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[Britinva]

I have got the MC 15.0.17 working with my Samsung BD-C5500C Blu-ray player.

It supports following video file formats:



So far I've got working MP4, WMV & MPG.

MKV shows as "Not Supported File Format".

MKV play fine using the Samsung PC Share Manager and also with Serviio - however, with Serviio a special profile is need to support Samsung WiselinkPro.

Has anyone with a Samsung TV or Blu-ray player got a modified Samsung Profile?

I'm also not able to play WMA files via MC, these also work using PCSM & Serviio.

[Britinva]

Further to above and after reading this thread (http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=56784.0) some more observations.

Network Settings
- DLNA Server = Selected
- Profile = Generic DLNA
- Advanced DLNA = Selected
- Advanced DLNAExtra = Selected

Video
- Thumbnails Displayed = No
- Playback OK = MP4, WMV, MPG
- No Playback = MKV

Audio
- Thumbnails Displayed = Yes
- Playback OK = MP3
- No Playback = WMA

Images
- Thumbnails Displayed = No
- Display OK = JPG

***************************

Network Settings
- DLNA Server = Selected
- Profile = Generic DLNA
- Advanced DLNA = Not Selected
- Advanced DLNAExtra = Selected

Video
- Thumbnails Displayed = No
- Playback OK = MP4, WMV
- No Playback = MKV, MPG

Audio
- Thumbnails Displayed = No
- Playback OK =
- No Playback = MP3, WMA

Images
- Thumbnails Displayed = No
- Display OK = JPG

************

With regards to WMA playback, if I changed Adio conversion to always convet to MP3 then neither MP3 or WMA will play (just hangs at "Preparing to play")

[Britinva]

Where are the DLNA Server Profiles stored in Windows Vista?

[bob]

Further to above and after reading this thread (http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=56784.0) some more observations.

Network Settings
- DLNA Server = Selected
- Profile = Generic DLNA
- Advanced DLNA = Selected
- Advanced DLNAExtra = Selected

Video
- Thumbnails Displayed = No
- Playback OK = MP4, WMV, MPG
- No Playback = MKV

Audio
- Thumbnails Displayed = Yes
- Playback OK = MP3
- No Playback = WMA

Images
- Thumbnails Displayed

The video problem is probably a mimetype issue. The Samsung TV's at any rate want a mpeg2 mimetype for any video content. We have been getting more and more precise about supplying the proper mimetype and DLNA flags for video content. It's actually pretty complicated and to present a good DLNA string you need to know things about the content inside of the containers. Now on the other hand, some devices can't use the extra detail at all. Makes for a lot of messing around. Hopefully we can get some changes to try for video into a build on Friday.

Could you try audio and images with conversion on with the latest version? I made a change that might affect that.

[Britinva]

Could you try audio and images with conversion on with the latest version? I made a change that might affect that.

I downloaded 15.0.20 but About shows it as 15.0.19

Just tried with Conversion set to Always convert, Encoder set to MP3 Encoderand with both DLNA selected and unselected.

Will not play either, slightlt different thou in that instead of hanging at Preparing to play the album art flashes up and the skips to next track.

[bob]

The conversion selection for audio should probably be uncompressed wave. That is required to be supported by the DLNA standard when transcoding, mp3 is not.

How about images?? (turn "shrink large images" on).

Thanks.

[Britinva]

The conversion selection for audio should probably be uncompressed wave. That is required to be supported by the DLNA standard when transcoding, mp3 is not.

Samsansug Blu-ray players only support MP3 and WMA for audio. Setting MC to Always convert  and uncompressed wave results in "Not Supported File Format"

How about images?? (turn "shrink large images" on).

With DLNA unchecked, DLNAExtra checked and Shrink large images checked I get no images on Audio or Video

With DLNA checked, DLNAExtra checked and Shrink large images checked I get I get images on Audio but not Video

 

[Britinva]

Just tried 15.0.23

With DLNA checked, DLNAExtra checked and Shrink large images checked I get images on Audio but not Video or Photos.

WMA Audio still not working

MKV still not working

Also noticed cannot view Photos (JPG) - was able to in previous release.

