How to play DVD/MKV on HD TV?

**DavidB** · 03-02-2011, 11:54 AM

I'm almost to the ideal I want with Vortexbox. I have my music all on my Vortexbox server and have now loaded several DVDs as MKV files and some as MKV an MP4. Now I just need to get a way to play them.

I can play an MP4 video I previously tranferred but can't play the MP4 made by vortexbox. I get an error message if I open the file with Quicktime, it plays video OK with Windows Media Player but audio sounds like the whrrr of an old movie projector. Ideally, I'd like to play it through my HD TV via DirecTv's Media Share. I can see the MKV and MP4 file. I can't open the MKV file. I can open the MP4 file but it only plays video and some whrrring audio. Can anyone help?

If I do get to play the MP4 file, what's the quality/resolution on my TV?

**andrew** · 03-02-2011, 12:15 PM

You can use VLC to play the files on your PC. To play them on your TV you need a box like Boxee.

**DavidB** · 03-02-2011, 03:30 PM

Andrew said:You can use VLC to play the files on your PC. To play them on your TV you need a box like Boxee.

Actually, with my tv via my DirecTV DVR, I'm able to view both the MKV and MP4 files stored on my Vortexbox server. I can't play the MKV files but can play the video for the MP4 files (audio does not come through). With Quicktime on my Mac I also can play the MP4 video but not audio. VLC works great on my Macbook. Is the Quicktime and DVR issue a codec issue?

Can VLC stream to my TV or DVR? I have a Vizio TV with internet access and apps and a DirecTV DVR that connects to the internet, Vortex Server, and home network.

Thanks. Vortexbox is great and almost "perfect". Amazing how you guys keep improving it and making it more functional.

**WilliamW** · 03-03-2011, 01:58 AM

In a thread elsewhere on this forum someone recommended the AC Ryan HD mini. I bought one (less than half the price of Boxee at Amazon) and we are very pleased with it. It's small, silent, easy to set up. Zapper is a bit quirky but you soon get used to it. Works perfectly with my VB's rips to mkv.

**eegs102** · 03-04-2011, 09:38 AM

Following on from the thread I've just bought a Sumvision Cyclone Live Media Player (see link below):

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/245715

Which is working really nicely and was very cost effective.... I've used homeplug adapters to avoid running network cables and Im extremely please with the results. I can heartily recommend it.

I'd also like to say how fantastic vortexbox is... you guys deserve some serious credit for all the effort and time you put into making it such a fantastic solution!

Thankyou.

Iain