Supported video formats and codecs

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The following describes the requirements for video to play successfully on BrightSign players. Bitrate information for older players is available on this page.

XD5, HD5, LS5

  • 4K Video Codecs: H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC (max 30p), VP9
  • 1080p Video Codecs: H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, VP9, MPEG 4 part 2, MPEG1 video, MPEG2 video
  • Containers: .MP4, .MOV, .MKV, .WEBM, .TS, .MPG, .MPEG, .PS, .M2P, .MPV, .AVI, .HEVC, .H264, .AV1, .VP9, and .MJPG
  • Resolution: Video sources larger than 1920x1080 resolution must be in HEVC (H.265), AVC (H.264) or VP9 format. AVC/H.264 is limited to 30p at 3840x2160.
  • HDR: HDR10 (Single Video Zone only, No Graphics)
  • Color Space: RGB color space, YUV420 
  • Bit Depth: 8 and 10 bit 
  • Profile: Main and Main10
  • Level: 5.1 and below

XCxx55 (4K resolution and below)

  • 4K Video Codecs: H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, AV1, VP9, MPEG 4 part 2, MPEG1 video, MPEG2 video, or MJPEG video
  • Containers: .MP4, .MOV, .MKV, .WEBM, .TS, .MPG, .MPEG, .PS, .M2P, .MPV, .AVI, .HEVC, .H264, .AV1, .VP9, and .MJPG
  • Resolution: Video sources larger than 3840x2160 resolution must be in HEVC (H.265) or VP9 format. All video sources other than HEVC and VP9 are limited to 3840x2160.
  • HDR: XCxx55 players support HDR10 and HLG
  • Color Space: RGB color space, YUV420 
  • Bit Depth: 8 and 10 bit 
  • Profile: Main and Main10
  • Level: 6.1 and below
  • Bitrate: The bitrate selected by your software should be supported by the codec, given the constraint that the level can’t be over 6.1. Wikipedia has more information about bitrates at different profiles and levels (for example, H264 (Advanced Video Coding), H265 (High Efficiency Video Coding), and VP9).

XCxx55 (8K resolution)

  • 8K Video Codecs: H.265/HEVC, VP9
  • Containers: .MP4, .MOV, .MKV, .WEBM, .TS, .MPG, .MPEG, .PS, .M2P, .MPV, .AVI, .HEVC, .H264, .AV1, .VP9, and .MJPG
  • Resolution: The maximum supported resolution is 7680x4320x60p. Video sources larger than 3840x2160 resolution must be in HEVC (H.265) or VP9 format. Neither AV1 nor AVC (H.264) will work at 8K video resolution.
  • HDR: XCxx55 players support HDR10 and HLG
  • Color Space: RGB color space, YUV420 
  • Bit Depth: 8 and 10 bit (Note that there is a difference between the XC4055 and the XC2055: The XC4055 can do 8Kp60 at 10 bit and the XC2055 can do 8Kp60 at 8 bit or 8Kp30 at 10 bit)
  • Profile: Main and Main10
  • Level: 6.1 and below
  • Bitrate: The bitrate selected by your software should be supported by the codec, given the constraint that the level can’t be over 6.1. Wikipedia has more information about bitrates at different profiles and levels (for example, H265 (High Efficiency Video Coding) and VP9).

XTx44, XDx34, HDx24

4K Video

  • Video Codec: H.264, H.265, or VP9
  • Resolution: The maximum supported resolution is 4096x2160x60p.
  • Color Depth: 4K video can be encoded at 4:2:0 subsampling with 8 bits (Main Profile) or 10 bits (Main 10 Profile) of depth.
  • HDR and Dolby Vision: XTx44 players support both HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
  • Display Hardware: The maximum supported framerate and color depth are also affected by your display hardware. See this section of the 4K Video Encoding tech note for more details. 

Note: BrightSign players support both H.265 version 1 profiles: Main and Main 10. However, we do not support the recently ratified version 2 profiles.

  • Container Format: The following container formats are supported: .ts, .mov, .mp4, .mkv, .webm.

Note: XTx44/XDx34 models currently support .webm video with the Opus audio codec (not Vorbis), while HDx24 models support .webm with the Vorbis audio codec (not Opus).

