topic Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive in Camcorders

HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 09:08:07 GMT

I have recently purchased the above camcorder - which I am very happy with.

I can transfer files onto my computer, view and edit accordingly. I can also view files when I plug the camcorder directly into my TV via HDMI cable.

However, when I transfer the files onto an external USB hard drive, I cannot play the files on my HD TV via the USB port. The files are definitely on the device, as I can still access them and view when I plug the hard drive back into my computer.

I suspect it is something to do with the file type, but I wondered if anyone out there has a a similar issue and might be able to help me to access the files on my TV.

Thanks

Matt

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Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

cmosse — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:18:13 GMT

I would suggest that you look in the manual of the TV which file type is supported for playback from external storage device. It may be only WMV file type or MPEG2, so maybe you have to convert your videos to that format.

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:04:37 GMT

Thank you for your message. I thought it would be something like that However, I don't know what the original format the camcorder actually records in. Do you know? I can then work out which program to use for converting the files into suitable format.

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

Mick2011 — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:19:44 GMT

Hi Matt

Assuming you're working in HD, the camera produces a AVCHD file that needs to be exported to a more commonly-used format for pretty much anything other than 'native' playback on TVs and your PC. You basically need to export the video in a more universal format.

Exporting to MPEG-2 (as an .avi) is good for pretty much everything and I'd be surprised if your TV doesn't support it.

You should be able to do this with any video editing app, such as PlayMemories or Windows Movie Maker.

Cheers

Mick

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:53:49 GMT

Hi Mick

Thanks for the input. I have managed to convert the files into mpg files. I can view the files on my HD TV now - but there is no audio! What am I doing wrong....?

Sorry to be a techno dunce.

Cheers

Matt

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

blaireau_photo — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:41:00 GMT

Hello Matt,

For the exported files, you say that you cannot hear any audio when playing the files back on a TV. Do you get the same problem when viewing them on a computer?

Thanks,

Simon

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:43:43 GMT

Hi Simon

The files play fine on the PC using Play Memories or Windows Media Player - including audio. It is just when I play them on my HD TV from the USB hard disc. The TV is only 6 months old and a mid-range spec, so I can't think that it would be a compatibility issue.

Any further advise gratefully received!

Matt

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:32:43 GMT

On a similar note, when I convert the original AVCHD files to mpg files, does this cause the images to lose resolution? Are the mpg files still HD quality?

Thanks

Matt

HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

Mick2011 — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 07:33:35 GMT

Hi Matt

Mpeg will reduce file size, not resolution. Resolution refers to the number of vertical and horizontal pixels making up an image, and Mpeg compression doesn't affect this.

What this compression does is reduce the file size considerably. All video formats use some form of compression, but Mpeg was conceived as a means of varying that compression, often using 'quality' settings, to fit certain applications where file size is critical. Generally speaking, the greater the compression, the smaller the file, the lower the quality. Mpeg-2 is commonly used for DVDs; Mpeg-4 for Blu-ray.

I think your problem with the TV could be due to an audio codec conflict. Try using a different output option when converting and see if that helps.

Cheers

Mick

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:10:13 GMT

Thanks Mick - that looks very useful. I will try again this evening to manipulate the files.

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:40:38 GMT

I have converted the files using the Sony Playmemories software, and I still have the same issue of no sound.

I tried Windows Movies, as this was also pre-installed on my laptop. This produced the same result. Images are there, but no audio. Also, it takes an incredibly long time to convert using this program.

Finally, I tried downloading a sample version of Wondershare Video Converter. This is a really easy piece of software to use, and I managed to convert all of my AVCHD files into mpeg2, which then play perfectly on my TV - including audio. The only catch is that a watermark is displayed across all images, as the files have been created using the sample version. The full version if $69,95.

I didn't really want to part with this money, as I haven't budgeted for it. One of the reasons I purchased the HDR CX190E is that I could save / store onto hard drive, then play on my HD TV.

Do you know if there is any other free software that I could use to get the same results? Or should I be able to do this using the Playmemories software? When in PlayMemories, I am simply using the 'convert' function, and saving directly to the 'E' drive. Is this the correct method?

HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

Mick2011 — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 07:15:43 GMT

You should be able to choose Mpeg-2 as an output option in the Manipulate > Convert menu:

Mpeg-2 is certainly the most likely to work and there's probably nothing special about the Wondershare conversion, other than perhaps being a little faster. Sometimes free apps do the job just as well as paid ones, sometimes not... but I'd be surprised if the PM conversion to Mpeg-2 didn't work.

Let me know how you get on.

Mick

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:11:15 GMT

Hi Mick

Now I'm totally confused. The AVCHD files that I have been trying to convert now play on Playmemories with no audio, and the Playmemories doesn't recognise my external device - so I cannot convert and export to it.

However I still have no problems playing the orignal AVCHD files in Windows Media Player - with audio.

I suspect that Playmemories is getting confused between old versions of the files that I have registered to view, and the new versions.

I am tempted to uninstall Playmemories and start from scratch. Would you recommend this course of action?

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:35:48 GMT

Hi Mick

A final update for you.

I have uninstalled and re-installed Playmemories.

I registered my AVCHD files for viewing. I can view them within Playmemories, including audio.

I have then converted the files to mpeg, and saved to my E drive.

When I then go to view the files on my E drive using the USB port on my HD TV, the files play, but again with no audio.

I then tried convering the original AVCHD files using the trial version of Wondershare. This converted the files without a problem, which I then played successfuly on my HD TV using the USB cable - including the audio.

I conclude that there must be something in the way that Playmemories converts the files that renders them incompatible with my HD TV. Therefore if looks like I will be parting with $69.99 for the full version of Wondershare - unlss anyone out there knows of another free file conversion program, or an upgrade to Playmemories that will cure this problem.

Thanks for everyones comments and assistance.

Matt

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 21:59:17 GMT

Further observations......

I have been checking the properties of the converted files.

When you convert AVCHD files in Wondershare, it converts the audio files to Mpeg format. When you convert in Playmemories, the audio files remain in Dolby Digital format. I suspect this is where the problem lies, and Playmemories is not going to allow me to convert files compatible with my HD TV.

It doesn't look like Sony Playmemories is up to the job....!

Matt

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

blaireau_photo — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 06:51:17 GMT

Hello again

Am I right in assuming that the original files are in M2TS format?

If so, if you type 'Free M2TS to MPEG' or 'Free M2TS to AVI' into Google, you will see a few options that claim to be completely free alternatives to paid software. It may be worthwhile to try a few out. In the past, I have used this one with some success:

http://www.m2tsconverter.org/

Thanks,

Simon

Re: HDR-CX190E - Viewing image saved onto external hard drive

magwynn22 — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:23:06 GMT

Thanks - I will give that software a go. When I use the free version of Wondershare, it leaves a watermark across the screen for the converted files (obviously to encourage you to upgrade to the full version). Does this free software also have a watermark, and are there any limitations on use?