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Why does one of these files play and the other not?


I have two mp4 files, one of which I have copied from a website about encoding formats, and one of which I have encoded on my system. The file I have copied can be played in a JWPlayer (v6) on my site when viewed in Chrome on an Android 4 device, and the file I encoded cannot. I can't work out what is different between the two of them. Can anyone shed any light?

Doesn't work: http://development.kalaam.org/ind/mlsp-dl/238/11622/40811
Does work: http://development.kalaam.org/ind/mlsp-dl/238/11623/40810

These are both mp4 files, sized 480x272, with a video bitrate of around 900kbps and frame rate of 24fps. I am at my wit's end! Grateful for any help.

8 Community Answers

Ethan Feldman

JW Player Support Agent  
0 rated :

I can’t view either of these links. I get this message:

“Anda tidak disahkan untuk mengakses halaman ini.”

JW Player

User  
0 rated :

That's Indonesian for a 403 - no permission.

JW Player

User  
0 rated :

Ah, yes, my mistake. Sorry for wasting your time there. Here are the correct links:

Doesn't work: http://development-e.kalaam.org/mlsp-dl/238/11622/40811
Does work: http://development-e.kalaam.org/mlsp-dl/238/11623/40810

JW Player

User  
0 rated :

The "doesn't work" video works just fine in any desktop browser, so it's puzzling why Android would have trouble with it (I have no mobile with which to test it). Standard advice - try running it through HandBrake with default settings plus check "Web optimized," and see if that magically cures the problem.

http://handbrake.fr/

Ethan Feldman

JW Player Support Agent  
0 rated :

Yeah, how was the 1st video encoded?

JW Player

User  
0 rated :

The first video was encoded using this:

ffmpeg -y -i INPUT -s 480x272 -r 24 -b 900k -bt 240k -vcodec libx264 -vpre ipod320 -acodec libfaac -ac 2 -ar 48000 -ab 192k OUTPUT.mp4

Due to the system it is to be part of, I need to find a way it can be done through a linux command line (shell) command. I'll try it through handbrake, but if that fixes it, I may be no nearer a solution!

Both files are served by PHP so the headers should be exactly the same. I agree that it is strange that they both work on desktops etc without problems.

JW Player

User  
0 rated :

I've just noticed handbrake is also available for ubuntu. So I'll have a go with that and let you know. If it works then I do have a solution after all! :)

Thanks for the swift responses, by the way! Immensely impressed.

Ethan Feldman

JW Player Support Agent  
0 rated :

Yeah, I would give HandBrake a go and see if it helps!

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