Anyone out there done it successfully and is now running their movie library smoothly without any bugs? I'm thinking about getting a USB drive first but dont even know the max capacity supported and what format can be shown? 1080p MKV possible?
How to play movies off USB stick
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
yes, it seems to follow the same parameters as u-connect for the regular pacifica (search for the thread, it is easily located if searched for something like "uconnect theater usb video").
to summarize, generally everything that chromecast would play, plays, except for 1080p. 720p, h.264 level 4.0, AAC (including 5.1), mkv play fine. 128Gb/ntfs works (some people said one would be limited to 2Gb files with fat32, i did not check for that, just used ntfs/128G). Some people on this forum/thread reported success for 1080p, but alas, not for me.
Honestly, the displays are 720p, so even if it worked, it would have been just waste of space and decoding energy.
One important thing, mkv titles better not have chapter markers. Otherwise, uconnect theater would show the name of the first chapter instead of the name of the file and you'd see something like "chapter 1" in most such cases instead. Why they did that is beyond my comprehension. some people on the forum said if that's the case, it is possible to edit chapter name on windows (I did not verify that).
USB compatibility may vary it seems according to people on this thread, but this usb 3.0 I bought, works: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BGTG2A0. I love these drives. superfast and inconspicuous (especially in a car).
Other than those limitations, it is rather good. Screens can watch same or different videos from stick, or even same video but at different location, or any combination of the above with bluray. (Well. i don't think you can watch two different points of the same bluray though, i did not check). Displays are quite adequate. Can route any source thru the speakers (or not, listen to something else entirely while two other sources are playing thru headsets).
to summarize, generally everything that chromecast would play, plays, except for 1080p. 720p, h.264 level 4.0, AAC (including 5.1), mkv play fine. 128Gb/ntfs works (some people said one would be limited to 2Gb files with fat32, i did not check for that, just used ntfs/128G). Some people on this forum/thread reported success for 1080p, but alas, not for me.
Honestly, the displays are 720p, so even if it worked, it would have been just waste of space and decoding energy.
One important thing, mkv titles better not have chapter markers. Otherwise, uconnect theater would show the name of the first chapter instead of the name of the file and you'd see something like "chapter 1" in most such cases instead. Why they did that is beyond my comprehension. some people on the forum said if that's the case, it is possible to edit chapter name on windows (I did not verify that).
USB compatibility may vary it seems according to people on this thread, but this usb 3.0 I bought, works: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BGTG2A0. I love these drives. superfast and inconspicuous (especially in a car).
Other than those limitations, it is rather good. Screens can watch same or different videos from stick, or even same video but at different location, or any combination of the above with bluray. (Well. i don't think you can watch two different points of the same bluray though, i did not check). Displays are quite adequate. Can route any source thru the speakers (or not, listen to something else entirely while two other sources are playing thru headsets).
^ Epic thank you ! same drive ordered, ill format as NTFS and load my 720P movie and see how it digest it all. Kid been screaming for something to be played on the screen, she's 3 years old so doesnt comprehend the WHY its not ready yet...LOL!
Just be aware, as the reviewers noted, it does get quite hot during massive sequential writing (like 20G write at once). Reads are more forgiving. I never got actual burns from it, but the feeling is a bit unpleasant (similar to grabbing hot coffee without an insulating insert). If you just finished a massive copy (>5G), eject it and let it sit for a minute or so before yanking out if it turns to be an issue.
But I have one of those constantly sitting in my comp for perhaps a year for occasional use (mostly backup and system recovery). No problems so far. When idle, it doesn't get hot. I even used that new one sitting overnight for transcoding a bunch of stuff for 720p directly onto it as destination. Considering that in the car it is read-only with moderate rates and it is impossible to knock off accidentally, I think it's the best option.
This might be a cooler option https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-128GB-Flash-MUF-128BB-AM/dp/B017DH3O5A but it is slower (especially for established speeds and because it needs to limit heat dissipation), and i did not test it in the car. But it is likely to be compatible. Anyhow, if something doesn't quite work, they are returnable
Ordered that same 128GB Samsung USB stick from this forum's recommendation and it has been flawless. Only minor quibble was when initially inserting, needed to maybe pull the stick back slightly to have it recognize correctly. But once recognized, it is great no fuss, no muss. Plays 2x videos simultaneous no problem all the time. Write speed not a big deal, copy some files and come back after dinner - no sweat.Just be aware, as the reviewers noted, it does get quite hot during massive sequential writing (like 20G write at once). Reads are more forgiving. I never got actual burns from it, but the feeling is a bit unpleasant (similar to grabbing hot coffee without an insulating insert). If you just finished a massive copy (>5G), eject it and let it sit for a minute or so before yanking out if it turns to be an issue.
