MPEG2 freezing with Roku Media Player
What used to work in Roku's Media Player no longer does. Files played from a Synology DLNA server that are: MPEG-2 video, MPEG audio or MPEG-2 video, AC-3 audio now only play for ~5-6 seconds be...
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Roku has a problem with MKV as well. When using Roku Express, it does not work with MKV files with MPEG-2 video and AC3 audio using a Synology DLNA server. (It used to, and then Roku updated the Media Player GUI and broke playback as well.) I have a TCL Roku TV that still uses the older Media Player GUI, and that continues to work with MKV MPEG-2+AC3 without issue.
I admit I don't have an Express of any model. But with all of my Roku devices I can play MPEG-2 video in MKV or TS containers without any problem. My Premiere 3920 uses the same chipset as the Express models, just having some additional operational memory. I just tried it and it plays a MKV without issue. While I'm using a different DLNA server, I do know that mine is streaming the content without transcoding, so whatever is within the video file is what's being streamed. All of my media was ripped using MakeMKV, although the version number has naturally varied greatly over the years I've used it (almost 10 years now).
I am also creating MPEG2+AC3 MKV files using MakeMKV, the same as atc98092
The new, dumbed-down colorful blocks user interface was when the problems started. The earlier software with a list of media (instead of icons) worked fine (and continues to work on my ~7 year old TCL Roku TV that has the older UI). You could blame the type of DLNA server, but it worked (and continues to work) with the older Roku Media Player.
pinaz wrote:I am also creating MPEG2+AC3 MKV files using MakeMKV, the same as atc98092
The new, dumbed-down colorful blocks user interface was when the problems started. The earlier software with a list of media (instead of icons) worked fine (and continues to work on my ~7 year old TCL Roku TV that has the older UI).
You have the same version of RMP on every device. The difference between list and block is a user choice, so your apps are configured differently on your devices.
You are mistaken. Different Roku devices can have different RMP versions.
If you have a computer that can be dedicated for this purpose, Handbrake (at least for me) has solved all sorts of playback issues including but not limited to, audio out of sync, jerky audio, playing stopping and starting repeatedly (often repeating short sections), and other similar issues.
Regardless of the original file type, I simply convert them ALL to MP4, and force the audio sample rate to 44.1 (NOT automatic).
I don't have an explanation for why this works but so far it has with literally hundreds of files, without fail (other than certain files that were corrupt to begin with).
44.1 is the recording industry's standard sample rate. Few amateurs are aware of this and files that aren't set up with this sample rate often don't play correctly.
I do all my conversions right on my DNLA server, which is a 15 year old iMac running High Sierra. I've never had an issue running many hours of conversion and streaming from the same computer at the same time.
(If you want your server accessible over the internet check the Handbrake box for web optimized.)
This method has served me well for many months and has fixed virtually every playback issue. Some files play fine as is on my ONN Roku TV but won't on my Roku Utra. This fixes those as well.
