H.264 on Xbox 360

[admin]

Just updated the dashboard, and I've been trying to see what kind of H.264 file is playable and trying to encode my own that is compatible.

From the update notes, here are the details:

H.264 video support: Up to 10 Mbps peak, Baseline, Main, and High profiles with 2 channel AAC LC.

Will try some more encodings and see which one works, unless others have more exact tips on which encoding options are recommended.

[admin]

Got a SD resolution (640x***), MeGUI encoded CE-Mainprofile, AAC LC stereo, file to play (mp4 container, copied to USB key, doesn't seem to recognise mp4 files when connected to computer).

No luck with any 720p clips yet.

[admin]

Video Playback FAQ:

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/05/09/spring-07-video-playback-faq.aspx

[admin]

Have managed somehow to add the MP4 files to the WMP 11 library, but these files don't show up on the Xbox 360. Have to rely on USB for now ...

[admin]

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1001487#post1001487

For the H.264 the encode must be:

Baseline, Main or High Profile.

L41 max resolution 1920x1088 (1080 cropped).
L > 50 max resolution Width x Height < 414720.

[admin]

Looks like I'll have to install the Zune software to get MP4 streaming going. I don't want to keep using the USB, it will break soon

[admin]

Finally got Zune installed, kept on crashing until I unregistered iviaudio.ax and ivivideo.ax from WinDVD (version 5 I think). MP4 now showing up and playing on the Xbox 360.

Will only recognise/play the main profile file. Sigh ... Microsoft stuff is so fussy.

[admin]

Ok, got 720p to play (still through USB). Used CE-Highprofile in MeGUI (changed max bitrate to 10000 kbps, Level 4.1 and other changes necessary for Level 4.1). Plays well on the Xbox (see the photos of the actual playback taken with a digital camera).

Now on to 1080p.

[anonymez]

Nice.

Another reason to go for Xbox 360 over the PS3; looks like a bit of a pain to get working though.

[admin]

It appears that Zune only likes Baseline and Main Profile encodings (at any res), it will not show High Profile. 720p HP will have to be limited to the USB drive for now.

I got 1080p playing using Baseline, but the other profiles show artifacts and paused playback ... looks more to be a problem with the encoding, rather than the Xbox, since playback on my PC shows similar artifacts/pausing.

[admin]

I finished writing a guide for it:

http://www.digital-digest.com/articles/Xbox_360_H.264_Conversion_Guide_page1.html