[bob]

Samsansug Blu-ray players only support MP3 and WMA for audio. Setting MC to Always convert  and uncompressed wave results in "Not Supported File Format"

Hmm, I guess it's not DLNA compliant since uncompressed wave support is required for certification the way I read it.

With DLNA unchecked, DLNAExtra checked and Shrink large images checked I get no images on Audio or Video
With DLNA checked, DLNAExtra checked and Shrink large images checked I get I get images on Audio but not Video

DLNA should always be checked for this device as I see it. The DLNA extra is where I'm making changes however.

When I was asking about images, I meant displaying images, like the photo, images or pictures tree (it's called different things on different devices).
What I was interested in here is the difference between having the "shrink large images" switch on and off. It will give me an idea of how the device is treating the transcode DLNA options.

Display of thumbnails / cover art is a completely different matter. Thumbnails are supported the same way across all media types, the device is presented with a thumbnail url for each file (IF IT EXISTS IN MEDIA CENTER) and it's up to the device to display it or not. You will NOT see cover art / thumbs for files that don't show the cover art / thumbs in MC! (except for some devices which create their own artwork on the fly from the files they are displaying if they have embeded artwork or are images. This is a big waste of resources if you have a lot of files to display).

[bob]

Just tried 15.0.23

With DLNA checked, DLNAExtra checked and Shrink large images checked I get images on Audio but not Video or Photos.

WMA Audio still not working

MKV still not working

Also noticed cannot view Photos (JPG) - was able to in previous release.

If you turn "shrink large images" off do photo's work? I'm trying to find what changed to prevent photos from working.

[Britinva]

If you turn "shrink large images" off do photo's work? I'm trying to find what changed to prevent photos from working.

Yes, if I uncheck "shrink large images" I can now view the images.

[bob]

wma and mkv MAY work in the next build. Make sure all conversion checkboxes are clear and audio is set to never convert.

[Britinva]

Settings
Audio
Conversion: Never convert

Images
Shrink large images: unchecked
Support image content: checked

Video
Convert video: unchecked
Support video content: check

Advanced
DLNA: checked
DLNAExtra: checked

Results
Thumbnails - only see them for audio, not images or video files

Audio
Still can only play .mp3 files, .wma now shows "Content not supported'

Images
.jpg still OK

Video
.mp4, .wmv. .mpg still OK, still cannot play .mkv and I now have a good .avi file that plays with Samsung PCSM but not with MC

[bob]

The wma files aren't protected are they? We don't support protected wma's at this time.

Not sure what's up with the mkv, they work on samsung tv's now. What's in your mkv container?
(i.e. h264 vid, ac3 audio)?

[Britinva]

The wma files aren't protected are they? We don't support protected wma's at this time.

No not a protected WMA

Not sure what's up with the mkv, they work on samsung tv's now. What's in your mkv container?
(i.e. h264 vid, ac3 audio)?

This is what Media Info shows for the MKV - plays fine using Serviio or PCSM

General
Complete name                    : C:\Users\Owner\Stream Content\Video Content\DVDs\Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.mkv
Format                           : Matroska
File size                        : 790 MiB
Duration                         : 2h 33mn
Overall bit rate                 : 720 Kbps
Writing application              : HandBrake 0.9.4

Video
ID                               : 1
Format                           : AVC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                   : Main@L3.0
Format settings, CABAC           : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames        : 2 frames
Muxing mode                      : Container profile=Unknown@3.0
Codec ID                         : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration                         : 2h 33mn
Width                            : 720 pixels
Height                           : 360 pixels
Display aspect ratio             : 2.35:1
Frame rate                       : 23.976 fps
Resolution                       : 8 bits
Colorimetry                      : 4:2:0
Scan type                        : Progressive
Writing library                  : x264 core 79
Encoding settings                : cabac=1 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=6 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=3 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=2 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / wpredb=0 / wpredp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Color primaries                  : BT.601-6 525, BT.1358 525, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M
Transfer characteristics         : BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix coefficients              : BT.601-6 525, BT.1358 525, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M

Audio
ID                               : 2
Format                           : AAC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version                   : Version 4
Format profile                   : LC
Format settings, SBR             : No
Codec ID                         : A_AAC
Duration                         : 2h 33mn
Channel(s)                       : 2 channels
Channel positions                : Front: L R
Sampling rate                    : 48.0 KHz
Language                         : English

[bob]

I'll do some more checking into the wma's.

The video problem may be helped with builds >=29 and the DLNAExtra flag. 15.0.29 isn't generally available yet.

[Britinva]

I'll do some more checking into the wma's.

This is what Media Info shows for the WMA

General
Complete name                    : C:\Users\Owner\Stream Content\Music Content\One Step Beyond.wma
Format                           : Windows Media
File size                        : 7.06 MiB
Duration                         : 6mn 6s
Overall bit rate mode            : Constant
Overall bit rate                 : 162 Kbps
Maximum Overall bit rate         : 161 Kbps
Album                            : Realize
Track name                       : One Step Beyond
Track name/Position              : 7
Performer                        : Karsh Kale
Composer                         : Karsh Kale
Publisher                        : Six Degrees
Genre                            : Electronica & Dance
Recorded date                    : 2001
Encoded date                     : UTC 2066-12-19 03:54:40 / UTC 2006-01-14 00:21:12.245
Cover                            : Y
Comment                          : "One Step Beyond" performed by Karsh Kale from the CD "Realize" courtesy of Six Degrees Records Ltd.  Written by Karsh Kale, published by Six Degrees Music/ASCAP.  All Rights Reserved.  Used by Permission. 
Author/Url                       :  http://www.karshkale.com/
Provider                         : AMG
WM/ProviderRating                : 3
WM/ProviderStyle                 : Electronica

Audio
ID                               : 1
Format                           : WMA
Format version                   : Version 2
Codec ID                         : 161
Codec ID/Info                    : Windows Media Audio
Description of the codec         : Windows Media Audio 9.1 - 160 kbps, 44 kHz, stereo 1-pass CBR
Duration                         : 6mn 6s
Bit rate mode                    : Constant
Bit rate                         : 160 Kbps
Channel(s)                       : 2 channels
Sampling rate                    : 44.1 KHz
Resolution                       : 16 bits
Stream size                      : 6.98 MiB (99%)

[Britinva]

Good news is that with 15.0.31 I can now play MKVs

Still do not see thumbnails on Images or Movies, and still cannot play WMA audio

I'll hopefully do some more testing tomorrow to make sure other files still playing.

[Britinva]

Further to the WMA issue - I used MC15 to Rip a CD and output was WMA. They won't play via the MC15 DLNA but are fine via Samsung PCSM

[JimH]

Further to the WMA issue - I used MC15 to Rip a CD and output was WMA. They won't play via the MC15 DLNA but are fine via Samsung PCSM

Thank you for your patience and your excellent bug reports.  You have been a great help to Bob.

[Britinva]

Thank you for your patience and your excellent bug reports.  You have been a great help to Bob.

No problem - I really like the library and tagging side of MC so keen on getting this fully working. WMA not such a big deal for me as always can use MP3 for audio. Really like to see the thumbnail fixed.

I'm sure the Samsung interface is going to be the biggest hurdle as on other DLNA servers the thumbnails are 16:9 ratio so a DVD cover may not work but I can always create my own graphics for that part.

I'm going to run thru all my test files again later.....just let me know if anything else I can test or any logs you might need.

Once we get this all working will post a glowing recommendation over at AVSForum in the Samsing AllShare thread.

[Britinva]

Just run thru all my test files with 15.0.31

Settings
Audio
Conversion: Never convert

Images
Shrink large images: unchecked
Support image content: checked

Video
Convert video: unchecked
Support video content: check

Advanced
DLNA: checked
DLNAExtra: checked

Testing
Video: AVI, MP4, WMV, MPG, MPEG, MKV all OK
Audio: MP3 OK, WMA "File not Supported'
Image: JPG OK

Thumbnails
Audio: Shows the Album cover
Image & Video: just see a generic image

[bob]

Could you try wma again with build 32 when it comes out later today?

