KDL50W829B Media Player crashing when connecting External HDD through USB

[Vlad87]

Hi, 

Recently purchased the KDL50W829B and have no problems with it except for one, but it's a major one, as being able to play media from an external USB HDD was one of the reasons for upgrading. I am using a WD 500GB HDD only containing video files of various formats, no mp3s or other types of files on it. the problem is as follows:

1. I plug in the HDD into the USB socket

2. TV recognises it and asks if I want to launch the Media Player (whether I chose Yes, or No and launch it myself through Home button, makes no difference, I've tried every way possible) 

3. (When in Media Player) At this stage time varies but the result is always the same. Sometimes it crashes when trying to access the Media Player. Sometimes it crashes while scanning the files on the HDD. Sometimes it scans and displayes all the media on the HDD and crashes when I try to browse them. Sometimes it even lets me play a file or two, but most times it doesn't. 

4. No matter what, the result in the end is always the same. I get a window saying: "Unfortunately the Media Player has stopped" and OK button to press.

5. Ussually I'm not even fast enough to press the OK and the TV powers down and reboots with black screen and SONY on it. The time of the reboot always varies but after it turns itself on again it goes to either TV or HDMI1

6. Here is the strange part and the most anoying one. If I just leave it there after the reboot watching normal TV and don't unplug the HDD it will go through the reboot process over and over againg every 90 seconds (timed it) even if I don't try to access the HDD. And it will keep rebooting untill I unplug the HDD.

7. I have also tried a Toshiba 160GB HDD freshly formated with just a handfull of files on it with the same results. So I doubt it's the HDD problem.

8. Read somewhere that HDD might need more power so I tried the Y USB cable to utilize both USB inputs to provide more power to the HDD with no luck.

Has anyone else experienced similar problems? Is there a way to fix this (maybe an alternative way to use HDD without launching the Media Player) or do I have to return the TV? I really wouldn't want to do that as I like everything else about it, but inability to watch a lot of the media I have on my eternal drives is a real dealbreaker.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi there

A couple of easy suggestions first :

1. Ensure that you have the latest firmware installed
2. Try both of the following to see if either works
   
   • Turn OFF the TV, connect USB HDD and then turn ON the TV again - Test
   • Disconnect USB HDD, Exit everything - then load the Media Player AND then connect the USB HDD - Test
3. Factory Reset the TV - It might clear any issues.

See if they help anyhow.

Cheers

[starwarsclark]

Yep I have exactly the same issue, I cannot play any media files at all.

The media player crashes and kills the TV.

Is there a fix for this?

I have factory reset the TV and this does not make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Hi all

Can you guys confirm if the files you are trying to play conforms to the supported codecs list:

http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/14HE468111/EN/codeclist.html#10

If you need more information on the files, download and install a program called "Media Info"

http://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo

Im just getting more information before passing this on to be honest

Cheers

[starwarsclark]

Hi and thanks for the reply, I have copied the movie onto an 8Gb USB stick twice, the first is MKV and I cannot see why I am getting a problem, the second is in MP4 format.

I will also point out that I have exactly the same problem when trying to Stream to the TV, either by Homestream, Serviio or Media Player. The TV freezes, the film never plays and the TV reboots and the only way out it is to unplug and plug it back in. The other day I could stream using Homstream but only SD movies, if I tried to play a HD movie then the above issue would happen, I now cannot play anything at all.

This is the Mediainfo details for the MKV version:

General
Unique ID                                : 255014083861827119110838279229047724117 (0xBFD9ED10A12B535FE30F519F02525855)
Complete name                            : N:\Four Weddings and a Funeral.mkv
Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 2
File size                                : 3.56 GiB
Duration                                 : 1h 57mn
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 4 332 Kbps
Encoded date                             : UTC 2013-10-23 17:50:21
Writing application                      : MakeMKV v1.8.5 win(x86-release)
Writing library                          : libmakemkv v1.8.5 (1.2.0/1.1.0) win(x86-release)

