topic Avi Files in Other TVs

Avi Files

bob_mcbob — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 19:23:34 GMT

Hi there,

I have a Sony Bravia KDL-37EX403 and also use a NAS drive to store all my music and films on.

I have read various topics on this furum and also throughout the net, and it seems that the bravia does not support playback of AVI files. Infact when I try i can get to the relevant folder, but it doesnt see the avi files.

There are various workarounds (most of which wont help me as I want to use my NAS), however my question (hopefully Sony people read these):

It seems like the lack of support for AVI files is a huge flaw, one that competitors dont have, is there ever going to be a update to the firmware to improve this functionality?

Whats rather strange is my brother has a similar setup using an LG TV and a Sny blueray player. Using the Sony blueray player he can stream avi from his NAS no problem.

My TV is excellent, by far the best I have ever had and up until now would have recommended it, however since more and more people download content and want to play AVI's I think this is a huge mistake.

Any feedback would be appriciated. Merry Christmas

Avi Files

Catmambo — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 22:44:28 GMT

Hi Bob

Some devices do support .avi files but might not support the encoder used to encode the content within the file wrapper.

BRAVIA and Blu-ray players don't support the same bunch of codecs unfortunately - Blu-ray has slightly better compatibility I think. Unlikely products will be retroftted with new codecs I'm afraid. Unlike PS3 which is one device, testing and certification for the many different TV's and Blu-ray players in different territories would take up a massive amount of resouce which is currently deployed on 2011 & 2012 product development.

We are very aware that codec support is a concern and is being looked at for future products specifications.

Thanks for the feedback though - genuinly appreciated!

Happy Christmas

Avi Files

bob_mcbob — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 11:01:16 GMT

Hi,

Thanks alot for your reply, whilst it wasnt the answer I was hoping for it is much appriciated. This lack of functionality stops this TV being an excellent product to more of an average one (as there are other TVs out there that do have this functionality as are no doubt cheaper than a Sony) and realistically would stop me recommending it (as the majority of people I know have a similar setup to me).

I would assume that the majority of people dont buy new TV's very often, however more and more people will be wanting this functionality, so being able to resolve this issue for current (as unless im wrong my TV isnt that old) as well as new models would be great for all your customers - obviously easier said then done. However it would proove to customers and potential customers that Sony takes its customers needs very seriously and perhaps a step further then your competitors.

Cheers

Bob

Avi Files

KDL-22PX300 — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:28:21 GMT

If only there was a way to get a version of XBMC running on the Bravia series than the homebrew community would take care of and fixing compatability.

Do any manufacturers have an open source media player on their set?

EDIT.

Boy I bet the Sony support staff sure wish the design team made a more inclusive upgradable media player as standard.

This forum is littered with the same "lack of codec support" problem time after time.

Might be better to have a video playback FAQ.

Message was edited by: KDL-22PX300

Avi Files

Artur_P — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 13:34:16 GMT

Hi,

I have a similar problem

Several months ago I purchased a Sony Bravia KDL-26EX302. I really liked, including the fact that reads AVI files through the USB connector.

Therefore, I recently bought a KDL-46EX710 and was horrified to find that the AVI files it does not read. Can you help me solve a problem or better to get it back to the store?

Any feedback would be appriciated. Merry Christmas

Avi Files

bob_mcbob — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:38:04 GMT

Hi, if its anything like mine you may want to concider taking it back, as from the Sony guys comment above, it may not be possible (would be worth checking for your model though)

If, like you say the KDL-26EX302 supports AVI playback, it seems strange to me that Sony doesnt have that capability for models accross the range. Are the differences between models (eg mine, and the two above) that significant that you cant take some of the code from one to use on the others? Im obviously looking at this very simply - but if you know the coding to make AVI's play surely you can quite easily reuse/adjust it abit for other models and roll it out??

Avi Files

babydinosaur — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:52:08 GMT

I'm not sure if this is of any use for your model, but for my KDL-32EX503, all I do is rename the extension of my AVI files from .avi to .divx, and it's worked on almost all instances.

You might want to give that a try - nothing to lose!

All the best.

Avi Files

bob_mcbob — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:49:32 GMT

Thanks alot for your suggestion, but just to let anyone else know who has my model, changing the file extension to .divx doesnt work.

Everytime I log on here there seems to be more threads about people wanting this functionality, I wonder if Sony will ever pay attention, it would be interesting to hear from a real Sony person whether they think they have missed a trick here.

