cabac=1 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=2 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=12 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=1 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=10 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=19.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=3 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00</Encoding_settings> 
  <Language>English</Language> 
  <Default>Yes</Default> 
  <Forced>No</Forced> 
  <Color_primaries>BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177</Color_primaries> 
  <Transfer_characteristics>BT.709-5, BT.1361</Transfer_characteristics> 
  <Matrix_coefficients>BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177</Matrix_coefficients> 
  </track>
- <track type="Audio">
  <ID>2</ID> 
  <Format>AC-3</Format> 
  <Format_Info>Audio Coding 3</Format_Info> 
  <Mode_extension>CM (complete main)</Mode_extension> 
  <Codec_ID>A_AC3</Codec_ID> 
  <Duration>2h 16mn</Duration> 
  <Bit_rate_mode>Constant</Bit_rate_mode> 
  <Bit_rate>640 Kbps</Bit_rate> 
  <Channel_s_>6 channels</Channel_s_> 
  <Channel_positions>Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE</Channel_positions> 
  <Sampling_rate>48.0 KHz</Sampling_rate> 
  <Bit_depth>16 bits</Bit_depth> 
  <Compression_mode>Lossy</Compression_mode> 
  <Stream_size>624 MiB (8%)</Stream_size> 
  <Default>Yes</Default> 
  <Forced>No</Forced> 
  </track>
  </File>
  </Mediainfo>

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> 
- <Mediainfo version="0.7.54">
- <File>
- <track type="General">
  <Unique_ID>246386272705662448639720718327631640195 (0xB95C4521EE0F30098F42A3C5C634F683)</Unique_ID> 
  <Complete_name>D:\Bluerays\00139-1.mkv</Complete_name> 
  <Format>Matroska</Format> 
  <Format_version>Version 2</Format_version> 
  <File_size>5.86 GiB</File_size> 
  <Duration>1h 0mn</Duration> 
  <Overall_bit_rate>14.0 Mbps</Overall_bit_rate> 
  <Writing_application>HandBrake 0.9.6</Writing_application> 
  <Writing_library>libmkv 0.6.5</Writing_library> 
  </track>
- <track type="Video">
  <ID>1</ID> 
  <Format>AVC</Format> 
  <Format_Info>Advanced Video Codec</Format_Info> 
  <Format_profile>Main@L4.0</Format_profile> 
  <Format_settings__CABAC>Yes</Format_settings__CABAC> 
  <Format_settings__ReFrames>4 frames</Format_settings__ReFrames> 
  <Codec_ID>V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC</Codec_ID> 
  <Duration>1h 0mn</Duration> 
  <Bit_rate>13.0 Mbps</Bit_rate> 
  <Width>1 920 pixels</Width> 
  <Height>800 pixels</Height> 
  <Display_aspect_ratio>2.40:1</Display_aspect_ratio> 
  <Frame_rate_mode>Variable</Frame_rate_mode> 
  <Frame_rate>23.976 fps</Frame_rate> 
  <Color_space>YUV</Color_space> 
  <Chroma_subsampling>4:2:0</Chroma_subsampling> 
  <Bit_depth>8 bits</Bit_depth> 
  <Scan_type>Progressive</Scan_type> 
  <Bits__Pixel_Frame_>0.354</Bits__Pixel_Frame_> 
  <Stream_size>5.48 GiB (93%)</Stream_size> 
  <Writing_library>x264 core 120</Writing_library> 
  <Encoding_settings>cabac=1 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=2 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=12 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=1 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=10 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=19.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=3 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00</Encoding_settings> 
  <Language>English</Language> 
  <Default>Yes</Default> 
  <Forced>No</Forced> 
  <Color_primaries>BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177</Color_primaries> 
  <Transfer_characteristics>BT.709-5, BT.1361</Transfer_characteristics> 
  <Matrix_coefficients>BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177</Matrix_coefficients> 
  </track>
- <track type="Audio">
  <ID>2</ID> 
  <Format>AC-3</Format> 
  <Format_Info>Audio Coding 3</Format_Info> 
  <Mode_extension>CM (complete main)</Mode_extension> 
  <Codec_ID>A_AC3</Codec_ID> 
  <Duration>1h 0mn</Duration> 
  <Bit_rate_mode>Constant</Bit_rate_mode> 
  <Bit_rate>640 Kbps</Bit_rate> 
  <Channel_s_>6 channels</Channel_s_> 
  <Channel_positions>Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE</Channel_positions> 
  <Sampling_rate>48.0 KHz</Sampling_rate> 
  <Bit_depth>16 bits</Bit_depth> 
  <Compression_mode>Lossy</Compression_mode> 
  <Stream_size>275 MiB (5%)</Stream_size> 
  <Default>Yes</Default> 
  <Forced>No</Forced> 
  </track>
  </File>
  </Mediainfo>

-	Which firmware? 1.06.15 & 1.07.15
-	What happened? WDTV SMP Freezes about 20-30 seconds after movie starts playing.
-	What were you doing? Watching MKV file.
-	Does this happen every time? Yes.
-	What hardware and media were you using? WDTV SMP & MKV File
-	Did this happen with previous firmware? Yes.
-	Does power cycling the unit solve this? No.
-	Does resetting to factory defaults solve this? No.
-	Have you tried this on other devices? MKV Files plays fine on the WDTV Live & WDTV Live Plus.