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : MPEG Video
Format version                           : Version 2
Format profile                           : Main@Main
Format settings, BVOP                    : No
Format settings, Matrix                  : Custom
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG2
Codec ID/Info                            : MPEG 1 or 2 Video
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 4 054 Kbps
Maximum bit rate                         : 9 800 Kbps
Width                                    : 720 pixels
Height                                   : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 4:3
Frame rate mode                          : Variable
Original frame rate                      : 29.970 fps
Standard                                 : Component
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Scan order                               : Top Field First
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Time code of first frame                 : 01:00:00;00
Time code source                         : Group of pictures header
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No
Color primaries                          : BT.601 NTSC
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.601
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.601

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AC-3
Format/Info                              : Audio Coding 3
Format profile                           : Dolby Digital
Mode extension                           : CM (complete main)
Format settings, Endianness              : Big
Codec ID                                 : A_AC3
Duration                                 : 1h 57mn
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 192 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel positions                        : Front: L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth                                : 16 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Delay relative to video                  : 18ms
Stream size                              : 161 MiB (4%)
Title                                    : 2/0
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No

Menu
00:00:00.000                             : en:Chapter 01
00:04:53.459                             : en:Chapter 02
00:10:29.795                             : en:Chapter 03
00:14:22.161                             : en:Chapter 04
00:21:50.942                             : en:Chapter 05
00:26:33.892                             : en:Chapter 06
00:34:46.717                             : en:Chapter 07
00:41:27.651                             : en:Chapter 08
00:50:25.689                             : en:Chapter 09
00:58:04.030                             : en:Chapter 10
01:01:46.069                             : en:Chapter 11
01:05:25.254                             : en:Chapter 12
01:08:58.167                             : en:Chapter 13
01:11:45.134                             : en:Chapter 14
01:22:51.333                             : en:Chapter 15
01:31:38.526                             : en:Chapter 16
01:37:10.491                             : en:Chapter 17
01:42:18.799                             : en:Chapter 18
01:49:32.766                             : en:Chapter 19
01:54:45.712                             : en:Chapter 20

The second is in MP4 format (done in Handbrake) and this is the Mediainfo details:

General
Complete name                            : N:\FWAAF.mp4
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID                                 : mp42
File size                                : 1.04 GiB
Duration                                 : 1h 57mn
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 1 266 Kbps
Encoded date                             : UTC 2014-08-01 19:40:38
Tagged date                              : UTC 2014-08-01 20:07:15
Writing application                      : HandBrake 0.9.9 2013052900

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : Main@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames                : 4 frames
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 1h 57mn
Bit rate                                 : 1 100 Kbps
Width                                    : 720 pixels
Height                                   : 354 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Original display aspect ratio            : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Variable
Frame rate                               : 24.544 fps
Minimum frame rate                       : 12.048 fps
Maximum frame rate                       : 30.303 fps
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.176
Stream size                              : 925 MiB (87%)
Writing library                          : x264 core 130 r2273 b3065e6
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=2 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=2 / 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=1 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=10 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=20000 / vbv_bufsize=25000 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date                             : UTC 2014-08-01 19:40:38
Tagged date                              : UTC 2014-08-01 20:07:15
Color primaries                          : BT.601 NTSC
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.601

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AAC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile                           : LC
Codec ID                                 : 40
Duration                                 : 1h 57mn
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 160 Kbps
Maximum bit rate                         : 194 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel positions                        : Front: L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 135 MiB (13%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2014-08-01 19:40:38
Tagged date                              : UTC 2014-08-01 20:07:15

Menu
ID                                       : 3
Codec ID                                 : text
Duration                                 : 1h 57mn
Encoded date                             : UTC 2014-08-01 19:40:38
Tagged date                              : UTC 2014-08-01 20:07:15
Bit rate mode                            : VBR

Will be very interested to hear what Sony say as I know it works for some people.My TV is only a few days old and I bought it from the Sony Outlet online store.

Cheers, Andy.

[Anonymous]

Hi there

Thank you for the additional information.

The MKV file:

 - This is encoded in MPEG2, and its not supported under the MKV container.  Therefore the file needs to be converted to something that is supported

The MP4 file:

I cannot see anything wrong with this file at this moment in time.

