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New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:57 pm
by joedrt73
I've read and read about viewing MKV fikes and I'm still confused on what the best and maybe easiest solution to watching my MKV movies on media center.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 5:03 pm
by 3rob3
Install LAV filters:
https://github.com/Nevcairiel/LAVFilters/releases

If your AVR is capable of bitstreaming you can check those formats in the audio configuration tab, otherwise use the defaults.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 6:14 pm
by joedrt73
Thank you I appreciate it.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 6:15 pm
by joedrt73
3rob3 wrote:Install LAV filters:
https://github.com/Nevcairiel/LAVFilters/releases

If your AVR is capable of bitstreaming you can check those formats in the audio configuration tab, otherwise use the defaults.
What about viewing them through a Xbox extender? Saw a bunch of talk about that won't work?

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 6:34 pm
by mdavej
Has always worked for me on extenders. Requires reg hack of course.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 7:42 pm
by joedrt73
Oh boy. I'm totally new to all this. Apparently I'm in it way late in the game huh lol. What hack are you referring to?

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 8:26 pm
by 3rob3
I think mdavej is referring to this:
http://www.hack7mc.com/2009/01/playing- ... enter.html

Only follow Step 2 (the registry files), since LAV filters replace step 1. This registry file just tells Media Center that files with an MKV extension are playable as video.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 8:59 pm
by mdavej
Yep, that's it. Thanks for digging up that link. WMC won't play MKV without it. Also affects extenders, so after changing the registry, those can play MKV too (Xbox, Echo, whatever). I guess there's a lot of misinformation out there.

LAV or Shark works fine, but LAV is much simpler to install and use. Shark is a minefield if you don't know what you're doing. I understand he needs to pay the bills, but malware isn't the right way to do it IMO. LAV is clean and simple.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:27 pm
by joedrt73
Thank you all guys I appreciate the attention to a newbie I'll get right on this

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 1:05 am
by JTScribe
3rob3 wrote:Install LAV filters:
https://github.com/Nevcairiel/LAVFilters/releases

If your AVR is capable of bitstreaming you can check those formats in the audio configuration tab, otherwise use the defaults.
Will that work for Blu Ray rips converted to MKVs? I've been using Media Player Classic with My Movies, if there were a more seamless method I'd be very interested.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 4:12 am
by webminster
It should work fine. I personally use Shark007, My Movies, and use MakeMKV to rip the Blu-Rays to MKV files. Plays directly in WMC, no need for external player.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 2:53 pm
by joedrt73
mdavej wrote:Yep, that's it. Thanks for digging up that link. WMC won't play MKV without it. Also affects extenders, so after changing the registry, those can play MKV too (Xbox, Echo, whatever). I guess there's a lot of misinformation out there.

LAV or Shark works fine, but LAV is much simpler to install and use. Shark is a minefield if you don't know what you're doing. I understand he needs to pay the bills, but malware isn't the right way to do it IMO. LAV is clean and simple.
Well...I can now watch mkv's on the media server pc no issues, but the xbox still will not see them. I installed the x64 registry files, is there anything else I need to do?

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 4:50 pm
by mdavej
joedrt73 wrote:
mdavej wrote:Yep, that's it. Thanks for digging up that link. WMC won't play MKV without it. Also affects extenders, so after changing the registry, those can play MKV too (Xbox, Echo, whatever). I guess there's a lot of misinformation out there.

LAV or Shark works fine, but LAV is much simpler to install and use. Shark is a minefield if you don't know what you're doing. I understand he needs to pay the bills, but malware isn't the right way to do it IMO. LAV is clean and simple.
Well...I can now watch mkv's on the media server PC no issues, but the xbox still will not see them. I installed the x64 registry files, is there anything else I need to do?
Install LAV x86 too. I don't remember which version remote sessions use, but that could be the issue. I have no problems after installing both. You may have to do this as well:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... 50798d5113

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 5:46 pm
by 3rob3
mdavej wrote:Install LAV x86 too
I bet that's it.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:26 pm
by joedrt73
alrighty then i'll try that now. sure do appreciate the help

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:27 pm
by joedrt73
Well after trying all this and even every possible combination it just would not work.

I uninstalled the LAV filters and installed Shark007's advanced filters, watching not to install all his bloatware adware stuff... and when I turned on the xbox lo and behold the mkv movies were there.

I did however have to install the "optional Media Update" from xbox live in order for the mkv's to play.

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Produ ... noSplash=1

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 11:12 pm
by JackLuminous
joedrt73,
I ran into this problem when I got my new htpc and was setting everything back up. I had LAV, VSFilter, and the Reg updates and everything played just fine on the WMC 8.1. However the MCX on Xbox 360 just would not recognize the mkvs. I installed Haali Media Splitter and that enabled the Xbox extenders to recognize mkv as a video.

Re: New way to view MKV files in WMC?

Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 12:42 am
by TheOsburnFamil
Someone WAAAYYY more smarterist than me can explain this better but I'm pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that LAV's codecs & splitters were DirectShow ONLY and NOT compatible with the native MediaFoundation requirements of 8.1. So any "splitting" would work directly on a PC but not on an extender. Haali's MKV Splitter worked with mediafoundation and that's why it works with extenders & 8.1...

...at least, it was something along those lines. I'm not a smart man.