As far as the thumbs for images and video are concerned, do you see them with serviio (that is one of the servers I use for testing).

[Britinva]

Could you try wma again with build 32 when it comes out later today?

Will do

As far as the thumbs for images and video are concerned, do you see them with serviio (that is one of the servers I use for testing).

Yes, I get thumbnails with both Serviio and Samsung PCSM. On Serviio you have to use the Samsung WiselinkPro profile

[bob]

The thumbs MAY be fixed in this build as well.

[Britinva]

Just installed 15.0.32

WMA files now working (so all my test files now working).

Unfortunatly still do not see thumbnails on Images and Videos

[bob]

Just installed 15.0.32

WMA files now working (so all my test files now working).

Cool!

Unfortunatly still do not see thumbnails on Images and Videos

Drat.
It fixed them for the PS3  I didn't notice but the PS3 was building them from the files it displayed, now it uses the thumbs. There are a couple other ways the Sammy could be getting the thumbs, we'll see if we can track it down.

[Britinva]

There are a couple other ways the Sammy could be getting the thumbs, we'll see if we can track it down.

With Serviio and PCSM initially the player would use a frame from the movie. But with Serviio it's able to pass either a thumbnail from online metadata or from a local image.

[bob]

With Serviio and PCSM initially the player would use a frame from the movie. But with Serviio it's able to pass either a thumbnail from online metadata or from a local image.

We have our own thumbnail database which is built dynamically in the background. That can be overridden in various ways with user supplied cover art. If thumbs show when you view the items in MC then that thumb is passed as cover art (be it for audio, images or video) to the renderer.
If the renderer chooses not to show it then it's looking for it in a different way.

[Britinva]

We have our own thumbnail database which is built dynamically in the background. That can be overridden in various ways with user supplied cover art. If thumbs show when you view the items in MC then that thumb is passed as cover art (be it for audio, images or video) to the renderer.
If the renderer chooses not to show it then it's looking for it in a different way.

Yeah, see that. What I've done is used a few different options (i.e. let MC generate from file, use the Wikpedia option and assigned own image) to see if thumbnail get passed thru with any option and they don't.

[Britinva]

Yipee

Thumbnails are now working for both Images & Movies using 15.0.35

So now we have all 'supported' files working would really like to try out how unsupported files might be supported - e.g. direct rips from DVD.

From what I have read ISO is not supported - but IFO/VOB's are? Will this enable use of menu's & chapters?

What about Digital copies - looks like Windows Media DRM is supported but what about those obtained via iTunes?

How does MC know that a File is not supported by the renderer in order to convert?

[JimH]

MC can play WM files that have DRM, but I don't think we'll be allowed to convert them so they can be played on other devices.

[bob]

Yipee
Thumbnails are now working for both Images & Movies using 15.0.35

Yea!

...
How does MC know that a File is not supported by the renderer in order to convert?

mp3 and jpg are considered supported for all devices.

If you turn on "convert when necessary" for audio, all audio formats other than mp3 will be converted to the selected encoder. If you choose "always convert" the audio will be converted regardless of whether it's supported or not. If an audio file is to be converted, it will be run through replay gain and converted to the selected sample rate.

For images, nothing will be converted unless "shrink large images" is selected in which case all images are converted to jpeg with a maximum dimension of 1024x768 maintaining aspect ratio.

For video, unless the convert video switch is on all video will be sent as is. The exception is .ifo's which will be streamed as a single "file". When video conversion is on, everything that is NOT wmc compatible is converted to a mpeg2/ac3 ps stream and if it's wmc compatible (xbox 360) it will be converted to wmv 8.

[Britinva]

For video, unless the convert video switch is on all video will be sent as is. The exception is .ifo's which will be streamed as a single "file".

So what format are .ifo's streamed in? Will they be WMV

Is there are specific folder/file structure for ifo's? Or do you just include the direct rip structure in your share?

I think would be good if in a future you could tell MC what native files are supported by your DLNA renderer and what to convert any non-supported file types too. Wopuld not want any native supported files converted.

[bob]

So what format are .ifo's streamed in? Will they be WMV

Is there are specific folder/file structure for ifo's? Or do you just include the direct rip structure in your share?

