Putting files onto a Tablet

[seaninsa]

Have you looked at Plex? I use Plex to download movies to my iPad for travel use. They also have an android app. A big plus is that Plex can transcode the files resolution down to save space and match a tablet capability. I have a full Plex license and don’t know the limitations of the free version.

Thanks..might try that..was putting it on a tablet for a friend.

[KidJoe]

I use Plex with my Galaxy Tab S4 to sync videos when we travel. I have a 512 gig MicroSD inserted and sync to that. But I also have Plex cut them down to 720p/4mbit to save a little space and fit more on.

But I do have some MP4's I've downloaded with Dvdfab YouTube downloader directly on the Tab and they play fine using the Samsung Video Player.

If I get a chance I'll try some Netflix downloads and such copied directly on the micro card if I get a chance this weekend.

[seaninsa]

This was my point with my previous link, noted that you wasn't doing anything wrong, it's documented that some mp4 videos work and some do not with Samsung Galaxy, weather it be mobile or tablet, it's a problem. Another link.............(Google) "How to Play MP4 on Galaxy S7/S6/S5/S4/S3/S2/Tab/Note Smoothly?"

I used another converter and what is weird some of the files will work and then others won't. For example, was converting Band of Brothers. Three episodes worked and then nada. Would anyone know why that is the case?

[KidJoe]

I used another converter and what is weird some of the files will work and then others won't. For example, was converting Band of Brothers. Three episodes worked and then nada. Would anyone know why that is the case?

Check the files using https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo Change the View to TEXT to see more details. Compare the Audio and video sections between a video that works and one that doesn't.

I was able to copy 2 files to my Tab S4, and use the Samsung Video Player app to play them back. Here are the details of these files...


Superman Returns (downloaded from HBOMax)

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4
Format settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 4 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 2 h 34 min
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 8 250 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 12.4 Mb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 816 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.35:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.220
Stream size : 8.87 GiB (95%)
Writing library : x264 core 157 r2965 861cec4
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=4 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=25 / lookahead_threads=4 / 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=2 / keyint=96 / keyint_min=96 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=8250 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=12375 / vbv_bufsize=6187 / nal_hrd=vbr / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 3
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Commercial name : Dolby Digital
Codec ID : ac-3
Duration : 2 h 34 min
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 kb/s
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel layout : L R C LFE Ls Rs
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 31.250 FPS (1536 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 424 MiB (4%)
Title : English
Language : English
Service kind : Complete Main
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

2012 (downloaded from Amazon a while back)

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4
Format settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 4 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 2 h 37 min
Bit rate : 6 770 kb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 800 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.40:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.184
Stream size : 7.46 GiB (91%)
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 3
Format : E-AC-3
Format/Info : Enhanced AC-3
Commercial name : Dolby Digital Plus
Codec ID : ec-3
Duration : 2 h 37 min
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 640 kb/s
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel layout : L R C LFE Ls Rs
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 31.250 FPS (1536 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 722 MiB (9%)
Language : English
Service kind : Complete Main
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

I was even able to copy/play a third that was an MKV I made from a bluray... Jack Reacher

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings : CABAC / 3 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 3 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=4, N=24
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 2 h 10 min
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 16.8 Mb/s
Maximum bit rate : 30.0 Mb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (23976/1000) FPS
Original frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.337
Stream size : 15.3 GiB (76%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : DTS XLL
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems
Commercial name : DTS-HD Master Audio
Codec ID : A_DTS
Duration : 2 h 10 min
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 4 173 kb/s
Channel(s) : 8 channels
Channel layout : C L R LFE Lb Rb Lss Rss
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 93.750 FPS (512 SPF)
Bit depth : 24 bits
Compression mode : Lossless
Stream size : 3.80 GiB (19%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No

I used the samsung My Files app to navigate to the card/folder, and the Samsung Video Player to play them back. They all played fine.

Again this is using my Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, and the files are on a Samsung EVO Select 512gig UHS-I U3 card from Amazon.

That being said, these videos are 8gig, 9gig and 21 gig. That will eat up a bunch of space. That is why I used Plex to "sync" movies to my tab, and cut them down to 720p/4Mbit where they end up as 1280x720 with AAC Stereo, and 2-5 gig in size and ALWAYS PLAY without me having to do anything else.

Unfortunately sync'ing to a mobile device appears to require a PlexPass, either monthly, yearly or life time. BUT since we traveled a lot pre-covid (and my wife more so for work) we often were sync'ing movies for the plane to our iPads, Phones and my Galaxy Tab, plus I use plex to play my movies via Roku and FireTV to the TV's in the house, a LifeTime PlexPass was worth it.