As a test (and to prove or dis-prove problem), can you try re-encoding the MKV file using H.264.  Use a program called Handbrake : HERE (its free).

Cheers

[starwarsclark]

Cheers for the reply, no change at all.

This is the Mediainfo file for the H264 version:

General
Unique ID                                : 182751066577485816056255461490063751389 (0x897C933CF77BDC34846B3874D1EAB8DD)
Complete name                            : N:\FWAAF.mkv
Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 2
File size                                : 1.04 GiB
Duration                                 : 1h 57mn
Overall bit rate                         : 1 266 Kbps
Writing application                      : HandBrake 0.9.9
Writing library                          : libmkv 0.6.5

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : Main@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames                : 4 frames
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Width                                    : 720 pixels
Height                                   : 354 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Original display aspect ratio            : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Variable
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Writing library                          : x264 core 130 r2273 b3065e6
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=2 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=2 / 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=1 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=10 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=20000 / vbv_bufsize=25000 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No
Color primaries                          : BT.601 NTSC
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.601

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AAC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile                           : LC
Codec ID                                 : A_AAC
Duration                                 : 1h 57mn
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel positions                        : Front: L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No

Menu
00:00:00.000                             : Chapter 1
00:04:53.493                             : Chapter 2
00:10:29.829                             : Chapter 3
00:14:22.311                             : Chapter 4
00:21:50.976                             : Chapter 5
00:26:34.042                             : Chapter 6
00:34:46.751                             : Chapter 7
00:41:27.685                             : Chapter 8
00:50:25.856                             : Chapter 9
00:58:04.064                             : Chapter 10
01:01:46.236                             : Chapter 11
01:05:25.288                             : Chapter 12
01:08:58.334                             : Chapter 13
01:11:45.284                             : Chapter 14
01:22:51.500                             : Chapter 15
01:31:38.693                             : Chapter 16
01:37:10.641                             : Chapter 17
01:42:18.932                             : Chapter 18
01:49:32.933                             : Chapter 19
01:54:45.862                             : Chapter 20

As I said I cannot play anything from a USB stick or Serviio/Homestream media server point of view at all, however I have discovered that I can play .MOV files that have been recorded using a Sony NEX camera! The system finds these and plays them fine!

Any other thoughts please?

FYI Mediainfo details from a .MOV file that works:

Format                                   : QuickTime
Format/Info                              : Original Apple specifications
File size                                : 83.9 MiB
Duration                                 : 1mn 8s
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 10.3 Mbps
Encoded date                             : UTC 2011-02-24 05:52:16
Tagged date                              : UTC 2011-02-24 05:52:16
Writing library                          : pana

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : JPEG
Codec ID                                 : jpeg
Duration                                 : 1mn 8s
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 10.2 Mbps
Width                                    : 640 pixels
Height                                   : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 4:3
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 30.000 fps
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 1.108
Stream size                              : 83.4 MiB (99%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2011-02-24 05:52:16
Tagged date                              : UTC 2011-02-24 05:52:16

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : PCM
Format settings, Endianness              : Little
Format settings, Sign                    : Unsigned
Codec ID                                 : raw
Duration                                 : 1mn 8s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 64.0 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 1 channel
Sampling rate                            : 8 000 Hz
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Stream size                              : 535 KiB (1%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2011-02-24 05:52:16
Tagged date                              : UTC 2011-02-24 05:52:16

Andy.

[Anonymous]

Oh darn it

Last question (easy one) - Can you confirm your TVs model number and firmware verision (under settings, product support).

Cheers

[Vlad87]

Hi,

Since my post I have been succesful at one thing. Some files work without crashing the TV. I have deleted the files that I thought TV did not agree with (MKV files) and since then had very few crashes, but still had them. Unfortunately the files I have deleted are supposed to be supported by the TV according to the Codec list provided above, unless I am not seeing something, so please feel free to correct me. I will post 3 mediainfo lists here. The first file works fine. The second and third do not and crash the TV. Just having these files on the USB drive crashes the Media player and TV, even if I don't try to access them.