And seriously am i the only one who cant believe that it would take too much effort to update the firmware - even if it was a manual download from the net that you try at your own risk.

Avi Files

KDL-22PX300 — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 18:29:21 GMT

It would appear the answer is to buy a sheduled 2011 model and hope video support works if not then buy a 2012 model etc..etc

Or choose a CE manufactuer with a more open acceptance of popular codecs/formats used by consumers.

Or maybe we can hope for unofficial firmware like the SamyGo project for particulair Samsung sets.

Avi Files

bob_mcbob — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 19:24:10 GMT

haha yes I think thats Sony's solution....if you want the capability of alot of the other manufactures, and infact other Sony devices (like the blueray players, which are ironically cheaper then my TV), then wait until they bring out there new range of TV's and rather then keep my expensive piece of equipment last spend another £500+ with them.

Oh well least Im not the only one that seems to be annoyed about this.

Avi Files

kanar199 — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:23:53 GMT

This is ridiculous – I have 55ex710 back in Europe. I purchased 46ex710 in the US. Guess what - 55ex710 plays avi, 46ex710 does not. I am a little bit shocked. My fault that I did not check it before the purchase…

Could anyone explain me reason for this?

Avi Files

demolish — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:33:51 GMT

First I agree with everyone on this, Sony get with the picture - support more file formats and codecs.

Now for the education of those not in the know.

First thing to note, there are FILE formats and there are video CODECS - BOTH are important. For example you can have an AVI file format containing video data that requires the AVC codec to play it. On a similar basis you can have an MP4 file format containing video data that requires the AVC codec to play it. However even though a Sony TV can play AVC video data, not all models recognise the AVI file format on either the USB or DLNA client. Some models will recognise MP4 file format with AVC and H.264 codecs, but only on the USB. They will not recognise the MP4 file format with DLNA client! Yet another annoying encounter with Sony. Clearly who ever developed the DLNA client software had nothing to do with the USB player software!

So when you start talking about AVI files or MP4 files there is more to it than the just the file format.

For example video data found in an AVI file can be formatted with any of the following codecs;

XVID, MPEG4, H.264, MJPEG, MS MPEG4 V2 and MS MPEG4 V3 and possibly more.

So when you talk about supporting AVI, its not as simple as a file format, its about all the possible codecs that could be used to create the AVI file as well.

Given that XVID is a free open source codec, the conspiracy theories about why Sony have not supported more codecs begin to feel more like fact than fiction.

I am like many Sony customers who have posted here. I have bought Sony products all my life, however my experiences with this expensive TV will shadow my future decisions on which products to buy - by by Sony!

Avi Files

zumpher — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:23:19 GMT

Catmambo

This is simply not good enough. I've just bought a brand new Bravia TV (within last 6 weeks) on the basis that it could play DivX files, but my TV plays around 5% of the movie files in my collection, the TV can't even see most of them . My 3-year old Philips DVD player played just about every file I could throw at it, so I would expect a TV purchased new in 2012 to be able to play these files. I'm really angry about this and would never have bought this TV if I realised it was so limited. I'm seriously considering taking it back to the shop for a refund now that I've seen your reply. What you're basically saying is that you aren't going to support a widely-used standard that has been around since 2005, and I'll have to buy a new TV next year if I want this? I've just spend hundreds of pounds on this piece of junk, and now I can't play most of my files.

I'm going to find out what the store's return policy is, and if I don't see a firmware update with proper DivX/AVI support within the return period it's going back for a refund, and it will be the last Sony TV I ever purchase.

Avi Files

jonbylo — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:55:46 GMT

My Sony KDL-46NX703 played most of my avi files (via USB or streaming) until the last firmware update, now it can't see them, let alone play them. In my view this must be either a bug or support for avi was deliberately omitted from the update.

Re: Avi Files

tonysmith — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:44:03 GMT

This is my last Sony product unless FW upgrade fixes DivX / Xvid /AVI codecs/file on my KDL-55NX720.

Re: Avi Files

wcshelby — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 06:55:44 GMT

I understand that with the multitude of devices Sony produces, it would be impossible to implement a simple codec to play these files. What I don't understand is how Vizio can do it and sell a comparable model at 3/4 the price. What is the real issue here. I believe it is just another way for Sony to regulate the type of media we are allowed to view on their products. This will definitely be my last Sony purchase ever.