[SirRush]

Has anyone had issues with putting the downloaded files use StreamFab onto a tablet? For some reason often I have problems reading them on the tablet. I am using a Samsung Galaxy 7. Any advice?

You don't need to rerender (transcode) the video or audio. Stop using VLC until several bugs are fixed. Subtitles playing is another bug. I'm using XPlayer, it's really good and support MP4 and MKV without any problems. I almost always convert MP4 to MKV because MKV is more Universal and if I want to edit Subtitles (SRT) MKV allows very easy extraction and muxing back. XPlayer also doesn't have video sizing problems with your Tablet that VLC does. I'm using Galaxy Tab S7...but it really doesn't matter. Also, Internal or MicroSD..doesn't matter which. I prefer MicroSD though I have 256GB of Internal RAM storage. Also, XPlayer will play pretty smooth mostly through Wi-Fi...VLC has jitters at times. XPlayer and Dex are GREAT together.

You could use DuckDuckGo.com to search more about VLC video problems..and I don't know of a new version for Android yet. DuckDuckGo.com doesn't track you, and it won't create spam ads through Web pages as Google does.

[twhiting9275]

Have you looked at Plex? I use Plex to download movies to my iPad for travel use. They also have an android app. A big plus is that Plex can transcode the files resolution down to save space and match a tablet capability. I have a full Plex license and don’t know the limitations of the free version.

I have a tablet specifically for travel and entertainment use, and yes, Plex wins this. The app does all the heavy lifting, and things work like a dream

[seaninsa]

Check the files using https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo Change the View to TEXT to see more details. Compare the Audio and video sections between a video that works and one that doesn't.

I used that program you recommended. Here is the output. The first one worked and the one below it did not. How do I fix it then?

Complete name : D:\Samsung\Band of Brothers_S01E04_Replacements.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom (isom/iso2/mp41)
File size : 1.92 GiB
Duration : 59 min 41 s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 4 616 kb/s
Collection : Band of Brothers
Season : 1
Track name : Band of Brothers_S01E04_Replacements
Description : Replacements
Recorded date : 2021
Writing application : DVDFab
Comment : 585b02c8-dbe1-432f-b1bb-11cf670fbeb0
Part_ID : 4

Video
ID : 1
Format : MPEG-4 Visual
Format profile : Simple@L1
Format settings, BVOP : No
Format settings, QPel : No
Format settings, GMC : No warppoints
Format settings, Matrix : Default (H.263)
Codec ID : mp4v-20
Duration : 59 min 41 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 4 420 kb/s
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.200
Stream size : 1.84 GiB (96%)
Writing library : DVDFab

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 59 min 41 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 82.0 MiB (4%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

Text
ID : 3
Format : Timed Text
Muxing mode : sbtl
Codec ID : tx3g
Duration : 58 min 51 s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 44 b/s
Stream size : 19.0 KiB (0%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No
Alternate group : 3

eneral
Complete name : D:\Samsung\Band of Brothers_S01E05_Crossroads.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom (isom/iso2/mp41)
File size : 1.79 GiB
Duration : 55 min 39 s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 4 616 kb/s
Collection : Band of Brothers
Season : 1
Track name : Band of Brothers_S01E05_Crossroads
Description : Crossroads
Recorded date : 2021
Writing application : DVDFab
Comment : 585b02c8-dbe1-432f-b1bb-11cf670fbeb0
Part_ID : 5

Video
ID : 1
Format : MPEG-4 Visual
Format profile : Simple@L1
Format settings, BVOP : No
Format settings, QPel : No
Format settings, GMC : No warppoints
Format settings, Matrix : Default (H.263)
Codec ID : mp4v-20
Duration : 55 min 39 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 4 420 kb/s
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.200
Stream size : 1.72 GiB (96%)
Writing library : DVDFab

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 55 min 39 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 76.4 MiB (4%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

Text
ID : 3
Format : Timed Text
Muxing mode : sbtl
Codec ID : tx3g
Duration : 52 min 40 s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 67 b/s
Stream size : 26.0 KiB (0%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No
Alternate group : 3

[KidJoe]

I used that program you recommended. Here is the output. The first one worked and the one below it did not. How do I fix it then?

IF you are still using VLC to play them back, try using the Samsung Player instead. Also make sure its the latest Samsung player (while inside the player, use the 3 dot menu, select About Video Player, if there are updates it will have a button to update it.) On my Tab S4, its version 7.3.05.10. Keep in mind, that if I use the Video app icon from the app drawer, its a different player than if I use the Samsung My Files app, find the video, click to open it and select Video Player.

