This forum has been en fuego that last few days!!! Problems being solved left and right. I thought I would post another nagging problem I have been experiencing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

I have been having a terrible time trying to play video files. I have carefully looked at all requirements for video and keep getting the same error:

When I load the source with the video file on it (DVD, CD or SD) the file is greyed out. If I select it to try to play it, it says the file "is damaged".

Specifics:
Have 10 music video files that I downloaded from YouTube using Freecorder add-on for Internet Explorer. All files were saved as .mp4 files. Played perfectly on my Windows 7 computer.

1) Loaded them onto a DVD-R as data and ended the project. Didn't play in MMI.
2) Loaded them onto a CD-R as data and ended the project. Didn't play in MMI.
3) Loaded them onto a 4GB SanDisk Ultra class 4 SDHC card. Didn't play in MMI.
4) Tried importing from these devices to Jukebox. Successfully imported, but still wouldn't play with same problem.
5) Imported all to iTunes as .mp4 files. Played perfectly in iTunes. Then copied new files from iTunes folder to SD card. Still didn't work in Audi.
6) Converted all files to .mov using iOrgSoft video converter. Wouldn't play in MMI on SD card or after import.
7) Put SD card into computer and all files are confirmed to play.

I have run out of ideas. The really interesting thing - 1 of the videos played as .mp4 format. Just 1. When I converted it to .mov, it didn't play. It happens to be the smallest file size.

My thoughts:

A) The fact that the smallest file played makes me wonder if there is a delay for video files to be recognized. When I converted the .mp4 to .mov, that increased the file size and could this be the reason it stopped working? I tend to think no, because I have previously played .mp4 movie files from the SD card without delay that were much bigger.

B) Is there some DRM issue with the files? I suspect not since they were ripped from YouTube, they play fine on every other player I have, and I converted them to different formats without trouble. Also, why would one work, but then STOP working. I surely didn't ADD DRM when I converted it to .mov.

How are others playing video files in their Audi? Anyone else experience these issues?

Tried two more things to try and troubleshoot this issue.

1) Loaded a large movie file in .mp4 format that I know is DRM-free. Put it on my SD card with the other problem .mp4 files and tried to play it on MMI. This was to test to see how fast the file should play. The large move played instantly. Obviously, file size is a nonissue. MMI should play a file immediately.

2) Changed the location of the video files on the SD card to a folder that was lower in the alphabet so it wouldn't play on SD card insert. Previously, it was in the top folder and the files would try to play immediately. Now, music loads first, in an attempt to give more time for video files to be recognized by MMI. Again, this made no difference.

3) Checked the DRM status of these problem files. None are protected.

I am left with the conclusion that there is something wrong with these video files. MMI clearly supports .mp4 and .mov files, yet mine are not playing in MMI but play with Quicktime, Windows or iTunes.

How can I troubleshot these files? Are there issues that I am not aware of?

Last post for now on this. I used another video conversion program called Handbrake to convert the files to .m4v types. I also played with the output resolution of the converted file. The file type doesn't matter.

The issue here is the display size of the file!!! Downsizing the file (1280 x 740) to iPhone size allowed for playback. I tested several sizes to try and find the display limit of the MMI.

iPhone 4: 975x416 didn't work
iPhone/iPod Touch: 480x208 worked
Anamorphic doesn't matter if used or not

I read everything in the MMI manual, and see no mention of a display size limit. Did I miss it? How to I determine what the limit is?

This is similar to another nagging problem with MMI that I solved - album art. The album art file embedded into a song must be about 246kB or smaller to display. A moderate hassle for me, since I manually add high res album art to my library. I had random albums that don't show up. Some were autofetched by iTunes! This also resolved the same album art issue with my Sonos player at home. I guess most music players have limits on album art, and MMI falls into that category.