[#2]

I'd like to add that the problem occurs if I use Vidcoder too. The WD SMP can't play any of these files which really **bleep** because I like the GUI so much better. I currently have to switch out the SMP for the WD Live Plus to watch those MKV files encoded with Handbrake 0.9.6.

[#3]

I've deleted my post. My comment had nothing to do with this issue.

[#4]

I stream all my movies from a Media Home Server thru network shares. I just encoded an episode of  Weeds last night using regular settings, but the problem remains on the WD SMP. The MKV file plays on the WD Live & Plus.

Here the latest Mediainfo.

General 
Unique ID : 148562385332471925917704869714069646421 (0x6FC4131C67150FCABB5C7F6F90616C55) 
Complete name : D:\Bluerays\Weeds Season7 Disc1-26.mkv 
Format : Matroska 
Format version : Version 2 
File size : 2.43 GiB 
Duration : 28mn 53s 
Overall bit rate mode : Variable 
Overall bit rate : 12.0 Mbps 
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.6 
Writing library : libmkv 0.6.5 

Video 
ID : 1 
Format : AVC 
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec 
Format profile : Main@L4.0 
Format settings, CABAC : Yes 
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames 
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC 
Duration : 28mn 53s 
Bit rate : 10.2 Mbps 
Width : 1 920 pixels 
Height : 1 080 pixels 
Display aspect ratio : 16:9 
Frame rate mode : Variable / Variable 
Frame rate : 23.976 fps 
Color space : YUV 
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0 
Bit depth : 8 bits 
Scan type : Progressive 
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.205 
Stream size : 2.06 GiB (85%) 
Writing library : x264 core 120 
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=2 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=12 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=1 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=10 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=19.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=3 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00 
Language : English 
Default : Yes 
Forced : No 
Color primaries : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177 
Transfer characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361 
Matrix coefficients : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177 

Audio 
ID : 2 
Format : DTS 
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems 
Format profile : MA / Core 
Codec ID : A_DTS 
Duration : 28mn 53s 
Bit rate mode : Variable 
Bit rate : 1 597 Kbps / 1 510 Kbps 
Channel(s) : 8 channels / 6 channels 
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, Back: L R, LFE / Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE 
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz 
Bit depth : 16 bits 
Compression mode : Lossless / Lossy 
Language : English 
Default : Yes 
Forced : No 

Menu 
00:00:00.000 : Chapter 1 
00:01:13.149 : Chapter 2 
00:13:10.324 : Chapter 3 
00:21:20.021 : Chapter 4 
00:28:16.479 : Chapter 5 
00:28:53.099 : Chapter 6 

[#5]

I have the same issue with the new handbrake. Had to go back to 0.9.5 for the WD Live SMP.

[#6]

i just recently purchased the new WD TV Live media player and when i am trying to play mkv files it freezes,i have tried numerous external hard disks with the same file and alos tried many other mkv files still have the same issues  any help would be appreciated.When i first installed the wd it automatically upgraded to the latest firmware...

Thanks

[#7]

Same issue here with mkv files created in Handbrake 9.6 on my SMP. First noticed the issue last weekend after upgrading Handbrake on my PC.

FWIW I'm still using firmware 1.4 on my SMP.

[#8]

same problem here.

Noticed this with HD material only.

freezing seems random: sometimes after 3 minutes...sometimes after 40 (but each time on the same point in the mkv)

[#9]

So just for kicks I uninstalled Handbrake 0.9.6 on my PC and reinstalled 0.9.5. I then re-encoded the same m2ts that gave me trouble before.

The new mkv created with 0.9.5 using identical settings played flawlessly on my SMP.

Definately something in the way the new Handbrake encodes that the SMP doesn't like.

[#10]

I've also experienced this same problem with videos encoded with Handbrake 0.9.6.  My previous videos are mostly encoded with Handbrake 0.9.5 and I never had a problem like this.  I'm using the same encoding preset in Handbrake as I did with the older version.

I'm encoding with x264, two pass with variable bitrate.  I can post mediainfo from one of the files if it helps, but I see someone already has.

When I go to play one of the files, it sometimes plays for a short time, sometimes not at all.  The end result is I'm unable to play anything else until I power-cycle (unplug) the WD TV Live.