[dannyd4315]

I have a couple of files of 720p mkv's at around 3600 Kbps bit rate.

They are encoded with AC3 for audio.

I am looking to pay them back just using HDMI and stereo audio to my TV.

Is there a good chance I will be able to do this?

Here is the info on the file:

Format : Matroska
File size : 1.09 GiB
Duration : 41mn 44s
Overall bit rate : 3 748 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2008-09-19 03:45:20
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.0.2 ('You're My Flame') built on Sep 20 2007 09:25:45
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video
ID : 2
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : [email protected]
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 3 frames
Muxing mode : Container [email protected]
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 41mn 42s
Bit rate : 3 207 Kbps
Nominal bit rate : 3 360 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Resolution : 24 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.145
Writing library : x264 core 64 978tw
Language : English

Audio
ID : 1
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 41mn 44s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Surround: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz

[darklordjames3]

It'll play, but it will drop tons of frames. Nothing 720p MKV that you find on places like torrent sites will play well.

[dannyd4315]

Ok thats great, well at least I know now.

Thanks very much mate.

[WAdam]

With HD content, I've found it best to just convert to FrontRow happy format (m4v or mp4) and I can play decent bitrates (in the range of 3000-4500 720p).

[dannyd4315]

How long does it normally take to convert say a 45min file?

[WAdam]

see this thread for more details,

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=44130

but I would estimate a 90-120 minute movie can take up to 2-3 hours. I usually start it and leave it so the time is a very rough estimate. I would think a 45min conversion would take about 45min. Smaller files seem to convert at a quicker rate than larger ones but, that may not factor into it at all.

[pender]

720p Mkv (H.264) with 3000-3500 kbps plays fine on XBMC (Atlantis) for me. It drops the occasional frames in pan shots but still very watchable. XBMC Beta 2 was a different issue.

Give the original 720p H.264 in an mkv container a try first.

[interceptor121]

The ATV hardware does not support High profile feature like CABAC

It does play MKV done with main profile you just have to make sure you don't use ANY high profile feature and that you use bitrates lower than 5000 at max 25 fps

Your file is high profile so it wouldn't play correctly

[dafranca]

http://forum.boxee.tv/showpost.php?p=34668&postcount=74