The .ifo's are streamed in their native format, usually mpeg2/ac3. Though there are separate .vobs they are treated as a single file for streaming and are seekable.

I think would be good if in a future you could tell MC what native files are supported by your DLNA renderer and what to convert any non-supported file types too. Would not want any native supported files converted.

There needs to be something that let's one specify the supported file types by server instance (essentially per device).

[Britinva]

I just tried a rip of Avatar.

It has 1 .ifo and 8 vobs

MC displays only 3 of the VOBs - 2 of them play in English and one plays in French.

They show exactly the same way in the Samsung player - but good news is they play.

So a few Q's

1) How can I get all VOB's to show?
2) Is it possible to group them a a single movie?
3) How do you specify the language?

If this in the User Guide /WiKi can someone point me too where its explained? I did try to find but no luck.

[Britinva]

I still cannot get IFO/VOB working correctly..... tried searching both MC14 & 15 forums but could not find answer.

I have following folder structure

AVATAR
  VIDEO_TS
     VTS_05 - Stream Information
     VTS_05_0.IFO
     VTS_05_1.VOB
     VTS_05_2.VOB
     VTS_05_3.VOB
     VTS_05_4.VOB
     VTS_05_5.VOB
     VTS_05_6.VOB
     VTS_05_7.VOB
     VTS_05_8.VOB

Only VTS_05_1.VOB, VTS_05_2.VOB & VTS_05_3.VOB show in MC

VTS_05_1.VOB & VTS_05_3.VOB are in English and VTS_05_3.VOB is in French.

Any idea what am I doing wrong?

[JohnT]

I'm looking into this - I need to either get a copy of Avatar or try to repro the issue on the movies we have here.  If you run across another movie with the problem (or if I missed a comment above), please let me know.
Thanks.

[Britinva]

I re-ripped the DVD and this time I ommitted all the additional audio tracks and subtittles.

Now I cannot get any of the VOB's to import into MC or play via MC.

They play fine with Nero Showtime

[EDIT] I'll try another movie tomorrow.

[Britinva]

A question on VOB's

Do I need to keep file structure

AVATAR
  VIDEO_TS
     VTS_05_xx
     VTS_05_xx

Or can I just do:

AVATAR
   VTS_05_xx
   VTS_05_xx

[Britinva]

I ripped all 3 Pirates of the Carribean (IFO/VOB) using DVD Decrypter- none of them were picked up by MC although they are in a sub-folder of the specified Video file location.

I can play them opening (File --> Open Media File) but unable to import.

This is not a big deal for me as VOB streaming to the Samsung player has a 10s gap when switching to the next VOB. So I'm going to stick with MKV's for my DLNA Streaming.

[JohnT]

I can't repro the problem with importing a DVD from folders other than VIDEO_TS.
If you had deleted the files from your library and were re-importing them, did you remember to uncheck the "Ignore files previously deleted..." checkbox at import time?

[Britinva]

I can't repro the problem with importing a DVD from folders other than VIDEO_TS.
If you had deleted the files from your library and were re-importing them, did you remember to uncheck the "Ignore files previously deleted..." checkbox at import time?

Yes, that is unchecked and it not just the Avatar files that I changed from original rip but also the new rips. None of them  are appearing in MC.

BTW - now running 15.0.38

Not sure if this makes a difference but the rips were using DVD Dcrypter and I used the Stream Processing to remove unwanted audio & subtitles.

This is what MediaInfo shows

General
Complete name                    : C:\Users\Owner\Stream Content\Video Content\DVDs\PotC-1\VTS_01_1.VOB
Format                           : MPEG-PS
File size                        : 1 024 MiB
Duration                         : 24mn 34s
Overall bit rate                 : 5 824 Kbps

Video
ID                               : 224 (0xE0)
Format                           : MPEG Video
Format version                   : Version 2
Format profile                   : Main@Main
Format settings, BVOP            : Yes
Format settings, Matrix          : Default
Duration                         : 24mn 34s
Bit rate mode                    : Variable
Bit rate                         : 5 049 Kbps
Nominal bit rate                 : 9 800 Kbps
Width                            : 720 pixels
Height                           : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio             : 16:9
Frame rate                       : 23.976 fps
Standard                         : NTSC
Resolution                       : 8 bits
Colorimetry                      : 4:2:0
Scan type                        : Progressive
Scan order                       : 2:3 Pulldown
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)               : 0.609
Stream size                      : 887 MiB (87%)