P.S. the firmware is up to date

1.

General
Unique ID : 136550830055789937876215614683749848391 (0x66BABBB680FCB3F807F6D754C8149547)
Complete name : F:\Videos\TV Shows\Cosmos. A Space Time Odyssey\Cosmos S01E01.mkv
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 4 / Version 2
File size : 1.29 GiB
Duration : 43mn 47s
Overall bit rate : 4 212 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2014-03-10 02:18:38
Writing application : mkvmerge v6.7.0 ('Back to the Ground') 64bit built on Jan 8 2014 14:31:51
Writing library : libebml v1.3.0 + libmatroska v1.4.1

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 5 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 43mn 47s
Bit rate : 3 681 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.167
Stream size : 1.13 GiB (87%)
Writing library : x264 core 142 r2389 956c8d8
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=umh / subme=8 / 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=18 / lookahead_threads=4 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=5 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=23 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Default : No
Forced : No

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Format settings, Endianness : Big
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 43mn 47s
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
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -84ms
Stream size : 140 MiB (11%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No

2.

General
Unique ID : 221796448893418398377453685170664524778 (0xA6DC71372E9020C285DEB6C216564BEA)
Complete name : F:\Videos\TV Shows\Game of Thrones\Game of Thrones S02\Game of Thrones S02E01.mkv
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 2
File size : 5.96 GiB
Duration : 52mn 41s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 16.2 Mbps
Movie name : Game of Thrones S02 (2012) - Ep 01
Encoded date : UTC 2013-02-24 22:37:54
Writing application : mkvmerge v4.9.1 ('Ich will') built on Jul 11 2011 23:53:15
Writing library : libebml v1.2.1 + libmatroska v1.1.1
Attachment : Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High 10@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Muxing mode : Header stripping
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 52mn 41s
Bit rate : 14.2 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 10 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.286
Stream size : 5.24 GiB (88%)
Writing library : x264 core
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : DTS
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems
Mode : 16
Format settings, Endianness : Big
Muxing mode : Header stripping
Codec ID : A_DTS
Duration : 52mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 509 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 24 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 569 MiB (9%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio #2
ID : 3
Format : Vorbis
Format settings, Floor : 1
Codec ID : A_VORBIS
Duration : 52mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 120 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 45.2 MiB (1%)
Title : commentary
Writing library : libVorbis 1.1.1/1.1.2 (UTC 2005-03-04)
Language : English
Default : No
Forced : No

3.

General
Unique ID : 38928146126611480953566308826740922704 (0x1D4949C978E441A61B8F6E0625539950)
Complete name : F:\Videos\Films\Jackass Presents Bad Grandpa.mkv
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 2
File size : 23.1 GiB
Duration : 1h 42mn
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 32.3 Mbps
Movie name : Jackass Presents Bad Grandpa
Encoded date : UTC 2014-01-14 11:41:28
Writing application : MakeMKV v1.8.7 win(x64-release)
Writing library : libmakemkv v1.8.7 (1.3.0/1.4.1) win(x64-release)

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 42mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Maximum bit rate : 33.0 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Language : English
Default : No
Forced : No

Audio
ID : 2
Format : DTS
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems
Format profile : MA / Core
Mode : 16
Format settings, Endianness : Big
Codec ID : A_DTS
Duration : 1h 42mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : Unknown / 1 509 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 24 bits
Compression mode : Lossless / Lossy
Title : Lossless
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No

[starwarsclark]

Ok some success, I formatted a new USB drive and copied over the file and this now plays correctly on the TV - HOORAY.