  • Bitrate: The XTx44 and XDx34 models support a constant bit rate (CBR) between 70 and 80 Mbps. These values apply to both the primary and secondary video decoders.
  • Merge Mode: If you are using B-frames as references in H.265 “merge mode”, the size of the references list should be limited to two or less.
  • Audio Support: AAC audio (CBR/VBR) up to 288Kbps
  • Fast Start: Enabling fast start (-movflags +faststart) is recommended, especially for videos used in synchronized playback and BrightWall, as well as videos of large filesize and/or duration

Note: 4K video must be played from a Class 10 SD card.

HD Video

  • Supported Codecs: H.265, H.264, VP9, MPEG-2
  • Resolution: The maximum supported resolution is 1920x1080. Note that some supported VESA video modes have limitations, as outlined in this FAQ. 
  • Supported Extensions/Containers: .ts, .mpg, .vob, .mov, .mp4, .m2ts

Note: .mov files with compressed "atoms" (i.e. metadata) are not currently supported. 

  • Additionally Supported Extensions: Players also support .webm video with Vorbis audio (the Opus audio codec is not supported).
  • Specs for H.265 Extensions/Containers: Support for Main and Main 10 profiles up to level 5.1
  • Specs for H.264 Extensions/Containers: Support for Main and High profiles up to level 4.2
  • Maximum Recommended Video Bit Rate: 25Mbps
  • Audio Support: AAC audio (CBR/VBR) up to 288Kbps
  • Fast Start: Enabling fast start (-movflags +faststart) is recommended, especially for videos used in synchronized playback and BrightWall, as well as videos of large filesize and/or duration

XTx43, XDx33, 4Kx42

4K Video

  • Video Codec: 4K video must be encoded as an H.265 (HEVC) file. 
  • Resolution: The maximum supported resolution is 3840x2160x60p.
  • Color Depth: 4K video can be encoded at 4:2:0 subsampling with 8 bits (Main Profile) or 10 bits (Main 10 Profile) of depth.
  • HDR and Dolby Vision: XTx43 players support HDR10
  • Display Hardware: The maximum supported framerate and color depth are also affected by your display hardware. See this section of the 4K Video Encoding tech note for more details. 

Note: BrightSign players support both H.265 version 1 profiles: Main and Main 10. However, we do not support the recently ratified version 2 profiles.

  • Container Format: The following container formats are supported: .ts, .mov, .mp4, .mkv, .webm.

Note: These players support .webm video with Vorbis audio only. The Opus audio codec is not supported.

  • Bitrate: We recommend a CBR between 30 and 40 Mbps. These values apply to both the primary and secondary video decoders.
  • Merge Mode: If you are using B-frames as references in H.265 “merge mode”, the size of the references list should be limited to two or less.
  • Audio Support: AAC audio (CBR/VBR) up to 288Kbps
  • Fast Start: Enabling fast start (-movflags +faststart) is recommended, especially for videos used in synchronized playback and BrightWall, as well as videos of large filesize and/or duration

Note: 4K video must be played from a Class 10 SD card.

HD and SD video

  • Supported Codecs: H.265, H.264, VP8, MPEG-2, MPEG-1
  • Resolution: The maximum supported resolution is 1920x1080. Note that some supported VESA video modes have limitations, as outlined in this FAQ. 
  • Supported Extensions/Containers: .ts, .mpg, .vob, .mov, .mp4, .m2ts

Note: .mov files with compressed "atoms" (i.e. metadata) are not currently supported. 

