Black video on VLC, audio OK

Anything and everything to do with DCP-o-matic.
acromacy
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2016 8:40 am

Black video on VLC, audio OK

Post by acromacy »

Hi
Im using 10.8 OSX and latest DCP-o-matic. MacBook Pro
I have try with different input files, H264, ProRes any Jpeg coded but when i try to playback the file with VLC, I only get black video, the video file plays, but pure black.

I also tried another macbook pro, with latest DCP-O-matic, same results, but then i used a quicktime H264 file as input.

I read on this forum that i can be VLC itself.. I have use VLC before and it shows, maybe the Version 2.2.1 ( My current) is not so good for playback MXF files?

Any other of you guys have the same issue? any tips?

Thanks in advance!
pontorosso
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 6:39 pm

Re: Black video on VLC, audio OK

Post by pontorosso »

Hi,
Got the same, also with MacBook Pro, but sorry no solution. I would be very grateful for help, many thanks!
Carsten
Posts: 2804
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:11 pm
Location: Germany

Re: Black video on VLC, audio OK

Post by Carsten »

VLC has DCP support per recent documentation, but it is not so easy to actually use it - and it will not be able to playback in realtime anyway.
I would suggest to use Doremis CinePlayer evaluation version on a Mac. Under windows, there are more options.

- Caraten
acromacy
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2016 8:40 am

Re: Black video on VLC, audio OK

Post by acromacy »

I have some more clearance on this.

After been frustrated.. i zipped the folder and sent to my local cinema and ask them to try it.. i did 3 different zip files over time. and one thing they noticed it that the framerate was not 24. so i remake everything from scratch the hard way.. i got a 24fps DCP… still black on VLC.. and zip it and send it.. And that file worked on their system! So those experience this issue, maybe can send it to some cinema for confirmation although VLC says: BLACK VIDEO.
Thank you Carsten! I will try that also!
Carsten
Posts: 2804
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:11 pm
Location: Germany

Re: Black video on VLC, audio OK

Post by Carsten »

DCP support in VLC is still very experimental. And in default settings, playback is configured so badly, that you will hardly see any moving image. You need to disable 'Skip Frames' and 'Drop late frames' to see something at all.


For now, just forget VLC for DCP testing. Use Doremi Cineplayer Eval or EasyDCP Player Demoversion (both available for Win and Mac). Or the DigitAll Player (win only). NeoDCP is also an excellent Player (win only), and there is a demo version.

- Carsten
pontorosso
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 6:39 pm

Re: Black video on VLC, audio OK

Post by pontorosso »

Thank you, Carsten. At the moment I'm using Cineplayer by Doremi and FinalDCPplayer by Innovative Pixel Software, but I think, this one will expire very soon.I can load there mxf files directly. I'm working on a MacBook Pro.