I can now also see it and play it directly from a folder I created on my desktop - HOORAY

However, it will not play this:

Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 2
File size                                : 20.0 GiB
Duration                                 : 1h 30mn
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 31.8 Mbps
Movie name                               : Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
Encoded date                             : UTC 2014-06-17 11:31:54
Writing application                      : MakeMKV v1.8.10 win(x86-release)
Writing library                          : libmakemkv v1.8.10 (1.3.0/1.4.1) win(x86-release)

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames                : 4 frames
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration                                 : 1h 30mn
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Maximum bit rate                         : 35.0 Mbps
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 23.976 fps
Standard                                 : NTSC
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No
Color primaries                          : BT.709
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : DTS
Format/Info                              : Digital Theater Systems
Format profile                           : MA / Core
Mode                                     : 16
Format settings, Endianness              : Big
Codec ID                                 : A_DTS
Duration                                 : 1h 30mn
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : Unknown / 768 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 6 channels
Channel positions                        : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth                                : 24 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossless / Lossy
Title                                    : Surround 5.1
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No

Text
ID                                       : 3
Format                                   : PGS
Codec ID                                 : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info                            : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No

Menu
00:00:00.000                             : en:Chapter 01
00:07:03.506                             : en:Chapter 02
00:16:15.516                             : en:Chapter 03
00:22:16.084                             : en:Chapter 04
00:27:33.568                             : en:Chapter 05
00:35:04.644                             : en:Chapter 06
00:43:19.847                             : en:Chapter 07
00:48:10.387                             : en:Chapter 08
00:55:20.108                             : en:Chapter 09
01:02:37.795                             : en:Chapter 10
01:10:35.231                             : en:Chapter 11
01:16:07.646                             : en:Chapter 12

Or this:

Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 2
File size                                : 4.54 GiB
Duration                                 : 1h 32mn
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 7 055 Kbps
Encoded date                             : UTC 2013-07-03 18:30:16
Writing application                      : MakeMKV v1.8.3 win(x86-release)
Writing library                          : libmakemkv v1.8.3 (1.2.0/1.1.0) win(x86-release)

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : MPEG Video
Format version                           : Version 2
Format profile                           : Main@Main
Format settings, BVOP                    : No
Format settings, Matrix                  : Custom
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG2
Codec ID/Info                            : MPEG 1 or 2 Video
Duration                                 : 1h 32mn
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 6 690 Kbps
Maximum bit rate                         : 9 800 Kbps
Width                                    : 720 pixels
Height                                   : 576 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 4:3
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 25.000 fps
Standard                                 : PAL
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Interlaced
Scan order                               : Top Field First
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.645
Time code of first frame                 : 00:59:59:13
Time code source                         : Group of pictures header
Stream size                              : 4.31 GiB (95%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AC-3
Format/Info                              : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension                           : CM (complete main)
Format settings, Endianness              : Big
Codec ID                                 : A_AC3
Duration                                 : 1h 32mn
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 224 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel positions                        : Front: L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth                                : 16 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 148 MiB (3%)
Title                                    : 2/0
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No

Text #1
ID                                       : 3
Format                                   : VobSub
Codec ID                                 : S_VOBSUB
Codec ID/Info                            : The same subtitle format used on DVDs
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No

Text #2
ID                                       : 4
Format                                   : VobSub
Codec ID                                 : S_VOBSUB
Codec ID/Info                            : The same subtitle format used on DVDs
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No

Menu
00:00:00.000                             : en:Chapter 01
00:04:14.240                             : en:Chapter 02
00:10:00.600                             : en:Chapter 03
00:15:05.040                             : en:Chapter 04
00:24:41.920                             : en:Chapter 05
00:30:38.240                             : en:Chapter 06
00:37:41.960                             : en:Chapter 07
00:43:49.720                             : en:Chapter 08
00:51:02.680                             : en:Chapter 09
00:59:01.920                             : en:Chapter 10
01:05:33.320                             : en:Chapter 11
01:09:45.320                             : en:Chapter 12
01:14:37.320                             : en:Chapter 13
01:17:49.520                             : en:Chapter 14
01:25:33.520                             : en:Chapter 15
01:30:18.840                             : en:Chapter 16

And if you do it just crashes the whole TV. Now if these files are not compatible then I can accept that, but surely the TV should tell you they are not compatible and not just completely crash and make you unplug it. Or am I missing something here.

I appreciate all the help by the way.

Firmware etc:

KDL-50W829B

Software version: PKG2.193EUA (seems to be the most up to date)

Andy.