  • Additionally Supported Extensions: BrightSign players support .wmv files that are exported from PowerPoint (i.e. video-only .wmv without .wma audio). Players also support .webm video with Vorbis audio (the Opus audio codec is not supported).
  • Specs for H.265 Extensions/Containers: Support for Main and Main 10 profiles up to level 5.1
  • Specs for H.264 Extensions/Containers: Support for Main and High profiles up to level 4.2
  • Specs for MPEG-1 Extensions/Containers: System streams only (elementary streams are not supported)
  • Maximum Recommended Video Bit Rate: 25Mbps
  • Audio Support: AAC audio (CBR/VBR) up to 288Kbps
  • Fast Start: Enabling fast start (-movflags +faststart) is recommended, especially for videos used in synchronized playback and BrightWall, as well as videos of large filesize and/or duration

LS424

  • Supported Codecs: H.265, H.264, MPEG-2
  • Resolution: The maximum supported resolution is 1920x1080. Note that some supported VESA video modes have limitations, as outlined in this FAQ. 
  • Supported Extensions/Containers: .ts, .mpg, .vob, .mov, .mp4, .m2ts

Note: .mov files with compressed "atoms" (i.e. metadata) are not currently supported. 

  • Additionally Supported Extensions: Players also support .webm video with Vorbis audio (the Opus audio codec is not supported).
  • Specs for H.265 Extensions/Containers: Support for Main and Main 10 profiles up to level 5.1
  • Specs for H.264 Extensions/Containers: Support for Main and High profiles up to level 4.2
  • Maximum Recommended Video Bit Rate: 25Mbps
  • Audio Support: AAC audio (CBR/VBR) up to 288Kbps
  • Fast Start: Enabling fast start (-movflags +faststart) is recommended, especially for videos used in synchronized playback and BrightWall, as well as videos of large filesize and/or duration

HDx23, LS423

  • Supported Codecs: H.265, H.264, VP8, MPEG-2, MPEG-1
  • Resolution: The maximum supported resolution is 1920x1080. Note that some supported VESA video modes have limitations, as outlined in this FAQ. 
  • Supported Extensions/Containers: .ts, .mpg, .vob, .mov, .mp4, .m2ts

Note: .mov files with compressed "atoms" (i.e. metadata) are not currently supported. 

  • Additionally Supported Extensions: BrightSign players support .wmv files that are exported from PowerPoint (i.e. video-only .wmv without .wma audio). Players also support .webm video with Vorbis audio (the Opus audio codec is not supported).
  • Specs for H.265 Extensions/Containers: Support for Main and Main 10 profiles up to level 5.1
  • Specs for H.264 Extensions/Containers: Support for Main and High profiles up to level 4.2
  • Specs for MPEG-1 Extensions/Containers: System streams only (elementary streams are not supported)
  • Maximum Recommended Video Bit Rate: 25Mbps
  • Audio Support: AAC audio (CBR/VBR) up to 288Kbps
  • Fast Start: Enabling fast start (-movflags +faststart) is recommended, especially for videos used in synchronized playback and BrightWall, as well as videos of large filesize and/or duration

XDx32, XDx30, HDx22, HDx20, LSx22, HDx10

  • Supported Codecs: H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-1
  • Resolution: The maximum supported resolution is 1920x1080. Note that some supported VESA video modes have limitations, as outlined in this FAQ. 
  • Supported Extensions/Containers: .ts, .mpg, .vob, .mov, .mp4, .m2ts

Note: .mov files with compressed "atoms" (i.e. metadata) are not currently supported.

  • Additionally Supported Extensions: .wmv files that are exported from PowerPoint (i.e. video-only .wmv without .wma audio).
  • Specs for H.264 Extensions/Containers: Support for Main and High Profiles up to level 4.2
  • Specs for MPEG-1 Extensions/Containers: System streams only (elementary streams are not supported)
  • Maximum Recommended Video Bit Rate: 25Mbps
  • Audio Support: AAC audio (CBR/VBR) up to 288Kbps
  • Fast Start: Enabling fast start (-movflags +faststart) is recommended, especially for videos used in synchronized playback and BrightWall (not applicable to HDx10 models), as well as videos of large filesize and/or duration

HD600

  • MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Standard video files
  • Supported extensions .MPG and .VOB
  • Must be a Program Stream (System Stream for MPEG-1)
  • Must contain an audio layer at a 48Khz sample rate, even if it's just silence.
  • Maximum bit rate supported is 9Mbps
  • Maximum video resolution supported is 720x480

HD2000

  • MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 HD or Standard video files
  • Supported extensions .MPG and .VOB
  • Must be a Program Stream (System Stream for MPEG-1)
  • Maximum bit rate supported is 25Mbps
  • Maximum video resolution supported is 1920x1080i (interlaced)

 

Have more questions? Submit a request

61 Comments

Date Votes
  • 0
    Avatar
    Alberto Donoso

    Do you support PowerPoint Presentations?