But I have one of those constantly sitting in my comp for perhaps a year for occasional use (mostly backup and system recovery). No problems so far. When idle, it doesn't get hot. I even used that new one sitting overnight for transcoding a bunch of stuff for 720p directly onto it as destination. Considering that in the car it is read-only with moderate rates and it is impossible to knock off accidentally, I think it's the best option.
This might be a cooler option https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-128GB-Flash-MUF-128BB-AM/dp/B017DH3O5A but it is slower (especially for established speeds and because it needs to limit heat dissipation), and i did not test it in the car. But it is likely to be compatible. Anyhow, if something doesn't quite work, they are returnable
Joined
·
159 Posts
I have been contributing the the Thread under Electronics:
Debunk some myths from above:
Note MKV files will only show up as Chapter 1, if the do not have the title field set. I have done this several times.
FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB; this is not a Uconnect thing. NTFS can be used for larger files.
Debunk some myths from above:
Note MKV files will only show up as Chapter 1, if the do not have the title field set. I have done this several times.
FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB; this is not a Uconnect thing. NTFS can be used for larger files.
... AND DO have chapters. If I simply remove chapter markers, they show up fine as well even if there's no title. I guess editing title meta is easier! great to know.
My 128 GB Patriot USB 2.0 will only work when formatted FAT32. NTFS formatting crashed the rear screens (black and unresponsive, flickering occasionally). exFAT formatting was "unrecognized". Had to download the "SmartDisc FAT32 Format Utility" from Verbatim since my Windows 10 does not format to FAT32. Now everything works fine.
Used Handbrake (with the libdvdcss-2.dll added, google this to see what it is for) to rip. Ripped to 720p30 with chapters removed and audio reduced to "stereo". So far so good.
Used Handbrake (with the libdvdcss-2.dll added, google this to see what it is for) to rip. Ripped to 720p30 with chapters removed and audio reduced to "stereo". So far so good.
I have about 30 movies and all 3 seasons of Flash on the 64GB Lexar flash drive formatted FAT32 i downloaded all the movies from https://yts.ag/ with utorrent all my movie files are 720p they all work perfectly try it.
I have the 128GB SanDisk ultra fit 3.0 (will fix the name) and it works fine. Note if you push it all the way in it stops working.
Formatted NTFS
USB Connection FIX
1)Push the USB drive in all the way
2)Wiggle it out on each side just slightly (It's almost like pulling each corner just a tad)
Formatted NTFS
USB Connection FIX
1)Push the USB drive in all the way
2)Wiggle it out on each side just slightly (It's almost like pulling each corner just a tad)
If it does this for many usb sticks, not just one, take it in for service. The loose connection will not get better over time, and the repair bill it you end up eating it could be $hundreds.
This doesn't seem like a loose connection, but more so just a deeper than normal usb socket or something. Almost like there should be a stopper that is about 1/16" thick at the bottom of the USB socket to prevent you from inserting it too far.
Joined
·
96 Posts
I made my own stopper using sugru on my flash drive so it can't be pushed too far in. I haven't had read issues since.
If anyone has a better stopper idea I'd like to know, I'd rather not have to sugru all of my drives or the port going forward.
If anyone has a better stopper idea I'd like to know, I'd rather not have to sugru all of my drives or the port going forward.
I am using the Lexar JumpDrive S45 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive which I got from Amazon for $44.99 CAD and haven't had a single issue with it. There is no issue of "pushing in to far" it just fits perfectly.
I have also created a HandBrake Preset that you can use to convert your movies to a perfectly working version meant for the UConnect. I have attached the preset here. Prior to improting this in to HandBrake remove the .txt portion of the filename as HandBrake requires a .json file.
After HandBrake does the conversion I use a program called MKVToolNix to add a "Title" to every movie. The title is easily added in the Header Editor section of the GUI app and instantly saves the new Title to the file.
I currently have about 18GB used in Movies and everyone works perfectly.
All in all I find it super easy to convert movies now and I literally just queue a bunch, go to bed and the next morning they are ready to go. Couldn't be easier.
I have also created a HandBrake Preset that you can use to convert your movies to a perfectly working version meant for the UConnect. I have attached the preset here. Prior to improting this in to HandBrake remove the .txt portion of the filename as HandBrake requires a .json file.
After HandBrake does the conversion I use a program called MKVToolNix to add a "Title" to every movie. The title is easily added in the Header Editor section of the GUI app and instantly saves the new Title to the file.
I currently have about 18GB used in Movies and everyone works perfectly.
All in all I find it super easy to convert movies now and I literally just queue a bunch, go to bed and the next morning they are ready to go. Couldn't be easier.
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