Audio #1
ID                               : 128 (0x80)
Format                           : AC-3
Format/Info                      : Audio Coding 3
Duration                         : 24mn 33s
Bit rate mode                    : Constant
Bit rate                         : 448 Kbps
Channel(s)                       : 6 channels
Channel positions                : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate                    : 48.0 KHz
Stream size                      : 78.7 MiB (8%)

Audio #2
ID                               : 133 (0x85)
Format                           : AC-3
Format/Info                      : Audio Coding 3
Duration                         : 24mn 33s
Bit rate mode                    : Constant
Bit rate                         : 96.0 Kbps
Channel(s)                       : 1 channel
Channel positions                : Front: C
Sampling rate                    : 48.0 KHz
Stream size                      : 16.9 MiB (2%)

[trlaing]

Just run thru all my test files with 15.0.31

Settings
Audio
Conversion: Never convert

Images
Shrink large images: unchecked
Support image content: checked

Video
Convert video: unchecked
Support video content: check

Advanced
DLNA: checked
DLNAExtra: checked

Testing
Video: AVI, MP4, WMV, MPG, MPEG, MKV all OK
Audio: MP3 OK, WMA "File not Supported'
Image: JPG OK

Thumbnails
Audio: Shows the Album cover
Image & Video: just see a generic image

I have just installed JRiver Media Center v15.0.172 to hopefully replace Samsung PC Share Manager (which cannot handle a large database very well) for use with my Samsung BD-C6500 Blu-ray player. I can play MP3 music files and AVI video files but when trying to play MKV video files get the message on my Samsung player "Not Supported File Format". I have set the settings as shown above (as cose as I can in this version), and read through this forum and am still having no luck. Is there something else I need to do?

[JimH]

Welcome to the forum.  Better video conversion is coming in a future version.

[Britinva]

I have just installed JRiver Media Center v15.0.172 to hopefully replace Samsung PC Share Manager (which cannot handle a large database very well) for use with my Samsung BD-C6500 Blu-ray player. I can play MP3 music files and AVI video files but when trying to play MKV video files get the message on my Samsung player "Not Supported File Format". I have set the settings as shown above (as cose as I can in this version), and read through this forum and am still having no luck. Is there something else I need to do?

Do the same MKV's play with PCSM?

What are the audio/video codecs within the MKV container?

[bob]

Do the same MKV's play with PCSM?

What are the audio/video codecs within the MKV container?

It would be very useful to know the codecs. Do they play without transcoding using the Samsung server?

[trlaing]

It would be very useful to know the codecs. Do they play without transcoding using the Samsung server?

Hi
Sorry, I forgot to mention that all the MKVs I have work fine with Samsung PC Share Manager. I have no idea if it transcodes them. Codec information is as follows (from VLC Player):
Video
H264 - MPEG-4 AVC (part 10) (avc1)
Language: English
Resolution: 1280x720
Frame rate: 23.976215

Audio
Codec: A52 Audio (aka AC3) (a52)
Channels: 3F2R/LFE
Sample rat: 48000 Hz
Bitrate: 382 ks/s

I have just tried playing a few of the MKVs using JRiver Media Center and I get the error:
DirectShow: Class not registered
 Code=0x80040154

To be honest, I have no need to play them on the PC, which is the reason I hadn't tried it before.

[JimH]

I have just tried playing a few of the MKVs using JRiver Media Center and I get the error:
DirectShow: Class not registered
 Code=0x80040154

To be honest, I have no need to play them on the PC, which is the reason I hadn't tried it before.

You could read about DirectShow on our Wiki.  Installing CCCP usually fixes problems like that. 

[bob]

For the mkvs, try turning video conversion off. They might play then given your codecs.
You may have to create 2 servers, one converting and the other not if you have a lot of mixed material.