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    Please refer to Powerpoint article for details.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Rob Davy

    Why does it not support MPEGs with .mpeg file extensions, only .mpg?

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    .mpeg extension is not visible in BrightAuthor.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Sander Bontje

    BrightAuthor allows me to choose from several different output resolutions and frame rates for a presentation. I am shocked to discover that although I can choose from 1080p*24/1080p29.97/1080p30* (and more), 1080p*25* is not listed. Is 1080p*25* really unsupported? Like most people living in PAL countries, almost all of our content is 25 fps based.

    I'm using the lastest official release of BA (3.2.0.12). I am currently using 1920x1080x50i for the moment, but interlaced output is far from ideal.

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    We take this into consideration. It's not in the current active development list. If the content is 25p, then 50i or 50p is going to be the best looking output.

  • 0
    Avatar
    joe

    Can combinations of supported codecs and frame sizes be used in programs?

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    Please provide an example.

  • 0
    Avatar
    joe

    I guess that means no

    For my purposes I just need to know that 1080p 30fps mpeg2 can be followed by a 720p 25fps mp4 and then loop ok.
    If only some codec/frame sizes / fps combinations work then I would like to know which might cause problems?

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    1080p 30fps mpeg2 - supported

    720p 25fps mp4 - supported

    HD models support 30fps content, XD - 60fps. Higher fps isn't supported, lower fps is supported.

    The same is true for a frame size. The highest frame size for a video is 1920x1080. Anything lower is also supported.

    Video quality technote (designed primarily for HDx10 series) has valuable tips to look at.

  • 0
    Avatar
    joe

    Im not sure that Im being clear. I can see and read exactly what is supported and state as much in my question.

    I want to be sure that I can mix combinations of codecs etc in a single program.
    "Can combinations of supported codecs and frame sizes be used in programs?"
    If I show a 1080p30fps video followed by a 720p 25fps is it going to automatically fill the screen with the smaller frame size and paly both files at the correct speed?

    Apologies if your answer means this but I can only see that you are stating the known supported codecs which Im clearly not concerned with.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Romeo

    Hi,

     > If I show a 1080p30fps video followed by a 720p 25fps is it going to automatically fill the screen with the smaller frame size and paly both files at the correct speed?

    No, your 25fps video will stutter at 30p and you’ll also want to avoid scalling content as again the output quality would be affected in a negative manner. 25fps content is best played back at 50p, 50i videomode.

    So to summarise, you could mix and match content but it will look bad and I would strongly recommend that you avoid doing this.

    Regards,

    Romeo

  • 0
    Avatar
    joe

    Ok thanks , Glad I asked.

    Before I used Brightsign I used WDTV among several other media players and they all played any sequence of framerates or codecs back to back seamlessly. I only asked this question as I couldn't understand why you have to hard set the frame rate in the project.
    And I cant say I still see why this should be for simple sequence programs that rely on frame syncing.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Romeo

    Just to be clear, you can mix and match different codecs. The mixing of content with different framerate is what would be an issue here.

    Even though scalling up does affect the output quality slightly it's still pretty good!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Ramcharan Arya

    I have 1010w unit I am able to play .mp4 file format. Does this require any specific software version for 1010w unity. please advice. Thank you

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    We recommend to use the latest BrightAuthor software and the latest firmware available at support site http://support.brightsign.biz/entries/314637-brightsign-downloads

    Currently, BrightAuthor 3.5.0.31 and firmware 3.10.40 (for HD1010w).

  • 0
    Avatar
    Richard J Rubasch

    Does the HD220 support x264 codec encodes?

  • 0
    Avatar
    joe

    Is there a best codec / format for media synchronising on the HD220 etc.

    I have had success with MPEG-2 transport stream but need to know if H264 cbr is as good.

    You say above that H264 is best for picture quality so in terms of staying in sync is it still the best when doing network synched / video wall work?

     

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    For the best video type for sync, see this faq.

