scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

I recorded a 6.1 MB video in MP4 format but am having difficulty getting it to play anywhere other than my computer/tablet/phone. Our clubhouse has a video/sound system that has input for CD, DVD, USB drive, and Internet. I sent the file via Google Drive to another person who downloaded it to a thumb drive, but when I tried to play it through the AV system (big screen), the message was "format not recognized or corrupted file". The file plays on a computer. Is there something about MP4 that is strange? Should I convert it to MP3? Or go to Walgreens and try to burn it to a DVD?

adedeluca Loc: holbrook ny

try MP3 FIRST

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

Thx

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Video files like "MP4" are unique in that they are not "formats" like we are accustom to. The are called containers. In them are a long list of components from the recording device. One is the "codec". That word come from "code-decode". The most common, editable and playable is called "H.264". If your MP4 file does not have that H.264 codec in it, it may not be playable on everything you might want.

Burning to DVD will ruin the quality. DVD is an old, low resolution meant for tube TVs. You want to get a playable file on the thumb drive stuck in the USB port. Can you look at the players specifications in a manual? It will list formats and resolutions that are playable.

Another common way to play videos is using your laptop. In my retirement community auditorium we usually see presenters using the HDMI output from their laptops into the HDMI input on the audio visual system.

There is a (free) app called "Handbrake" that is frequently used to convert video files from 'difficult' to 'most compatible'. It can fix most playback problems.

There is a free app called "MediaInfo" that can be used to see what is in a video container file. This is an example of what comes out of my Sony RX100. You can see how complicated the "container" can be.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

What program on your computer plays the MP4? Install the same program on the clubhouse system, and you're good to go. Or patch your laptop to the clubhouse system and play from there. Either will work.

therwol Loc: USA

Very easy to try. I've done this many times when in hotels where the TV actually has the HDMI inputs exposed, but some hotel systems don't let you use the remote that came with the TV, so you can't switch the input over.

If the AV system has an HDMI input, try it. Nothing to lose, and no bother with trying to fix the video.

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

Windows 11. I can also play it on my Samsung Galaxy tablet, and, of course, my Samsung phone, which I used to make the video. I do not have a laptop. Tablet has only USB-c outlet.

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

Hoo boy, that's complicated! I'll see what I can do.

BTW quality isn't a big deal. Our fitness class leader went on hiatus until April. I recorded her last session on my Samsung phone. We just need it to carry on in her absence. It plays on Galaxy Tablet and Windows 11 desktop.

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

I admire bssprague's explanation. If you have laptop just send the video via HDMI cable to the TV. I have been doing this for years when I do training with videos.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Could be the encoding used - some devices don't have the codecs necessary for playback. If it plays on the PC then the file is not "corrupted", it just needs to be transcoded. You can use Premiere/Media Encoder to convert it to the right encoding, or FFMPEG. But the simplest might be to burn it to DVD, if a DVD player is available at the clubhouse, but getting a blank DVD might be a pain these days. The other option is if someone has a laptop just play the file from the laptop. Right click on the file to see what encoding was used. H264 is pretty universal but depends on the age of their "AV system". 6.1 MEGAbytes seems like a short video.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Thanks!

therwol Loc: USA

1. You can't burn HD video to DVD without converting it to SD first.
2. Getting blank DVDs is trivial on Amazon.
3. 6.1 megabytes of MP4 video would last about 6 seconds. I'm sure the OP means gigabytes.
4. Some DVD and Blu Ray players will play files burned to discs (data discs). Even if burning the file to DVD is an option, the system still apparently lacks the codecs to play the original file, and 6.1 gigabytes exceeds the capacity of a single sided layer DVD.

It seems that without some sort of conversion, playing the file is not going to be possible by any means on this system. No mention was made of HDMI input. I just realized that.

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

Sorry - gigabytes! It is H.264. 49 minutes. I have to see if anyone has the manual. The player is buried in the entertainment tower so I can't pull it out to find the model #.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

DVD burner software (most) will take care of that, or FFMPEG or Media Encoder can be used for that, BUT, as you pointed out, he meant GB not MB, so DVD may be out of the question, unless going down to SD (file will be much smaller as SD) and playing as a DVD. Yes, you can get anything on Amazon, but it depends on how quickly he needs to present. Assuming the AV system is really old, with only composite video inputs, you can obtain (on Amazon!) a converter box to convert HDMI to VGA/composite (Examples - https://www.amazon.com/Rasfox-Converter-Composite-High-end-Warranty/dp/B071R9PP5P/ref=sxin_14_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa). Just keep in mind the direction HDMI to A/V - many will do only the reverse.

Simplest case is to play the HD file from a capable laptop, and convert output compatible with the A/V system (HDMI vs composite), IF conversion even needed.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

USB-C typically carries an HDMI signal with audio and video. I have a https://www.charjenpro.com/products/ultimatedock which I use with both my MacBook Air and my iPhone 15 Pro Max. It lets me play movies from my iPhone to any TV with an HDMI input. Just add the HDMI cable. You may have to go into your phone's settings and change some sound and video output parameters (I did, but they were obvious).

That dock is best-in-class for the price. I've used it to connect many different TVs and projectors to both my laptop and my iPhone. It was so good I just bought a second one for my wife. It doubles as a card reader and a way to back up my phone photos to my portable SSD.