.mkv on flashdrive to TV?

blacblu · 3 Mar 2012 at 17:05

I would like to insert video files(.mkv) on my flashdrive, so I can watch them on TV, using some kind of interface device.

But I'm not really sure for what to look for. There is some device that is capable of doing this?

Thank you.

EDIT: I was looking for the LG BD550, is it going to do what I need it to do?

TheVoice · 3 Mar 2012 at 17:41

If it says it has MKV support, then yes.

DirtyJester · 3 Mar 2012 at 18:05

Not just as simple as that, MKV's can vary vastly and so some might play without issue where others may not.

Oh and the player you mention doesn't appear to have mkv playback listed?

blacblu · 3 Mar 2012 at 18:30

DirtyJester said:
Not just as simple as that, MKV's can vary vastly and so some might play without issue where others may not.

Oh and the player you mention doesn't appear to have mkv playback listed?

I saw on LG's site it have .mkv support. But now I'm not really sure if that's what I need, since there is those "variations" between files.

arad85 · 3 Mar 2012 at 18:54

mkv is the container (mkv format is called Matroska format which is the Russian word forthose dolls that stack inside each other).
Inside the container will be audio and video. Typically, the video is encoded as H.263 (MPEG4 part 2/DivX/Xvid) or H.264 (MPEG4 part 10). That will be against a profile and level so there are various different versions of each of these. Audio can be in almost any format.

So there are 3 things you need to define: container format (.mkv) video format (source dependant) audio format (source dependant) before you know if your TV plays them. For example, I have a Panny G30. It has .mkv support, but doesn't support the profiles my .mkv files video or audio are encoded as. This is what the manual says is supported:

LG said:
Available resolution size: 1920 x 1080 (W x H) pixels
Playable subtitle: SubRip (.srt / .txt), SAMI (.smi), SubStation Alpha (.ssa/.txt), MicroDVD (.sub/.txt), VobSub (.sub), SubViewer 1.0 (.sub), SubViewer 2.0 (.sub/.txt), TMPlayer (.txt), DVD Subtitle System (.txt)
Playable Codec format: “DIVX3.xx”, “DIVX4.xx”, “DIVX5.xx”, “XVID”, “DIVX6.xx” (Standard playback only), H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, MPEG2 PS, MPEG2 TS
Playable Audio format: “Dolby Digital”, “DTS”, “MP3”, “WMA”, “AAC”, “AC3” Not all the WMA and AAC Audio format are compatible with this unit.
Sampling frequency: within 32-48 kHz (WMA), within 16-48 kHz (MP3)
Bit rate: within 32-192Kbps (WMA), within 32-320Kbps (MP3)

If your audio and video encoding falls into those, you're OK. You can find out what is inside your .mkv file using a program such as MediaInfo.

Snograt · 3 Mar 2012 at 18:57

LG said:
Available File extensions: “.jpg”, “.jpeg”, “.png”,
“.avi”, “.divx”, “.mpg”, “.mpeg”, “.mkv”, “.mp4”, “.mp3”,
“.wma”, “.gif”

Also

LG said:
Playable Codec format: “DIVX3.xx”, “DIVX4.xx”,
“DIVX5.xx”, “XVID”, “DIVX6.xx” (Standard playback
only), H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, MPEG2 PS, MPEG2 TS

(damned ninjas again :/)

peige · 3 Mar 2012 at 19:08

Add into that the sound issue, most mkv files will be 5.1 and if you just stick that into a tv then you often don't get the centre voice channel working properly and can't hear the spoken stuff.

DirtyJester · 3 Mar 2012 at 21:43

blacblu said:
I saw on LG's site it have .mkv support. But now I'm not really sure if that's what I need, since there is those "variations" between files.

Sorry, only did a quick check hence the '?' but as you see nothing is simple with MKV and you are better of with one of the many dedicated players on the market. I have an LG tv and was in same boat as yourself, I got sick of having to convert files, tried the PS3 and ended up having to convert on the fly, so in the end decided upon a WD TV Live Hub and to date it's played everything I've thrown at it.

DirtyJester · 3 Mar 2012 at 21:44

peige said:
Add into that the sound issue, most mkv files will be 5.1 and if you just stick that into a tv then you often don't get the centre voice channel working properly and can't hear the spoken stuff.

That or like the missus after a late night out, picture and no sound at all

arknor · 3 Mar 2012 at 22:47

H.264/MPEG-4 AVC is the most common codec right now

Liquidfox · 4 Mar 2012 at 16:47

Got my Samsung playing mkv files last night from a stick no problem, completely different tv so doesn't really help but just thought I'd let you know