  • 0
    Avatar
    B3rr6x

    Hi,

    Can you tell me how to encode MVC 3D in frame packing as .m2ts files are not supported? I'm a XD 1030 user.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Léandre BRECL

    Hello,

    I'm in the same situation, can not play videos in "frame packing" on XD1030 player.

    Format too vague ...

    Latest Firmware seem bugged for 3D.

    Try this firmware here:

    http://brightsignbiz.s3.amazonaws.com/firmware/xd/4.7/4.7.96/brightsign_xd_update_4.7.96.zip

    M2TS is not supported, you must convert it to .ts format, or simply rename the extension as .ts (sometimes it works)

    I am waiting return from BrightSign about the format "Frame packing" ... I hope to have an answer ...

    If anyone has a sample video Frame Packing which works on this player I'm interested ...

    Thank you in advance for your support.

    Léandre

  • 0
    Avatar
    Anders Nilsson

    Hi,

    I´m having some difficulties with my Brightsign hd120-player. I simply can't get my film to play.

    The original file was a 5 gb Apple ProRes 422, 1920x1080 MOV-file with sound in PCM, which I used FCP/Compressor to convert to a H264-MPEG-4 part 10, quicktime MOV-file, with MPEG AAC audio. The filezise is now 2,18 gb.

    The publishing in BrightAuthor seem to work fine but when I try to play the file on my player it will not start. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?

    The SD-card is working, the presentation properties is correctly set to HDMI and screen resolution 1920x1080, where I have tried 50p, 29,97p and 25p. The video is 25 fps.

    Regards

    Anders

     

  • 0
    Avatar
    Richard J Rubasch

    Just for fun encode the same settings but scale it to 1280 x 720 and republish the playlist.  Post back. 

     

    Since not all monitors support 1920 x 1080 we have decided to go with all 1280 x 720 encodes so there is no compatibility on the clients end if they purchase a 720 monitor.  I had issues with 1080 material as well.  Also the player would not play any files I encoded with the x264 codec.

     

    Rich

  • 0
    Avatar
    Anders Nilsson

    This is strange. I´ve scaled the video to 1280x720. Made a short clip of the video, published it and it works fine. But when I publish the complete video it does not work! The size of the complete film is 1,1 GB.

    This is for an exhibition where 4 films will be in a loop so I tried to publish this 1280x720 together with a clip that currently is a mpeg 2 720x480 video. When I start the player the 720x480 video plays correctly, but then nothing happens…

    Any suggestions?

     

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    Anders,

    Does the unit reboot itself when it comes to a "bad video" playback? Are the leds flashing on the unit? Which color?

    Power up your HD120 player without SD card and check what firmware version is displayed on the screen that's plugged to the player.

    Please send your brightauthor presentation file (.bpf file).

    Download a free program called mediainfo from this page http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net

    Use mediainfo to open your problem video file, click on View - Text, copy the full specs of the video to a notepad file and attach a notepad file to this thread.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Anders Nilsson

    The player just stops and only the power-led is lit, and it is constantly green.

    The firmware is 4.7.122, and BrightAuthor is 3.7.0.37

     

    I´m attaching the files.

     

    Thanks for your help.

     

     

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    This is the problem setting:

    Format profile                           : Main@L5.0

    As mentioned in this article:

    Main or High Profile up to level 4.1 on HD series and up to level 4.2 on XD series

    The video must be redone at level 4.1 or lower to work properly on the HD120.

    Also, please note, the max supported bitrate is 25 Mbps. The bitrate of your video is 35 Mbps.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Anders Nilsson

    Ok I see. Thank you.

    But now my problem is how to re-encode the video to profile level 4.1.  Can´t find any tutorials on how to do this, and can´t find a way to change the settings in either fcp or compressor. Anyone here who know how to this?

  • 0
    Avatar
    BrightSign Support

    You may find this FAQ helpful:

    http://support.brightsign.biz/entries/460154-How-do-I-create-MOV-videos-using-Final-Cut-and-Compressor-

  • 0
    Avatar
    Engin Kümüştekin

    How to play portrait video files on XD1030. I have a 1080x1920p video which is mov file. I tried to play this file but it is not supported. Can you help me?

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