It looks like you are using DVDFab Video Converter. While I own that app, I haven't used it in some time.

[seaninsa]

IF you are still using VLC to play them back, try using the Samsung Player instead. Also make sure its the latest Samsung player (while inside the player, use the 3 dot menu, select About Video Player, if there are updates it will have a button to update it.) On my Tab S4, its version 7.3.05.10. Keep in mind, that if I use the Video app icon from the app drawer, its a different player than if I use the Samsung My Files app, find the video, click to open it and select Video Player.

It looks like you are using DVDFab Video Converter. While I own that app, I haven't used it in some time.

Which video converter do you use? I was using Xplayer. I was reading that a lot of people were having issues with the Samsung Video Player but will try it. There were posts about it not working right after the latest update.

[KidJoe]

Which video converter do you use? I was using Xplayer. I was reading that a lot of people were having issues with the Samsung Video Player but will try it. There were posts about it not working right after the latest update.

I don't convert video files anymore. I use a Plex Media Server to hold and manage all my movies, music, videos, pictures, and let it and the PLEX apps do any conversion, if needed, when I use it to "download/sync" to get stuff on my mobile devices, or when I playback/stream to my Roku/FireTV/ANdroidTV devices connected to our TVs.

[seaninsa]

I got one file to download but then tried others and nada. I got this message " “There is an error with this item”

Not sure why I got this error...what do I need to do in my Plex. I have had a Plex Media server for years.

[KidJoe]

seaninsa one thing I noticed... of the videos you posted before... shows...

Video
ID : 1
Format : MPEG-4 Visual
Format profile : Simple@L1
Format settings, BVOP : No
Format settings, QPel : No
Format settings, GMC : No warppoints
Format settings, Matrix : Default (H.263)
Codec ID : mp4v-20

Notice that H.263? That is different. Do the Galaxy Tabs support h.263?

What profile did you pick in DVDFab? And was it DVDFab Converter? or something else?

I just did a test with a 4K UHD Rip video I had and a StreamFab download from HBO, pulled them into DVDFab VIdeo Converter, selected Device -> Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 as the profile to use, and for the video, the output files are...

Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4
Format settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 4 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=24
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding

They each play fine when manually copied to my Tab S4 and played using the Samsung video player (Again, I used My Files -> navigated to the videos, tapped them, and selected the Video Player).

I wonder if that H.263 is the issue?

IN post 26 of this thread, you mention you've had a Plex Server for years. So I'm a little lost on why you appear to want to convert video files, copy them to the tablet and use VLC to play them back, rather than using the original files on your Plex Server, and the Plex Mobile app to play them back?

In post 16 you mention putting it on a tablet for a friend. IF doing this for a friend is where you want to end up, I'd test the friend's tablet against your Plex server and if it works, then setup a Plex Server for your friend, or just share your plex server with your friend.

[seaninsa]

seaninsa one thing I noticed... of the videos you posted before... shows...

Video
ID : 1
Format : MPEG-4 Visual
Format profile : Simple@L1
Format settings, BVOP : No
Format settings, QPel : No
Format settings, GMC : No warppoints
Format settings, Matrix : Default (H.263)
Codec ID : mp4v-20

Notice that H.263? That is different. Do the Galaxy Tabs support h.263?

What profile did you pick in DVDFab? And was it DVDFab Converter? or something else?

I just did a test with a 4K UHD Rip video I had and a StreamFab download from HBO, pulled them into DVDFab VIdeo Converter, selected Device -> Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 as the profile to use, and for the video, the output files are...

Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4
Format settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 4 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=24
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding

They each play fine when manually copied to my Tab S4 and played using the Samsung video player (Again, I used My Files -> navigated to the videos, tapped them, and selected the Video Player).

I wonder if that H.263 is the issue?

IN post 26 of this thread, you mention you've had a Plex Server for years. So I'm a little lost on why you appear to want to convert video files, copy them to the tablet and use VLC to play them back, rather than using the original files on your Plex Server, and the Plex Mobile app to play them back?

In post 16 you mention putting it on a tablet for a friend. IF doing this for a friend is where you want to end up, I'd test the friend's tablet against your Plex server and if it works, then setup a Plex Server for your friend, or just share your plex server with your friend.

To be honest I didn't know I could do it from the Plex server. I didn't know that feature of the Plex. The tablet is for a friend in Kenya. WiFi there sucks!! You have to buy data bundles there.