WMP12 - Video formats supported for transcoding for DLNA "Play To"

I have WMP12 working with a Sony Bravia TV using DLNA. Can anyone tell me
what video formats (codec, frame size, bit rate) are supported for the "Play
To" feature?

If I have a non-supported file, what would be the best choice to re-encode
it to get the best picture quality?

Thanks

On Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:21:01 -0800, Mick Bradford
<nospam@nospam.nospam> wrote:

>I have WMP12 working with a Sony Bravia TV using DLNA. Can anyone tell me
>what video formats (codec, frame size, bit rate) are supported for the "Play
>To" feature?

As I understand it, WMP12 should transcode any format it natively
supports to a device (Sync or Play To), by natively I mean "has built
in support as delivered" - so WMV/WMA, AAC, H.264, DivX, VC-1

Those should be listed in Default Programs -> Set File Associations

So the Play To should be a subset of that, and whatever file formats
your device (Bravia TV) supports that's listed in its manual. See also

http://gizmodo.com/5146859/windows-7...-compatibility

>If I have a non-supported file, what would be the best choice to re-encode
>it to get the best picture quality?

I guess windows live moviemaker should be able to take a stab at it
for no cost (though it's a bit lame) - Nero recode and other programs
can convert to high quality formats though.

Expression media encoder is microsoft's tool for converting to VC-1
video (it's got a 30 day or so trial) and there are plenty of options
for encoding to H264 video.

I'd consider encoding as VC-1 or H264 video with WMA Pro or AAC+ audio
to be a good archive quality format, trading off moderate file size
with very good playback fidelity though obviously you'll never exceeed
the quality of the input video...

HTH
Cheers - Neil
------------------------------------------------
Digital Media MVP : 2004-2009
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpfaqs