XenonMKV

Frequently asked questions about XenonMKV are available for your perusal. The last update to this page was June 29, 2008.

What operating systems does XenonMKV work on?

XenonMKV has been tested on Windows XP SP2, SP3 and Windows Vista SP1. It is developed on a 64-bit system so there should be no comparable differences between its functionality on either 32 or 64-bit architecture. Any Windows operating system with the .NET Framework 2.0 redistributable is capable of running this utility. You may also need to install the .NET Framework 1.1 if you encounter problems starting the program.

.NET Framework installers are available from Windows Update.

What kind of files can I use XenonMKV for?

XenonMKV works on MKV container files with up to 1080p resolution H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video and several different audio types. There are several technical restrictions on the type of H.264 video the Xbox 360 will play, and one definitive restriction on audio.

Can I convert my XviD/other MPEG-4 video using XenonMKV?

You can certainly try, but there are no guarantees. XenonMKV is only intended for high-definition H.264 files, but should also work for XviD content in MKV containers. The Xbox 360 might play this content if it matches the restrictions for MPEG-4 Part 2, Advanced Simple Profile. 

What are the restrictions on H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video?

From the Xbox Team:

• Video Profiles: Baseline, main, and high (up to Level 4.1) profiles.
• Video Bitrate: 10 Mbps with resolutions of 1920 x 1080 at 30fps.

Certain Level 4.1 H.264 video at 1080p experiences blocking and is basically unplayable on the Xbox 360, if it does not exactly comply with the Level 4.1 specifications. It’s even possible to induce a hard system lock when playing a video, if a “toast” friend signon notification appears.

This symptom is usually noticed best as follows: If a video is blocky, choppy or fragmented on the Xbox 360 and works properly on your computer, then it’s not something XenonMKV can fix. It’s the Xbox 360 decoder not being capable of handling the source video.

Any video using more than a certain number of reference frames will experience this problem. There is an ongoing thread in the community forums that attempts to categorize working and nonfunctional 1080p files as well.

On April 14, 2008, churchie04 posted the following information on Xbox-Scene:

Basically, if the decode buffer gets any larger than 12mb then the file will show up pixelated on the 360. If you have a PS3 nearby, you can try the same file and it will probably just show a black screen. So more than likely even if the bitrate is low enough there are probably too many reference frames in the file causing the buffer to be to large for the 360 to handle. Only option is to re-encode.

Since XenonMKV takes the philosophy of not re-encoding the original video, don’t expect a fix for this in the near future. The latest versions of the utility will detect the “too many reference frames” condition and alert you when processing MKV files.

What are the restrictions on audio?

The only audio format supported on the Xbox 360 for H.264 video tracks is 2-channel AAC, low complexity. Any other audio track paired with H.264 video will not play.

Essentially, this means that you cannot combine high-definition video with full 5.1 surround audio on the Xbox 360. This is a technical restriction and XenonMKV cannot work around it – which is why it must re-encode your audio tracks from their original number of channels down to 2-channel sound.

What kind of audio will XenonMKV process?

XenonMKV attempts to read and convert the following formats to 2-channel stereo WAV:

• AC3, using Azid
• DTS, using valdec (part of the AC3Filter project)
• MP3, using mplayer
• AAC, using mplayer
• OGG, using mplayer

How can I watch MP4 files in Windows Media Player?

In XenonMKV, click Tools > Enable .mp4 in Media Player. This will add registry entries for common .mp4 filetypes to Windows Media Player, and the files should appear properly in your library.

You can also rename the files produced by XenonMKV to have an .avi extension. Provided you have the correct codecs, Windows Media Player should process them properly. You may need to enable file extension visibility in Windows to properly rename these items: start Windows Explorer, click Tools > Folder Options, access the View tab, then uncheck the Hide extensions for known file types checkbox.

If you don’t have the correct codecs to play H.264 content, the file will stall at zero seconds with a black screen. Install CCCP or another codec set to enable playback.

Can I use Media Center Extender to watch my videos?

Unless your videos are WMV or MPEG-2, nope. Here’s the official Microsoft page on the matter. The important part:

What types of media stored on my Media Center PC can I access through my Xbox 360?

Live and recorded TV, digital photos, digital music, home video, and exclusive online multimedia content such as news clips, downloadable music, local weather, RSS feeds, and more (through Online Spotlight).

Video formats

• MPEG-1 with MPEG audio
• MPEG-2 with MPEG audio or AC-3 audio
• WMV 7, 8, & 9 with WMA Standard or WMA Pro audio
• WMV Image 1 & 2 (Photo Story 1, 2, & 3)

Audio formats

• Windows Media Audio (WMA) Standard
• WMA Pro
• WMA Lossless
• MP3

Essentially, Media Center Extender (MCX) is the half-forgotten cousin of the Dashboard media player. You’ll pretty much always have to have a transcoding utility around if you plan on using it. Don’t expect to see any codec updates either.